Interview with Caroline Tung Richmond, author of The Only Thing to Fear + Giveaway! (US & PH)

Today I have the awesome Caroline Tung Richmond on the blog and we'll talk about her inspiration for writing her very, very interesting debut novel, The Only Thing to Fear! And yes, I did ask if there's a sequel in the works.

Wanna know her answer? Check the interview below!

Twitter pitch: Describe your novel in 140 characters!
Whew, this is tough! But here goes nothin':

Set in a world where Hitler won WWII and colonized the US, a Virginian farm girl starts a revolution to overthrow the Fuhrer.

Share with us your writing process... where did the inspiration for The Only Thing to Fear came from? What made you write this story?

The inspiration for this book came to me in 2011, right after I read The Aquariums of Pyongyang, which is a memoir by a North Korean refugee. That book really stuck with me, and I started wondering what it would be like to grow up in such a harsh and controlling regime. My imagination took over and an idea struck me—of a teen girl being raised by her uncle and who desperately wants to fight against her oppressive government. Then I brainstormed some more and added in the alternate history angle, and voila!

Another reason why I wanted to tell this story is because I've always envisioned my protagonist Zara as biracial. As a mom of a biracial daughter, it was really important to me to write a character who looks like what my kid looks like.

The Only Thing to Fear is a re-imagining of World War II history, but I'm curious... how much research did you do for this novel? How did you go about with it?

I did quite a bit of research! I read a lot of books about Germany during WWII, particularly how they treated the populations they conquered. I'd ask myself: What was life like in Occupied France versus Poland? Or the Netherlands? The Nazis had varying policies for each country, and I used that research to help me craft what a Nazi-occupied America would look like.

What's the most challenging thing you had to face/tackle while writing this book?

It took me a LONG time to write this novel! I'm a notoriously slow writer but the first draft of TOTtF poured out of me in a few months, which is a miracle in it of itself. Admittedly, I was feeling a little smug about it—like, ha! I can write quickly!—but…my agent sort of hated it. Haha. But he really liked the premise so I went back and rewrote the novel from first present tense to third past, at his recommendation. Then after that massive rewrite, I revised the book heavily three times more before it was ready to go out on submission. This novel nearly did me in but I'm so happy that it's now out in the world!

Lastly, will there be a sequel for this book? (Please I need to know what happens after! Was the revolution successful? What happens to Zara and Bastian?)

Alas, there is no planned sequel right now! But maybe one day? I actually have a sequel mapped out in my mind so we shall see!

And just because I couldn't resist, an extra question for fun: If you were an anomaly (or a double anomaly), what kind of powers would you like to have?

Oh, this is a fun question to think about! I grew up rabidly watching the X-Men cartoon with my brother, and we'd debate this for hours. Ultimately, I think I'd like to be telekinetic. It'd be super cool to be able to move big stuff like cars and downed trees with a flick of a wrist. And let's be honest---wouldn't it be nice not to have to get up from the sofa to reach the remote? :)

About Caroline:

Caroline grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and, after stints in London and North Carolina, is proud to call DC her home again. (National Gallery! Cherry blossoms! Georgetown Cupcake!) She likes to read awesome books in her free time, fiddle with her DSLR, plot ways to get more stamps in her passport, and hang out with her wonderful husband and daughter (aka the Baby Overlord).

She doesn't not like pancakes, waffles, or any other foods smothered in maple syrup.

Follow Caroline on: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung Richmond
Published on September 30th 2014 by Scholastic Press

Buy: Amazon | Book Depository


It's been nearly 80 years since the Allies lost WWII in a crushing defeat against Hitler's genetically engineered super soldiers. America has been carved up by the victors, and 16-year-old Zara lives a life of oppression in the Eastern America Territories. Under the iron rule of the Nazis, the government strives to maintain a master race, controlling everything from jobs to genetics. Despite her mixed heritage and hopeless social standing, Zara dreams of the free America she's only read about in banned books. A revolution is growing, and a rogue rebel group is plotting a deadly coup. Zara might hold the key to taking down the Führer for good, but it also might be the very thing that destroys her. Because what she has to offer the rebels is something she's spent her entire life hiding, under threat of immediate execution by the Nazis.

