YALC Q&A WITH Amber Hamilton.
Seven Deadly Thorns, Paperback, (BLOOMSBURY) Out Now!
– Thanks for joining us here at YALC. We would love you to introduce yourself
I like to say I write dark and spooky kissing books. I’m a former English teacher, a solo parent, and a collector of books and bones.
– Can you give our readers an overview of your YA novel Seven Deadly Thorns
I wanted to write a twist on Snow White in which True Love’s Kiss doesn’t resurrect—it kills. Seven Deadly Thorns is a dark academia gothic romantasy. Viola has forbidden shadow magic, and Roze has been given seven days to kill her or be killed himself. He makes her his fiancée to protect her from the murderous queen while they try to survive and solve the king’s murder. Roze has a tattoo on his arm of a rose, and one thorn disappears every day as the clock ticks down toward their doom.
…Also there’s a pet gargoyle named Waffles.
– How did you find blending dark academia, fantasy and romance?
I think they’re natural friends. Ostentatious old schools have always had an air of magic to me. Academia is also great for romantic tension—love interests are forced to live, eat, and study in close proximity. Add some ghosts and murder to that, and I’m all in.
– What made the enemies-to-lovers trope compelling to you?
Hatred has the same intensity and passion as love does. The transition from one to another is easy and so alluring. Viola anxiously deliberates about which one she’s feeling, which brings so much deliciousness into the story. Trying to stay alive while you’re being hunted by an evil queen in a cursed castle is hard enough. Then she must figure out her heart as well? What a week.
– If you could visit one location from the book, where would you recommend?
Seven Deadly Thorns all takes place in one giant very deadly castle. I wouldn’t recommend visiting. But if I were stuck inside and had to hide in one place, I’d choose the library. Give me books and cathedral-height ceilings. It would make the ghosts more endurable.
– If you could spend one day with any of your characters, who would you choose and why?
Viola and I would nerd out about linguistics and translation together. But Cerise would have to come along to bring both of us out of our shell and force us to have fun.
– Where do you write?
I love to write from my local pub! Pubs are rare in Texas, where I live, but I still managed to find one where I can write with my craft beer and fish and chips. The pub staff are very proud that my books have been written from their taproom.
– What is your favourite genre to read?
I read everything. I have ADHD and am easily bored, so I switch genres often. Right now, I’m reading sci-fi and nonfiction quite a lot.
– Where can our readers find you on social media?
Instagram – @AmHam_Writes
Tiktok – @AmHamWrites
Threads – @AmHam_Writes
– Finally can you give us your favourite quote from a novel (it can be yours!)?
From my own, it would be, “If their peace is disturbed by your existence, then they never deserve to live in peace.”