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I’m feeling good this morning. First of all, I have some great news to announce about the secret society girl series:
Turkish rights to Diana Peterfreund’s SECRET SOCIETY GIRL, UNDER THE ROSE, & RITES OF SPRING (BREAK), have sold to Artemis, by Whitney Lee of the Fielding Agency on behalf of Elaine Spencer at the Knight Agency.
Savvy readers will note that this little deal does not include Tap & Gown. Yet. Savvier readers will be just as excited as I was by the name of my new publisher. Seriously, how awesome is that?
Next bit of great news: both of my anthologies out this year (Kiss Me Deadly and Zombies vs. Unicorns) are coming out as audio books! I’m so excited! I’ve never had an audio version of one of my books before.
Next bit of great news: I’ve received some advanced reviews of ASCENDANT and they have made me all happy:
April of Good Books and Wine says:
“Ascendant is a direct sequel to the super-awesome Rampant, which I actually really enjoyed. With Ascendant, the intros and exposition is pretty much out of the way so the book gets right on down to business. There is absolutely more sexual tension, more unicorns, more action, and a lot of moral dilemma. I loved it! What was so cool is how Peterfreund made her events grey areas. By this I mean things were taken out of a black and white context and given complexity and layers. I guess it’s awesome how we get to see two sides of a coin.
“I actually enjoyed Ascendant way more than Rampant. I thought Astrid really came into her own. Confession corner: After I finished I really had trouble finding a book to read. I mean, what’ll measure up to that kind of awesome?”
She also reviewed Rampant recently, AND she is giving away copies of BOTH right now! Go sign up to win!
Cassandra Yorgey of examiner.com also snagged an advanced review copy of ASCENDANT at BEA, and reviews it (along with a plea for a third book) here:
“[A] prominent theme throughout Ascendant is how we treat animals. Animal conservation and medical testing are issues that Astrid is on the fence about. She struggles with these things, often bordering each side of the fence trying desperately to reconcile necessities with human decency. And even if you don’t care one whit about those things, there are still killer freaking unicorns, which is awesome socks no matter how you wrap it up.
“Ascendant is one of those sequels that is so good I actually convinced myself it was part of a trilogy, even though there is in fact no third book under contract.”
Also on the rampage about the scheduling of the third book, we have Miss Havoc of Cry Havoc reviews, who was apparently so devastated by my 140-word tweeted reply to her about not having a third book under contract yet that she actually KNOCKED A STAR off her review of ASCENDANT ::sniff:: and prompted a few emails into my inbox on the matter: “First I just want to rant a little about how there ISN’T GOING TO BE A THIRD BOOK! At least not anytime soon. Which really upset me ’cause I love me some Killer Unicorns! That also had to bring Ascendant down to a 4 star, because if this is how it ends…it just isn’t enough. I think we need to start a petition so that we can get some more Killer Unicorns!
“OK, on to the review! Loved it! Want to give it 5 stars.”
Since I’ve gotten enough emails/twitters/blog discussions/random assumptions on the subject, I feel I should make what is as formal a statement as I can make at this time, namely: I would like to write a third killer unicorn book, and I currently have a two book contract with Harper Collins to write more YA books. The first book in this contract, which I am working on now and will be out in 2011, is a post-apocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. The second book (which will probably be a 2012 release) is undecided as of yet. It may be killer unicorns #3. It may not.
No one is the “bad guy” here. I am not holding killer unicorn stories for ransom (I have three coming out this year!). Additionally, Harper Teen is hugely in support of Rampant and Ascendant. Rampant will be out in paperback this fall (for the low, low price of $8.99), along with the hardcover of Ascendant, which was featured prominently at BEA and is going to be featured prominently again at ALA this weekend. We also have a lot of cool promotional things planned for the fall.
