Local author boasts with new adult fantasy novel at cosy event
MBOMBELA - On a cool summer’s evening, with fairylights creating a cosy atmosphere in La Villa Vita’s garden, Jessica Y Burgess delightfully welcomed her supporters to chapter 12 of her new book, Athereum: Warrior Awoken, officially launched on Thursday April 18.
Athereum: Warrior Awoken is the first part of three of an adult fantasy book collection by this local author. Burgess said she was inspired by music and wanted an escape to a fantasy world during a difficult personal experience. The book took her six and half years to write.
“The book is a fantasy world that incorporates real emotions. In my writing, I want people to question what they think is right and their beliefs. Here are different civilisations as part of the setting and relationships that take place in the book. There is an overall good-versusevil theme as well,” she said, attempting to not give away too much.
Burgess initially did not want to publish the book. “I was quite selfish when I started writing. It was meant to be just a healing place for me. When I was able to get good characterisation, to write a book rather than just a story like I did at first, and to find my healing, I thought it was selfish to keep this to myself.”
Burgess has always been an avid writer, and revealed that her writing skills were affirmed by her late high school teacher when she was just 15.
“The second book is well under way and will hopefully publish by the end of the year. Athereum: Warrior Awoken is available for purchase now,” she said.