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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Q&A with Julie Kagawa + The Immortal Rules Giveaway!

HAH! Yes, you've read it right. I have a Q&A from the superbly fabulous Julie Kagawa, who is the author of the equally awesome Iron Fey series. And I also have a giveaway!

Since The Iron Fey series has now come to a close, Julie has started another series that sounds just as interesting but much, much different than The Iron Fey so if you want to know more about this new book, read on below!

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa
April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen


You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

The Immortal Rules will be published by Harlequin Teen. You can pre-order a copy now through the links below:


A Q&A with
New York Times Best Selling Author Julie Kagawa

After writing the Iron Fey series for so many years, how difficult was it to immerse yourself in a futuristic world filled with vampires, rabids and an enslaved human race?

It was...very different. I think the hardest thing for me was the fact that this story does take place in the real world -- a futuristic, vampire-infested world, but the real world nonetheless. Things had to make sense, for example: how far can a large group walk in a single day if there were no roads, they were going through thick woods, and there were children in the group? I had to have logical reasons for everything; I couldn't just make something work "because of faery magic," lol.


Just like Meghan Chase in the Iron Fey series, the main character in The Immortal Rules, Allison Sekemoto, is a “take charge and kick butt” kind of girl. Is this intentional? What woman – real or fictional, alive or deceased – do you look up to or admire?

Yes, Allison comes from a very different world than Meghan Chase. Meghan's upbringing was pretty normal; Allison grew up among vampires and monsters, where every day was a fight to live, so she couldn't afford to be weak. While Meghan had to learn to "take charge and kick butt," Allison's first impulse is stab first, talk later.

As for female role models, the first that comes to mind--when it comes to kicking vampire butt, anyway -- is Buffy Summers. Thank you, Joss Whedon, for making me love feisty, snarky, heroines who can dust all sorts of nasties but who also look good in a cheerleading outfit. ;)

You mention in your acknowledgements in The Immortal Rules that at the beginning of your writing career you promised yourself you wouldn’t write a vampire book. What changed your mind?

Well, there were already so many really good books about our favorite bloodsuckers, so many stories and ideas, I thought I didn't have anything new to add to the masses. I was actually toying with a post-apocalyptic YA novel when my agent mentioned I might want to try writing a vampire series. I wasn't intrigued with the idea at first, but then I thought about combining vampires with the post-apocalyptic novel and then rest sort of fell into place.

Allison claims she hates vampires and believes they are monsters yet when faced with a choice of die or become one, she becomes a vampire. Would you have made that same decision?

Me personally? No. I'm like Zeke in the belief that there is something better waiting for me beyond this life, and I just have to do my best until it’s time for me to go. Besides, I love pizza and Mountain Dew too much to give it up.

Who do you think the most complex character is in The Immortal Rules?

Probably Kanin, Allie's sire. He's a vampire who has made his peace about being a monster, yet chooses to live by his own set of moral rules. He warns Allison about getting too close to humans, yet he does not kill unless he absolutely has to. He is tormented about something in his past that he refuses to share with anyone. He is certainly the most mysterious of all the characters, if not the most complex.

How many books will be in the Blood of Eden series? When will the next book be coming out?

At the moment, there are three books planned, with the second coming out sometime next spring, after the release of the new Iron Fey series this fall.

Before you starting writing full time you were a professional dog trainer. Do the professions share any similarities?

Lol, well you have to think on your feet a lot. And some of the small dogs could be compared to tiny snapping goblins, but writing requires less dodging skills, though perhaps the same amount of creativity and problem solving.

When starting a new series, like Blood of Eden, do you have the entire series mapped out in detail or do you let the story develop book by book?

I have a high point that I write toward in each story; I know this and this has to happen, but getting from point A to point B usually develops as I go along.

And for the speed round:
What book have you read and re-read, and read yet again?

Any of the Harry Potter books.

Favorite song to play when writing a fight scene?

