The following is an interview with New York Times bestselling author Elise Kova regarding the recent release of the upper YA, epic fantasy romance novel, Dragon Cursed, with Entangled Publishing’s new Mayhem imprint. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Kova about her creative process in bringing the story and characters to life on the page, what readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of Dragon Cursed! How would you describe the story’s premise, and what can you share with us about the genesis behind the project?
Elise Kova: Dragon Cursed follows eighteen-year-old Isola, who’s been hailed as the reborn savior of humanity thanks to her surviving a dragon attack as a child with rare, legendary magic. But Isola fears the true source of her power may be a curse that will eventually turn her into one of the monstrous dragons attacking humanity’s last surviving city.
As part of Vinguard’s coming-of-age ritual, the Tribunal, Isola must endure being pushed to the limits alongside the other eighteen-year-olds to ensure no one harboring the curse becomes a full citizen. But what begins as standard procedure quickly spirals into something much bigger, as Isola uncovers secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew—about herself, magic, dragons, and the truth of the world she lives in.
This story is very much a love letter to the nerdy things I grew up with. My initial inspiration came from anime, video games, and tabletop RPGs, all layered into a tale that explores themes like the destruction of nature, humanity’s hubris, the power of information—and who controls it—and the messy, empowering journey of self-discovery. Oh, and of course there are dragons, magic, friendships deeper than blood and a slow-burn romance I had a lot of fun writing.
BD: This story deftly combines cinematic fantasy and thrilling romance with themes of identity and bodily autonomy. What can you share with us about your creative process in weaving these narratives together while bringing the story and characters to life on the page?
EK: I believe fantasy is uniquely powerful for exploring the complex, often thorny themes we find in the real world. By creating a secondary world, one that feels just far enough removed from our own, fantasy can give readers a “safe” space to engage with difficult ideas. There may be dragons or magic, but at its heart, fantasy is still about deeply human experiences.
For me, those core emotional beats—falling in love, questioning your identity, seeing your family through new eyes, navigating friendships, or stepping into your own power—are what truly matter, and what makes a book memorable. That’s why, even though I love worldbuilding (and I really love worldbuilding), I always strive to ground the story in the characters and their journeys. To make them feel “real” to readers from as many walks of life as possible.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Isola’s story may connect with and impact readers, and what, if any, conversations might it invite?
EK: I’m always fascinated by the conversations my stories might spark, especially when they’re ones I didn’t consciously set out to create. That’s part of the beauty of storytelling: Once a book is in the hands of readers, it becomes a shared space for interpretation, connection, and discussion.
With Dragon Cursed, I hope readers walk away thinking about the nature of power—who has it, who wants to control it, and what it means to claim it for yourself. Isola’s journey is very much about facing systems and people who try to diminish or manipulate her power, often because they’re afraid of what it would mean for them if she embraces it fully. I think a lot of readers, especially young adults, can relate to a feeling of being underestimated, silenced, or boxed in.
I also hope it invites conversations about what ends justify what means, identity, and the value of knowledge. One of the underlying threads in the book is that truth is one of the most powerful tools we can have. But when access to knowledge is controlled or distorted, it can shape entire societies. So I’d love if readers come away asking not only “What would I do in Isola’s shoes?” but also “What systems in our world rely on controlling information, why, how, and who stands to benefit from that?”
BD: What makes Mayhem (Entangled) the perfect home for Dragon Cursed?
EK: As someone who’s been writing in the upper YA space since my debut in 2015, I was immediately excited when I first heard about Mayhem. The idea of an imprint specifically geared toward that in-between space—where readers are aging out of younger YA but aren’t necessarily looking for full-blown adult content—just made so much sense. The young adult category has always felt a little broad to me. I know the books I was reading at thirteen or fourteen were very different from what I gravitated toward at seventeen or eighteen. So, I think it’s a great move that benefits readers for publishers to start drawing clearer lines with imprints like Mayhem. It helps readers know exactly what kind of stories they’re getting and who they’re meant for.
Dragon Cursed feels like a perfect fit for Mayhem because it lives right in that upper YA space. It’s for readers who love the emotional intensity and coming-of-age themes of YA, but also want stories with a bit more bite—more layered worldbuilding, higher stakes, and themes that brush up against the edges of adulthood. At the same time, it respects that not every reader wants those mature elements fully detailed on the page. It’s all about balance, and I felt like the editorial team at Mayhem really understands how to strike that chord. I’m so honored to have worked with them and have Dragon Cursed launch with them.
BD: As Dragon Cursed is the first book in the series, what might readers anticipate with the next installment, and are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
EK: Dragon Cursed is a planned duology, so readers can expect Isola’s journey to reach its epic conclusion in book two.
The next installment will dive even deeper into the truths behind her powers and the mysteries of her world. Readers will see familiar faces return and of course, Isola and Lucan’s relationship will continue to evolve. After the explosive ending of book one, they’re forced to reckon with not just their feelings, but the roles they must play to save their world. Expect a lot of twists!
Beyond Dragon Cursed, I have my adult epic fantasy, Arcana Academy, that has book two coming out this summer and my Married to Magic novels are being republished throughout 2026, which are also adult. If a reader is looking for more upper YA instead of adult, then I invite them to check out the series in my Air Awakens world, which now has four completed series set in it.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Dragon Cursed and your other work?
EK: The best place to start is my website: https://EliseKova.com
There, you’ll find a full list of my books, a quiz to help you figure out where to start, answers to frequently asked questions, and more behind-the-scenes content.
I also send out regular newsletters where I share sneak peeks, updates, giveaways, and personal notes from my writing desk. You can subscribe here: https://www.elisekova.com/subscribe
And if you’re on social media, I’d love to connect with you there! I’m @elise.kova on Instagram and @elisekova on TikTok. Whether it’s through a comment, a message, or a reply to one of my newsletters, I always love hearing from readers—so don’t be shy!
