I was beyond excited to write this book — it was one I’d been looking forward to since the moment I first imagined it. It’s a role-reversal Swan Princess–style story (except with hawks instead of swans).

I started setting this storyline up all the way back in book one with Lana and Stewart, and I couldn’t wait to finally tell Lana and Trenton’s love story.

From the very beginning of the series, I knew there was one Shadow who would never be redeemed: Bryce. After what he did to Gianna and Elaine, I always saw him as a sick, twisted villain who would never love anyone more than himself. Even though he’s the main Shadow in this book — and featured on the cover — his arc is more of a side story.

This book really belongs to Lana and Trenton, which is why they’re highlighted on the back cover.

Since Lana was kidnapped in book one, I wanted to clearly show how much she’d grown by book five. She’s no longer the terrified girl readers first met. I intentionally mirrored Drake’s kidnapping and manipulation with Trenton’s kidnapping — but instead of seducing Lana, Trenton’s instinct is to protect her.

Writing their love story was incredibly emotional, and I loved how it turned out.

I also had so much fun creating the Hawk Warriors. I didn’t want Trenton to be the only good one. Harrison quickly became one of my favorite new characters, and I added Ali as another hero forced to obey Bryce through the sire-bond — while the other seven Hawks remain loyal to Bryce and never turn against him.

Bryce’s revenge plan against Lachlan — and his obsession with recreating “the duel” from Child of Revenge — was a fun throwback to Dream Duology. I loved writing the moment when Trenton finally breaks the sire-bond as he fights the command to kill Lachlan.

Throughout the series, Bryce keeps talking about how Trenton will become his strongest Hawk because of his love for Lana. After finishing my first drafts, I realized I never actually showed that extra strength on the page — so I ended up adding a scene in book six to finally highlight it (since it didn’t quite fit in this book).

Gianna and Lachlan’s reunion — along with the Light Warriors protecting Lana, Trenton, and Lachlan from Bryce and his Hawks — was such a blast to write. I always knew Gianna and Lachlan would reunite and defeat Bryce together.

I also really enjoyed writing the identity reveals at the end of the book, plus Drake’s awkward but important conversations with both Lana and Trenton.

Child of Spells actually has the second least amount of time in Shadow World in the whole series (only Child of Devotion has less). The epilogue — which is also the only scene written from Bryce’s point of view — is the only time readers return there in this book. Since the story mainly follows Lana and Trenton, I always knew Shadow World wouldn’t play as big a role this time around.