Thrice Interview: LEVEL 2
Hi! Welcome to our first 2013 Thrice Interview! Today we’re celebrating the release of Lenore Appelhans’ LEVEL 2.
They say: Three levels. Two loves. One choice. Debut novelist, Lenore Appelhans has written a thrilling otherworldly young adult novel about a place that exists between our world (Level 1) and what comes after life (Level 2).
Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend … and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.
Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.
I say: I got to read this early, and it’s a fabulous, fast-paced thriller with a tremendously likable heroine. I’m not always a fan of flashbacks, for the same reasons that I’m not always a fan of multiple narrators; I usually want to skim one time or pov. But Lenore nails it. She does a wonderful job of making both Afterlife Felicia and Memory Felicia compelling. I was totally curious about the mysteries of Memory Felicia’s life – what she did to get banished to her grandmother’s, how she and Neil fell in love, what role Julian played in all of it. And the Afterlife itself is a fascinating piece of world-building, a hive-like construct where the dead relive and rate their memories in pods. I’m already looking forward to LEVEL 3!
(Note: I have had dinner and chocolate cocktails with Lenore & her charming husband, but I wouldn’t lie to you guys about books!)
Now for our interview:
1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.
“Memory” Felicia is a guarded, guilt-ridden and yet generous girl.
“Afterlife” Felicia is a loyal, impulsive, and truth-seeking (maybe) rebel.
2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.
LEVEL 2 is a genre-bending, twisty, thrilling tale of redemption.
3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.
I am a sarcastic, enthusiastic, adventurous slave to three cats. (JS: Ha! I love your cat pictures, Lenore!)
4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?
Bhutan, Jordan (to see Petra), and Madagascar.
5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?
Linguistics, Russian Language, Cooking
6. If you could have any 3 alternate careers, what would they be?
Professional traveler (there is such a thing, isn’t there?!), bookseller, geneticist
7. What are your 3 favorite flowers?
Snapdragons (in German they are called “lion mouths”), Lavender, and Daffodils (JS: Lion mouths? I love that! Snapdragons are awesome.)
8. What are your 3 favorite foods?
Avocados, Artichokes, Nectarines (JS: Avocados do not get nearly enough love. I support this choice.)
9. What are your 3 favorite books?
Can I do 100? No? Ok, but these are just 3 from hundreds: DOOMSDAY BOOK by Connie Willis, THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins, GHOSTWRITTEN by David Mitchell (I could really go on all day…)
Thanks so much for stopping by, Lenore!
Lenore is being gracious enough to give away an awesome swag pack, including a LEVEL 2 tote bag, magnet, bookplate, and postcards. To enter, just leave a comment below (by Saturday at noon) letting us know which January releases you’re excited to read!
You can find Lenore on twitter @lenoreva or read her blog here.
I'm excited for Level 2! As well as Gates of Paradise by Melissa de la Cruz.
Thanks for the giveaway, and happy book birthday!
Oh, I haven't read anything by Melissa de la Cruz yet, but I can vouch for Level 2 being awesome! Thanks for entering!
Ooh, I could use a new bag!
Well, I just found out than an early-February release has been moved up to today (the 16th), so I'd have to say Maire Claremont's THE DARK LADY. Asylum! Laudanum abuse! Good times! 😉
LOVE this interview series!!
Definitely Level 2, The Archived, Boundless!! They're all awesome:)
Thank you:)
ccfioriole at gmail dot com
Well, I'm excited to read Level 2, as well as Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff and Just One Day by Gayle Forman.
Oh, I'm so excited to read Just One Day! I love Gayle Forman's other books.
Awesome interview, Jessica. The first question just added to my anticipation.
For the books I can't wait to read that are/will be released this month are Level 2, The Archived and Nobody But Us. Thanks to you and Lenore for the giveaway! x
Amazing interview,Jessica! I loved it. I'm super excited and can't wait to read Level 2 and The Archived. I am also looking forward to Level 3 when it comes out!
Thanks for the giveaway Lenore and Jessica! ;D
Oh, I can't wait to read The Archived! I'm doing a signing with Victoria next weekend!
I'm excited about LEVEL2 and the S-Word (it's on its way to my house right now…)
Ooh, I got approved for The S-Word on Netgalley and I'm really excited to read it!
Great interview!
Some books I'm excited to read are: Through the Ever Night, Level 2 and Prodigy.
I got to read Prodigy early and it's AMAZING. I'm reading Through the Ever Night now and loving it, too!
I love the interview! I'm excited to read Splintered by A.G. Howard, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, The Archived by Victoria Schwab and of course, Level 2! Thanks for this awesome giveaway, Jessica and Lenore! 🙂
Splintered hasn't been on my radar, but I'm super-psyched for Just One Day and The Archived! And I can vouch for Level 2 being awesome! 🙂
What am I not excited to read. So many great books at coming out this month but I already have my hands on Throught the Ever Night, Shades of Earth and Rise.
Through the Ever Night is SO GOOD – I'm reading that right now! I still need to read Rift before I get Rise – must catch up!
I'm excited about Level 2 (of course), Perfect Scoundrels, and Double Crossed by Ally Carter. I am also excited about Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir, but that has already been released.
Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Ooh, when does Perfect Scoundrels come out? I've got to look that up because I'm excited to read it too! And I haven't heard of Timekeeper…thanks for all the recs!
Oops, I just realized Perfect Scoundrels isn't a January release – it comes out on February 5th. However, Double Crossed, which is a crossover novella between the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society is. It comes out on January 22.
How did I not know about the crossover novella? Must read!
I'm so excited about LEVEL 2, SHADES OF EARTH, A SHIMMER OF ANGELS, PERFECT SCOUNDRELS, RISE, THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT AND PRODIGY
I've already read Prodigy and it's AMAZING! And I'm reading Through the Ever Night now and it's so good! I am also excited for Rise & Perfect Scoundrels! 🙂
Awesome interview!
I'm looking forward to Gates of Paradise, A Shimmer of Angels, Level 2!
Oh, I haven't heard of Shimmer of Angels – must look it up!
Psh, all of them. Actually, Splintered was definitely my most anticipated and I totally loved it 😀
You're the second person to mention Splintered – I have to look that one up!
wow
I am excited about Ally Carter's Perfect Scoundrels, and Double Crossed, as well as Boundless by Cynthia Hand and Through the ever night.
I'm reading Through the Ever Night now, and it's so great! 🙂 I'm excited for the new Ally Carter books too!
I envy you right now 🙁
I 've seen many reviews on goodreads and they say its soo GOOD…
The Double crossed by Ally Carter comes out tomorrow, so I am very excited 🙂
Ooh, I need to read Double Crossed! Fun!
It was fun.
Kat putting her talent to work and meeting Abby was interesting… and Macey and W.W. Hale were funny. 🙂
Suddenly, I'm even more interested in STAR CURSED 😉 It's not listed on your Australian publisher (Penguin)'s website yet, but I've sent an inquiry. Will let you know if they get back to me with an approximate release date.
Ooh thank you! I'd love to know when it's coming out in Australia – I haven't heard yet myself!
Cannot believe I won!! First time I've won ANYTHING!
Thanks for the giveaway Jessica and Lenore!
Yay! You're welcome! 🙂