Interview with Lillian Clark for Half Life

Half Life

by Lillian Clark
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 9th 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Synopsis:

An overachiever enrolls in an experimental clone study to prove that two (of her own) heads are better than one in this fast-paced, near-future adventure that's Black Mirror meets Becky Albertalli.

There aren't enough hours in the day for Lucille--perfectionist, overachiever--to do everything she has to do, and there certainly aren't enough hours to hang out with friends, fall in love, get in trouble--all the teenage things she knows she should want to be doing instead of preparing for a flawless future. So when she sees an ad for Life2: Do more. Be more, she's intrigued.

The company is looking for beta testers to enroll in an experimental clone program, and in the aftermath of a series of disappointments, Lucille is feeling reckless enough to jump in. At first, it's perfect: her clone, Lucy, is exactly what she needed to make her life manageable and have time for a social life. But it doesn't take long for Lucy to become more Lucy and less Lucille, and Lucille is forced to stop looking at Lucy as a reflection and start seeing her as a window--a glimpse at someone else living her own life, but better. Lucy does what she really wants to, not what she thinks she should want to, and Lucille is left wondering how much she was even a part of the perfect life she'd constructed for herself. Lucille wanted Lucy to help her relationships with everyone else, but how can she do that without first rectifying her relationship with herself?

Can you briefly describe HALF LIFE and its characters?

Hi Patri! Thank you so much for having me!

Half Life, pitched as Black Mirror meets Becky Albertalli, follows Lucille Harper, an ambitious young woman who struggles with a constant worry that she isn’t measuring up. As her life falls apart—broken friendship, unrequited crush, divorcing parents—she’s approached by a mysterious company offering her the “opportunity of a lifetime.” She signs up to be a beta tester for an adult human cloning program and things get…interesting, to say the least.

Beyond Lucille, we have Lucy (the clone), Cass (the childhood best friend), Bode (the crush), Marco (the new crush), Dr. Thompson (the lead scientist at Life Squared), and Isobel (a mystery), alongside a small host of others.

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

This is tough! I love all of my characters for different reasons, but I think I’m the teensiest bit more partial to Lucy. And Isobel. They were really interesting and challenging to write. I also have a very special place in my heart for Lucille.

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

Originally, I pitched the idea for Half Life as a YA re-telling of the 1990s movie Multiplicity, but the longer I worked on it, I realized the comedy-plus-tightening-spiral-of-hijinks just wasn’t working. So, instead, I took that core of a person spread too thin getting a clone to help manage her busy life and layered in a mess of bigger themes like the subjectivity of truth and the (unachievable and often directly opposed) expectations society places on young women.

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

I actually have the perfect answer for this!! I love thinking about a single song that sums up how I want my books to make people feel, and so I already have one picked out: “I See You” by MISSIO. (If anyone is curious, the song for my debut Immoral Code is “Trees” by twentyone pilots!)

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

Lucille and Lucy are so solidly the focus of the whole book that I’ll just cast them, and I think Kaitlyn Dever could pull it off magnificently.

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish HALF LIFE?

Not so humbly (haha) my debut Immoral Code! If you like Half Life, I feel pretty confident that you’ll also like that. As for books not by me, I’ll forever recommend books by Shaun David Hutchinson and Caleb Roehrig. Caleb has a new title coming out in July, The Fell of Dark, and it’s magnificent. VAMPIRES! Need I say more?

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

ALL OF IT. (Kidding, well, sort of.) This book was a struggle. Most authors seem to feel the same about second books. It’s difficult to write something under contract for the first time, usually on tight deadlines, while also promoting your debut. But more specifically, it took me three full drafts to get to the heart of Lucille’s character. I kept chasing false threads. But once I found the core of her, I fell in love with her story and this book.

What’s next for you?

Right now I’m working on a few projects, but none with any solid plans for release. I’ve been revamping my first, formerly-shelved manuscript about a young woman who’s stolen by a megalomaniac in another world, and a second manuscript that follows a high school couple deciding whether or not to break up before college…then they get sucked into a revolving door of alternate universes (I clearly adore portal fantasies, haha). I hope to have more news soon!

Lillian Clark, a graduate of the University of Wyoming, grew up riding horses, climbing trees, and going on grand imaginary adventures in the small-town West. She's worked as a lifeguard, a camp counselor, and a Zamboni driver, but found her eternal love working as a bookseller at an independent bookstore. Now living in Teton Valley, Idaho with her husband, son, and two giant dogs, she spends her time reading almost anything and writing books for teens.

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Interview with Kester Grant for The Court of Miracles

The Court of Miracles (A Court of Miracles #1)

by Kester Grant
Publisher: Knopf Children's
Release Date: June 2nd 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Retellings, Science Fiction

Synopsis:

Les Misérables meets Six of Crows in this page-turning adventure as a young thief finds herself going head to head with leaders of Paris's criminal underground in the wake of the French Revolution.

