Stormrise
Author: Jillian Boehme
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: September 24th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dragons
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A combat warrior will risk everything to awaken the dragons and save her kingdom in Jillian Boehme’s epic YA Fantasy debut, Stormrise, inspired by Twelfth Night and perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce.
If Rain weren’t a girl, she would be respected as a Neshu combat master. Instead, her gender dooms her to a colorless future. When an army of nomads invades her kingdom, and a draft forces every household to send one man to fight, Rain takes her chance to seize the life she wants.
Knowing she’ll be killed if she’s discovered, Rain purchases powder made from dragon magic that enables her to disguise herself as a boy. Then she hurries to the war camps, where she excels in her training—and wrestles with the voice that has taken shape inside her head. The voice of a dragon she never truly believed existed.
As war looms and Rain is enlisted into an elite, secret unit tasked with rescuing the High King, she begins to realize this dragon tincture may hold the key to her kingdom’s victory. For the dragons that once guarded her land have slumbered for centuries . . . and someone must awaken them to fight once more.
Exclusive interview
Do you think your hardship experiences in live (such as through the difficulties you experienced in your publishing journey) impact your portrayal of the characters in this book?
I think writers in general create characters that are born out of whatever life experiences the writer has had. Personally, I don’t see my “hardships” impacting my characters so much as my study of human nature and the understanding I personally have of what makes people who they are. Also, instead of my hardships, I think my characters end up espousing qualities that are important to me, whether in the positive or negative; for instance, the ability to forgive (or the inability), or the ability to remain loyal (or not).
What’s the story behind your book cover?
I’m so in love with my cover, and so thankful to the talented Adam S. Doyle for his magnificent work! Basically, my editor, Elayne Becker, had a vision for a dragon-centric cover, and I agreed. I also pointed out that the autumn color palette (warm, black-infused colors like peacock/dark teal, burnt orange, mustard, warm browns) was my favorite. The early concept art didn’t quite portray the shape of Nuaga’s head correctly, so I sent a photograph of my little, model dragon, so Adam could see the difference. When I finally saw the finished artwork, my heart soared—there was Nuaga, my dragon, in all her glory! Not only that, but Adam used my beloved autumn colors, so I couldn’t possibly be happier.
If you can give one advice to one character of the book, who would it be and what would the advice be?
I think I would tell Dalen not to be afraid to stand up for his beliefs.
Do you prefer ebooks or paper books?
Oh, real books, definitely!
How do you write? What is your methodology of writing (such as outline style and etc)?
I use the Beat Sheet method from Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat. It usually takes me 3 or 4 rounds before I get the Beat Sheet into shape; I definitely don’t start drafting until I have that bare-bones outline. As far as my characters go, I generally pants them; particularly the supporting characters. They receive personality and depth as I go, and I continue to work on them through the revision process.
What is the inspiration behind your characters and relationships?
What an interesting question! I think I’m most inspired by qualities that I admire, such as loyal and bravery. I’m also motivated by the concept of unconditional love (loving someone no matter what, with no strings attached), and I’m sure that plays into the way my characters interact. Finding one’s authentic self is also important to me, so writing a character arc in which the character prevails because she is true to herself and her calling (Rain!) is especially satisfying.
What do you hate and enjoy the most about the writing process?
I HATE drafting and LOVE revising!
exclusive giveaway
Prize: Win (1) of (4) finished copies of STORMRISE by Jillian Boehme (US/CAN Only)
Starts: 10th September 2019
Finishes: 24th September 2019
about the author
JILLIAN BOEHME is known to the online writing community as Authoress, hostess of Miss Snark’s First Victim, a blog for aspiring authors. In real life, she holds a degree in Music Education, sings with the Nashville Symphony Chorus, and homeschools her remaining youngster-at-home. She’s still crazy in love with her husband of more than thirty years and is happy to be surrounded by family and friends amid the rolling knolls of Middle Tennessee.