Q&A with Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Q: Persistence of Memory is your 10th published novel. Do you feel that your writing has changed since the publication of your first book 10 years ago?
A: I feel that my writing has changed a great deal in the last 10 years. I have definitely grown as a writer, and I have further developed the world. I find myself wanting to go back to the early books to add to things to the story I only learned later, like Aubrey's point of view during In the Forests of the Night.
More often these days, my editor and I end up having long discussions about how much is too much information. I want to share everything, and she helps me reign in to what is necessary for the good of the story.
Q: What was it like to be a published author at 15 years old? Did you find reading reviews of your work difficult?
A: I'm never quite sure how to answer the first part of this question, since I've never been 15 without having published a book. I was still 15 and dealing with all the things most people deal with when they're freshmen or sophomores in high school. I was still doing schoolwork, participating in after-school activities, hanging out with friends, and occasionally dating. I had some additional responsibilities relating to publishing a book, but many of my friends were equally driven in their own ways.
Reviews were hard at first. I don't think there are many 15-year-olds out there who like to be criticized. I mostly tried to ignore negative reviews, and focus on the positive ones. By now I've developed a thicker skin, and can accept that people have different tastes, but it took a long time—and honestly, I still prefer reading positive reviews. Who wouldn't?
Q: What was it like to be interviewed by national media? What did your fellow classmates think about your success?
A: One of my earliest, biggest interviews was an appearance on The Rosie O'Donnell Show. After I was off the air, someone told me how many people watch Rosie live, and I remember being shocked, but one nice thing about being 15 is that you can't even begin to grasp the scope of such an audience. Media was media to me. While it was flattering when someplace huge asked to interview me, I personally was even more thrilled when local stations I knew and loved asked for me.
My classmates varied in their reactions. My friends were happy for me, and supported my writing, though there was occasionally some sense of competition. In high school a lot of my friends were writers, so there was always a bit of a sense of "me next" in our group. On the other hand, like I've said, my friends were always just as busy and motivated as I was, so it never got nasty.
There was a brief period of time, when my peers first learned I was going to publish a novel that it seemed like people I barely knew or who had ignored me for years suddenly wanted to be my friend, but thankfully that didn't last long.
Q: Do you feel that you paved the way for the other teenage authors that came after you?
A: I don't think I know the answer to that question. I didn't know of other young authors before I published, and I feel like there has been more attention to such people since I've been published, but my awareness of such things is incredibly biased by the fact I wasn't looking for young authors before I was one.
Q: Where did you get the idea behind the story of Persistence of Memory?
A: When I started writing 0113-Untitled (Persistence of Memory) my sophomore year of high school, its main inspiration was the fencing team I was on at the time. I don't remember where the rest of the story line, including Erin's specific connection to Shevaun, came from. The story didn't go far at that point, and I put it aside for several years.
A couple years ago, a friend of mine asked me to bring him to the emergency room. He has some psychiatric problems, which were mostly controlled until his health insurance decided to drop coverage of his primary medication. The medication they were willing to cover didn't work.
This individual is someone very important to me, who is also one of my role models and one of the strongest people I have ever met,
and sitting with him for hours while we waited for someone to help us and he was very obviously terrified and in pain from severe schizophrenic-level auditory and visual hallucinations was one of the most harrowing experiences I have ever had.
Writing has often been a type of therapy for me. I started rewriting 0113 that day, changing Erin's background and her connection to Shevaun as a way to deal with my own experiences.
Q: What type of research did you need to do when writing Persistence of Memory?
A: Well . . . the aforementioned individual helped me a lot. I also spoke to numerous psychology professors, many of whom are also licensed clinical psychologists. Beyond psychology, I had to do research on many odd details, including the Church of Byzantine, spotted hyenas, and the menu at a Greek restaurant.
Q: Are any of the characters in your novels loosely based upon anyone that you know, or you yourself?
A: Though the original 0113 included many characters modeled after members of the Concord Carlisle High School women's fencing team, and Erin and Shevaun were both named after people from that team, Persistence of Memory in its final form doesn't have much in the way of characters modeled after real people. In general, I find that characters I try to model even very loosely on real people are the most likely to be superfluous, and thus cut during revisions.
I think the only real exception in my published work is Jessica, in Demon in My View. I am often asked if she is supposed to be based on me (young, published author), but she was actually inspired by one of my best friends at the time (named Jessica), who was Aubrey's very first fan.