My "favorites" change daily. Right now its "Awake and Alive" by Skillet.

Worst job?

Working a kiosk in the mall during Christmas. It sold glass figurines, and the maneuvering space around the hundreds of very breakable merchandise was quite small. I was like a bull in a china shop.

Best vacation spot?

Walt Disney World

Sweets or salty?

Sweet.

One thing most people don’t know about you – and would never guess!

I used to play the flute when I was a kid. I was really good at it too, but my instructor stopped teaching to have a family, and I never went back to it.

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GIVEAWAY TIME!
WIN A FINISHED COPY OF THE IMMORTAL RULES BY JULIE KAGAWA!

I did mention you can win a copy of The Immortal Rules, right? A shiny, FINISHED COPY? I don't know about you guys but I'll fight tooth and nail for this! Check out the form below on how you can join!

Rules:
US/Canada Only (sorry International peeps, publisher's request!) *
Prize will be sent AFTER the book's publication date, April 24th.

* For international readers, if you have someone in the US/Canada who can receive the book for you, then you can enter!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


63 comments:

  1. I've never read anything by this author before, but I've always seen great reviews, so I'm just excited at the chance to read something by her.

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  2. I LOVE The Iron Fey series and I have been looking forward to this book since I heard about it!

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  3. I loved Julia Kagawa's Iron Fey series! So, I'm definitely looking forward to The Immortal Rules because I'm curious to see what's going to happen, especially since vampires are involved in a way.

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  4. Julie Kagawa is an awesome author! I know this book will be amazing!

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  5. The Iron Fey is one of my favorites-- this one seems so different and cool :)

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  6. Ummm anything....Julie is fantastic at completely hooking me into the story. I know this will be fab!

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  7. I cannot wait to read a post-apocalyptic spin on vampires! It's finally something new (to me). :-)

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  8. Yay I'm in!

    I'm in Australia, but lucky me I have a SIL in Cali... WOOP WOOP!!!

    Book Enslaved

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  9. It's a refreshing storyline! I cannot wait, It's going to be a great read!
    Book Enslaved

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  10. I haven't read anything by this author yet but I think this book would be a great place to start! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  11. It's a book by Julie Kagawa! Do I need to know more? no for me! I loved The Iron Fey series and this is going to be a GREAT book too!!

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  12. It's a book by Julie Kagawa! Need I say more?

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  13. I loved the iron fey series so I can't wait to read Julie kagawa's new book series

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  14. OMG, the next Iron Fey series is coming in the Fall?!?! AHHHHH *squeals endlessly*

    Vampires are my favorite paranormal ever, and once post-apocalytpicness is thrown in, it's really done deal. AND, it's Julie freaking Kagawa! I'm dying to see what her take on vampires is like. :D

    Asher

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  15. I can't say I'm excited about vampires, but it's from JULIE KAGAWA. She made faeries interesting! So, that's it. JULIE KAGAWA = GIIIIVVVEEE MEEE

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  16. I am dying to read Julie's new book!

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  17. I am excited about EVERYTHING! You have no idea, lol
    I LOVE Julie's writing! The Iron Fey series was my all time favorite book series!
    I just can't wait to read this book!!

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  18. Love Iron Fey & I know this new series will be just as amazing! Can't wait!

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  19. Pretty excited about this series. I love fairies but I especially love vampires. I sincerely hope the Iron Fae and the Blood of Eden get picked up for a movie. They would both make awesome blockbuster hits for sure.

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  20. I loved Julia's Iron Fey series and I can't wait to see what Immortal Rules will bring to the table!

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  21. I'm really curious about this new series. Julie Kagawa definitely has a lot of talent.

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  22. Actually, this book sounds awesome, and I'm especially excited to read something by Julie Kagawa. (Yes, I know, I should have read something by her by now, lol).

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  23. I've heard very god things about this author, and I love the gruesome, sort of futuristic idea for this book

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  24. I loved Julie's Iron Fey series, but I'm really excited to read something darker from her. Can't wait for this book!

