Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Blog Tour: And I Darken by Kiersten White


Welcome to the blog tour for And I Darken by Kiersten White! This is the first book in a new series, a book that I liked. I hope you'll enjoy the post!


Top Five Hardest Things About Writing a Trilogy
By Kiersten White


And I Darken is the start of a new trilogy. With book two in the editing phase and book three in drafting (not to mention that my first three books were a trilogy), I know a thing or three about writing them! So, I give you the definitive list: 

TOP FIVE HARDEST THINGS ABOUT WRITING A TRILOGY:
1. Writing the first book
2. Writing the second book
3. Writing the third book

Wow, look at that! Writing a trilogy is so easy, there are only three top hardest things! Everyone should do it! In fact, everyone should write mine. I’ll be over there. Waiting. With my eyes closed.


Okay, okay. In all seriousness, here’s an actual top five hardest things.

1. Planning for book three when writing book one. Writing a single book is hard enough, without also having to weave in threads that won’t come into play until the second or third book! YA tends to be very tight plot-wise, so finding the right amount of building for future reveals without stealing from the tension in the first book is a tricky balancing act.


2. Similarly, it’s challenging to be doing promo for book one, editing book two, and plotting book three. It’s a lot of information to keep track of, and I constantly worry I’ll accidentally let a huge spoiler slip just because I’m talking about book one but living in book three. MY BRAIN. MY BRAIN.


3. Remembering how everyone’s names were spelled in the previous book. No, seriously, this is really hard for me.


4. Redoing research. When writing historical fiction, I do a TON of research. And, because of the schedule, sometimes it has been a year since I read those thousand or so pages on the siege of Constantinople, or that entire book on the life of the real Vlad Dracul. So I have go back and redo all the same research. It’s SUPER FUN!


5. Expectations. I still remember the horror I felt when I started getting reader reactions to Paranormalcy. Everyone loved Tasey, her bedazzled Taser. Suddenly I was plagued with insecurity. Did I use Tasey enough in Supernaturally? Was there time to go back and add more Tasey action? MY READERS LOVED TASEY, AND I HAD ALREADY BLOWN IT. I know what to expect this time around, but I do wonder: Who will everyone ship? Which characters will be their favorites? What unexpected aspect will they adore so much I’ll kick myself for not exploiting it more in books two and three?


But, in the end, that’s also the most amazing thing about writing trilogies. Because knowing as And I Darken goes out there and finds its readers that I still have so much in store for them is one of the giddiest, most wonderful aspects of writing. I get to live with these characters for years, and share their whole journey with you. And that is the number one best part of writing trilogies.



Thank you for joining me here at The Eater of Books!, Kiersten!


About the Book:


And I Darken by Kiersten White
Book One of The Conquerors Saga
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: June 28, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

NO ONE EXPECTS A PRINCESS TO BE BRUTAL. 

And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, who’s expected to rule a nation, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.

From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes the first book in a dark, sweeping new series in which heads will roll, bodies will be impaled . . . and hearts will be broken.



Follow the Author:




**Please note: The Eater of Books! has no rights/copyright/permissions in terms of the gifs used in this post. If there is any issue with such, please contact Kiersten White or Penguin Random House.

12 comments:

  1. Hahaha, omg Kiersten White is hilarious. I love her books so much and I really can’t wait to read this one. And YES. It’s a trilogy! I got sad when her fantastic standalones were, y’know, STANDALONES. Great post! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is! I've had a hit-or-miss relationship with her books. This one was pretty good for me, but my favorite of hers is probably Illusions of Fate.

      I prefer standalones! But I'm definitely in for the long haul, with this series. ;)

      Thank you, Rabiah!

      Delete
  2. Such a great guest post. I would worry about giving away spoilers in reader interactions as well. Also the research thing as an English hons. student I completely understand as in a lot of your research you have to QUOTE. Remembering is not good enough you have to remember which book and then you have to quote it. UGH it's so exhausting. Sorry for the rant.

    Do check out my new website @ Writer and Tales

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She did a great job with the guest post! I'm in awe of her work ethic and all the RESEARCH. Seems grueling!

      Delete
  3. Great post! I really want to read And I Darken. It looks so good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book, Erin. =)

      Delete
  4. I loved Kiersten's post and her so very on point usage of GIFs!! I cannot wait till I can get some quality time on Friday and finish And I Darken finally!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it awesome? I hope you adore the book, Pili!

      Delete
  5. Yay :D Lovely blog tour post Alyssa. <3 Thank you so much for sharing :D I looove it. I adored this book too, and so excited about it being out soon. Eee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Carina! I'm glad you enjoyed this one as well! Hopefully we enjoy book two even more (and hopefully the romance clears up a bit to our liking!). =)

      Delete
  6. They have this book at my library need to check it out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you get a chance to read it very soon, Dominique!

      Delete

I love comments! I will always try and reply to your comments, as well as leave some comment love on your blog! :)

Also, this an award and tag free blog. While I am flattered that you would think of me, I really do not have the time to follow up. Thank you!