Jon Cronshaw's Blog, page 9

Listen to “Shattered Kingdom” for FREE on YouTube!

Hello from Morecambe!

I’m excited to announce that the complete audiobook for Shattered Kingdom, the first novella in The Ravenglass Throne series, is now available to listen to completely FREE on YouTube!

Immerse Yourself in the World of Wyvern Riders

Step into the Kingdom of Ostreich, where three royal sisters—warrior Irmin, scholar Adelinde, and diplomat Elana—must uncover a deadly conspiracy following their father’s assassination.

As the bonds between wyverns and their riders begin to unravel, the very foundation of their civilization hangs in the balance.

Now you can experience this tale of political intrigue, magical corruption, and sisterhood while commuting, exercising, or simply relaxing with your eyes closed.

Why an Audio Edition?

Many of you have asked for audio versions of my work, and I’m thrilled to make this happen! Some stories truly come alive when heard aloud, and the shifting perspectives between the three sisters in Shattered Kingdom lend themselves perfectly to the audio format.

How to Listen

Simply head over to youtu.be/TKdx21A6OQs and press play! The audiobook is available in its entirety in a single video, with chapter timestamps in the description for easy navigation.

If you enjoy the audio experience, please consider:

Subscribing to my YouTube channel for notifications about future audio releasesSharing the link with friends who might enjoy the storyLeaving a comment to let me know what you think!What’s Next?

If the response is positive, I plan to release audio editions for the entire Ravenglass Throne series. Book 2, Wyvern’s Shadow, is already live on my Patreon at: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

Thank you for your continued support of this series. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the audio edition!

Happy listening,

Jon

P.S. Prefer reading? Shattered Kingdom is available as an ebook on all major platforms. New novellas in the series release monthly!

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🐉 SHATTERED KINGDOM is OUT NOW! (Just 99c/99p)

Hello from Morecambe!

I’m thrilled to announce that Shattered Kingdom, the first novella in my new fantasy serial The Ravenglass Throne, is OUT NOW!

When the King is assassinated before naming an heir, his three daughters—Irmin the warrior, Adelinde the scholar, and Elana the diplomat—must uncover a conspiracy threatening not just the throne, but the magical bonds between riders and their wyverns.

You can download now from your favourite ebook platform (Amazon, Apple, B&N, Google Play, Kobo, etc)

Get your copy: books2read.com/shatteredkingdom.

For just 99c/99p, you can begin this journey of political intrigue, magical corruption, and the unbreakable power of sisterhood.

 Library reader?

You can also request Shattered Kingdom through your local library via Overdrive and Borrowbox!

The Ravenglass Throne is a novella serial with new episodes releasing monthly, giving you regular doses of fast-paced high fantasy adventure without the wait for massive tomes.

Thank you for your support—I can’t wait to hear what you think of the new series!

Get your copy: books2read.com/shatteredkingdom.

Happy reading,

Jon

P.S. Want to get ahead? Early access to future episodes of The Ravenglass Throne is available now on my Patreon: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

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Villains in Dark Fantasy: Heroes Who Lost Their Way

The most compelling villains are often failed heroes.

In Forged in Blood, the second book in the Guild of Assassins trilogy, we witness Soren’s transformation from a justice-seeking youth into someone who can kill his closest friend without hesitation.

His journey exemplifies how dark fantasy creates villains not through sudden falls, but through a series of rational choices that lead to monstrous ends.

The Path to Darkness

What makes these transformations fascinating isn’t the destination, but the journey.

Soren begins with a noble goal: finding justice for his father’s murder.

Yet each step toward that goal requires compromise.

Learning to kill becomes necessary for survival.

Betrayal becomes a tactical advantage.

Friendship becomes a liability.

Morality becomes an obstacle.

The Rational Monster

The true horror in these stories lies not in dramatic moments of evil, but in how reasonable each choice seems.

When Soren finally betrays Alaric, it’s not a moment of malicious triumph—it’s the logical conclusion to a path he’s been walking all along.

Like Arthas in Warcraft or Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader, the fall comes through choices that seem necessary at the time.

Breaking Bonds

Dark fantasy understands that the most powerful corruptions require breaking fundamental human connections.

Soren sacrifices his friendship with Alaric.

Raistlin Majere abandons his twin brother.

Daemon Sadi in Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels series severs his ties to those he loves.

The Bloody Nine in Joe Abercrombie’s works forsakes companionship for survival.

These characters don’t just lose their connections—they actively sever them, believing isolation equals strength.

