Queen of Myth and Monsters

Last, I want to talk about Isolde—my unapologetic queen. I hope I have given my readers, especially my BIPOC readers, a female character who makes them feel empowered and determined. Isold

I think this is the journey we are all on as women now. Some of us are waking up and others are asleep—either is okay. Trauma lives in our blood and crosses lifetimes. I think every day we wake up and live this life is progress toward healing

Isolde who, I feel, is a woman I aspire to be—she never apologizes for who she is; she doesn’t bow to the will of men; she refuses to conform to society’s standards.

She has had to survive like so many of us—I can’t wait to see her conquer

I began reading a book called Witch by Lisa Lister, which detailed the rise of the patriarchy and, as a result, the oppression of women, their magic, and the demonization of witchcraft. I also began reading When God Was a Woman, which details the steady fall of a world that first worshipped women into a society that now seeks to revoke our rights—all because women are powerful

It’s obvious that this book is heavily influenced by the myths and legends from Romania, Slovenia, Germany, and Russia, and this mostly extends to the lore around their monsters

First, I want to be clear that Adrian as a character was not modeled after Vlad III. I did research on Vlad III’s life and how he came to be in power because I wanted to study a ruler who was perceived by those outside his country as almost “evil” despite his people seeing him as a hero.

Dis hates me,” I said.

“She hates you because she loves Adrian,” said Ana

and where Dragos had raped me

Who are you to say?” I asked, gritting my teeth.

“You did not incarnate in this life to be Isolde of Lara. You incarnated to seek revenge as Yesenia of Aroth, and that revenge must be against men. They hurt you.”

Why did you help me?” I asked.

“I have been trying to help you,” she said. “I have warned you about Adrian. I have told you that we are fighting for the same purpose.”

“You keep saying that, and yet you keep killing my people,” I said.

“Men,” she said. “I am killing men.”