CANR
WORK TITLE: Vesuvius
WORK NOTES:
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WEBSITE: https://www.cassbiehn.com/
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COUNTRY: United States
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RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Female.
EDUCATION:Aberystwyth University, Wales, Master of Library Science.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Teaches writing a course.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
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Cass Biehn is a queer writer who grew up neurodivergent and writes about queer romance. Fascinated with natural disasters, their debut novel, Vesuvius, involves a meet cute days before the end of the world. Sixteen-year-old Loren works as an attendant in the temple of the goddess Isis. He has been having prophetic nightmares with visions of a dangerous young man. When 17-year-old Felix hides out in the temple, holding the helmet of the god Mercury that he stole from Apollo’s temple, Loren is horrified to recognize him from his visions. The helmet is supposed to bring doom to whomever touches it, but Felix seems to be immune. As the city of Pompeii is beset by rumbling earthquakes, Loren and Felix are running out of time to solve the mystery of the helmet. As Felix runs from his past and desires stability and Loren wants to escape his family obligations, romance blossoms between the two boys.
Melissa Paulsen in Friction interviewed Biehn about Felix’s character, a snarky, irreverent thief, based on Biehn’s own vulnerability: “Felix was shaped to explore a certain trauma I share. Once I began to work that into the narrative, permitting myself that vulnerability instead of holding it at arm’s length, he finally came alive.” Biehn told an interviewer at Atmosphere Press about the inspiration for setting the novel in the ancient city of Pompeii: “I channeled my disillusion with the state of the world [during the Covid pandemic] into this story, wanting to find a sliver of blue sky through my characters. But Vesuvius isn’t a pandemic book. It’s a book about challenging destiny, fighting for survival, and clinging to hope and healing.”
The eruption of Vesuvius “adds tension and suspense to a seismic queer love story that investigates themes of class, gender, and healing from trauma,” noted a Publishers Weekly critic in a starred review. “Roman mythological connections are a draw for the Riordan crowd, as are the high stakes, [and] modern-feeling characters,” according to Booklist contributor Allie Stevens. A Kirkus Reviews writer commented: “The richly described Pompeii setting immerses readers in its vibrant yet tense atmosphere as tremors foreshadow the eruption.” Emmy Neal reported in School Library Journal: “A fun, unique historical romance for fans of Adam Silvera’s They Both Die at the End and Roman mythology.”
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BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, May 2025, Allie Stevens, review of Vesuvius, p. 91.
Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2025, review of Vesuvius.
Publishers Weekly, April 7, 2025, review of Vesuvius, p. 70.
School Library Journal, May 2025, Emmy Neal, review of Vesuvius, p. 131.
ONLINE
Atmosphere Press, https://atmospherepress.com/ (October 1, 2025), “An Interview with Cass Biehn.”
Cass Biehn website, https://www.cassbiehn.com/ (October 1, 2025).
Friction, https://frictionlit.org/ (October 1, 2025), Melissa Paulsen, “An Interview with Cass Biehn.”
Cass Biehn (they/them) writes messy queer characters in messier situations—and always with angsty kissing.
They hold a Master of Library Science from Aberystwyth University in Wales and currently live in the Utah desert, where they split their time between cosplaying and wrangling their dogs.
Cass' debut novel, VESUVIUS, is out now from Peachtree Teen in the US and Atom Books/Little, Brown in the UK. Their second novel, THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS, is slated for release in 2027.
An Interview with Cass Biehn
Words By Cass Biehn, Interviewed by Melissa Paulsen
Your debut novel Vesuvius immerses the reader in the ancient city of Pompeii and includes several nods to Roman history. What inspired you to base your story on Pompeii and ancient Roman history?
Like many neurodivergent kids, I grew up having historical disasters as special interests—starting with the Titanic. I was fascinated not just with the disaster itself but the story that unfolded around the disaster.
Pompeii has likewise fascinated me. Before the volcano erupted, petrifying the city in ash, what dramas and romances and politics affected its people? What parallel could I draw to the traumas surrounding me in modern day? What would it be like to stare down a smothering black wave, knowing you couldn’t stop what was coming? But what would it look like to try to change fate anyway?
