I would love to see more dark fairytales. Not necessarily horror, but darker and closer to the cautionary tales they were meant to be. I guess I would like to see Sleeping Beauty next.
Tonya Hurley's website
on Sunday, 31 October 2010
I would love to see more dark fairytales. Not necessarily horror, but darker and closer to the cautionary tales they were meant to be. I guess I would like to see Sleeping Beauty next.
Tonya Hurley's website
on Saturday, 30 October 2010
You know, I don’t think it’s necessarily far-fetched to think that an older insert immortal of your choice would go for a younger woman. Anyone who’s lived for hundreds or thousands of years is bound to be old and jaded. Heck, I’m old and jaded even at my (cough) very young age. I’ve noticed, via my son—who, of course, was brought to me by the angels and left in a cabbage patch, because I’m much too young (cough) to have actually born him myself, especially since he’s nearly as tall as I am and will shortly be able to use me as an armrest—that a truly youthful, fresh perspective helps you take a new look at the world. I’m infected by his sense of wonder, the shock and awe that he experiences at things I’ve taken for granted. I learn so much by experiencing things with him that he keeps me from stagnating. He’s not grounded by conventions or labels slapped on him by society or the way things “should” be. Right now, as far as he’s concerned, anything he can imagine can be done. And who’s to say differently? I’m sure several who considered themselves “the voice of experience” told the Wright Brothers they’d never fly.
What could be more intoxicating to someone who’s been there and done that, even before there were T-shirts, than to encounter someone who makes you see everything anew? Who convinces you that life is a grand adventure? No amount of money or power or position can grant you that! The very point is that a teenager brings the potential to re-experience. And who doesn’t like a do-over?
I think part of the intrigue with paranormal novels is that they involve transformation. A decades-old vampire can feel again, a fanged fashionista can find more of her humanity after death than she did in life, shapeshifters can transform literally as well as figuratively…. Every moment you live is a chance to reinvent yourself, but some moments, like rising from the grave, are just more obvious jumping off points.
Lucienne Diver's website
on Friday, 29 October 2010
I think it’s because everyone’s expectations are so high. My character Rose, Laurel’s cousin, touches on this topic in Forget-Her-Nots. Everyone wants prom to be so perfect, that it can’t possibly live up to our hopes and dreams. Prom is the focus of so much energy, longing, day-dreaming, and shopping that it makes an ideal topic for any writer to play around with. Also, as you say, it’s a rite of passage. Most YA novels focus on the main character discovering something about herself or himself. Paranormals tend to focus on some power or ability the main character has, such asLaurel’s flower magic. If you take an iconic event like prom and match it with a teen who’s just figuring out how to use her powers, you have an explosive scene!
What are some other iconic events where such things will happen, and why are they such magnets for destruction?!
For YA readers, they include graduation day, the first day you drive, first kiss or even further, the first day at a new school. Any first is fair game for the YA writer, because these events are so memorable and so important in forming who we are. Everyone remembers her first kiss, right? I think they can be so destructive, because we focus so much energy – worry, anticipation, day dreaming – on them. That seems to draw in powerful forces, both positive and negative.
White bellflowers and orange crocuses for hosting me, Liyana!!
Amy Brecount White's website
on Thursday, 28 October 2010
I’ve read a lot of books, and I’ve come across many heroines that deserve that special “Kickass” badge of approval. What kind of qualities do I look for in a kickass heroine? There are many, depending on the book and situation at hand.
But here are a few:
Bravery: This doesn’t necessarily mean she has to rush into the thick of battle wielding a sword and shield (though that scenario is definitely acceptable!). Bravery can come in all forms: from standing up to a bully, an abusive boyfriend or adult, or to a set of society rules that can seem impenetrable. For example, even though it’s not YA, Skeeter in The Help is brave enough to stand up to racism and hate.
Vulnerability: Every good character has a weakness. Some skeleton in her closet that threatens to derail her at any given moment. But instead of being crippled by vulnerability, a kickass heroine knows how to overcome it, even if it’s the most difficult challenge she’s ever faced.
Intelligence: A kickass heroine cannot be, under any circumstances, dim. She needs to have that spark that makes her admirable for more than just her hand- eye coordination J Mary Quinn in A Spy in the House knocked my socks off with her sharp mind and quick thinking.
