So, you've made it this far, have you? It takes dedication to find this page hidden deep within the Tagonist Knights Website.
Congratulations!
As a reward, I present to you five new ways to immerse yourself within this novel. Some of it is insightful, other aspects of it is meant to make you laugh and smile. Hopefully, by the time you're done, you'll be eager to explore the book if you haven't already, or take a moment to read through it once again knowing what you do now.
“Just because you don’t see someone’s scars does not mean that they don’t exist.” – Alice
Say Hello - The Cast of Queen's Court
“I must speak for myself. To allow another to be my voice steals my ability to be heard.”
Alice Kent
Aspiring Queen
“I’m both impressed and insulted. Not sure which one I should feel.”
Hoven
Passionate Survivor
“Sprinkle a little stardust into the air, make magic happen, grant wishes, it was the role I was meant for.”
Mitch Bulsara
Resteraunt Manager
“Real life isn’t a fairy tale. Love isn’t always this beautiful fantasy we like to think of it as.”
Mina Kensington
Pragmatic Mentor
“Courage is not an absence of fear, it is revealed in overcoming such obstacles buried deep within us.”
Oliver Kent
Optimistic Brother
“Is that what this loathsome pest has done to you, wormed his way into your life like a maggot feeding upon a rotting corpse? He disgusts me. I find the idea of you spending time with this droplet of excrement is revolting.”
Alice's Mother
Ruthless Matriarch
“A flower doesn’t bloom in a day. It must grow over time.” - Alice
Relevant Artwork/Memes
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“An act of kindness loses all value if it is done so with expectations of a reward afterwards.” – Hoven
Origin Story: A sequel?
When I wrote Heart of Ice, I never imagined a sequel at the time. Then again, in the original draft, Alice didn't exist. She was added to a scene to replace Victoria whose part in the original was greatly diminished. I wanted a female in his life that was not a potential love interest and thought, why not a sibling?
I remember having the title a year before I wrote the book.
The idea of Hoven was greatly influenced by my love of music, how I drew passion for creativity from it. Hoven's severe social anxiety was inspired by a close friend of mine who deals with that on a daily basis. Much of her experiences, my knowledge of how she reacted to the world, was reflected in his behavior. I worked with a man who was around 5'4", drawing me to make him that tall.
Going into it, did I plan for this novel to address suicidal thoughts and depression? No. However, having coped with depression in the past, it felt good to address the issues and to provide aid in some way in coping with it.
Before writing the book, I knew I wanted to introduce Alice's mother and to have a confrontation between Mitch and the mother. I also was greatly inspired by a song I heard, which led to Alice being in tears on stage. It was at the core of the book as I began writing it.
By the end, I knew it was setting it up for a third book creating a trilogy. Hints of Oliver asking Mina to marry him is planted to set up the next book.
A True Hero...
The connection between the Noble Souls Trilogy and Eye of the Beholder is made at the end of the book, confirming the connection between Mitch and Penelope. It explains a series of quotes I created for this novel which I wanted to share as a collection.
"A true hero cares more about saving the innocent than punishing the guilty."
"A true hero inspires others to become something far greater than they believe they are capable of."
"A true hero must first save themselves from that which will hold them back from becoming a savior for others."
"A true hero will spend an eternity waiting for the truth, then to create a falsehood that is made in haste."
"A true hero is willing to sacrifice everything to protect those they love."
"A true hero finds resolution to their problems through love and compassion, for the only way this world will become an ideal place to live in, is when it is guided by charity, kindness, and generosity."
"A true hero proves her courage by standing up for what she believes in."
"A true hero is willing to risk losing everything in the hopes of saving a single life from suffering."
“To ask for aid is not a show of weakness, it takes great bravery to be humble in the face of adversity.” – Alice
Easter Eggs and Inspiration
Be a Queen
Mitch's last name, Bulsara, is the birth name of Freddie Mercury, lead singer of "Queen".
Can't Be Trusted
Alice failed date is with "Richard", named after former president Richard Nixon.
Cheating Husband
A "Bill" is mentioned, a reference to former president, Bill Clinton.
Mo-Zart?
Hoven was originally named "Zart" after Mozart, but I didn't like it so changed it.
Fries with that?
In my mind, Hoven works at McDonald's, before he quits and gets a new job.
Terrible Boss
An episode of "My Name is Earl" inspired the idea of a cheating husband who is the manager at the store Hoven worked at.
Caregiver
Hoven working at an animal shelter is inspired by a real life visit I had to one.
Powers Activate
On page 243, Mitch touches Alice's fist to activate their powers. A reference to the Wonder Twins.
Evil Queen
One page 247, the queen Mitch is referering to is featured in the story, Snow White.
Y! M! C! A!
Oliver, Mitch, and friends are singing to YMCA by the village people in chapter 14.
Oh really?
The place where they are singing is called the Royal Entourage, a play on the title "Queen's Court".
Henry the... XIII?
Alice's older brother is named after several kings who had the name Henry.
And now... My Favorite.
The novel was inspired by a song I heard called "Silent Scream" by Anna Blue, a German singer. The lyrics so perfectly described what Alice endured from her mother. All she wants is the love of a parent for her child despite her mother wanting to be something other than who she is or wants to be. She sings it at the end.
"You are worthy of love." - Alice
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