Unraveling the Veil, Book One: Liars and Thieves – Review, Q&A, and Book Release With D. Wallace Peach

Chel Owens

Waaaay back in my infanblogcy, I stumbled upon D. Wallace Peach. Maybe I followed a trail of adoring fans; maybe I read an entry she did for Carrot Ranch; or maybe her reputation guided my searchings. I still recall the very first blog post I read: a snippet from a book she wrote about a girl witnessing an execution and feeling emotions where she was not supposed to. The idea was that people did not feel and the girl was an aberration.

At that point, I vowed I would purchase and read one of Diana’s books. This year, I did so. In fact, I did so twice because she released a brand-new series: Unraveling the Veil.

Liars and Thieves (Unraveling the Veil Book 1) by [D. Wallace Peach]
Buy it from Amazon!

When I asked D. Wallace about my doing a review and Q&A after reading the first book, she agreed! D. is one of the most genuine and nicest people I’ve ever corresponded with; the sort I know would invite me in with a smile and an invitation to dinner if I e-mailed her that I happened to be near her secret writing room.

Liars and Thieves, the first book in this trilogy, begins with an omniscient POV of one Kalann il Drakk, First of Chaos, who is launching psionic canons or somesuch in order to break something called The Veil. His attack is rebuffed and his damages repaired, buuuuut his efforts cause energy lapses in the lands beyond The Veil.

We’re then thrown into the perspective of a goblin -a half-goblin, actually- named Naj’ar, then that of Elanalue Windthorn the elf, then that of a changeling who mostly goes by Talin Raska.

Yep; this is a fantasy novel.

The story unfolds through these three different characters and the parts where their adventures intersect and intertwine. Each represents and reveals the good and bad of their distinct, interesting races. Each has personal powers, personalities, and flaws. Each is intriguing to read.

After I finished reading the book, Diana agreed to answer a few questions:

1. Where did your initial inspiration for the races in your world come from?

First, thanks so much for inviting me to your blog, Chelsea. And for the great questions. I love chatting about books and writing.

The inspiration for Liars and Thieves had its origin in US politics where blaming, racial bullying, and blatant lies had crept from the shadows and become unabashedly mainstream. Rather than deal honestly with the nation’s challenges, children and families became targets, sacrificed in order to instill fear and amass power.

I started thinking… what would happen if this situation occurred in a fantasy world where a god (the First of Chaos) was responsible for an inciting event—the disappearance of a group of people? And instead of working together to determine the truth and find a solution, the different races began blaming each other. And what if all this unjustified blame started magnifying existing challenges and creating new ones that subsequently grew out of control?

Now, this is a work of fantasy, so like most fiction, it developed a life of its own. The races are elves, goblins, and changelings. There are monsters and gods, and plenty of magical talents. No one is innocent, and together they almost destroy their world… all because it was easier to assign blame than take responsibility, work together, and learn the truth—which was that none of them were at fault in the first place.

2. Some fantasy authors invent languages; but, with the exception of the mountain peoples (goblins) speaking in the royal we, you’ve kept them at a universal lingo. Why?

My book Sunwielder has a made-up language. But not much of it. I love designing languages, but it’s something I do sparingly, because, quite literally, no one can read it! Sentences of “fake words” end up being skimmed, and an author needs to decide why those skimmed words are so important to the story. The author also has to take the time to translate without awkwardness and without bogging down the prose.

I think different languages can be implied through dialect, a sprinkling of made-up words, more formal dialog, or stumbling “second language” speech. Even these approaches have to be carefully applied, since too much tweaking can draw the reader’s attention to the writing and away from the story. In this series, the goblins are a collective society so they use “we” instead of “I,” and “us” instead of “me.” They also don’t use contractions in dialog. That seemed like plenty to establish that goblins had a different way of speaking.

3. Do you feel it’s important to have rules and limits to magic, and how have you applied that to your races? 

Absolutely! Some of the best magic systems I’ve read are those created by fantasy author Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn, Elantris). Sanderson distinguishes between “soft magic” and “hard magic” and suggests that they lie on a continuum. Soft magic is full of wonder and has few rules. The magic users have mysterious abilities and can do whatever they wish with little limitation.