The Seduction of Power

What makes these transformations believable is how they tap into universal desires.

The need for justice.

The drive for excellence.

The pursuit of knowledge.

The thirst for power.

Soren doesn’t just become skilled at assassination—he finds he has a natural talent for it.

Like Baru Cormorant or Kvothe, his abilities make each compromise easier to justify.

The Point of No Return

Every villain’s journey has moments where turning back becomes impossible.

For Soren, this comes not with his first kill, but when he realises he’s begun to see the artistry in death.

Like Walter White’s transformation in Breaking Bad (though not fantasy, it follows the same arc), the change isn’t about necessity anymore—it’s about excellence.

Why These Stories Resonate

These transformations fascinate us because they challenge our assumptions about the nature of evil.

They force us to reconsider the power of choice.

They reveal the cost of ambition.

They highlight the strength and fragility of human bonds.

Perhaps most disturbingly, these stories force us to question our own capacity for darkness.

When we understand and even sympathise with each choice that leads to corruption, what does that say about us?

Beyond Simple Villainy

The best dark fantasy villains aren’t evil for evil’s sake.

They’re heroes who lost their way through choices we can understand, even as we recoil from the results.

In Forged in Blood, Soren’s transformation is horrifying precisely because we can follow his logic every step of the way.

These characters remind us that villains rarely see themselves as villains.

Like Marvel’s Magneto or Sanderson’s Lord Ruler, they often believe they’re still serving a greater purpose, even as their methods become increasingly monstrous.

What fallen hero arcs have resonated most with you?

At what point do you think these characters cross the line from hero to villain?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Join my Patreon community for early access to chapters, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes insights into how these complex character transformations are crafted.

See how anti-heroes and villains evolve from concept to final form, and be part of the creative journey.

join the community.

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RAF Dragon Corps – A New Adventure Takes Flight

Hello from Morecambe!

I’m thrilled to announce my newest project: RAF Dragon Corps, an alternative history novella that reimagines World War II with dragons soaring alongside Spitfires in Britain’s defence of the realm.

The story follows Jim Ashford, a young man who defies his naval admiral father’s expectations to join the elite RAF Dragon Corps.

As Jim navigates the brutal training programme, he forms a powerful bond with Aether, a midnight-blue combat dragon.

Together, they must prepare for the coming war against Germany’s fearsome dragon breeding programme—where dragons are trained for aggression and their riders know no mercy.

This tale was born during a conversation with my wife about a WWII novel she was editing.

My response?

“Sounds good, but it would be better with dragons.”

That offhand comment took root in my imagination and simply wouldn’t let go.

RAF Dragon Corps holds special significance for me.

Growing up, I desperately wanted to join the Royal Air Force.

As an active member of the Air Training Corps as a teenager, I dreamed constantly of taking to the skies as a pilot.

Unfortunately, being legally blind meant my application would never have made it past the first hurdle.

Through this story, I’ve been able to explore those childhood dreams in fiction, creating a world where humans form profound partnerships with these magnificent, powerful creatures against the dramatic backdrop of Britain’s finest hour.

The novella weaves together military precision with the wild, unpredictable nature of dragons, exploring themes that have always fascinated me—the challenge of defying expectations, finding one’s true calling, and forging bonds of trust in the most demanding circumstances.

I’m particularly proud of how the story honours both the historical realities of the period and the timeless appeal of fantasy, creating a world that feels both familiar and wonderfully new.

I’ll be releasing chapters weekly on Patreon.

The entire story will be available to all patrons, including free members.

If you’ve enjoyed my previous work, or if the concept of dragons defending Britain’s skies during WWII intrigues you, I’d be honoured to have you along for this journey.

Thank you for your continued support. I can’t wait to share this adventure with you.

You can read the first few chapters now.

Visit: patreon.com/collection/1360827

Take care,

Jon

P.S. You can get 50 percent off your first month on any paid tier by using the promo code RAVENGLASS at checkout!

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🐉 Announcing RAF Dragon Corps – WWII with Dragons! | Author Diary – March 7, 2025 📚✨

This week, I completed a new novella in a new series and a new genre—alternative history/historical fantasy!

I’ve been working on Dragon Squadron, a story set in England 1938 that imagines what if there were dragons in World War II.

The novella follows Jim Ashford, a young man who defies his naval admiral father to join the elite RAF Dragon Corps.

