Read Clean YA with CJ
Episode Forty-Two
Dystopian Intrigue and Biblical Retellings: A Conversation with L.E. Richmond
Episode Show Notes:
Meet L.E. Richmond
- Daughter of an American writing teacher and German bookseller
- Author of The Mermaid’s Tale duology
- Runner and kombucha brewer
- Mother of “three little muggles”
Introducing Andromache
“It is a dystopian cyberpunk futuristic based in the US. And it’s a retelling of the biblical book of Esther.”
Key elements:
- Set in a fallen America
- Features political intrigue
- Centers on themes of human value
- Incorporates gauntlet challenges
- Explores fertility as societal focus
Dystopian World Where:
“Some lives are valuable, but none are sacred.”
The novel tackles:
- Human worth beyond productivity
- Political power dynamics
- The value of children
- Second chance romance
- Standing up against cultural norms
Key Characters
Andy (Andromache)
- Main protagonist
- Faces gauntlet challenges
- Must score high enough to be eligible
Xavier/Denzel
- Driven by desire for justice
- Complex character with strong beliefs
- Must reconcile his society’s values with truth
Heath
- Seven-year-old boy
- Represents overlooked value
- Keeps Andy grounded
Powerful Themes
“Do we not all have value because we bear His fingerprints?”
The story explores:
- Individual worth
- Agency and action
- Making difference in small ways
- Standing against dehumanization
- Finding courage in daily choices
Connect with L.E. Richmond
Find L.E. Richmond at:
- Instagram: @lerichmond
- Website: laurarichmondwrites.com
- Books available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com
- Audiobook available on multiple platforms
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L.E. Richmond
Author
I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest by an American writing teacher and a German bookseller. My childhood consisted in a large part of imagining stories for my PLAYMOBIL characters and checking out as many books from the library as we could fit on six library cards. Now I spend my time chasing three munchkins, reading aloud to the hazel-eyed young man who has my heart, and attempting to transfer the stories in my head into words for others. My passion is for words and stories that thrill the soul, and I am endlessly amazed by the One who not only used words to bring this world into being but also crafted the most epic story of all time.
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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