S.2 Ep. 57: A Fantasy Where Magic is Powered by Stolen Emotions: Jillian Witt on Jeweler of the Blessed
S.2 Ep. 57: A Fantasy Where Magic is Powered by Stolen Emotions: Jillian Witt on Jeweler of the Blessed  
Podcast: The Mythic Mic Podcast
Published On: Fri May 08 2026
Description: 🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where power is stolen, emotions can be weaponized, and stories dare to ask what happens when the one thing that makes you human is the very thing that could destroy you.This week, Host Sara Santillan sits down with fantasy romance author Jillian Witt to dive into her Champions of Chaos series, including Jeweler of the Blessed and its sequel Trials of the Cursed. This is a series built on one of the most unique and haunting magic systems we’ve seen in fantasy. Jillian shares how her journey started not at a desk, but on long hikes through national parks—where the isolation, beauty, and sense of “anything could exist here” sparked the earliest ideas for her worlds. We dive into the heart of Jeweler of the Blessed, where magic is tied to emotion—literally. In this world, those with power don’t just wield magic, they take it, siphoning emotions from others through physical touch and channeling them into gemstones that fuel their abilities. It’s a system that feels both fascinating and deeply unsettling. At the center of it all is Amberlyn, a heroine who has spent her entire life hiding a dangerous secret: she is immune to this magic. In a world where emotions can be stolen, her survival depends on staying unnoticed until she’s forced into the very place she’s been trying to escape.What unfolds is a story of identity, trust, and learning how to feel in a world where emotion itself is a liability. Add in a bodyguard she may or may not be able to trust, a missing uncle, and a kingdom built on imbalance, and the stakes quickly spiral.💎 What happens when your emotions are no longer safe to feel?⚔️ How do you trust someone in a world built on taking?🔥 And what if the thing you’ve been hiding is the key to everything?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, fans of unique magic systems, and anyone who loves stories where emotion, power, and identity collide in unforgettable ways.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Building a magic system inspired by (and darker than) mood rings. ✨ What happens when emotions are stolen and used as power. ✨ Amberlyn as a heroine forced to hide who she truly is. ✨ A bodyguard romance filled with tension, distrust, and slow-burn connection. ✨ The emotional and thematic core: identity, agency, and self-discovery. ✨ The balance between fear and vulnerability in a high-stakes world. ✨ Jillian’s writing process: discovery drafting, multiple revisions, and emotional beats. ✨ The realities of indie publishing and wearing every hat. ✨ Why readers are craving unique, high-concept fantasy systems. ✨ Trials of the Cursed and its emotional, character-driven take on trials. ✨ Writing both darker fantasy and cozy romantasy as a creative balance. ✨ Advice for aspiring authors: let the story evolve and give yourself grace. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Jillian Witt – @author.Jillianwitt✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.