Self-esteem: I can’t admire a character when she is overly down on herself. It’s one thing to have insecurities—we all have them. But when they seem to rule the character’s life and the relationships she has with others, it’s too much. So a kickass heroine needs to like herself (at least a little bit!).
on Tuesday, 26 October 2010
The prominence of therapists in YA probably has a couple of sources. First, I don’t think it’s nearly as uncommon as it once was for people to go to a therapist, particularly when they’re struggling with an issue (paranormal or not). So, some of it is simply reflecting reality of current culture.
The second aspect is related to the fact that the unusual abilities featured in the
stories—like hearing the dead, for example—are not widely accepted as existing. So, if your kid tells you they can see and hear the dead or they become a werewolf once a month, as a parent, you’re not going to just nod and say, “ Huh. That’s interesting.” No, you’re going to haul them off to the nearest psychiatric professional for evaluation. In my story, many symptoms of being a ghost-talker—hearing and seeing gosts—mimic legitimate symptoms of schizophrenia: hearing “voices” and having hallucinations. Will’s mother is genuinely worried he is ill.
The other part of it is, I believe, YA books today also do a better job of reflecting the family dysfunction we all live or lived with (because really is there such a thing as a completely functional family? : ) ) Therapists are often that more objective source we need to be able to see outside the family craziness, to understand that just because your family behaves this way doesn’t mean everyone else does, too.
Of course, in my story, the therapist is not a confidante. He’s a source of conflict, which can also be a valid turn of events. He doesn’t believe Will can see or hear the dead any more than Will’s mother does. If Will was older and wanted to continue therapy, he would simply choose a different therapist, one who was at least willing to listen to what he had to say instead of trying to label him as broken by our definition of "normal.” Instead, Will is kind of stuck with this guy, who instead of being a help to him, is just another adult with an agenda.
Stacey Kade's website
on Monday, 25 October 2010
Otherworldly creatures are some of the most common concepts in fantasy; it’s almost a necessity. Those creatures usually have their own societies and strict rules with harsh penalties for disobeying them, especially when it concerns humans. Despite that, humans still prefer to socialise and be them. If they wanted to experience another culture, it is far easier to go to another country. Do you think the trade off is worth the hype and effort?
Fairies in the woods. Vampires in the dark. Werewolves by moonlight. It seems like the monsters are everywhere these days, not to mention the occasional angel, fallen or otherwise. What is it about the supernatural that we find so super to read about?
That’s easy: monsters are cool. Whether they’re trying to kill us or kiss us, there’s something appealing about the things in the shadows (or sparkling in the sunlight). When they’re gorgeous, it’s easy to say “sex appeal.” But what about the ugly creatures, the terrifying ones, the supernatural beings that don’t make the cover of EW’s sexy beasts? Why do we keep coming back to them, knowing they have fangs or claws or bare hands that could easily rip us apart? Because they'e the monsters, the things that go bump in the night. They’re our original nightmares. They’re part of us, whether we want them to be or not. They’re our darkest urges given form.
They’re more than just a catharsis for us; by reading about monsters, we’re reading about our own humanity. Of course the werewolves and vampires and other such creatures are going to have their own cultures and societies (for most, they are the ultimate Secret Society that humans aren’t allowed to know about)—those monsters are the dark underbelly of humanity, and we humans cluster together in villages and towns and cities. We thrive around others of our kind…and so, the monsters do as well. Sure, there’ s the occasional lone wolf, just like there’ s the occasional human hermit. But overall, we (and the monsters we read about) need contact with others. To make that contact work for as many as possible, there are rules for society, laws and those who enforce laws, and a governing body. So, too, are there such trappings for monsters—
because again, monsters are a reflection of our humanity.
That’s one of the reasons I enjoyed using the Horsemen of the Apocalypse in HUNGER and the follow-up book, RAGE: the Horsemen symbolize how we humans choose to destroy ourselves…as well as how we can find the strength to overcome that destruction. The world in those books is our world; the evil (and potential for good) just happens to have a powerful steed and a symbol of office, and a somewhat loose connection to an impending Apocalypse.
