CASOD

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Story Order: How to Read Stories of the Eleriannan

A Third Kind of Madness Cast A Shadow Of Doubt In Sleep You Know Reading

“Dear Christiane, 

You have multiple books/stories in your Eleriannan series! It’s not clear to me how this works; can you help?”

You bet I can!

Let me break it down for you, with lots of details about what each story is and where it falls in the timeline.

First thing you need to know is that all the stories can be read independently from each other. There are no cliffhangers, but reading them out of order will reveal some plot points from previous stories, so be aware. I’ve tried very hard to make sure that you won’t feel lost if you read them out of publication or chronological order.

As of October 2025 are currently these titles:

  • Escaping the Dreamland [#.5]
    • Events happen well before ISYK
    • Tells the story of how Aisling came to be, 1st person
    • Short story
    • Available with subscription to my mailing list
  • In Sleep You Know, A Story of the Eleriannan [#1]
    • First in the series
    • Introduces you to many of the characters
    • Told mostly following Merrick, 3rd person
    • Draws inspiration from various Faerie mythologies and folklore as well as Child Ballads
    • Novel length, stands alone
    • Set in a, um, slightly different version of Baltimore
    • Soundtrack
  • Cast a Shadow of Doubt, Stories of the Eleriannan [#2]
    • Second in series
    • Tells the stories of Lucee’s rise to leadership and Camlin’s attempt at redemption
    • Introduces the Mealladhan and Emmaline
    • 3rd person, mostly following Lucee
    • Features more Baltimore culture, including big summer art festivals
    • Novel length, stands alone but is even better paired with ISYK
    • Soundtrack
  • A Third Kind of Madness, A Story of the Eleriannan [#3]
    • Third in series
    • Introduces Denny and Peri as well as Denny’s art collective, the Ants, and new Elementals
    • 1st person, told through Denny
    • If you’re a fan of Karsten, they are a prominent character
    • Art scene, farmers markets, and the Mount Vernon neighborhood are featured
    • Novel length, stands alone
    • Soundtrack

Coming in 2026:

  • Eleriannan #4 [as yet untitled]
    • Fourth in series
    • Centers on Emmaline and her struggle to integrate into The Grimshaw while discovering the depths of her powers
    • Introduces some new Grimshaw characters, especially some of the Arswyd and Ettir, an Eoten
    • 3rd person, mostly following Emmaline
    • Want to find out why the ArDonnath are so nasty? Here’s your chance!
    • Novel length
    • Soundtrack

If you have further questions about any of the Eleriannan books, you can always ask here! Also check out the Fae Directory and my series The Magic Between Us for more insight about the characters and how they interact with each other. 

I should probably mention that I have an unrelated book that is also set in Baltimore coming out in 2026. It’s a speculative fiction near-future story called A Small Light in the Darkness, and it focuses on two characters: 

  • Tryst, a lonely and longing poetic soul who can’t seem to make a “true” connection with someone who can satisfy her longing for something deeper
  • Fo, mysterious and thoughtful with a multitude of secrets and a deep need to connect even though they are scared of the emotions that brings

Together, they unravel the unknown aspects of Fo’s past, revealing a terrible accident with an experiment gone wrong, the drawbacks of mind enhancement, and a secret that goes much deeper and darker than either of them had imagined at the start. 

Recommended if you like stories about transhumanism, and/or with human-computer interaction, romantic subplots, connecting with strangers, poetic prose, science gone bad.

The Magic Between Us – An Exploration

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Characters

It’s been a while since I talked about my characters, right? I’ve been focusing on writing, and talking about writing/being an author, but there’s always a part of my mind that’s doing deep delves into what makes up my characters and how they reflect the larger world around me. So I decided that June might be a good time to share some of those explorations with you, dear readers.

If there’s one thing that y’all ask me about the most, it’s in-depth questions about the people who inhabit my Fae-infused version of Baltimore. So this month, let’s chat about what makes up each character, why they do what they do, and what they represent. People in this instance may be taken very loosely, as I’m pretty sure The Maithe [and in comparison, the other Houses] may show up in one of these chats.

