Beyond Magic and Swords: The Political and Academic Power in The Ravenglass Throne

Hello from Morecambe!

I wanted to take a moment to share why I wrote The Ravenglass Throne.

For me, this story started with a desire to see myself—and the complexities of power I’ve observed throughout my career—reflected in fantasy.

Having spent time in both academia and political journalism, I’ve seen how different types of authority clash, compete, and sometimes complement each other.

That experience shaped the three sisters at the heart of this story, each of whom represents a different approach to power: military, political, and scholarly.

Elana’s story, in particular, is personal.

Like her, I have a visual impairment, and it was important to me to write a character whose limited vision isn’t a tragedy or a superpower—it’s just part of who she is.

Fantasy often presents disability in extremes, but I wanted to show what it’s really like to navigate both physical spaces and political landscapes with partial sight while holding significant responsibility.

My love of fantasy is woven into this story.

The political intrigue of The Goblin Emperor, the aerial military action of Temeraire, and the character depth of The Farseer Trilogy were all influences.

But I also wanted to bring something new: a world where different kinds of power—academic, political, and military—don’t just exist side by side, but must work together.

Adelinde’s arc is shaped by my time in research.

Too often, fantasy treats scholars as side characters who exist to give information to the ‘real’ protagonists.

But research has its own kind of power, and I wanted to explore that—along with its limitations.

My background in journalism also played a role.

I’ve spent years studying how information flows through power structures, how narratives are shaped, and how decisions are influenced by competing interests.

That’s why the world of The Ravenglass Throne is filled with shifting alliances, misinformation, and political manoeuvring—because that’s how power really works.

At its heart, though, this story is about three sisters learning to value each other’s strengths.

The divisions between academic, military, and political power can seem insurmountable, but The Ravenglass Throne explores how different approaches don’t always have to compete—they can complement.

This is the story I wish I could have read earlier in my own journey.

If you’ve ever felt caught between different worlds—whether academic and practical, physical and political, or personal and professional—I hope you see a little of your own experience reflected here.

I’d love to hear what you think—what kind of power do you find most compelling in fantasy?

Let me know by dropping a comment over on Patreon, where I’m always happy to chat.

Happy reading,

Jon

start reading the Ravenglass Throne.

The post Beyond Magic and Swords: The Political and Academic Power in The Ravenglass Throne first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.