Interview by Ashley MalechaI. Opening the Box
The Mythic Anatomy: Pandora’s Box is rooted in Greek tradition, but your world feels carved from something just as ancient and jagged but not necessarily Greek. Were there specific myths you explored and intentionally rearranged—or subverted—to suit the imperial shadows of Wolf Rotten?
AG: WOLF ROTTEN was born from stories of Fenrisúlfr, whom I am sure a number of us are familiar with: the monstrous wolf, a pestilence to the gods of Asgard. I grew up reading about Fenrisúlfr, and his legends influenced the foundation of my writing. Nods to the Fenrisúlfr story are woven throughout WOLF ROTTEN.
Now, as I am a Classics scholar as well, you’ll find that the primary lands Nox and Hadrien traverse have a distinctly Italian atmosphere, specifically that of the central Umbria region. I both studied and traveled through Italy when this world was in its nascent stages in the mid-2010s, and the forests and valleys there called for stories to be written about them.
The Catalyst of Curiosity: In the original Pandora myth, curiosity is the catalyst for chaos. In Wolf Rotten, is there “a forbidden knowledge”—the scent of a secret or a hidden truth—that is the catalyst to unleashing chaos?
AG: Nox’s curiosity has led her down many dangerous trails in her life. At the start of WOLF ROTTEN, she approaches the faeries she has been warned against—and faeries historically are bad news for curious characters. As many secrets as Nox seeks knowledge of, she holds more close to her heart. Secrets, as readers know, often are unearthed over the arc of a story.
The Catalyst of Curiosity, part II: Does curiosity play a role in your writing?
AG: Always. I have to be curious about the characters and narrative first. Much like Pandora’s curiosity unleashing a greater wave than she could have ever imagined, a simple question or an inkling of curiosity can lead to days upon days tunneling through research and story ideas. A writer’s best tool is an inclination for curiosity.
II. Chasing the Hunt
The Atmospheric Crackle: Chaos is often portrayed as loud and frantic. How do you use language to make the reader feel the thrill of the chase or the tense moments when the hunters become the hunted?
AG: I selected the words carefully, spinning through a variety before I chose the ones that conveyed the sharpest meaning. The aim was to match the image and feel in my mind with the words on the page. It is a tricky and time-consuming business, quite like a puzzle, but ultimately rewarding.
The Hunter’s Pack // The Writer’s Bag: Speaking of the hunters, if we were to look into Nox’s kit, what are three essential items she would carry to survive the hunt for the Wild Moon Wolf? What are three essential items you keep in your bag?
AG: Nox keeps her trusty knives, a medallion from her past, and a good sharp cheese. Outside of the necessities (keys, wallet, phone, etc), I carry the chosen notebook (adorned with marigolds this time), a particular pen I like (black ink), and earbuds (wired). Nox’s pack is more interesting than mine, I’d wager. (Hadrien’s is a mess, so we won’t talk about his pack.
The Thaw: Spring is usually associated with beauty, but in Antler Velvet, we see it as a muddy, primal thaw before the bloom. The story is set against the backdrop of a high-stakes hunt in a world with dangerous beasts and people alike; are the characters undergoing any personal journeys that may be a thawing of a sort?
AG: Nox is at a liminal stage in her life, as is Hadrien. Both are looking to the next horizon, testing the current footing and determining the paths they want to take. They are asking themselves what they want as individuals, not what someone else wants for them. It is a stage many young adults go through in their lives; it is that time between seasons, where some days feel more like winter and others spring, but each passing day is one closer to spring and who you are meant to be.
III. Controlling the Chaos
Curated Chaos: You work full-time in addition to writing novels, keeping yourself on your own hunts, so to say. In the moments between, is there anything you are currently reading or have read lately that feels like it’s opening a new box of ideas for you?
AG: As of late, I’ve found myself returning to my roots in history and nonfiction texts. The year started out with a study on the Wild West before traveling overseas to a detailed look at French cathedrals and a history of rats. Some are research for future novels, and some are to simply sate my own curiosity, thankfully without the perils of Pandora’s curiosity. I always strive to learn more and expand beyond my experiences; such endeavors can only elevate art.
Theme Recommendations: If readers want to stay in this headspace of Pandora’s Box, Spring, and Chaos, what are three books you’d recommend they pick up next?
AG: In the spirit of chaos, I have a bag of different media to recommend. For a decadent novel of spring and fall alike, take a look at Erin A. Craig’s Small Favors. If you want a spring setting with an undercurrent of eerie chaos, sit down and watch Midsommar. I wouldn’t be me without recommending some music, and there is nothing better for late spring nights than daydreamer by Dead Lakes.
IV. Hope Remaining
The Dawn after the Hunt: After the chaos is accidentally released by Pandora, only Hope remains at the bottom of the box. In Wolf Rotten, what is the “Hope” you want readers to find?
AG: Hope in fiction can be a simple factor, as it is in WOLF ROTTEN: assurance that the night ends, and with it, the hunt. As is true in the myth of Pandora’s Box, sometimes all you have left is hope. If there is even a trace of hope, that can be enough to see you through the night.
Looking to the Horizon: Now that Wolf Rotten is out and the hunt is in progress, what is next?
AG: In a departure from my standard landscapes of the fantastical, I have a few contemporary projects in different stages of drafting. The one that will next find its way into the hands of readers is a project near and dear to me, a post-apocalyptic novel about the lengths you will go to protect those you love. It has been in development since December 2019, and there are a few full drafts of it. I wanted to take a different approach, and so I have been rebuilding it with that in mind. I can’t provide a publication time yet, but I am excited for it to join WOLF ROTTEN on shelves.
More about WOLF ROTTEN & Asteria Gonzalez:
Asteria Gonzalez is the author of novels that span galaxies and genres to explore themes of duality and the spaces between. WOLF ROTTEN is her first published novel, an epic fantasy standalone following two reluctant teammates as they hunt a legendary beast for a title that only one can win.
Learn more about Asteria here: https://www.asteriagonzalez.com/
Wolf Rotten debuted on March 02, 2026. You can order from: Amazon.com
