The Alchemy of Moonlight | Author Interview | Book Tour

I’m so excited to be a part of the book tour for The Alchemy of Moonlight that is hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours. I was really excited to also be able to interview the author for this book!

INTERVIEW

How would you describe The Alchemy of Moonlight in one sentence?

“The Alchemy of Moonlight” is a queer Gothic YA novel, complete with crumbling castles, roiling fog, and a creature stalking the countryside, with a messy love triangle at its core.

Can you introduce us to the main character(s) of The Alchemy of Moonlight?

Emile is our protagonist, a gay marquis on the run from his aunt, who gave him the ultimatum to marry a woman or be institutionalized for “deviancy.” When he comes of age, he hopes to claim his inheritance without interference, but in the meantime, he’s hiding in the Montoni household as a servant.

Bram is the apprentice to a doctor, and quickly becomes a close confidant to Emile as he’s pulled into a web of lies and deceit. The voice of reason, he is Emile’s rock in the hard days he faces, with hopes that he could become more than a friend.

Henri is the nephew of the imperious Count Montoni, and has as many secrets as his uncle. Despite that, and his arrogance, Emile can’t help but feel an attraction for him, even as his feelings for Bram grow.

Do you know from the beginning how your books will end or do you let your characters decide their journey?

I am such a pantser. My characters always do surprising things. Even though this book is a retelling, and is grafted onto the bones of a Gothic classic, the fates of many characters are completely different. It’s funny how certain actions will just naturally grow out of circumstances, but you just can’t fight what feels right when you’re writing. I’ve tried and it feels forced. I’m certainly envious of writers who can plot out in detail how a book is going to go, but I sort of let my emotions flush out the characters and action. I’ll be aware of milestones I need to hit along the way, and a general sense of where things are going, but getting to those points is mercurial and sometimes, even those goal posts change in service of the characters.

Do you have a favorite scene, moment, or quote from the book?

I love horror, partly because it allows people to confront their fears through a safe space. There are two things (well, plenty more, but two big things) that I can’t stand: Needles and bugs (not all bugs, but those bugs). Naturally, some of my favorite scenes in “The Alchemy of Moonlight” arise from scenes involving these two horrible things, and I make them much worse than they need to be. But if I was going to go there, I was going to go there. I mean, needles are bad enough in a doctor’s office these days, but back then? And don’t forget that leeching used to be a thing. People willingly put leeches on their bodies. Willingly!

What is something readers will find in The Alchemy of Moonlight that they may not realize based on the
synopsis?

People might not realize going in that this is a retelling of the classic Gothic novel “The Mysteries of Udolpho” by Ann Radcliffe. This is a love letter to classic Gothic lit in general, so there are TONS of nods to influential books in the genre, from “Frankenstein” to “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” to “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

What’s something you hope readers will take away from The Alchemy of Moonlight?

Atmosphere and tone are so crucial to a Gothic novel, and it’s a big part of what makes them so special. I love the tension eddying just under the surface of proper sitting rooms, the decay of surroundings that extend to the rotten core of villains, the monsters hiding in the roiling fog of hedge mazes. That feeling of unease is what I want readers to feel, and hopefully they will see the beauty that can be found in those shadows.

What are three books you would recommend if someone enjoyed The Alchemy of Moonlight?

“The Mysteries of Udolpho” by Ann Radcliffe – I would be amiss if I didn’t recommend the book that inspired “The Alchemy of Moonlight.” It is a product of its time, which is why I wanted to retell it through a modern lens, but it’s AMAZING if you can enjoy the language. It remains my favorite novel to this day.

“These Fleeting Shadows” by Kate Alice Marshall – This YA novel blew me away! Talk about a Gothic novel, this was full of atmosphere and shocking secrets – exactly the sort of book you want to read for similar vibes.

“Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – It was the resurgence of interest in Gothic lit created by this book that allowed “The Alchemy of Moonlight” to see the light of day. The isolated, decaying estate, the family secrets – it has all the elements of a modern Gothic classic.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Synopsis:

When Emile’s aunt declares he must marry or be disowned for being gay—he runs away to hide as a servant in Count Montoni’s mansion. In their service, Emile tends to the family who all suffer a strange affliction on the full moon. And after overhearing suspicious family arguments, he finds a body on the estate, drawing the attention of a handsome doctor as well as the count’s charismatic nephew, Henri.

Before Emile can sort out his affections or unravel the growing Montoni family mystery, his identity is revealed and his aunt comes to collect him.

When she arrives, Count Montoni forces everyone to depart to the remote Udolpho Castle—where there are no witnesses and no chance for escape. There, Emile realizes that he will have to risk his life to find the love he deserves—and survive the Montoni family.

Content Warning: Mentions of dead bodies, homophobia

ABOUT THE AUTHOR