Not long ago, I wrote about the foundations of the series and what set me up to become entrenched in the vampire genre and touched on a few books that have inspired me. Taking a deeper dive, I would like to recount some of those stories that have been stepping stones of inspiration for Odeum.
I enjoy reading a wide range of literature; anything from webcomics to romance novels, from classic literature to history and lore, and more. So, instead of simply listing the stories that have inspired me, I will be detailing a bit more on some of the pieces that inspired my work.
The Progress of Julius by Daphne du Maurier
One of the most disturbing and gut-wrenching books I have ever read is Progress of Julius. Daphne du Maurier, the author, does an excellent job of depicting what turns a person into a monster. The reader experiences the horrifying series of events that contribute to the evolution of Julius' character from a child to a monster. The story takes place between the 1870's and the turn of the 19th century.
What about this book inspired Odeum's stories? Why, it's the unnerving sense of realism portrayed in Julius. I wanted to capture that essence in Odeum with the characters and their journeys. I wanted to be able to craft something that would shake someone's core and take them by surprise the way this book did with me. Daphne also does an excellent job rooting the story in historical events.
Embrace the Night by Amanda Ashley
Embrance the Night is one of my favorite romance novels. Amanda Ashley created is a timeless love story about two people finding each other throughout time. I read this book for the first time in high school. While my tastes have changed and there are parts of this book that are harder to get through, I still enjoy the character's backstories. Gabriel (male protagonist) may or may not have been a little bit of an inspiration for Jas' brooding character.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Did I mention that my favorite books were those that painted a stark image of reality and could shake me to my core? Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a story about how society can and will take advantage of those it sees as underprivileged and too ignorant to navigate its treacherous paths. This tale was a huge inspiration for Kaylie's story in the first book, Odeum.
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smyth
This modern retelling of the story of Hades and Persephone is one of my favorite love stories. It's a slow burning comic with a wealth of characters and their own stories that tie in with the main protagonists. The author does a wonderful job of touching on very real subjects without making them fluffy. I think I was most inspired by how well all of the characters and their stories portrayed in Lore Olympus are written. It has inspired me to go further in depth with characters than what I originally intended to.