Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Breaks The Dawn

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine and is a fun way to see what books other bloggers just can't wait to get their hands on!

DARK BREAKS THE DAWN

Sara B. Larson

Young Adult/Fantasy

Releases May 2017 from Scholastic

From Goodreads:

On her eighteenth birthday, Princess Evelayn of Eadrolan, the Light Kingdom, can finally access the full range of her magical powers. The light looks brighter, the air is sharper, and the energy she can draw when fighting feels almost limitless.

But while her mother, the queen, remains busy at the war front, in the Dark Kingdom of Dorjhalon, the corrupt king is plotting. King Bain wants control of both kingdoms, and his plan will fling Evelayn onto the throne much sooner than she expected.

In order to defeat Bain and his sons, Evelayn will quickly have to come into her ability to shapeshift, and rely on the alluring Lord Tanvir. But not everyone is what they seem, and the balance between the Light and Dark comes at a steep price.

I really enjoyed Sara's Defy series, so this one can't release soon enough for me. The heroine of the Defy series was as strong as they come, and it sounds like Evelayn with her magic and her ability to shapeshift is going to be badass in her own right, something that always makes me happy. I'm wondering if she's a swan shifter based on that crown, and if she is, that's not a shifter I've read about before so consider me intrigued. It's possible the swan is more symbolic than literal though, and while now I can't stop hoping for a swan shifter, I'm still counting the days until this book makes its way into my grabby hands!

Goodreads

Endure Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway!

Happy 2016 everyone! I'm excited to kick off my year by welcoming author Sara B. Larson back to the blog to answer a few questions about the final book in her YA fantasy series, Endure. I absolutely ADORE this series, so any day where I get to poke around in Sara's mind with an interview is a good day. I really hope you guys add this series to your lists if you've yet to meet Alexa!

What’s the one thing, aside from actually marrying Damian, that Alexa’s dream wedding would include?

Well, if she could have any dream, it would be for her family to be alive so they could be there. But a more realistic dream would be to wear the dress her mother wore to her wedding, though it was very simple and not nearly as ornate as would be expected of the new Queen of Antion. But it unfortunately was destroyed in the fire, so it would have to be a replica.

If Alexa and Damian were to write their own wedding vows, what are the first words each would say to the other on their big day?

To start her vows, Alexa would probably say something like: Damian, you are my safe place in the storms of life. You are the one who loves all of me, good or bad—my other half, and the one I love, more than words can express.

And Damian would start with: Alexa, I loved you long before you truly knew who I was, and I wake up every morning in awe that you somehow came to love me in return. I will spend the rest of my life cherishing you, loving you, and helping you to see how truly beautiful you are—in every way possible, inside and out.

For those of us who have never had to face down a black sorcerer, what are the top 3 things Alexa would say we need to watch out for should we find ourselves in that position one day?

Honestly, she’d probably tell you to run and hide, because you don’t really stand a chance. But barring that, she’d tell you to watch out for the fire they wield. Don’t try to pretend to be someone of a different gender, because all sorcerers can sense if you are a boy or girl. After what she learns in ENDURE she’d have even more warnings, but I can’t share them because it would be spoilery…

If Alexa ever found herself in young adult section of a bookstore/library in our world, who are a few of the heroines she would be most drawn to?

I’m sure she’d feel a lot of affinity for Katniss Everdeen, Celaena/Aelin, and Bitterblue. They’re all strong women who have endured and survived some horrific things in their lives, much like Alexa has by the end of ENDURE.

What one piece of advice would the Alexa at the end of Endure have for the young woman she was at the beginning of Defy?

With all the pain to come, there would also be unimaginable joy. That those moments of happiness are what would make it all worth it, even though it came at such a steep price that it often feels unbearable. But that’s when she looks to the sky to remember and to truly live.

Thanks so much for stopping by Sara!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

ENDURE

At last, Alexa and King Damian are engaged to be married. But their lives are far from safe. The kingdom of Antion is under siege, and Rylan is a prisoner of the enemy. Even worse, Alexa remains at the mercy of the evil Dansiian Rafe, who controls her mind and can force Alexa to kill or harm Damian at any moment. Despite this, Alexa is determined to rescue Rylan, which soon leads her far from Damian and deep into enemy territory.