What was your writing process for Vesuvius, and how did you balance working on it with the other obligations in your life?
Vesuvius was written as I was wrapping up my undergrad, working full time, and preparing to move to Wales to pursue my Master’s. I let it take over in a way that probably wasn’t very healthy, but it was all I wanted to do. I came to know myself as a writer through it. I learned to set boundaries, hold myself accountable, and when to step away from the manuscript to give it breathing room.
Vesuvius boasts two complex and genuine main characters—Felix and Loren—who you’ve lovingly referred to as your “volcano boys.” How did you approach their character creation and give them each a distinct voice?
I teach a course on developing compelling characters called “Wound, Want, Need.” By understanding what the character thinks will solve their problem, what trauma or flaw holds them back, and what lesson they need to learn to fix their life and self-actualize, the characters feel more authentic. When crafting dual POV especially, every character should have their own goal, history, and arc—and a distinct voice to match. Experiment with how their individual circumstances and backgrounds might influence how they speak, act, and think.
Felix and Loren experience their fair share of romantic ups and downs. What were the most challenging and rewarding aspects of creating their love story? Further, do you have any tips for authentically incorporating romance into a plot?
I’m a romantic at heart! When writing Felix and Loren’s dynamic, my goal was always—despite their different upbringings, privileges, and disagreements—to create a romance where both boys land on equal footing. I wanted the romance to feel authentically messy, because neither boy is perfect, and each have their own hurts to reckon with. But as they learn, grow, and come to understand one another, they use their individual strengths to support each other.
The story of Vesuvius erupts with humor. What advice do you have for writers who want to incorporate more authentic humor into their work?
Surround yourself with funny people—the kind you can fully be yourself around and whose humor doesn’t punch down. Never try to force a moment to be funny; let the humor evolve naturally.
The themes of mental health, identity, and trauma play a major role in your book. Was this something you planned or did these themes develop naturally?
Oh, they came completely out of nowhere because I didn’t think I had it in me to explore my own vulnerabilities on a page. Felix leapt nearly fully formed into my mind. A snarky, irreverent thief—he sounded fun. But the more I drafted, the more I realized I hadn’t given him a why. So, I started thinking, why am I irreverent? And the solution dawned on me: Felix was shaped to explore a certain trauma I share. Once I began to work that into the narrative, permitting myself that vulnerability instead of holding it at arm’s length, he finally came alive.
You have a Master of Library Science from Aberystwyth University in Wales. Could you share more about your choice to pursue this program and how it influenced Vesuvius?
Childhood literacy has been a driving passion of mine since I was in high school. I wanted to write for teens, and I wanted a career where I could get books in the hands of those who need them most.
Aberystwyth was a very intentional choice. Not just because it has deep connections with the National Library of Wales, but because the country has fascinated me since I fell in love with Welsh Arthurian legend as a teenager—maybe the topic for a future book?
The publishing process can often feel daunting and intimidating to new writers. How did you keep your spirits high when querying Vesuvius and do you have any encouragement for writers who may be wrestling with self-doubt?
Self-doubt is the shadowy beast that haunts my footsteps, even (especially?) still. I don’t know that I’ll ever overcome it—but I’ve learned to accept that, and I’ve found tools to cope. To writers, I suggest finding a non-word related hobby (mine is sewing!), getting a great support system, and remembering your value as a person isn’t dependent on how quickly you get an agent.
Your second novel, Though This Be Madness, is slated for release in 2027. How did the overall publishing process differ between your two novels and what did you learn?
They couldn’t be more different. When I started Vesuvius, I was convinced I was a “pantser,” and only after struggling through the first draft without an outline did I realize absolutely nothing about it made sense. Since then, I’ve learned I’m definitely a “plotter.” Even though the time to finish a draft was roughly the same for both projects—about a year—I think having an outline from the beginning resulted in a much more polished first draft of Though This Be Madness.
Cass Biehn, Interviewed by Melissa Paulsen
Cass Biehn (they/them) writes messy queer characters in messier situations—and always with angsty kissing. They hold a Master of Library Science from Aberystwyth University in Wales and currently live in the Utah desert, where they split their time between cosplaying and wrangling their dogs.
