YOUNG ADULT URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Lockwood and Co 2: Whispering Skull - Jonathan Stroud

Release Date: 28/09/14
Publisher:  Random House Children's

SYNOPSIS:

Ghosts and ghouls beware! London's smallest, shabbiest and most talented psychic detection agency is back. Life is never exactly peaceful for Lockwood & Co. Lucy and George are trying to solve the mystery of the talking skull trapped in their ghost jar, while Lockwood is desperate for an exciting new case. Things seem to be looking up when the team is called to Kensal Green Cemetery to investigate the grave of a sinister Victorian doctor. Strange apparitions have been seen there, and the site must be made safe. As usual, Lockwood is confident; as usual, everything goes wrong - a terrible phantom is unleashed, and a dangerous object is stolen from the coffin. Lockwood & Co must recover the relic before its power is unleashed, but it's a race against time. Their obnoxious rivals from the Fittes agency are also on the hunt. And if that's not bad enough, the skull in the ghost-jar is stirring again...


REVIEW:

If you have a young reader that loves a good scare, cracking Urban Fantasy and a mystery then you really have to let them loose on Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood and Co series. Whilst this is the second outing for the company, it gives readers cracking prose, top notch characters and of course a mystery that keeps you glued from the first page to the last.

Its definitely a series that has generated a lot of fun in my house and whilst its mainly meant for readers in the double digits, I read this to one of my nephews just before bed each night. He couldn’t wait for the sessions, so much so that he quickly ran upstairs to get ready without any cajoling and for me, that’s a sign of a great read.

YOUNG ADULT FANTASY: Brotherband 5: Scorpion Mountain - John Flanagan

Release Date: 06/11/14
Publisher:  Random House Childrens

SYNOPSIS:

More exciting adventures from the longest running shared-world superhero series created and edited by George R.R. Martin, bestselling author of GAME OF THRONES Decades after an alien virus changed the course of history, the surviving population of Manhattan still struggles to understand the new world left in its wake. Natural humans share the rough city with those given extraordinary - and sometimes terrifying - traits. While most manage to coexist in an uneasy peace, not everyone is willing to adapt. Down in the seedy underbelly of Jokertown, residents are going missing. The authorities are unwilling to investigate, except for a fresh lieutenant looking to prove himself and a collection of unlikely jokers forced to take matters into their own hands - or tentacles. The deeper into the kidnapping case these misfits and miscreants get, the higher the stakes are raised. Edited by No.1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author George R.R. Martin and acclaimed author Melinda M. Snodgrass, LOWBALL is the latest mosaic novel in the acclaimed Wild Cards universe, featuring original fiction by Carrie Vaughn, Ian Tregillis, David Anthony Durham, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Mary Anne Mohanraj, David D. Levine, Michael Cassutt and Walter Jon Williams. Perfect for old fans and new readers alike, LOWBALL delves deeper into the world of aces, jokers, and the hard-boiled men and women of the Fort Freak police precinct in a pulpy, page-turning novel of superheroics and mystery.


REVIEW:

The latest Brotherband title and one that will more than hit the spot as the Heron’s help Araluen with a matter of a regicidal contract. As usual with John, the young reader is given a tale of daring, a story of smarts and with a fair few feeling that one of the crew hasn’t come into his own, the reader is treated to seeing him come into his own.

It’s a cracking read and as a fan of the series, its another cracker. They really should consider making these into films as there is so much to offer people of all ages. Cracking.

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: Rosie's Walk - Pat Hutchins

BOOK BLURB:

Rosie's walk around the farmyard, pursued by the hungry but clumsy fox, has become a beacon in the world of children's picture books, an ever-popular classic which generations have enjoyed. Children love the humour of this near-wordless story. One disaster after another befalls the poor fox while Rosie goes on her way, supremely unaware of the danger behind her. Now at a wonderful larger size, this re-issue will bring the joy of Rosie's tale and Pat's bold artwork to a new generation of fans.