When she arrives, what awaits her is deadlier than anything she could have ever imagined: an army of black sorcerers, and a horrifying plot to destroy the world as Alexa knows it. Will she be able to gather the strength to free herself, protect the love of her life, and save the land? Will there ever be true peace?

Acclaimed author Sara B. Larson has woven a stunning, romantic, and evocative finale to the Defy trilogy, that is sure to leave readers breathless until the very last page.

Find Endure:

Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • iBooks

Find Defy (Book 1):  

Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • iBooks

Find Ignite (Book 2):

Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • iBooks

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

SARA B. LARSON

Sara B. Larson is the author of the acclaimed YA fantasy DEFY, and the sequels IGNITE and ENDURE. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband and their three children. She writes in brief snippets throughout the day (while mourning the demise of naptime) and the quiet hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims she should have a degree in “the art of multitasking.” When she’s not mothering or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads • Blog 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

GIVEAWAY

Three lucky winners will each receive a finished copy of ENDURE! To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure and check out the rest of the tour!
 
WEEK ONE
12/28/2015- Fiction Fare- Review  
12/29/2015- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview  
12/30/2015- A Backwards Story- Review  
12/31/2015- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Guest Post  
1/1/2016- The Book Cellar- Review

WEEK TWO
1/4/2016- Supernatural Snark- Interview

1/5/2016- Novel Novice - Guest Post

1/6/2016- Page Turners Blog- Review

1/7/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

1/8/2016- Mundie Moms- Review

Ignite Blog Tour + Giveaway: Interview with Sara B. Larson

I'm beyond excited today to welcome author Sara B. Larson back to the blog as part of the promotional tour for Ignite, the second book in her outstanding young adult fantasy series. I was blown away by last year's Defy and absolutely adored this sequel, so if you haven't gotten around to picking this series up yet I can't recommend it enough! I hope you all enjoy the interview, and be sure to check out the bottom of the post for the full list of participating blogs as well as all the details on a fantastic giveaway.

If you were in Alexa’s position, needing to keep your love for someone under wraps but yet having to be in close proximity with that person every day, how difficult would you find it to compartmentalize your feelings?

Oh boy, for me that would be very hard. Even though I did a lot of acting as a teenager (I was in school musicals and even one professional production of Jane Eyre the Musical at a local theater), I have a hard time masking my emotions in real life. If my life were in jeopardy because of it, I might learn to get better at it though. Sometimes I think it’s very much a choice and whether we want to use the energy necessary to pretend to feel something we don’t. (Even if it’s just acting like that one family member doesn’t actually bug you to death or something!)

What’s one thing writing Alexa’s character has taught you about yourself? 

I think one of the things I’ve learned from writing Alexa’s character is how valuable and important it is to be true to yourself. Her character and all of the struggles she endures makes me want to appreciate more the blessing it is to not have to hide who I truly am from those I love.

If Alexa and Damian somehow leaped from the pages of their story and suddenly arrived on your doorstep, what do you think they would each find most interesting/weird/amazing about our modern world? 

Well, I think they would both be pretty shocked they weren’t in the jungle anymore! And that they had somehow landed in a world with very different houses and buildings everywhere, unfamiliar “roads” made of hard rock instead of dirt, with weird, horse-less carriages that growl at you as they pass by, and where everyone dressed funny, talking into strange little boxes they hold to their ears (or poking at them with their fingers)! It would be quite the shock compared to Antion—although Alexa would probably be thrilled to not have to worry about running into any deadly snakes or jaguars if she and Damian were to go on a walk!

I’m sure Alexa finds life a bit easier (easier being a relative term of course), now that she doesn’t have to pretend to be male and fear being found out. How did the challenge of writing her character change now that neither you nor she had to worry about her disguise?

Well, life is easier in the way that she doesn’t have to pretend any longer, but it’s hard in different ways. Trying to find her new place, as herself, in the guard…dealing with the reactions of the other guards and the rest of the court and kingdom (which are varying, and not all positive, to say the least)…she has many struggles and is still trying to find the best way to be true to herself and do her job the best way she can.

