Author Interview: Amber Hamilton

Get the inside scoop on ‘Seven Deadly Thorns’!

Amber Hamilton is the author of our November Young Adult ‘Venom & Velvet’ featured book: Seven Deadly Thorns. Read on to get the inside scoop from inspiration to favourite scenes and more!

What was the first spark of inspiration behind Seven Deadly Thorns?

It started with a tweet! I was thinking about weird, dark twists on old stories, and this idea popped into my head for a Snow White retelling where a true love’s kiss kills. And I tweeted that, and a lot of people responded and said I should write it!

Can you describe the atmosphere or vibe of the book in three words? 

Gothic, spooky, and swoony! Though, I had a reviewer the other day say it is ‘quietly unhinged’ and that might be my new favourite!

How did your world-building process begin for Seven Deadly Thorns and what drew you to the gothic, dark academia atmosphere? 

I think I was being very self-indulgent in using the things that I love — I was writing about what interested me. For instance, my whole house is decorated like it’s Halloween all year long! I love dark themes, I love gothic stuff, so that all came naturally. And it was things like having them all in a castle surrounded by deadly mist that I did intentionally to create tension, because I love an enclosed setting as I think that does interesting things to the story.

What kind of research went into shaping the setting or lore?

Some of it was inspired by a trip I took to Spain when I was eighteen and visited the Royal Palace in Madrid. The rooms are extravagant! Especially the Throne Room, it’s all red velvet and gold, so a lot of inspiration for the inside of the castle came from that. And then I did a lot of research into medieval Spanish history, which you can even see in some of the names of the kingdoms. And then I set the tech at about the 1870s, at the height of the gothic revival, so then I’m having to research that. I love going down those rabbit holes, you find out a lot of interesting stuff!

How do you balance darkness and hope within the story?

This is an interesting question because I think the point of the book is that the darkness is hope. I grew up in a culture where there was a lot of insistence on pretending to be happy and putting on a smile, when really you’re coping with negative things in your life. And Viola and Roze both have to face the darker things of their past and the realities of their present, and that’s how they find hope — by facing the darkness head on. That’s why the tagline, let there be darkness, is so on point!

What does the concept of thorns symbolise within the story’s themes? 

The thorns are on Roze’s tattoo as a countdown, but symbolically, I would say they are the parts of both Roze and Viola that they ignore; the parts that mar their otherwise perfect images. He’s a prince, and she’s this star student, but they’ve both got secrets.

What was the scene you enjoyed writing the most?

The banter is really fun to write! It’s not easy to write, but when you get them going back and forth, that’s so fun! And all of the more macabre elements. I think that was the most unexpected part for most people, and I really enjoy creeping people out!

If readers take just one thing away from Seven Deadly Thorns, what do you hope it is?

A willingness to accept their own villainy in order to be loyal to themselves.

What advice would you give to readers who are about to start Seven Deadly Thorns for the first time?

Just two words — trust no-one!

What is your favourite thing about the FairyLoot edition of Seven Deadly Thorns?

That is a really cruel question, I wrestle with this! I kind of want to say the maps, but I think it’s got to be the character art because they’re too hot! How can that not be your favourite?!