So, to answer the questions I keep getting about what you can do to make sure there is a third unicorn book, all I can say is, tell your friends about Rampant. Tell your local bookseller to stock it. Tell your local librarian to order a copy for her collection. Buy a copy of the paperback (for the low, low price of $8.99) when it comes out this fall. And just be patient, and we can revisit this issue in six to eight months. Think of this like a TV show. I don’t know if I’m “renewed” — I’m still mid-season! (And yes, I am aware of what my options are, one of them being that I’ve got a blank book under contract.)
Back to the great reviews!
Rene Kirkpatrick, a bookseller at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, Washington, is a fan of both books in the series:
“But, are the myths true? Are the unicorns all blood hungry, savage beasts? What about the people who are searching for the remedy, the cure for all disease? Who do you trust when those you want to trust have motives that don’t match yours? Were there nunneries filled with women warriors dating from the time of Diana who could keep the world safe from harm? Wouldn’t it be cool if there were a reason for them to still be viable? Man (and woman)-eating, not fluffy, no pink or purple manes or tales, unicorns; maybe not, huh?
“These books are really good. They are humorous and deal with a lot of the same questions that girls who aren’t unicorn hunters have to deal with. There is high romance, a little low romance, big questions about certain parts of life and how valuable these things can be, big adventure, strong and brave women. Good travel books, too, especially if you are on your way to Rome or France; good descriptions of the nightlife and tourist worlds. They are really good summer books. Ages 14 and up. (HarperTeen. $17.99. Rampant is available now, and Ascendant will be available in October! Ooh. October! Put it on your list, you’re going to want it when you’re done with Rampant.)”
W00T! I love booksellers who love killer unicorns.
And librarians. Seriously, this weekend at ALA, I must meet Betsy Bird (who apparently I know through two different degrees of separation?). Look what she had to say about ASCENDANT in her recent Harper fall 2010 preview:
“In an era of Zombies Vs. Unicorns, it seems appropriate that Diana Peterfreund’s killer unicorn book Rampant should get itself a sequel. Ascendant keeps up the fast pace of its predecessor and Peterfreund has been studying unicorn legends from around the world extensively for these books. Personally, I think Harper Collins is losing a huge opportunity with these covers. If you put a big, ugly, slavering unicorn with blood dripping from its mouth on the jacket, those copies will sell sell sell faster than you can print them up. Oh, and for those of you wondering what else Ms. Peterfreund has up her sleeve, I have five words for you: Post-apocalyptic retelling of Persuasion.”
Gotta say, Betsy, I too am disappointed they couldn’t squeeze a unicorn on that cover. But then again, prettyprettyAstridhair. It’s so hard to put everything that this book is on one cover. Maybe in a dozen years, when my series is recognized as a modern classic, I’ll get new gory covers. Then Roman ruin covers. Then chem lab covers. The possibilities are endless. 
And to wrap this up (and then go pick up my car which is finally ready, yay!) I have this lovely review of RAMPANT from a livejournaler called hamsterwoman:
“You know how, in about 90% of my reviews, I will get to the main character and say, “I liked [him/her] OK” or “Him/her I was ‘meh’ on”? Well, ha! Because I freaking LOVE Astrid Llewelyn. She is easily my favorite character in the book, my favorite thing about the book (and I really liked the book), and there isn’t even any question about it. Astrid is awesome!
“Astrid is a real scientist in training. Not only is she interested in science and actively going after becoming a doctor (volunteering in the hospital) even though she is just 16, but she is believable in this role. She has a scientist’s mind, analyzing inputs and details even in high-stress situations — e.g. noticing [snipped for spoilers]. And she thinks in terms of behaviour patterns and hypotheses, and she resents unscientific ideas, like that particular skills run in families, and is frustrated by the others’ reluctance to try an examine the unscientific but apparently true effects scientifically. And she stages actual scientific experiments with her fellow hunters, and uses words like “ambient unicorn influence.” (In retrospect, even at the very beginning her thoughts on her relationship with the douchy boyfriend feel kind of scientist-like — she is trying to maximize the benefits of dating him while minimizing how much groping she lets him get away with.