Q: Do you have a favorite of all of the novels that you have written? Or perhaps a favorite character from within your novels?
A: If I try to pick a favorite novel, it usually ends up being whichever one is most recent, so it shouldn't be surprising when I say right now my favorite is Persistence of Memory, and my most recent favorite published character is Sassy (from Persistence of Memory).
Q: Will we see Erin or Shevaun in any future novels?
A: As of right now, I don't know. I think Erin would be happy to be out of the spotlight for a while; Shevaun on the other hand can't help making trouble, and is a pretty big name in Nyeusigrube, so it's quite possible we'll see her again someday.
Q: You have just recently graduated from college. What are your plans for the future?
A: I have recently graduated from college . . . and am now in college! I am working on my Master of Arts in Teaching (secondary education, middle and high school English), with an additional certification for teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Q: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
A: I used to be asked that a lot, when I published my first book, and most of my answers from that time were flat-out wrong except for the "I hope to still be writing" part. In theory, 10 years from now I hope to still be writing, as well as working as a teacher. Beyond that, my life plans tend to lean toward the traditional: a white wedding some day, eventually kids.
Q: When you are not writing, how do you spend your time?
A: I spend a lot of my time studying, as you might imagine. Right now I work primarily as a substitute teacher, but next semester I will begin my practicum as part of my teaching certification.
I keep in close contact with my family, including my parents, sisters, brother, and twin nieces (including my goddaughter). It is very important to me that my nieces, who are 19 months old now, grow up knowing me. My partner is the one most likely to be sane enough to get us out of the house on any given day when I'm otherwise drowning in work.
In nice weather, we try to make it to local parks to walk, or otherwise just go out. We also follow a couple television shows on our lazy afternoons.
On my own, I like to read. I also draw and paint, and I have plenty of friends that live close by.
Q: What advice do you give to aspiring writers?
A: The main piece of advice I usually find myself giving is, "Start writing." I often hear, "I would like to write a book someday." There's no excuse for someday. A book will never be written before you start it, and you'll never improve as a writer without writing. The second piece of advice I offer (tied to the first), is "Write first; edit later." A lot of people self-sabotage by wanting the first draft to be perfect.
Q: What books are you reading at the moment, and who are some of your favorite authors?
A: I recently finished reading Myth Hunters by Christopher Golden, who is one of my favorite authors. I also recently read Lick of Frost, by Laurell K Hamilton. In order to make a list of favorite authors, I would have to add Stephen King to the list with Golden and Hamilton.
Q: Who would you say has influenced you the most in your writing career?
A: My family and friends have all had such an effect on my writing that it would be hard to credit any individual with having the most effect. I have also learned so much from teachers, professors, and co-workers such as my agent and my editor. More than anything, though, my readers have influenced me. Talking to them is what keeps me inspired.
Courtesy of Random House Children's Books
To find out more about Amelia and her books, click here.
Reviews
Persistence of Memory
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
For years Erin has been in and out of psychiatric facilities, battling her severe schizophrenia and an alter ego who is violent enough to stick "a pencil through a nurse's hand." But now that she has been mainstreamed, she is more determined than ever to remain in a real high school. Watching as her friend Marissa turns into a giant cat, Erin believes that she is losing ground against her illness. Waking, she finds herself in a vampire's body somewhere in France. What she still doesn't realize is that this alter ego is not just in her head, but Shevaun is a real person, centuries old. Furious that she shares a connection with the teen, Shevaun and her lover, Adijla, and the two young vampires she has taken under her wing head to Massachusetts to find Erin and destroy the connection and possibly Erin with it. Erin, unwilling to recognize her powers, is protected only by her romantic interest from the psych ward, Sassy, a compulsive liar and shape-shifter who takes the form of a hyena. It is Adjila who finally discovers the source of the women's connection, which proves to potentially deadly for both Erin and Shevaun. Atwater-Rhodes explores a deeper, more psychological side of the underworld inhabited by vampires and other mysterious creatures. Her skilled writing takes the reader to unexpected corners of the characters' minds, usurping the reader's skepticism and doubt. 2008, Delcorte/Random House, Ages 12 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Kristy Lyn Sutorius (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-38573-437-0