So when you’re sitting down to write a paranormal romance or an urban fantasy or a good old ghost story or anything with the supernatural, keep in mind that just like we humans have rules, so do the monsters. Maybe those rules are centered around interaction with humans; maybe the rules are about how and when to create baby monsters. Maybe the rules are those things and so much more. But there have to be rules. Once you have those, you’re on your way to worldbuilding, Halloween-style.
Jackie Morse-Kessler's website
on Sunday, 24 October 2010
Great question, Liyana! Letting go certainly isn’t easy. One of the inspirations for SHADE was my own desire to see those loved ones I’d lost. Especially when someone is taken from us suddenly, there’s a huge need for closure, to say all the things that were left unsaid, to share a special moment like a graduation or wedding with them, or if nothing else, to say goodbye.
Unfortunately (well, probably fortunately ;-), SHADE isn’t the reality, and we have to learn to let go on our own, without the help of the dead. I think it just takes time, plus finding a way to honor and remember them without pain. My one and only tattoo, of a black cat, memorializes my own favorite pet who was one of my best friends. I found that once I got the tattoo, I was ready to move on and finally adopt a new cat after
almost two years.
Jeri Smith-Ready's website
on Saturday, 23 October 2010
Shapeshifting is more of a tool/talent in fantasy rather than an actual being. The most famous transitions are between human and animals. I get the allure, but why do you think it is that given the power to shapeshift into anything, the subject of changing into another gender is not touched?
When a character suddenly changes gender in a story, it’s supposed to be funny. Of course, we also have realistic stories involving transgendered characters, but they certainly aren’t presented as fantasy. Why? As a writer, I think the idea of someone with the same memories and personality shapeshifting into the “opposite” gender (because we love to think in binaries) intrigues but scares us, and so we try to laugh at it instead of digging deeper. If you were raised as a boy for eighteen years, and suddenly inhabited a woman’ s body, who would you be? Your upbringing and culture have undoubtedly taught you what it means to be male, beyond biological reality, but do you know what female is now? Or what “ feminine” and “ masculine” really mean?
Actually, this could make a fascinating fantasy novel. If a writer feels comfortable enough blurring the line between different species—no one bats an eye at the idea of a human mind in a wolf body—then gender should be fair game as well. I would love to see a story about a girl who doesn’t agree with “feminine” and shapeshifts into a guy in her spare time, or vice versa. Surely there would be some interesting disconnects
between the character’s preconceptions and the reality of being in a new body. And what if there was a society where everybody could shapeshift into different genders, and choose who they wanted to be at any given moment?
Excellent question! I could go on about this for pages…
Karen Kincy's website
on Friday, 22 October 2010
Remember when ghosts were once the cool new afterlife, then vampires and now zombies? It seems life they were all prone to wiping out human life despite being human once. Given that in I Am Legend, zombies are thinking creatures with only a handful of humans left worldwide (and the number is dwindling!), what are the chances of zombies finding ways to procreate and continue life on Earth?
Liyana – okay seriously, you are the queen of questions. I love it!!!!! Of course I can’t actually think about it in too much detail because when I consider the way zombies lose body parts, well, it’s not a pretty path to go down. Perhaps there are a few mutant zombies who survived and they don’t have quite so many 'decomposition’ issues???
Amanda Ashby's website
on Thursday, 21 October 2010
What is your favourite unedited, uncensored fairytale?Great question! I absolutely adore the real ending to Cinderella – where the stepsisters cut off their heels and toes to try to fit into the glass slipper and at Cinderella’ s wedding to the prince, birds peck out the stepmother’s eyes. Now there’s a story!
O.O *shields eyes* What do you think of breakfast for dinner? If you had to choose just ONE breakfast meal for the rest of the week due to a budget cut, what would it be?
Breakfast for dinner is one of my favourite things! I really do love it all. But if I have to pick only one breakfast meal, it would be eggs over easy, crispy hash browns, rye toast with butter, and a bunch of bacon. Plus coffee. Buckets of it.
I loved reading about the Dreaming Anastasia journey, way back when it was still called Spark. I’ve watched the Disney version of Anastasia, read about what happened and I’m in the middle of reading your book (which is really engrossing and unexpectedly chilling). I’ve always kind of hoped that Anastasia lived. What do you think actually happened?
