The following is an interview with author Kait Ballenger regarding the upcoming completion of the Original Sinners romantasy series with Beautiful Redeemer. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Ballenger about her experience in bringing the characters’ journeys to an end, what she hopes that readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You will soon be completing your Original Sinners novel series with the upcoming release of the final book, Beautiful Redeemer. Where will readers find themselves in the stunning conclusion of Charlotte’s journey?
Kait Ballenger: Readers will find themselves in an epic apocalyptic battle of good and evil alongside Charlotte, who’s not only embracing her new immortality, but is stepping into her full power as Lucifer’s bride for the very first time. Beautiful Redeemer is really where we see Charlotte become the wicked queen of hell Lucifer always knew she could be.
BD: It is quite the rewarding endeavor to work with the same characters for an extended period of time. What is your experience in bringing these characters’ journey to a conclusion…and do you foresee returning to the world and characters for any future installments?
KB: Bringing these characters’ story to a conclusion was absolutely rewarding. It’s been such a pleasure to be able to work with these characters over the course of several books. Characterization has always been one of my greatest passions as a writer, so finally having the space to give these characters the true redemption arc they deserved was really a dream come true. I poured everything I had into this book, and I hope that will be apparent to readers. I wanted this to be a truly phenomenal ending to the series. That being said, it was also heartbreaking to say goodbye to these characters. I do have plans to return to this world for future installments, and Charlotte, Lucifer, and Azrael will no doubt make an appearance in those, but the focus moving forward will be on the other seven deadly sins, Lucifer’s siblings, so in a way, it will be its own new series.
BD: How do you feel that Charlotte’s story may connect with and impact readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that it might inspire?
KB: I think Charlotte’s story is very relatable for a lot of women readers in particular, and not just those who were raised as evangelicals and have since left the church, or those who’ve experienced the kinds of abuse she did. I think most women can relate to the feeling of being powerless. Charlotte’s story is ultimately about her finally gaining and stepping into her full power, after spending the majority of her life with that power being taken from her. I think that’s something any historically marginalized reader can relate to. But I also hope on a deeper level that this series makes people question the ways fundamentalist Christianity, capitalism, and systemic oppression interact.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
KB: Readers who are interested in my backlist may enjoy my Seven Range Shifter series about a pack of wolf shifters who are cowboys by day, wolf shifters by night. Think Yellowstone, but with werewolves. For my frontlist titles, I hope readers will keep an eye out for the spin off to the Original Sinners.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Beautiful Redeemer and your other work?
KB: Readers can get the latest updates by signing up for my newsletter at www.kaitballenger.com or by following my on TikTok at @kaitballenger or Instagram at @kait.ballenger
