Tracey O'Hara: The World of the Dark Brethren

Imagine a modern alternate earth where paranormal creatures co-exist in a tenuous peace with the human race. A world where the shame of the vampiric Aeternus, the death-high addicted Necrodreniacs, hunt and feed on hapless humans. Where shape-shifting Animalians feud with each other. And where corporations can be run by actual magic-wielding witches.

But there's a veiled danger that threatens them all – human and parahuman alike. Stirring behind the scenes is the pure, beautiful evil of the Dark Brethren.

This is the world where the Dark Brethren novels are set, and since I’m also drawn to the dark side, there are serial killers, mystery and intrigue to spice up the world. I often get asked a lot where I get the ideas for stuff used in the books. Most of it I make up myself, but usually grounded in the familiar.

For example, Aeternus and Venator are both Latin words meaning “eternal” and “hunter” respectively. So pretty easy to see what they mean. As far as my races are concerned – I have taken the things that make sense to me from familiar lore, and then add my touches. So I have made my own version of vampires and shifters.

Each book in the Dark Brethren series concentrates on a new heroine and hero and with each one I explore a different facet of my parahuman world. With my first book – I concentrated on the culture of the vampires, the second book was about shifters and the third, which is due out next year, is concentrating on the witch community. Again, I have added my own spin to the witch lore that is both familiar and unfamiliar.

I feel a bit like being an explorer in an imaginary country where I uncover fantastic complex cultures, both similar and different to our own. This excites me.

Do you like feel an explorer, discovering new and unfamiliar territory, or do you prefer for everything to adhere to the well-known tropes?  I will give away a signed copy of a Dark Brethren book to one commenter!