I’ve got some other answers that will be tucked inside these essays, too, things that have been asked of me before and I’ve had a lot of time–and three books–to think deeply about. Questions like “Why did you choose Merrick to be the main character of In Sleep You Know” and “What will happen to The Ladies” and “Why did the Nyxen pick Denny to befriend anyway?” There’s also always the question, “Did you base X character on someone you know?” I’ve talked about that one before but the truth is always more complicated than you’d guess.

We’ll get started on June 1st! I am very much looking forward to chatting at length about character creation and the complex lives of these imaginary [maybe?] people.

A Map of the Eleriannan

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A Third Kind of Madness Cast A Shadow Of Doubt Fun In Sleep You Know

Have you wondered where in Baltimore that one scene took place? You know, the fight scene at ArtPark or where Denny met Dorcha or that club where The Drawback played their first show?

Wonder no more! Here is a map that will show you all those locations and more! Please keep in mind that because the Baltimore where the Eleriannan and Gwyliannan live is laid over the one most of us live in, you may see something very different on this map than what is actually there for Merrick. Luccee, Denny and friends.

If you click through to the page where the map is hosted you’ll see a clickable navigation list. You can also access it here through the icon at the top left. If there’s a location I haven’t added yet that you want to see, just let me know.

I hope you enjoy this exploration of both mundane and magical Baltimore!


Text: Good vs. Evil? Nah. Background is a hooded and shadowed man against a grey wall.

Good vs. Evil? Nah.

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Characters Writing

My stories aren’t for everyone.

Some people want it dark, and my books are not that. They have dark moments, and people who do bad things, but the overall atmosphere is hopeful, built on the idea that we are strongest when we work together.

I don’t write the kind of fantasy that has obviously evil villains. I don’t believe that there’s that many purely evil people out there, so what are the chances that our everyday fae-befriending main characters would be running into Big Evil?

Even the Camlin, the Big Bad from In Sleep You Know turns out later to have a much more complex history than “I hate everything and especially you.” [You’ll have to read Cast a Shadow of Doubt to see how that goes!] The Arswyd and the other Grimshaw, too – they have their own motivations for why they act like they do.

Rather than focusing on evil as a motivator for a storyline, I’d rather explore the traumas and misunderstandings that lead people to the choices they’ve made. I talk about broken and dysfunctional families, social pressure, being without a house or a community, feeling inadequate and powerless – and how all these things shape how we move in the world. The magic parts of my stories are more than just the powers that the Fae bring. They’re all entwined in the decisions that the characters make.

You might ask, then why even have magic in these books? Why are they fantasy and not just books with “regular” characters? What a great question!

Having magical characters serves a couple of functions.

It demonstrates possibility. The magic is a way to shine a light in the darkest times, a beacon for what good can exist even in the midst of struggle.

It offers balance and perspective. Even the mightiest of the Fae struggle with everyday issues, ones that magic can’t solve, like relationships. And when the mortals get magic, it doesn’t change their flaws either. Merrick and Lucee both still have to learn how to believe in themselves and what they are capable of, with or without the use of magic.

Creepy pale woman in a black dress stares down the camera

And honestly, one of my favorite things about my characters is watching them learn how alike they all are, Fae or mortal, despite their obvious differences. The creepy, uncanny Ladies have internal power struggles. The Ffyn are happy-go-lucky dancing trees until it’s time to defend their friends. Merrick leans on his companions whenever he’s unsure what he should do, and that includes the Fae once he’s decided that he’s with them.

As the stories progress, the characters begin to work through their assumptions and prejudices as they discover their commonality. And I’d argue that’s another kind of magic.

Every protagonist needs a foil, but that doesn’t mean that we need to always have the divisions be starkly divided. And don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing wrong with cartoonish villains or implacably evil characters or whatever other types of villains you enjoy reading or writing! They’re just not what I write, and they’re not the kind of fantasy novels I’m interested in bringing into the world.

I crave hopeful stories with plots that address issues I see in this world, and that’s what I write. Which is why I can confidently say that my books aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay – but I think you might be surprised how much you can relate to what happens in the Baltimore of the Eleriannan.

The book cover for Cast a Shadow of Doubt next to a small white birthday cake with a candle and the text "Happy First Kook Birthday!"

A Book Birthday for CASOD!