In the violent urban jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, the French Revolution has failed and the city is divided between merciless royalty and nine underworld criminal guilds, known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine (Nina) Thénardier is a talented cat burglar and member of the Thieves Guild. Nina's life is midnight robberies, avoiding her father's fists, and watching over her naïve adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.

Can you briefly describe THE COURT OF MIRACLES and its characters?

THE COURT OF MIRACLES is a reimagining of Les Miserables meets Six of Crows. It’s the story of a young thief desperate to save her sister who takes on cruel royalty and the lords of the city’s underworld criminal guilds. 

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

Enjolras St Juste, he is just so delightful to write, because he’s so extreme in his obsessive regard for the revolution over anything else. TCOM being a Les Mis retelling, the first draft included the character of Marius Pontmercy. And every time I wrote a scene with him and Nina, I felt like pulling teeth. I kept saying to my husband “If only I could write this scene with Enjolras instead of Marius, it’d be 100% better and hilarious …” then one day it clicked. Why did I need Marius anyway? I booted him out of the book (he’s the worst in any case) and gave all his scenes to Enjolras, and now they are glorious. 

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

So many things combined, a lifelong obsession with Les Mis, seeing the latest Jungle Book movie, thinking of all my favourite stories…. It all melded together in one lightning strike moment.

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Valjean. Jessica Chastain as Javert. “The Tiger” was inspired in part by Michael Fassbender in 12 Years a Slave. Sam Clafin as Enjolras. Tom Holland as the Dauphin, Gillian Anderson in Bleak House or Eva Green or Kiersten Scott Thomas as Madame Corday. Meera Syal as Lady Komayd. Riz Ahmed as Montparnasse, Vincent Cassel as Thenardier, Charles Dance as Lord Orso, 

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

Some artisanal French bread – you’ll see why in the story. And any drink that hasn’t been poisoned. 

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish THE COURT OF MIRACLES?

Here’s a list of read-a-likes to tide people over till TCOM’s sequel out next year –culled from reviews. 

Six of Crows, Nevernight, The Lies of Locke Lamora, And I Darken, the Gilded Wolves, Caraval, A Darker Shade of Magic, Wolf by Wolf.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

The discipline of actually writing the thing. I plan and dream out the story a lot, write things in my head, but actually sitting down and either drafting or editing – forcing myself through the process is another thing. Oh and avoiding reading the reviews, when you’re so desperate to see what people are thinking of the book – but also can’t change anything because it’s too late – LE SIGH.

What’s next for you?

I have an epic animal fantasy called Goldenpaw coming out early 2021; for fans of Watership Down, Warriors, Redwall, Guardians of Ga’Hoole, and the Jungle Book. You can find out more here.

Kester Grant is a British-Mauritian writer of color. She was born in London, grew up between the UK, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the tropical island paradise of Mauritius. As a wanton nomad she and her husband are unsure which country they currently reside in but they can generally be found surrounded by their fiendish pack of cats and dogs.

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Interview with Jessica Brody & Joanna Rendell for Between Burning Worlds

Between Burning Worlds (System Divine #2)

by Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: 24th March, 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Synopsis:

Les Misérables meets The Lunar Chronicles in the out-of-this-world sequel to Sky Without Stars that’s an “explosion of emotion, intrigue, romance, and revolution” (Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series).

A thief.

An officer.

A guardian.

All from different backgrounds, but sharing one same destiny…

The planet Laterre is in turmoil. A new militant revolutionary group has emerged calling themselves “The Red Scar” and claiming responsibility for a spate of recent bombings. The infamous rebels known as the Vangarde believe that in order to bring about a peaceful revolution, their charismatic leader, Citizen Rousseau must be freed from prison right away. Otherwise the bloodshed will only escalate.

Soon Marcellus, Chatine, and Alouette all find themselves pulled into battle with extreme consequences.

Marcellus is determined to uncover his corrupt grandfather’s plan to seize Laterre—even if that means joining the Vangarde.

Aloutte, trying to unearth the truth about her past, becomes a captive of Marcellus’s grandfather, the general.

Chatine, who is serving time on Bastille, hopes to escape the brutal and horrifying reality of the prison moon.

But the failed attempt to break Citizen Rousseau out of prison launches Aloutte, Chatine, and Marecellus into the middle of a dangerous war for control of Laterre. And in the midst of it all is the legend of a secret and dangerous weapon that could mean complete and absolute power to any that wields it.

Can you briefly describe THE SYSTEM DIVINE series, its characters and what’s going on in BETWEEN BURNING WORLDS?

