Dance of the Starlit Sea: A Love Letter to Girlhood, a guest post by Kiana Krystle

Dance of the Starlit Sea was written as a love letter to my younger self, as well as a love letter to girlhood.

This story has been with me since I was sixteen, preserving an authentic piece of my teenage experience. Growing up, I had always felt like my emotions were too big. Nobody else around me was ever as sensitive or could relate to the things I was going through. I had always wanted to write a story for other teens like me who carry traumas that they struggle to process.

The greatest inspiration behind Dance of the Starlit Sea would have to be my relationship with the ocean. The ocean, while beautiful and something to admire, is destructive and uncontrollable by nature. Though, the untamable parts of it don’t make it “bad.” It’s just the way it is. I’ve learned to love myself by viewing my emotions the same way. Just because we have parts of us that are out of control does not mean we are any less worthy of love. It’s just the way we are. And, we are not merely defined by the parts of us that scare us. We are so much more than the trauma responses we carry. There will be people who love us even when night falls and our inner ocean lashes out. In fact, it’s that tenderness that has the power to break generational cycles of abuse. While this is a nuanced concept, I believe it is the heart of Dance of the Starlit Sea.

Dance of the Starlit Sea is truly the deepest extension of who I am. I wrote it to inspire self love in young girls, but also to teach the reader how to be brave. Yes, the world we live in is scary, but sometimes what scares us even more is ourselves. While Luna Island is this whimsical, idyllic place, Lila is haunted by her inner demons that manifest before her. There is this deep rooted pressure within her to fit in, be “good,” behave, and also to just be present with all of Luna Island’s beauty. Though, with trauma, it can be hard to fully accept we deserve these gentle things. I wanted to write about a wild girl in a perfect setting, because so often, that’s how a lot of us feel. I think there’s comfort in following a character that struggles to accept her place in the world, just like a lot of us do. But, what’s beautiful about her journey is the relationships she forges along the way that teach her how to be gentle with herself. That, I think, is the real love story behind Dance of the Starlit Sea.

When I say Dance of the Starlit Sea is a love letter to girlhood, I don’t mean it’s a love letter to the beauty or the aesthetics or the constructs of being a girl. While all of those elements are a part of Dance of the Starlit Sea, the true heart of girlhood is growing up together in a world designed to pit us against one another, and instead of choosing to compete, we choose each other. That feeling of girlhood is unique to the female experience, and, to me, is the most beautiful thing we have. I am so grateful for the women who have shown me enough tenderness to tame me. The same women who loved me when I didn’t even love myself. I think it’s important to inspire young girls to stick together, to stand up for one another, and to love each other even through the parts of life that are ugly. We only have each other in this world.

As you dive into the indulgent & eclectic world of Dance of the Starlit Sea, I hope that you will take a bit of magic with you when you’re done. Whether it be through romanticizing the little things, viewing life through rose colored glasses, or feeling a deeper sense of love for yourself—whatever it may be, it is my greatest wish that this story enchants you.

Thank you for taking a chance on my book and giving me the opportunity to share my story with the world. This is my dream come true and an immense honor.

Meet the author

Kiana Krystle is a proud third-generation Asian American, born and raised in California. She got her start in publishing as an editorial intern at Flux Books and Jolly Fish Press, and continued her growth as a fellow at BookEnds Literary. Through her writing, Kiana hopes to inspire and empower readers to embrace their true authentic selves and seek magic in their everyday lives. Dance of the Starlit Sea is her debut novel. Stay up to date with Kiana on social media at @kiana_krystle.

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About Dance of the Starlit Sea

“Hades and Persephone” meets Phantom of the Opera by way of Laini Taylor, in a sensually rendered world that seethes with intrigue and indulges the senses. Welcome to Luna Island.

Violet, magenta, deep blood red.
Passion, violence, destruction.

Lila Rose Li arrives at her aunt’s cottage with dashed dreams. For years, she pushed herself to become the perfect ballerina her parents would approve of, but after collapsing on stage, she snapped and lashed out violently. Now, exiled to Luna Island, with its sparkling blue waters and rose-covered boutiques, Lila struggles to believe that a girl like her—a natural disaster—deserves good and gentle things.

As the islanders gear up for their beloved tradition, the Angel of the Sea pageant, Lila vows to remain on the sidelines. But the more she learns about the island’s lore, the more she grows suspicious. Luna Island was nothing more than a failed fishing village before angels supposedly came and blessed them with abundance. The pageant is a competition to seek a High Priestess for their commune. To win is to be loved and adored by all, the ultimate blessing.

However, the Angel of the Sea is supposed to reign for seven years, and the previous winner only reigned for one. Something is haunting the island, throwing off the balance the pageant ensures. And as an eerie voice calls to Lila, drawing her closer to the ocean—to its depths—she worries its haunting her, too. The only way to discover what’s really going on, and protect herself, is to win the pageant. But how can a monstrous girl like her ever hope to be crowned by angels?

Kiana Krystle’s enchanting debut simmers with forbidden romance and dark secrets. A lush and sinister blend of paranormal mystery and mythology, wrapped up in fairytale about a teen girl’s hard-earned journey toward loving every part of herself.

ISBN-13: 9781682634653
Publisher: Peachtree
Publication date: 08/06/2024
Age Range: 14 – 17 Years

Filed under: Guest Post