Bonding with Aether, a midnight-blue combat dragon, Jim trains for the coming war against Germany’s ruthless dragon breeding programme, where dragons are raised for aggression and their riders show no mercy.

This story is deeply personal—I always wanted to join the RAF but couldn’t due to being legally blind.

Through this book, I’ve been able to explore that dream in fiction, blending military precision with fantasy adventure.

Chapters will be released weekly on Patreon, and the entire novella will be available to all patrons, including free members.

If dragons defending Britain’s skies intrigues you, I’d love for you to join me on this journey.

Read the first chapter now: patreon.com/collection/1360827

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How Sculpting Skills Create a Killer in Guild of Assassins

What happens when an artist’s eye is turned to darker purposes?

In Forged in Blood, the second book in the Guild of Assassins trilogy, we follow Soren’s transformation from a sculptor’s apprentice to a professional killer.

His journey explores a fascinating theme in dark fantasy: how creative talents can be perverted into instruments of destruction.

The Artist’s Eye

Soren’s background as a sculptor doesn’t fade when he joins the Guild—it transforms.

His understanding of form, his attention to detail, and his appreciation for precision all make him a more effective assassin.

He approaches his targets as he once approached his sculptures, seeing the vulnerabilities, understanding where to apply pressure, and knowing exactly where to strike.

This perversion of artistic talent isn’t unique to Soren.

Consider Neil Gaiman’s Morpheus, who uses his creative powers to both inspire and torture.

Or think of Patrick Rothfuss’s Kvothe, whose musical gifts become weapons in their own right.

The Dark Side of Creation

What makes these transformations so compelling is how they challenge our assumptions about creativity.

We tend to think of artistic talent as inherently positive, a force for beauty and enlightenment.

Dark fantasy shows us how these same skills can serve darker purposes.

An eye for detail becomes crucial for surveillance.

Understanding of form transforms into knowledge of vulnerabilities.

Precision in art becomes precision in killing.

Creative problem-solving applies equally to infiltration and assassination.

The Craftsman’s Approach

In Forged in Blood, Soren applies his sculptor’s mindset to lockpicking, treating each lock as a puzzle to be solved, just as he once approached blocks of marble.

This mirrors how Brandon Sanderson’s Kelsier approaches Allomancy as an art form, showing how the methodical nature of craftsmanship can be applied to violence.

The Beauty in Darkness

Perhaps most disturbing is how these characters find beauty in their darker arts.

Just as Soren once saw potential in raw stone, he begins to see elegance in a perfectly executed assassination.

This reflects a broader theme in dark fantasy: how appreciation for craft can blur moral lines.

The Cost of Transformation

This transformation doesn’t come without cost.

As Soren’s artistic talents are turned to darker purposes, he loses something of his original creativity.

Like Joe Abercrombie’s Sand dan Glokta, whose torture techniques become a perverted art form, the ability to create beauty becomes corrupted by its application to violence.

Why It Resonates

These stories of transformed creativity resonate because they reflect real-world concerns about how talents can be misused.

They ask uncomfortable questions.

Does skill have inherent moral value?

Can art exist in destruction?

What happens when creativity serves darkness?

How does purpose change perception?

The Final Sculpture

By the end of Forged in Blood, Soren has become a different kind of artist.

His medium has changed from stone to shadow, his tools from chisel to dagger.

Yet he retains that fundamental drive to perfect his craft—only now, perfection means something far darker.

This isn’t just a story about corruption—it’s about transformation.

Like how Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein shows science perverted to horror, these narratives explore how creative gifts can be turned to unexpected purposes.

They remind us that talent itself is neutral; it’s purpose that defines its nature.

How have you seen creative talents transformed in other dark fantasy works?

What does it say about the nature of art and skill when they’re turned to darker purposes?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Experience the evolution of dark fantasy stories firsthand by joining my Patreon community.

Get early access to chapters, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process.

Watch as characters and plots transform from initial concept to final form, and join discussions about the craft of writing dark fantasy.

join the community.

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The Role of Tradition and Innovation in The Ravenglass Throne

The tension between tradition and change emerges as one of the most compelling themes in The Ravenglass Throne.

This conflict plays out at every level, from personal relationships to kingdom-wide struggles.

It is not just a backdrop to the story but a driving force behind character development and plot progression.

Tradition as the Foundation of Power

The kingdom of Ostreich is built on deeply entrenched traditions.

The ravenglass network, the wyvern bonds, and the established political hierarchies form the foundation of its power.

These are not merely customs but the structures that hold the kingdom together.