REVIEW:

A book that’s been printed for a large number of years which gets a remake with a CD that the young reader will just love to help with their experience. Presented as a special present to my nephew this made a real impression as he got to see how an almost Looney Toon fox was outsmarted by a hen on her walk. Great fun, full of wonderful pictures with vivid colours that just stand out. A real gem and one that will continue to inspire for many more years.

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: Gargoylz Triple Trouble - Jan Burchett and Sara Vogler

BOOK BLURB:

Meet the Gargoylz - mischievous little monsters who are super sneaky, super naughty and have super powers too! They look like funny stone statues on the church next door to max and Ben's school - but the boys soon find out that the Gargoylz come to life! And then lots of mischief, mayhem and super-spy adventures are guaranteed! Join the fun with this bumper book of three great Gargoylz books all rolled into one!


REVIEW:

In a time when finances are tight, a book that blends three stories into one volume is always welcome to the adult pocket. Here, that’s what Red Fox have done with the first three Gargoylz stories by Burchett and Vogler but what can the reader and adult expect for their investment?

Well to put it bluntly a three stories where mischief, mayhem and fun ensues that will capture the young readers imagination to such a degree that they really will demand the other titles as soon as they’re available. It was a fun reading selection of sessions with my nephew as he really couldn’t wait to hear what they got up to. He also loved the free squidgy toy that he got with the title and proceeded to re-enact the adventures with some of his action figures after I’d gone home. That really is priceless as it says how deeply the gargoylz inspired his imagination and gave him the chance to grow through play. Now his parents are at their end tethers trying to get other titles to keep him amused although a certain Uncle reads them better apparently. LOL

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: Merlin TV Tie In

BOOK BLURB:

When Merlin and Morgana join forces to save a child the king has commanded to death, they soon discover that going against King Uther could prove fatal. Meanwhile, a mysterious black knight arrives to challenge the Knights of Camelot to mortal combat. Old secrets, long hidden, are stirring and the king is afraid for his only son. The black knight seems invincible and Merlin senses that only magic can stop him...With a graphic novel element to really bring the text to life, each book covers two TV episodes.


REVIEW:

With the Merlin TV series going from strength to strength the young reader has the chance to enjoy the world created within in a cracking series presented within. Created by masters of story crafting it keeps not only the themes explored but also manages to keep a believability in the characters without compromising the hard work that’s already gone before. Its fun, it’s ideal for the reader who doesn’t read too much and above all will have them clamouring for the next offering. Perhaps a sneaky way to encourage the love of reading for those who aren’t that inclined.



BOOK BLURB:

Merlin is poisoned by the sorceress Nimueh and Arthur seeks the only antidote that can save him - but the prince is walking into a trap.


REVIEW:

The second Merlin novel to be reviewed by us and as such its just as much fun as the first. It has got everything that the reader demands from honour and friendship through to danger through to sanctuary. A great book for the young reader and one that I really can’t get enough of currently. I’ll read and review other titles in the series purely for the fun that will materialise from within these magical pages.

NEWS: LAUREN KATE FEATURES

Hail Mighty Readers,
Our "Fallen" friends at Random House wanted us to let you know about this feature in regard to the hotly anticipated YA release by Lauren Kate.

First of all if you join the Facebook Group Fiercebook, you can see the book trailer which will give you a cracking sneaky peak at this beautiful title.

Secondly, and keep this between us, if you're one of the first 50 people to sign up to FierceBook you will receive a finished copy of FALLEN. Yup you read that right, for the first 50 a free copy of the book.

And finally Lauren is doing a live chat on December 3rd. So get the details now and stumble for one of the Fallen.

We're reviewing it on its release date (17th December) so remember to return for our POV of what we think is going to be a Christmas Gem.

INTERVIEW: Oisin McGann

Authors are a tricksy breed from the start and other exemplifies this better than Oisin McGann. From his early years he loved writing and it wasn't until he left school and couldn't figure a way to make it pay that he decided to try and take the world of literature from the sidelines through use of his artistic talents. (See we told you they were tricksy.) With the second novel released to feature the infamous Wilderstern Clan we just had to chat with him to find out what dark secrets his own cupboards hid beneath thier shiny exterior...


Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?

