30 Days of Demons–Day 1 with Anya Bast Back to Blog
Update: The winner of Anya’s bag of goodies is…commenter #70, Stacey Smith! Congratulations, Stacey ! I’ll email you with prize details. Thanks for all the comments!
To kickoff my 30 Days of Demons, it’s my pleasure to have national best-selling author Anya Bast here. Anya’s got some great demon info to share from her books and one lucky commenter will win a bag of goodies. (Anya, you rock!)
The Demons of the Elemental Witches Series
Demons seem to be a whole new trend in urban fantasy and paranormal romance these days. Sometimes they turn up as the good guys, the bad guys, or sometimes a shade in between. The demons of the Elemental Witches Series are shade in between. Well, except for the Atrika. They’re pretty much all bad.
There are four demon breeds in my worldbuilding for this series:
The Ytrayi (E-TRAY-EE) – The leader caste. Loyal and operating on a strict Code of Conduct, they rule things in their world. The leader of the leaders is called the Cae. His name is Rue.
The Syari (S-YAR-EE) – The scholar caste. They are the archivists, holders of knowledge and do all magickal research.
The Mandari (MAN-DAR-EE) – The builder caste. Responsible for creating and maintaining the structures in the capital city of Ai and in all of Eudae. The buildings are made of lavender and rose marble, sometimes black or gray, and are built in columns, gentle slopes and arches. The palace, called Yrysvront, is majestic in its architecture.
The Atrika (A-TREE-KAH) – The warrior caste. Genetically engineered by an unknown hand, they are brutal and unforgiving. They are also like passionate children, following their whims no matter the destruction they might cause. Their favorite food is rotting meat and they have a nasty habit of cannibalizing their enemies on the spot in battle.
In my series the elemental witches are a hybrid of human and demon. Long ago, during the early days of human civilization, the daaeman, (who reside in an alternate reality called Eudae), opened a portal to Earth and came through it to interact with human beings.
In the beginning, it was a free-for-all on humans. Some of the demons hunted them for sport, others respected humanity and helped them improve their societies, and still others fell in love with them. For the ones who fell in love and wanted to marry and have children, there was a problem since the basic difference in the genetic makeup between humans and daaeman didn’t allow for mating. Human women couldn’t carry daaeman babies.
Out of this need, the daaeman constructed a magickal solution, using the four elements as a base. The children born of these unions were demon/human halflings and their magickical abilities were tied to one of the four elements used in the spell—earth, air, water or fire. They became the elemental witches.
It was decided that the daaeman were interfering too much in the evolution of humanity and so they withdrew from Earth, closing all the portals. When they did this, it shrouded the origins of the elemental witches in secrecy. The elemental witches learn about how they came about only midway through my series, when the witches begin interacting with the daaeman once again.
There’s a little interesting side-effect of the hybrid demon/human condition. The elemental witches with an overabundance of Ytrayi genes tend to be the good guys—the coven witches. Those with the Atrika genes tend to be the baddies—the Duskoff warlocks, who have turned their back on the tenet of harm ye none and betrayed the coven.
But there are the quirky ones, like Micah, who definitely has a bunch of Syari in him. And there’s Jack McAllister whose father was the head of the Duskoff, yet Jack never inherited his father’s baddie leanings.
So there are no blacks and whites in this world, just shades of gray, which is the way I like it best. Makes it far more interesting, and, I think, more realistic.
In Witch Fury the threads I’ve pulled between the Duskoff, the coven witches, and the daaeman throughout the series will finally weave together in an explosive mix. The Atrika and the warlocks have things planned for the coven witches and it just might end them.
Thanks so much for Cindy to inviting me over to talk about the demons of the Elemental Witches series! I’ll give away prize of a grab bag of goodies (sounds fun, huh?) to one commenter just ’cause that would be fun. You can talk to me about anything. Just go ahead and shoot. I’ll be here to answer any questions you might want to ask.
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I love paranormal romance and this sounds like a great series. I shall have to check it out. Always love a demon hero!:o)Tamsyn
How many books are going to be in the series?
I’ve just read the first book in Elemental Witches so far, but I have the next two on my shelf, ready to go!