Hard magic lies on the other end of the spectrum, and here is where the rules come into play. In the case of hard magic, it becomes an integral plot device in the story. Two critical requirements of hard magic are 1) strict limitations and 2) flaws or costs to the user. 

In most of my books, magic is centered around one magical item (a book or an amulet) or one ability (the power to manipulate emotions or swallow souls). 

In the Unraveling the Veil series, the magic system is based on the manipulation of energy, and it’s much broader, with each race possessing different kinetic talents.

  • Goblins are terrakinetic and can manipulate earth-matter.
  • Changelings are biokinetic and can alter their biological patterns.
  • Elves have various kinetic abilities, singularly or in combination: photokinetic (light), pyrokinetic (fire), and hydrokinetic (water), to name a few.

As I designed the magic system, it became apparent that changelings had the most powerful talent, and therefore they needed the most challenges when using it. I imposed these limitations/costs: 

  • Shifting is physically agonizing
  • Shifting leaves the user temporarily weak and vulnerable
  • Too long in a foreign shape makes the shift permanent
  • And a significant change in mass requires the absorption or release of energy. This generates temperature changes in the atmosphere, which, at worst, can start disastrous fires. In other words, don’t shift from a man into a bug in the middle of the forest!

4. What is the best dessert ever invented?

Oooh. This is the hardest question of all!  Lol. Can I pick 3?  In summer, I love strawberry shortcake. In winter, I want warm berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. And I won’t turn down a creamy cheesecake any time of year! They all have to be sugar-free and low-calorie though. 

Photo by Heather Barnes on Unsplash

Thanks again for the invite, Chelsea. This was great fun. Happy Reading!

Author Bio:

D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked. Diana lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

Author Links:

Website/Blog: http://mythsofthemirror.com

Website/Books: http://dwallacepeachbooks.com

Amazon Author’s Page: https://www.amazon.com/D.-Wallace-Peach/e/B00CLKLXP8

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Myths-of-the-Mirror/187264861398982

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dwallacepeach

©2020 Chel Owens. Responses ©2020 D. Wallace Peach

As a side note, this book is clean enough that I promptly handed it to my twelve-year-old to read. He’s burned through all my fantasy series and needed a wonderful, new book to read.
-This is also why I couldn’t flip through the book to remember specific character names and references.

133 thoughts on “Unraveling the Veil, Book One: Liars and Thieves – Review, Q&A, and Book Release With D. Wallace Peach”

      1. It sounds like it was a really good read, so I’m glad you finally read it and reviewed it. I read too much; it currently has me feeling I live in a book even when I’m not reading, which leads to interesting behavior.

        Liked by 1 person

          1. Oh good! I’m glad to know that’s normal. I’m also hoping believing I’m mute because one of the main characters I was reading about is mute is also normal.

            Liked by 1 person

    2. Thanks so much for checking out the interview and Chelsea’s lovely review, Kat. I’m not much of a fan of steamy, sweaty romance (lol) so my books tend to avoid that stuff. I hope that if you pick up the book someday, you’ll enjoy the writing and the story. Happy Reading. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Aww, Diana, I live warm berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

    Chelsea, excellent questions. I’m glad Diana’s books don’t have make-up languages because I do skim through them and create my own codes. I wouldn’t try to pronounce them. It would be work for me.

    I look forward to reading Lords of Chaos.

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      2. LOL. He’s a fast reader! But how awesome that he loves to read. He’ll have life long adventures. As GRR Martin said, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one.”

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    2. Yuuummm, cobbler. Just thinking about it makes me want to jump up and bake, Miriam. Ha ha. That was a fun question. Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. It’s wonderful to get so much support for the new series. I’m delighted to be visiting with Chelsea today. 🙂

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  3. I finished this book a few weeks back. Your words about Diana are spot on. I also found her to be a kind, supportive, and genuinely cool person.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. I have Liars and Thieves on hubby’s kindle as mine bit the dust so when I can wrestle his kindle from him or buy myself another I will read it ..there have been so many excellent reviews 🙂 x

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks so much for stopping by Chelsea’s, Carol. I don’t know what I’d do without my kindle. I think it’s hardwired into my brain. Lol. There would be sparks if anyone tried to remove it. I’m honored that you’ll give the book a try. You gave me a giant smile. 😀

