Braidee Otto

Like some people have actually reached out to me and have learnt about it after they've read the book, which I found really interesting because I always thought that they –

We're quite popular, but perhaps not.

I'm not sure.

I think the most standout one is probably the Sphinx, who is just like we dropped the the in this story and her name is Sphinx.

And the myth and the story of the Sphinx's riddle and how that has become a core part of this story itself as well.

Yes, yeah.

I really, really loved, I suppose, her, like the way she speaks because it's kind of just like it's just a little bit different from how everyone talks within the realm and it does have quite a prophetic old ancient feel to it and she feels very otherworldly and I suppose that's because she is

Absolutely.

I think trials are one of my favourite things.

And I know there's so many people that are saying it's getting a little bit tired these days, but I personally absolutely love it.

And I feel like it's a really great way to introduce the world and

the characters and also kind of set the stage for the bigger story going forward.

I think that like, you know, you've got things like quests and all sorts of things.

So like, you've always got to have something that kind of kicks off the story.

And I think this in particular, it's like, you know, it's,

yes she's going to compete in these bridal trials and they are kind of more so bridal trials rather than really high stakes deadly trials and i think the stakes for her because she is a trained spy and she's been training for this kind of thing for 10 years um the stakes for her also come from the fact that her best friend is at risk if she's not successful

um but then of course within that that is just really a distraction and a way for them to a like get a political foothold within this other kingdom um because there is of course like all of the different political things going on in the background um but then b it is also a distraction for the um the heist that is kind of taking place at the same time that the rest of her team is

focused on.

So I really liked playing with that structure.

And I feel like that for me felt like made it feel a little bit different.