Today, Olivia from YA-Mag caught up with authors P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, the team behind the HOUSE OF NIGHT series to talk about their latest novel. Check it out!
Zoey and her friends face the ultimate battle with evil, which will determine the fate of the world, both human and vampyre. Neferet has finally made herself known to mortals as a Dark Goddess, and she is loose on Tulsa, OK and the world. No single vampyre is strong enough to vanquish her – unless that creature has the power to summon the elements as well as the ability to wield Old Magick. Only Zoey Redbird is heir to such power…Find out who will win and who will lose in this epic battle of Light versus Darkness.
Olivia with YA-Mag: P.C., Kristin, welcome to the Young Adult Magazine! First, congratulations on the completion of your vampire saga, THE HOUSE OF NIGHT. An international phenomenon that has been on The New York Times Children’s Series bestseller list for over 160 weeks, with more than 12 million copies in print, the rights sold in more than 40 countries, and on top of all that… you’re a mother and daughter writing together! I am so glad to have a chance to chat with you about the finale, REDEEMED.
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YA: So let’s talk about Zoey. How did you two first meet? What made Zoey protagonist material?
P.C. Cast: As soon as I decided the series would be YA, I created Z using Kristin as a very loose blueprint for her. Zoey has Kristin’s basic personality type, her idiosyncrasies, and her general likes and dislikes (likes brown pop – dislikes cussing, etc.). But very soon Zoey took on her own characteristics. I love Zoey’s ability to learn from her mistakes and grow and mature.
Kristin Cast: I never had Zoey’s multiple boyfriends! (sadly)
YA: What sets Zoey’s story apart from other YA vampire tales out there, like the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series by Richelle Mead or Melissa de la Cruz’s BLUE BLOODS?
PCC: HOUSE OF NIGHT is the only matriarchal vampyre society. Also, what sets HoN apart from the rest of the YA vamp herd is that I taught high school for fifteen years, so even though the series is paranormal, it is peopled with characters who deal with true YA issues in a realistic manner.
KC: We’re not afraid to discuss life issues that effect young adults today.
YA: What non-book influences (films, television shows, music, plays, etc) helped spark these stories?
PCC: In the creation of the HoN I was influenced greatly by science, which is why my Change from human to vampyre is biologically based and more physiological than magic. I am also influenced by travel and research.
YA: When you were a teen, what was your favorite book (YA or otherwise)? Now that you’re an author for teens, what is your favorite contemporary YA?
PCC: I began reading Anne McCaffrey’s Pern novels when I was thirteen and fell in love with the world and sci-fi/fantasy! Currently, I’m enjoying reading Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter’s two YA series.
KC: I loved Gossip Girls (pre-TV series), and now Jennifer Armentrout.
YA: What is the story behind the title REDEEMED?
PCC: I chose the last several HoN titles after I wrote broad outlines for each book. I can’t explain why REDEEMED works for a title without plot spoilers!
YA: As this is the big finale for THE HOUSE OF NIGHT series, what makes this a good place for new readers to jump in? What can long-time fans look forward to finally being wrapped up?
PCC: Well, new readers would be totally lost, so they’d have to begin with the first book, MARKED, or with the novella, LENOBIA’S VOW. Either are a great beginning place for the series. As for our longtime fans, I can promise I’ve wrapped up loose ends and I’ve written in some surprises, too!
YA: There have been talks in the past about HOUSE OF NIGHT films. Any updates in that area you can share? If HOUSE OF NIGHT could be made into a cartoon series or a comic series, which would you prefer and why?
PCC: HOUSE OF NIGHT has been optioned by Davis Films. I’ve been working with our awesome screenwriter, Marc Haimes, and the first script is in the draft/rewrite stages. I LOVE IT! Now we’re all waiting impatiently along with our fans for our producer, Samuel Hadida, to begin casting and filming. Fans can show their enthusiasm for the movie by posting @MetropolitanFilms.
KC: I would be disappointed if HoN was made into a cartoon because I’d like to see something more sophisticated come to the screen. We already have a graphic novel out through Dark Horse Comics.
YA: What are you going to miss most about the world of HOUSE OF NIGHT? What has been the best part of working on this series together?
PCC: I’m going to miss the world and the characters. I’ve spent almost a decade “living” at the House of Night, and I love that world! And Kristin and I are far from done working together!
KC: I’m going to miss our fans! I’ve enjoyed meeting people we’re inspired with the series. I hope our fans follow us to our next joint project, as well as our individual new series.
YA: What’s up next for each of you in YA land? Any pet projects you can tease us about?
PCC: I’m working on an epic fantasy with lots of romance and adventure. It’s not “YA,” but I’ve never been much for genre labels anyway.
KC: I’ll be announcing very soon about my New Adult paranormal suspense series! Can’t wait to share more with our fans as soon as my agent gives me the go!
YA: All right, last one! If you could spend one day with Zoey -or- one of her friends, who would you want to hang out with and what would you do together? What would advice would you give to your vampire friend-date?
PCC: I’d hang out with Lenobia! I wrote in a bunch of my horses to the Tulsa HoN, so I’d definitely go riding with her. And I think Travis is awesome as well! Then I’d have to cuddle with Nala and have a glass of wine with Aphrodite.
KC: I’d luncheon with Damien! Sorry, can’t tell you what we’d talk about, but I can say it would involve fashion and boys!
YA: Thank you very much, ladies! And again, from YA Mag, congratulations on REDEEMED!
Readers, be sure to check out PC. and Kristin Cast at their website www.houseofnightseries.com. Or follow them on Twitter @KCastAuthor @PC_Cast.
REDEEMED, published by St. Martin’s Griffin, is now available at your favorite retailers and local independent bookstores and Amazon.com
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Olivia Hennis is a transplanted New England girl dropped by a tornado into the magical Land of Jersey. For more info, follow her on Twitter.