Story Secrets - "Dungeons & Dragons inspired my book"

What if the color of your eyes determined your entire life? That’s the premise behind Gaby Raaijmakers’ fantasy trilogy, where eye color dictates everything—your job, your social class, even your future. Born with blue eyes? You’re a servant. Golden eyes? You’re royalty. Black eyes? A thief. And what happens if you refuse to accept the role society forces upon you?

I had the pleasure of interviewing Gaby Raaijmakers, a Dutch fantasy author whose worldbuilding reminded me of Red Rising, The Hunger Games, and Divergent—stories where characters must fight against a rigid system to define their own destiny.

Her books follow Branna, a woman from a free society who marries into this caste-based world. As she starts questioning its rules, she finds herself battling both an oppressive empire and power-hungry mages who want control for themselves. The twist? The change she fights for might take generations—if it happens at all.

Gaby’s journey as an author is just as fascinating. She started writing at a young age as an escape from bullying, and now, she’s turning her love of Dungeons & Dragons into a brand-new trilogy. Her advice for aspiring writers? Finish the book. It won’t be perfect, but every word makes you a better writer.

This interview left me inspired—not just as a reader, but as a writer working on my own fantasy novel. If you love thought-provoking fantasy with deep worldbuilding, check out Gaby’s books. And if you’re an author with a great story to share, let’s talk!

Check out Gaby's website: https://gabyraaijmakers.nl/

Buy Gaby's books: https://www.artbooksshop.com/search/?search=gaby+raaijmakers