Oisin McGann: I think afflicted is a strong word. I’ve never felt like one of those writers who is ‘tortured’ by their creativity. I certainly feel as if I’ve never really had a choice about what I wanted to do. And there are moments when I wish I could switch off my brain for a little while – my imagination can run away with itself sometimes. But most of the time I am grateful for the life I have.


FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?

OM: Very early on. I’ve been writing and illustrating stories since I was about six or seven. I would have been in my teens when I first started considering it as a job, but I went into illustration because I thought it would be easier to make a living. That’s the kind of eejit I was.


FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?

OM: It can certainly be hard to fit a story into a short format. A bit like staging a play in a phone box. Every line must be written to great effect. I write stories for all age groups and length is an issue, particularly for younger readers. My shortest book is 1000 words long, my longest so far is 113,000 words.


FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?

OM: For my latest novel, The Wisdom of Dead Men, I would say: ‘It’s a humorous, action-packed fantasy history mystery thriller, set in Victorian Ireland, about the conspiracies of a murderous family, spontaneously combusting women, a sexist secret order and machines that wander the world like wild animals. If you like crime, historical novels, sci-fi or fantasy stories, action thrillers or the surreal, you’ll love this book.’ If that doesn’t interest them, I’d point them towards the celebrity biography section.


FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?

OM: This is like the last question isn’t it? All right, in less than 20 words or less: ‘A conspiring, murderous family, spontaneously combusting women, mysterious machines and a war of the sexes, set in Victorian Ireland.’


FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?

OM: I couldn’t pick just one. Of the writers who are still alive: Terry Pratchett, Iain Banks and Kate Thompson are among the top of the list. I wish Raymond Chandler was still knocking them out. But I don’t really have favourites of anything.


FT: When you sit down and write, do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your ideas develop as you write?

OM: I’m a planner. I make copious notes before I start a book. I don’t start writing until I have, at the very least, a title, a gripping start and a climactic ending. Even so, a book always develops in ways you didn’t expect once you start writing.


FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?

OM: I love hillwalking, watching films, sitting in cafes with my notebook and spending time with my family. The last three books I read were: Raymond Chandler’s The Lady in the Lake, Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book and Shaun Tan’s Tales from Outer Suburbia. I’m also reading a book entitled Fatherhood: The Truth, by Marcus Berkman, because I have a new baby daughter.


FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?

OM: I’m afraid it’s going to have to stay that way.


FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)

OM: I was always rescuing lost or wounded animals when I was a kid, but I was never allowed keep them, or have a pet, because both my parents worked and couldn’t spare the time to look after it. My mother got a cocker spaniel after I left home, which I both loved and resented. I’ve promised my stepson a kitten after we come back from our holidays – I’d prefer a dog, but I’d want a big dog, we don’t have a secure garden and I’m away a lot. Cats don’t need you around as much (some don’t need you at all, as long as you’re producing the goods).


FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?

OM: In The Wisdom of Dead Men, it would be a toss up between Tatiana or Roberto. Tatty is this pathologically bubbly teenager defying the moral conventions of her Victorian world. She speaks her mind, often simplistically, but never in a stupid way, much to the annoyance of the rest of her family. Berto was a meatier part to write. He is the reluctant head of a predatory family, determined to reform their ways. His light-hearted nature is smothered by the fact that he must keep his homosexuality secret, is confined to a wheelchair and faces constant threat of assassination.


FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?

OM: Not very. The principle character in The Wisdom of Dead Men would probably be Nathaniel, though he’s not the single most important one. Nate is a natural athlete and the bodyguard and problem-solver for his older brother and some of his family want him dead – none of which would be features I could claim. On the other hand, he does have an interest in zoology (albeit a weird type of zoology), which mirrors my interests when I was young, is resentful of interference in his work and a bit belligerent at times. I suppose if you combined Nate, Gerald, Berto and Daisy – four of the main characters – you’d have a lot of my characteristics.


FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?

