[Touch of Power Blog Tour] Interview w/ Maria Snyder + Win an iPad!

Today is the fifth day for the Touch of Power blog tour and I am sharing with you a few awesome things!

Have you seen the animated cover for this book? No? Here's your chance!

Pretty, huh?

As part of the blog tour, I was lucky enough to have the chance to ask Maria a few questions about Touch of Power. Are you curious to know what it is? Check it out below:

Follow Maria: Website | Blog

What's the perfect quote (from the book) that describes Touch of Power?

This is the hardest question I’ve ever been asked! After some rumination, I think this one sums the book up nicely: “The heart is a strange beast and not ruled by logic.” And I also liked this one, too: “Nice Kerrick was scarier than Mean Kerrick.”


I noticed how detailed the setting was for Touch of Power. How do you prepare to write and create such a vast world? How much research did you put into it?

I don’t do a ton of upfront research or planning. I prefer to focus on the characters and their goals and problems and then fill in the blanks with research. However, with Touch of Power, I needed to have a map right away since my characters travel all over. I wrote a blog that explained how I developed the map in the book in detail and even has graphics! Here’s the link: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/2012/01/author-guest-post-giveaway-touch-of.html


Where did you get the idea/inspiration for writing Touch of Power?

I had this vague idea about a healer or an apprentice healer during an epidemic. She was either going to be sought after for her powers – like everyone wanting her, or be hunted. I wasn’t sure. Then one night my daughter couldn’t sleep and she wanted me to tell her a story. She knew all my other books, so I started telling her about this healer. And every night, she’d ask, “What’s next?” That’s why Touch of Power is dedicated to my daughter.


Is Touch of Power meant to be a YA novel or a crossover?

When I write, I’m not thinking about the age of my reader, but on telling an exciting story filled with, hopefully, engaging characters. However, it seems my style appeals to both YAs and adults. I’ve gotten emails from readers as young as 9 and as old as 92. It’s interesting that my US publisher designates the book as adult and both the UK and Australia have marketed them as YA.


Who's the most difficult character to write in the book and why?

Tohon was difficult to pin down. I knew he would be the antagonist, but his motivations and actions had to make sense and seem perfectly reasonable to him. In the first draft he was rather flat, but after comments from my editor and critique partner, I dug deep into his subconscious and now I think he’s rather creepy.


If you possess the same powers as Avry, would you consider it a gift or a curse? How would you use it?

I’d consider it a gift as long as no one knew about it. If you think about it, those powers would be sought after by so many suffering people. Our house would be mobbed and I wouldn’t have time to write or be with my family. And I’d be in pain or sick most of the time (I avoided this problem in the book since healers in Touch of Power are considered criminals). Then the power would be a curse. But if I could go incognito, I’d heal any family and friends first and then make trips to my local hospitals, starting with paediatrics.


Anything new we should look forward to from you in the coming months?

I have a couple short stories coming out this year. I’ve a YA dystopian love story (yes, you read that right!) titled Berserker Eyes in the anthology Brave New Love, edited by Paula Guran and being released on 14 February 2012. And another short story titled, Capturing Images in the Bloody Fabulous anthology, edited by Ekaterina Sedia coming out in the fall of 2012.

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And you might want to check out the Touch of Power book trailer that the folks over at Movie Book made. If you were impressed with the animated cover, then you will love this one, which they also made!

TOUCH OF POWER TRAILER!

Create a video review of A Touch of Power and be in with a chance of winning an iPad!

Maria V. Snyder has teamed up with top teen mag Mizz to give you the chance to win an iPad and be the official book review for MizzMag TV to boot! All you need to do to enter is make a video review of A Touch of Power. MIRA Ink is giving away free review copies to the first 50 people who get in touch, so visit facebook/MIRAInk for more details on how to get involved! Also, check out Mizz Mag TV at www.youtube.com/user/MizzMagTV for an exclusive video of Maria talking about her new Healer series!

Review: Touch of Power (Healer #1) by Maria V. Snyder

This book just reminded me why I love Maria Snyder's writing.

Title: Touch of Power (Healer #1) by Maria V. Snyder
Pages: 390
Release Date: December 20th 2011
Published by: Mira Books
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

A plague swept through all the fifteen realms and claimed the lives of most of the population. Avry is the only healer left, and yet she is shunned by the people. Kerrick has searched for Avry for two years to heal Prince Ryne. But Ryne is the enemy, and Avry has no sympathy for a man like him. But as Avry flees for her life from those who want her dead and wants to use her powers, Avry slowly realizes there is something to live for, that she, together with these small band of rouges, might still be able to heal the world with her power.