Well, DNA results do show that Anastasia really did die. But I’d prefer to think that someone saved all the Romanov children and that they all lived to ripe old ages, secretly surrounded by spouses and children and chubby grandchildren. Or… Anastasia was spirited away by the Russian folklore witch Baba Yaga. And the history books conspired to keep it a secret. Yup.
How has your view of YA books changed during the publication journey?Hmmm… Honestly, I’ve always loved YA. But if possible, I love it even more now. There are so many amazing writers working in the field. And unlike “ adult” literature, YA isn’t as governed by firm genre rules. Want to blend fantasy, historical fiction and romance? Go for it. Teen readers (and older readers who love YA) are a flexible, creative group. If the story is compelling, the characters well-developed, they’ ll read. I’ m honoured to get to work in this field!
It’s been three years since Dreaming Anastasia, and there’s been a lot of changes in the publication scene since then. Personally, I love that YA is in the spotlight now, and I could write a long blog post about it. What is your favourite change that’ s happened so far?
Well, actually, the book sold in 2007, but it’ s only been out since September, 2009. So that’s just been one year. As with the question above, I think my favourite part of the field is that it’s wide open as long as you’re at the top of your story telling game.
I’m excited for the movie adaptation of The Hunger Games, especially if Katniss is played by Kaya Scodelario. What’s your favourite on air or upcoming YA book movie/tv series adaptation?
I’m with you – The Hunger Games as a film has the potential to be awesome. And I’m looking forward to Maggie Stiefvater’ s Shiver becoming a movie. Such a deeply romantic tale, isn’t it?
Thanks so much for the pitstop here, Joy! There’ s a month left till the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One movie comes out. (!!!) Which is the one scene you’re most excited for?
Well, I don’t want to be too spoilery, but I would LOVE if the epilogue was part of the film. I cried and cried during that part. And the part where Mrs. Weasley opens a can of whoop ass… another good choice.
Joy Preble's website
on Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Assignments, assignments, assignments. It seems like even when one’s dead, one can never be rid of homework. What are some steps the living should do to prepare for such events in the future?
Be aware of the past because those are the mistakes that repeat; prejudices and misuse of environment. Personally I think it’s great to keep a journal then look back occasionally on your own life; noticing patterns, mistakes and growth. Financially, everyone should have some sort of savings account and keep those credit cards down.
Also whenever you publish a book, put a few copies aside in a safe container to save for future descendents or just to keep a few copies on hand always. Treasure ALL paper books because with e-books becoming so popular, many stories will be lost as the devices change (I mean, do you still use floppy disks? Vinyl records?). If I hadn’t printed out many of my unpublished books, they’ d be completely gone with each new
updated computer.
As a speaker one said: A book is the perfect device. Unlike music, a book made of paper relies on no external device. Only eyes to read and a pair of hands to turn pages. Someday, once paper books are protected under the “bibliophile endangered list” the collection I have of about 5,000 girl series books will be viewed as a rare and marvelous thing.
I can't believe that you have 5,000 books just on girl series, and yet I can!
Linda Joy Singleton's website
on Tuesday, 19 October 2010
There’s a conception that vampires are worthy adversaries of werewolves. Frankly, I don’t get the connection, other than the radical change a human undergoes to become a werewolf or vampire. What are your thoughts on that?
I don’t tie vamps and weres together either. To me they are very separate.
Weres don’t have the weakness that vampires have, i.e. sunlight. They can blend into society and only are changed in most lore when the moon is full. My werewolves, Lycans in my novel FREAKSVILLE are only tied to the moon during the first few months of puberty, after that they can and do, shift at will.
Plus my weres transform into a full wolf so they blend into nature. They aren’t outsiders like vampires, created by a bite. My werewolves are born into their world.
You get a hint of the Lycan world in FREAKSVILLE, but in the sequel FURRY & FREAKED, it’s an all out furfest.
Kitty Keswick's website
on Monday, 18 October 2010
Love triangles are commonly seen in YA books, especially when it’s about two people fighting over the main character. Most of the time it’s when two guys suddenly gain an interest in the MC, and rarely is it when the MC has to fight with a supporting character to gain the love interest’s notice. What are some of the reasons why the first scenario works better, in terms of execution?
First, thank you Liyana for hosting me and great question!
