AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY - Julie Kagawa - BIR2010

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa was chosen to be part of our Best I've Read 2010 selections. The Iron King, Winter's Passage, and The Iron Daughter have been released. The Iron Queen, book three (3) is scheduled for release February 1, 2011. I feel certain it will be on our "Best I've Read 2011" list next year.

The Iron King
By: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Author website

Book Summary:
(from Goodreads)
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

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Winter's Passage
By: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Author website


Book Summary:
(from Goodreads)
Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

An eBook exclusive story from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

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The Iron Daughter
By: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Author website

Book Summary:
(from Goodreads)
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.
Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

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~ ~ ~ INTERVIEW ~ ~ ~
Julie Kagawa stopped by BtC, and answered some questions about her books, her characters and video games! I, Louise, have had the chance to meet Julie, so when I say she's all that is awesomeness, I know that of which I speak. Please take a moment to learn more about this wonderful author!

1. In reading The Iron King, Winter’s Passage and The Iron Daughter, I see a very “respect the earth, respect your past” message. Is that just me, or was that an intentional part of your progressive faery message?

Well, of course we must take care of our planet, though I didn't intentionally mean to put any kind of moral lesson in the books. Still, in the Iron King, I hope the message readers take away from it is balance. I believe nature and technology can exist together, if we are aware that one shouldn’t overshadow the other.

2. My favorite character in the books is Grimalkin. I love his sense of humor, and especially his snark. Is he based upon someone you know?

Lol, just every single cat I've had the pleasure of knowing. With Grim, I imagined what my cats would say to me if they could talk, and there you have it.

3. The label Young Adult is something of a misnomer, as the books are popular with males and females from pre-teens to adult. Why do you think YA fiction draws such a wide audience?

I think partly because YA deals with such a turbulent time: growing up, fitting in, first love, parents, friends, school, hormones, worrying about collage, ect. For older readers, we all remember what it was like to be that age, teetering on the edge of everything, not a kid anymore but not an adult, either. And for teens, its things they're dealing with right now. But also, I think its partly because the books in the YA genre are good, and you have so many different stories to choose from. You can find everything from a sexy vampire to the story about a girl who cuts herself to feel anything, and her journey of healing. YA has something for everyone.

4. If you could pick one video game to step into, what one would it be? Why? Which character would you be? Why?

Final Fantasy VIII. I'd be Rinoa, because she gets to be with Squall. (Yes, I am a geek.)

5. I know you have an upcoming project, and that it involves vampires. (Which I love!) Can you tell us anything more about it yet?

I will say its set in an post- apocalyptic world, and we'll leave it at that. :)

6. What are some upcoming releases you’re excited about?

I've heard a great deal about ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS. Everyone who's read it seems to love it, so I'll definitely have to pick it up.

~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

This giveaway is for one (1) SIGNED bookplate, and the winner will be chosen by random.org.

Open to US addresses only.

OPEN TO BLOG FOLLOWERS ONLY.

This giveaway ends December 15, 2010 at 12:00 midnight EST.

Please fill out this form to enter.