Book Title: WITCH QUEEN RISING
Character Name: Seraphine “Phine” Barreau
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
In a word, both are…complicated. “Barreaus only build” was the idea that defined my life. There were several magical dynasties scattered across the United States. The Barreaus are just one of them. But one of few that were matrilineal. They were stewards of a dynasty, heiressess to a line of powerful witches. Barreaus left their mark on New Orleans in more ways than could be counted, but my mother, the former Prime, certainly liked to try to. Maxine wanted them to continue that legacy at any cost…even when it cost me everything.
What was your greatest talent?
I don’t know if anyone would call it my greatest talent but I am most known for being a Syphon. Magic is all around us. From the energy powering your body to the individual specialties my people have, it’s in everything and everyone. Witchkin manipulate their magic in a way that is personal to them like teleportation, divination, necromancy. For me, the ebb and flow of magic is my specialty. I can feed on energy, emotions, powers. As you can imagine, it doesn’t endear me to many of my kind.
Significant other?
Next question, please.
Biggest challenge in relationships?
Between my duty to my people, the curse, the conflicts…I don’t really have the time for romantic relationships. While my options are great, they’re also complicated. My life isn’t built for a white picket fence but I’m still hoping for a happily ever after.
Where do you live?
In one of two magical, sentient homes that change based on my needs. It even sends me snacks. I wish you could see the library.
Do you have any enemies?
A new one every other day it feels like. sigh
How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?
I…I never intended to come back to New Orleans. The life I had here died with the one I tried to create. I would have stayed away for the rest of my life if I could have. It’s hard coming back to a place and people that seem determined to permanently evict you.
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
Neither – next question please.
What do you do for a living?
I am the Prime, ruler of humanoid beings known as witchkin. Think of us as magical mutants. We can all do magic, but we focus our power on our specialties.
Greatest disappointment?
Never learning whose eyes they would have had.
Greatest source of joy?
I am learning what that is. My life in New York City wasn’t bad, but it was humble. I worked at a beautiful little patisserie in Harlem where people traveled far and wide for my bakes. I had my own place. But I didn’t have friends, lovers, or relationships. I was too worried the former Prime would find me. In death, she still found me. So now I’m trying to figure out what life can be like without the threat of her wrath haunting me.
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
Free time is far and few in between these days. But I love to read, listen to music especially jazz. I bake more days than not. If I had the time, I would love to get into knitting. Something relaxing would be nice.
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
I’ll set myself on fire to keep others warm, even when they wouldn’t do the same. Sometimes especially when they wouldn’t.
What keeps you awake at night?
How different my life would have been if those in it had been free to choose the lives they wanted.
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
Other than the fact there’s an evil curse poisoning my people’s magic that will corrupt their bodies before a slow, agonizing death? Or the boy my mother nearly killed me over is now the very grown up leader of the local shifters? Maybe you mean my own people not wanting, let alone trusting me? Other than that, I suppose I should make amends with my sister.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have? For yourself or for someone important to you?
Peace. That’s all I want. For my people and for myself.
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
The rival House doesn’t want me to rule. Stars, my own House doesn’t want me to rule. There’s that whole curse situation, the ex-factor, Blight, the skeletons in my family’s closet.
WITCH QUEEN RISING by Savannah Stephens
Narrator: Chanté McCormick
A reclusive witch who fled the burden of her bloodline rises to be the greatest among them in this lush and haunting fantasy debut.
For New Orleans witchkin, there is no greater honor than to become the Prime—chosen to rule. But the title is meant to pass between two rival Houses of magic. Not to the wayward daughter of the former Prime who died under mysterious circumstances.
As a girl, Seraphine Barreau was dubbed the Tick Witch for her ability to feed on magic and make it her own. Even among those who alter fate and manipulate reality, she was a powerful outcast feared and misunderstood by her people. Now dragged back to continue the legacy that nearly destroyed her, Phine has her work cut out for her. She must earn the respect of her people, navigate the politics of the paranormal communities residing in her city, and heal a broken heart all the while battling a parasitic curse poisoning witchkin. Between her werewolf ex, power-hungry vampires, and the skeletons in her family’s closet, Phine must learn to make peace with her past to save her—and all of witchkin’s—future.
Fantasy Dark | Horror [ Ace, On Sale: April 21, 2026, Trade Paperback / e-Book / audiobook, ISBN: 9780593955208 / eISBN: 9780593955215 ]
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About Savannah Stephens
Savannah Stephens is a genre-blending fiction author, most notably dark and paranormal fantasy. She proudly creates the representation she did not have growing up. Her protagonists are warriors, queens, assassins, witches, dragon riders, and more. She hopes to not only give readers fantastical worlds to escape into, but tools to survive the real world they inevitably return to once the pages stop turning. Savannah lives in Central New York with her feline familiar, Sir Beaumont of Fluffbottom. When not writing, she indulges in any one of her ever-expanding hoard of hobbies.
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