“I can’t readily express how awesome I find this, but it is. I’ve seen/read quite a few attempts to portray young geeks/science types, and so many of them end up feeling like caricatures to me or like shallow “my nerdness is pasted on” decals, or like someone’s fairly uninformed idea of what would-be scientists are like. And there’s none of that here — Astrid’s the real thing. She thinks and acts and argues in ways that are familiar and true to me. People talk about having different kinds of female heroines for girls to identify with, and there are tomboy types and girly girls and girls out to prove things to the world and girls looking to find themselves and to learn the meaning of love and friendship or whatever, but I don’t think I’ve actually encountered a female heroine before that I could identify with as closely as with Astrid. There have been plenty that I wanted to be like or think I was like, but for sheer identification, yeah, Astrid is pretty much it. And, yes, it’s quite nice to have that, even as an adult.”
I really need to start printing these babies out and pasting them up on my wall or something for those days when I feel like I suck and can’t write consistent characterization to save my life. Because one of Astrid’s core conflicts is trying to resolve the science that she knows is true with the magic that she must, as an astute observer, recognize. I hope with Ascendant that I’ve successfully evolved that inner struggle and kept Astrid a scientist, even if she happens to be a magical one. (I think Cassandra thinks I did.)
And now I’m going to shut up before I start in with the spoilers…
I’ve been a lazy blogger since coming back from vacation. probably because I haven’t been lazy in any other aspect of my life. We’re doing a lot of redecoration Chez Diana, I had houseguests, and I’m super busy with the draft of PAP. The blog, she suffers. However, I recently ran across a review of Rampant that reminded me of somethign I wanted to write about here: worldbuilding, sexual politics, and variations on a theme.
This review of Rampant by Aimee of To the Wolves, in which the reader is very interested in talking about the sexual politics of the novel (minor spoilers if you click through to the actual and more comprehensive review, but not here):
“Peterfreund remains faithful to the unicorn folklore that states that only virgins can tame them, and I loved how she used this; in the hands of a lesser writer, it’s the kind of thing that could potentially make me want to throw a book across the room. The topic of sex and virginity in YA novels can always be counted on to get folks raging on all sides of the sexual politics spectrum. Peterfreund’s unicorn characters are all discovering their powers – and how conditional they are – right at a point in their lives where they’re also discovering their sexuality, and deciding what they want out of their relationships with boys, and the confusion that all this causes is pitch-perfect.”
What is interesting to me is that as I see the different reader responses to Rampant, this issue seems to be the most polarizing. I’ve seen readers praise the approach and really dig into the ramifications of what happens to the characters and I’ve seen readers metaphorically (and perhaps physically, I don’t know) throw the book across the room.
My point of view on the subject, as it pertains to Astrid’s story in particular, is that the configuration of a unicorn hunter’s magic is something that we, in today’s society, would view as particularly misogynistic. In many ways, it mirrors the unbalanced valuation system that our society places on female virginity as defined, at times confusingly, by heterosexual sexual intercourse. It is young girls –not young boys — who are taken to “purity balls” and told that their virginity, specifically, is a precious gift. There are also a lot of young people today who are led to believe that “everything but” vaginal intercourse is a virginity-preserving option. Even as a teen, I knew people who would have anal sex in order to “preserve their virginity.” It’s rather bizarre, if you think about it. It doesn’t really have any benefits, either in the “physical intimacy” or the “disease” spheres. It’s an entirely artificial construct based around this definition of “virginity” (that the book’s magic mirrors).
As an abstinent teen, I dealt with a lot of the same questions and criticisms that Astrid does; this idea that a teenager (and especially a teenage girl) is not capable of making her own decisions on the subject, and must be shielded or kept ignorant of her options or terrified. The system in place trains people to think that teens aren’t capable of making this choice themselves without some outside force like shame or religion or etc motivating them. I don’t think that gives teens enough credit. Like me as a teen, Astrid just knows she’s not ready to have sex yet, and she really shouldn’t have to explain that to anyone. I also thought it was important that the different hunters have different reasons for the choices they make — and that all of these reasons are valid as well. If Rosamund chooses to remain abstinent because of her religious beliefs, that’s every bit as valid as Phil or Astrid choosing abstinence without the help of God.