What might Alexa have said was her greatest fear after the events of Defy? Would she say that fear has changed after Ignite? 

I think her greatest fear after DEFY was losing anyone else that she loves…and actually, no, I think that is still her biggest fear after IGNITE, although there are many other fears that are just as powerful she’s dealing with as well. (But I can’t say what because SPOILERS!)

Thank you so much for answering my questions Sara!

• • • • • • • • • • • 

IGNITE

Available now from Scholastic

Murder, abductions, and forbidden romance abound in this thrilling sequel to Sara B. Larson's acclaimed YA debut, DEFY.

Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy – before it's too late?

Amazon • B&N • iTunes • Goodreads

• • • • • • • • • • •

DEFY 

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and heart racing romance.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

Amazon • B&N • Goodreads

• • • • • • • • • • •

SARA B. LARSON

Sara loves writing, reading, and dessert--but the order varies by the day. She wrote her first book in second grade about a woman who had a premature baby, complete with a "to scale" drawing of the baby's size--while her mom was pregnant. To say she was a bit precocious is putting it lightly. Now that she’s an adult, she writes books for teens that have magic and romance and kick-butt girls (and very few premature babies). She lives in Utah with her husband, two young sons and baby girl. She writes during naptime and the hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims that she should have a degree in "the art of multitasking." On occasion you will find her hiding in a bubble bath with a book and some Swedish Fish. she is represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary and her YA debut DEFY is coming January '14 from Scholastic!

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • Goodreads

• • • • • • • • • • •

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive both a finished copy of Ignite and a dagger charm, and nine other winners will receive finished copies of Ignite. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter. Giveaway is open to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget to check out all the stops on the tour!

12/29/2014- Reading YA Rocks- Interview
12/30/2014- Crossroad Reviews- Review
12/31/2014- Mundie Moms- Guest Post
1/1/2015- Fiction Fare- Review
1/2/2015- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview   

1/5/2015- A Backwards Story- Review

1/6/2015- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - Guest Post

1/7/2015- The Book Cellar- Review

1/8/2015- Supernatural Snark- Interview

1/9/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

Review: Ignite

IGNITE
Defy #2
Sara B. Larson
Young Adult/Fantasy
304 pages
Scholastic
Available Now
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Alexa continues to harbor a secret love for the newly crowned King Damian, yet she remains by his side as his guard and ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people. However, when a new threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on the once friendly nation of Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. Once again the fate of her country hangs in the balance. Will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy -- before it's too late?

MY THOUGHTS
Ignite is a beautiful follow up to last year’s Defy, thrusting us immediately into the emotional aftermath of Alexa’s decision to bury her feelings for now-King Damian and stay his personal guard rather than become his queen. Many a reader might breathe a sigh of frustration at Alexa’s “for your own good” reasoning as to why their relationship can no longer be romantic, but given they live in a world where public perception can have a profound effect on whether or not Damian goes unchallenged as king, her reservations about her suitability as queen are not entirely unfounded. We can feel the pain and hurt traveling between them on a never-ending loop–her feelings feeding his and his reactions to those feelings only magnifying hers further–and our hearts simply ache for the two of them as they struggle to make peace with the way things are.

Alexa is as physically impressive as ever with her sword and her bow, but she's also strong mentally as well, dealing with her feelings for Damian while attempting to come to terms with the significant facial scarring she suffered in her battle with a black sorcerer. She hates that she has to pretend her feelings for Damian are no longer what they once were, but her utter conviction that it’s what’s right for Antion has us seeing her side of things even as we want to scream at her to just be selfish and go for it, consequences be damned. She never wallows in her pain though, taking Damian’s coolness toward her as her due, and when Rylan presents himself as an opportunity to seek comfort and warmth, she handles it with a maturity far beyond her young age.