'The Crescent’ is a much different type of love triangle since there isn’t a clear “ winner” for Lacey’s heart. I think the story would have had a much different feel it were Lacey fighting for Brandon or Alex with Courtney or one of her psycho cheerleader friends. The idea of a girl being pursued by two love interests is appealing and understandable to most teenagers. Love at first sight is less of a commonality and it’s easy for people to be infatuated with more than one person at a time. Besides, what girl wants to fight with another girl over a boy when there are so many other options?
I think also the second scenario, (one girl pursuing a boy against another) is more realistic than a normal girl/boy being pursued with reckless abandon by hotties. I can honestly say, if I were in Lacey’s shoes and had to decide between Brandon and Alex…
I’d go insane. Both were obscenely hot, passionate, and emotionally available boys— decisions, decisions.
What do you readers think? Sound off below! Found the answers for the previous two questions yet? Fret not, there are more chances to try. And remember, you'll get more chances to win a signed book and SWAG with every comment. :)
Jordan Deen's website
on Sunday, 17 October 2010
You’ve inspired me to actually start writing using TextNovel. What were your first thoughts upon winning the contest for the TN version of 13 to Life?
I’m so glad you’re writing! My first thoughts after winning Textnovel 2008 were:
Seriously? Wait. It’s not April 1st... Seriously?
Hah! It’s been two years since the contest, 13 to Life has been published and now we’re waiting for Secrets and Shadows. What can we look for in the meantime?
Geez. You’re right—what a timeline! Between 13 to Life and Secrets and Shadows’ release the day after Valentine’s Day, there’ll be some sideline stories and teasers posted around the web. I’ll be asking readers what they might like to see (it’s already started on Facebook and Twitter) and uncovering things about characters’ pasts you haven’t witnessed because Jess narrates most of the series. I really want to do some bridge
stories—things that readers of 13 to Life will catch onto and that will connect to Secrets and Shadows, but I’m worried about spoiling stuff for folks who haven’t yet read the first novel. So. Make everyone buy and read 13 to Life—soon—and we can get on with the fun. ;-)
That is an amazingly detailed plan of action. Did you get that readers? I’ve read about the month long blog tour celebrating the launch of 13 to Life. How has the past month been?
The launch month was crazy! I was running around to tons of book signings, selling out at a bunch of stores and basically trying to maintain some semblance of sanity. I loved it and it was perfect timing—school was out and life on the farm was calm. Secrets and Shadows’ timing will be tougher unfortunately.
Congratulations on the crazy sale! As a city born and bred girl, I am curious about the fact that you live on a farm. Are there any wild wolves in your area, and have you had any ~encounter~ with them?
Although I’ve heard wolves have drifted into the general region, I haven’t encountered any. Coyotes. Yes. Big ones. In the front yard staring over—over—our dogs. Hunter went nuts yelling at them. They sorta shrugged and only left when I raced toward them (erm, empty-handed—kids, don’t try this at home) shouting some choice phrases. They must have been offended by my language because they took off pretty fast. But they were beautiful.
Ohhh. Nice wording. I’ll take Ginger Snaps for the win. I enjoyed In the Company of Wolves (from what I remember of it—hey, I was in college then and it was surreal) and Brotherhood of the Wolf (but more for setting and costuming). I liked Blood and Chocolate as long as I kept it strictly separated from the book in my mind. I even *cough* enjoyed aspects *cough-Jacob-cough* of New Moon and Eclipse.
That's the second time in two days that Ginger Snaps have been mentioned. I better get my ass over to watch it. There seems to be a rise in YA werewolf books, and I can’t help thinking that werewolves are actually behind this: to try and negate the popularity of vampires, their ‘sworn’ enemies. What do you think?
DUDE! Shhh. You weren’t supposed to say it out loud... Wolves are sneaky. You may be excluded from the den meetings now. *sniffle* I love the fact werewolves are getting their time in the sun (not like vamps would want *that*). Vamps and werewolves are like paranormal chocolate and peanut butter—they’re great separately and an even better combination.
That's a delicious combo right there. *sniff* Find out more tidbits *stomach growling* about Shannon and the 13 to Life series on the other blogs on the tour! Also, have you found the answer to the first question yet?
Shannon Delany's website
on Saturday, 16 October 2010
The covers for Under My Skin and Second Skin are vastly different, both in tone and concept. What is your favourite werewolf cover in the whole history of printed book?