In this action-packed, heart-stopping novel of a terrifying reality that could have been, Zara must decide just how far she'll go for freedom.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Win a signed copy of The Only Thing to Fear (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And because I love my readers, I will be giving away an ARC of Vivian Divine is Dead and a random Popfiction book to one lucky reader in PH.

Win an ARC of Vivian Divine is Dead + 1 Popfiction book! (PH Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung Richmond

When an imaginative mind takes the what ifs and the possibilities and spin an amazing story out of it? Even better. This is why I love alternate universes.

Title: The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung Richmond
Release Date: September 30th 2014
Published by: Scholastic Press
Source: Publisher (Thanks Ms. Joyce!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

It's been nearly 80 years since the Allies lost WWII in a crushing defeat against Hitler's genetically engineered super soldiers. America has been carved up by the victors, and 16-year-old Zara lives a life of oppression in the Eastern America Territories. Under the iron rule of the Nazis, the government strives to maintain a master race, controlling everything from jobs to genetics. Despite her mixed heritage and hopeless social standing, Zara dreams of the free America she's only read about in banned books. A revolution is growing, and a rogue rebel group is plotting a deadly coup. Zara might hold the key to taking down the Führer for good, but it also might be the very thing that destroys her. Because what she has to offer the rebels is something she's spent her entire life hiding, under threat of immediate execution by the Nazis.

In this action-packed, heart-stopping novel of a terrifying reality that could have been, Zara must decide just how far she'll go for freedom.

The premise of the story was: "What if Hitler won World War II?". History used to be one of my favorite subjects back in high school, so this book immediately piqued my interest. What if THAT is our reality? Can you imagine a world where the Axis Powers took control of what's left of the world after they destroyed the Allies?

Zara lives in a world ruled by the German Empire. Life is hard for those left after the war has ended, it's even harder for Zara who is half-English but has half of Japanese blood running through her veins. She's a lesser person because she's a half, and the rest of the populace scorn and torment her for being a daughter of an Axis soldier. But Zara's mother died fighting for freedom which was still beyond reach, and she too wants to be free. It's easy for me to sympathize with Zara, for how she's treated and for what she sees in the world she lives in. I never once pitied her though, because right from the start you'll see a girl who wants to fight and use her abilities however she can to help achieve her dream of a free world, and be treated equally, no matter how dire the circumstances were for her.

I genuinely liked Bastian. It's quite a novelty to see him, a shy, awkward and awfully kind German boy, the son of a powerful military official, because he's the total opposite of how the world thinks he should be. He betrays expectations, and for good reason. I like how contrary he is, and with the way this novel is painted, he's such a welcome contrast. It's like he's the perfect representation of a small hope that not everyone is unkind. Though I would have liked him to be a bit more of a fighter, Bastian does good in saving Zara in his own way.

Caroline Tung Richmond immediately plunged me into a world permanently scarred by the war, torn into strategic lands ruled by the winners. The Germans rule, and they're a vicious master. You see the disparity of the life between the upper class and the Untermensch, the Mischlings. The world is built upon the cruelty of the German rule and their relentless, savage treatment of the populace. And then there's also the political unrest amidst the rulers themselves. It's a very grim world, and it was equal parts fascinating and terrifying to see the world reduced to that point.


There are characters in this book that you will immediately love, and I did, and the author just managed to break my heart for doing things to them. The short bursts of chaos turning into a full scale rebellion made my heart race and I enjoyed every minute as everything escalates into something big. Caroline Tung Richmond managed to inject just the right amount of suspense, tension and intrigue to an action packed storyline!

One of the biggest reasons why I love this book, aside from the solid re-imagining of an alternative world, is the romance. I must admit, I find myself wanting more than what transpired towards the end. Hopeful, yes, but I was thinking that both Bastian and Zara deserved something better than what they had. But maybe that's just one of the realities of war, a touch of realness added towards the end. The fight for freedom will not end just because they were both in love.

Caroline Tung Richmond fashioned a convincing, fascinating history of her own in The Only Thing to Fear. Zara's tale is an engrossing read from page one! She doesn't disappoint. What a strong debut for Caroline! I will definitely be on the look out for her new books!

Content (plot, story flow, character):

I am desperate for a sequel for this book. Open endings are a treasure trove of possibilities for the story, but I want for Zara, Bastian and their quest for the freedom they want to continue! And I still feel a little bit underwhelmed with the romance.

Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:
Amazing cover!