She could easily have upped the angst factor of this tale, gladly taking what Rylan so willingly offers, but while she’s undoubtedly tempted, she’s also able to look at the situation objectively, fully understanding that any happenings with Rylan would in no way change her feelings for Damian. For better or worse, her heart and loyalty belong to the latter, and she holds fast to that knowledge throughout. We’re not forced to endure an entire book of pain and longing however, as eventually circumstances rip the “I’m doing what’s best” blinders from her eyes and give her the chance to see a bit more clearly, and we can’t help but smile at the two of them even as the shadow of war hovers ominously over Antion.

Overall, Ignite is a sequel free of a single trace of middle book syndrome, raising the stakes both emotionally and physically for Alexa, Damian, and those they care about most. We’re left with a solid enough conclusion, but there’s an undeniable weight still on our shoulders as we close the back cover, a number of things exactly as they should be on the last page yet several ends remain free of their ties, threatening the temporary happiness our lead couple has found.

Rating: 4/5

Find Sara:

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Amazon • Goodreads

This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

Defy Trailer Reveal + Giveaway!

I'm thrilled today to be able to share with you the trailer for Defy, a YA fantasy from Sara B. Larson. Defy released earlier in the year (releases in paperback on November 25th!) and absolutely blew me away, easily situating itself among my favorite reads of 2014. The sequel, Ignite, releases on December 30th and I couldn't be more excited to get back to this world and Alexa. If you haven't had a chance to read Defy yet, I can't recommend it enough!

This post isn't all about my fangirling though, so I'll call a halt to my gushing and give you guys a moment to check out the trailer instead. Hope you love it as much as I do!

• • • • • • • • • • •

DEFY

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and heart racing romance.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

• • • • • • • • • • •

IGNITE

Murder, abductions, and forbidden romance abound in this thrilling sequel to Sara B. Larson's acclaimed YA debut, DEFY.

Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy -- before it's too late?

Amazon • B&N • iTunes • Goodreads

• • • • • • • • • • •

SARA B. LARSON

Sara's debut YA fantasy novel, DEFY, released in January of 2014 from Scholastic. The sequel will come out in early 2015--stay tuned for announcements about the title, cover, and synopsis! Sara lives in Utah with her husband and three young children. She writes during naptime and the hours when most people are sleeping. Her  husband claims she should have a degree in "the art of multitasking." On occasion you will find her hiding in a bubble bath with a book and some Swedish Fish or some mint chocolate truffles. She is represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Goodreads

• • • • • • • • • • • 

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the November 25th release of the paperback edition of Defy and the upcoming release of Ignite, I have three shiny paperback copies of Defy to giveaway to three lucky winners, courtesy of Scholastic. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. *US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't miss it! You can check out the trailer reveal via these fabulous sites:

Bewitched Bookworms
Good Choice Reading
Fiktshun
Mundie Moms
Novel Novice
Reading Teen
Supernatural Snark
Two Chicks on Books

The Big Love Letter Event

Today I'm absurdly excited to announce an upcoming event taking place here on Supernatural Snark as well as over at Bewitched Bookworms. Danny and I are what some might called mildly obsessed with romance. Or hugely obsessed. Whichever. Given our let's-call-it-moderate love of all things romance-related we thought good times might be had by all if we tied that love in with a certain upcoming holiday.

In celebration of Valentine's Day (but really, more in celebration of how much Danny and I love to swoon over sexy bad boys and adorable good guys), we've asked some of our very favorite authors to write love letters that will appear on our blogs every Friday during the month of February. We proposed letters written from one character to another, from author to character, character to readers, or anything else the authors might be inspired to write that would help us honor our love of love, and the result is something truly fantastic.

Be sure and check both here and Bewitched Bookworms every Friday as we'll be featuring letters from different authors on each blog, and throughout the event we'll also be hosting a fabulous giveaway, so I hope you guys are as excited about this as we are!

