Imani Erriu reveals exclusive cover for ‘Fallen Stars,’ sequel to debut hit
Fallen Stars: Imani Erriu reveals exclusive cover for highly anticipated sequel.
BookTok Cinderella stories are becoming more frequent, and Imani Erriu’s “Heavenly Bodies” series is the latest to go from self-publish to publishing house.
The U.K. author’s celestial romantasy series set in a world ruled by merciless gods known as Stars was republished in the U.S. and Canada in January. Since then, publishers have had to near quadruple the number of reprints because bookstores keep selling out, Penguin Random House Canada told USA TODAY.
Now, we’re giving an exclusive cover reveal for the sequel “Fallen Stars,” which will be released with new content, characters and a reimagined design in November.
Imani Erriu reveals ‘Heavenly Bodies’ sequel ‘Fallen Stars’ cover
Speaking from inside the crystal shop she owns in the U.K. – fitting for an author whose novels deals so heavily in astrology – Erriu says the cover is both an homage to her self-published covers and a taste of something new.
In the first book, protagonist Elara is cursed with a prophecy that says she will fall for a Star and it will kill them both. When her kingdom is ravaged, she flees and finds herself in murky territory, forced to train as a weapon with an enemy prince to uncover her powers. “Fallen Stars” opens that world wider with more points of view, higher stakes and a quest at sea. In this book, Elara must embark on a vengeful journey far beyond the Kingdom of Helios to wake her soulmate, who is trapped between life and death.
The cover of “Fallen Stars” keeps the green scheme of the book’s original cover design, now with crested waves and a mermaid, who will be a central part of the romance plot, Erriu says. The compass is also symbolic, as the characters begin to feel “lost within themselves” on their quest. Expect new mythical creatures, a “dastardly and handsome pirate” and more world-building.
“For me, this is the book where all the pieces begin to shift, other characters are revealed, and the grander plot, which I’d always planned from the very beginning of Book One, really starts to be laid down,” Erriu says. Book Two has “plot focus and excitement and adventure – I’m really excited for people to see where the world goes,” she adds.
Darker and more gothic, Erriu says she was inspired by her favorite poem, Edgar Allan Poe’s seafaring “Annabel Lee” with fair maidens and kingdoms by the sea. To get into her character’s heads, she listened primarily to “Sunlight” by Hozier and “Pirate Song” by Mehro.
‘Counted my lucky stars’: Reader support feels rewarding, Erriu says
Erriu is a more mature writer now than she was when she self-published “Heavenly Bodies” and the republished version feels like “nearly an entire new book,” she says. Character arcs are richer with more well-rounded backstories. She says she’s excited for readers to see how much her writing has improved.
“When I published indie, there were certain places I wanted the book to go and I just couldn’t quite get there myself,” Erriu says. “Having other people experienced in the industry who are almost like my guides through it … and shaping the book into the best it could be has honestly been a dream.”
Besides finally seeing her book shelved at Waterstones, a large British book retailer, the most rewarding part of the republish process is the reader interaction, Erriu says.
“Seeing them still here for the ‘Heavenly Bodies’ publication and buying that version and wanting all the special editions, that was truly a moment where I just counted my lucky stars – no pun intended,” Erriu says.
Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at [email protected].
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