Lisa T. Bergren speaks with Hypable about Season of Fire, the second book in her YA series Remnants.

About ‘Season of Fire’

After Dri and Ronan admitted their feelings for each other near the end of the previous book, we see the consequences of that revelation rather quickly in the next novel. After all, Remnants and Knights are not supposed to fall in love with each other. It could jeopardize the Mission, and with the entire world at stake, that is one thing they cannot sacrifice. The Mission comes first. Always.

However, Andriana is facing a much larger obstacle. She’s been kidnapped by Sethos and Keallach. Dri believes the latter can be brought back over to the light side, but at the same time, she struggles with her own darkness. Sethos has planted a seed in her, and it’s getting harder and harder to fight that feeling of bitterness, jealousy, and anger. Read our review.

You can also read our first interview with the author about Season of Wonder here.

Lisa T. Bergren interview

You describe Remnants as a futuristic dystopian novel. How do you balance out that futuristic aspect with the very rustic, almost Medieval side of this story?

In my mind, in a post-apocalyptic future, things could easily degrade back to a more feudalistic society. There are always a few who manage to hold wealth and power, regardless of circumstance, and the many who look to them for protection and assistance. I have a passion for the Medieval, so it was easy to see that sort of society layered over what might remain of a post-WWIII-Earth.

As one of your favorite characters, how did you approach writing Raniero in this book?

I don’t want to create any spoilers here, but writing Raniero is great fun, because he’s carrying such a big secret. That element keeps everything about him interesting as a character.

Dri and Ronan’s relationship is so push-and-pull sometimes — and that’s not always as a result of their own actions. Do you like writing romance that way, or do you sometimes feel as frustrated as we (your readers) do?

Ahh, yes. The very best romances face all sorts of angst-inducing obstacles, and Dri and Ronan are no exception. But they have something so deep, so true, between them, that I’m really, really hoping love will prevail in the end! I’m in the midst of writing SEASON OF GLORY, so I’m finding out how things are going to come together (or not) at this very moment.

How did you come up with the idea of the Ailith and their specific set of beliefs?

As a Christian, there are obvious parallels. I was just thinking that if my faith was almost eradicated on Earth, made illegal, every follower murdered and every Bible burned, what would remain? That’s the cool thing about faith — it’s impossible to destroy because at the heart of it, it’s beyond anything we can control. My hope is that any reader, regardless of their own beliefs, can enjoy the story for what it is — characters on a divine mission of good vs. evil.

Where can we expect all of our favorite characters to go from here?

Whew. There are quite a few things for them to accomplish — they have to rally their forces against Pacifica, face them in battle, destroy the evil that threatens them all, and of course, find their way toward a promising future too…

About the author

Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 books, with more than 2.5 million copies sold. Her most recent works includes a YA series called River of Time (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent, Bourne & Tributary), God Gave Us Easter, a devotional called Upside-Down Prayers for Parents and the Grand Tour Series (Glamorous Illusions, Grave Consequences, and Glittering Promises).

Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing, and working on ducks with her husband, Tim (RMrustic.com). Tim’s a worship leader, graphic designer and duck-sculptor. They have three kids–Olivia (18), Emma (15) and Jack (10).

The Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.