Melissa Paulsen graduated from the University of Montana with a BFA in creative writing and a minor in history. She has an immense passion for storytelling and its power to create unique connections. In her free time, she enjoys writing fiction, reading one of the books from her growing “to be read” pile, playing video games, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
An Interview with Cass Biehn
biehn
Cass Biehn (they/them) writes messy queer characters in messier situations—and always with angsty kissing. They hold a Master of Library Science degree from Aberystwyth University in rainy Wales and currently live in the Utah desert, where they split their time between cosplaying and wrangling their dogs.
Cass’s debut novel, VESUVIUS, will release June 2025 from Peachtree Teen.
Learn more about them at cassbiehn.com or @cassbeewrites on Twitter and Instagram.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
The short answer is a song by Sufjan Stevens. The long answer: the chaos of 2020. VESUVIUS is a novel about a disaster that feels apocalyptic, like there is no escape, which is exactly how that summer felt. I channeled my disillusion with the state of the world into this story, wanting to find a sliver of blue sky through my characters. But VESUVIUS isn’t a pandemic book. It’s a book about challenging destiny, fighting for survival, and clinging to hope and healing.
Describe your dream book cover.
I was fortunate enough to get exactly my dream cover! When VESUVIUS was first announced, I floated the idea of having Chris from Arcane Gold Art do the cover to my editor. It turns out she and the lead designer at Peachtree Teen had already been itching to work with Chris for months. Chris was incredibly collaborative and creative and captured the essence of VESUVIUS perfectly: angst, romance, and the end of the world.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
VESUVIUS is finished, and I’m deep into drafting my next YA book, titled THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS. Loosely inspired by Hamlet, of course I’m reading (and re-reading) the play for inspiration, as well as a bunch of books about the Regency era. Other books that inspire me to continuously challenge and grow my craft: ICARUS by K. Ancrum, IF TOMORROW DOESN’T COME by Jen St. Jude, ANGELS BEFORE MAN by Rafael Nicolas, and DARK RISE by CS Pacat.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
One of my high school English teachers, Michelle Smith, was the first person to really look at me and see potential in my writing. Smith is incisive, wise, and kind, and she’s been my mentor for a decade now. She once said to me, “Be your best,” and I’m trying every day.
Where is your favorite place to write?
The Legendarium, a trans-owned fantasy bookstore in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s my safe place. Going there feels like stepping into a hobbit house, and the employees make the best peanut butter and berry latte I’ve ever had.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
I want queer survivors to feel seen, more than anything. VESUVIUS explores complex themes of trauma, many of which were inspired by my own experiences. But although trauma impacts us, it doesn’t define us. I hope the book helps readers recognize that they deserve kindness, patience, and empathy.
BIEHN, Cass. Vesuvius. 384p. Peachtree Teen. Jun. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781682637326.
Gr 9 Up--A queer historical romance set just prior to the destruction of Pompeii. Loren, a temple attendant to the goddess Isis with ambitions in politics, knows Felix even before the young man hides in the temple with a stolen relic. Felix, 16, features in the apocalyptic nightmares Loren has been refusing to consider might be prophetic dreams of mass destruction. Felix steals the Helmet of Mercury and finds himself immune to its powers, which bum everyone who touches it. He teams up with Loren to find out why and to uncover the connection between the helmet and Loren's dreams. As earthquakes shake the city at more frequent intervals, the boys know they're mnning out of time. Much like any story involving the Titanic, knowing Pompeii's ending won't stop readers from investing in Loren and Felix's romance and hoping desperately for a way out of the city. Biehn's writing is blunt and abrupt, but despite the fact the heroes meet in chapter one, the story unfolds rather slowly as multiple plotlines fight for dominance in the opening chapters. Nevertheless, their short sentences move readers quickly through a richly described Roman city and invest them in the world, though the climax of the plot steals some of Vesuvius's titular impact. Loren is gay, Felix is bisexual, and there is additional racial and ethnic diversity mentioned as they explore the city. VERDICT A fun, unique historical romance for fans of Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End and Roman mythology. Consider for general purchase.--Emmy Neal
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Neal, Emmy. "BIEHN, Cass. Vesuvius." School Library Journal, vol. 71, no. 5, May 2025, pp. 131+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A846210269/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=df6294c8. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
Vesuvius. By Cass Biehn. June 2025. 384P. Peachtree Teen, $19.99 (9781682637326). Gr. 9-12.
Though he remembers little of it, Felix's past keeps him on the run from city to city in the ancient Roman Empire. In Pompeii, he finds a gleaming silver helmet in a temple honoring Apollo, and stealing it is almost too easy for such an experienced thief. Though Felix couldn't foresee the chain reaction that his theft would trigger, Loren, a strait-laced temple acolyte with prophetic dreams, is all too aware of the potential impacts of possessing the cursed helmet. As the boys race against the clock set by Loren's visions to figure out Felix's connection to the helmet and how to stop what is coming, begrudging partnership and aggravation begin to soften into something else. The reader's knowledge of the impending fate of the city lends extra urgency to Felix and Loren's quest, though there are many threads to follow and some questions are left unanswered. Secondary character interactions are engaging but too brief; Roman mythological connections are a draw for the Riordan crowd, as are the high stakes, modern-feeling characters, queer romance, and witty banter. --Allie Stevens
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
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Stevens, Allie. "Vesuvius." Booklist, vol. 121, no. 17-18, May 2025, pp. 91+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A852211910/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=baed2c3c. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
Vesuvius
Cass Biehn. Peachtree, $19.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-682-63732-6
*| Seventeen-year-old Felix has pulled off the ultimate heist: selling the helmet he stole from the Temple of Apollo is guaranteed to pay his way out of Pompeii. But his negotiations go awry, forcing Felix to seek sanctuary at the Temple of Isis. Sixteen-year-old temple attendant Loren wants nothing to do with the thief, who has starred in Loren's nightmarish visions foretelling Pompeii's destruction. When Loren learns that the stolen helmet belongs to the god Mercury, he becomes certain that Felix is not just a bad omen but a catalyst of doom. Distinct and immersive alternating perspectives depict both teens' struggles reckoning with their ambitions and traumatic pasts as Felix longs for escape and stability and Loren yearns for a future free of family obligations and safety for the city he loves. As each searches for answers about the increasingly frequent earthquakes plaguing Pompeii, they realize they may be stronger together than apart. Debut author Biehn weaves political intrigue into impressively researched Roman history and mythology. Setting Felix and Loren's blossoming romance against the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius adds tension and suspense to a seismic queer love story that investigates themes of class, gender, and healing from trauma. Characters are described with varying skin tones. Ages 14-up. Agent: Annalise Errico, Ladderbird Literary. (June)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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"Vesuvius." Publishers Weekly, vol. 272, no. 14, 7 Apr. 2025, pp. 70+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A835360953/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a4e9ae47. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
Biehn, Cass VESUVIUS Peachtree Teen (Teen None) $19.99 6, 3 ISBN: 9781682637326
In Biehn's debut, set against the looming threat of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, two young men race to prevent disaster in Pompeii.
Loren, an attendant at the Temple of Isis, aspires to join the council and help implement reforms that will help the city's residents, but something hidden in his past complicates his ambitions. Felix, a wandering thief, steals the helmet of Mercury--an artifact said to burn anyone who touches it, although it doesn't harm him--and is threatened by someone who's seeking the powerful relic. Felix flees, seeking sanctuary in the Temple of Isis, where olive-skinned Loren recognizes him as the "copper-haired ghost" from his prophetic visions warning of Pompeii's doom. Determined to uncover the connection between his visions and Felix's immunity to the helmet's powers, Loren joins Felix on a journey that takes them through a brothel, bars, and patrician homes. Initially adversarial, the boys' relationship deepens into something more (Felix is bisexual, and Loren is gay). The narrative alternates between the teens' perspectives; Felix is a troubled youth haunted by fragmented memories, and Loren is an idealist who's yearning for recognition. Their bond feels authentic, adding emotional weight to the story. The richly described Pompeii setting immerses readers in its vibrant yet tense atmosphere as tremors foreshadow the eruption, although the climactic event itself feels underwhelming compared to the buildup.
A heartfelt and absorbing historical adventure with light fantasy elements.(Historical fiction. 14-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Biehn, Cass: VESUVIUS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A832991722/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=410f19f1. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.