Thanks, I hope the cover reflect the changes Eryn endures as her story progresses. While not a “werewolf” cover, I’ve always been partial to Stephen King’s, Cujo.
Ain’t that creepy?
Teeth in the mirror... Brr. If you hadn’t written about werewolves, which mystical creature would be your second and third choices?
The cool thing about the Skinned series, is that I get to write about all kinds of mythological beasties. Redgrave is overrun with the little buggers. I included wolven, vamps, sprites, windigo, witches, and that’s just in UMS. There are more creatures in the other two books.
Dayumm, there should be Skinned glossary! Which werewolf lore don’t you like?
I’m not a fan of the “you-can-spot-a-werewolf-because-they-have-hairy-palms” idea. It seems wrong on so many levels.
Just imagine those poor people with hairy palms. Wait, do people have hairy palms? We live in a time when young people have numerous choices for entertainment. What would you like to say to people who may be hesitant about reading a book for "fun?"
Working as a library technician in an elementary school (yup, that’s my day job), I see kids everyday who don’t “get” the thrill of reading. I make every effort to get the right book into their hands. The one that will change how they see books forever. Sometimes you have to go for shock value….best book to get elementary boys reading “The Scoop on Poop” by Wayne Lynch. I’m serious.
It’s a winner.
Thanks so much for sharing this with me. I love it. I’m also impressed that it mentions my fav Canadian werewolf films, Ginger Snaps.
My werewold movie repertoire is sadly limited. Now let's talk about your website, which has the tagline of ‘YA Fiction to Die For’. Now, I’m all for catchy lines and while that definitely is one, it doesn’t bode well for any of your characters! What would Eryn’s reaction be to that?
Lol…Eryn would probably think there’s more worth dying for than fiction. And she’s right. But the way I see it - without great books, we’re as good as dead.
Life's too short to spend time on bad books. Thanks so much for the lovely stop here, Judith. *offers drink* As a Doctor Who fangirl, I must ask: have you heard of Doctor Who? If you have, what did you think of the Season 2 episode, Tooth and Claw, which is about werewolves?
No…thank you. ;) I’m a newbie to the Doctor (just finished the first series on DVD). The second series is on my Christmas wishlist. Now I can’t wait to get to that episode!
And with that, my lifelong dream of introducing a famous author to the Doctor is complete. Find out more about Judith and the Skinned series as she visits the other blogs on the tour this October.
Judith Graves' website
Eryn and her crew of hunters, Matt, Brit and of course, the oh-so-brooding, Alec, are hunting down a creature that’s been making a nuisance of itself in Redgrave. Rumour has it, the creature can only be destroyed on midnight of October 31st. That’s right, Halloween, and only at a crossroads.
Wade, Redgrave High’s resident hottie (and a vampire after Eryn’s heart), is searching for possible leads. Wade’s not one for research, but that’s all the crew will let him do. Let’s just say there are some trust issues at hand.
He lurks under a streetlight, cloaked in late afternoon shadows. He’s a bit miffed. If he can’t suck the info out of an unwilling victim, there’s not much of a thrill in it for him. Still, gathering intel might impress Eryn and perhaps lead to another dark alley clincher. He resigns himself to playing the good guy, just this once.
Uh oh. He’s spotted you on the sidewalk outside the library. It’s too late to grab the holy water you’ve got stashed in your backpack (you’re not a total spaz, this is Redgrave, after all). He stalks toward you, his eyes trained on yours. Your heart does a few desperate Karate-Kid kicks in your chest, but you’re unable to flee. You stare into his grey-eyed darkness. You slip under his spell. In seconds you’re his.
How lovely.
He’s close now. You smell an icy mint in the air. You close your eyes in submission, waiting for the press of his fangs on your neck. But instead of indulging in an after school snack, Wade compels you to do his dirty work for him. As the sun fades, you spend hours searching through historic documents, the folklore section, and even crank out the microfiche. Consider yourself an honorary Giles…
HOW THE TOUR WORKS:
Each day of The Crossroads Tour, a new research question will be revealed here on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page, and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the 16 different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all 16 answers by the end of the tour, on Halloween.