The ravenglass core itself stands as a physical symbol of tradition, maintaining the bonds that have shaped Ostreich for generations.

The Challenge to Tradition

This long-standing order faces threats from multiple directions.

Baron Gerlach’s conspiracy represents a radical rejection of tradition.

He views the wyvern bonds not as connections but as chains, arguing that traditional power structures enforce stagnation rather than stability.

His rebellion raises a crucial question: does tradition protect the kingdom, or does it hinder its evolution?

The Three Sisters: Different Approaches to Change

The royal sisters embody different perspectives on this conflict.

Irmin, as a military commander, initially adheres rigidly to hierarchy and established methods.

Elana, in her diplomatic role, balances tradition and innovation as she navigates shifting alliances.

Adelinde, through her research, pushes the boundaries of conventional knowledge.

Their journey from division to unity suggests that the kingdom’s survival depends not on choosing between tradition and change, but on learning how to embrace both.

The Ravenglass Network as a Metaphor for Change

The ravenglass network itself reflects this struggle.

Its corruption represents both a literal and symbolic attack on tradition.

Yet overcoming this corruption requires a combination of ancient wisdom and new approaches.

The purification ritual succeeds precisely because it blends traditional geometric patterns with innovative applications of magic.

The Dual Nature of Tradition: Unity and Division

Tradition has the power to both unite and divide.

The royal bloodline’s historical role in maintaining the ravenglass network is both a responsibility and a vulnerability.

The noble houses’ rivalries, rooted in longstanding traditions, threaten the kingdom’s stability.

Yet these same traditions foster loyalty and provide a framework for order.

The story avoids simplistic narratives of “tradition bad, change good,” instead offering a more nuanced perspective.

Military Adaptation: Blending Old and New

The kingdom’s military structure reflects this same tension.

Irmin’s squadron relies on strict discipline, but tactical innovation becomes essential to counter new threats.

The corruption of wyvern bonds forces riders to reassess long-held assumptions about their relationships with their mounts.

Survival depends not on rejecting tradition, but on refining it to meet evolving challenges.

Political Structures: Stability vs. Stagnation

The political landscape of Ostreich further illustrates the interplay between tradition and change.

House Darius’s unwavering loyalty, rooted in tradition, is both a strength and a potential weakness.

The council’s traditional procedures sometimes slow decision-making in times of crisis.

Yet these same structures provide much-needed stability when chaos threatens to take hold.

The story suggests that neither blind adherence to tradition nor wholesale rejection of it is the answer.

The Evolution of Tradition

Perhaps most intriguingly, the story examines how tradition itself can change over time.

The ravenglass network, though presented as an ancient system, has evolved through generations.

The sisters’ discovery of lost knowledge suggests that some traditions may be relatively recent adaptations rather than unchanging laws.

This raises an important question: how much of what is considered tradition is actually just the latest iteration of change?

A Resolution That Embraces Both Sides

The resolution of the story does not depict a simple triumph of change over tradition.

Instead, it suggests that true strength comes from understanding which traditions are worth preserving while remaining open to necessary evolution.

The sisters succeed not by dismantling the kingdom’s traditional structures, but by learning how to enhance and adapt them.

A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Change

This nuanced treatment of tradition and change elevates The Ravenglass Throne beyond standard fantasy tropes.

It reflects the reality that all societies—magical or otherwise—must constantly negotiate between preserving valuable traditions and adapting to new circumstances.

By weaving this theme into multiple aspects of the story—magical, military, political, and personal—it adds depth to both worldbuilding and character development.

Why This Conflict Resonates with Readers

For readers, this central conflict creates compelling dramatic tension while raising thought-provoking questions about how societies handle change.

It suggests that the strongest systems are those that preserve core traditions while remaining flexible enough to evolve.

This lesson extends beyond the fantasy genre, making The Ravenglass Throne both entertaining and relevant.

Tradition and Change: A Lesson in Balance

The story ultimately argues that the real question is not whether to choose tradition or change.

Instead, it asks how to determine which traditions truly matter and how they can evolve without being lost.

This balanced approach to a classic theme ensures that The Ravenglass Throne is not only a gripping fantasy story but also a meaningful exploration of the forces that shape societies.

read the ravenglass throne.

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🚀 Revisiting The Chosen One, Writing Hunters, & Big Audiobook News | Author Diary – February 28, 2025 📚✨

This week, I dusted off a project I haven’t touched since May 2023—The Chosen One, a heroic fantasy about a child of prophecy destined to defeat the Dark Lord…except the Dark Lord never came.

