I love reading fantasy, so it was fun to review The Rubicus Prophecy by Alane Adams. This book worked as a standalone book, filling in just enough of the back story, but is actually book 2 in the Witches of Orkney series, which is a prequel series to the Legends of Orkney series.
The book is written for upper elementary readers, and so it didn't have the plot intricacies that a young adult or adult fantasy book would have. However, there were just enough twists and turns, and just enough separate threads, that it even kept me intrigued. I was able to then read book 1, which was an interesting order to read them in, but both books were enjoyable. I found book 2 even more full of suspense, but not in a scary way.
Book synopsis (from Amazon):
Abigail has just started her second year at the Tarkana Witch Academy and is already up to her ears studying for Horrid Hexes and Awful Alchemy! Worse, Endera’s malevolent spellbook has its hooks in her, whispering in her ear to use its dark magic. Meanwhile, the entire school is talking about the Rubicus Prophecy; a sign has arrived that the chosen witchling is among them, the one who will one day break Odin’s curse over them. When an Orkadian warship arrives carrying troubling news, Abigail and her friend Hugo are swept into a new mystery after a young boy from the ship, Robert Barconian, asks for their help retrieving a missing item.I also had the chance to do an author interview.
Why did you decide to use Norse mythology in your stories?
At the time I started writing children’s books my son was a huge fan of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, so I decided to give Norse mythology a try—I had also grown up devouring The Lord of the Rings trilogy, so it was a natural fit for me. One of the things I love about Norse mythology is just how many different characters there are with lots of juicy back stories that can be adapted to your novel, as well as a plethora of magical objects and mythical beasts. I remember on one occasion my main character was about to be devoured by a giant squid-like creature and I thought—boy, he could really use a spear—and I recalled a story about the Gungnir spear—it magically comes when you call it—and so I went back a few chapters and had him acquire it so when he needed it—it could save his life.
What has surprised you most about the writing process?
The most surprising part about the writing process is how much writing is really about REWRITING. I think all author’s love the creative process—the part where your brain just takes off and uses its imagination to craft characters and story arcs. It is the most exhilarating part of writing as words literally pour out of your brain through your fingers and onto the page. And it is important not to be critical at this time as you’re just getting the story down on paper. Then comes the hard part—the all-consuming editing process where you go back and with the critical part of your brain, analyze the story, hone it, make it sing, lift the low parts, stretch the emotional/tense parts—basically take it all apart and put it back together again!
What are some ways teachers and parents can encourage reading?
Parents can stress the importance of reading by encouraging kids to put devices down and pick up a book. They can take kids to the library from a young age and let them pick out their own books so they read things that interest them. Having parents that read goes a long way toward having kids that see the value of a good book. Teachers can encourage reading by having a diverse collection of books in their classroom—finding books where kids can see themselves in the character is so important.
Can you share a little bit about the things your foundation does?
The Rise Up Foundation supports the work I do spreading the message that Reading is a Superpower! I travel to schools all over the country (over 100 last school year!) giving talks to kids in school assemblies, encouraging them to read more, letting them see what it is an author does, and hopefully inspiring them to use their imagination more. Rise Up also partners and provides funding to other literacy organizations such as First Book to provide books to kids in areas affected by natural disasters. In 2019, I visited schools in Lake County, Ca affected by recent wildfires and schools in Houston, Tx affected by recent floods.
Alane Adams is an award-winning transmedia author, former professor, and literacy advocate. She is the author of the Legends of Orkney (grades 4-7) and the prequel series Witches of Orkney (ages 7-12) fantasy mythology series for tweens, and The Coal Thief, The Egg Thief, The Santa Thief, and The Circus Thief picture books for early readers, inspired by tales her father told her. She is also the founder of Rise Up Foundation, which supports literacy projects as a path toward improving the future prospects of children in underserved communities by making book donations, providing classroom support, and grand-making. In addition to literacy efforts, Rise Up works with organizations committed to defining and solving the problems that chronic poverty brings to children and their communities. To date, Alane has:
- visited over 1000 classrooms,
- donated over 40,000 books, and
- reached early 115,000 kids in her efforts to create real and lasting change for children, schools, and families in need.
In 2019 alone, Rise Up Foundation has donated over $130,000 in new books and disaster relief research funds in partnership with First Book to areas affected by the California wildfires and Hurricane Harvey in Houston. Learn more at https://alaneadams.com and view her complete media kit here.
No comments:
Post a Comment