Exclusive Interview
Alex Aster Breaks Down Her ‘Starside’ Universe & Gives Movie Adaptations Update
What To Know
- Alex Aster makes her adult fantasy debut with Starside, which was released on March 31.
- Aster spoke with Swooon about her love for romantasy and the enemies-to-lovers romance in Starside.
- She also shared an update on the Lightlark and Summer in the City movie adaptations.
Alex Aster is ready to join the league of adult fantasy writers with her first novel in the age range, Starside, out now. Aster began her career with the YA novel Lightlark, which shot to fame on BookTok, and catapulted her career to new heights — not to mention we’re waiting on the adaptation. And while her time in YA has been well spent, Aster is now ready to bring new magical tales of vengeance, betrayal, and love that shouldn’t be to an entirely new audience.
In the novel, Starside and Stormside are separated, and while the mortals of Stormside barely have enough to put food on the table, those of Starside live in the abundance of magic and immortals. Once every 50 years, 50 challengers of Stormside are granted the opportunity to fight for a spot in Starside, but that’s not why Aris is entering. Aris wants to get her hands on the god who murdered her family, and the only way to do so is by winning the trial and earning her spot in Starside. But Harlan Raker, the king’s guard, has no plans on making that easier for her.
Aster spoke to Swooon about her inclination for enemies-to-lovers stories, the inspirational origins of her protagonist, movie adaptation updates, and why romantasy feels like home.
This isn’t your first time in the adult space, but it is your first adult fantasy book. What were you most excited about being able to explore in an adult fantasy novel?
Alex Aster: I was excited to be able to dive deeper into romance. Aris is an adult who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it. She’s also a complicated character who has been through a lot, so writing her story didn’t feel like a person discovering themselves, but more like a person learning how to open up a heart they thought was incapable of feeling anything anymore.
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A fun fact is that you kept this book a secret for a long time and revealed it at a “birthday party” to fans. Why did you want to go about sharing the news about Starside this way?
Aster: I owe my readers everything — they are the ones who transformed my career. I only thought it was right to let them learn the news first. They were also the first ones to tell people about the book, since I waited two days after the “birthday party” to post about the novel myself.
What can you tell us about Aris? Where did this character stem from?
Aster: Aris is a character who lost her family at a young age. Ever since then, she has harbored a deep hatred for the gods, and a need for vengeance. Still, she’s a character with a soft heart, who helps people, even when it puts herself in danger.
I wanted to write an adult quest, and Aris’ character came to me immediately — someone who didn’t want power or magic, but revenge.
This book is definitely for all the fans of enemies-to-lovers out there. What draws you to this particular dynamic? And who are a few enemies-to-lovers couples in media that you’ve enjoyed?
Aster: I love the tension between two characters who aren’t supposed to love each other — but can’t help it. I think it works especially well in a fantasy, where stakes are high, and matters of the heart can turn into life or death situations. My favorite enemies-to-lovers pairing (though not fantasy) is Lizzie and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Their disastrous first meeting, and all the tension that follows, is one of my all-time favorite love stories.
Speaking of the enemy in question, Harlan Raker is a problem for Aris from day one. What goes into making an enemy that is both appealing and also quite a large threat?
Aster: I think they have to have a legitimate reason for hating each other (and you learn more about Raker’s reason in Book 2). They also have to genuinely want to kill each other at certain times. Then, I think you have to be able to watch them slowly learn to begrudgingly admire the other one, then form some sort of trust between them. Only then (in my opinion), can they have the “F it” moment and get together physically.
In terms of making the enemy appealing, I think the reader has to kind of agree with them in some way (like he is rude to Aris because he thinks she’s reckless, and she kind of is). You also have to see small spots of redemption in their personality, or at least a little bit of humanity. Raker was actually meaner in the first version of this. I toned it down a little in edits.
What do Aris and Harlan both need to overcome as individuals in order to become lovers?
Aster: They both actually have to overcome the same thing. They both think of themselves as monsters because of what they’ve done (or blame themselves for). So, before they can become lovers, they must both believe they are worth loving. And they must learn how to let someone in, after building walls around their hearts as a means of self-protection.
Starside and Stormside showcase the differences in class status and power, but what does Starside represent to Aris on a more personal level?
Aster: Starside represents a world where the worst thing that ever happened to her (losing her family) never occurred. It represents some sort of utopia where things never go wrong, and abundance is overflowing. During the journey, she learns this isn’t necessarily true.
A tagline for this novel has been “power isn’t inherited, it’s claimed.” What got you thinking about the differences between inherited and earned power?
Aster: I’ve always liked the idea that anyone can claim magic. It feels hopeful, like any door can be a portal, any person can have hidden power. It’s more about what is within you than anything beyond your control.
Aris is motivated to enter the Culling to seek revenge for her mother’s death. What story or lesson about revenge do you hope to tell through Aris?
Aster: I hope Aris’ story shows that vengeance doesn’t get you far, and that it ultimately only hurts the person harboring that much hatred. She learns through her journey that there is still light left in a world that has felt devoid of it since she lost her family.
What keeps you coming back to the romantasy genre?
Aster: I always write what I want to read, and romantasy is my favorite genre. I love the adventure, high stakes, romance, and strong characters who are constantly getting knocked down, then getting back up again.
I do want to ask about the forthcoming adaptations of your books Lightlark and Summer in the City? Are there any updates to share that we can look forward to?
Aster: Nothing to share right now, but developments have happened, and I hope to be able to share big news soon!
What moments from each are you most looking forward to seeing on the big screen?
Aster: For Summer in the City, I can’t wait to just see the way New York City is captured. The city really looks like a movie during the summer — people having picnics on blankets in the park, sunlight glistening off yellow cabs, the streets full of laughter and celebration… I also want to see Elle and Parker’s scene in the elevator where they finally kiss, then he carries her to his apartment.
For Lightlark, I want to see the abbey scene between Grim and Isla, the moment Oro reaches for Isla at the end of the book, and, of course, the scene where all the rulers meet on the island.