Other Reviews
Demon in My View
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
In this sequel to In the Forests of the Night, Atwater-Rhodes re-introduces her readers to a character from her former novel. Alex is new to Ramsa High School and has captured the attention of Jessica, the narrator of this story. Another new student is named Caryn. However, her serious nature makes Jessica uncomfortable. Jessica has recently written and published a novel about vampires, and Alex is eerily similar to her main character, Aubrey. It is only later in the novel that the truth about Alex and the secret Jessica has hidden her whole life are uncovered. Fans of Atwater-Rhodes's earlier novel will also find this one appealing. There is plenty of action and suspense. However, older readers or more mature readers will find some questions unanswered. Many of the characters have a lack of depth, and the story seems somehow incomplete. Jessica's mother is killed, and yet, the reader does not see any feelings except anger. Perhaps this lack of depth and feeling is only because the author is so young and has not fully developed her writing. Perhaps in editing, some vital information was cut? The full effect is that of satisfaction by the high school students who read it and dissatisfaction by the adults. Grades High school. 2000, Delacorte, 176p, $9.95. Ages 14 to 18. Reviewer: Monica Irwin (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 13, No. 1))
What if the vampires that people the pages of the book Jessica writes--using the pen name, Ash Night--are not figments of her imagination? What if those dangerous characters she invents, especially the one she calls Aubrey and his sinister companion, Fala, do not want their secrets published? When Jessica's vampire creations begin to stalk her and her family, Jessica discovers that she just might need the help of her classmates, such as teen witch Caryn, whose offers of friendship she dismissed. Suddenly the classrooms and streets of New Mayhem are not as humdrum or safe as they once appeared. Perhaps there is a level of unreality in even the most average-seeming day, and possibly there are choices beyond whether to try today's version of cafeteria mystery meat. Will Jessica choose to enter the dark world of her own dreams and nightmares to take a chance on a truly forbidden love? Atwater-Rhodes continues to mine her own version of vampire lore, expanding on the characters and themes of In the Forests of the Night (Delacorte, 1999/VOYA August 1999). She is a teen writer whose voice and tone are well established, but who is still developing a literary style. The appeal of her subject matter, however, and her age--now sixteen--will likely override any awkward, wordy, occasionally overblown passages. In fact, for an adolescent audience, the raw emotions ring so true that teen readers might not care about any weaknesses in the writing. VOYA CODES: 2Q 4P M J (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2000, Delacorte, 176p, $9.95. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Mary Arnold (VOYA, August 2000 (Vol. 23, No. 3).
- Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2001; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
- Young Adults' Choices, 2002; International Reading Association; United States
- Tayshas High School Reading List, 2001-2002; Fast Read; Texas
ISBN: 0-385-32720-X
ISBN: 978-0-385-32720-6
Falcondance
Amelia Atwater-Rhode
Read by Andy Paris
From the review of the book in KLIATT, September 2005: "Fans of young writer Amelia Atwater-Rhodes will enjoy this third tale about serpent and bird shapeshifters. Nicias Silvermead is an honor guard in the Wyvern's Court, sworn to protect Oliza, daughter of the hawk Danika and the cobra Zane and heir to the combined realm of serpents and birds. However, Nicias is himself of royal blood, a falcon with the magic of Ahnmik; he is the grandson of Araceli, the powerful queen who rules Ahnmik. As his magic manifests itself, he is lured back to Ahnmik, the realm his parents have long since fled. He is the friend of two falcons, and the stories he hears from them are quite different. He is uncertain about the truth of the white city of Ahnmik and the influence it might have on Oliza. The story is told by Nicias, who conveys the confusion and uncertainty of his growing falcon magic. The story is detailed and intertwined with the myth and legends of Ahnmik, Ecl and Anhamirak, goddesses and keepers of the magic...." This is intriguing, though younger YAs might be hard pressed to follow the action unless they are already familiar with Volumes 1 & 2. Paris performs a soothing narration of the material that will leave listeners mesmerized. His dulcet tone belies the stunning action that ultimately uncovers traitors within the royal family itself. (The Kiesha'ra Series, Vol. 3) Category: Fiction Audiobooks. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2005, Recorded Books, 4 tapes. 6 hrs.; Vinyl; plot notes., $39.75. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Sunnie Grant (KLIATT Review, July 2006 (Vol. 40, No. 4)).
