I may have mentioned once or twice (every other week) how much I’ve been looking forward to Maya and the Rising Dark, so I’m super excited to be here today with this post.
In case you’ve missed it, I had a chance to read the book! Actually, I posted my review today, and you can read it here to find out all the reasons you totally should read this fabulous book. But! That’s not why we’re here right now.
I’ve had the honor of interviewing author Rena Barron (author of Kingdom of Souls, as well) about her latest middle grade book, Maya and the Rising Dark.
I’ve read the book and can confirm that, yes, you definitely want to read it, too. But I’m going to go ahead and let Rena tell you just a little bit more about it, just in case you need convincing. But also because she’s fabulous, and isn’t everything better when it comes from the mouth of the author themselves?
So many thanks to Rena Barron for agreeing to do this interview! Let’s get to the questions.
#1
Sammie: I just want to start off by saying that I have waited for more books about the Orisha with them as actual characters for so long that I maaaay have totally had a fangirl meltdown moment when I found Maya and the Rising Dark. (Okay, yes, I totally did. I’m not even gonna lie.) So why the Orisha? Why did you choose to write a book surrounding that pantheon in particular?
I’m here to fangirl about Maya and the Rising Dark with you! It was an absolute pleasure to tell Maya’s story. When I chose to include the orishas, I did so as a person of the West African diaspora long removed from my ancestors’ traditions that were stripped from them. I knew that I had to explore my own connection in a way that was authentic to me. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that I have a lifetime of learning to do. That experience has been very humbling and personal to me.
#2
Sammie: There are a lot of ways to describe the main character, Maya, and she’s the loyal heroine I had hoped for and then some. However, Maya also has anemia, which I thought was so interesting! As someone who’s had chronic anemia since childhood, it was so nice to see a heroine who had it and still did the thing, even if it was inconvenient. Why did you decide to give Maya a chronic illness?
I’ve had chronic illnesses most of my life, some more invisible than others, and I wanted to normalize that Maya could have an illness that is a part of how she moves through the world without necessarily centering on it.
#3
Sammie: Frankie is an absolutely brilliant character, who I completely love, because (like a younger me) she is whole-heartedly obsessed with science and wanting to explain everything. Which doesn’t always mesh cleanly with the whole magic thing, yet you manage to make it work really well and do a fabulous job of blending science and magic in a compelling, realistic way. Was this a difficult balance to keep? Is there anything that inspired your decision to make Frankie so determined to find a scientific explanation for everything?
I grew up obsessed with science and science fiction/fantasy, so I’ve always been quite fascinated by the dichotomy between loving them equally. In Maya and the Rising Dark, the balance really came down to keeping in mind that just because magic exists in Maya’s world, it doesn’t mean that science is out the window. They can co-exist, and it was fun to think of ways to have the characters interact with both the real and the unreal.
#4
Sammie: There are so many wonderful themes in this book, but my favorite was probably the strong, unwavering friendship between Frankie, Eli, and Maya, which has me all the more excited to see what adventures (read: trouble) they get into next. Do you think promoting strong friendships in middle grade is important, or what made you want to focus on friendship bonds in particular?
I love to focus on strong friendships in any age category with my writing, but it’s particularly important in middle grade books. A lot of kids are starting to think independently from their parents in those years and they’re forging bonds of friendship. Who doesn’t love the joy of meeting someone like-minded to geek out over comic books or a favorite game or TV show? Middle grade books are perfect for exploring those friendships through the ups and downs, the fun adventures, the scary, and the sad times, too.
#5
Sammie: Maya’s father has a staff with symbols on it, which mean things. The first time we see it, we see the sun, a leopard with raised paws, and a river, which means I am the guardian of the veil. How did you come up with the idea for this visual language? Was your inspiration taken from a real language?
I love the idea of nature itself being a secret language, which inspired the symbols on Maya’s staff. I wanted the language and her growing understanding of the divine to be something greater than anything that human words could ever convey. The symbols have different meanings depending on the combination and arrangement, but they are free of pretense. They are straightforward guiding principles.
#6
Sammie: Speaking of staffs … that’s the weapon of choice in this book, which I thought was fantastic! I mean, I like swords (preferably talking ones) as much as the next person, but I immediately fell in love with the idea of fighting with a staff. It added something really unique and refreshing to the fight scenes, since it’s something I don’t often get to read. What made you choose a staff as opposed to any other weapon?
I’ve always been obsessed with staffs and how effective they are as defensive (well, and let’s be honest, deadly) weapons. If there’s a sword fight against an enemy, the chances are high that there may be a killing blow. Since this book (and series) is for a middle grade audience, it felt more realistic to have Maya fight to disarm her enemies as her default option. A staff seemed perfect for that goal.
#7
Sammie: You incorporate a lot of lore and stories into this book, which I really enjoyed. The Orisha themselves have really rich and vibrant stories, and some of those were mentioned, too! Do you have a favorite story about an Orisha or one that you particularly enjoy sharing?
I don’t know if there is a particular story that stands out, rather a theme. Often in many stories about deities, they’re far from perfect, and that idea inspired much of the history of Maya’s world. What are the consequences when a divine being makes a mistake? The answer isn’t so simple as we see in the story.
#8
Sammie: Maya and the Rising Dark is the sort of book that middle grade me wished had existed back then, since it was a real struggle to find books with characters who looked like me. As a reader, it means so much to me that the next generation won’t face the same struggle. As a writer, what does it mean to you to be able to write books featuring Black characters and highlighting West African culture?
I know the feeling all too well of growing up and not seeing oneself reflected in books and the psychological damage it does to a young mind. It can be so subtle, but insidious. I’m happy that I get to contribute in some small way to make sure that future generations never have to struggle to see themselves represented authentically.
#9
Sammie: The second book in this series, Maya and the Return of the Godlings, has already been announced for 2021, so lots to look forward to there! In 10 words or less, can you give us a little teaser of what to expect from the next book?
Maya and friends must retrieve a powerful weapon from the Dark. (sorry, that was 11 ☺ )
#10
Sammie: Is there anything I didn’t ask that you want readers to know about Maya and the Rising Dark?
At the heart of the story, Maya and the Rising Dark is about family, friends, and community, all coming together to protect each other and make the world a better place for everyone.
Lightning Round
- What’s your favorite creature from the Dark? The darkbringers!
- You get one Godling as a sidekick. Who is it? I pick Frankie as my sidekick! She’s brilliant and has some fun tricks up her sleeves.
- If you could go to Comic Con dressed as any fictional character, without having to worry about the logistics of it, who would you dress as? A Dora Milaje
About Rena Barron
Rena Barron grew up in small-town Alabama where stories of magic and adventure sparked her imagination. After penning her first awful poem in middle school, she graduated to writing short stories and novels by high school. Rena loves all things science fiction and fantasy, ghosts, and superheroes. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading or brushing up on her French. Rena is the author of the young adult fantasy novel Kingdom of Souls, the first in a trilogy and a 2019 Junior Library Guild Selection. Recently, film rights sold to Warner Bros. with Michael B. Jordan (“Black Panther”) producing and Misan Sagay (“Belle”) writing the screenplay. Maya and the Rising Dark is the first book in Rena’s middle grade contemporary fantasy trilogy set in Chicago.
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