Cast A Shadow Of Doubt

A year ago my second book in the Stories of the Eleriannan, Cast a Shadow of Doubt [aka CASOD], was released to the world. It centers on Lucee Fearney, a character who surprised me while I was writing In Sleep You Know with just how important and loveable she is – and I knew the second book needed to center on her.

The thing about Lucee is that she cares deeply. She’s a good friend, willing to put herself out to help the people she cares about, even to risk her life if she has to. She wants to do good in the world, and she’s willing to give people a second chance, no matter how large their mistakes are. She struggles with impostor syndrome, though everyone respects her and thinks she does an amazing job – especially as a once-mortal leading a complicated group of Fae. Her experiences as a young Black woman who grew up in a difficult home situation with only her best friend Merrick for support are why she loves and protects her found family so fiercely.

In CASOD I also tease out some of the connections that surround Lucee, especially her friendship with Sousa and her relationship dynamics with Cullen. I always think about how difficult it must be for the long-lived Fae, with their perspective over extended timelines, to watch their mortal beloveds struggle through growth and change. Especially for Cullen, who had kept away from love for a very long time – his coping mechanisms definitely involve pampering those he cares for. [I’d love a Cullen in my life; he’d definitely fill the house with flowers and my belly with delicious food!]
Sousa’s story to Cullen about how he and Lucee met is one of my favorite parts of the book. I actually wrote that very early on while working on CASOD, but the story’s been in my head since the beginning.

Trufax – I wasn’t sure how that guitar was going to show up later. Just like so many things with The Drawback, it all resolved seamlessly when the time came.

You know, there’s so many things I’d love to talk about when it comes to the books, but I am a firm believer in not spoilering, so I hold myself back. Maybe I need a secondary mailing list to discuss these things? 🤷🏻‍♀️

What a cast, eh? I love all of them so much.

If you haven’t read Cast a Shadow of Doubt yet, it’s available from me directly via my Ko-fi, or if you’re short on cash and like paperbacks, right now Amazon has it and In Sleep You Know selling for under $10 each. There’s no knowing how long that’ll last, so I’d jump on it now if you’re interested. [I still make my full royalty, no worries!]

Thanks for coming along on this Fae-tastic ride with me. I will be posting later this week about some of the themes I write about and why, and what’s coming next. Make sure to follow along to get all the background info!

[Some of these links are affiliate links. What that means is that I am referring you because I like and use this item, and I’ll get a little bit of cash for recommending it, which supports me and my work. Everyone wins!]

March 2022 News Wrap-Up

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Cast A Shadow Of Doubt Events

I realized that I haven’t caught up with y’all lately about some of the things that happened since I released Cast a Shadow of Doubt, so what better time to do that than now? I’ve got a few things that will be coming up in the future as well that I’ll drop here. Make sure to put them on your calendar!

Subculture Talk Interview with Pat 626

In case you missed it when it originally happened, I wanted to link this here! I had a really great talk with Pat 626, the host of Subculture Shock and The Afterparty, both streaming shows that I rebroadcast on my streaming own radio station, Radio Xiane. Pat and I have a lot of history – they took over SubShock when I left Charlottesville, and have kept that show alive in various forms, from FM radio to now livestreaming on Twitch. If you love the music in my book soundtracks, you will adore their shows.

When Pat asked to interview me, I was immensely flattered and immediately agreed. Our chat was everything I expected and then some–we cover topics as diverse as building community, the power of music, and what it means to struggle with impostor syndrome and crushing fear by trying to create works that build hope. There is a TON of emotion in this interview, and we could easily have gone on for hours. Please give it a listen, especially if you are feeling the pressures of everything right now.


Liminal Fiction

I recently joined the wonderful folks at Liminal Fiction! They feature an ever-growing library and collection of spec fic [science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, horror] that is searchable by author, title, genre, and more. If you sign up for the mailing list, you get four free ebooks, plus a really informative newsletter — and the ability to save your Liminal Fiction finds to a TBR list as well as note your favorite authors. I really love the community, and they have a Facebook page as well!