I’ve heard nothing but great things about this series.Its on my list to read.
Thanks for the chance to win a book.
Anya, what would you say is your best asset as a writer?
I agree that shades of gray make things more interesting, so I don’t mind if demons are the “new black” on the market. They’re so strongly associated with evil that the gray is pretty unavoidable, especially if it’s your “good guys” who are demon.
Demons sound very interesting, it’s great to have more than vampires and shifters. This is a new series to me, I’ll add it to my wishlist!
Hi Anya,
I can relate to The Atrika but I wouldn’t eat people. That’s just gross! lol! Brings to mind my favorite XBox 360 game. “Resident Evil”. I’m addicted!
How does one see grey when one has been told they only see in black and white? Thanks.
Good morning, all!
Scooper — This is actually the last book in the series, but I’ve written them all to stand alone. 🙂
Llehn — Hmmm…right now it’s that I’m not afraid to take risks in my writing. At this point in my life I’m looking for a challenge with every book I begin and I think that’s helping me write the best books I can…and it’s also keeping me on my toes creatively.
Paula — Demons are a while new world. There’s so many places authors can go with them. I’m looking forward to seeing what writers come up with. 🙂
[…] have a guest blog up today about the demons of the Elemental Witches Series and I’m offering a prize, so go on over and check it […]
Would love to have the chance at this book. Have a great day.
Anya, I’ve been missing a great series! I’ll be out today and will pick up one of your books.
Hi Anya,
I’m new to this genre…and I think I need to read more too. LOL!
This series sounds so great, I myself am I terrible cover lover, and I fell for them at once.
Who has made them?
Hi Anya,
I’ve read both Witch Fire and Witch Blood, and loved them both. The covers are absolutely gorgeous, especially Witch Fire. I really can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
I haven’t read this series yet but I’m sure I’d like them:)
I’m always looking for new series to read, this one sounds great!
Thanks for sharing the fascinating worldbuilding 🙂
i’ve only read the first one in this series but have the next one waiting patiently to be read.
anything other than more in this series on the horizen from you?
Hey Anya! I seen you last night in Writerspace chat! I’ve read your first two books in the elemental witches, completely loved them. I can’t wait to get the rest of the books.
I love Demons more and more. And the shades of grey is probably what I like the best, too, Anya. In most any of the Demon series I read there are not clear cut black and whites. Demons, much like humans, struggle with their darker sides in some cases and win. For some reason, I love this. Much sexier and darker than if they were straight up heros and good guys with no~~for lack of a better word~~demons tormenting or calling them.
Congrats on Witch Fury’s release!! I haven’t found it yet, but haven’t really been to the store to hit my June release jackpot yet, lol.
Heard such great things about this series! Can’t wait to read it!
I have just completed a paranormal ms that includes mind readers and ghost and looking forward to starting a new book later this month. Demon’s seem to be really HOT right now, is this where the paranormal world is going? I was leaning toward a shifter romance but am open to go with the flow of the market. What’s your recommendation for aspiring authors? Thanks so much. Great blog.
I SO want to try this series. Now that is a unique spin on Demons and witches combined. What inspired you to write the demons that way? Usually most paranormals have them either straight off scary, but good (but misunderstood in a fashion) or evil. Will there ever be a possible spin-off series to this “universe” where you get to see more of the sisters and demons?
Love the sound of the world you’ve built around your demons. Shades of gray could involve all sorts of mischief. I have your series on my TBR. My question is, why are you ending the series on book 4?
Cant wait to read this series sounds very interesting!
Have loved the series and sorry to see it end 🙁 What new storylines do you have coming up?
I am always so amazed at the creativity when authors write fantasy/paranormal books. A great example of this is the names you’ve come up with for the 4 demon breeds in your new series.
mmmmm…demons! I have loved this series, and like some other commenters, am somewhat sad to see it end. I also love that your characters were mulitdimensional, and were not black/white, but shades of gray. It really does make them more real, even though it is paranormal. Can wait to see what you have next for us!!!
