Goodreads asked Shona Kinsella:

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Shona Kinsella About 9 years ago, I had a dream in which I was a warrior fairy, at war with evil wizards who were trying to enslave my people. The dream ended as I flew across a desolate and war-torn land. That final image stayed with me all these years and formed the seed of the story that eventually became Ashael Rising.

I should make it clear - there are no fairies anywhere in the book.

flag