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    2. Thanks for the great comment, Jaye and Anita. You two have a lot going one these days, so I appreciate it that you’d take the time to read. I do hope that when you pick the book up, it’s a great escape. Have a peaceful week and Happy Reading! ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Pingback: Unraveling the Veil, Book One: Liars and Thieves – Review, Q&A, and Book Release With D. Wallace Peach | Legends of Windemere

    2. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. Chelsea has some great questions, and I could talk about writing until eyes roll and everyone drifts to sleep. Lol. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. 🙂 Have a great week.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Great interview. Chelsea, I enjoyed your questions. Diana, I enjoyed your answers. You know I enjoyed Sunwielder. I’m not usually drawn to fantasy but these books do sound intriguing. So do desserts without sugar and few calories!

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    2. Thanks so much for stopping by Chelsea’s, Norah. I’m super grateful that you tried one of my books and enjoyed it. I’m pretty good at making no sugar/low cal desserts, but I did splurge on real strawberry short cake this past summer. It was heaven. Have a lovely week and Happy Reading. 🙂

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  9. I absolutely love D. Wallace Peach’s Rose Shield series, and I can’t wait to read this new one. I have the first book and will get to read it as a reward when I finish and publish the 3rd Book of my own series…very soon!! The interview makes me even more intrigued. Thanks for sharing this great review!

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  10. Wow, Chelsea. You got this posted lickety-split! I’m so grateful for the chance to answer to questions, to hear your kind thoughts, and get some time on your blog to chat with your followers. And I’m so glad that you found the book appropriate for your 12-year-old. The whole trilogy is fairly clean though it gets a bit grim toward the end. Well, you started my week on a high note! Thank you. Thank you. Have a wonderful day and happy, healthy week ahead. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. 😀 I couldn’t let it sit after you got back to me, and after you released all the other books! 😉

      Whenever I ask my son about the content in the books, he’s like, “Well.. *this one I read –usually Eragon–* was worse so I’m okay, Mom.”

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  11. I really enjoyed your comments about this book, Chelsea, and I also liked Diana’s answers to your questions. A very interesting way of analyzing the consequences of specific political situations. I always like books that have underlying meanings and motivations for the author. What, no sugar in dessert, noooooo, Diana.

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    2. Ha ha ha. Yes, dessert without sugar would be awesome. I’m glad you enjoyed the Q & A, Robbie. I do try to work through my world building so it seems as plausible as possible in my mind anyway. I think that helps make the fantasy feel believable. Thanks for the visit, my friend. Happy Writing!

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    2. Thanks so much for stopping by at Chelsea’s, Teagan. And I’m delighted that you’ve both met! Two wonderful and creative bloggers. 🙂 Have a lovely day, my friend, and I hope you’re writing up a storm. Hugs.

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    2. Thanks so much, Bette. My inspiration comes from all kinds of places, but the stories undoubtedly whirl away in their own directions, and this isn’t an exception. I’m glad you enjoyed the “peek behind the curtain.” Happy Writing, my friend. ❤

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    2. Thanks so much for stopping by to read and comment. I’m feeling spoiled by Chelsea and my bloggy friends. Goodness, so grateful! I noticed you have a new post today, and I’ll be over soon. I like to savor your words, so have to wait for a luxurious chunk of time. ❤ See you soon. ❤

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      1. Oh, I know! Things got a little stalled this year with our latest collection of short stories taking up way too much of my time, but I’m determined to get my little Greek escapade finished within the next few months – and I promise I’ll be in touch for a bit of Chelsea promotion! 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks so much, Nick. Woo hoo! On the 3rd book. I hope you enjoy how it all wraps up! And I’m glad you’re already a Chelsea fan. I love her sense of humor… sort of like yours. Lol. Many thanks for stopping by and commenting. Stay safe and Happy Writing. 😀

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    2. It’s weird to me how magic has to be plausible. That doesn’t sound logical. Lol. But in order to suspend disbelief the characters need to act believably. And they can’t do that without rules. Ah, I love to muse about this stuff. Thanks for the visit to Chelsea’s blog, Jacqui. Much appreciated!