Once again I fell in love with Maria Snyder's writing. I have not read her Poison Study series so I never knew what to expect reading a Fantasy book she has written. I was truly delighted to know that Maria's strength not only lies in writing strong characters, but crafting a world so fascinating, so vast, so complicated yet so attractive.

Kerrick was a bit hard to like at first. A decent man does not strike a girl! That's what I thought at first, but slowly, Kerrick transforms into a character that eventually won me over. He might be rough around the edges but he has various layers you had to go through to unravel his true nature. Kerrick and his men are probably the most charming group of men I have read. Belen and Flea are characters I loved dearly. Vinn and Quain, the two monkeys, proved to be entertaining as well. There's nothing better than reading of a vibrant female lead, but lively supportive characters like the band of rogues. They never once treated Avry as a captive, but as a friend, as an equal. Readers will be able to connect with the characters easily.

The chemistry between Avry and Kerrick was enough to keep me on my toes while reading. It's like they're sparring with words all the time. The taunting, the biting sarcasm and scathing remarks certainly added tension to every scene. The mutual dislike they have eventually forged something strong between the two of them and transformed to something else. I always love it when authors take time into developing relationships between characters and their personalities as well through the experiences they share. Avry and Kerrick certainly had quite a lot of them, risky and dangerous but each encounter brings them closer to each other,

Not everyone might agree with me, but I liked Tohon as well. There must be a sudden rise on male antagonists who sometimes outshine the male leads, and this is one good example. Tohon might be shrewd, cruel, manipulative and evil, but he has charisma. If he wasn't raising the dead, amassing an army to take over the fifteen realms, and experimenting on children, I would've liked him better. There's something in a broken soul that just fascinates me.

Avry is a headstrong lady. Stubborn too, a girl who can hold her own. Maria Snyder's female protagonists seem to share a common trait: compassion for people and the strength to stand up for something they believe in. Avry wanted to help people to the best of her ability, even if it means death. Granted she was afraid at first, but she knew she had a purpose for having the ability to heal.

Maria Snyder's latest work is a great, delightful read. She has laid great, solid foundation for the sequel and the intrigue, the unanswered questions and the unresolved conflicts certainly will make readers like me crave for more! Action, adventure and a healthy dose of magic, a great formula that gave birth to this endearing and highly suspenseful novel. Definitely recommended!

My rating

Content (plot, story flow, character):

I would've given it a five, if only Kerrick wasn't a bit rough with Avry and Tohon a bit predictable.

.5

Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:
Gorgeous!

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Dystopian Domination] Day 14: Interview with Maria Snyder + Giveaway!

* This is not a repost!

I'd like to officially welcome the lovely Maria Snyder to our blog!

I have recently read her book, Inside Out, which is the first book in the Insider series and I absolutely loved it! Now we are hosting Maria on Amaterasu Reads as part of our Dystopian Domination and she will answer a few questions about her Insider series, and talk about them more!

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Book summary (Twitter version)! Can you give us a summary of Inside Out in 140 characters or less?

Trella reluctantly gets involved with an illegal search for a Gateway to the Outside. Trouble, deception and life changing danger ensues. (137 characters with spaces!).

This is an unusual question (I think), but if you were asked to blurb your own book (either Inside Out or Outside In), what would you say about it?

You’re evil – you know that, don’t you? J I always have a hard time writing blurbs for others! Okay – I’m not one to back down from a challenge.
INSIDE OUT – Maria V. Snyder takes the dystopian genre and turns it inside out with a unique and chilling tale of Trella’s search for Gateway and escape from her enclosed world.
OUTSIDE IN – Another page turner that will leave you gasping for breath. More trouble follows Trella and, this time, she has no place to hide. A must read!
How’s that? Sounds like shameless self promoting to me, but YOU asked the question J

If Trella and Riley were to live in the same world we are in right now, how do you think they'll survive?

I think they will need some time to adjust to the vastness of our world, but both would be able to adapt. Trella would love to explore our world – I see her camping and hiking and climbing mountains. Riley, would be content to work and stay in one place, but he’d happily tag along on Trella’s adventures, protecting her back.

Are there any plans of writing/adding a third book in the Inside series? (I hope it’s not obvious that I am begging for a third book!)

Right now there are no plans for a third book. Sorry! However, I won’t say “never” as there is plenty of potential problems in this world.

Your other series, Study, is a mix of magic and fantasy. What made you decide to write a dystopia series like Inside?

