The Raven Scholar is here, and it is magnificent. Today, author Antonia Hodgson releases the first volume in her trilogy The Eternal Path. This door-stopping epic fantasy novel takes place in the empire of Orrun, where every 24 years a festival is held to select the next ruler. Contenders hailing from sects dedicated to each of the empire's eight animal Guardians are selected to serve their peoples' interests, competing in various trials and duels until a winner becomes clear.
Amidst this political morass, we meet Neema Kraa, a scholar dedicated to the Raven deity who finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue and mystery. On the eve of the festival, a contender turns up dead. If Neema wants to help keep the empire's integrity from crumbling — and her own head off the chopping block — she'll have to get to the bottom of the murder before a new ruler is declared.
Last week we previewed an exclusive chapter from The Raven Scholar, so you can dip your toes into the story and see how Neema's journey begins. Now, to mark the release of the book, author Antonia Hodgson stopped by the site to discuss her writing journey, building the epic fantasy world of The Raven Scholar, designing its history, researching the quirks of real-life ravens, and more!
DANIEL ROMAN for Winter Is Coming: While you've written other books like the Thomas Hawkins series, The Raven Scholar is your first fantasy. What made you decide to take that leap?
ANTONIA HODGSON: My first novel was a gothic vampire fantasy called Lucian. I spent five years writing it, and there were elements that worked, I think – but it didn't hold together. I'm very glad it didn't get published, though of course I was devastated at the time. Those five years taught me so much – not least that I had the desire and perseverance to keep going.
There was a narrative strand within Lucian set in 1720s London, and my research for that ultimately led to The Devil in the Marshalsea, my first published novel. So – oddly – it's more that I stumbled out of fantasy into historical crime. I very much enjoyed the journey, I should say, but I'm happy to be home.
WiC: Since you have written historical fictional, were there any particular historical influences you drew on when building the world of The Raven Scholar?
AH: I didn't consciously draw on specific historical influences. Certain patterns and cycles of history, certainly. The first paragraph of The Raven Scholar hints at this. Because something happened a long time ago, and is now consigned to a silk tapestry on a wall, doesn't mean it can't or won't happen again.
WiC: The Raven Scholar is a murder mystery at its heart, as well as a complex political story. Which of those came first when you were conceiving of the book?
AH: I'm always tripped up by these questoins because, once I begin writing a book, I willfully forget the planning process. I could go back and trawl through my notebooks for clues, but where the fun in that for either of us? No, let me grope around for an answer instead...
Everything tends to evolve together, organically. One of the first things I did was draw a map. (Not – I hasten to add – the beautiful one in the finished book.) Geography suggests politics suggests history suggests religion etc, etc. So this created a framework, at least.
The murder mystery must have developed alongside everything else, because inevitably – avoiding spoilers – it is interwoven with the political situation. It also propels the whole story, because once Neema begins investigating, she can't stop pulling on every thread she finds.
WiC: One of the things I really liked about this book is how there's a very well thought out political justification for the contest for the throne, with a lot of lore and history behind it. Can you talk a little about how you designed that system?
AH: I don't think I could have started the book without understanding Orrun's past. Any more than I could write a character without knowing at least some of their background. In terms of how I designed it, I think it started with that map. Orrun is surrounded by what was clearly an environmental disaster: scarred lands, poisoned forests, empty seas. But the damage is tens of thousands of years old, and the references to it are so oblique as to be baffling.
Then my mind goes to: well how do people make sense of this, and how would they avoid being wiped out again? And how long before they become complacent and forget to worry? So you have the Guardians, to protect and remind people. According to Scriptures they 'Return' seven times to save the world. Cycles of history, again. And wouldn't that get annoying? I'd be annoyed. So maybe the Guardians (if indeed they exist) say: Look, if we have to come back an eighth time, we won't save the world, we'll destroy it. We're not joking about this, not even Fox, who finds everything funny.
From there it seemed logical that at some point, a tyrant would come very close to provoking the Last Return. This is Empress Yasthala. Almost ending the world would (hopefully) make you reflect, and that is what she did. So – fifteen hundred years before the start of the novel – she created the Five Rules to ward against tyranny, including the first contest for the throne.
I suppose a shorter way of answering this is to say I came up with an idea then asked it lots of questions.
WiC: Was there any one scene or part of the book you were especially excited to write and why?
AH: I loved writing the fight platform scenes. They are an integral part of the Trials, but they're also a great way to reveal more about a character through action. Especially Neema, and how she develops through the process. I also really enjoyed shifting into the 'folk tale' moments, and – again, avoiding spoilers – introducing certain Guardians.
To be honest though, I loved all of it. It was hard work, but it really has always been my dream to write epic fantasy, and the experience was everything I hope for and more.
WiC: The narration style for this book is fascinating; I loved how you leaned into the Raven's voice throughout, and how much personality it had. Can you talk a little about the development of that narration style? And were there any particular challenges that came along with it?
AH: I read a lot about ravens before I began writing – both their behavior and their symbolic role. I watched a lot of clips. Watching ravens rolling joyfully around in the snow is very much serious research, I can confirm. So a lot of that fed into the voice and personality of the Raven.
Then part way through writing I spent a morning with a raven called Bran, and his friend Lloyd Buck. (You can look them up – Bran is famous!) That was revelatory, being able to study a raven up close. Especially one with such a wonderful, inquisitive personality. Plus I watch birds a lot in my garden. Sadly only one brief visit from a raven, but I've had several crows and rooks, and lots of jackdaws come to the feeder.
All this combined together to create the voice, plus just stuff I pulled from my imagination! There were no challenges in terms of writing it – I find it very easy to slip into that mode. The only challenge I suppose was giving myself permission to do it.
WiC: The Raven Scholar is largely focused on the island of Armas, but you talk about many other locations in your fantasy world. Are there any you're hoping to explore more in future books?
AH: Oh, yes. Already exploring...
WiC: What books have you read recently that you've really enjoyed?
AH: I loved The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton – a beautifully woven tale of magic, political intrigue and desire, which doesn't begin to express its subtlety. It's out this summer – huge recommendation from me!
Right at the moment I'm reading Idolfire by Grace Curtis, and wondering why on earth I haven't read Idolfire by Grace Curtis until now, because it's wonderful.
WiC: Last question! If you had to pick characters from other fictional stories to represent the Eight deities of your world in the contest for the throne, which characters would you pick?
AH: Oh my word I LOVE this question and would happily spend days answering it, which is bad news as I have a book to write...! So I'll just answer for the First Guardian and the Eighth – and maybe in future we can come back and fill in the rest!
First Guardian: The Fox
Adventurers, inventors, escape artists, chaos weavers, mischief makers, improvisers, boundary crossers and occasional assassins. Lando Calrissian would be a good fit, I reckon – he has the sense of humor needed as well. Plus Robert Sheehan in just about anything, apparently.
Eighth Guardian: The Dragon
Enigmatic, charismatic, elegant and aloof. Ferociously protective of their treasures, whether these be potent drugs, spell books or secrets. It's wrong of me, really to suggest anyone – for the Dragon chooses its own kin. But, at the risk of being burned to ash, I'd go for Lady Jessica Atreides or Ged/Sparrowhawk.
WiC: Amazing! Thank you again for taking the time to tell us about The Raven Scholar!
AH: Thank you!
The Raven Scholar is out today, April 15, from Orbit. It's available wherever books are sold.
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