Read Clean YA with CJ Episode Thirty-Two
Welcome to another episode of Read Clean YA with C.J.! Today, we’re exploring the fantastical world of The Tunockian Chronicles with author Rayleigh Setser, who writes as RJ Setser with her husband Joshua.
Three kingdoms.
Two Wars.
And one queen who is desperate to save them all.
Episode Show Notes below
Beyond the Strong Queen: Community and Emotion in Rayleigh Setser's Fantasy
Episode Show Notes:
Meet the Writing Duo
Rayleigh and Joshua Setser began their journey as high school sweethearts who fell in love through storytelling. Their debut novel A Queen is Knighted was published in 2020, marking the beginning of their medieval fantasy series.
The Birth of The Tunockian Chronicles
The series began as a high school writing project:
“It was kind of inspired or created with a curriculum that I followed when I was 14… a one year adventure novel. It’s also called O-Yan, and it’s a high school curriculum for writing novels.”
A Fresh Take on Fantasy
The Tunockian Chronicles offers a unique perspective on traditional fantasy tropes, particularly regarding emotional expression:
“With Lorraine, a lot of people have mentioned like she’s kind of an emotional main character. I’m like, yes, that’s because emotion’s not bad. It’s supposed to be a healthy process.”
Themes of Community and Support
A central theme explores the importance of community during difficult times:
“She’s surrounded by people who keep pushing her forward. She keeps getting encouraged by their, them speaking life into her and supporting her and telling her when she’s doing bad decisions.”
Literary Influences
The series draws inspiration from beloved classics:
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- Jane and the Dragon (TV series)
A Unique Writing Partnership
While their writing process has evolved, Joshua remains deeply involved:
“He is very involved in the planning process… He’s kind of my lore, my lore book. For some reason, he just remembers the craziest things about the world.”
Message to Young Readers
Rayleigh shares an important message about emotional authenticity:
“I would really like my readers, whether they’re male or female, to know that having emotions is not a bad thing… You can be the main character even though you cry.”
Where to Find The Tunockian Chronicles
Find the series through:
- Amazon (including Kindle Unlimited)
- RJSetzer.com (signed copies available)
- Literature Approved (Rayleigh’s review website)
Conclusion
The Tunockian Chronicles offers a refreshing take on fantasy, celebrating emotional authenticity and the power of community. Whether you’re a fan of medieval fantasy or looking for stories that embrace both strength and vulnerability, this series provides an engaging adventure.
For more insights into clean young adult fiction and author interviews, stay tuned to Read Clean YA with C.J.!
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R.J. Setser
Author
R.J. Setser is a pseudonym for wife and husband duo, Rayleigh and Joshua Setser. High-school sweethearts who found their happily-ever-after in 2019, Rayleigh and Joshua have been writing together since 2015 and published their debut novel, A Queen is Knighted in 2021. Since then, they’ve released Program MIRA (2022) and the sequel to A Queen is Knighted, A Prince is Lured (2023). Their short story, The Silver Dragon, was also featured in the fantasy anthology Where Giants Fall in 2022.
They live in a small town in East Texas with their 2 dogs, Watson and Rosie, and 1 cat, Yuna. They spend most of their time juggling Joshua’s military life and Rayleigh’s civilian life. In their free time, they can be found with both of their families at the lake, reading or writing, and quite possibly playing sword-fighting video games “for research”. Find them on Instagram or Threads @rjsetserauthor, Facebook, SubStack, or on their website rjsetser.com.
About Your Host
Award-winning author CJ Milacci writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As the podcast host for Read Clean YA with CJ, she loves talking about books and the deeper themes woven into the pages of each novel. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Always willing to get real about hard issues, C.J. also enjoys the cheesiest of puns. She chats about writing, her faith, bubble tea, and other fun adventures online (@cjmilacci) and at cjmilacci.com.
CJ Milacci is the award-winning author of The Talionis Series, and she writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Recruit of Talionis, Book 1
A teen with a dark past. A secret military force that kidnaps new soldiers. Can she survive as a Recruit of Talionis?
Fugitive of Talionis, Book 2
They kidnapped her. Trained her. And now they’re hunting her.
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