ISBN: 1-41933067-5
ISBN: 978-1-41933067-4
ISBN: 1-41938762-6
ISBN: 978-1-41938762-3
Falcondance
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
This is the third book in a series the author has titled "The Kiesha'ra," and after reading this book (out of order), I am guessing that I would have appreciated it a great deal more if I had read the first two in the series. Atwater-Rhodes is well known for her vampire novels, and she is certainly a capable creator of fantasy fiction. The plot of this story is interesting and has great potential, but the book simply feels too short for the amount of complexity implied in its beginning half; obviously, there will be more books in the series. I found the characters varied and individualized and appreciated the "greyness" of their personalities. No one is essentially good or bad in this novel; all are doing what they consider the best for their own homelands, families, friends, and lovers. But Nicius, the main character, is not given enough space to mature in the way we are expected to believe he has by the end of the book. I would guess that students who started the series will be moderately pleased with the movement forward of the plot, but this book would not be high on my list; I would certainly steer the readers I know to Atwater-Rhodes earlier endeavors. 2005, Delacorte Press, $14.95. Ages 12 to 16. Jean Boreen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-385-73194-9
ISBN: 978-0-385-73194-2
Hawksong
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Danica Shardae has only lived in times of war. She and her people, the Avian people, are shapeshifters who take to the skies as Hawks. Their mortal enemies are also shapeshifters, and they become snakes. The leaders of both people want to have peace, and the cost is high for Danica. She must pair bond with Zane Cobriana in order to bring the peace to all they know. But there are some in both groups who do not want peace, and they will stop at nothing to keep Danica and Zane apart. This story is one that will be popular among the fans of fantasy novels, for girls who love a good love story, and for those who have read the author's other works. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 7 and up. 2003, Delacorte, 243p., $9.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Monica Irwin (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 16, No. 4)).
Atwater-Rhodes creates compelling and likeable characters in shapeshifters Danica Shardae and Zane Cobriana. Their families have been locked in a bloody war for centuries, but these two are willing to marry for peace, despite assassination attempts, prejudice, and other strong opposition. Although this plot is not new, the characters change into a hawk and a snake, offering Atwater-Rhodes fans a creative change from her vampire titles, Midnight Predator (Delacorte, 2002/VOYA June 2002) and Demon in My View (Delacorte, 2000/VOYA August 2000). Strongest yet of the young author's novels, this book features three-dimensional characters who explore feelings and friendship for each other while making believable mistakes as people their age would. Danica, for example, must choose to go against her mother and the marriage her mother had planned for her to achieve the peace she seeks. Imagination is always a strong trait for this author, as is illustrated through the vivid language, rituals, and settings her characters inhabit. The suspense and romance will draw a variety of readers, including reluctant readers and those who might not usually read fantasy. Teens will relate to these characters and the universal themes of peer pressure, family problems, and the search for identity. Readers will be hoping for Danica and Zane to come together and overcome their differences. This novel is strongly recommended for school and public libraries. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Delacorte, 243p, $9.95. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Amy Alessio (VOYA, June 2003 (Vol. 26, No. 2)).
Shapeshifters, politics, and romance, oh my! Hawksong is the first installment of a fantasy series. This novel finds a balance between wit and tragedy, centuries of violence and a glimmering hope for peace. The author gives Danica a believable voice and surrounds her with fleshed-out characters. Atwater-Rhodes fans will find enough similar themes in this book to find it just as readable as the vampire series. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Delacorte, 243p, $9.95. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Jessica Lee, Teen Reviewer (VOYA, June 2003 (Vol. 26, No. 2)).
- School Library Journal Book Review Stars, July 2002; Cahners; United States
- School Library Journal: Best Books, 2003; Cahners; United States
- Golden Sower Award Honor Book 2006 Young Adult Nebraska
- Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award, 2009; Nominee; Illinois
- Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2006-2007; Book List; High School; Maryland
- Golden Sower Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Young Adult; Nebraska
- Iowa High School Book Award, 2006-2007; Nominee; Iowa
- Lone Star Reading List, 2005-2006; Reading List; Grades 6-8; Texas
- Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award, 2006-2007; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Minnesota
- Sequoyah Book Award, 2006; Nominee; Young Adult; Oklahoma
- South Carolina Young Adult Book Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; South Carolina
ISBN: 0-385-73071-3
ISBN: 978-0-385-73071-6
In the Forests of the Night
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Risika is Rachel, or, rather, was Rachel. That is, three hundred years ago she was Rachel, before Ather came to change her into someone of the night, the blackness, a vampire. This book, written by the author at the astonishing age of thirteen, is a hauntingly human and realistic vision of what that might actually be like. Changed in the 1600s by vampires who have come to seek revenge on her twin brother, Risika tells her story and reveals the dark torture of being such a creature, immortal, but surprisingly vulnerable and full of insight into her own growing vampire nature. The vampires prowl the human world on a shadowy level, combing streets and bars in search of victims, looking normal except to those who can sense their auras. After a series of confrontations, she takes revenge on Aubrey, the cruel and vicious one who sent her to this fate, and learns that although at one time it may have been possible to choose a different path, she must live with her vampire nature in all its complexity. Although clearly not for everyone, this is a literary work from a young author who surely bears watching. 2000, Random House/Dell Laurel-Leaf, $8.95 and $4.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Nancy Partridge (Children's Literature).
- Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
- Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2000; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
- Young Hoosier Book Award, 2004; Nominee; Middle Grades (Grades 6-8); Indiana
ISBN: 0-385-32674-2
ISBN: 978-0-385-32674-2
Midnight Predator
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Turquoise Draka is one of the most revered human vampire hunters in the Bruja guild and she is fighting for the title of leader. Thoughts of leadership are put aside, however, when she is hired to kill the most malicious vampire known to man, Jeshikah. Jeshikah is the founder of Midnight, an ancient vampire sanctuary known to enslave humans. Midnight had been burned and thought lost forever until Jeshikah rebuilds. Masquerading as a slave, Turquoise enters Midnight to kill its founder only to find the benign vampire Jaguar is in charge. Once inside, Turqouise must hide her identity, but must also face her past and defeat her one-time owner. She must also decide if being the leader of the Bruja guild is really what she wants. Once again the author has written a fascinating and imaginative tale of the hidden world of vampires and their hunters. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 7 and up. 2002, Delacorte, 248p, $9.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Amber Coronado (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 1)).
Mercenary teenage Hunters Turquoise and Ravyn are competing to see which of them will be the next leader of Crimson, an elite Bruja guild. While waiting for the final contest, they are hired to kill ancient, evil vampire Jeshikah, the former mistress of Midnight. A long-destroyed resort of sorts for Supernaturals, Midnight has been rebuilt, and Jeshikah is vying to regain control. She believes sleek, shirtless Jaguar is too easy on the human slaves. Turquoise and Ravyn hire a vampire friend to sell them to Jaguar, placing them close to Jeshikah. Plans go awry in many ways. Turquoise falls for Jaguar. Ravyn botches an attack on Jeshikah. Turquoise is saddled with protecting Eric, a former slave, as she tries to come to terms with the tragedies of her past and discover what she wants to do with her life. Atwater-Rhodes continues her series of slightly connected, teen Goth novels with more of the same. Adept at conveying the emotional turmoil of her main characters, she displays a facility for action scenes and cliffhangers. Although this latest effort is, by comparison, a less overstated novel, she sometimes crafts purple prose, and her style can be wordy and awkward. Turquoise's flashbacks, although a bit too numerous and repetitive, are handled well, but the opening hunt for Jeshikah peters out long before the close of the book. The return of combat with Ravyn and another revenge plot stumble in to take its place. This story is Buffy without sharp wit and Anne Rice without depth or detail, but Atwater-Rhodes's followers and fans of the genre will not mind a few editorial gaffs. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2002, Delacorte, 248p, $9.95. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Timothy Capehart (VOYA, June 2002 (Vol. 25, No. 2)).
- Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
ISBN: 0-385-32794-3
ISBN: 978-0-385-32794-7
Shattered Mirror
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Shattered Mirror is the third in a series written by teenage author Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. Each book describes the different aspects of the world of vampires, their hunters, and the humans in between. Sarah Vida is a fifth-generation witch and vampire hunter and is the daughter of one of the most powerful witches. She has moved to a new school so she can hunt the infamous vampire Nikolas incognito. However, Sarah is not expecting to befriend two harmless vampires posing as high school students, and she most definitely does not intend to fall for the male, Christopher Ravena. Against her better judgment and the laws of her clan, she continues her friendship with both and ends up involved with Christopher's twin brother, Nikolas. After surviving many encounters with Nikolas and learning the truth behind the siblings, Sarah learns that even vampires are capable of love and compassion. With its surprise ending, Shattered Mirror sweeps readers away with its seductive battle of good versus evil and leaves readers begging for more. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 7 and up. 2001, Delacorte, 227p, $9.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Amber Coronado (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 14, No. 3)).
