Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Authors Are Rockstars: Ann Aguirre


Today I'm thrilled to be a part of the Authors Are Rockstars Tour which celebrates authors in all their creative and imaginative glory, and gives us readers a chance to gush over the people who continue to make us laugh, cry, love and hurt over and over again.

I'm honored to have Ann Aguirre stopping by the blog to not only endure my enthusiastic fangirling, but also to talk a little bit about the third and final book in her young adult Razorland trilogy, Horde. Ann is one of my go-to authors whenever I need a book I know will impress me with its characterization, as I've yet to meet a hero, heroine or secondary character of hers who hasn't left a memorable impression. She writes individuals who are always rich and nuanced, forcing us to analyze the white space in between the lines just as much as we do the printed words in order to learn something about them. She leaves us little choice but to put in the time and effort to really look at each person in order to see what needs seeing, and in doing so we're rewarded with brilliantly flawed men and women with whom we leave a little piece of ourselves when we close the back cover of one of her books.

Clearly Ann is an author I would highly recommend to anyone and everyone, and if you've yet to try one of her titles I truly hope she's someone you make time for in the near future!

HORDE INTERVIEW

If I was to suddenly find myself in the middle of Salvation knowing nothing of this post-apocalyptic world, what is the first thing Deuce or Fade would tell me in order to keep me alive as long as possible?

Don’t leave the settlement unless you’re properly equipped and trained.

What aspect of our world do you think would fascinate Deuce most? Fade?

They’d be pretty amazed by our technology: video games, computers, music players, buses, trains, and planes. So many things had passed from reality into legend by the time they were born, that I think they’d be astonished and impressed by many of our modern conveniences. But I suspect Deuce would be wary too; she’d think relying on such devices makes you soft.

If you could explore the world of any one piece of fiction, what world would that be and which of your characters would you most like to take with you for companionship?

I think it would be pretty awesome to explore the Pac-Rim world, largely because… enormous sea monsters versus giant robots! There’s no way I would ever get to pilot a jaeger, but I can dream. As for who I’d take with me? Hm. That’s a good question. Jael, from my upcoming SF novel, Perdition, would be a huge asset because he fights like a ninja and he heals like Wolverine. Also, he’s pretty hot. But I would need a full party to make it a real adventuring campaign, so I’d add Vel and Jax as well. There’s no way that gets awkward.

Is there anything about Deuce’s character that has surprised you over the course of the series? Something she’s said or a decision she’s made that you didn’t see coming before you actually sat down and started writing?

Since I don’t outline, pretty much everything through the middle of the book surprises me. I know how books start and how they end, but all the action that carries us from point A to point B is a total mystery to me until I actually write it. So yeah, lots of things she did surprised me.

If you were to write yourself into Outpost and Horde as one of the townspeople in Salvation, what role would you play and what skills would you bring to the table that would help keep the town functioning?

I’m a good cook and I know how to make bread from scratch. So I would probably be the town baker. Otherwise, I have no useful skills, unless you count making up stories.

Given the Razorland series is written from Deuce’s point of view, we don’t spend any time in Fade’s head. In order to help us see Deuce a little bit through his eyes, what three words might he use to describe the Deuce at the beginning of Enclave versus the Deuce at the end of Horde?

Enclave Deuce: fierce, obedient, driven.

Horde Deuce: loyal, devoted, compassionate.

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ANN AGUIRRE


Ann Aguirre is a USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. She likes books, emo music, and action movies. She writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens.


• • • • • • • • • • 

HORDE


The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.


• • • • • • • • • • 

GIVEAWAY

I'm hugely excited for Horde (releasing from Feiwel & Friends on October 29th), so in order to share my enthusiasm for this series as a whole and this book in particular, I'm giving away an ARC of Horde to one lucky winner. To enter, please just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

52 comments:

  1. Ah so, if I would be in a Dystopian world, I also most likely would be the cook, or the nurse. No one needs Biologists there so I would be completely useless . thanks goodness I can cook too lol:) Just not bake, only cook! Big difference:)

    Lovely Interview and thank you so much for this giveway Jenny!

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    1. I would most definitely not be the cook, I fail in the kitchen Danny. I have no idea what I'd be - maybe someone who worked with the horses? If there were horses that is.

