This explosive and sizzling romantic fantasy novel “Curel Is The Light” is our Young Adult Book of the Month for February!
We were lucky to receive this amazing Q&A with the author that gave us an insight into her writing process and lovable main characters!
Let’s dive in…
ABOUT THE BOOK
A brutal war between demons and humanity has raged across Europe for over a century. At its heart are two elite soldiers: Selene Alleva, a powerful exorcists trained at the prestigious Vatican Academy, and foot soldier, Jules Lacroix, unrivalled in battle.
When their paths cross, despite initial distrust – then unwelcome attraction – Jules and Selene discover a terrible secret at the heart of the holy Vatican City . . .
Soon Jules is forced to question everything he’s ever known – including himself. And Selene, unable to ignore her growing feelings for Jules, must make an impossible choice between love and duty.
Q&A with Sophie Clark
1. How did you first come up with the idea for Cruel is the Light?
Cruel is the Light came from so many fragments of inspiration I couldn’t hope to answer this question in full. It blossomed from an unconquerable desire to write this—and only this—when I was supposed to be writing something else. In large part, this was because Cruel was inspired by some of my greatest loves. First, and most importantly, Rome. This book is a love letter to the city and to the empire that was. My love for Rome and its history is embodied by Selene, who has a fierce desire to protect Rome and her people.
Having many influences could have pulled me in a hundred different directions, but when I met Selene and Jules, I knew what Cruel was meant to be. It was the brightness where their lives and stories intersect—and how, together, they could bring their world to its knees.
2. Had you travelled to Rome, and The Vatican before setting your book in an alternate version of these cities?
Yes! I love Rome. Cruel is the Light would be nothing without the Deathless God’s Rome that acts as a backdrop for much of the book. Rome was the first place I went outside of Australia, and I was lucky enough to visit again while working on edits with my incredible publishing team. With Cruel foremost in my mind I explored Vatican City, Trastevere, the Catacombs, and walked across the Aelian Bridge to the real-life Castel Sant Angelo, known as the Castel Santo Immortale in my book. This helped me bring the Deathless God’s Rome to life—which makes Selene’s love for her city even more poignant.
3. Without giving too much away, tell us what’s your favourite line from Jules and Selene!
I have so many favourite lines that aren’t dialogue, but I do love this back-and-forth:
‘Can you please stop throwing yourself at me?’ Jules demanded.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. ‘I can assure you, if it happens again, it’ll be dagger first.’
4. If you were a character in a novel, what would be your character’s signature quirk or catchphrase?
I think if I was a book character—I immediately imagined this as a fantasy book, of course!—I would have to have a signature quirk to do with my eyes. Perhaps rather than my ordinary green I would have one brown eye and one green. Then there’s absolutely no mistaking that I’m the main character of this novel!
5. What fictional world would you want to live in, and how would you survive or thrive there?
Unfortunately, I doubt I would survive most fictional worlds. But the one that leapt immediately to mind was the Celestial Kingdom from Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan. I would thrive by drinking tea under plum blossoms and in magical bamboo forests and I’d survive by staying far… far away from handsome princes from the Demon Realm. Or would I?
6. Settle a debate for us- who fell for the other first, Jules or Selene?!
Selene would never acknowledge this—not even to herself—but she definitely fell first! Then he fell harder.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sophie Clark is a graduate of Pitch Wars class of 2021 and was mentored by Emily Thiede (This Vicious Grace) and Lauren Blackwood (Within These Wicked Walls) while working on Cruel is The Light. Her agent fought off five others to represent her. Sophie has a Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Melbourne, and previously worked for the Australian Senate. She now resides in Tasmania, Australia, with a beautiful black and white Border Collie called Indy.