OM: My hobbies and work overlap to a huge degree. I love films and they have a massive influence on my work – as do my reading habits, obviously. My illustration work has resulted in my doing very little drawing or painting for pleasure, but I aspire to doing more. Again, this kind of work influences the visual nature of my writing. I love hillwalking and other reasons to get outdoors and I think that comes through in my stories, as does my interest in so many things, from cars to zoology, martial arts to health issues. I have a wide range of interests and I enjoy seeing anything done with a high level of skill.


FT: Where do you get your ideas from?

OM: Everywhere. The world is full of things to give you ideas. When you can teach yourself to look at things in a certain way, you’ll never be short of ideas.


FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?

OM: I think the term ‘writers block’ is just a fancy way of saying you’re stuck. If you’re trying to write the next great literary work and get all worked up about the fact you don’t know what to write next, it’s easy to think you’ve hit some immovable wall. Or sometimes you’re just not in the mood. So what? Sometimes I get stuck; when I do, I take a break or just make a change and write something else for a while. If you can’t think of anything to write, write about not being able to write. There’s always a way out of it.


FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?

OM: I prefer to write from late morning into the evening. Writing in the evening is often my most productive time, but I have a family I have to spend time with, so I don’t get to do it as often as I used to.


FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?

OM: I will sometimes use a piece of music to get myself psyched up, and will even mention appropriate pieces of music in a text to help the atmosphere, but I never listen to music while I’m writing. It’s different with illustration. I normally won’t listen to music while I’m conceiving or sketching out a picture, but nearly always listen while I’m rendering it.


FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?

OM: I had no idea that writers had to do so much of the promotion of their books. Getting out and spreading the word is often the difference between making a living and not. And it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. And it’s a cliché, but it’s ridiculously hard to make a living in this profession. You work so hard to get published, but that’s only the very start of the game.


FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?

OM: Writing is food for the brain. One must passionately engage with it, taste, experiment, explore and consume with relish. And I’m all for comfort eating, but you need to be careful your brain doesn’t become a skull potato.


FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?

It’s a hard-boiled mystery story, with a supernatural undercurrent, featuring a street-gang member turned private eye and his enigmatic arthritic boss, a girl on a mission from God, a gun-nut, a Harley-riding pale-skinned cowboy, a group of Satanists, an arms manufacturer and a Jamaican gangster, most of whom are looking for either a quantum physicist or a missing gun – or both.


FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?

OM: I’ve just helped set up cb-info on the Children’s Books Ireland site – a professional’s guide to the world of children’s books in Ireland – so I’ve been on that a lot. I’m regularly updating my own site, so I’m on that all the time too. YouTube is really useful for video demonstrations of things I want to see in operation, like robotic book scanners and the Espresso Book Machine and also for all kinds of useful and entertaining snippets. I updated my Firefox browser recently on the Mozilla site. I use Wikipedia a fair bit too, but you always have to triple check anything you find there.


FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.

OM: No, I’ve never done any writing classes. I learned everything I know about writing from all the books that I’ve read, the films I’ve seen and English class at school. But I know other people who’ve found classes very helpful and now I teach a lot too.


FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?

OM: I was an illustrator for years before I tried getting published as a writer. A unflinching persistence, a very thick skin and a substantial ego are essential requirements for both jobs.


FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?

OM: The worst aspects of this life are the instability of income and the sheer quantities of administration, networking and promotional work that you have to do to make the books sell – work I never anticipated when I dreamed of being a writer. It takes up a huge amount of your time. The best aspect of this life is that I get to do what I love as a job. I love my working day. I’ll keep doing this until somebody stops me.

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: Wisdom of Dead Men - Oisin McGann (PENCIL)

BOOK BLURB:

If you're head of the Wildenstern clan, you can expect someone'll try to kill you at some point or another. And usually when someone does, it's a member of your own family. But, right now Berto Wildenstern, and his brother Nate, have more pressing matters on their minds ...local women seem to be spontaneously combusting and no one's quite sure why! Wild mechanical creatures, explosions, deceptions, twists and turns with a host of fantastic otherworldly characters - imagine "The Godfather" meets Philip Reeve and you have "Wisdom of Dead Men".


