In the mysterious Nocturna , a disoriented alien and a charismatic prince connect their destinies in The First Vampire, a new release by Walli Silva . A spin-off of the Vampires of Nocturna saga , the work tells how the alien Averyn , after an accidental fall, awakens dark powers that trigger the creation of the kingdom’s first vampires. Combining fantasy, adventure and romance, the book highlights themes such as LGBTQIAPN+ inclusion, ethical dilemmas and the impact of political power, bringing a story that reflects on identity, acceptance and sacrifices in the name of love.
Averyn wakes up disoriented in Nocturna , and the story quickly unfolds into a world of discovery and mystery. What was the process of creating this dark and magical setting like? Where did the inspiration for the Whispering Woods and the City of Mists come from?
The dark setting of Nocturna existed before the release of The First Vampire. The books A Vampire Prince and A Vampire Heir introduced the city of mists and the whispering forest for the first time. To create this dark environment, I was inspired by the stories of Dracula and the architecture of the hotel in the film Hotel Transylvania. Yes, I am passionate about animation.
The relationship between Averyn and Kai begins intensely and full of sacrifices. How did you explore the emotional connection and the ethical dilemmas that arise when the prince decides to offer his blood?
Averyn ‘s thirst , it causes serious problems in the kingdom. Kai, being homosexual in a universe free of LGBTphobia and machismo, acted impulsively, driven by love at first sight.
Kai’s transformation into a vampire is an important milestone in the story. What motivated the choice to approach the origin of the nocturnal predators in this way, mixing science fiction with elements of fantasy and romance?
I’ve read a lot of books about vampires, from Dracula to Twilight to The Vampire Diaries. They’re all wonderful, and in the Vampires of Nocturna series , there are characters with the same first names as these books, as a tribute to their importance in the history of world literature. I chose an origin related to aliens because I know some people believe in them, and I thought it would be easier for someone to believe in vampires coming from aliens than otherwise.
LGBTQIAPN+ inclusion is a central part of the plot. How do you see the importance of addressing themes such as identity, acceptance and true love in a fantasy universe, especially in Brazilian literature?
When I created this entire universe, which began with Rownsders : Children of the Gods in 2019, my goal was to be creative. I was tired of reading LGBT books where everything ends in sadness or the focus is predominantly on homophobia. I wanted, and still want, LGBT characters to have different endings. We deserve it. We need to have hope to live in peace with our bodies, decisions and loves. So, the representation in this book is a cry for hope.
Kai faces the curse of vampirism while trying to lead a kingdom in crisis. How does his journey reflect the challenges of balancing power, responsibility, and vulnerability?
Kai’s choices, when offering his blood to Averyn , reveal his lack of emotional care and responsibility to exercise leadership. He showed, as on many occasions in real life, that a pretty face can charm him, diverting his responsibility, leaving him vulnerable and, worst of all, harming everyone around him.
The forbidden passion between the protagonists is a highlight of the plot. What was the process of creating a relationship so rich in nuances, which challenges social norms and provokes reflections on the complexities of love?
LGBTphobia in this universe , I had to focus on another type of situation. For the foreigners, we have Superman, who is both loved and hated by the population. Here, we have Averyn , who becomes interested in a vampire prince and transforms the entire kingdom, creating a complex union. Unfortunately, prejudice against aliens emerged in the book.
“The First Vampire” combines fantasy, mystery and romance, while also bringing up discussions of prejudice and political power. How do you hope these elements will resonate with readers?
I sincerely hope that readers realize that everyone has the right to love, and that yes, there may be a place, perhaps somewhere in the multiverse, where people are not LGBTphobic but are frightened by visitors from outer space. Well, that happens here too, at least when it comes to aliens. (Laughter) Averyn wants a chance to be understood, and I hope you will give him that opportunity.
This spin-off connects to the Vampires of Nocturna saga . Are there any plans to expand the universe further or to explore other characters and stories within that world?
In 2025, I will publish the sequel to The First Vampire , titled The Second Vampire , which will conclude Nocturna ‘s story in the Georgian era. I will then adjust the chronology of the saga, including A Vampire Prince and A Vampire Heir in the sequence. So, the order will be: The First Vampire, then The Second Vampire, followed by a 100-year jump to A Vampire Prince and A Vampire Heir. The second part of the saga takes place in the Victorian era. I haven’t decided how many books there will be yet, but I already have ideas for A Vampire Boy, which is written and under revision, and A Vampire Princess.
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