Page 33 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 49

Fran Comesanas’ “Saint Peter’s Gate: Path of Darkness” masterfully blends dark fantasy with moral complexity, delivering a gripping tale of vengeance, redemption, and humanity’s eternal struggle between light and darkness. A must-read!
Fran Comesanas masterfully blends complex characters and gripping narratives, establishing himself as a compelling voice in contemporary fantasy literature.
these themes in such a dark and complex manner?
In Saint Peter’s Gate: Path of Darkness, the protagonist wrestles with bitter resentment and a dark past. How did you approach developing a character that is both feared and empathetic, and what do you hope readers will take away from her journey of discovering the truth about her family?
Ember needed a lynch pin to make her less of a monster. Any character can be scary, or tough, or brave; but fantasy characters need something more. Ember carries resentment with her for two centuries. Over that time, her feelings boil over into vengeance and then guilt. She struggles with her past, as we all do. On her journey, I hope readers will see the past does not define who we are, despite the efforts of external forces we all have in our lives.
your writing, particularly the dark and eerie atmosphere of your novels?
In the third book, Ember, I use a stretch of land close to the Hudson River as a back drop to part of the main character’s journey. As you said, there is a great deal of history here, but not all of it is happy or festive.
The concept of a rogue demon attempting to seize control of Saint Peter’s Gate introduces themes of power, betrayal, and redemption. How do you see these themes reflecting real- world issues, and what message do you hope readers will find in the struggle between these forces?
I believe you can see those struggles every day, all over the world. I think readers are smart enough to see that the side pouring the most sugar over themselves are often the ones most trying to hide their decayed motivations. Every- one is human, fallible. We all make mistakes, and sometimes it’s difficult to stand up for what is right. Ultimately, we all have to live with our decisions.
As a first-time novelist, receiving such positive feedback and awards must have been both exciting and validating. How has the success of Saint Peter’s Gate influenced your approach to writing, and what challenges have you faced as you continue to develop your craft in the fantasy genre?
It was indeed very exciting. So much so that
I started a new fantasy novel two years ago. It remains half done. In the last eight months I completed a new work of fiction in the suspense/ action genre and am in the process of seeking representation with a traditional publisher. Last year, I deleted all of my social media. I found I was spending all my time trying to sell books. I think the challenge for me is to find the balance between marketing and writing. Of course, I find writing more enjoyable so I have not yet found that balance.
The themes of Heaven, Hell, and Earth
in your novel delve into age-old parables
and moral questions. How do you balance traditional religious motifs with your unique storytelling, and what inspired you to explore
The image of Saint Peter’s Gate in tradi- tional religion is a simple image to me, so I wanted to explore what the entrance to Heaven would really be like given the sheer numbers of deaths that occur on a daily basis, so I created
a Purgatory that was closer in character to the wilds of Africa, where there are predators and prey. Of course the challenge of survival is to reach the Gate as only a rare few souls are given VIP access to Heaven’s portal. The other souls,
(think in the millions), that don’t make the cut have to be sorted and processed so that they will be eventually worthy, or given to the class of demons whose job it is to dispose of the darkest of souls.
Your novels have received high praise for their gripping characters and captivating narrative. What aspects of character development and plot construction do you focus on to ensure that your readers are both emotionally invested and continually surprised by the story’s twists?
I think characters need to be relatable, wheth- er it’s the hero or the villain. Even supporting characters, as short lived as their lives may be in my books, need to reach the reader in some way. With lots of characters, it’s easy to lose sight of the plot, so I try to keep them on a tight leash so we can all stay focused and not stray too far off point.
Living in Rhinebeck, NY, surrounded by
the rich history and scenery of the Hudson Valley, how does your environment influence
Reader’s House II 33