Sarah, a young blond witch who carries ancient silver knives and drives a sapphire Jaguar, is starting her senior year of high school in a new town after some trouble involving vampire hunting got her expelled from the last one. She still hunts two vampires, Nikolas and Kaleo, when she meets the handsome Christopher, whose aura says vampire but who writes Sarah poetry and leaves roses in her locker. Her mother, Dominique, insists that any contact with vampires is forbidden, even those from the SingleEarth society who want vampires, witches, humans, and shape-shifters to live together in peace. Sarah's hopes for a future with Christopher seem dashed when she learns that he is Nikolas's twin brother but has given up killing, whereas Nikolas still hunts and marks human prey with elaborate cuts on their skin. Just when Sarah thinks she has her feelings under control, Dominique finds out about her contact with Christopher and Nikolas and binds Sarah's powers, leaving her vulnerable to being killed or blood-bonded by the vampires. When Nikolas captures her, she resolves her feelings for Christopher in a surprise ending that will leave readers wanting more novels about Sarah. In her latest book, this teen author of In the Forests of the Night (Delacorte, 1999/VOYA August 1999) and Demon in My View (2000/VOYA August 2000) creates a novel for those on their way to reading Anne Rice or the classics of Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker. It will be a surefire hit for fans of television's Buffy or Xena. The simple writing style and Nancy Drew cliffhangers will not matter to teen readers because the action is exciting, the romance is heavy, and clothes and cars are described in detail. VOYA CODES: 3Q 5P J S (Readable without serious defects; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2001, Delacorte, 227p, $9.95. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Hillary Theyer (VOYA, December 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 5)).
- Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2002; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
- Young Adults' Choices, 2003; International Reading Association; United States
- Evergreen Young Adult Book Award, 2004; Nominee; Washington
- Soaring Eagle Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 7-12; Wyoming
- Tayshas High School Reading List, 2002; Texas
ISBN: 0-385-32793-5
ISBN: 978-0-385-32793-0
Snakecharm
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
People who are shapeshifters--the Serpents and Hawks of this tale--have always been bitter enemies. Wars have killed hundreds of citizens as well as soldiers; it seems that the hatred will never die. But now Zane, the white cobra who is the heir to the Serpiente throne, has fallen in love with Danica, the Hawk princess. They are actually married, to the dismay of the more conservative members of both households, and are expecting a child. Eventually it is suggested that Avians and Serpientes might manage to live in peace not uneasily, as they do now, but "coexisting in one land where they weren't afraid of each other." But a lot must happen before that dream can come true. Atwater-Rhodes has invented a complete land with its own languages, rituals, politics, and religions. The characters are consistently three-dimensional and interesting. This is Volume Two, and it tends to get rather confusing. I would really like to know more about what happened earlier. The prologue claims to tell the history, but were there really shapeshifters in Egypt before the Great Pyramids were built? Imaginative and clever. Recommended for fans of the genre. 2004, Delacorte Books for Young Readers, $14.95. Ages 12. Reviewer: Judy Silverman (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-385-73072-1
ISBN: 0-385-90199-2
ISBN: 978-0-385-73072-3
ISBN: 978-0-385-90199-4
Wolfcry
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Oliza faces the greatest challenge of her life: choosing a mate. As heir to the Wyvern's Court, her choice can in either maintain the precarious peace between avians and serpientes, or result in bloodshed. She realizes how high the stakes are when one of her suitors is severely beaten. Shortly after Oliza is kidnapped and taken away from the court. She escapes and finds her way into wolf country. After meeting a mysterious outcast from the wolf tribe, she makes her way back to the court, where tensions have mounted in her absence. Oliza despairs of finding a way to accommodate all sides, much less being able to follow her own heart. While Atwater-Rhodes creates a masterful fantasy world, it gets lost with all the politics. Oliza appears to be on her own without any guidance from her parents in choosing a mate, which seems rather unrealistic given the stakes we are told exist. The ending manages to be both predictable and unsatisfactory, and Oliza is an extremely flat character for one with such a predicament. 2006, Delacorte Press, $14.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature).
