A Reflection on Aurora by the Author, Beth Ball

In this eleventh episode of the World of Azuria podcast, Beth shares why she chose Aurora as the introductory story for the Age of Azuria epic fantasy series.

Episode Introduction 

Why this novella and this story?

Part of what I wanted to convey with Aurora as the prequel novella for the Age of Azuria series was that, when we really dig into them, it’s difficult to uncover a story’s true moment of initiation. Book one in the series, Buried Heroes, starts with its own origin point to Iellieth’s story, but those events wouldn’t have transpired were it not for Emelyee and Dorric’s relationship. And Emelyee and Dorric’s love would look quite different, if it existed at all, without the influence of Emelyee’s grandmother Olivia and the story of Aurora and her elven lover, Sylris. 

This is one of the aspects I love most about interconnected storylines across multiple perspectives as well. At the same time, we have access to a fuller, more well-rounded story and we better perceive the gaps of what we’re not hearing. For instance, we know what Ridel wants and is thinking throughout. However, the perspective and goals of her “bosses,” Lucien and Alessandra, they’re more removed, and we approach them through the perspective of Ridel. 

Another thing I like about Aurora as an introduction to the series is that it gives us a glimpse into the wider world of Azuria shortly before (twenty-two years to be precise) the action of the series really kicks off. I had considered introducing Azuria through the lens of some of the characters in Buried Heroes, Iellieth and Teodric specifically, but I decided instead to take things back farther to her parents’ story. Plus, this way, we get to see Yvayne in action as she combats Lucien’s forces! 

I also feel that personal character backstories, as opposed to origin stories, can be more meaningful after you’ve already met the character in their present adventure. And once we get into Buried Heroes, if you are curious about Iellieth and Teodric’s backstories, then there’s a second prequel novella just for you—Song of Parting! 

This won’t be the last time that we visit the Aurora estate, though I hope that you enjoyed our time spent here, right at the beginning of a grand adventure! 

Resources & Links

Thank you so much for joining me for today’s adventure through Aurora and the world of Azuria. If you’d like to find out more about me or my fiction, you can find me at bethballbooks.com. You can also find my books worldwide at your favorite bookstore or ask your local librarian to add them to the library catalogue. 

To stay up to date with the world of Azuria and be the first to know about upcoming fiction projects, visit bethballbooks.com/join. I would love for you to be a part of my reading community, the Story Enclave, and, as special thanks to you, for a limited time, you’ll receive a free ebook copy of Aurora when you sign up. 

If you’d like to connect with me, you can find me on Instagram @bethballauthor or on Twitter @GroveGuardian. Today’s episode is sponsored by the first novel in the Age of Azuria high fantasy series, Buried Heroes, available at...

In this eleventh episode of the World of Azuria podcast, Beth shares why she chose Aurora as the introductory story for the Age of Azuria epic fantasy series.

Episode Introduction 

Why this novella and this story?

Part of what I wanted to convey with Aurora as the prequel novella for the Age of Azuria series was that, when we really dig into them, it’s difficult to uncover a story’s true moment of initiation. Book one in the series, Buried Heroes, starts with its own origin point to Iellieth’s story, but those events wouldn’t have transpired were it not for Emelyee and Dorric’s relationship. And Emelyee and Dorric’s love would look quite different, if it existed at all, without the influence of Emelyee’s grandmother Olivia and the story of Aurora and her elven lover, Sylris. 

This is one of the aspects I love most about interconnected storylines across multiple perspectives as well. At the same time, we have access to a fuller, more well-rounded story and we better perceive the gaps of what we’re not hearing. For instance, we know what Ridel wants and is thinking throughout. However, the perspective and goals of her “bosses,” Lucien and Alessandra, they’re more removed, and we approach them through the perspective of Ridel. 

Another thing I like about Aurora as an introduction to the series is that it gives us a glimpse into the wider world of Azuria shortly before (twenty-two years to be precise) the action of the series really kicks off. I had considered introducing Azuria through the lens of some of the characters in Buried Heroes, Iellieth and Teodric specifically, but I decided instead to take things back farther to her parents’ story. Plus, this way, we get to see Yvayne in action as she combats Lucien’s forces! 

I also feel that personal character backstories, as opposed to origin stories, can be more meaningful after you’ve already met the character in their present adventure. And once we get into Buried Heroes, if you are curious about Iellieth and Teodric’s backstories, then there’s a second prequel novella just for you—Song of Parting! 

This won’t be the last time that we visit the Aurora estate, though I hope that you enjoyed our time spent here, right at the beginning of a grand adventure! 

Resources & Links

Thank you so much for joining me for today’s adventure through Aurora and the world of Azuria. If you’d like to find out more about me or my fiction, you can find me at bethballbooks.com. You can also find my books worldwide at your favorite bookstore or ask your local librarian to add them to the library catalogue. 

To stay up to date with the world of Azuria and be the first to know about upcoming fiction projects, visit bethballbooks.com/join. I would love for you to be a part of my reading community, the Story Enclave, and, as special thanks to you, for a limited time, you’ll receive a free ebook copy of Aurora when you sign up. 

If you’d like to connect with me, you can find me on Instagram @bethballauthor or on Twitter @GroveGuardian. Today’s episode is sponsored by the first novel in the Age of Azuria high fantasy series, Buried Heroes, available at bethballbooks.com/shop or at your favorite bookseller. If you enjoyed our time together today and would like to hear more stories set in Azuria, you can support the podcast at ko-fi.com/bethball.

Happy travels, and I hope that we’ll be adventuring together again soon!