The vast majority of Urban Fantasy books revolve around mythological creatures of one kind or another, whether they be vampires, werewolves, or fairies. Some of the most popular series are a hodge-podge of various cultural mythologies. In The Dresden Files we see the Fae Court, vampires, and even Santa Claus. Iron Druid proposes that the gods and creatures from every arena— Greek, Roman, Norse, Judeo-Christian, and Native American—coexist and intersect with the mortal realm. These are all fantastical portrayals in the extreme that pull out all the stops to give us delightful adventures. While I enjoy such stories, I also appreciate ones where the fantastical elements are more plausible. It may seem counterintuitive to desire both plausibility and fantasy at the same time, but it is my sweet spot as a reader. I want to read something that makes me wander the world and wonder if that reality might be just out of view, that it really and truly does exist. Gaiman’s Neverwhere did this for me the first time I read it, and I’ve never forgotten the feeling. As a writer, I wanted to recreate that sense of wonder and mystery in my readers. That’s why Mason Gray’s story begins solidly grounded in the real world and his discovery of the supernatural unfolds gradually. I also include a scene in which he consults with a professor of Religion and Mythology about the origins of vampire lore. In the course of my own research, I discovered that the earliest recorded “vampire” mythology dates back to 500 BC, far earlier than the modern concept of vampires popularized by Romanian folklore (which eventually birthed Dracula). I also noticed a number of similarities in the mythology of different cultures and decided that would be an excellent place to start my own “what ifs.” What if the reason there are so many similarities is because the mythologies were based on observations of similar phenomena around the world? That question opened up a plethora of possibilities and my imagination went into overdrive. Book 2 and 3 of the series explore these possibilities further. While I never explicitly state who or what these characters and powers are, it is my hope that readers will piece together clues and come up with their own conclusions. If you’ve read the books, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Be assured, however, that I will neither confirm nor deny your suspicions. Happy Reading!
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