Monarchy, religion, culture and love collide in ancient China’s warring society. All come to rest upon the shoulders of Aster, a gentle soul content in her life. At the start of this tale, her dead infant body is stolen from her mother, the Queen of Verdane. Aster is brought back to life by Barus. Barus becomes her father, the only one she knows & loves.
Resa – Why &/or how did you come up withe the name Aster?
Peach – That’s an easy one. She’s so pale that she reminded Barus of the white asters that grew in the meadows around his home. I imagined that when in bloom the flowers almost looked like snow.
Resa – I just have to ask, ” When did you discover the idea of “necromancy” … that it could bring people back to life?
Peach – Great question! Necromancy is (or was) a real thing, and the earliest records date back to the 3rd century, AD. Christian priests and scholars were some of the first to record attempts to “reanimate dead people or foretell the future by communicating with them.” So, it’s been around a long time, and I’m willing to swear that the desire to communicate with the dead continues today. Ouija Boards are a modern example, and some people make a very good living channeling departed souls.
Peach – In modern fantasy, most necromancers are evil and scary, involved in black magic and creating monsters. My mother didn’t want to read the book because she thought it was about cannibals. Lol. It’s a stereotype that I flipped on its head with Barus and Aster.
Resa – Did you make up the ritual? The mixing of herbs… the incanting…. the bleeding? Or did you read about it somewhere? Are there aster flowers in the potion?
Fortunately, she has the help of Joreh, then Teko. Oh, and I love all the hair on the men. Okay, not so much the beards, but all that long hair be it snarled, in a ponytail, braid or grey. I confess I have a huge crush on Teko.
Resa – There is a black & silver Dragon, who has bonded with Aster. It seems like a simple bonding, until the final legs of the journey to claim her birthright. What gave you the idea to use dragons?
Peach – In the Chinese legend of Kwan-Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, there’s a dragon. She encounters it on the road while carrying water, and she isn’t afraid. The dragon admires her goodness and kindness and gives her a gift of a well so she won’t have to carry water anymore. Just the mention of a dragon was enough for me to include them in the retelling of her story. ❤
Resa – On her journey, Aster encounters “Nightlings”. Are these like fire flies? Or are they little birds? I’d read a small portion of the book when they were encountered. In my mind I saw them as a sort of flashlight, leading Aster through darkness.
Resa – I have a question about Aster’s raiment once she has reached Blackrock. Aster is cleaned up and dressed in rose, cream and violet silk with a blue sash sleeveless blue robe/w dragons on the hem. Her hair is in a tall knot. This description is not as brightly colourful as the citizens are dressed. Am I correct in summing up that her outfit in Blackrock is a less richly hued than the one she wears at the Gates of Whitehall?
A long-time reader, best-selling author 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.
In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.
Peach 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.
You can buy D. Wallace Peach’s books on:
All pics of street art taken by Resa – 2019 – 2022
Toronto, Canada
This is one fabulous story!
Outtakes
Dragon (manipulated) – from a mural by Allan Bender John Nobrega & Stacey Kinder
All other street artists unknown
Art Gowns 
Beautiful, beautiful! Wowsah, what a post.
Thank You!!!!
Thanks so much for swinging by Resa’s, Laurie. It’s been so busy here that I’m behind on visiting. Tomorrow is my catch-up day. Resa’s talent is only surpassed by her kindness. I hope you had fun browsing her gowns. Have a wonderful evening and Happy Writing!
Those gowns are breathtaking!
What an amazing post about Diana’s book – amazing
Thank you so much! Pardon for the late reply!
Hi Toni. I didn’t see your comment here until today. So sorry. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the interview with Resa and her beautiful drawings for the Necromancer’s Daughter. I had so much fun watching Resa pull this together and Aster come to life. Thanks for stopping by!
Love this interview!! Your questions are so good and I love the explanations from Diana!! I have read the book and loved it.
Thank you so much! I had a lot of fun drawing Aster, and Diana was a good sport answering my mostly off beat questions. It’s a great book!
Pardon for the late reply.
Thanks for stopping by Resa’s, Kirt, and sorry for the terribly late reply! She did me the honors with her drawings for The Necromancer’s Daughter, and I couldn’t have been more pleased with everyone’s visit and wonderful comments. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. Hugs, my friend. 😀
Love, love, love the gown with the Asters on the sleeveless kimono! It was such fun to re-visit this wonderful story in this way. Thanks for putting together the review and for bringing the characters and their fashion to life in an additional way, Resa! Always fun to hear more of what’s behind Diana’s writing process and imagination too.
Thank you Sheri!
It was my pleasure to draw Aster. The kimono with the asters was a sudden inspiration. I’m quite fond of it.
Diana has a wonderful imagination, and she uses it full time with her writing. I look forward to reading another of her books.
So sorry that I missed a few of these from last month! Eeek. 340 Comments, Resa. I think that’s a record for me. Once again, many thanks for all your kindness and hard work, and for spreading beauty wherever you go. ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
I know, Diana. The comments keep on coming. I’m here to op up, again! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
HVD!!!!
Hi, Sheri. Apologies for the late reply! You’re so kind to swing by Resa’s and take in her fabulous interview, review, and best of all, those drawings of Aster. She spent weeks on this post and I couldn’t be happier with how beautiful and fun it turned out. And thanks for reading the book too. You know that makes my heart sing. Hugs, my friend.
Hugs, Diana!! 😀