Release date: November 8th 2014
Publisher: Flux
Purchase: Amazon
Synopsis via Goodreads:
Elora, the young princess of the Dark Faeries, plans to overthrow her tyrannical mother, the Dark Queen, and bring equality to faeriekind. All she has to do is convince her mother’s loathed enemy, the Bright Queen, to join her cause. But the Bright Queen demands an offering first: a human boy who is a “young leader of men.”
A Dark Princess In Disguise . . .
To steal a mortal, Elora must become a mortal—at least, by all appearances. And infiltrating a high school is surprisingly easy. When Elora meets Taylor, the seventeen-year-old who’s plotting to overthrow a ruthless bully, she thinks she’s found her offering . . . until she starts to fall in love.
Can you tell us a little about your latest book, The Last Changeling?
The Last Changeling is the story of a faerie princess who falls for a human, but there are a few pretty big problems with that. First of all, she’s a faerie of the Dark Court, where humans are seen as vile and destructive abominations of nature. Secondly, she’s the daughter of the Unseelie Queen, and there’s not much time for romance when you’re plotting to take down your mother’s court. Lastly, she’s only in the human world because she’s searching for an offering to cement her alliance with the Seelie Queen . . . a human offering.
What inspired you to write it?
I wanted to write a love story where the characters didn’t get lost in each other and forget about the world. Instead, their feelings for each other only strengthen their convictions to fight injustices in both of their worlds.
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The Last Changeling is the story of a faerie princess who falls for a human, but there are a few pretty big problems with that. First of all, she’s a faerie of the Dark Court, where humans are seen as vile and destructive abominations of nature. Secondly, she’s the daughter of the Unseelie Queen, and there’s not much time for romance when you’re plotting to take down your mother’s court. Lastly, she’s only in the human world because she’s searching for an offering to cement her alliance with the Seelie Queen . . . a human offering.
What inspired you to write it?
I wanted to write a love story where the characters didn’t get lost in each other and forget about the world. Instead, their feelings for each other only strengthen their convictions to fight injustices in both of their worlds.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
My brilliant editor found the photo, taken by the amazing photographer Marwane Pallas. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted it for my cover. And our wonderful cover designer, Kevin Brown, picked the perfect font and added those beautiful, swirling details. I couldn’t be happier with it!
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
This is actually a difficult question, because we writers always get such a strong image in our minds of what our characters look like. I think for Elora, someone like Holland Roden from Teen Wolf could fit really well. She gets this wonderful wild look in her eyes, and in this photo, she has Elora’s fiery hair.
As for Taylor, this one was a bit trickier, but I can see flashes of him in Taylor Hanson (I know, not an actor. But still…)
And also a bit of Charlie Hunnam during his days on Undeclared.
But neither of these is quite right, so I’m going to open this up to the readers: who do you think could play Taylor perfectly (and is also maybe a bit more current)? I’d love to hear your ideas!
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
I’ve always loved the idea that magical beings exist in the real world, just outside of most people’s view. Urban fantasy is perfect for that—you get to operate within the real world, and draw supernatural elements in, showing everything that’s hiding beneath the surface.
What made you want to become an author?
I’ve been writing ever since I was a little girl. So at a certain point, wanting to share my work with the world just made sense.
How do you come up with character names?
I’ve always loved the name Taylor. When I was a kid, I had a little stuffed wolf (another thing I love: wolves) and I named him Taylor. As for Elora, it’s probably an odd thing to name the princess of the Dark Court after the light . . . but I had my reasons. ;)
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
I absolutely loved Marion Zimmer Bradley’s THE MISTS OF AVALON. Arthurian legend is one of my favorite things, especially the women’s stories, so that book was perfect for me.
Who, or what, inspires you?
Anyone who speaks their mind and stands up for what’s right, even when it’s scary. Some examples would be Libba Bray, Ellen DeGeneres, Amy Poehler, Tori Amos, and Ellen Oh. I love amazing women who share their brilliance with the world!
Where is your favourite place to write?
I love to write at the park, if I can find a quiet, sunny spot. It’s really peaceful, and I love being out in nature.
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
I think the Lord of the Rings movies were done really well. Also, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. That was my favorite HP book (besides The Half Blood Prince), and the movie was done so fabulously!
My brilliant editor found the photo, taken by the amazing photographer Marwane Pallas. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted it for my cover. And our wonderful cover designer, Kevin Brown, picked the perfect font and added those beautiful, swirling details. I couldn’t be happier with it!
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
This is actually a difficult question, because we writers always get such a strong image in our minds of what our characters look like. I think for Elora, someone like Holland Roden from Teen Wolf could fit really well. She gets this wonderful wild look in her eyes, and in this photo, she has Elora’s fiery hair.
As for Taylor, this one was a bit trickier, but I can see flashes of him in Taylor Hanson (I know, not an actor. But still…)
And also a bit of Charlie Hunnam during his days on Undeclared.
But neither of these is quite right, so I’m going to open this up to the readers: who do you think could play Taylor perfectly (and is also maybe a bit more current)? I’d love to hear your ideas!