The flip side of this is that the idea of abstinence has become such a polarized one that a lot of people have a knee-jerk reaction to it. If I discuss abstinence, that means I’m trying to control the minds of teenage girls and teach them that their desire for sex (if they have it) is evil and wrong. I have gotten this reaction to my book as well. I think sometimes, it’s because magical powers are so often presented as being the ultimate “good” in fantasy novels. It’s better to have magical powers than not to have magical powers. Therefore, the argument goes, it’s better to behave in a way that allows you to have magical powers. And therefore, the author is making the argument that this behavior is the better one.
Am I? That decision is, of course, up to the reader. Not everyone who reads my book is going to come to this website and listen to me say, “Oh, wow, no! The magic in Rampant sucks! It’s misogynistic and antifeminist!” I either succeeded in getting that across in the book to that particular reader, or I didn’t. I am interested to see how the opinion changes, however, when they read Ascendant this fall. (Or perhaps not, as I don’t think it likely that most folks who disliked Rampant will continue with the series.)
At the same time, that’s Astrid’s story, which is very much concerned with the role of the woman in today’s society and today’s sexual politics. In Ireland last year, a discussion with my soon-to-be editor Holly Black on this exact topic led me to challenge myself to write a story set in my world that wasn’t about those topics. The result is “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn,” in this fall’s Zombies vs. Unicorns, in which there is nothing about sexual politics whatsoever.
Later, fresh from finishing Ascendant, and in need of a breather, I took an entirely different tack on the world. If the magic is misogynistic in today’s society, what might it be in another society? In more ancient times, institutional virginity or the perception of it (Vestal Virgins, Catholic nuns, Queen Elizabeth I) was actually a form of feminine freedom. Retired Vestal Virgins had rights that no other woman in Rome did. Catholic nuns were some of the only female intellectuals of the European middle ages. Queen Elizabeth consolidated her power by not marrying a foreign head of state. Depending on the configuration of society, could a unicorn hunter actually have more freedom than the alternative? The result of that trail of inquiry is “Errant” my first historically-set story and my contribution to July’s Kiss Me Deadly anthology.
I have been thinking a lot about how different the three stories I have coming out this year are. They each explore a facet of a world I built for the purposes of one particular story — Astrid’s story. But as different as she and her situation are, Astrid has a lot in common with Wen, Gitta, and Elise, and I hope that I do each of them justice as young women who are trying to make the best choices they can for themselves.
John Scalzi and Justine Larbalestier are talking about “owning” your one star reviews on Amazon. I went to go look mine up, only to discover that, to my shock, I don’t have any one star reviews on Amazon. Given the angst I’ve felt over Amazon reviews in the past, I was sure that some of them had to be one star. No, apparently only two stars. I have my fair share of those.(Don’t worry, though, I have plenty of one star reviews on Goodreads!)
Yet none of them, I think, can possibly top the one I just received for Rampant. A snippet of its (two star) fabulosity:
“I felt as if the author is very self-impressed and narcissistic. Which I guess is fine until it permeates the writing. If you read the jacket cover – all about how wonderful and adventurous she is – and then realize she’s attempted to weave in the myth of Diana goddess of the hunt and that her name is Diana….well too much self homage for me. Nothing redeems this insipid tale.”
Finally, someone calls me out for making the magic system in my book something that was invented by a goddess whose name is the same as mine. I was wondering when that would happen.
Justine’s post is all about Jane Austen’s one star Amazon reviews for Pride & Prejudice. I haven’t read through them, but I sincerely hope that someone calls that chick out for naming her most beautiful Bennett sister Jane, not to mention that annoyingly perfect Jane Fairfax from Emma.
So I got up on the rightest side of the bed this morning. To start with, it’s a gorgeous day outside. Bright and clear, not too cold. And I was in a good mood already because I did some serious work yesterday, and I’m still buzzing from that.