REVIEW:

Having read the original novel by Oisin, Ancient Appetite, I really did get into his world where Engimals and mankind co-exist in a Steampunk set Victoriana setting. It’s well written and above all it really will suck you in as each character has to watch their own back thanks to the rules of ascension. Add to this mix a fascinating crime that needs to be solved against the double dealing family politics and it will leave you wondering as to the final conclusion right to the final page. Its definitely one of my favourites of this YA year so far and I really will have a hard time waiting for the next instalment. Great stuff.

Lucinda Hare Interview

Writing is said to be a lonely pursuit however the key to getting published is never to give up as debut Young Adult author Lucinda Hare goes to prove. After no agent would take her on she decided to tackle the publishers head on until one, Random House, liked what they saw and took a chance on her. With the first book due out today (see our review just after this interview) its the beginning of a new journey for her, to keep her readers happy in the pursuit of The Dragon Whisperer, here we chat to her about Sorcerers, the Special Dragon Services and of course what you do with so many tons of dragon manure...


Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?

Lucinda Hare: I don’t agree with this. I think any creative pursuit has to be something you want to do. Once a task becomes something you have to do, it becomes a lodestone around your neck. There are many jobs you can do relying on experience to get you through, but I would find anything creative such as writing impossible if I had to force it.


FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?

LH: I didn’t realise I wanted to be a writer, but I have always wanted to share my ideas. From my early childhood I’ve expressed what I’ve imagined through my drawing and illustrations, and latterly through other creative arts like glass painting which helped pay the vet bills! It wasn’t until I was given the opportunity and time to write by my husband, that I discovered I could put these same ideas into words. Writing for me is the culmination of all my other interests.


FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?

LH: I can’t write a short story to save myself. I think that comes down to having too many ideas in my head and not being disciplined enough to pare them down into a short story!


FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?

LH: I have a couple of really nice reviews. I’d let them sell the story for me!


FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?

LH: Imagine you could talk to dragons…


FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?

LH: I have a huge number of authors on my shelf; Manda Scott, Jonathan Stroud, Dorothy Dunnett, Tolkien, Tom Clancy, Robin Hobb, the list is endless; but I recently discovered Steven Erikson’s fabulous series, A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, so, I am waiting for Dust of Dreams to land on the doorstep.


FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?

LH: I have a rough idea of where the story will end but no idea how I will get there. Character profiles develop as the story does, but I do have an outline structure for the book to work within. Ideas crop up any time night or day that will take the story in a new direction or will allow me to link up ideas into the overall book. Having said that, I have no idea how The Dragonsdome Chronicles are going to end.


FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?

LH: I do lots of things to relax. I listen to music, read, and spend time with my husband and all our rescued animals. We like cooking and having friends round for a meal. I follow series on TV like the Tudors, Boston Legal and Battlestar Galactica, and we go to the cinema quite a lot. I’m currently reading: Steven Erikson’s Toll the Hounds, Robin Hobb’s Fool’s Fate and Angie Sage’s Flyte.


FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?

LH: I’m a vegetarian who loves meat and hates vegetables, beans and pulses; but I love animals more. It’s constantly hard work to ensure I don’t lapse, particularly if we are out and I don’t like the vegetarian option (which happens a lot!)


FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)

LH: We have lots of animals in our family and I could write a book about their key traits. At the moment we have three dogs, five cats, three rabbits, three guinea pigs and five ex-battery hens. They are all rescued animals; many of them arrived with behavioural problems. They feature very strongly in my writing, and many of their characteristics are mirrored by my dragons. I have to pick out Rufus, otherwise known as the ginger fur ball. He is a huge ginger cat who has ‘character’ and a lot of attitude. Everyone, including the dogs, respect him and only I handle him! When I’m not at home I really miss him, and so it was from that, that I first got the idea for dragons having two hearts.


FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?

LH: I think Chasing the Stars. That dragon has a wicked sense of humour.


FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?

LH: Very similar at that age. Quenelda’s a tom boy. She relates to animals. She’s fascinated by the military. She’s surprisingly shy.


FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?

