The lovely Meg got me an arc of Siege & Storm when she was at ALA in January when it was in Seattle. As soon as I got done with it, I was flailing all about and begged Leigh to do an interview. She is absolutely amazing and agreed!
But before we get to Leigh, let’s see about the book.
Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.
Sounds good, right?
1. What prompted the idea for the Grisha trilogy?
In fantasy, darkness is usually metaphorical, but I wanted to see what would happen if I gave it physical form. That idea became the Shadow Fold and just about everything else in Ravka grew out of it.
2. How did you go about building the world?
That’s a big question, but for me world building breaks down into sense of order and sense of place. When I wrote the first (very rough) draft of Shadow and Bone, the only things I really understood were the elements of order i.e. how power—personal, political, magical—functioned in the world. It was in the later drafts that I tried to give a real sense of how the world looked and felt. At some point, those two types of world building started to influence each other and I think that’s when the story started to feel real for me.
3. Sturmhond is a fun new character. Did you have the idea for him right away or did he come to be as a reaction to another character?
I’m a plotter and Sturmhond was in the earliest outlines of the series. But I think his character and more importantly his sense of humor may have also been a response to the darkness in the books. I love harrowing and gritty, and believe me when I say I’m out to break your heart, but I think the darker moments lose impact if the world is too unrelentingly bleak.
4. And speaking of your boys, they’re all so different. Who is the easiest for you to write?
Sturmhond. No question. Most of my characters spend a lot of time fighting themselves, grappling with what’s right or wrong. Sturmhond knows exactly who he is and what he wants. He is pure confidence, perfect clarity of intent, and that’s so much fun to write.
>5. Will there be kissing in book 3?
Indeed. A lot of it. And I suspect some of it will be unexpected. I sometimes joke with my editor that it should be called Ruin and Racy.
Speed [ish] round:
1. What’s your go to guilty pleasure thing to eat?
Eggs Florentine. Actually, any iteration of Eggs Benedict. I should probably just get around to naming a character Hollandaise.
2. If you could wake up one day, just knowing how to do something, what would it be?
Play guitar. Or sew. Maybe sew while playing the guitar?
3. Who are your favorite swoony boys?
Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond, and right now, my heart belongs to Richard Armitage in the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Haskell’s, North and South. I also have a soft spot for Jaime Lannister, but I’m not sure I’d call it a swoon.
4. Are there any authors that you fangirl over?
So. Many. George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman. Glen David Gold. Holly Black. Gillian Flynn. I was on a panel at ATBF and it took me about ten minutes to actually hear what the moderator was saying because all I could think was “IamsittingnexttoLibbaBrayIamsittingnexttoLibbaBray.
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Huge thanks to Leigh for taking the time to deal with my fangirling do the interview! Go find her on her website, Twitter, and Facebookpages. And go add her books on GoodReads!
Noooow. Haven’t had a chance to pick up Siege & Storm? I have a signed copy up for grabs. Also? I’m going to see Leigh again on Friday, June 21st, so I can have the book personalized if the winner likes. Of course, assuming the winner emails me back before the event. And assuming that I go to the event.
Rules for the giveaway are listed under the “terms and conditions” on the Rafflecopter widget.
**Good Luck!!**
Ahhhh that's a toughy! I honestly don't know! I'm not really leaning towards Mal, though. Don't know why but I'm not a huge fan of him.
After book 2 that is a tough question but I have to say The Darkling…I just love him.
Awesome giveaway!
xoxo
Erin
Ooh, team Darkling. He is such a brilliant character. But I don't want Alina with him. It scares me what he'd do to her. But I can't help but swoon over him despite everything.
I'm not on a team yet (haven't read book 1 but I do have it). this interview was awesome :)
Super awesome interview :)
Ack, hard question! Team Darkling… :D
I would say Darkling. I am a sucker for a bad boy.
I haven't read Siege & Storm yet but from what I hear Sturmhond is winning over everybody!
I dunno… I feel like they all suck… but I've only read Shadow and Bone, so I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Great interview! :)
Everyone keeps swooning over Sturmhond, and given that he's a confident pirate, he may win me over, too! So, we'll see! Thanks for the giveaway!
I'm Team Mal! :D
Mal :)
I am so excited to read this book, but I still have to read the first one, so I don't have a clue which team I'm on. You could probably tell me, LOL. Thanks for the chance at the givewaway!
I am team Mal.
Team Darkling. He makes me think.
I'm conflicted! I like Mal, but he wasn't a huge presence in the first book, so I don't know him too well yet. The Darkling intrigues me, but I can't figure him out. And I haven't met Sturmhond yet, but from what I've heard, he steals the show! So I guess I'll have a better idea of who I like after reading Siege and Storm (or maybe I'll be even more conflicted! haha).
Strumhond!!!!! All the way :)
Team Sturmhond!
The Darkling is intriguing, but is too selfish. I think Mal is clinging to what she was, not what she's become.
I'm Team Darkling.. but Sturmhond, i mean he's perfect xD
Team Mal!!
I want to say I'm team Darkling, but Sturmhond sounds like way too much fun! Would love to see how he is. :)
Oh give me a swashbuckling prince any day! Team Sturmhond :)
Team Darkling all the way!! *-* is the best villain that i ever read about!
I'm still not done with Siege and Storm I just started reading, but if you ask I'm torn between Darkling and Mal in Grisha #1. and like everyone else I was also fooled by Darkling however I'm still loving this evil prince. Ow! plus Sturmhold, I'm soooo Intrigued!
I am evenly torn between the Darkling and Sturmhond! Good job, Leigh! I'm never usually torn!
I'm Team Darkling
I am totally Team Darkling!!!! He is the hottest villain I know :)!!!!
I haven't read the book yet, but I am team Leigh Bardugo right now.
I'm Team Darkling all the way :)
Team Darkling!!! But I have to say that Sturmhond is pretty awesome too.