Wednesday, December 21, 2011

FireSeed One by Catherine Stine

Today I'm talking with Catherine Stine about her YA fantasy, FireSeed One, which released yesterday.

Synopsis:
What if the only person who could help you save the world was your very worst enemy?


Fireseed One, a YA thriller, is set in a near-future world with soaring heat, toxic waters, tricked-out amphibious vehicles, ice-themed dance clubs and fish that grow up on vines. Varik Teitur inherits a vast sea farm after the mysterious death of his marine biologist father. When Marisa Baron, a beautiful and shrewd terrorist, who knows way too much about Varik's father's work, tries to steal seed disks from the world's food bank, Varik is forced to put his dreams of becoming a doctor on hold and venture with her, into a hot zone teeming with treacherous nomads and a cult who worships his dead father, in order to search for a magical hybrid plant that may not even exist. *With nine illustrations by the author. 

Opening line:
I squint into the first faint rays of the sun as I snap on my diving suit. Sweet Ice! It’s March in Vostok and the three-month polar night is finally over. Just in time, because I can’t stand one more hour of darkness.

What's your favorite line or paragraph from the book?
She reaches out her hands to touch my face. The sun, through the filter of the trees, glints green off the cells of her suit, outlines her soft curves. I’m overcome with visions of my father poring over his books, and the wet, verdant forest floor, and newts pausing over toxic yellow candy, and leaves flying up from the impact of Bryan’s body hitting the ground. Another, confused part of me hears my father’s voice calling the refs scum, trash, slime. With flashes of fury at Marisa, mixed with a sad, all consuming longing that feels dangerously like love, I pluck her hands from my face and push her away.

If you could be any character from the book, who would you be and why?
That’s a hard one. I’d choose Marisa, who starts out as a hard-core terrorist, but who goes through major changes, inspired by a series of shocking revelations. Plus, she gets to go on the trip of all trips with a hot, smart guy from a floating island farm. The only problem is, he hates her guts. How’s that for a challenge?

Is there any comic relief? Who is the funniest character?
Lots of comic relief! It’s needed to balance the tension of a world gone kablooey. The funniest character is Varik’s friend, Audun, a jokester and shameless flirt in the clubs on SnowAngel Island. No, make that Shin Kaskade, the digital guru who fixes Varik’s hacked computer. Shin has a trendy hair-nest and a sparkling star embed on his wrist that takes credit card payments.

Where can we purchase a copy of FireSeed One?
Amazon (paperback and Kindle editions)
iBook for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch
Nook - Catherine is offering a special discount. Email her at kitsy84557@gmail.com

Where can your readers find you on the web?
Fireseed Facebook Page
Website
Blog
Facebook Profile
Goodreads Author Page

Just for fun: Since I love the question at the start of the synopsis, I want you to answer it. What if the only person who could help you save the world was your very worst enemy?

31 comments:

  1. Just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS again!!!! Sooo stoked for you! Love ya girl :-)

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  2. Sounds interesting, Kelly. Catherine, best of luck with your book.

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  3. Karen, it does, doesn't it? I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  4. Kelly congrats to you on your book news, and thanks for the lovely post!

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  5. Congrats!! I can't wait to pick up my copy on Nook! Best of luck to Catherine!!

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  6. Catherine, thank you, but today is your day. Enough about me. Yay, FIRESEED ONE!

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  7. Susan, the Nook is the best deal right now. I'll be getting mine on Kindle.

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  8. Sounds intriguing - thanks for sharing. New follower :)

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  9. Tasha, I'm glad you like the sound of the book, and thanks for following.

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  10. Nice interview. Another YA book that looks like a fun read.

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  11. Fun Interview - nice job, Kelly. Catherine, I've been seeing you blog-touring all over the place, nice to finally stop in and read a bit.

    "What if the only person who could help you save the world was your very worst enemy?" This is a great premise, for which I have no quick, snappy answer, as I tend to be my own worst enemy.

    This one'll have to get in line behind a bunch of other books, but really intriguing world building. Congrats, Catherine!

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  12. Thanks, Beverly. That is a tough question to answer, isn't it. And even tougher if you are your own worst enemy. ;)

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  13. I've worked side by side with an enemy before, so I think I can do it.

    I'm glad to hear there's comic relief. Fireseed One sounds like an interesting read.

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  14. Medeia, you've worked side by side with an enemy? You have me intrigued.

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  15. Ah, Kelly, before coming back to the US and changing the direction of my career I spent my time on a trading floors. I had to do this every day, work along side savory characters (savory is being nice). I hated it of course, ok, strong word, but it was challenging to smile and be in harmony with the world as a whole and not want to so something physical (like punch or toss someone off the London Bridge). Yes, I have a Latin temper.

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  16. Brenda, so you're familiar with working with the enemy. I have no doubt you can more than hold your own. ;)

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  17. Brenda, LOL!

    Kelly, lovely interview as always. Catherine, Fireseed One sounds AWESOME! I can't wait to get my hands on it. :)

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  18. Thanks, Cat. I'm excited for this book too.

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  19. Thanks, you guys. Beverly, I laughed out loud at your answer about the worst enemy, and then I realized that it's not so funny--just something many can relate to. As far as getting Fireseed for the Nook, it may take a couple more weeks to go live on B&N, that's why I'm offering the special direct discount in the meantime.
    And Medeia, I've worked side by side with unsavory characters at jobs--that's why the question is a big one--sounds as if you dealt with it fine.

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  20. What would I do if the only person who could help me save the world was my worst enemy?

    That is definitely a toughie--I guess I would just have to suck it up and deal (and take the help!).

    Sounds intriguing!

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  21. Katie, I love your answer. It's honest, yet clearly reflects the emotions you'd feel, too.

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  22. If the only person that could help me was my worst enemy, I'd probably try to be nice, ignore my true feelings, and plead for their help. :)
    Congratulaitons, Catherine on your book.
    Congratulations, Kelly, on your book deal.
    Good news is so exciting.

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  23. Thank you, Beverly. :) I think I'd handle that situation in much the same way.

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  24. This sounds like a great YA book! I like the setting and the storyline sounds interesting. I enjoyed reading the paragraph and first line, too. I also like mentioning the lighting when I am describing a scene. I hadn't heard of this book- so thanks for sharing! Excellent interview!

    ~Jess
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

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  25. Jess, I'm glad you liked it. I'm happy to pass along info on great new releases.

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  26. Thanks for the review Kelly. Sounds like an interesting concept with lots of conflict and great characters. Will look it up for my Kindle!

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  27. You're welcome, Carol. I hope you enjoy the book.

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