I'm sure you would like a sneak peek at some of the authors who have so generously given their time and their beautiful words to help us put together what should be a really fun event. You can expect to hear from the following authors or their characters:

•      Wendy Higgins (Sweet Reckoning)

•      Katie McGarry (Crash Into You)

•      Kasie West (Split Second)

•      Sara B. Larson (Defy)

•      A.C. Gaughen (Lady Thief)

•      Tiffany Schmidt (Bright Before Sunrise)

•      Gena Showalter (The Queen of Zombie Hearts)

•      Nichole Chase (Recklessly Royal)

•      Lorraine Heath (When the Duke Was Wicked)

•      Lynne Matson (Nil)

Wendy Higgins will be kicking things off here next Friday the 7th with a VERY special something from one Kaidan Rowe, and I absolutely cannot wait to share what's he's put together. *fans self* Danny and I hope you guys will join us for lots of fun, flirting, maybe crying, and most definitely swooning!

Review: Defy

DEFY
Defy #1
Sara B. Larson
Young Adult/Fantasy
336 pages
Scholastic
Available Now
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

MY THOUGHTS
Defy is an exquisitely character-driven fantasy debut from Ms. Larson, one that gives us a brief explanation for how the kingdom of Antion came to be at war in order to satisfy our curiosity before delving us deep into the life of young Alexa, a heroine who steals our hearts from the moment she appears on page. This is not a fantasy world with a breadth and scope that both dazzles and overwhelms, instead we're treated to a story set on a much smaller scale, drawn in through small intimacies and nuances in Alexa, Prince Damien and the remainder of his guard, so thoroughly invested in their lives we find ourselves hesitating to pick up another book upon finishing this one because we simply can't bring ourselves to let them go just yet.

Alexa is nothing short of extraordinary on every level, a young woman who's fought and won a spot on the prince's guard, her skill with both bow and sword outmatching all those around her. We're forced to endure a rather brutal series of opening chapters, details of just how horrifying life for a young woman under the rule of King Hector is setting us on edge now that we know what awaits Alexa should her secret ever come to light. Though she's a fighter through and through, Ms. Larson imbues her with just enough vulnerability to keep her from being fully defined by the steel she so effortlessly wields, letting us bear witness to her quiet moments when grief and fear exploit cracks in her nearly impenetrable defenses and show us what she can't afford to let anyone else see.

While the synopsis prepares us for a love triangle–one that seems as though it could be prominent enough to be off-putting to those of us who are so tired of this particular romantic shape–Defy proves itself to be one of the rare occasions where the love triangle setup works beautifully, Ms. Larson showing she's as skilled with a blade as her young Alexa, slowly carving up our hearts as the relationships between Alexa, Rylan and Prince Damien unfold. Alexa is not the type of girl who's cavalier about love, prone to waffling or playing games, instead she's forthright with both young men at every turn, fully aware of what's on the line for all three of them given the emotions involved. She has moments of utter confusion since romance has always been something far beyond the scope of her day to day life thanks to the pretense she must uphold for survival, but she's one who thinks before she acts and who makes her preference known to the other party with nothing short of a heavy heart.

The boys, for their part, are equally honest in their feelings; feelings that are more than believable given the three of them have known one another for years. This is not a case of two new guys entering a young woman's life and finding themselves opposing forces in a battle for love, rather it's a raw and painful revelation brought about by an unforeseen change in circumstances. The individual relationships Alexa has with both Rylan and Damien are equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking, their story one that's only enriched by the three points of this particular triangle rather than hindered by them, our cheeks decorated with the tracks of tears shed as battles–emotional and physical–are fought bravely and won, though they are done so with the steepest of costs.

Defy is a breathtaking start to this series, Alexa's journey dark but also undeniably hopeful, and I can only cross my fingers that this next year breaks records with the speed at which it passes by so I can get my grabby hands on the sequel all the quicker.

Rating: 4.5/5
 

Find Sara:

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Amazon • Goodreads

I was lucky enough to get the chance to interview Sara yesterday on the blog, so if you didn't get a chance yet, be sure and check it out!

This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

Interview: Sara Larson + Defy

Today I'm hugely excited to welcome author Sara B. Larson to the blog to answer a few questions about her young adult fantasy debut, Defy (released yesterday from Scholastic). Defy was a book I picked up not knowing much about it, and I found myself madly in love after pretty much the first chapter. As soon as I finished, I sprinted to the computer and sent a dubiously coherent fangirl email to Sara requesting an interview, and she oh-so graciously waded through my ramblings and agreed. I'll be posting my full review on the blog tomorrow!

