HEART OF IRON Ch. 1
Let's get some JC POV! They're a really interesting angle to write from, especially when I put them in Blackwater, which is basically a fantasy version of Hastings, MN--the town where I grew up. (Any other Raiders here?)
Also, I decided to go with "mysterious and weird" for the unglamored fairy look, rather than "white but with pointy ears," which is why Bob and Cyrus both look different than how I've previously described them on TikTok.
Another difference (which is hinted at but will be further explored later): JC's years of drug abuse (with a fairy drug) gave them malnutrition, which according to some expert Googling can also lead to diabetes. It also stunted their growth and thus, they're a bit shorter than previously described on TikTok. Think 5'5" compared to the original version of 5'8".
Trigger warnings in this chapter:
JC gets deadnamed by their parole officer
JC briefly thinks/talks about their previous drug abuse (which will also go into further detail in future chapters, so bear that in mind)
Comments (41)
I just became a Pateron and did not know we had this access. So excited to read this!
It’s awesome so far not too sure on how I like JC as a murderer and have seen all of your Tic tok videos not sure yet how I like they way they meet. It’s not bad but when the visual content is out way before the book yea you expect changes but there are just somethings in my opinion that should stay the same
Love this so far! Well all of it cause I finished it lol - wanted to add with the diabetes cause I'm a nurse and have dealt with it a lot that this is absolutely a thing that can happen - most of the time unless there is underlying genetics it causes type 2 diabetes but there are plenty of type 2 diabetics that have to take insaline depending on how regulated their diabetes is or rather unregulated. Just putting it out there as food for thought - honestly loving the whole JC being diabetic thing it gives them another interesting layer
Sorry if someone already asked this but do you plan on getting this turned into an actual book? I seriously hope so
Yuuup. It'll go out next year (after some SERIOUS revisions)
I love that for them
Hold on, JC is a type 1 diabetic
Yeah, I'm definitely going to have to do more research into that during revisions to see just how that would impact them and the plot.
Two chapters in and already loving it! Also had a death glare when JC’s parole officer dead named them. Also let out a squeal when they mentioned CaFae Latte. Wasn’t expecting it to make an appearance so soon!
Based on the description of the town being free from drug use due to a powerful fae witch who claimed it as their own, does that mean Bob's(Violet's) domain covers the town rather than just their shop? I'm really enjoying the world you're building! The Tiktoks are really fun, but it's hard to feel as immersed in them as I am in the written world
This is great - I knew it would be - I just am going to struggle to wait for the other episodes 😂
So random question is JC type 1 or 2 diabetic? I assume by the tube insulin pump on their arm type 1.
Hi! Type one Diabetic here, JC would be Type 1 as well thanks to the use of insulin. Type 2 Diabetes doesn't use insulin therapy in its treatment, as the pancreas is still semi-functional.
Just leaving it at that. Perfect for wanting us to come back and read the second chapter!
I know where Hastings is! I actually live on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin.😁
Excellent! Looking forward to reading more. Greatly enjoy reading the descriptions of the fairies' skin. I was kinda confused about what JC was wearing at first. It could just be brain fog but I wasn't sure if they were wearing a black T-shirt or polo shirt. And I guess the skirt reveal was intentional? I wasn't sure why their parole officer disapproved of their outfit at first. Also, second paragraph on the second page says they meet every other week but the parole officer later says she'll see them next week. Definitely excited to read more; you have fantastic writing!
I've first the three Blackwing books (about to get the next one) because of the TikToks. Glad to see this, too. Looking forward to what comes next.
I'm reading accidentally Kidnapped now but by the gods I'll be back for this tomorrowa!
I love it!! I was sad there isn't more. Not surprising though. I listen to citadel and was so drawn it I just couldn't stop listening.
OMG I was mesmerized!! Am supposed to go grocery shopping and I kept delaying my departure so I could finish the chapter !! I can't wait to read more !!!😍😍😍
I love this so much. I'm so excited to see where it goes and I love your other series (I've read Blackwing, all that's out so far--surprisingly in less than a month) and I know this is going to turn out amazingly.
Can’t wait to read the full book. Thanks for the preview!
Love this so far!
This is just what I was hoping for, cannot wait until the next chapter.
I will be impatiently waiting for more but in the meantime I can finish the Blackwing novellas, I'm in book 3, and then move on to Citadel.
Eeeeeee! I totally needed this today. I grew up in a small town a little ways from Hastings. I wish it could be described like this.
:)
I hope it's okay to give feedback here, because I wasn't sure if you wanted it through the Discord or not. When the parole officer first deadnames JC, she says Scott. The second time it's David. I don't know if I just missed something or not but I wanted to mention it.
This is the perfect place for feedback on such a weird continuity error. Thanks!
Great start. Good work on describing the town. Just enough to get the flavor without unnecessary detail
Great start can't wait for the next chapter
A most excellent beginning, I'm invested already. You do have a 'way' with words, and a talent with them that pulls at one to read more. Looking forward to many more chapters. possible sequels, as well as all the other books/stories/etc.
Sigh. I can't believe that was 13 pages... It went by WAY too fast! If it wasn't going to be so long before the actual book comes out, I'd wait to buy it as I'm already impatient for the next chapter. And the next. And the next...
Love the nerdy references. And the world you've built. I hope the parole officer learns her manners even if it's with a little Fae persuasion and really hope you keep the bit where Bob removes JCs dead name from existence and it creates a confused scene at their next parole meeting. However I know you said the story would have slight changes so understand if that's part of it. Can't wait for the opening of the cooler as I'm guessing there are treats inside 🤣
I'm loving the story so far :D
I already love this and can not wait for the next chapter!
I am loving this already! Proper chuffed I get to read this every Monday and Friday! Excellent work!
Ugh, I want more! 😂 Really though, fantastic writing and love that we're getting a wee bit more back story. Can't wait for the next chapter 😁
I absolutly loved this! It's so nice getting to see more backstory of the charcters than what we get from the ticktoks and it's so intresting to learn more about the town that CafeLate is in!!!
This is quite well written already, i am very excited to see more of this version of Cafae Latte :) thank you so much for writing it, it is such an inspiration for how to make modern day fantasy story
Oh my goodness…. I already want more of this story!!!! Great job and looking forward to more of this story.