Getting a feel for a book can be tricky sometimes, which is why it can be helpful to compare books to something you already know familiarly.
There’s a reason why books and TV shows get compared to similar media a lot—it’s a really easy way to make a fast impression of what you can expect from the book. I’ve done this in the past when promoting my books, but I had a more creative idea today, which was to compare each of my book series’ to a wine.
The Ryan Rupert Series
I can see this series being for rose drinkers. It’s got the fruity lightness of a white wine (since it’s a lighthearted, fun, silly sort of feel-good read) but it also has a romantic element, hence the rose.
This could just be my own experience, but I also see and hear of rose being a common introduction into wines, as it’s the easiest to drink.The most common feedback I’ve gotten on The Ryan Rupert Series is how easy it is to read, even for those who don’t read a lot. It’s fast paced, engaging, and difficult to put down. And it’s funny and swoon-worthy, which is hard to go wrong with.
The Starlight Chronicles Series
This series is definitely a sparkling wine, which is my least favourite type of wine. There was a time this was my favourite series I’d ever written, but I’ve since gone on to write masterpieces like Blood Magic, so the wine pairing fits in a sort of ironic way too. But I digress…
The main reason this series is a sparkling wine is because sparkling wine is associated with glitzy types of occasions, and the world of The Starlight Chronicles is filled with glittering balls, magic and royal romances. There’s also a true, darker undertone to the series, and there are many serious themes that get explored (including grief, war and mental health), but for the most part, it’s a story detailing the power of friendship, strength and love over evil.
Kingdom of Sirens and Monsters Duology
I picked an orange wine for this series because they tend to have bold, complex flavours that can truly vary. I’ve often been told they’re a ‘wildcard’ wine and you never really know what you’re going to get.
That really describes this series in a nutshell. I was writing something a little but unique on purpose, which resulted in mixed opinions on the characters. Overall, it’s an enjoyable series (as orange wine can be) and many people love it, but for some, it may be too bitter and therefore not for them (the way orange wine often is).
For a handful of people, I think this series is the wildcard they are looking for. From the inclusion of undines, to the unexpected romances and villain redemption ARCs, the many twists and turns along the way and the unique blend of two fairy tales in one, this is a series that won’t be for everyone, but definitely brings something new and fresh to the genre.
Blood Magic Duology
This probably goes without saying, but Blood Magic is a red wine. I even think it starts off as a lighter, fruiter wine such as Grenache and moves into a bolder, darker wine like a Cab Sav when you reach book two.
When I wrote Blood Magic, I wanted to write a world that felt dark academia inspired. The kind of book you could curl up with on a chilly evening and enjoy a glass of red with. The kind of book that had tension and spice, a compelling mystery, a cast of great characters, and a great underlying theme.
Blood Magic is all of this. It’s a book that starts off seemingly normal, with a great twist early on, and gradually becomes more compelling as you start to pull apart the thread of the world within. Slowly, you realise everything is not as it seems, and the mystery reveals itself in a way you never expect. But by then, you’ve fallen deeply in love with the characters, and you need to know what happens next.
The book is bold and complex in the sense that it’s my most audacious plot twist yet, my most complex magic system yet, and my most mature writing to date.
If you enjoyed this and you’re interested in learning more about any of my books, you can head here to read more (and even download a free sample of each one).