It’s your first day of training with Alexa and the rest of the guard. How many bruises would you estimate you’ll be sporting tomorrow? Will there be more or less than are decorating the bodies of your opponents? 

Oh man, if I had to spar against Alexa, she’d totally kick my trash. I mean, I work out and I do kick boxing, so I think I could hold my own in a fight. But we’re talking about sword fighting with Alexa. Yeah, I’d be a mess of bruises the next day. But I’m stubborn, so I’d keep practicing in hopes that I could try to hold my own against her eventually.

If you found yourself in Alexa’s shoes, having to maintain the guise of being male, what do you think you would have to work hardest at to keep from giving yourself away? 

Hmmm, that’s a very interesting question! Well, for one, if someone were to scare me in the dark (did I mention I’m afraid of the dark?), I tend to scream and either drop to the ground, or lash out. Pretty sure that would give me away in a hurry since Antion can be a very scary place, especially at night.

What was the very first piece of Defy to pop into your head? Do you remember where you were when it came to you? 

I do, it actually came from a very difficult period in my life, when someone I loved had just passed away from cancer. He was just 24. I was so upset by his loss that I couldn’t write anything. But a friend of mine told me to stop trying to write a book and just write was I was feeling. So that’s what I did, and what I wrote was the very first scene of what later became DEFY. (Hint: it is not the first chronological scene in the book.) From there, the story took on its own life, though. It became a story of survival, a story of what true courage and strength is, and a story about love and hope (even in the most desperate of situations) and risking everything for the chance of a better future.

If you suddenly woke up tomorrow in Antion, which modern amenity would you miss most? What aspect of this fantasy world would make life without that amenity worth it? 

Oh boy, that’s a tough one! I do love my modern conveniences. Probably my computer, because I can’t keep up with my thoughts otherwise. I’d have claw fingers all the time from hand cramps if I had to write all my stories on parchment with a quill and ink. When I try to use pen and paper, I write as hard and furious as I can, but I just can’t do it. But Damian and Rylan would DEFINITELY make up for it. Oh, wait. I’m happily married (do I get to take my husband with me?), and there’s Alexa to compete with…so, uh, let’s go with the sorcery. If I could be a sorcerer, I’d totally be willing to give up my computer.

Alexa and her brother Marcel are extraordinarily close. What’s one small thing about her that makes Marcel proud to call himself her brother? 

Though he gives her a hard time about it, he admires her stubbornness. Once she has a goal, nothing can stop her, and that not only makes him proud—it’s saved her life more than once.

What tip or trick would Alexa give to anyone like her who needed to hide in plain sight? 

If you act like you know what you’re doing, everyone goes along with it. People only question something if you act like there’s something to question.

Alexa is proficient with a variety of weapons and is the best fighter on the prince’s guard. If she were to face a character from another young adult novel in a battle for position on the guard, who do you think might give her a good run for her money? 

I think Katsa from Graceling would definitely be an amazing match-up in a fight. Can you imagine? *stares off into space imagining the epicness of that battle*

It’s fair to say that both Rylan and Damian see something special in Alexa. What one word might each of them use to best describe her? 

Oooh, that’s tricky, making me limit it to one word, since she’s a very complex person. Hmmm….Rylan might describe her as fierce and I could imagine Damian describing her as indomitable.

*Jenny leaves to go Google "indomitable"* ;-)

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DEFY

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

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SARA B. LARSON

I love writing, reading, and dessert--but the order varies by the day. I wrote my first book in second grade about a woman who had a premature baby, complete with a "to scale" drawing of the baby's size--while my mom was pregnant. To say I was a bit precocious is putting it lightly. Now that I'm an adult, I write books for teens that have magic and romance and kick-butt girls (and very few premature babies). I live in Utah with my husband, two young sons and baby girl. I write during naptime and the hours when most people are sleeping. My  husband claims I should have a degree in "the art of multitasking." On occasion you will find me hiding in a bubble bath with a book and some Swedish Fish. I am represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary and my YA debut DEFY is coming January '14 from Scholastic!

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