Photo: Eliza Raine, author of the Shadow Bound Queen series, brings myth and romance vividly to life.
Why Readers Crave a Love Worth Burning the World For
Eliza Raine discusses blending Norse mythology with fae lore, crafting resilient heroines, sustaining slow-burn romance, and building character-driven worlds filled with tension, secrets, and emotionally powerful love stories.
E liza Raine brings a vivid, enchanting voice to contemporary fantasy romance, weaving together myth, magic and emotional depth with remarkable finesse. Her storytelling is distinguished by a keen understanding of character, particularly her compelling portrayals of resilient heroines who command their own destinies. With a background in history and a passion for mythology, Raine crafts immersive worlds that feel both timeless and refreshingly original, inviting readers into realms where romance simmers and danger lurks in equal measure.
Her Shadow Bound Queen series stands as a testament to her skill in blending rich mythological inspiration with the beloved tropes of fae fantasy, all while maintaining a distinctive narrative identity. Raine’s ability to sustain tension across a sweeping, slow-burn romance is particularly impressive, as is her talent for creating layered, unforgettable characters whose journeys resonate long after the final page.
In this exclusive interview for Reader’s House, Eliza Raine offers thoughtful insights into her creative process, the inspirations behind her work, and the challenges of crafting stories that balance intensity, intrigue and heartfelt emotion. Her reflections will undoubtedly inspire aspiring writers and delight devoted readers alike, reaffirming her place as a captivating and imaginative force in modern fantasy literature.
Eliza Raine is a masterful storyteller whose rich imagination, compelling heroines, and emotional depth elevate fantasy romance to unforgettable heights.
What specifically about Norse mythology and Viking culture inspired you to blend them with the traditional fae tropes found in the Shadow Bound Queen series?
I had previously studied and written Greek mythology-inpsired stories, and wanted to create a brand new world that was not so dependent on all-powerful gods as a new challenge. Norse mythology is rich with stories and characters, and is very grounded in nature compared to Greek mythology, so it lent itself well to putting a new spin on the classic fae courts which are often seasonally inspired. And the Norse world is essentially a giant tree – that’s a fantasy authors dream!
Reyna begins the series as a captive of the Gold Court; how did you approach developing her resilience and strength as a woman who does not need rescuing?
Reyna has no physical power that she is able to wield against her keepers, so she develops a scathing tongue instead. It gives her a sense of resistance, even if she knows she has none really. She finds her boundaries, and keeps what control she can by testing them all the time, both with what she can say to people, and the knowledge and resources she can gather.
Highlights from the Interview
- Inspiration drawn from Norse mythology’s natural, grounded world
- Strong female protagonist who relies on wit over power
- Complex, layered “burn-the-world-down-for-her” hero
- Character-driven world-building approach
- Challenges of maintaining slow-burn romance across multiple books
- Use of personal fears (zombies) to خلق compelling antagonists
- Animals inspiring magical companions
- Emphasis on emotional payoff and character authenticity
- Practical writing advice: read widely, study pacing, persist
Mazrith is described as a ‘burn-the-world-down-for-her’ hero; what is it about this particular character archetype that you find most compelling to write?
Mazrith is the most layered hero I’ve written, and I love his intensity. He has big secrets, and his journey through the series is as life changing for him as Reyna’s is. I think readers love burn-the-world-down-for-her heroes because in real life we have to make sensible nd selfless decisions for the good of everyone. In these fictional circumstances, the heroines get to be more important than the entire rest of the world to their lovers.
“In fiction, the heroines get to be more important than the entire rest of the world.”
– Raine
How did your background in history influence the way you built the world of Yggdrasil and the political tensions between the different courts?
My degree in history helped me to learn to sift through a lot of information quickly, and research well, but I’m not sure how much it affected my world-building. My worlds are built almost entirely around the characters I create, and the journey they go on. Travel inspires my stories more, I think.
The series is noted for its slow-burn romantic tension; what are the challenges of maintaining that chemistry across four books without rushing the payoff?
That was hard in this series! I don’t like writing betrayal storylines, and I don’t write dark romance, so keeping the couple apart without them treating each other badly is definitely challenging. I tend to write more action in to help disrupt them, and I also make sure they both have deep enough secrets to cause major trust issues. And I love writing the moment when they let go of all that, so much.
Which of the Norse myths did you find most difficult to adapt or re-imagine for a modern fantasy romance audience?
For my Norse mythology worlds, I have not rewritten or adapted any specific myths, I have just used the lore, imagery, and broad world as inspiration for mine.
How does your writing process change when you are writing under your Rose Wilson pen-name compared to your work as Eliza Raine?
My Rose Wilson pen name is redundant now, as I only used it when switching from Young Adult Greek mythology books, to adult ones in 2020.
Did your three cats or your puppy provide any inspiration for the magical creatures or companions found within the Brides of Mist and Fae world?
They always provide inspiration! Every single one of my heroines has an animal sidekick, and Reyna has Voror the owl. Whilst a bird may not seems like it can inspired by a cat, he is! He has all the aloof-ness, and self-perceived majesty that one of my cats has.
The Shadow Bound Queen series features a variety of monsters and curses; which of these was the most enjoyable for you to design?
Definitely the Starved Ones. They are essentially cannibal zombies, and I am genuinely terrified of zombies. I can’t even watch the zombie comedy films. So, writing a baddie that really scares me is both thrilling and engaging. Plus, I love secrets and twists, and knowing they are connected to Reyna somehow makes it more exciting.
With the series now complete, which scene between Reyna and Mazrith was the most emotional or significant for you to write?
It’s always the ‘I love you’ scene. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but when they finally give in to each other, and the sacrifice Maz is willing to make for Reyna, and his reaction when she sees him as he really is- I want everyone in the world to experience a life-changing moment of acceptance and love like that. That’s why I write romance.
What are your top three writing tips for aspiring authors who want to master the pacing of a fast-paced fantasy romance?
Watch more TV! Most shows are experts in the mini-cliffhanger, and at keeping you engaged.
Read loads. Read everything, and make notes on where you stop, and where you stay up all night.
Don’t give up. Get feedback from people you trust, join critique groups, and keep going!
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are trying to find their unique voice while working within popular genres like mythological retelling or fae romance?
Let the characters guide you, and make sure they are front and center, always. Readers can always spot a character acting in an unexpected way, and that can knock them from the story. Even if it’s not what you would do, or you need them to do something for the plot to work, let the characters behave as they would if they actually existed, and the story will have an authenticity to it.
Also, as above, read loads, share your work with trusted people, and don’t give up!