And then I found out that Teenreads.com is recommending RAMPANT on it’s 2009 holiday gift buying guide, What To Give, What To Get.
And then Phoebe Eating shared her thoughts on Rampant:
“It was the premise (in four words: “girls hunt killer unicorns”) that initially drew me in, but the fantastic, battle-strewn plotting and frantic pace that kept me there. For the first time in ages, I stayed up late–too late!–to read, consuming the entire book in two big night-time chunks.”
Also:
“Peterfreund puts a remarkable deal of care into crafting her urban-fantasy world, particularly the mythology behind the unicorns. We’re given a small handful of bloodthirsty species, and she even manages to make two unicorns into believable characters. Though one unicorn, Bonegrinder, is tame, she certainly isn’t a saccharine-Lisa-Frank-kind-of unicorn, but instead a gritty, feisty, and fiercely loyal killer.”
It’s possible Bonegrinder and Phil are going to have to have a cage match for “most popular character in Rampant.
And then, to my surprise, some reviews popped up of Secret Society Girl. Like Helgagrace’s:
“…an action-packed series opener that had me eagerly ordering the second book through ILL.”
And Sarah at Everygirl Blog:
“Usually when I read YA or chick-lit (of which this could be considered both), I find that I dislike the characters. This is an exception. I love Amy and her spunky, bold personality. I love that she has real problems (best friend in love with her, roommate issues, making the grade on that final paper, boy troubles) in addition to her heavy Rose & Grave issues. And the guys in the book—swoon. Oh, boys. I love a good male character who I can fall in love with and, honestly, these books have more than one! Sure, it might not be as problematic as the Team Edward v. Team Jacob debate, but I bet some arguments could ensue about just who is best for Amy.”
And, last but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, Alexa Barry makes my day complete by naming Astrid & Giovanni #6 on her top 10 favorite literary couples of 2009. She shares one of their more… um, close scenes… then says, “Seriously, after this, I don’t know how you’re still a Unicorn Hunter, Astrid!” LOL
Okay then! And now I’m off to squander my good mood making the dogs and house look presentable again. It’s very muddy outside.
 There have been a spate of lovely new online mentions of RAMPANT recently. I thought I’d share some quotes:
First, from Caitlin at Addiction to Fiction:
“This book was most entertaining, and very original. I loved the idea of killer unicorns. Before I started the book, I was envisioning sprawling battles with swords and crossbows and majestic yet terrible beasts that are ravaging the unsuspecting population. And I was not disappointed in that regard. What I didn’t expect was how honest the book was going to be about teenage girls and sex. I had completely forgotten the old myth of unicorns being attracted to virgin females, but this book takes it and runs with it. And sex itself it talked about in such an honest and real way. It feels like teenage girls talking about sex. Not an adult having teenage girls talk about sex the way she wishes they would.”
From Lea at YA Book Queen:
“Unicorns totally kick butt. I never thought I could actually take ‘Killer Unicorns’ seriously, but Peterfreund makes it all believable. After the first chapter, I was hooked.”
“The fight scenes were awesome, and so well described. I felt like I was there, witnessing everything. Even the descriptions of the unicorns were awesome, because I could tell just how deadly they were (seriously!).”
Kate at Read This Book gives it a gold star and says:
“Wow! I could not put down this book and despite the fact that I was rather unwell when I read it. From the first chapter, you’d be enchanted by the world of killer unicorns. Rampant possesses a nice mixture of romance, action and adventure. Detailed gruesome battles, heart-pounding action, vivid desciptions of unicorns and fantastic dialogue. It’s no question that Diana Peterfreund is an amazingly talented writer.”
Liyana at LiyanaLand (on break from trying to guess the title of the sequel) named Rampant her book of the month for November and says:
“I loved the fighting sequences and the training scenes. As I’m writing this, I’m still in RampantLand, and goshdang it! The view there is amazing. The descriptions are breathtaking, the writing is superbly lucid and the characters are just fantastically detailed.”
