It should be no surprise to both readers and writers that
often a story will take turns not originally expected by the author. Iβve had this happen, but
never so much as with my BLACK CITY SAINT series. Here, then, are the five that caught me
most off-guard.
1) Minor characters who refused to be so minor - Itβs nice to
have a world populated by more than just the main characters. Each novel has its share of
minor ones who, hopefully, give it more depth. One of the earliest was Barnaby, who was
meant to be someone who Nick had helped, and so provided him with occasional
transportation. Then I began to think about why Barnaby had needed Nickβs help, which
brought in another supposedly minor character --- Joseph, Barnabyβs son, and a very bad egg
who had run afoul of Nick. Suddenly, the history of this pair turned the storyline I was working
on in an utterly different direction. Josephβs secret involvement with the Wingfoot Express
airship disaster and how Barnaby now sought to help his son, currently a resident of the
Dunning mental facility, have become essential elements of the series.
2) History lending a hand to the plot after the fact - When I
started the first novel, I knew the basic history of Nick and friends leading up to the story.
Naturally, the dragon had to be involved in the Great Fire, but as I researched Chicago after
that, I came across the Wingfoot disaster. It not only fit perfectly into what I was trying to do
but became very relevant to the entire saga.
History wasnβt through yet. As I worked to give the mid-
1920s setting depth, I came across other events that made perfect sense linked to the ones
Iβd already incorporated. They led me to others. I ultimately discovered my characters had a
lot more going on in their lives out of scene.
History has continued to add unexpected elements to the
series that seem like they were always meant to be there. It happened in BLACK CITY DEMON,
too, and happens in spades in BLACK CITY DRAGON, as youβll see.
3) The dragon - The dragon was always supposed to be
bound to Nick and vice versa. He was there to whisper in NIckβs ear, often with the intention t
of undermining the man who, as St. George, slew him after a bloody battle. Β
However, the dragon has also transformed into a character
every bit as complex as Nick or Claryce. Dangerous, yes, but with a hint of tragedy. His snide
comments often mix with frustration that he can do nothing unless Nick allows it. Despite his
clear menace, the dragon has become a fan favorite --- and among this authorβs favorites as
well.
4) Fetch is complicated, too -Β Every hero needs a sidekick
and Fetch was originally designed for just that, while also adding some comic relief. I think he
fills that role well, but this poor shapeshifter from Feirie, who owed Nick his life, soon began
taking on a darker side as well. Her is described loosely by Nick as looking like βpart
greyhound, part wolfβ and is unable to transform into his true self in the mortal world. Fetch
seems like Nickβs loyal hound, but, once, his loyalty lay with Feirie. Fetch had been sent to kill
Nick. He is also still subject to temptation. His true history is slowly unfolding, showing that he
has many burdens he never told Nick about...which could get Nick, Claryce, and him killed.
5) The Wyld ainβt so bad - As you can see, a lot of the
surprises were character-driven. One that I never expected was to have any sympathy for the
Wyld, as the Feirie creatures slipping into Chicago are called. While many are dangerous,
weβve seen that some are fleeing for their lives ahead of Her Ladyβs purge of any who still may
have some loyalty to her ousted husband. In will mean some more soul-searching for Nick. If
he doesnβt kill them, does he send them back...where theyβll likely be killed? There will always
be those Nick and company must put down, but when I first put together the idea, I never
thought this particular turn would happen.
I like to think itβs a good thing that the series can keep
surprising me. I hope that means it stays fresh for the reader, too.
Black City Saint
A historical urban fantasy set in Prohibition-era Chicago, which
combines action, mystery, and romance against a backdrop of
gangland wars and the threat of supernatural horror.
For sixteen hundred years, Nick Medea has guarded the gate between
our world and Feirie, preventing the Wyld--the darkest Feirie of all--
from coming into Chicago to find human prey. But since he defeated
Oberon, more and more Wyld have been slipping through. Nick and his
Feirie companion, the shapeshifter, Fetch, have been busy hunting
them down.
Nick keeps coming across the Dacian Draco, the sign of his ancient
enemy Galerius, including a tattoo worn by a human thug.
Unfortunately, every trail ends as if years old. Claryce, Nick's
reincarnated love, has narrowly escaped two attempts on her life, and
when Nick sees her wearing a broach with the Draco on it, he knows
they must look more deeply into her former lives.
With Wyld and gangsters wreaking havoc in Chicago, Nick and Claryce
must confront the secrets of their pasts if they are to have any hope of
finding out Galerius's plans before it's too late to stop them. Nick will
need the help of all his friends, both human and Feirie, and the powers
of the dragon within him, to keep Galerius from endangering the gate,
Chicago, and all of humanity.
Historical | Paranormal
Historical [Pyr, On Sale: March 26, 2019, e-Book, ISBN:
9781633884946 / ]
Richard A. Knaak is the New York Times bestselling author of some three dozen novels,
including the The Sin War trilogy for Diablo and the Legend of Huma for Dragonlance. He has
penned the War of the Ancients trilogy, Day of the Dragon and its upcoming followup, Night of
the Dragon. His other works include his own Dragonrealm series, the Minotaur Wars for
Dragonlance, the Aquilonia trilogy of the Age of Conan, and the Sunwell Trilogy -- the first
Warcraft manga. In addition, his novels and short stories have been published worldwide in
such diverse places as China, Iceland, the Czech Republic, and Brazil.
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