What Inspired The Plot Of 'Ashes Of Her Crown'?

The plot of 'Ashes of Her Crown' feels like it was ripped straight from a tapestry of historical rebellions and mythical betrayals, but with a twist that’s uniquely its own. I’ve always been drawn to stories where power isn’t just handed to characters—it’s torn from the jaws of fate, and this one nails that vibe. The author mentioned in an interview that they were obsessed with the Wars of the Roses, especially the way queens like Margaret of Anjou fought tooth and nail to protect their legacy. You can see it in the protagonist’s rage when her throne is stolen, that same fire. But it’s not just history fueling this; there’s a layer of Slavic folklore woven in, the kind where witches don’t just curse you—they rewrite your destiny. The scene where the queen bargains with the Bone Weaver? Pure folklore gold, and it mirrors those old tales where power comes at a price no one warns you about.

The magic system feels inspired by alchemy, too—not the boring textbook kind, but the messy, ‘I-carved-my-soul-into-a-sword’ variety. The way the queen’s crown melts into ash to fuel her spells? That’s alchemical transformation at its most visceral. And the rebels aren’t your typical faceless mob. Their leader, that silver-tongued traitor who used to be her spymaster, has this Machiavellian charm that screams ‘I studied Renaissance politics too hard.’ The author clearly loves moral gray areas. Even the setting, a kingdom rotting from within like a gilded apple, mirrors our own world’s crumbling empires. It’s not just about revenge; it’s about asking whether a crown is worth the blood it’s made of. That’s the kind of question that sticks with you long after the last page.