Sabaa Tahir is the author of the New York Times-bestselling series The Ember Quartet. Inspired by ancient Rome, this YA fantasy and Goodreads Choice Award nominee follows a young scholar named Laia and a soldier named Elias as they fight for freedom from the Martial Empire. Here, Tahir shares her thoughts on the series’ latest installment, Reaper at the Gates, as well as her recommendations for books featuring young rebels fighting for a better world.
Goodreads: Tell us about what lessons you’ve learned since writing An Ember in the Ashes.
Sabaa Tahir: The biggest lesson I learned is that you can’t edit a blank page. I’ve had to make myself put words down on the page, even if they are terrible, because ultimately, they can always be fixed. But if I have nothing to work with, my book will never get written!
GR: What do you hope new readers will take away when they read your series for the first time?
ST: I never like to dictate what readers will take away because I feel like teenagers are dictated to enough as it is. But I suppose I hope they leave the series feeling like hope is stronger than hate and it’s stronger than fear.
GR: What do you hope longtime fans will take away from A Reaper at the Gates?
ST: Again, far be it for me to dictate what anyone draws from the series. But I spent a lot of time thinking about how my characters have grown and changed across this series—and how that growth sometimes takes time. I think we often assume based off what we read and watch on TV that change and growth are things that happen quickly or overnight or after a montage. But even in my own life, I’ve learned that’s not true. Change takes time, and it’s often painful—I hope that comes through in this book.
GR: Young people have always played an integral role in leading change and revolution. What recommendations do you have for books featuring young people rising up and fighting for a better world?
ST: So much of The Ember Quartet is about revolution and rebellion, about characters learning that they do not have to accept the violence and abuse of the powers that be. Here are a few books that I believe highlight similar themes in very different ways:
In addition to being beautifully written, this book takes a hard look at the divisions between the proletariat and the ruling class in a society that resembles feudal Japan.
A YA contemporary might seem like a strange choice, but rebellion and revolution aren’t always about taking down despots. Sometimes rebellion is quieter, and Mary H.K. Choi does an incredible job of exploring the small rebellions we sometimes need to make in our daily lives in order to make peace with who we are.
No revolution is quite as close to home as the tech revolution. Marie Lu explores this with care and depth in Warcross, juxtaposing a wildly colorful and imaginative world with thoughtful questions about how far technology should extend into our lives.
This YA fantasy takes place in a beautiful world that hides something twisted. Dhonielle Clayton holds nothing back as she asks us what the true cost of beauty is. Come for the gorgeous cover, stay for the deft social commentary.
This series is a classic YA revolution series. It features Juliette Ferrars, a girl whose touch kills, and her transformation into a rebel and hero fighting to take down an oppressive government.
>Reaper at the Gates will be available on June 12. Don’t forget to add it to your Want to Read shelf!
Check out more recent blogs:
20 Upcoming Books Librarians, Editors, and Booksellers Think You'll Love
The 24 All-Time Favorite Book Club Picks on Goodreads
Bill Gates Shares His Top Picks for Summer Reading
posted by Marie on June, 03
from Goodreads Blog https://ift.tt/2JhkNuA
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment