As part two of The Unfailing Light tour stop at Imaginary Reads, I have for you an interview with author Robin Bridges and a giveaway of The Unfailing Light.
Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She’s about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia’s arch nemesis–who she thought she’d destroyed–is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She’ll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina’s horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.
Interview with Robin Bridges
Tell us a little about yourself and how you became a writer.
Hi! I have always been crazy about reading and lived at the library when I was younger. One might accuse me of being too fond of books, but it has not turned my brain. (At least I don’t believe so.) I wrote my first story when I was seven, stapling the pages between the backs of two old notebooks to make a “real” book. It was called THE HOUSE ON TENTH STREET. I’m pretty sure it lacked strong characterization. I wrote stories about goblins and fairy princesses in seventh grade, and then a hundred page murder mystery that did not have a single murder. I think some of my smooching fairy princesses made my English teacher blush. And yet she still encouraged me. God bless you, Mrs. Carr.
I love the Russian setting of the Katerina trilogy. Would you tell us a about your favorite Russian faerie tale?
The story of Vasilisa the Brave is a Russian variation of Cinderella. The girl has a cruel step-mother who sends her out in the forest to steal light from Baba Yaga’s hut. Vasilisa has a talking doll (probably possessed by her dead mother) that gives her tips on how to survive the forest and helps her perform the chores assigned to her by Baba Yaga. After passing the witch’s tests, Vasilisa is given a glowing skull to take back to her family. The light from the skull vaporizes Vasilisa’s step-mother and step-sisters, and Vasilisa lives happily ever after.
What aspect of imperial Russia did you find most fascinating while researching for the Katerina trilogy?
The incredible palaces the characters lived in and the beautiful dresses! My favorite coffee table books about the Romanovs have pages and pages of gorgeous photos of Empress Marie’s gowns and jewelry.
I adore the gorgeous dresses. After starting ballroom dance, my fascination with historical dresses only grew. Katerina is an imaginary character. However, is there an actual Russian historical figure with whom you would compare her?
Princess Vera Gedroits attended medical school in Switzerland and later returned to Russia and practiced medicine in St. Petersburg and Moscow. She also served on the front lines as a trauma surgeon during the Russo-Japanese War. Empress Alexandra and her daughters served as nurses with Dr. Gedroits in St. Petersburg.
George and Danilo have their shares of flaws and talents. What do you feel are their redeeming qualities and what do you feel makes them so endearing?
George is consumed with his sense of duty to the tsar, and yet he’s willing to walk away from his family for Katerina. Danilo’s dark nature reaches out to Katerina’s own darkness, and their bond has forged an intimacy that she can’t deny. She can see Danilo’s vulnerability, even though she wishes she couldn’t.
A brilliant cast of characters surrounds Katerina, some of whom we love to hate and others we want to see more of! If you were to write a spin off exploring another part of Katerina’s world, who would be the main character and what would the story be about?
Alix and her sisters have their own secrets, growing up in the dark forests of Germany. And I think Dariya’s bound and determined to have adventures of her own.
If you were a part of Katerina’s world and had supernatural abilities, what kind of abilities would you like to have and why?
I don’t think I would like to have Katerina’s gift, but I wouldn’t mind having the Empress’ faerie sight. It would be much less hassle than wearing contacts.
Contacts can be a hassle! What are you working on right now?
A new historical fantasy set in regency England.
By day, Robin is a mild-mannered writer of fantasy and paranormal fiction for young adults. By night, she is a pediatric nurse. Robin lives on the Gulf Coast with her husband, one soon-to-be teenager, and two slobbery mastiffs. THE GATHERING STORM is her first novel.
Related Posts
Review – The Gathering Storm
Review – The Unfailing Light
Open to the U.S. only
To enter, fill out the form below
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Sarah Kalaitzidis says
historical fantasy set in regency England Sounds like a great concept for a story! Thanks for the great giveaway and Interview!
deasuluna says
I just finished a Gathering Storm and I was left wanting more. Especially I want to find out more about what secrets the Hesse family has and see more of Katiya and the Grand Duke George. Great interview and I can't wait to read The Unfailing Light and the conclusion to this wonderful trilogy!! 😀
Lisa Marie @ The Young Adult Connection says
Ugh. Reading this interview makes me want to read it even more! Thank you for the giveaway!
:).
siriusyareader says
Great interview/ giveaway. I love how the mc can be compared to a real person.
alicia marie says
I love love loved The Gathering Storm and I can't wait to read more!! Thanks for the great interview! I think I've got to read the Russian Cinderella now. It sounds so different!!
Sayomay says
Snap! I wish i grew up with the Russain version of Cinderella! Thats sounds awesome! XD
Kayla Beck says
Ms. Bridges stories about her early works is awesome – it's great she had someone to keep inspiring her!
Tore says
Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read this book. sounds very good.
Hannah says
I enjoyed the first book. It was good. I didn't love it but I suppose I'm interested to see what goes on next.
Steph says
I love the Russian background to the story, along with the folklore! I don't know much about either, which makes this story sound really interesting to me. Thanks for the giveaway!
Doodle says
I love when characters are based loosely off of historical figures! Great interview 🙂
magan bagan says
I love getting a little extra insight to the author's and their work. Great interview!
Diana says
I love fairy and folk tales from around the world, including Russian, and have three anthologies of Russian tales. Two are from a Russian lady who sold matryoshkas. There are several stories with Vasalisa in it, my favorite is the one with the talking wolf.
Thanks for this interview and a chance to win!
biochemguy says
This sounds fascinating, thanks so much for the giveaway!
Christina Fiorelli says
That's such a creepy retelling of Cinderella:)
It's also awesome that Russian princesses were allowed to become doctors at a time when women weren't usually allowed to become professionals:)
Great interview and the series sounds awesome:)