You can find my author page here: https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/christiane-knight/

Upcoming Events

I’ll be appearing at the Baltimore Faerie Faire on April 9th! This will be super fun, because last year it was all virtual, and this year attendees will get to see all the lovely outfits and experience musicians, stilt walkers, storytellers, mermaids, the drum circle, and more. There’s a Faeries’ Ball the night before, as well. I’ll have a table with my books, and I’ll be doing some live reading from Cast a Shadow of Doubt as well as teaching branch weaving in the crafting area. It will be a great time and if you’re in the Baltimore MD area I’d love to see you! You can get all the details here: https://www.christianeknight.com/events/baltimore-faerie-faire-2022/

I’ll also be kicking around at Balticon 56 this year! It is happening May 27-30 2022. Last year I attended virtually and had a virtual table. This year it will be in person and I won’t be as lucky as to have real estate in the vendor’s room this year, but you’ll still be able to find me around the con. I’ll try to post some updates about where to find me during the event. I may have some opportunities to do live readings, and of course I’ll post about that as soon as anything is conformed. I recommend coming out to the con, it is a lovely event and has been going strong for longer than I have! More info here: https://www.balticon.org/wp56/

Other News

Things that have been pretty laid back since launch day for CASOD, let me tell you! And that’s a relief, because the days around the launch are always really busy and a little anxiety-inducing, if I can be honest. But I do have a few nice things to report, including that Cast a Shadow of Doubt is now available through Indie Bound and Bookshop.org — and that means that your local bookstore can order copies to stock, or put in special orders! And for folks who don’t want to spend their cash through A*m*z*n, or buy directly from me, this is a nice workaround. You can find all the links for places to order CASOD on the book’s page: Cast a Shadow of Doubt

I’ve been working on some cute jewelry with Fae-related motifs, like mushrooms and the like. Very simple, cute, and inexpensive adornment is my jam! I’ll have those up on my Ko-fi page soon, and if you’d like to know when they get listed, you can either subscribe to my newsletter or follow me over on Ko-fi. [or even better, support me there!]

I’ve got THREE different WIPs going, y’all. Yes, they’re all set in the Stories of the Eleriannan version of Baltimore, and no, they’re not direct sequels. We’ll be meeting some new characters and exploring some different spaces in the city…but expect to see appearances by some familiar faces, as well. At least one has a queer romance too, my friends! I’m really enjoying writing these stories and taking my time because of that.

I’m sure there’s news that I’m missing, but if you follow me on Ko-fi… ahem. Anyway, where do you want to see me next? Any guesses about new characters? Comment below and throw all your theories out there!

Mixtapes as a Love Language

Cast A Shadow Of Doubt In Sleep You Know On Creating

Why should a story need a playlist, anyway?

I’ve talked about the soundtracks [aka mixtapes] to my books a couple of times here, and how the music is part and parcel of the atmosphere and story — integral, if you ask me. You could read the stories and never listen to the tracks I chose to go with each chapter, but you’d be missing out on some of the nuance and thematic references. I mean…it’s up to you, I guess…

Seriously though, the concept of a soundtrack for my stories comes in part from the longstanding tradition in visual media, sure, but even more so from my longstanding tradition to make mixtapes for people I care about, or who I want to care about. I’ve been making mixtapes since I was about ten years old; at first, I used one of those old cassette recorders with a condenser mic and buttons that would make a loud CLUNK every time I would stop the player. My very first foray into learning how to make a proper mix was figuring out how to eradicate that CLUNK from the recording.

[The secret sauce was using a pencil to roll back the tape just enough to start the next recording over the bit of tape where the terrible noise had been. That trick served me well for years of making mix tapes without a fancy mixer!]
Oooooh, when the minutes drag…
Photo by Idin Ebrahimi on Unsplash

Mixtapes are my love language. Even though I make them these days using CDs or Spotify, the general aesthetic and motivation is still the same. I make them for people I care about, or that I’m really into. Often they’ll have a theme or mood, and I choose every song carefully to match that. The songs build and ebb and flow, creating a journey that needs to be followed from beginning to end in order to get the overall effect properly. It’s funny, because I approach DJing in the same way, and it’s served me well. There’s a real art to building the energy of a dancefloor, and the same with a weekly show, though the energies are generally different between them.