And, last but not least, Angela at DarkFaerieTales has this to say:
“Overall, I think Rampant is an excellent read. These rabid and deadly unicorns will absolutely terrify you. This book has it all, from making out, to fight scenes, flesh eating mythical creatures, deadly kills, heartbreak, and downright gore. The pacing of the book is good and the premise is certainly engaging. I actually bit all of my nails off while reading this book. Many thanks, Ms. Peterfreund.”
And also:
“The love story between Astrid and Giovanni is actually pretty devastating. Astrid grapples with her physical and emotional reactions to Giovanni, and looks to him as a way out of the death and destruction. Giovanni is older and more experienced, and views his relationship with Astrid as more than physical gratification. Their relationship will certainly be fraught with difficulty and full of sacrifice for both parties.”
I save that quote for last because it really made my day. I absolutely love the response that Rampant has received from readers — I love Astrid, and Phil, and Cory, and Bonegrinder, I love the Cloisters and the battle sequences, and it means so much to me that readers love them too.
I also love Giovanni. I find the relationship between Astrid and Giovanni to be pretty devastating myself, and there are certain scenes with the two of them that make me cry every time I read them. I realize that he’s not a vampire or a fallen angel or any of those other enigmatic and enchanting boys YA heroines are wont to meet in their biology classes, He’s not a werewolf, a demon, a fairy, or a unicorn hunter. To me, this is not a downside. I like human boys very much. I married one. There’s a reason that Giovanni has been crafted the way he is.
I don’t believe love conquers all. Rather, I believe that love gives you a reason to attempt said conquering. And those who have read the secret society books and the five romances in that series know that sometimes, that’s not reason enough. I love that the Dark Faerie Tales review appreciated Astrid and Giovanni’s love story. I can’t wait for you all to read ASCENDANT and see where it takes them.
Perhaps you caught me on television yesterday. I appeared on the syndicated show Better, which airs in 54 cities, talking about RAMPANT.What gorgeous production values they have there at Better!
If you didn’t catch the show, you can see it now, online! I love living in the future.
Now, if only CBS would stop being jerks and put How I Met Your Mother back on the internet. I am happy to watch ads. I just don’t get TV reception.
Hi, everyone, it’s me, your absentee blogger. I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting this place of late (I know I’ve owed folks more on the “nice guy” thing for, like, weeks) but I’ve been so busy! Florida, St. Louis, New York City, the KidLitCon — and then revisions, revisions revisions! It’s been a whirlwind.
For instance, this weekend I spent all day Saturday (from about 6 AM to 10 PM) at the KidLitCon here in DC. I attended panels on how authors, bloggers and publishers can work together, a panel on the new FTC guidelines work (and “guidelines” is really the appropriate word here, because the takeaway message I got from the very nice FTC rep was that everyone needed to chill out), and got to hang out with some amazing authors, including Laurel Snyder, Amanda Brice, Caroline Hickey, Pam Bachorz, Paula Chase Hyman, and Varian Johnson.
Varian Johnson, me, and Paula Chase-Hyman at “Meet the Author” at KidLitCon
On top of that, I met some amazing librarians whose blogs I totally intended to come straight home and check out… except:
My train to New York City left at 7 AM the next morning. Yikes.
So, after sleeping all the way to New York, I arrived, checked into my hotel (Luggage = one tiny suitcase and one enormous bag of killer unicorn cookies) and betook myself downtown to Books of Wonder. The other authors at the signing included John Connolly, Marissa Doyle, John Hulme, Daniel Kirk, Sara Beth Durst, Dan Poblocki, and Michael Wexler — and I am now the proud possessor of all their books.
Also at the signing: my editor, Sharonluvscats (in her awesome unicorn jacket!), Cassandra Yorgey, my uncle Tom (who drove down from Buffalo to see me!), a whole bunch of my college friends, and Mitali’s dad.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO BRAVED THE CRAPPY WEATHER AND CAME!
Sharon’s AWESOME unicorn jacket
Me and Sarah Beth Durst, who has an awesome rundown of the whole event on her blog.
