#12 V.L. Bovalino: Nostalgic YA Fantasy, Queer-Normative Worldbuilding, and the Art of Yearning
The Everygirl Book ClubShow Notes
The Everygirl Book Club interviews best-selling author V.L. Bovalino about The Second Death of Locke and her new novel, The Thief and the Traitor Bride, which follows Nore Gordon, a spy forced onto a mission with her estranged husband. In “Read Receipts,” Bovalino shares her current reads, recent 5-star reads, and upcoming books she's excited for. She discusses formative influences like Kristin Cashore’s Fire, inspirations ranging from Game of Thrones to The Queen’s Thief, and how her PhD on secondary-world worldbuilding shaped her approach to storytelling. Bovalino recounts her publishing journey, explains the “year of the lady knight,” recommends immersive romance-forward fantasy and historical romance, and talks craft choices including Nore’s non-warrior strengths, shifting perspectives on Grey and Keir, and queer-normative worldbuilding.
00:53 Surreal Success Stories 02:27 Read Receipts Segment 02:43 Current Read Gothic Fantasy 08:59 Formative YA Fantasy 13:09 Influences and Romantasy Roots 16:24 PhD Worldbuilding Deep Dive 21:31 Early Drafts and Evolution 23:00 Publishing Journey Highs and Lows 28:57 Lady Knights 32:53 Reader Prescriptions 44:24 Nore As Unusual Heroine 51:03 Grey And Keir Reframed 55:21 Queer Normative World 01:02:31 Tropes With Fantasy Twist 01:05:37 Building Politics And Magic 01:15:39 Book Three Tease And Stakes 01:18:49 Crafting Romances With Yearning 01:22:49 Subgenre Debate And Farewell
Books Mentioned The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino The Thief and the Traitor Bride by V. L. Bovalino The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig Once Was Willem by M. R. Carey A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone Fire by Kristin Cashore Graceling by Kristin Cashore Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore The Selection by Kiera Cass Matched by Ally Condie The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo Uprooted by Naomi Novik The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia by Orlando Figes War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy For My Lady's Heart by Laura Kinsale The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid Twilight by Stephenie Meyer The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn
Join The Everygirl Book Club meetings September 24: It’s Different This Time RSVP here October 25: And He Shall Appear RSVP here December 3: Conform RSVP here January 7: Under Story RSVP here
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