Thrice Interview: TAKEN

Hi! Today we’re celebrating the release of Erin Bowman’s TAKEN.

They say:  

There are no men in Claysoot.

There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends . . . and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate—until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets, the Heist itself, and what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot—a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken—or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

I say: ​I haven’t had a chance to read TAKEN yet, but it sounds like a page-turner and I trust Marie Lu’s recommendations! And how gorgeous is that cover? It’s one of my favorites of 2013. Erin and I have hung out an SCBWI conference and emailed a bit, and she designed my gorgeous bookmarks, and she is super-sweet. She’s part of the Young Authors Give Back tour this summer with Sarah J. Maas, Susan Dennard, and Kat Zhang, which will feature writing workshops for teens as well as book-signings, so you should definitely check to see if they’re coming to a city near you!

Now for our interview with ​Erin:​

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Gray is a curious, impulsive, loyal brother.

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

TAKEN is a twisty, action-packed, unputdownable thrill-ride.

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

I’m an artsy, self-motivated, hopeful dreamer.

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

New Zealand, Egypt, & Ireland

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?

Calligraphy, floral arranging, and baking (specifically desserts – cupcakes, cookies, and other sweets!) (JS: I adore these choices! Come to DC & let’s take some classes together!)

6. If you could have any 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

Professional Quidditch player, Auror, and bookseller at Flourish & Blotts. (Oh, real careers? Then: type designer/typographer, interior designer, and winemaker/vineyard owner.) (JS: I also love these choices. Kindred spirit!)

7. What are your 3 favorite flowers?

​Peonies, tulips, and hydrangeas​

8. What are your 3 favorite foods?

Caprese salad, yogurt (topped with granola and berries), and coffee

9. What are your 3 favorite books?

THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (though I adore the entire Harry Potter series), THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS (John Connolly), and THE BOOK THIEF (Markus Zusak)

​Yay!​ Thanks so much for stopping by, Erin! Happy release day!

​You can find out more about Erin at her website, or by following her on Twitter or Tumblr!