Now 40, he abandoned his heroic destiny 20 years ago, but fate may have other plans.

I also made progress on my Space Western, Hunters, writing a new chapter as I continue expanding that world.

This month has been incredibly productive, averaging 5,000 words per weekday, putting me at 100,000 words for the month!

On the reading front, I finished Alchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity, which was inspiring and full of fresh ideas.

For audio fans, the audiobook edition of Shattered Kingdom (The Ravenglass Throne: Part One) is now FREE on my Patreon!

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

I’ll be releasing the audio one episode ahead of the retail versions.

Speaking of which, Shattered Kingdom is available for pre-order on all major ebook platforms for just 99c/99p, launching on March 12!

The post 🚀 Revisiting The Chosen One, Writing Hunters, & Big Audiobook News | Author Diary – February 28, 2025 📚✨ appeared first on Jon Cronshaw.

How to Handle Colonial Themes in Fantasy Fiction

As fantasy writers tackle themes of colonialism and empire, we face a significant challenge.

How do we explore these themes authentically without falling into damaging stereotypes or accidentally glamorising colonialism?

While writing The Knight and the Rebel, I grappled with these questions constantly.

Here, I’d like to share some insights from that process.

Tropes to Avoid

First, let’s acknowledge the tropes we need to steer clear of:

The “noble savage” who supposedly needs civilisation.The “white saviour” liberating the oppressed.Colonised peoples portrayed as one-dimensional victims.The assumption that technological or magical advancement equals moral superiority.The notion that colonisation brings necessary “progress.”Showing Complex Societies

Instead of depicting Wiete as “primitive,” I portrayed it as a sophisticated society.

It has its own political structures, traditions, and values.

The Empire doesn’t bring civilisation—it imposes a different civilisation designed to serve its own interests.

When Ragnar observes Imperial “improvements” like the Kusten Road, he recognises how these developments primarily benefit Imperial control rather than local people.

Neither the Empire nor the resistance is a monolithic entity.

The Empire includes true believers, pragmatists, and secret doubters.

The resistance features various factions with differing methods and goals.

This complexity avoids simplistic “good vs evil” narratives that can reinforce colonial thinking.

Examining Power Structures

Through Ragnar’s position as Knight Protector, we see how colonial powers co-opt local elites to maintain control.

Through Maja’s chapters, we witness how resistance movements can become corrupted by violence.

These perspectives show how colonialism distorts and damages both coloniser and colonised.

Ragnar’s chapters reveal the Empire’s machinery of control.

Maja’s perspective ensures the human cost of colonisation remains central.

Her story isn’t just about resistance—it’s about preserving culture and identity in the face of systematic erasure.

Conscious Language Choices

I paid close attention to the language used to describe different cultures.

The Empire doesn’t bring “civilisation”—it enforces its own cultural practices through violence.

Words like “savage,” “primitive,” or “barbaric” appear only in the dialogue of Imperial characters.

This highlights their prejudices rather than reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

Magic as a Metaphor

The magic system in The Knight and the Rebel centres around mental influence and control.

This serves as a metaphor for how colonial powers shape the thoughts and beliefs of both the conquered and their own people.

The magic isn’t about superiority—it’s about power and its abuse.

Avoiding Easy Answers

I tried to avoid offering simplistic solutions to colonial oppression.

Neither total assimilation nor violent resistance is presented as the “right” choice.

Characters navigate complex moral territories where every option carries a cost.

Authors Who Tackle Colonial Themes Well

Some authors handle these themes with remarkable depth and sensitivity:

N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy examines systemic oppression through a fantasy lens.Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree explores religious and cultural imperialism.R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War series confronts the trauma of colonialism.S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy depicts intricate power dynamics between diverse groups.Questions to Consider While Writing

When writing, I asked myself these key questions:

Does this scene perpetuate harmful stereotypes?Whose perspective am I centring, and why?Am I showing the full humanity of all characters?Am I being honest about the violence of colonialism?Am I inadvertently justifying colonial actions?Writing With Responsibility

It’s crucial to remember that writing about colonialism in fantasy isn’t just about creating engaging conflict.

It’s an opportunity to examine power structures that continue to shape our world.

As writers, I feel we have a responsibility to handle these themes with care and awareness.

None of us will get it perfectly right.

But by staying conscious of these issues and constantly questioning our assumptions, we can create stories that challenge rather than reinforce colonial narratives.

Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on handling colonial themes in fantasy?

Which works do you think explore these themes particularly well?

Share your perspectives in the comments.

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How Real History Shaped the Politics of The Ravenglass Throne

When crafting the world of The Ravenglass Throne, I did not simply pull ideas from thin air.

Like many fantasy authors, I have drawn deeply from history, bringing together elements from various civilisations and eras to create something that feels both fresh and familiar.

Today, I’d like to take you behind the scenes to examine some of the historical influences that helped shape the Ostreich Kingdom and the struggles of our three royal sisters.

The Byzantine Empire and Court Politics

Those who have followed Elana’s chapters closely might recognise echoes of Byzantine court intrigue in the political manoeuvring of Ostreich’s nobles.

The Byzantine Empire, with its complex hierarchies, ceremonial protocols, and intricate politics, provided rich inspiration for the Ravenglass court.

The role of the Imperial wyvern, Witz, in particular, draws from the position of Byzantine eunuchs, who often wielded immense behind-the-scenes influence.

These court officials were not eligible for the throne themselves but frequently controlled who sat upon it.

Similarly, Witz cannot rule directly but plays a crucial role in determining succession.

I was particularly influenced by the reign of Empress Irene (752–803 CE), who ruled as regent for her son before eventually seizing power in her own right.

She was the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire independently.

The challenges she faced as a female ruler in a patriarchal society informed my approach to the sisters’ struggles for legitimacy in a kingdom that has never been ruled by a woman.

The War of the Roses and Familial Division

The conflict between the houses of York and Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses provided a blueprint for how familial bonds can fracture under the weight of political ambition.

While our three sisters are not fighting each other directly, the divisions between them and the way noble houses attempt to exploit these divisions are heavily influenced by this period of English history.

Baron Gerlach’s machinations, in particular, echo the role of kingmakers such as Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, who shifted allegiances and manipulated succession to serve his own interests.

The way House Darius is framed for the King’s assassination similarly reflects the propaganda wars waged between noble houses during this turbulent period.

What fascinates me about the Wars of the Roses is not just the battles but how perception often mattered more than reality.

A noble house’s reputation could be destroyed through rumour and insinuation—a theme that plays out in how the noble houses of Ostreich manoeuvre for position in the wake of the King’s death.

Ancient Chinese Bureaucracy and Institutional Power

The structure of the Guardians and their relationship with ravenglass draws inspiration from imperial Chinese bureaucracy, particularly the examination system and the role of scholar-officials.

Just as Chinese bureaucrats gained power through mastery of Confucian texts and complex administrative systems, the Guardians derive their authority from specialised knowledge of ravenglass and its properties.

The corruption that spreads through the ravenglass network parallels historical periods when institutional corruption undermined Chinese imperial governance.

During the late Ming dynasty, for instance, the examination system that had once ensured meritocratic government became increasingly compromised by bribery and factional interests.

Adelinde’s research into ancient texts and her discovery of deliberately obscured knowledge reflects the historical practice of “literary inquisition” in imperial China, where texts deemed threatening to the established order were censored or destroyed.

The revelation that someone deliberately damaged crucial passages about ravenglass corruption echoes these historical attempts to control information.

In creating the Guardians, I wanted to examine how institutions meant to protect can sometimes become the greatest threat when their original purpose is corrupted or forgotten.

History is full of examples of this pattern, and I found the evolution of Chinese bureaucracy over centuries particularly instructive in imagining how the Guardians might have drifted from their founding principles.

The Real-World Inspirations Behind Fantasy

At its best, fantasy does not merely provide escapism—it offers a lens through which we can examine our own world and history from new perspectives.

By drawing from these historical influences, I have tried to create a world that, despite its wyverns and magical ravenglass, reflects recognisable patterns of power, corruption, and resistance.

The struggles of Irmin, Elana, and Adelinde may take place in a fictional realm, but they grapple with challenges that have faced real people throughout history.

How to maintain unity in the face of division.

How to determine who can be trusted.

How to reform systems that have become corrupted from within.

As the series continues to unfold, these historical influences will deepen and evolve.

After all, history is not just something that happened in the past—it is a living process that continues to shape how we understand power, politics, and the bonds that both unite and divide us.

I would love to hear which historical periods or civilisations come to mind when you read The Ravenglass Throne.

Sometimes, readers spot influences I was not even consciously aware of incorporating!

Get your free copy of Shattered kingdom (The ravenglass Throne: PArt One).

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