I didn’t really decide (see the answer below for more on this). With INSIDE OUT, I dreamt the story, the world, the characters, and even the twists and surprises all in one long dream. While it’s a departure from my fantasy stories, I’ve always enjoyed reading science fiction and have written a number of SF short stories. It was fun to dabble in another genre and a creative challenge, which I think is important for authors.

Did you intend to write Inside w/ a specific genre in mind? And why dystopia?

I’d no idea the story I was writing about Trella and her world was a dystopia. I started writing INSIDE OUT back in 2006 and finished it in 2008. When I handed in the story to my editor, she asked me if I had read the recently released THE HUNGER GAMES. She said, “It’s also a dystopian.”

Dystopian? Really? My story is a dystopian? Time for a confession – at that time, I didn’t know what a dystopia was – I had to look it up in the dictionary (shhh…don’t tell). And I read the THE HUNGER GAMES – enjoyed it – and had to agree that, yes, INSIDE OUT is a dystopian novel. Wow.

So you’re thinking an author shouldn’t be surprised about their own novel, right? Guess not. When writing, my focus is always, always, always, on the characters – their problems, their fears, their hopes and desires. The world and setting details are the stage for them to perform.

Lastly, any thoughts on the sudden rise in popularity of books in the dystopia genre? Having written a book that falls in the said genre, can you share us your thoughts about it?

I agree that dystopia is popular right now, and I think there are many reasons for this trend. One, because there have been a number of great books released in the last few years and readers are clamoring for more. Two, the current global economy is rather glum and it's all over the news. These books portraying horrible societies gives readers a sense that compared to say THE HUNGER GAMES, things aren't THAT bad. Third it could also be a generational feel since the main characters in these books change their world and teens are constantly being told they're the future and they CAN change the world. Plus these characters are strong survivors and proactive – they're great role models, making the best of the worst situations.

And I would like to comment that I finished INSIDE OUT well before the dystopian genre became popular. And I'm sure other authors of this genre have as well and I think it's interesting how these ideas form in many writers around the same time. It's not like we all rush to write a dystopia because it's popular (some do – but it’s probably because they are inspired by the genre). Many writers have already finished the story and it's either been sitting in their drawer or making the rounds of editors.

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Thank you so much for inviting me to your event! If your readers would like more info about me and my books, I have the first chapter of all my books on my website as well as a number of free short stories they can read. I also have a page full of writing advice for any aspiring writers out there :) Here’s the link: http://www.mariavsnyder.com And my blog is: http://officialmariavsnyder.blogspot.com

Maria V. Snyder switched careers from meteorologist to novelist when she began writing the New York Times best-selling Study Series (POISON STUDY, MAGIC STUDY and FIRE STUDY) about a young woman who becomes a poison taster. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Maria dreamed of chasing tornados and even earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University. Unfortunately, she lacked the necessary forecasting skills. So she worked as an environmental meteorologist until boredom and children drove her to write down the stories that have swirling around in her head. Writing, proved to be more enjoyable than meteorology, and Maria returned to school to earn a Master of Arts degree in fiction writing from Seton Hill University. Unable to part company with Seton Hill and its wonderful writing program, Maria is currently a teacher and mentor for the MFA program.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Maria is so generous that she is giving 2 SIGNED, FINISHED COPIES OF INSIDE OUT!

Rules:

Must be a follower

Comment with your e-mail address
Leave a MEANINGFUL comment on this interview
OPEN TO US and CANADA

ENDS June 15, 2011

Extra entries:

(not required)

+2 Comment on my review HERE. 
+2 Follow Fragments of Life

+2 Spread the word: twitter, sidebar, tumblr, etc.

+3 blog about it

+3 post our Dystopian Domination button on your blog and link back

* If you have entered in our other Maria Snyder post where I featured Inside Out and Outside In, you can STILL enter here. Just leave a MEANINGFUL comment on this interview and tell me that you have already entered on our other post. You will get an extra point if you leave a comment here! Also, I extended the contest deadline from June 10 to 15!

[Dystopian Domination] Day 14: Inside Out by Maria Snyder (Review + Giveaway!)

So today we are hosting Maria Snyder, author of the amazing book series, Insider, on our blog! There will be a feature interview posted in the upcoming days, but for now, we are featuring her two books, Inside Out / Outside In.

We'll also be posting a way to get MORE extra entries in a while, so watch out for that!

Title: Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Pages: 315
Release Date: April 1st 2010
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary (from Goodreads):

Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

Title: Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
Pages: 336
Release Date: March 1st 2011
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary (from Goodreads):

Me? A Leader? Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion - between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again - while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside. And something from Outside wants In.