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  25. The twisted take on social structure sounds like a great opportunity to comment on our current social views. I'd look forward to reading Julie's comments in that regard.

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  26. Nothing very specific but I loved the Iron Fey series and can't wait to read this one!

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  27. I loved The Iron Fey series and I'm hoping this is just as good if not better!

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  28. I'm excited to read Julie's take on vampires! I loved her Iron Fey series, so I know she's awesome with fairies, and I can only imagine she will create that same magic regarding vamps :) I love that she played the flute when she was younger since my daughter did too!

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  29. I am just stoked to be reading some by Julie Kagawa again and I cannot wait to see what she brings to the table when writing about vamps:)

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  30. I am excited based on the author. All her other books are just stunning!

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  31. I just love book with vampires it them.

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  32. I love The Iron Fey series, so I'm super excited for this book!

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  33. Uhmm, dystopia and vampire mashup. Two of my favorite things. Julie's new world is what I can't wait to read.

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  34. It's by Julie Kagawa. And it doesn't have mushy gooshy vampires like Twilight. And it's a dystopian!

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  35. The anticipation is killing me! I loved the Iron Fey series and this series sounds so interesting and refreshing.

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  36. Thank you for the giveaway! Can't wait to read it.

    tanglun [at] live [dot] com

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  37. This sounds like a cross between vampires and zombies! Can't wait!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  38. It's Julie Kagawa, need I saw more? Plus the blurb just sounds so good!

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  39. It's Julie Kagawa! Writing a post-apocalyptic vampire novel! You just know it's going to be great!

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  40. I'm a bit tired of your everyday vampire story so I absolutely can't wait for Julie's take on them :)

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  41. I am just excited to read more of her work!

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  42. Julie you´re really amazing, I love Iron Fey series and I´m sure this one will be great! I´m looking forward to know more about Kanin (I know it´ll be difficult to defeat Ash) :P

    Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  43. Its about vampires and sounds like its going to be great.

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  44. I love Julie's Iron Fey series so I can't wait to see the world that she's written about in The Immortal Rules!!

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  45. Definitely the lore Julie will elaborate on. I'm sure her vamps will be totally unique. She's awesome!

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  46. There's not anything in particular, but it's by Julie Kagawa so I'm excited about that.

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  47. So excited about a new Julie Kagawa book!!!

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  48. looking forward to getting my hands on this book-i love Julie Kagawa!!!!! she definitely rocks it!

    thanks for the chance to win :)

    sarabeth
    saraburke13@yahoo.com
    www.chroniclesofsarita.blogspot.com

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  49. I love and will read anything dystopian! The trailer on this one has really grabbed my interest! I'm curious to see if the author creates a new mythology for her vampires or goes with the standard Bram Stocker version.

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  50. I am just plain excited to see how Julie twines this story. I love her writing. It looks like an interesting take!! Bring it on!

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  51. I'm excited for the post-apocolyptic aspect of the novel. I've recently gotten into this genre of YA, and am always on the look out for more.

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  52. Nothing specific just the fact that I LOVE Julie's writing!!! Thanks! :-D

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  53. This looks super good! Very excited! Can't to see how she writes vampires.

    ~Melissa

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  54. Big Fan of the Iron Fey series. So i know i'll love this one (:

    --Karmen To

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  55. Nope, I loved her Iron Fey series so much that I can't wait for The Immortal Rules.

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  56. Looking forward to this book

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  57. Just so glad that she's doing creepy scary vamps and not glittering ones!

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  58. I don't know...I love this cover and I think the story it's amazing.

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  59. I simply loved Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series and I can't wait what twists she incorporates into vampires! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  60. The vampires! I've been on a "vampire-book" slump ever since my disastrous affair with them with one series which I will not name. So I'm excited to see whether Julie could redeem them. :D

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  61. Looking forward to reading this!!! :)

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  62. Really want to read this...thanks for having this! (:

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