Zoraida Córdova
Author Interview - Zoraida Córdova
Author of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is a magical realism novel about Orquídea Divina. On the day of her death, she gives three of grandchildren a magical inheritance. Seven years later, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one. Determined to save what’s left of their family, the descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked backed. But not all secrets want to be unearthed and the Montoyas have a lot to learn about their gifts.
Author Interview - Zoraida Córdova
Author I draw inspiration from: Holly Black. I've read everything she's written and the way she writes characters is just *so* good. The plot twists are always a gut punch. I can't wait for her first adult novel, The Book of Night.
Author Interview - Zoraida Córdova | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: I truly don't have one. Since pandemic, I suppose I favor one couch corner that remembers the imprint of my body. But I bring a book everywhere, just in case.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Nikolai Lantsov from King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo. He'd either find a way to escape, or have a flask of booze and a million stories to tell.
Author Interview - Zoraida Córdova | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: 8th grade. I turned a three page short story assignment to ~twenty one~ and only got a check mark like every other kid who turned in three pages. Every book since has probably been petty revenge.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Audiobook or paperback. Audiobooks help me multitask, and always helps me out of a rut. But there's nothing like the feel of a paperback.
The last book I read: A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone. This is a reread, but it's a strange, dark academia fairytale in an old English countryside manor with pagan orgies and terrible secrets.
Author Interview - Zoraida Córdova | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: Pen and paper. I have to transfer it eventually, but I have a bag full of pens and a notebook for every project.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Prince Cardan Greenbriar from The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. He'd throw the best parties in all of faerie.
Author Interview - Zoraida Córdova | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: A surly bartender at some beach dive. Much to my mother's dismay, I don't have a backup plan for my career.
Favorite decade in fashion history: In my head I want to say a rock and roll Betty Paige 50s style. But in reality it's probably 90s Hot Topic fashion.
Place I’d most like to travel: Greece. I want to see all the temples to the old gods. But I also want to walk the Inca trail and see the whole of the Andes.
My signature drink: Basil Hayden neat or a Napa cab.
Favorite artist: Frida Kahlo. I've loved her since I was a pre-teen and have made a trip to her old house.
Number one on my bucket list: Chris Evans. JK. I honestly would be happy leaving the world a better place, even just a tiny bit.
Anything else you'd like to add: I hope you love Orquídea Divina!
Find more from the author:
Instagram: @zoraidasolo
Author Bio: Zoraida Córdova is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen novels and short stories, including the Brooklyn Brujas series, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate, and The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina. In addition to writing novels, she serves on the Board of We Need Diverse Books, and is the co-editor of the bestselling anthology Vampires Never Get Old, as well as the cohost of the writing podcast, Deadline City. She writes romance novels as Zoey Castile. Zoraida was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and calls New York City home.