It was a really fun signing. Instead of doing a reading (which always makes my palms sweat in fear), we all got a chance to talk about the kernel of the idea behind our books. And regular blog readers know I can go on forever about the ideas behind killer unicorns. After our presentations, a school principal came up to me and said she was buying Rampant because it sounded very educational. I hope, upon reading it, she decides there’s enough mythology, monasteries, and museums mixed in with the making out and the manslaughter.
See what I did there? What a wordsmith.
After the signing, Sarah Beth Durst and Sarah Cross and I went to a nearby bakery and had ridiculously rich hot chocolates with ridiculously large marshmallows in them. Then Sarah Cross and I went to dinner and caught up, since I hadn’t seen her since Team Castle. We caught up for, um, five hours. Eventually, the people at the restaurant took our teacups and water glasses away and refused to keep refilling. Getting the hint, we betook ourselves to Grand Central Station and kept catching up in the lobby until we finally, reluctantly, admitted we should both probably go home and get some sleep.
The next morning, I woke up, packed up my killer unicorn cookies:
And headed off on my day of extra special secret fabulous promotional events. I did a television appearance (more on that soon), a video interview (more on that a little less soon, but still not so long from now), and had nice long chats with my editor about — ahem — secret books I may or may not be writing (see column at right).
And then I came home to Sailor Boy and Rio and TempDog #4, who all missed me madly. And I spent all of Tuesday playing catch-up.
So, there you have it! Why I’ve not been around. Sorry.
In other news, I’ve got winners of the fabulous Kristin Cashore Giveaway, and here they are:
MICHELLE OF THE SPIRAL PATH (comment #7)
SARA OF THE HIDING SPOT (comment #16)
And here’s how it works. You two email me and tell me whether you want Graceling or Fire. First come, first served.
- I’ve been working really hard on revisions for KU2.
- Which have been hampered sadly, by Pantalaimon’s timely/untimely (depending on which Apple Genius you ask) death.
- I have been doing some home repairs chez Diana
- Which include a massive tree removal operation which rendered my office about 12 times more sunny, which I’m sure I’ll appreciate in the coming winter months but which makes me think I should have gone for an anti-glare screen in my new computer. Also, I’ll probably want to plant something new so I have some shade next summer.
But, don’t worry. I’ll be back soon. Like when Fed Ex decides to get off its butt and deliver my new computer. Stupid Columbus Day.
In other news, check out this great new review of Rampant from In Between the Pages:
I loved Astrid. She kicks butt in so many ways. Plus, she’s a science nerd like me. Chem major all the way! The characters were all very layered and unexpected, with none of them conforming to stereotypes. The jock was extremely nice and grounded, while the girls who appeared to be nasty ended up having hearts. Then there were the boys. Who doesn’t love a guy that enjoys art and speaks Italian? (melt)
Recently, I met with Bethanne Patrick of The Book Studio and spoke with her at length about the secret society girl series as well as Rampant. The interview is now available. Go listen to me talk about feminism, politics, killer unicorns, and hot guys.
First off, the events.
I’ve got some exciting new events in store to celebrate the release of RAMPANT, including one in New York City! (I will keep you updated on my Manhattan appearance and release the details when details are, y’know, finalized.)
This weekend of course is the big Florida launch party. We’re finalizing the details now and it’s going to be so much fun! The entire catering menu is an homage to the Roman setting of RAMPANT. There’s going to be pizza and Italian bread and cheese and gelato and prosecco for the over-21-ers and Italian sodas for the underage…I’m super-excited.
And actually, my trip to Florida has me bouncing from top to bottom. Friday night’s the party, Saturday night my family is having a super special dinner in Tampa, and Sunday we’ll be attending a Bucs game. It’s going to be a whirlwind adventure!
I just need to figure out who is taking care of Rio and TempDog#4 while I’m away. I’m pretty sure I’ll have to split them up, which is too bad. I totally caught them making out earlier this evening. Rio, apparently, likes younger guys.