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
I’ve always loved the idea that magical beings exist in the real world, just outside of most people’s view. Urban fantasy is perfect for that—you get to operate within the real world, and draw supernatural elements in, showing everything that’s hiding beneath the surface.
What made you want to become an author?
I’ve been writing ever since I was a little girl. So at a certain point, wanting to share my work with the world just made sense.
How do you come up with character names?
I’ve always loved the name Taylor. When I was a kid, I had a little stuffed wolf (another thing I love: wolves) and I named him Taylor. As for Elora, it’s probably an odd thing to name the princess of the Dark Court after the light . . . but I had my reasons. ;)
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
I absolutely loved Marion Zimmer Bradley’s THE MISTS OF AVALON. Arthurian legend is one of my favorite things, especially the women’s stories, so that book was perfect for me.
Who, or what, inspires you?
Anyone who speaks their mind and stands up for what’s right, even when it’s scary. Some examples would be Libba Bray, Ellen DeGeneres, Amy Poehler, Tori Amos, and Ellen Oh. I love amazing women who share their brilliance with the world!
Where is your favourite place to write?
I love to write at the park, if I can find a quiet, sunny spot. It’s really peaceful, and I love being out in nature.
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
I think the Lord of the Rings movies were done really well. Also, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. That was my favorite HP book (besides The Half Blood Prince), and the movie was done so fabulously!
Name two of your favourite authors.
AdriAnne Strickland and Justina Ireland.
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Honestly, I’d love to have dinner with the living authors who inspired me: Francesca Lia Block, Holly Black and Libba Bray. I grew up reading their books, and I’d love to get together in some old Victorian house and go searching for faeries and ghosts!
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I’ve been a vegetarian for sixteen years!
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Kristen Bell. She’s not nearly as tall as me, but she’s sweet, she’s snarky, she cares about a lot of the things I care about, and she’s a fabulous actress. I love her!
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
We have lots of bookstores and lots of trees.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
Right now I’m working on a contemporary YA murder mystery!
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
Visit the ruins in Greece. And I’ll probably spend lots of time in the ocean there, too.
AdriAnne Strickland and Justina Ireland.
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Honestly, I’d love to have dinner with the living authors who inspired me: Francesca Lia Block, Holly Black and Libba Bray. I grew up reading their books, and I’d love to get together in some old Victorian house and go searching for faeries and ghosts!
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I’ve been a vegetarian for sixteen years!
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Kristen Bell. She’s not nearly as tall as me, but she’s sweet, she’s snarky, she cares about a lot of the things I care about, and she’s a fabulous actress. I love her!
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
We have lots of bookstores and lots of trees.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
Right now I’m working on a contemporary YA murder mystery!
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
Visit the ruins in Greece. And I’ll probably spend lots of time in the ocean there, too.
Favourite myth / fairytale?
I love stories about Morgan le Fay, King Arthur’s sister.
Who/What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Mariah Carey. Ha! I really did. She had such a strong, fabulous voice, and I wanted to have a singing career. Unfortunately, I could never hit that high note.
Thanks so much for having me!
I love stories about Morgan le Fay, King Arthur’s sister.
Who/What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Mariah Carey. Ha! I really did. She had such a strong, fabulous voice, and I wanted to have a singing career. Unfortunately, I could never hit that high note.
Thanks so much for having me!
It was an absolute pleasure, Chelsea!
My Review
My Review
Although it took me a while to get into
the story because I kept finding myself somewhat confused in the
first half, I did enjoy this book. I was particularly impressed by
the issues that it tackled througout (abuse, drugs, death,
homosexuality, bullying, etc) and the way the author tackled them.
Each subject was handled in a way that wasn't obvious, yet most teens
will probably find them easily identifiable and may even learn
something from them.
What was also really good about this
book was the way the author combined the real world with that of the
faerie realms – esecially towards the end. I'm a huge of fan of
urban fantasy and when it's done particularly well, I do like to
high-five the author (!).
But it's the confusion at the beginning
that disappointed me a little. I can't even put my finger on why I
was so confused – perhaps its the way Elora became Lora. Or the
accident and the girl dying at the start and how she happened to find
her way to Taylor. And why would Taylor just bring a stranger into
his home. I don't know. Perhaps it was just me but there was
something I can't quite put my finger on. Having said that, I enjoyed
the way the author writes and the ending really had me on the edge of
my seat. I'm very curious to see what book two has to offer!
Chelsea Pitcher is a native of Portland, OR where she received her BA in English Literature. Fascinated by all things literary, she began gobbling up stories as soon as she could read, and especially enjoys delving into the darker places to see if she can draw out some light.
WEBSITE | @Chelsea_Pitcher | FACEBOOK
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WEBSITE | @Chelsea_Pitcher | FACEBOOK
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Nice interview and review. Thanks for participating!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to when I can try this book out for myself. I do love a good urban fantasy, and I think it's interesting that the author has managed to put so many everyday issues into a book like this. Usually that doesn't happen!
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