Cass Morris is a writer and
research editor living in central Virginia. Her debut series, The Aven Cycle,
is Roman-flavored historical fantasy. She is also one-third of the team behind
the Hugo Award Finalist podcast Worldbuilding for Masochists. She currently
works as Research Editor and Worldbuilding Specialist at Plato Learning, a
company which runs mythology-themed summer camps and other educational
programming. She holds a Master of Letters in Shakespeare studies from Mary
Baldwin University and a BA in English and History from the College of William
and Mary. She reads voraciously, wears corsets voluntarily, and will beat you
at Mario Kart.
Today she tells us about her Six Books
1. What book are you currently reading?
I am always reading several books simultaneously, but since this is six books, I’ll pick just one! I’m reading my dear friend Rowenna Miller’s The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill, which I’ve been yearning for since she first told me about the concept. It’s an enchanting exploration of a farming family and how fairy magic weaves into and warps their lives.
2. What upcoming book are you really excited about?
Elyse John’s Orphia and Eurydicius. I absolutely squealed when I saw its announcement! I love mythological retellings, and the gender-flip on this one is going to be so exciting.
3. Is there a book you’re currently itching to re-read?
I literally always want to be re-reading something from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. Right now I’d love to revisit the Lancre Witches in Wyrd Sisters.
4. How about a book you’ve changed your mind about – either positively or negatively?
Mists of Avalon. That book is the reason that the past few years’ worth of horribleness from JKR haven’t spun me for as much of a loop as a lot of HP fans, because I’ve already been through this rodeo with a beloved text once. Mists of Avalon was absolutely foundational to me as both a feminist and a pagan, but the revelations that came out about Marion Zimmer Bradley killed all of my joy for it.
My latest book is The Bloodstained Shade, Book 3 of the
Aven Cycle, historical fantasy set in a version of ancient Rome re-imagined
with magic. It’s awesome because it turns the heat up on the political and
magical conflicts to an absolutely sizzling degree! Our protagonists are
wrangling with desperate situations and dire temptations, and their antagonist
mirrors are eager to shove them over the brink. The whole civilization stands
ready to fall into chaos -- or be wrenched back from the edge, but at what
cost?
Thank you, Cass!
NB: Reviews of the first two novels, From Unseen Fire and Give Way to Night, are available here at Nerds of a Feather.
POSTED BY: Paul Weimer. Ubiquitous in Shadow, but I’m just this guy, you know? @princejvstin.