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  2. I can't wait for Horde! This series is seriously EPIC! I think I'd be a gardener in a town like Salvation. I'm not real great at it but I feel like I'm really learning and it's something I really enjoy. I definitely like it more then cooking and cleaning!

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    1. Oooo that's a good thought Candace! Maybe I'd join you in the garden, I'd be far less hazardous there than in the kitchen.

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  3. This is an author I have been meaning to try and I want to even more now!
    I am so glad you were a part of this tour as well, it has been so much fun!

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    1. She writes a wide variety of genres too Ali - YA, urban fantasy, sci fi - so I think there's a little something for everyone:)

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  4. I adore Ann and this world and Fade & duece :) she writes such amazing characters.

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  5. I really should check out book 1, dystopia is just so dark and cool

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    1. I love this series so much, I really can't recommend it enough:) Definitely dark, but so, so good!

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  6. Okay so I am not entering for the giveaway because I have already read, reviewed and scheduled my post for HORDE but OMG you hosted Ann Aguirre!!! *FANGIRL MOMENT* Great post!

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    1. Right? *takes deep breaths*

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    2. People fangirling me over me on my birthday... teen me would be dying of squee right now. In my wildest fantasies, I never dreamed my writing life could be so amazing, and it's all due to wonderful readers like you. :)

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  7. "fights like a ninja and he heals like Wolverine"? I want to meet this Jael ;) Doesn't hurt Ann describes him as hot too ;) I own an audiobook of Enclave so I should probably read it right away, right? :) Thanks so much for reminding me of this book's existence and for the lovely interview, doll!

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    1. I'm thinking I really need to meet Jael too Siiri! You can't not read about him with a description like that:)

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  8. I have heard only amazing things about this author and the series itself. I really want to read it. I really like the sound of Jael, he seems like a bad-ass character and I love them. I hope I'll get to read this series soon. Amazing interview Jenny :)

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    1. I really hope you get to this series soon too Tanja! Best to have book 2 on hand though, as book one ends kind of abruptly and you'll definitely want to know what happens next:)

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  9. So excited for Horde! I love Deuce, from Enclave Deuce to Horde Deuce, she's always going to be one of my favorite heroines. Love this interview, and ooh I need to meet Jael asap! A hot guy with ninja moves and Wolverine healing is definitely a must meet. :-)

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    1. Mine as well Lauren, I just love how she doesn't play any games in her relationship with Fade. She doesn't know how to, and she's all cute and nervous with him but then she goes all badass on the Freaks. Win. And yes to Jael, I think we're all adding him to our lists ;-)

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  10. Making up stories is definitely a useful skill! My only skill will probably be having the ability to talk non-stop about books! I'm really glad that Ann is your go-to author Jenny, her books sounds absolutely fabulous! Thanks for sharing a great post with us! :)

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    1. I agree Jasprit! I think you'd need someone to tell stories in a world like this - probably lighter stories with HEAs to distract from the Freaks, but stories nonetheless:)

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  11. I'm not a fan of Aguirre's YA Series, but I love Sirantha Jax and Bronze Gods. Thanks for sharing, Jenny!(:

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    1. I love Sirantha too and I can't wait to start Bronze Gods:)

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  12. YES! Love this author! I just wrote a review for this book which I adored.

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  13. I haven't read anything by Ann. Does that make me a terrible person?! But seriously...I really need to read exactly what you tell me because HORDE sure sounds like a gem! :)

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    1. Yes, yes it does. Obviously ;-) I just love her characters Melissa, I think you'll like them as well. You could start with a novella if you wanted - Thistle and Thorne from the Til the World Ends anthology - they'll give you a good feel for the way she writes her characters. I LOVED that one. I adore this series as well if you're up for starting it:)

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  14. I haven't read the second book in the series yet because I heard about how the rapist became a love interest and I wasn't comfortable with that at all. You know how against I am of villains turning into love interests, Jenny.
    Anyways, I did love the first book because the world building was so good.
    That was a really fun interview to read, Jenny. Thank you for sharing! :)

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    1. I would have to disagree with the rapist becoming a love interest - he doesn't at all. It's Fade for her all the way in book two, I promise Nick! The mild flirtation with Stalker when things with Fade are uncertain at the end of book one doesn't carry over. She's still not quite sure of her footing with Fade in book two, but there's no one else for her:)

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  15. Brilliant interview! I didn't know that Ann Aguirre doesn't outline her stories. That's really interesting. :) I enjoyed the first book in this series but haven't yet picked up the second. I'm looking forward to continuing eventually!

