SOPHIE CLARK’s latest novel, Cruel Is the Light, is a gripping romantasy with a star-crossed, enemies-to-lovers romance.
We asked Sophie what her desert island reads are and what inspired her book.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a few at the moment! On my bedside table is Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan, which is a brilliant myth-infused political fantasy. I’m also re-reading the wonderful sequel to This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede, which is called This Cursed Light. I can’t get enough of Alessa and Dante! Finally, I’m reading the second book in Vanessa Len’s Monsters Trilogy, Never a Hero, which I’m loving every bit as much as the first.
If you were stranded on a desert island and you could only have five books – what would they be?
I’m absolutely going to cheat here and assume when I pick the first book of a series, I get all subsequent books. So, I would select some of my all-time favourite series openers:
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- Dark Rise by C S Pacat
- Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
- All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Where is your favourite place to read?
I don’t think anything can beat curling up to read in a squishy armchair in front of a fire – and preferably on a rainy day!
Do you read one book at a time or multiple?
As you can probably tell from the first question, I usually have a few books on the go at once. And typically an audiobook, too!
Do you use a bookmark or fold the corners of pages?
I do both. I actually treasure a well-loved, dog-eared book! I also think bookmarks are fun. As I accumulate more gorgeous, themed bookmarks I really like matching up the book with the perfect one.
What sparked the idea for Cruel is the Light?
Cruel is the Light came from so many fragments of inspiration I couldn’t hope to answer this question in full. It blossomed from an unconquerable desire to write this – and only this – when I was supposed to be writing something else. In large part, this was because Cruel was inspired by some of my greatest loves. First, and most importantly, Rome. This book is a love letter to the city and to the empire that was. My love for Rome and its history is embodied by Selene, who has a fierce desire to protect Rome and her people. Other inspirations include the lush, decadent Renaissance-era Italy of The Borgias, and the dark and gritty anime and manga like Trinity Blood and Chrono Crusade that I grew up watching.
What’s your favourite romance trope?
This is such a hard one. I’m completely torn between Forbidden Love and Enemies-to-Lovers, which are both unparalleled. It’s no coincidence that Cruel is the Light has both!
What can you tell us about Jules and Selene and the adventures they will go on?
Selene Alleva is a high-ranking exorcist running from a dark family legacy, and orphan Jules Lacroix is a foot soldier unrivalled on the battlefield. After meeting during an unprecedented demon attack, they strike an uneasy alliance. To avoid suspicion Jules poses as Selene’s estranged fiancé and they return to Rome in search of answers. What they find suggests a terrible conspiracy at the heart of the Vatican, and threatens everything Selene holds dear. Unable to ignore their growing feelings, the two must make an impossible choice between love and duty.
What book character would you be, and why?
This is so hard! I think I’d like to be Jude Duarte from The Cruel Prince because she is a girl who knows what she wants and how to get it (and sometimes she uses a sword to get her way, kind of like Selene!) Not to mention, she has a heartbreakingly beautiful love story with her handsome faerie prince. Who doesn’t love Cardan?
If you could meet one author (living or dead) – who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Sabaa Tahir! Not only is An Ember in the Ashes one of my favourite reads, Sabaa also worked at The Washington Post, and I bet she has so many interesting stories from that time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sophie Clark is a graduate of Pitch Wars class of 2021 and was mentored by Emily Thiede (This Vicious Grace) and Lauren Blackwood (Within These Wicked Walls) while working on Cruel is The Light. Her agent fought off five others to represent her. Sophie has a Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Melbourne, and previously worked for the Australian Senate. She now resides in Tasmania, Australia, with a beautiful black and white Border Collie called Indy.
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