Book Tour Q&A: The Last Ranger by J.D.L. Rosell
Today we're taking part in the book tour organized by Escapist Book Tours for The Last Ranger by J.D.L. Rosell! Continue reading for the book blurb and a Q&A with the author.
About the book
Betrayed. Hunted. Left for dead. But not even death itself can keep the last ranger from vengeance.
Leiyn “Firebrand” is no stranger to a fight. A brash ranger of the Titan Wilds, she takes up her bow to ward against the colossal spirit creatures known as titans, ever a threat to the colonies she has sworn to protect.
But no amount of skill can guard against treachery.
When tragedy strikes the rangers’ lodge, Leiyn vows to avenge the fallen. But if she is to succeed, she must embrace a power within her she has long denied.
Power to move mountains and rivers.
Power over life and death.
She did not choose this path, but Leiyn knows her duty. For if she fails, the legacy of the rangers dies with her — and all the Titan Wilds will fall into shadow.
On to the interview...!
Thank you so much for joining us for this Q&A! We’ll start off with one of our standard podcast opening questions–tell us something great that’s happened recently.
I just bought and moved in to my first home! It’s thrown my life into chaos, but the good kind—I think.
What are you currently reading or what’s up next on your TBR? What made you pick up this book?
Just finished The Pariah by Anthony Ryan—an excellent book. Now I’m mixing it up with A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher, which has been delightful thus far.
What is one thing that you love about the current state of SFF and what is one thing that you wish you saw more of?
It feels like it’s really flourishing these days. And many more people are becoming fans, probably due, in part, to the numerous quality TV shows.
That being said, I wish I saw more really strong character stories that are paired with exciting action. Books like Dragon Mage by M.L. Spencer and The Pariah.
What are your favorite types of stories? Of characters?
Books like Realm of the Elderlings are my favorite. Where the characters and relationships feel real. Where the stakes are embedded in even the day-to-day routine. Where flaws cannot be easily overcome and result in tragedy. Where redemption is always possible, no matter how late the hour.
What comes first to you when you’re writing, the world, the characters, or the storyline?
It all depends on the story! For The Last Ranger, I wanted to write a ranger who specializes in archery, as it felt like there was a dearth of them in recent releases. Even more lacking were female rangers, though Leiyn more snuck up on me rather than being intentionally created.
The first, more original idea came in the concept of titans, giant spirits that take the form of beasts from various elements. It was fun to think of how they might affect a world—its politics, its populations, its wars.
Can you give us an elevator pitch for your book?
Leiyn "Firebrand" is a skilled ranger, but even she is no match for betrayal. When tragedy strikes, she must embrace her hidden powers and seek vengeance to prevent the Titan Wilds from falling into shadow.
Describe your book in 3 adjectives.
Heartbreaking. Cathartic. Redemptive.
Can you tell us a little bit about your characters? What are your favorite kinds of characters to write?
Leiyn is the protagonist and almost exclusive point of view in the story. While I quite enjoy and empathize with her, she may not be to everyone’s taste! She’s stubborn, rash, and quite hard-edged. She also has a number of biases she must overcome throughout the course of the story.
However, I think her good qualities shine brighter. She’s loyal to the last, and she never gives up, no matter how daunting the odds. She’s also curious and clever, most of all when there’s not danger afoot. A quality of myself I put in her is her love for nature—Leiyn enjoys almost nothing more than a walk through the woods.
Leiyn is a prime example of the flawed characters I like to write. Hopefully, they remain likable despite them! But whatever the flaw, you’ll also experience growth throughout the stories, as redemption and self-improvement are some of my favorite themes in fantasy.
If you could choose one worldbuilding detail (a place, ability, or creature, for example) from your book to exist in the real world, what would it be and why?
As cool as many of them would be to experience in person, it’d have to be the silver fox, and the other creatures like it. How great would it be to have a spirit beast looking out for you?
Do you have a favorite quote from your book that you can share with us? What about this quote in particular makes it your favorite?
One core quote is this:
“When we close our eyes to other perspectives, no matter where they come from, we become a little more blind to the truth.”
This one comes from Tadeo, lodgemaster and mentor to the protagonist, Leiyn. It’s an especially important lesson for her to learn, as she has a lot of growth to undergo in order to rid herself of biases inherited from her father and hometown. I also find it’s true to life, and something I must remind myself of constantly.
Is there anything you can tell us about any current projects you’re working on?
As usual, it’s a smorgasbord of things! I’m continuing this series, Ranger of the Titan Wilds, with the second book already written and undergoing edits.
I’m also finishing up the third book in The Runewar Saga, my epic Norse fantasy series, and dipping my toes into the series following Legend of Tal. Never a dull moment!
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for us! Do you have any parting thoughts or comments you’d like to leave for our readers?
For anyone interested in checking out The Last Ranger, it’s not for the faint of heart. Some have reported it evoking waterworks, and tackling the issue of racism in our protagonist is not always pleasant.
That being said, the story at its core is all about adventure, friendship, magic, perseverance, and redemption. If that sounds intriguing, I hope you’ll give it a try!
And finally, where can you be found on the internet if our readers want to hear more from you?
My hub is jdlrosell.com, though I’m also on most social media sites. You can find my books on Amazon and Audible.
Thanks for learning more about me and my writing! And thanks Fiction Fans for hosting this interview!
Where to buy the book:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Ranger-Titan-Wilds-Book-ebook/dp/B0BNQRMZ7T/
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Last-Ranger-Audiobook/B0BKR5NXRF