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    2. You’re so sweet, Jill. Your comment warmed my heart. I wish we could all get together and discuss genres, plots, characters, and everything else that goes along with this craft. It’s so interesting to me. Have a happy, healthy afternoon, my friend, and Happy Writing. 🙂 ❤

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  20. This was a fabulous interview, Chelsa! D is about one of my favourite writers and bloggers – STELLAR support, BRILLIANT wordsmith, and SUPER human. It was so lovely to read her answers here! Thanks for bringing us this interview 🙂

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    2. Thanks, Jess. You make me laugh, Lol. I love answering specific questions like these. They make me think about process and verbalize my thoughts about fantasy and writing in general. It’s been a blast to be here at Chelsea’s. Happy Writing, my friend. 🙂

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  21. Fabulous interview, Chelsea and Diana! I particularly liked the bit about soft magic and hard magic. My first love is scifi and the same ‘rule’ applies there. There’s ‘hand waving’ science which is often more magic than science, and then there’s hard science which requires that everything be at least possible, even if very unlikely.

    I think that’s why I love the Unravelling the Veil series so much. The magic and the world feel ‘real’, even though I know they’re not. And because it all feels real, the decisions the characters make have consequences, and those consequences drive the story. Love it. 🙂

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    1. I always thought the same about sci-fi, Andrea. I’ve enjoyed both kinds of sci-fi, and both are quite successful… same with fantasy. I just write what I like. And I do like “magic” that becomes part of the plot as opposed to just a part of the world. Thanks so much for stopping by Chelsea’s to read and comment. I love talking about this stuff and could do it for hours and hours (pages and pages). Happy Writing, my friend. ❤ Be well.

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      1. -grin- and sometimes you get both kinds all mixed up in the one story! My favourite scifi novel of all time is Frank Herbert’s Dune. It reads like scifi and the ecological elements are based on how real ecosystems work, or could work, but most everything else is almost pure fantasy. Like the powers of the Bene Gesserit etc. But as Chel pointed out, it’s ‘logical fantasy’.
        Ahem, I’ll stop now. 😀 -hugs-

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      2. lol – hi Chel. Commiserations on the internet. I know how miserable it is when the door to the ‘outside’ is slammed shut. And yes, that’s very much what scifi is – logical fantasy.

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    2. I agree, Kerfe. I notice certain themes in my books that are tolerable is a fantasy world, but might raise hackles if set in the real world, particularly that massive wealth requires a degree of moral insensitivity (stuff like that). Thanks so much for the visiting Chelsea’s and reading. Have a happy, healthy, creative day, ❤

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  23. Another fascinating inside look to Diana and her writing. I enjoyed the lesson on shapeshifting and so agree with made up languages, as a reader I would definitely skim over. 🙂 Oh, and congrats Diana on the fabulous review by Chel. 🙂

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    2. Thanks for reading, Debby. Yeah, I skim too – not only made-up languages, but any Real language that I don’t know! Adding a second language to any book has to be done carefully no matter the genre. I’m so glad you stopped by, my friend. Have a lovely day and stay safe. ❤

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    2. Well, that would be a wonderful Christmas treat for both of us. 😀 Thanks for stopping by Chelsea’s to take a peek at her review and the Q & A. Much appreciated. Have a healthy and peaceful week and Happy Reading.

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  26. You followed the “trail of adoring fans.” Ha ha. I’m one of those adoring fans. I didn’t read fantasy books until I found Diana. I’d like to say she found me, but nah, I found her. And you describe her wonderfulness to a T, from A-Z. I read the first book of this series and reviewed on Amazon and Goodreads. And then I sent it to my 25-year-old nephew, who loves a well-written fantasy. This way, he’ll adore his aunt forever. Thanks, Diana. And nice to meet you here, Chel.

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    2. Awww. Thanks, Pam. I love these bloggers who send their books down the line. That’s awesome. And thank you for the lovely review too! I’m so glad I’m turning a few readers into fantasy readers, but the fan part goes both ways! Entertaining writing is available in all genres and I have a great time reading the work of my bloggy friends. Have a wonderful day, my friend. Stay safe and peaceful!

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    2. Thanks so much for stopping by Chelsea’s to read, Liz. The more I learn about different genres, the more interesting the writing craft becomes. There are “rules” to each, I think, some flexible, others not so much. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. Chelsea had some great questions. Happy Writing, my friend. ❤

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      1. You’re welcome, Diana. I agree about new writing genres. I’m learning a lot about new areas of craft. I’ve always been one who wants to know how something works. Happy writing to you to as well!

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