Thank you for chat last night. This is not a question. Sometimes I have a gift ( must be the writer in me ) that can sense where the next book is headed. The minute I found out Claire’s father is Duskoff I KNEW where you were going with the next one. So I am anxious and excited to see the additional twists you come up with in this one. Shame Micah didn’t get a book lol. But, his character is only focused on one thing. Your Daemon books remind me of Jacquline Frank’s Nightwalker series.Love both.
There is three books out tommorrow I want. Since I haven’t won one, I have to pick at least one or two to buy. Decisions, Decisions.
Like I said your characters grow on you and when you have to put the book down for the night at 2-3am. It leaves you wondering what they’ll do next. To have it call to you all day to finsh it is a mark of a great writer. TY for that.
Congrats on the new release, Anya. Can’t wait to read your Elemental Witches series.
Great series, I have been collecting them now I finally read them all OVER AGAIN LOL.
I’m just finishing up with with Witch Blood. great series and can’t wait to read Witch Fury.
Hi Anya. Great post. I have the first three books in your series in my tbr pile and can’t wait to get Witch Fury. Love the cover.
The series is on my TBR list which is way tooooo long at the moment. After this post, I think I may bump it up the list. 😀 Thanks for the pronunciation guide!
Love this series! Anya is one of my favorite authors. I just got a copy of Witch Fury from her and I can’t wait to read it. I will be reading after my current read! 🙂
I have read paranormal romances for quite some time. I really enjoy how the authors have stretched my imagination over the years. When I first read parnormal romances, all you read were ghosts,witches and maybe a warlock or two. Now everything goes from demons, griffins, shapeshifters, vampires and more. 🙂
I have read the other books in this series, and will be picking this one up asap. I love the world Ms Bast has built and can’t wait to see what happens next.
I have read the first 3 and I can’t wait to read fury.
blodeuedd — Aren’t the covers wonderful? The cover artist is Tony Mauro and he is absolutely awesome. http://www.darkdayproductions.com/
Pamk — I have a new series starting! It’s called the Dark Magick series. Paranormal romance. Fae-based (worldbuilding). It will kick off with a novella in the Hot for the Holidays anthology at the end of September. The first full length novel, Wicked Enchantment, will release in January 2010. 🙂
Jennifer D — Rather than following trends, I think you should just settle with a concept and make it your own. Trends are fickle and pass away quickly, but you can never go wrong finding your bliss in writing and following it. That will serve you best over the long haul. Good luck!
Shartyrant — I don’t have anything planned, but who knows? 🙂 Yes, there’s definitely spin-off fodder with the demons.
Fantasydreamer — I just thought it was time. I love this world and these characters, but I have so many other worlds and characters in my head that I wanted to give them a little room to breathe too. 🙂
Thanks for all the awesome comments, all!! I think (hope) I got all the Qs answered.
Hello Anya! I haven’t read any of your books, but this series sounds great! Have to get myself to the bookstore 🙂 What other storylines do you write?
Great post. Thanks for sharing. I love your Elemental Witches series and cant wait to get my hands on the new one. Hoe many are you planning to write in this series? And is there anything new coming up we can look forward to?
I’m such a fan of Anya Bast! I’m a little sad that the witches series is coming to an end, but a series has to end sometime and i know she’ll end them awesomely. lol. Happy writings!
Anya, great post! I’ve read the first of your series and it was awesome. Thanks for this background lesson on your daaemons.
Anya, this series sounds awesome! I’d love to read it. (And I so get why The Atrika are always baddies. Rotting meat. Eek! So not sexy 😉
I’m looking for a new paranormal/urban fantasy author to add some diversity to my auto-buy list. Can you tell me the name of the first book in the Elemental Series so I can keep an eye out for it?
I love paranormal romances!
I love reading about paranormal beings, but I rarely come across any with demons in them. I’m eager to start reading about them.
I was really hoping that Theo would get a story. He really deserves a happy ending. I’m sad it’s the last book in the series but I can’t wait for what you’re going to do next.
I have heard such wonderful things about your work, and I would love to sit and read your whole series this summer! Now if I can just add a cosmo and the beach to that order I would be in heaven! ha-ha.
I wish you the best!
Hi Cynthia and welcome Anya,
I enjoying reading both your books and please keep up the great work.
Thanks for a chance to win and good luck everyone!