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  16. Excellent interview!! I am such a fan of this series. It took my by surprise too. I have been waiting months for Horde to release. Deuce is such a badass. Ann is really a rockstar!!

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    1. Aw, you're making me blush. (I didn't say stop. <3)

      Thanks for all the lovely comments! I hope you guys love Horde as much as I do.

      And if you want some dark, sexy SF, Perdition is out today. It's a spinoff from Jax but it's not required to read that series to enjoy Perdition.

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  17. Wonderful interview Jenny, I recently read my first book by Ann and was blown away. *Bronze Gods* I am adding this series to my list, and I love that her characters form themselves and surprise her!

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  18. To be honest I have not read this series because I am a huge scaredy cat when it comes to zombies. Since I have been hearing many great reviews about this series, I think I am ready to read them now lol. Now I must rush to the bookstore and get the first 2 books hehe. Great interview!

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  19. Great interview Jenny! Thanks so much for being a tour host <333

    Hugs,
    Jaime

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  20. I can cook and garden, but also I am pretty adaptable. I could see myself doing whatever was necessary to get the job done. Great interview and thanks for the contest!

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  21. I still need to read the second book. Enjoyed the first and need to now know what is going on! Oh and loved the interview. I also think that town storyteller would be as important as the bread. I have no skills unless you count making the dogs sit and "wave". LOL

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  22. This sounds amazing! Definitely will have to grab a copy! :)

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  23. Wonderful interview! I haven't read any of the Razorland series yet, but I know I'll love it just as much as all of Ann's other books I've read.

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  24. I've forgotten about this series! I've meant to read it for a long time. I've always heard good things. For some reason, I get it mixed up with the Jackie Morse Kessler series Riders of the Apocalypse. Not sure why. Maybe it came out at the same time or because the covers are similar.

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  25. I loved the first book, I can't wait to continue the series with Outpost and the finale Horde. I will definitely be checking out her upcoming SF Perdito book ninja+wolverine=awesome.

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  26. Thanks for the interview! I've read all of Ann's stuff including her Ava Gray pen name. I just love her writing style she's seriously all around awesome. Can't wait for Horde!!

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  27. Ann Aguirre is SUCH A ROCK STAR!! She's got amazing characterization skills and I can't wait to see how her Outpost series ends!! As soon as I finish with my commenting, I'm all over Perdition. Jael sounds like my kind of manly man.

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  28. I love, love, love Ann's work!!! Thanks for the awesome interview!

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  29. Ann's series has been on my watch list for ages. It sounds really cool!

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  30. Okay, I didn't really read that interview, because I haven't read the series, but as a self proclaimed romance lover, how did this one stack up? I've heard rumblings of love triangles, and that one love interest is a rapist. EEK! It freaked me out. But sometimes, as a whole a series works when people don't understand the parts separately. Anyway, would you recommend these to me? I'm glad that I could read them back to back at least, so I don't have to suffer long lapses. Thanks for your insight!

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  31. I really want to read this series. It sounds so good. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  32. Oh my goodness, I've been dying to know how this series ends since I read and loved the first two books. Thanks Jenny for such a great interview!! You always ask the coolest (as well as relevant) questions :)

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  33. I have read and re-read Enclave and Outpost multiple times. I can't wait to read Horde!!!!! I really hope Deuce and Fade end up together! Thank you so much for having this giveaway, Jenny. XD

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  34. I skipped a bit of this interview (and a lot of the other comments) because I've only read Enclave and was scared I'd see a spoiler, but I think I'd have to be an assistant cook or baker. I've also just realized how small my skill set really is.

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  35. I absolutely can't wait for Horde to release!!!! This series has been incredible! That's pretty awesome that she doesn't outline at all yet still writes such incredible stories! :)

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