And then, as soon as I’m back, it’s off to St. Louis for the NINC Conference. the last time I was in St. Louis, there was a horrific blizzard, and the entire city shut down. I’m hoping for warmer weather and open restaurants. Fingers crossed. But I can’t wait! I’m roomming with my mentor, the fabulous Julie Leto, and I’m going to dinner with my agent, and I’m sitting on a panel with Sharon Shinn and Julie Kenner, and I’m moderating another with Ridley Pearson (!!!) And in between, I’m probably going to do some stock signings out and about in St. Louis.
In other news, my toe still hurts. No sandals for me this weekend. Sad face. I was all set for a pedicure with little unicorn heads on my toes, too. Possibly decapitated. Definitely fanged.
In other OTHER and FAR MORE INTERESTING news than Stuff About My Mangled Toe, we have more RAMPANT reviews, coming atcha (spoiler-free, too!):
Christy Finn at Finntastic raves:
That tension there kept me hooked (well, along with all the unicorn attacks that would come and the bloody mess that it would leave behind) all throughout the novel. I kept reading, hardly glancing up, hardly eating until I was twenty pages from the end. I needed to know: how would it end. I knew, even as I bought this book, that there would be another to come… now, I just hate that I have to wait until Fall 2010 to get my hands on it.
The characters in the book are incredibly diverse. Phil has an air of rebellion around her, a devil-may-care attitude, and yet she shows such love for her cousin Astrid, I just love her all around. At one point, your heart breaks for her. Cory, the ultra-focused unicorn hunter that was the first to arrive, comes off somewhat misunderstood. And Lilith, Astrid’ mother, who had told her of the existence of unicorns for years. At first, I was ambivalent towards her. But later… later, I strongly disliked her.
And Giovanni. (Slight swoon here). It’ll be fun to see how his role grows as the series progresses.
Perhaps where Diana shows her strength is not only in the prose that she writes. It’s fluid. There’s a strong Voice in the work. The descriptions are vivid, elaborate at times. If you’ve read her other work, none of this will be a surprise.
But the details! The history! The richness! The retelling, recreating of worlds and histories. The revelations that come, little by little, and never at a rush… great timing, excellent pacing, but extraordinary details.
LyraRoses says:
5 out of 5 stars...
The imagery that is used wraps you up in how Astrid feels, as you follow her through her decisions. She is a great role model for girls. As she is strong willed and has as true sense of honor. You understand the why behind all her decisions. I love her relationship with her cousin, Phil. They make a great team. I really enjoyed it and hope that there will be another story where we see what happens to the characters later on.
And Kate at Read this Book! wrote:
Wow! I could not put down this book and despite the fact that I was rather unwell when I read it. From the first chapter, you’d be enchanted by the world of killer unicorns. Rampant possesses a nice mixture of romance, action and adventure. Detailed gruesome battles, heart-pounding action, vivid descriptions of unicorns and fantastic dialogue. It’s no question that Diana Peterfreund is an amazingly talented writer.
So there you have it. ‘Cause I know the only reasons you guys come here is to read Rampant reviews, right?
Kidding.You’re probably bored to tears and wonder when I’m gonna post another photo of Rio. But the thing is, Rio is deathly afraid of books for some reason (ahem, shoemaker’s kids go barefoot, I’m guessing), and she refuses to pose with Rampant. And until she does, I’ve instituted a moratorium on her modeling days. Adolescent rebellion my mangled toe!
Luckily, we’ve got a few stand-ins. This is Tiff’s cat. Hi, Tiff’s cat!
Tiff’s Cat is currently enjoying pride of place as the first cat ever featured here on my blog. I’m not so much a cat person, though I love my niece and nephew-cats, Hobbes and Hera.
And, naturally, I love any cat who loves Rampant. Tiff’s cat is hereby named an honorary member of the Order of the Lioness.
Wait, what was that, Rio? You’re jealous? Jealous enough to submit yourself to Mommy’s whims, perhaps?
Okay, you can be in the Order of the Lioness as well. There’s my little girl.
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