270 pages
Published December 16, 2011
WHEN A GAME…
Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and fifteen-year-old Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries.
TURNS REAL…
Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her.
WINNING IS EVERYTHING…
Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen… before it’s too late.
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INTERVIEW:
Thanks, Becky, for having me at The
Crooked Word! I’m excited to meet new readers and help spread the words about
my just-released YA urban fantasy Feyland:
The Dark Realm.
* You could have chosen any type of game
to cross into the real world. What made you choose Feyland?
I’ve always been interested in
fantasy-type computer games. As a kid I played Zork with my brother (I know, I
just dated myself…). More recently, I’ve been a fan of World of Warcraft. I
began thinking about how it feels to be immersed in a game, and the parallels
between virtual reality and tales of the world of faerie—the loss of
time-sense, the feeling of being transported into a magical world and somehow
transformed. One day the idea took hold: What
if a computer game was actually a portal to the Realm of Faerie? I started
writing, and I knew I wanted a game that blurred the boundaries of the
fantastical. In my mind, Kart-racing or first-person-shooter didn’t fit the profile.
* Do you prefer to outline extensively, or are you a more organic writer?
* Do you prefer to outline extensively, or are you a more organic writer?
I’m what they call a ‘pantser’ – a
seat-of-the-pants writer. When I start writing, I have a general picture of the
plotline in my head, but only in a very broad sense. I know where the main
highs and lows will be, but no clear idea of how I’ll get there. It always
works out, though. I love letting the story unfold and tell itself to me while
I write. It always surprises me!
* What was your favorite book as a child, and what do you enjoy reading now?
* What was your favorite book as a child, and what do you enjoy reading now?
I was given the complete set of Andrew
Lang Fairy Books when I was 7 years old. Those were very formative to my
reading tastes, and I read them until the bindings were completely falling
apart. I’m a huge fan of Robin McKinley, too—The Blue Sword is one of my favorite books, ever. Now, I still read
plenty of fantasy, and a bit of historical romance, too. (In fact, I’ve
published two romance novels in collaboration with my co-author husband… but
that’s a whole different story.)
* Have you always wanted to be an author?
* Have you always wanted to be an author?
Who wouldn’t want to? Books have always
been very important in my life, and the people who created them seemed like
amazing, mystical beings in some sense. Of course, I know better now. Writing can be gritty, painful, hard work—but there are
still those utterly dreamy moments. As you know, being a writer yourself.
* If you could choose any book to step into, what would it be? Why?
* If you could choose any book to step into, what would it be? Why?
Alice in Wonderland. I’ve always wanted
to go down the rabbit hole with Alice. Talk about some wild adventures!
Thanks again for having me as a guest.
I’d love to answer any questions people have, so have at it in the comments!
Also, to help celebrate the release of
Feyland, the e-book version is on special sale for just .99
cents through December 17th only. (On December 18, the book will
revert to its normal e-book price of $3.99.)
Happy
Reading!
You
can find more about Anthea and Feyland: The Dark Realm at ~
Interested in her historical
romances? www.anthealawson.com
* * *
REVIEW:
Wow. This book is incredible. Seriously, buy it now.
I loved the whole premise of the book. A computer game that starts to cross into reality? Um, yes, please! The game, Feyland, is fantastic, and a little too real.
Jennet is such a fun character, and I'm claiming her as my friend. A little self-centered at first (aren't we all?) she learns what true friendship is, and how much it's worth risking.
Tam. What can I say about Tam? He's had a hard life. He knows what it means to put others before himself, because that's' what he's always done. In the game of Feyland he's a knight. It's appropriate. That's all I'll say.
This is one of those books I'll read over and over again. The ending leaves things open for a sequel. I hope we get it!
5+/5 stars
Another Great Interview on what sounds like a Great Story, Anthea! I love fantastical stories!
ReplyDeleteJH!