Enjoy our chat and my review of the novel.
ISBN-13: 9780778316053
Publisher: MIRA
Release Date: 09/29/2015
Length: 432 pp
Buy It: B&N/Amazon/Kobo/Indibound/Audible
Publisher: MIRA
Release Date: 09/29/2015
Length: 432 pp
Buy It: B&N/Amazon/Kobo/Indibound/Audible
Overview
From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent comes a richly imagined, provocative new series set in the dark mythology of the Menagerie…
When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.
But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.
Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale.
Rachel, Hi! Welcome to The Reading Frenzy.
The
novel is about humanity, and how we define it. It’s about the human tendency to
label everyone different as somehow “lesser.” It’s about the best and the worst
of humanity, set behind the scenes of a traveling carnival.
Tell us about the birth of your protagonist Delilah
Marlow. Did she just show up one day or did she lurk in the back of your mind
undeveloped for a time first?
There’s a quote on your website that says,“I write
about things that scare me so they can scare you too.” What is it about the
scary unknown that appeals to you so much?
Rachel your bio informs us that you’re a former
English teacher. If you’ve read any early self-published books you probably ran
around screaming, especially since you’re a champion of the Oxford comma. What
do you think of self-published books today?
I love how you have quotes and little bits of personal
perspective flashing on screen as I browse your website. It's a bit like having
a conversation with you. Your whole website is in fact very inventive. Did you
design it?
Rachel you are also a very socially active author. Is
social media fun to you or a necessary evil?
That
said, I truly do love to talk to readers!
You write for my favorite publisher, people who know
me well, know I think Harlequin makes the world go round. What’s the best part
of working for Harlequin?
Rachel your bio also says you are older than you look,
and how if you’ve got teenaged kids. So what’s your secret to looking so young,
did you find the fountain of youth?
Thanks so much for taking time out of your very busy
schedule to chat with me today.
Good luck with the new novel!
Are there signings/events listed on your website?
My Review
Wow pretty much sums up this debut in a new dark fantasy/adult
fairytale series for NYT bestseller, Rachel Vincent. She drew me immediately
into her improbable yet vibrant and convincing dystopian domain, where she
spins a timely, brutal morality tale of ethnic cleansing and forced slavery
with a definite holocaust feel. She acquainted me with a stable of sentient
mythological beings from many societies not just Greek and Roman and spellbound
me with a masterful narrative that’s frightening and beautifully eloquent. Her
portrayal of her strong, courageous and tragic star, Delilah is amazing, and
her enigmatic handler, Gallagher is a true mystery. Her carnival captives are
humbling and her other co-stars, good, evil and indifferent ring breathtakingly
true. I love the brilliant light of hope she puts in such a devastating pit of
despair and that she leaves some questions unanswered. I can’t wait for book
two.
In a world that’s become intolerant of its non-human species
where at best they’re carnival freaks, at worse bait in a safari type game park
or forgotten in the bowels of a government asylum, small town, girl-next-door,
Delilah Marlow visits Metzger’s Traveling Menagerie for her 25th birthday.
When she witnesses the brutal mistreatment of a juvenile werewolf in their
custody something monumentally monstrous happens and she suddenly goes from
patron to prisoner, from a trusted citizen to abhorred mutant. Believing her
whole life she’s human, ignorant as to how she transformed or what she is
beneath her human facade and now herself a caged act in the Menagerie, Delilah
must learn to choose her battles carefully and learn who is an ally and who is
her enemy. She’s determined to escape and to help her fellow captives, and just
hopes she’s strong enough to survive whatever her captors and fate have in
store for her.
MEET RACHEL:
Rachel Vincent is a former English teacher and an eager champion of the Oxford comma. She shares her home in Oklahoma with two cats, two teenagers, and her husband, who’s been her # 1 fan from the start. Rachel is older than she looks and younger than she feels, and she remains convinced that writing about the things that scare her is the cheapest form of therapy—but social media is a close second.
So interesting how the world came together so nicely but the main character was so much harder for her. You don't hear about that happening often!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview Debbie!!
I always love to hear these kinds of facts too Ali. Thanks for stopping by
DeleteI have this on my audio wishlist Debbie..wonderful review and as always your interviews are delightful and informative.
ReplyDeleteOh I bet this would be great to listen too! Can't wait to see what you think of the audio version Kim
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