LH: Principally drawing and illustration, reading, movies, F1, alpine skiing, rugby, music, animal welfare and conservation, cooking, history and military history.


FT: Where do you get your idea's from?

LH: From all my interests and beliefs. E.g. Native American culture influenced my dragon’s names, and underpin my own belief that you can talk to animals if you only take the time to listen. The ideas for stealth dragons, dragon pads, and other military terminology all stem from a life long interest in history and warfare. The Stealth Dragon Services (SDS) are modelled on our Special Air Services (SAS) and various dragons take the place of Chinook and Apache Longbow helicopters. Harrier dragons are based on Harrier jump jets and Imperial Blacks stealth dragons take the place of USA F-117 stealth fighters and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.


FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?

LH: So far no I haven’t. My main difficulty has been having too many ideas.


FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?

LH: I tend to write in the morning but can keep at it on and off all day in between doing other things. I’m not very good at focusing on just one thing. I like to have a lot going on at the same time.


FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?

LH: I love music and always listen when I’m writing. What I listen to depends on my mood. I am a particular fan of Hans Zimmer. His sound track for Gladiator was fabulous.


FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?

LH: I knew it was going to be tough to get an agent. I didn’t think it was going to be impossible.


FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?

LH: Writing is a journey that can literally steal you away to another world. You open a good book and for that time you’re somewhere else entirely.


FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?

LH: I think I’d rather wait until everyone has had a chance to read The Dragon Whisperer before I reveal anything about Dragon Isle. Come back and ask me the same question in three or four months.


FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?

LH: F1 / YouTube – Edward James Olmos at the UN / Amazon / BBC News / an on-line pet store buying a dog harness.


FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.

LH: No. I learnt the craft by writing my first book The Sorcerers Glen which is partially set in the same world as The Dragon Whisperer. I had great fun including many family and friends in the story, and basically during the course of that I improved my storytelling.


FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?

LH: That was really tough. No UK agency wanted to take me on and I nearly gave up. Instead I went directly to a publisher. My Editorial Director was very tuned into my style of writing, and really helped focus my ideas and develop the more scary characters like the hobgoblins. She introduced a much needed discipline that really helped me curb my imagination so that I didn’t stick too many ideas in one book.


FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?

LH: The worst is when you are starting to write and trying to get an agent. You can go years and years without any income. Without my husband’s support I would not have been able to take that time out. The best is simply the opportunity to share your ideas with a wide audience and the delight when you get positive feedback. I’m already enjoying the contact with readers. I’m amazed at how interested people are, even before they’ve read the book, and I’m thriving on it!

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: The Dragon Whisperer - Lucinda Hare

BOOK BLURB:

Quenelda has always had a magical bond with dragons, and her greatest wish is to fly one and fight alongside her father in the war against the hobgoblins. Root, on the other hand, wishes only to avoid the fearsome creatures, so the role of Quenelda's esquire is the last thing he needs. But an unexpected friendship is forged, and when Dragons Dome is besieged by a deadly plot, this unlikely duo must find a way to defeat the dark forces. Epic battles, whispered legends and soaring magic combine in this breathtaking debut fantasy, with black and white illustrations by David Wyatt.


REVIEW:

Finding a new children’s author that presents something novel and catchy to occupy the young mind is a lot like trying to catch the wind. First of all the mind at times can rush from one area to another and at other times it barely even registers and you have to takes people word that such a thing exists.

So,when Lucinda’s book landed, I read the back, was intrigued and began devouring the book. Yep it takes a lot to get something to the top of my TBR pile and its virtually unheard of for a new author to do just that, but the way the blurb laid it out, this was a book I just couldn’t miss and what a ride it was.
The writing was expertly handled, the characters not only charming but a villain that you’re just going to love to hate. Its fresh, its new and above all its going to do for Dragon fantasy what Rowling did for Wizards. Lucinda is definitely a name to watch out for and to be honest this is going to be in my top five YA books for the year, give this another book, maybe two and it will be the hottest thing on the YA circuit so get in now before the hype hits. If you need any other persuasion try this, its McCaffrey and Novik Flaming hot fiction for the YA market. Need we say more?