When the Glow Lights the Woods
by Eule Grey
A snowy story of healing, birds, and the magic of connection.
The Wall? Who gives a snowman’s kiss about when the wars ended, or who built the divide that goes all the way around the planet? Whatever!
All anyone cares about is Christmas, when one lucky person gets to date someone from the other side. Who will it be this year?
Eighteen-year-old Kite Ripples loves birds, animals, and gazing at stars. He’s a good brother to leader, Mal. Mostly. As teacher, it’s Kite’s responsibility to dispel the rumours about people on the other side being robots—just a myth, right? Deep down, he understands no human is better, or worse, than any other. And, if he dreams of meeting a guy like him—who wants to kiss—it doesn’t mean Kite’s a rebel. Not he!
Manu Feathers, also eighteen, lives on the other side. Gets into trouble. Likes boys. Breaks laws and wants more. Like everyone, he’s fixated on those over the divide—simultaneously scared and excited by rumours of too much sex. It’s a lot to get your head round.
Kite is selected to climb under the Wall, and it’s the best Christmas present ever. But nothing goes to plan. Instead of picking the perfect boy, all he notices is the guy on the end, acting out. Who’d choose a nuisance like him?
Can the highest Wall prevent first love? Can a kiss heal a baby bird?
5 out of 5 fairies
This was a great story with an interesting premise and fun characters. A post-apocalyptic world split in two, and two people who are quite different from each other coming together for one day for what can only be described as a holiday miracle that will leave them both changed forever. Even though Kite and Manu were almost opposites of each other, they definitely belong together. Too bad they live on opposite sides of the wall… I loved the world building and the juxtaposition of the different ways of life on either side of the wall. Grey did an excellent job of bringing it all to life. I won’t give anything away, but this book will absolutely fill your heart with hope and holiday magic no matter the time of year.
Lily: Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview Eule I enjoyed reading When the Glow Lights the Woods. What inspired you to write this?
Eule: Hello! Thanks so much for having me. Around a year ago, I came up with the idea of writing lots of unconnected stories about walls. So far I’ve only written one other—Bite Club. I thought it might be fab to think about all the different ways humans respond to walls and barriers.
Lily: I’m looking forward to checking out the other stories too, it sounds like a great premise. Are you more responsible and reserved like Kite, or more rebellious like Manu?
Eule: A mixture of the two! On the outside, I can appear reserved, but deep down I am a rebel lol.
Lily: That’s a great mix to be. If you could spend a day in the book, would you rather spend it with Kite or Manu? What would you do?
Eule: I’d love to spend a day working with the animals on Kite’s side and helping tend the baby birds.
Lily: I think it would be a lot of fun to do that. Is there anything you hope readers take away from this story?
Eule: That there is always hope, light, creativity, and love. And also, probably nobody will have noticed this, but I hope readers will continue to question and challenge stereotypes about disability.
Lily: It’s a great takeaway. Now we’d like to talk about you as a writer. Do you prefer to handwrite, type, or dictate your first draft?
Eule: These days I type, but back when I started writing I used to handwrite.
Lily: I still prefer to handwrite, but I imagine I’ll end up typing more soon. How do you keep track of inspiration when it strikes?
Eule: I never run out of ideas. It’s one of the many perks of being neurodivergent 😊
Lily: I can’t argue with that! Can you describe your ideal writing space?
Eule: Anywhere quiet, with as few distractions as possible.
Lily: Sounds like you could have quite a few options, as long as you don’t have noisy neighbors. Let’s finish up with some fun questions and get inside your mind. What’s one book (or series) you couldn’t stop reading once you started?
Eule: The Chaos Walking series, by Patrick Ness
Lily: It sounds like an interesting series, I’ll have to check it out. If time/money were no issue, what hobby/activity would you want to pick up or spend more time doing?
Eule: I’d love to cycle around the world and record my journey with writing/poetry/art.
Lily: That would be so fun! What’s one place you haven’t traveled to yet, but would love to?
Eule: Italy
Lily: Italy is definitely on my bucket list. Which is better: cake or pie? What’s your favorite flavor?
Eule: So difficult! Cake. I love walnut and coffee
Lily: I could go for some coffee cake today. Would you rather have your skin change color with your emotions, or have your thoughts written on your skin as they pop into your head?
Eule: No to the thoughts lol. People might see my head as being chaotic, which it is. I love the idea of having interchangeable skin colour.
Lily: I think I’d probably go with my skin changing too. What problem or situation did TV / movies make you think would be common, but when you grew up you found out it wasn’t?
Eule: I remember worrying a lot about practical things such as mortgages and cars.
Lily: I still worry about the car bills, honestly. Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Eule: Only a thank you for the interview and for reading my book.
Lily: It was a pleasure to have you!
When the Glow Lights the Woods
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads
Bite Club
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads
Eule Grey, author, has travelled all over and settled, for now, in the UK. Her mind, however, is often up in the clouds or away with the fairies. Some might call her fey!
Eule loves books, pets, and happy endings. Adversely, she also enjoys reading a creepy horror story, though she isn’t very brave.
Best of all, Eule adores creating cuddly, sparkling romances. She also writes all kinds of other queer stories and refuses to be squeezed into only one genre—she just isn’t tidy enough!
Eule currently writes for NineStar Press and JMS Books.
Pronouns: She or they.