Send your answers to judithgraves@ymail.com by midnight on October 31st to win a fab grand prize consisting of:
- signed copy of Under My Skin by Judith Graves
- copy of Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
- copy of Freaksville by Kitty Keswick
- gothic stickers
- funky Halloween decorations
- a DVD featuring Classic Horror Films
- a $10 gift certificate for Leap Books
- a Leap Books T-shirt
Got all that info? Great! Other than that, commenters on every Crossroads Tour post here will be entered to win a signed copy of Judith Graves' Under My Skin, as well as swag from various authors on the tour. It's open internationally and ends Nov 2. Sounds good? Now let's kick the tour off. All posts will be linked to on this page for easy reference.
16 authors, 16 days of spooky fun
Find out more:
Live chats on Oct 31 and Nov 1 on the PageTurnersBlog.
on Tuesday, 12 October 2010
| Title: Deception |
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| Author: Lee Nichols |
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| Genre: Paranormal |
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| Publisher: Bloomsbury |
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| Elements: Ghosts |
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| Series: Book 1 of the Haunting Emma series |
The first time I came by DECEPTION in Borders, I wasn't sure whether to get it. The plot seemed interesting, with elements from other books that I liked: private school; relocation; family mystery; ghosts; murder; a paranormal setting; teen slang*.When Emma Vaile's parents go missing while away on a mysterious business trip, her brother's very cute best friend, Bennett Stern—Emma's knight in J. Crew armor—arrives unexpectedly to whisk her away to New England.
There, Emma settles into his family's museum-like mansion and enrolls at an old-fashioned private school. Emma has memories of Thatcher that she can't explain—it's as if she's returning home to a place she's never been.
Finally, Emma confides in Bennett and learns she is a ghostkeeper, a person who can communicate with ghosts. Bennett brought Emma to Thatcher to protect her, but now he needs her help tracking an other-worldly murderer.
The cover itself was gorgeous, and as I debated, I chose not to get it because (and while this seems silly) one sentence put me off: "Emma's knight in J. Crew armor". It made the story seem juvenile and teeny, and I was looking for something that actually took its own plot and settings seriously, and was not a parody of some other book.
I was still debating my decision a few days later, and when fate intervened and three copies of DECEPTION shone at me from the library shelf, I decided to heck with it, grabbed a copy in my grubby little hands and went off with a huge smile on my face.
So now, onto the review.
The prologue was powerful, and the words used were chosen carefully, with a lot of impact in just ninety-four words. It did remind me of Twilight's prologue, which was extremely misleading. DECEPTION was different, with mystery and tension in every page.
I liked Emma from the moment I met her. She had a deadpan and certain way of looking at things and situations without clouding them with her emotions that came from a self-confidence I sure didn't have when I was her age. And though her family had abandoned her, it was apparent that she would be alright. She had a way of adapting to her surroundings, and making them work for her.
The plot was intriguing, with enough tidbits being introduced every few pages to keep my interest in reading steadfast. Most of the time it worked, and others it felt like a convenient plot device. I loved that there were a lot of things being explained in the story and not just conveniently left for the sequel.
What I didn't appreciate was how the mystery of her family's disappearance wasn't cleared up. I mean, come on! It's the mystery that hooked me in, and you didn't even clear things up to my satisfaction?! If this continues in the sequel, I will be extremely disappointed.
The supporting characters only really shined after Emma was relocated to New England, which is when the story really starts. Those characters before then weren't fully fleshed out, and the tone was rushed, as if the author couldn't wait to start story-telling in New England. That is one other thing I didn't really like: that the story is not fully detailed and fleshed out, or have enough emotion, when there's not a major arc happening. Trust me, if I noticed it, you'll have noticed it too: the wraith fight, fencing with her tutor.
The finale was not as satisfying as it would be, due to the death of a supporting character that felt a bit too convenient, as if only to provide emotional impact and tie things up regarding that plot line. And that Emma's inner character development felt regressed as to when the book started? Didn't like that too.
I look forward to the sequel, because despite all my complaints I did enjoy DECEPTION a lot. That little excerpt at the back of the book wasn't enough, and I can already envision the conflicts and how the story would go, though I hope the author has something up her sleeve and would surprise us readers.**
*which has its own dangers of having to be updated as time passes.
**SPOILER. like, for example, not killing Sara off so she can be with Coby. Okay?!
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