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- Writing The Fear and the Flame, the final volume in The Darkening Gate trilogy
- Reviewing comics and manga from NetGalley and Media Lab Public Relations
- Chronicling the publishing world and my writing as it happens
Howdy Book Lovers 👋
My most recent publication is The Name and the Key from Oliver Heber Books.
This is Book One in The Darkening Gate, a brand-new dark romantic fantasy trilogy.
“The Name and the Key is an intellectually ambitious, emotionally resonant fantasy that blends Gothic sensibility with esoteric magic. A strong and haunting start to what promises to be a richly layered trilogy.” – American Writing Awards
“The Name and the Key is for fantasy lovers (or fantasy newbies) who aren’t afraid of a little darkness with a dash of romance. If you’re looking for a romantasy trilogy that will leave you clawing for the next book, The Name and the Key is an obvious, satisfying choice.” – Shelby Zwintscher, Independent Book Review, Staff Pick
FORTHCOMING TRILOGY: THE DARKENING GATE
The Name and the Key
COMING JULY 21, 2026.
An evil spirit haunts Lily in every reflection she sees, threatening her sanity if she cannot “open the door.” Her childhood friend Andresh, now a magician, holds the key to breaking the curse, but his own secrets may destroy them both.
The Step and the Walk
COMING OCTOBER 13, 2026.
Through a hidden journal, Lily uncovers Andresh’s past, where she learns Andresh left his university to make a deal with a demon he named Isabelle in order to unlock the secrets of alchemy that will lead to the end of death itself.
The Fear and the Flame
Currently drafting.
Andresh is captive at Nigredo Gate, a shadow of his former human self. Armed with Andresh’s secrets and some magic of her own, it’s up to Lily to save her lover from his fate and to end the Magnum Opus once and for all.
What Readers say about Kristina’s writing
★★★★★
Rori O.
“It left me craving more, and believing that stories like this are why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place.”
★★★★★
September W.
“[…] crafts a beautifully layered story filled with enchanting worldbuilding, memorable characters, and emotional stakes that keep the pages turning from beginning to end.”
★★★★★
Jennifer F.
“The writer normalizes a variety of sexualities, genders, and skin colors and the literary world needs more of it.”
Kristina Elyse Butke 