#BIR2011: Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

GLOW by Amy Kathleen Ryan

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside. (From Goodreads)

You can read my review here.



~INTERVIEW~



I'm very excited to have Amy Kathleen Ryan here today as a feature for Best I've Read 2011. She was kind enough to answer a few questions for me. Please take a few minutes to learn more about this amazing author!


Would you tell us a little bit about Glow, both the story and your inspiration for it?

Glow was years in the making. The germ for it began in a class I took about the early puritan settlers in America, and how their ethos became a part of our culture. I think living in New York City during the 9/11 attacks also influenced me, as I saw, albeit from a distance, the horror of mass murder, and how the trauma affects a society.

Glow is a unique blend of the science fiction and dystopian genres. How did you go about developing the story and the world?

Honestly it just happens word by word. When I write, I add by layers. Often I start with dialogue, then I add action in the next pass, and then finally setting. Revision is a huge part of how I write.

There is a strong religious undertone running throughout the story. Was this intentional from the beginning or did it develop as the world did?

It developed. I didn't set out to write about religion, but I couldn't help asking myself, how would these people see themselves? Their mission to preserve Earth origin life is, in a way, sacred. It seems quite likely to me that they would see themselves as being a grand culmination, the final step in the process of life on Earth. It would be hard for such a huge undertaking to be devoid of religious undertones.

Out of all the characters you've written, which do you connect with the most? Which did you enjoy writing the most?

I think I relate the most to Waverly. She and I are both fairly reserved, and observant of people. I think she's a bit braver than I am, though. But I most enjoyed Anne Mather. She's deliciously evil, but self deluded, too. Fun to write.

If you could have any talent or skill, what would you choose??

I kind of wish I could be a long distance runner. I love to jog, but I am injury prone, unfortunately. I envy those folks who can run ten miles without blowing out a knee.

What can you tell us about the second book in the Sky Chasers trilogy?

The second book is largely Seth's story. He's got a lot of pressure on him to make good after all the trouble he caused. He started out as kind of a villain, and now he's going to try redeem himself.



~GIVEAWAY~
I am very excited to have one copy of GLOW to give away!

This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Must be 13 to enter. Please see my Contest Policy for more information.

This contest will close on Saturday, December 23 at 12:00 AM CST.

This contest is now closed.



Today the Best I've Read blog is featuring HAVEN by Kristi Cook! Please click here to learn more about this book and author!