Page One Extra - RJ Barker On Subverting Epic Fantasy Tropes

Watch as a full video episode on YouTube

RJ Barker is an award-winning fantasy author from Leeds, West Yorkshire. He is best known for his critically acclaimed trilogies, The Wounded Kingdom and The Tide Child, the latter of which won the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel. His work often subverts traditional fantasy tropes by blending elements of epic world-building, ecological science fiction, and gritty noir elements. His latest release, Mortedant's Peril, is out now.

We had a great time chatting with RJ, hearing about the massive twist wrapping up his Wounded Kingdom (Major spoilers discussed!) and his subversion of the conventional lone-hero trope. We also talk about writing his brand-new novel, Mortedant's Peril, in just seven weeks while battling chronic illness, and we get some interesting anecdotes about the socio-economics of a tiered fantasy city and a very peculiar magical power involving corpse memories!

Plus, as with all returning guests, RJ tells us about 5 books that influenced him as an author!

Links:

Buy Mortedant's Peril now!

Visit RJ's website

Follow RJ on Bluesky

Come see us at Cymera Festival!

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