The SYSTEM DIVINE series is a reimagining of Victor Hugo’s LES MISERABLES and is set on a very distant and very divided planet called Laterre, where the wealthy live in luxury and the poor live in the rusting and leaking remains of 500-year old spaceships. But in SKY WITHOUT STARS (Book 1 in the series) the rumblings of revolution have begun. Three unlikely heroes from three very different worlds—Chatine, a street-savvy thief; Alouette, a guardian of secret library; and Marcellus, an officer and grandson of the most powerful man on Laterre—are thrown together in a fight against the oppressive and sometimes murderous powers on their planet. 

In BETWEEN BURNING WORLDS (Book 2), their world is teetering on the brink of war and the Regime is brutally quashing any unrest or rebellious activity. A deadly new weapon is rumoured to be emerging, too. Chatine, Marcellus, and Alouette must face challenges, epic journeys, and deep personal struggles like they’ve never faced before, in order to save themselves, Laterre, and its people. Luckily, the trio will meet some new compadres, friends, and fellow rebels along the way—new characters, who we think and hope you’re going to love! Kirkus Reviews, who got a sneak peak of BETWEEN BURNING WORLDS, described the sequel as a “compelling, surprising, and entertaining saga that’s literally out of this world!”

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

Ooh, this is always such a hard question for us. It’s like trying to decide who is your favorite child! But in BETWEEN BURNING WORLDS, we have introduced a number of fabulous new characters to the cast. We both particularly love Cerise Chevalier. We can’t give too much away about her, except she’s one of the planet’s elite who lives in luxury in Laterre’s bio-controlled dome. But she’s going to surprise you with her chutzpah, her smarts, and her sparkly berets!

If you could choose one song to describe this book, which one would it be?

We discussed this at great lengths and decided we would pick “The Revolution will Not be Televised” by Gil Scott Heron. We can’t exactly say why, because it would be a big spoiler for BETWEEN BURNING WORLDS. All we will say is the revolution won’t be televised on the TéléSkin devices implanted in the arm of every member of the Third Estate (95% of the population.) 

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

Jo is a Brit so she does love her tea. She particularly loves to read at places where they serve a proper tea with a teapot, cup, and saucer – and if there is a scone with jam thrown in, she’s in heaven!

Jess loves tea too but she’s particularly fond of reading on her deck with a glass of wine. 

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish BETWEEN BURNING WORLDS?

Well, we always have to give a shout out to Victor Hugo’s LES MISERABLES! It’s a monster of a book, we know, but it is just such a fabulous story with incredible characters. It’s so fun to live in the world of book for such a long time, too!

We’d also recommend THE LAST OF HER NAME by Jessica Khoury, AURORA RISING by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, and THE FINAL SIX by Alexandra Monir. 

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Just the concept of writing a sequel (which is also the middle of the trilogy) is extremely challenging—mostly because in a sequel you have to keep the story exciting and interesting after book 1, but you’re also setting up for book 3. Juggling these things was quite the challenge, to say the least! There were many rewrites and many plot lines and scenes that eventually would get cut and completely reworked. We persevered, though, and we’re now SO happy with the final book – even if it did nearly spin us in to outer space and back again!

What’s next for you?

Book 3 (title to be announced!). Yup, we’re now deep into writing the third and final part of the SYSTEM DIVINE series. Touch wood, but already it’s feeling a lot less challenging than Book 2 because we really have a clear idea of where we want this series to end! I’m sure there will be bumps along the road though. But we have a wonderful friendship and working process, so even with the bumps, it’s always so much fun!

Jessica Brody

Jessica Brody knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer. She started self “publishing” her own books when she was seven years old, binding the pages together with cardboard, wallpaper samples, and electrical tape.

After graduating from Smith College in 2001 where she double majored in Economics and French and minored in Japanese, Jessica later went on to work for MGM Studios as a Manager of Acquisitions and Business Development. In May of 2005, Jessica quit her job to follow her dream of becoming a published author.

Since then, Jessica has sold over twelve novels for teens, tweens, and adults including 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, The Karma Club, My Life Undecided, and the three books in the Unremembered trilogy, the first of which is currently in development as a major motion picture by the producers of The Vampire Academy, Zero Dark Thirty, Life of Pi, and Slumdog Millionaire. In 2016, she will release two new contemporary novels, A Week of Mondays (August) and Boys of Summer (April), and in 2017, her debut middle grade novel entitled, Addie Bell’s Shortcut to Growing Up, will hit bookstore shelves.

Jessica also writes books for the Descendants: “School of Secrets” series, based on the hit Disney Channel Original movie, Descendants!

Jessica’s books are published and translated in over twenty foreign countries. She currently splits her time between California and Colorado.

Joanne Rendell

Joanne Rendell is the author of four novels and holds a PhD in English Literature. She teaches fiction writing to teens and kids, as well as online writing classes at Udemy.com and Lynda.com. Joanne is a board member for the youth Shakespeare company, New Genesis Productions. With her husband and son, she divides her time between New York City and New Paltz, New York.