Thrice Interview: CONTROL

Hi! I’ve got loads of Thrice interviews coming up in 2014 to introduce you to some fabulous 2014 debuts. But before we start — why are they called Thrice interviews? The original titles for the Cahill Witch Chronicles were THRICE BLESSED, THRICE CURSED, and THRICE FATED. I have a tattoo with the word thrice, which is partly to remind me how joyful writing that first book was, back when it was just mine, and partly because I like threes. Cate Cahill is the oldest of three sisters, as am I. My birthday is May 3; my anniversary is Sept 30. So when I was trying to come up with a fun theme for these interviews, there was only one natural choice…

Today we’re celebrating Lydia Kang’s debut, CONTROL, which came out one month ago today!

They say:  An unputdownable thriller for fans of UGLIES.

When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn’t even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.

A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

I say:  I haven’t had a chance to read this yet, but it sounds like a page-turner!

Now for our interview with Lydia:​

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

Zelia is a smart, loyal, respiratorily-challenged girl.

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

 A thrilling, romantic, sci-fi adventure.

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Empathic, wacky, social-media-happy introvert.

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

New Zealand, Korea, Portugal

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

History of medicine, oil painting, poetry  (JS: ooh, diverse choices!)

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

Creative writing professor, painter, screenwriter

7. What are your 3 favorite flowers?

Peony, freesia, plumeria (JS: I love peonies!)

8. What are your 3 favorite foods?

Sushi, caviar…basically anything salty

9. What are your 3 favorite books?

PERSUASION by Jane Austen, JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte, LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Thanks for stopping by, Lydia! Happy one-monthiversary to you and CONTROL!

You can find out more about Lydia at her website or by following her on twitter.