Check out our interview with Yejin Suh, the author of "The Last Soldier of Nava."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
Memory, identity, and the roles we play in our lives — these are themes that feature heavily in my book. I also wanted to incorporate Korean culture and mythology into the historical setting and magical aspects of the story, which is why I tried to model my fantasy world after the Joseon Dynasty.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
Reading Rainbow means actively searching for diverse experiences, stories, and histories that we can immerse ourselves in. Genres like romance and fantasy can be labeled as formulaic, but there are many ‘cliched’ tropes and stories that have not yet been reclaimed by underrepresented communities. In a time when these genres are so popular, it’s important to be proactive about listening to marginalized voices – especially when reading 'just for fun.’
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
Narrative is the most powerful tool to shape the world. Nothing inspires more change than hearing another person’s story and truly understanding their perspective empathetically.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
I read so much Young Adult fiction in my childhood that my debut feels like a culmination of everything that influenced me growing up. After my first year of university, I was lucky enough to spend my summer studying creative writing abroad in Paris, which inspired me to write when I returned home. So much has changed in my life since drafting this manuscript when looking back on it now, but it is a true snapshot of my identity at the time as a young adult.
What can fans expect from your book?
A fun time, hopefully! But also some angst.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
I love to experiment with new genres, forms, and perspectives with each of my books. Although there are no plans for a direct sequel to my debut at the moment, never say never!
