Discovering Hope in the Midst of Darkness and Exploring Difficult Themes in Stories with author Karyne Norton

Episode Show Notes Can be Found Here: https://cjmilacci.com/read-clean-ya-with-cj-podcast/  Links to Things Discussed in this Episode Blood of the Stars (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3Jj74E4  Karyne Norton’s Website: https://www.karynenorton.com Finding Fantasy Reads Podcast: https://www.findingfantasyreads.com Exploring Themes of Choice and Consequences in Karyne Norton's Epic Fantasy Debut "Blood of the Stars" In this episode of the Read Clean YA with CJ podcast, host CJ Milacci interviews fellow author Karyne Norton about her debut epic fantasy novel, "Blood of the Stars". The book, which launched on Kickstarter in September 2023 and is now available with retailers as of March 2024, is a story about descendants from stars, reluctant royalty, slow-burn romance, dragons, and unique creatures across over 600 pages. The Evolution of "Blood of the Stars" Karyne shares that the idea for "Blood of the Stars" started nearly 20 years ago, evolving significantly over time. She wrote snippets and scenes over the years but didn't have the discipline to write a full novel until about 10 years later. The version she rewrote two years ago differs greatly from her initial concept. Themes of Choice, Consequences, and Redemption One of the main themes in "Blood of the Stars" is the idea that we can choose between right and wrong, good and evil. The story explores whether intentions behind actions can change outcomes and if good intentions can still lead to negative consequences. Karyne wanted to present different perspectives on this topic, as she believes it's true to life and encourages valuable discussion. This theme resonates with Karyne personally, as she tends to put a lot of weight on her choices, sometimes leading to anxiety about decision-making. She believes that everyone struggles with making good choices and dealing with the outcomes of their decisions. Is "Blood of the Stars" Appropriate for Young Adults? While marketed as an adult epic fantasy, "Blood of the Stars" features a protagonist who is 17-18 years old, making it relatable to older young adults. Karyne defines "clean" in her book as having no language (G rating), PG-level romance (kissing), and PG-13 fantasy violence that is not gratuitous. The book does address some darker themes, such as self-harm and abuse, which may require conversations with younger teenagers. However, Karyne and CJ believe it's important for Christian authors to address difficult topics in their stories, as it acknowledges the reality of the world and can lead to powerful redemption arcs. Conclusion "Blood of the Stars" offers an immersive epic fantasy experience that explores deep themes of choice, consequences, and redemption. While suitable for older young adults, younger or sensitive readers may benefit from guidance when engaging with the book's darker elements. Karyne Norton's debut novel promises to captivate readers with its rich world-building, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes. Wrapping things Up: from CJ I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Karyne Norton. As I mentioned, Karyne is a dear friend, and I loved getting to do a deep dive into her debut novel with her. If you’re looking for an epic fantasy adventure, with rich world-building, a large cast of characters, slow-burn romance, and deep themes, you’re going to love Blood of the Stars.  Note for Sensitive Readers As Karyne and I addressed in this interview, there are some themes in this book that might be difficult for young or sensitive readers, so I recommend having a parent or trusted adult read the story first. Next Time on Read Clean YA with CJ Next time on Read Clean YA with CJ, I’ll be talking with young adult author Lyndsey Lewellen about her debut young adult novel, The Chaos Grid. Mad-Max comes to Texas in this futuristic story of a girl who joins a crew of truckers across a monster infested wasteland to keep from becoming the savior of the domed city that murdered her parents. We had a great conversation and I can’t wait to share it with you! Thank you so much for listening to Read Clean YA with CJ. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend so they can discover exciting, clean young adult books too.