Read a Very Large Chunk of RAMPANT, Free!

13 Responses to “Read a Very Large Chunk of RAMPANT, Free!”

1. Julia says:
   August 11th, 2009 at 11:46 am

   I’ve just started reading and it is fabulous! Can’t wait for the WHOLE book to come out soon!

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2. PurpleRanger says:
   August 11th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

   Like I wasn’t already going to get this book.

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3. Sinead says:
   August 11th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

   Really compelling reading. Loved it and cannot wait to read the whole book.

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4. JJ says:
   August 12th, 2009 at 1:13 am

   I just finished reading and I’m intrigued. I can’t wait for it to be released, although I will confess to giggling a little at the mention of the kirin because it means “giraffe” in Korean.

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5. Diana says:
   August 12th, 2009 at 7:03 am

   Thank you, Julia!

   Well, PR, I live in hope.

   Thanks, Sinead!

   JJ, that doesn’t surprise me. It also means “giraffe” (as WELL as unicorn) in modern Japanese. They are descended from the same root word, an ancient, unicorn-like animal of Chinese folklore called a qi’lin. The story goes that in the 15th c., a Chinese explorer named Cheng Ho returned from the west with heaps of exotic goods and animals, including a captive giraffe, which the court immediately accepted as one of these legendary, unicorn-like beasts. They’d never seen a giraffe before, so why couldn’t it be a kirin?

   (See also: kirin beer. It’s certainly NOT a giraffe on that label, but a scaly unicorn. Kirin is also a common term used for any number of magical creatures in anime and video games.)

   Poor giraffe, can never get a break. Europeans for a long time called it a “cameleopard” believing it to be half camel, half leopard.

   This idea of naming a real creature for the same name as a legendary beast is not common, but it’s not unique, either. Think of the Komodo Dragon.

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6. Alexa says:
   August 12th, 2009 at 7:38 am

   Stayed up late reading it, it’s brilliant. I can’t wait to read the rest. Love Astrid and Bonegrinder!

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7. Pam says:
   August 12th, 2009 at 10:06 am

   I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too sure about this book and whether I would like it. I actually was thinking that I would just skip it; but, now after reading this little bit of it I’m excited for the full release!

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8. Diana says:
   August 12th, 2009 at 10:09 am

   Thanks, Alexa? Will I see you at a signing? Bring the tot, unicorns find them extra tasty!

   Pam, we shall disregard for a moment the heretical idea that anything I’d ever compose could possibly be deemed unlikeable — and just be glad you liked the excerpt!

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9. PurpleRanger says:
   August 12th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

   I should point out that I went through most of the excerpt in about 15 minutes. Well, I did shift into hyper mode within a few seconds of hitting Chapter 1, and the scroll wheel on my mouse helped.

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10. Liza says:
    August 12th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    I loved what I was able to read. Can’t wait to buy Rampant!

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11. PurpleRanger says:
    August 13th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    Well, giraffes ARE related to camels — both are ruminants. Giraffes are kosher, though, while camels are not.

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12. phyllis towzey says:
    August 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    Awesome excerpt. Now I REALLY can’t wait to read the book!

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13. Alexa says:
    August 16th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    You’ll definitely see us at a signing, hopefully Tysons Corner.
    I’m thinking Unicorns night be the new bogyman for children

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