Blake Arthur Peel, author of the acclaimed Fall of Radiance series, crafts epic tales where courage, sacrifice, and magic collide on a grand scale. A lifelong lover of fantasy, Peel draws inspiration from genre titans like Tolkien and Sanderson, infusing his worlds with sweeping battles, deep lore, and the emotional gravity of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
In this interview, Peel discusses his Fall of Radiance series, sharing insights into his creative process, the development of its characters and worlds, and the themes that make his epic fantasy stories resonate with readers.
As Ranger’s Oath, the first book in the Fall of Radiance series, prepares for a special edition hardcover release, it’s a great moment to look back on how you created the world of Tarsynium. What inspired its story and characters?
I was inspired by a few different stories for this novel. For the world, I wanted to do something like Stephen King’s “Under The Dome“, but in a fantasy setting. I think the Simpson’s Movie did something similar as well 😆 Like, a kingdom encased in a giant bubble, where the outside world was ravaged by demons. As for the characters, I drew upon a lot of different properties and life experiences — people I’ve known over the years, etc.
The Arc of Radiance itself is central to the series’ lore. How did you develop the mythology and rules of this magical system, and what were the most fun or challenging aspects to write?
I purposely keep magic systems in my novels pretty simple. It helps keep things grounded from a worldbuilding perspective and puts restrictions on the characters. The main challenge comes in the initial development phase — coming up with names, rules (like mages needed a ‘talisman’ in order to channel magic). Once those initial details are put in place, the rest just sort of grows naturally as the story progresses.
Planning a multi-book epic like Fall of Radiance requires juggling multiple arcs and perspectives. How do you approach that process so each book feels complete but also contributes to the larger saga?
I start with an end in mind (nothing super specific, but a general theme and an ending point for the characters). Then I outline. Every book I’ve ever written was outlined from start to finish before I put my fingers on the keyboard. With Fall of Radiance, I used sticky notes on my wall like a serial killer. I don’t necessarily plan the entire saga up front, like how many books the series will be, but rather let the story naturally progress from one book to the next until it feels like I’ve reached the end.
Owyn and Zara are at the heart of the story, but the series also features a wide cast of allies and adversaries. How do you balance giving each character depth while keeping the focus on the protagonists?
That’s a great question. I typically focus on a small group of protagonists (in this case, Owyn and Zara). The main narrative of Radiance alternates between their perspectives, so naturally I was able to flesh them out the most. For secondary characters, I interacted with them through the main characters’ eyes. The closer they were to Owyn and Zara in the story, the more I was able to see them in action. It can be hard to balance, but when you spend time with people (in novels or in real life) you’re inevitably going to learn a lot about them.
Themes like unity, trust, and perseverance run throughout the saga. Were these conscious choices from the outset, or did they evolve organically as the story progressed?
Mostly organically. From the outset, I tried to have a general ending / theme in mind, but a lot of what happened in the story grew from the characters themselves. As I got to know them, I would think to myself: How would Owyn or Zara react to this situation? And their personalities, the things they cared about, helped shape the narrative as it was written.
Are there particular secondary characters from Fall of Radiance that you’ve been tempted to explore in their own storylines, or who you’d love to revisit in the future?
One in particular comes to mind: Elias – the story’s mentor. I would love to maybe one day go back and write a sequel or an original story about him. We’ll see.
For readers who have followed the series from the beginning, what do you hope they take away from Tarsynium and the journey of Owyn and Zara, beyond the adventure itself?
That some things in life are worth preserving and fighting for. And that sacrifice for a worthy cause can be a noble thing.
While Fall of Radiance let you build Tarsynium entirely on your own, your work on Sagewood involved a close co-writing partnership. How did collaborating with a partner change your approach to plotting, character development, or worldbuilding?
I wrote Sagewood with my wife, Kimberly. Collaborating on a story is much different than writing one on your own. For Sagewood, I helped shape the world, but most (if not all) of the characters were my wife’s. I helped with the plot and dialogue, and she came up with many of the scenes. It was a give and take, but I think the process made both of us better writers.
Did working closely with a co-writer inspire ideas or approaches that you might not have explored on your own?
Absolutely. One thing my wife did really well was ‘interlude scenes’ with the sprites. It was a way to flesh out a lot of those secondary characters and take a humorous little break from the main plot.
Looking back at both Fall of Radiance and Sagewood, what lessons about storytelling or character development have carried across projects?
A focus on character. Everything else is secondary (even the plot). If readers resonate with your characters, then they will ride with you to the end. After Radiance, that’s how I’ve tried to approach every story.
Maps or dialogue—what comes first when building a new world?
MAPS. Always. It’s how I’m wired — I always start with a map, and then start shaping my world around it.
Which Fall of Radiance character would survive longest in a modern city?
Probably Elias. But like, on the streets and in the alleyways — not as a regular citizen. Dude’s a survivor, through and through.
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Best advice you’ve received about co-writing (or would give to a new co-writing duo)?
Be flexible, but stick to your guns if you feel strongly about something.
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A book, author, or story that sparked your love for epic fantasy?
Dragons of Autumn Twilight, by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Of course. 😁
Get Blake Arthur Peel’s amazing series, Fall of Radiance available now on Amazon
The barrier between worlds is broken. Only he knows the truth…
Magic has protected Tarsynium for a thousand years, shielding its people from being ravaged by bloodthirsty demons. When a young ranger’s apprentice named Owyn Lund discovers that the Arc of Radiance has been breached, he tries to warn anybody who will listen.
But legends aren’t supposed to be real.
When a village is mysteriously destroyed, rangers, mages, and rebels all point the finger, blaming each other for the demons’ brutality. However, Zara Dennel, a mage’s ward, has heard Owyn’s tale—and she’s inclined to believe him.
Together, they must prove that friendship is greater than intolerance, unity is more important than division, and that even the most powerful magic can sometimes not be enough.
Failure means the end of all things. A second—and lasting—Doom.
Experience the beginning of a thrilling Epic Fantasy series suitable for all ages. It’s perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas, and Brandon Sanderson.
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