The same applies to my book soundtracks, and it makes sense, because the plot of a book has that same sort of organization: rise and fall, ebb and flow, with an overall theme and direction. And the best mixtapes I’ve made, like my favorite novels, have covers that I can’t forget. I am a firm believer in making cool covers for my mixes. That’s part of the aesthetic, too.

Fun fact: I used to be the person that people brought their cassettes to for repairing.
Photo by Dan-Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash

When I started dating my partner, I gave him a mix CD on our very first date. [We’re coming up on six years together, and I would put money on the mix being part of that.] One of my friends digitized a mixtape that I made for him back in 1986, and it’s just as good now. The music isn’t new but it feels fresh. It’s a testimony to the power of mix tapes that he’s kept it for 36 years and cared enough to rip it to newer formats.

Want to win me over? Make me a mixtape. Bare a little of your soul with it. Create a cover that says something about the mix — it can be a drawing, a collage, something digitally manipulated. Whatever feels most honest.

That’s what I did for all of you with my books. I put together a couple of mixtapes and gave you stories to go with them, and pretty covers that reflect what’s inside. The mixes are as important as the novels. The stories are as important as the music. It’s all full of love.

BTW, if you want to read more about the philosophy of making mixtapes, you can’t do much better than going to one of the masters of talking about music and its importance, Nick Hornby. High Fidelity, of course, but Songbook not only goes into great detail but has its own mixtape to listen to.

Moodboard for Cast A Shadow Of Doubt, a fantasy novel coming in 2022

Moodboard Fun for Cast A Shadow Of Doubt

Cast A Shadow Of Doubt On Creating

What’s a Moodboard, anyway?

A moodboard [or mood board, I’ve seen it used both ways] is a collection of images that are often used in interior and fashion design – and now have spread into many creative endeavors – as a way to build ideas and share concepts on a project. For those of us who like or need visuals to go along with our brainstorming, this is an ideal way to gather them together in a cohesive whole and see how they work together.

When I’m conceptualizing my storylines, I collect as many images as I can to help me clearly see characters, places, and concepts. I have a huge folder full of these images, broken down into subfolders, and it can be a giant pain to navigate them all! Moodboards help collect those visual thoughts into something I can glace over quickly and attain the focus I need in that moment.

They’re also a great way to share glimpses into what’s going to happen in a story, or background details about a character or concept! So I decided to share some of these with you as we get closer to the release of Cast A Shadow Of Doubt, because they might offer some context… and it will definitely be fun!

I love playing with tools like Picrew to make character mockups, like this attempt at showing Lucee ☺️
Do you know how difficult it is to find a set of skins that both offers the option for Black hairstyles AND green hair? Near impossible!

The images in this Moodboard include: an image that made me think of the Ar Donnath, a Summer festival, a concept for a new character [Emmaline], an exciting concert image, some magical yet creepy looking fungi, a community garden, an attempt to visualize one of The Ladies. What does it all mean? You will find out soon!

Want to stay in the loop about when Cast A Shadow Of Doubt will be released, and where you’ll be able to buy it? Sign up for my newsletter or support me over on Ko-fi! [btw, Ko-fi supporters have more access, see things before anyone else, and get exclusive content!]

Announcing: Cast A Shadow Of Doubt

Cast A Shadow Of Doubt Novel Updates

Lucee Fearney legitimately inherited the leadership of the Eleriannan, but what happens when the Fae find out that she still only has the magical skills of a Mortal? 

When unexpected, dangerous visitors show up at the door of Maithe House, they bring word of an enemy that none of the Fae know how to fight. Even if Lucee can learn to trust herself and lean on her friends for help, will it be enough to take down the powerful and mysterious Mealladhan? 

Rejoin Lucee, Cullen, Merrick, Vali, Sousa, and all the other Mortal-born and Fae of Baltimore in another magical [and musical] adventure!

Now with 100% more outdoor summer festivals, uncanny graffiti, and mysterious forces.

Cast A Shadow Of Doubt will focus on fan-favorite characters Lucee and Vali! Look for a a more detailed synopsis, an official cover image, and more – coming soon! Newsletter subscribers and Ko-fi supporters will be the first to know when pre-orders go live. Book launch date is currently projected for February 1st 2022!