Interview with Ikaria of Anemopylae from James Calbraith's THE FLYING BARONS OF NEGRIPONTE

 




We’re thrilled to be talking to Ikaria of Anemopylae from James Calbraith's The Flying Barons of Negriponte.  It is a pleasure to have her with us today at Pimp That Character!

Thank you for your interview, Ikaria.  How old are you and what do you do for a living? 

I'm 24 and I'm a racing pilot, engineer and aether alchemist, currently working for Otto de Cicon, Baron of

Anemopylae.


Can you tell us about one of your most distinguishable features?

My hair shimmers rainbow in the sun... But it's the same for all anemo engineers, it's just the residue of Naviferous Aether particles...

What is your most treasured possession?

The Ruby Caput Key, a crucial part of my father's design for the Aether Sublimation engine. It's my greatest engineering secret - don't tell the Venetians!

Are you a loner or do you prefer to be surrounded by friends?

I don't have much time for friends, or even acquaintances. Other than Marco, but we work together, so it's a bit different.

What is in your refrigerator right now? 

A refri... what? Oh, you mean the ice cavern. I'm not a nobleman, I don't own such fancy things! If you mean the pantry, I have a few jars of pine honey, some salted sheep's cheese and a couple of links of fennel seed sausage.

What is your greatest fear? 

Not being able to race again! I need to find a way to take part in the next regatta!

Who is your best friend? 

Marco da San Felice - he's more like a brother, really, we've been friends ever since my father took him in as an apprentice. He's the most talented shipwright I know, I would never have been able to build my boats without him.

Do you have children? 

No, and I don't plan to at the moment. Too busy with work!

What is your favorite weather? 

A good easterly breeze in early summer, gently filling the sails, the sun shimmering in the Aegean Sea.

Do you like to cook?  If so, what is your favorite thing to cook? 

I don't really know how to cook... Marco's the one doing all the cooking. His fish grilled with lemons is to die for.

If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?

A pilot's life is dangerous, I always assume I could die tomorrow in an accident - so, I guess I wouldn't do anything differently to usual.

 
Book Description:
 

 

Title: The Flying Barons of Negriponte (The Aether Empire Book 1)

Author: James Calbraith

Publication Date: September 20, 2023

Pages: 134

Genre: Historical Fantasy/Candlepunk

 
 
They killed her father. They took her ship. But nothing will stop Ikaria's vengeance.

Forty years since Constantinople fell to the Venetian flying citadels, high-altitude Aether racing is the favoured pastime of bored, wealthy Latin nobles. Ikaria, proud daughter of a legendary Aether engineer and one of the best racing pilots in the Aegean, is determined to uncover the truth behind her father's mysterious disappearance at the end of the last Grande Regatta of Negriponte.

Driven by the thirst of vengeance and pursuit of engineering excellence in equal measures, Ikaria vows to win the next Regatta herself - and to find out what really happened to her father. But there's a catch: a new Imperial edict bars her, and anyone not of noble blood, from taking part in Aether races. To her rescue comes Sire Mikhael of Chiarenza - an enigmatic handsome young Greek turncoat in the service of new Latin masters. His motivations unclear, the source of his funds and supplies a secret, Ikaria nonetheless agrees to accept his help: together, they set out to challenge the supremacy of the six Hexarchs, the infamous Flying Barons of Negriponte.

Pick up your copy of The Flying Barons of Negriponte at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJKXXQB1 .

About the Author
 

James Calbraith is a Poland-born Scottish writer of history-adjacent novels, coffee drinker, Steely Dan fan and avid traveler.

Growing up in communist Poland on a diet of powdered milk, “Lord of the Rings” and soviet science-fiction, he had his first story published at the ripe age of eight. After years of bouncing around Polish universities, he moved to London in 2007 and started writing in English. Now lives in Edinburgh, hoping for an independent Scotland.

His debut historical fantasy novel, “The Shadow of Black Wings“, has reached Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semi-finals in 2012. “The Year of the Dragon” saga sold over 30,000 copies worldwide.

His new historical fiction saga, “The Song of Ash” has been on top of Amazon’s Bestseller lists in UK for months. 

Connect with James:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Wattpad | Quora

 

 



 

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