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes's fantasy series follows the world of shapeshifters, where those who shift into snakes and those who shift into birds maintain an uneasy peace under the reign of young Oliza Shardae Cobriana, a young woman who is both snake and bird. In this fourth volume, time has come for Oliza to marry, but the weight of that decision is heavy with uncertainty and guilt. If she chooses a snake, the birds will complain; and if she chooses a bird, the snakes may revolt. She has suitors from both camps, but when a snake is violently attacked by birds, Oliza sees the undercurrents of prejudice and hatred within her own realm. Kidnapped by mercenary lions, she escapes and has to make her way in the forest where she comes into contact with a wolf pack. The pack is led by Velyo who, though he tries to take advantage of Oliza, also shares her wisdom about leadership. She also enters into a relationship with a young wolf hunted by Velyo. In the end, Oliza makes a hard choice, but one she believes will serve her people well. The detail, the uncertainty, and the decisions that Oliza faces make this a compelling story for those who enjoy fantasy. Atwater-Rhodes is a master at integrating the needed details from past volumes without losing momentum in the narrative she is telling. The characters ring true despite the fantasy world of their existence. This novel does deal with sexuality and homosexuality as Oliza comes of age. (Kiesha' ra, vol. 4.) Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2006, Random House, Delacorte, 192p., $14.95 and $16.99. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Janis Flint-Ferguson (KLIATT Review, September 2006 (Vol. 40, No. 5)).
- Young Adults' Choices, 2008; International Reading Association; United States
ISBN: 0-385-73195-7
ISBN: 0-385-90354-5
ISBN: 978-0-385-90354-7
ISBN: 978-0-385-73195-9
Wyvernhail
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Set in a time and place not known to man, our hero Hai must find a way to save her people from themselves and from others in the book. Being a mongrel, Hai has the birthright of her deceased cobra father and the falcon heritage from her mother. Both sides pull Hai apart and seem to drive her to the point of insanity until she takes hold of her destiny and finds a way to control her visions. Her knowledge of the future tells of how her people would destroy themselves if Oliza, her cousin, takes control of the throne. Now Hai must find a way to keep this from happening even if she must give up the love of her life and never know happiness again. This character-rich book brings together an interesting set of creatures that feel like humans because of their emotional upheavals and like primitive animals because of their violent nature. Many twists and turns happen as our hero must face her fate. Cliff Nielsen, jacket illustrator, has created an incredible image that gives readers a glance at what these fanciful characters would look like. The author, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes seems to have produced dramatic characters with more adult-natured qualities then young adult. For instance, how many fifteen year olds would have so gracefully accepted that she would have to give up her lover to save the world without a tear bath? I appreciated the original voice and plot, but I would only encourage readers fifteen years old or older to read this book because of the sexual content and subject matter. This was the fifth and final book of "The Kiesh'ra" series. 2007, Delacorte Press, $14.99. Ages 15 up. Reviewer: Julia Beiker (Children's Literature).
In this continuing saga of birds and snakes, Hai, the cousin of Oliza brought to Wyvern's Court by Nicias in an earlier volume, tells her story. Oliza has abdicated her throne, leaving a snake, Salem Cobriana, and an avian, Sive Hardae, to rule together. But Hai, with her gift of seeing into the future and her uncontrollable magic, sees that only trouble lies ahead. The Court is in turmoil and there are even more unsettling events as word filters down that all is not well within the two ruling families. In fact, it has been suggested that one of them will sell out the other and war will be the only way to settle who shall rule. Hai is the daughter of falcon and cobra, a legitimate heir to the throne despite her history of insanity. There are those who encourage her to step up and those who would like to see her dead. But through her resolve to save Wyvern's Court and some carefully crafted maneuvering, Hai finally makes a difference. And in finding her role and responsibility to the Court, she also finds her own identity as the Kiesha'ra. Appreciating this novel requires having read some of the earlier books. While the characters are compelling and well developed, the intricacies of Wyvern Court are harder to review and summarize through Hai's perspective, but fans of the series will not be disappointed. (The Kiesha'ra, Vol. 5) Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2007, Random House, Delacorte, 192p., $14.99 and (Lib. bdg: $17.99.). Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Janis Flint-Ferguson (KLIATT Review, September 2007 (Vol. 41, No. 5)).
- Middle and Junior High Schoool Library Catalog, Ninth Edition Supplement 2008, 2008; H.W. Wilson Company; United States
ISBN: 978-0-385-73436-3
ISBN: 978-0-385-90442-1
ISBN: 0-385-73436-0
ISBN: 0-385-90442-8
Added 4/28/09
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