Impressions from this year's BEA. Good time was had, but the last day was ridiculous and unnecessarily so.
Impressions from this year's BEA. Good time was had, but the last day was ridiculous and unnecessarily so.
Martyr (The Hunted: Book 1)
by A.R. Kahler
October 14th 2014
Spencer Hill Press
Synopsis:
Three years have passed since magic destroyed the world. Those who remain struggle to survive the monsters roaming the streets, fighting back with steel and magic—the very weapons that birthed the Howls in the first place. Tenn is one such Hunter, a boy with the ability to harness the elements through ancient runes. For years, the Hunters have used this magic to keep the monsters at bay, but it's never been enough to truly win the war. Humans are losing. When Tenn falls prey to an incubus named Tomás and his terrifying Kin, Tenn learns there's more to this than a fight for survival. He's a pawn in a bigger game, one with devastating consequences. If he doesn't play his part, it could cost him his life, his lover and his world.
Author's Bio:
Alex is many things, but first and foremost, he's a Sagittarius. In the past few years he's taught circus in Amsterdam and Madrid, gotten madly lost in the Scottish wilderness, drummed with Norse shamans, and received his Masters in creative writing from Glasgow University. And that's the abbreviated list. He is the author of the tantalizing CIRQUE DES IMMORTELS trilogy, which debuted in 12/12 from 47North. MARTYR, the first book in his post-apocalyptic YA fantasy series, THE HUNTED, will be published 10/14 by Spencer Hill Press. When he's not writing or climbing in the rafters, he's probably outside, staring at the clouds. And seeing as he now resides in Seattle, there are clouds aplenty.
He can be followed on Twitter @ARKahler or at www.arkahler.com
A porition of the proceeds from the book will go to charity and we're asking people to vote as to which one it should be given!
A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.
At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.
If they play it right, then they'll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they'll die.
1) The premise. I tried to shelve earlier drafts, but I couldn't get the premise out of my head. This girl was trapped, and I had to get her out. I had to share her story, her inner battle about the man she loves and hates.What were your three favorite things about writing The Dollhouse Asylum?
The setting (at first). I'm the type of person who barely knows where she's in a room half the time. I was so intimidated about implementing it better in my story, but my editor helped me understand that I needed to ground the reader, and when I realized the homes needed to match the couples, and I forced myself to focus on this element, it became fun. I drew blueprints for the rooms, and even used the interior of my own house to identify where things in a room needed to be.What was your least favorite thing?
What does your writing space look like or consist of?
It's actually the song in my trailer (which you can see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7l_Fm486gM). The song's called SPIDERS AND NEEDLES from the band, Descention. My sister sang and composed the song, and I played the piano. My husband actually played the bass for the band for the while, and my brother played guitar. But this song fits my book because of its slow, brooding start, then powerful rage. It has this understated heartbroken quality to it, and then it just gets angry. It's both beautiful in her reminiscence of the guy she loves, then her helpless desire to do something violent.If The Dollhouse Asylum had a theme song what would it be?
I fell hard for INSOMNIA by J.R. Johansson. It's the perfect amount of creepy, and is so unpredictable. In my opinion, she nails the male voice. I loved it!Being a debut author, what’s your favorite debut novel released this year?