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

We are giving 2 SIGNED, FINISHED COPIES OF INSIDE OUT!

Rules:

Must be a follower

Comment with your e-mail address
OPEN TO US and CANADA

ENDS June 15, 2011

Extra entries:

(not required)

+2 Comment on my review HERE.
+2 Follow Fragments of Life

+2 Spread the word: twitter, sidebar, tumblr, etc.

+3 blog about it

+3 post our Dystopian Domination button on your blog and link back

Review: Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

I have just learned a valuable lesson while I was reading this book. One, is to listen to my friends when they tell me I should read a book, and two, trust my instincts and pick a book I feel like reading. Why? Inside Out has constantly been on my radar and I am one of those readers who said "why did I only read this now?" because really, this book is AMAZING.

In Inside Out, we meet The Queen of the Pipes, Trella, who joins the ranks of numerous fierce and strong female protagonist we have in the YA world. I love it every time an author is able to fashion a unique character having familiar qualities.

Title: Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Pages: 315
Release Date: April 1st 2010
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Source: Borrowed
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary (from Goodreads):

Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

Trella was dubbed as Queen of the Pipes as she knew the pipes like the back of her hand. Her small frame allows her to zigzag through every pipe there is, but Trella did mainly because she wants to get away from everyone. Unlike all the scrubs, she doesn't care, she doesn't share their sentiments, she just wants to be left alone. Trella, always a skeptic, has her paths crossing with "The Prophet", one talking about the Gateway, the door that will lead them Outside. But it was just a myth, and what should have been a test to see if the Prophet was lying became something way complicated that will change Inside. And suddenly Trella, the lowly scrub, becomes a leader of a revolution.

My fascination with the Inside didn't end when I finish reading this book, rather, I want to know what it really is. I think every aspect of this novel is highly fascinating. The scrubs and The Uppers, like the rich and the poor? The privilege and the lacking? Masters and slaves. I think that was how I pictured life in the Inside was, one serves the other while the other gives orders, forever trapped in an enclosed space.

Trella, however reluctant she might be, turned the wheels of fate that will change the whole of Inside with that one trip she made to retrieve the disks the Prophet asked for, for wanting to prove him wrong, creating a series of events that led Trella to start a change in Inside, and her with uncovering a few secrets of her own.

I felt pity for the Scrubs. I've always been for equality, and the Scrubs have their share of unfair and unjust treatment in the hands of the leaders, the Travas, who control Inside. But what if they suddenly find out that the Uppers, the ones they serve for, lead lives that aren't as well off as they thought would be? As the citizens of the Inside learned of the truths and lies surrounding them, the time to revolt came, and Trella is the only one who can lead them.

I loved Trella, no matter how tough she wants to make herself look, deep down she cares. After being bullied when she was young, it became her first instinct to protect herself, and made her feel suspicious and uncomfortable around other people. But who really is Trella? Is she really a scrub? Trella might not believe herself to be a leader, but even with her sarcastic attitude and general dislike for a lot of things, she was able to pull through. That even with her general stubborness, she too is capable of standing up and doing what she thinks is right. And falling in love.

I felt like Riley and Trella's relationship were at times mature, and at times very childish. Riley is an Upper, a smart, curious boy whose curiosity led Trella to him. I loved how "innocent" they relationship were at first, with Trella needing Riley to help her with tasks only an Upper can do. Riley is a sweet, strong boy and his attitude perfectly compliments Trella's. Where Trella is rash, Riley is calm. Riley always seem to be the voice of reason for Trella. He's the type of male lead who doesn't need to assert his manliness, who doesn't always need to be Trella's shadow in order to be described as a strong guy. Riley's strength comes from his ability to think and dependability. And he's the type of guy who isn't afraid to show a girl how he's got stuffed toys as friends.

I have to admit the plot twist for Inside Out, a lot of them, isn't what I was expecting at all, but then again, a lot of things in this novel just wow-ed me. It has its own fair share of action-packed thrilling scenes, as well as  things to reflect on. Should people just follow what is dictated of them, a pre-determined destiny that they do not want, or fight for something, equality, and live their lives freely?

Maria Snyder crafted a fascinating future world filled with familiar circumstances. That those greedy with power will go to great lengths to keep what they have, even if they had to sacrifice countless lives and create the greatest of lies. Snyder's writing evokes feelings from the readers with each turn of the page and each plot twist.

Content (plot, story flow, character):

Maria's writing is just brilliant!

Stunning: Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!

Book Cover:
Loved the UK version, but this one is pretty as well!