Hey everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for UMBERLAND by Wendy Spinale! I adore Wendy and this series!! If you haven't read them you really should!
I have an interview with Wendy to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway below!
I have an interview with Wendy to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway below!
Haven't heard of UMBERLAND? Check it out!
Title: UMBERLAND
Author: Wendy
Spinale
Pub.
Date: May 2, 2017
Publisher: Scholastic
Press
Pages: 288
Formats: Hardcover,
eBook
What began with a reimagining of Peter Pan and Wendy now twists into a stunning version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass!
Gwen, Pete, and the others have escaped from Everland. But the safe haven they hoped to find at Alnwick Castle doesn't exist. With the Queen of England on her deathbed, Duchess Alyssa has stepped in to lead, but things have gotten worse as the cure Doc created for the Horologia virus has mutated, accelerating the disease. The only possible solution he can think of is to go back to the virus's origin: an extinct poisonous apple.
Legend has it a tree bearing the apple might be found at the center of a deadly labyrinth hidden deep within Germany. A place that no one in their right mind enters. Leaving Pete in charge of the survivors, Alyssa sets out with only her sword, her wits, and the help of Maddox Hadder, a wild boy who oversees the castle gardens. To get to the center of the maze, she'll be forced to battle monsters more terrifying than her darkest nightmares.
But can anyone truly survive the madness of the maze? And what if there's no apple to be found there?
Now on to the interview!
Hi Wendy! First I want to say welcome back to Two Chicks on Books! Umberland was absolutely fantastic and I
can’t wait for everyone to read it! And am so happy that you could stop by for
a visit!
For the readers:
can you give us a recap of what happened in Everland
and what we can expect in Umberland?
Everland, a dark,
steampunk retelling of the original Peter
Pan and Wendy story, takes place in post-war London. A virus has broken out
and the only survivors, with a few exceptions, are the children. Pete, Gwen,
and an eclectic group of Lost Boys set out to save Gwen’s sister, Joanna, from
the ruthless Captain Hook, who believes that a girl might be the one who holds
the cure. At the Bloodred Queen’s bidding, he is responsible for the
destruction and release of the deadly disease, but the children refuse to die.
Umberland is the hope for
those who survived Everland, but it
isn’t all that was expected. The disease has mutated, making its victims more
animal than human. Alyssa, the Duchess of Alnwick, joins forces with the
caretaker of the Poison Garden, Maddox Hadder, to retrieve a forgotten deadly
apple thought to be found in the center of a deadly labyrinth. It’s believed
this apple might be the cure to the virus.
But our heroes aren’t the only ones
looking for it . . .
So Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was
your choice this time. Why did you choose it? And why do you love writing
retellings?
When I planned the series, I looked for common things in fairy tales I loved.
Clocks, airships, Victorian themes, tea parties, London. Both Peter Pan and Wendy and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland had
those elements. I did my best to come up with a story that could be inclusive
of the elements they had in common. I enjoy fairy tales and retellings because
I grew up with them and then I worked with them as a Disneyland actress. They
took up more than half my life. It only makes sense to go back to the things I
love.
Is this the end for Gwen, Pete, and company? Or will there be more
stories? There is one more story in the works. Beyond that . . . only time will
tell.
Were any of the
characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?
This
would be where I would say “OMG!!! YES!!!” I worked with some phenomenal people
during my time at Disneyland. I played hide and seek with Peter Pan, ate lunch
(not tea) with Alice, and had arguments with Captain Hook. And while those
characters were so true and brilliant out in the park, behind the scenes, they
were unbelievable people and lifetime friends. To this day, they are family and
always, always will be. I’m forever indebted to them for their love and
support.
Who was your
favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?
In
Umberland? Jack was an intriguing
character to delve into. He’s so complicate in so many levels. I’m still
surprised as we journey into book three by his choices. Pete was a hard one to
write. I missed the brash, charismatic Pete in Everland. He’s become so jaded in book two. I’m hoping we’ll see
him bounce back in book three.
What is your
favorite passage/scene in Umberland?
I
can’t divulge too much on this question. I will say this: one of my favorite
characters doesn't make it out of Umberland alive. I cried writing it. Tried to
change it. But ultimately, the story demanded this scene. It’s my favorite
because it is someone in the midst of fear, of tyranny, of terror, he rises up
and gives everything he has to be sure those he loves lives.
What kind of
research did you have to do for the story?
I’ve
never been to England. So the entire setting of Alnwick, the Poison Garden,
Lohr Castle . . . all of it require hours of research, maps, tourism brochures,
history behind the cities and castles. Oh, and watching lots of Harry Potter movies. Why? Because Hogwarts was filmed at
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England.
What inspired you
to write YA?
When
I write, it sounds young adult in my head. I blush when it comes to adult
themes and I don’t quite get the middle grade. I guess my creativity is stuck
in YA.
Lightening Round
Questions
What are you
reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?
I’m
reading Carval by Stephanie
Garber.
Team Cap, Team
Iron Man, Team Hulk, Team Black Widow, or Team Thor?
Team
Thor. I met him today at the pet store. He’s a fluffy (obese) chinchilla at the
pet store. I’m seriously thinking about bringing him home. And, yes, the
chinchilla’s name was Thor.
Would you rather
live in Neverland or Wonderland?
Not
a fair question. Can I buy lakefront property in both lands?
Favorite TV show?
The Big Bang Theory
Sweet or Salty?
Spicy
Any Phobias?
Interview
questions J
Song you can’t get
enough of right now?
I
just discovered a song called “Peter Pan” by Kelsea Ballerini. Seriously, it’s
the story of my life.
2017 Movie you’re
most looking forward to?
Movies?
What are those?
Thanks so much Wendy for answering my questions! I can’t wait for
everyone to read Umberland!
About Wendy:
I must admit, I have lived an
extraordinary life and will forever be grateful for the opportunities I have
had.
I was the middle of three kids, my
older brother being deaf for as far back as I can remember. At the time, I
didn't realize how much that would later impact my life. I was a sign language
interpreter for a short time (although I'm extremely rusty now), taught my kids
to sign as infants, and now am using that experience in my current manuscript.
During college I was living in
southern California working for Disneyland as a Cast Member in the
Entertainment Department. I met my husband there who was also a performer.
After four incredible years working with the Mouse, we moved to his hometown in
the Bay Area.
I eventually got my Bachelor's in
Kinesiology and worked in the fitness industry for ten years before a knee
injury ended my career. Not sure what to do with my time, I applied to job
posting to be an online journalist. I loved writing, but had no experience. I
didn't hear back so I wrote up a review about a local restaurant and sent it to
them to prove I could do the job. Twenty-four hours later, I was a journalist
with AOL Media/Pleasanton Patch.
I spent three great years with them
before cut backs forced me without a job again. That's when I started writing
my first novel, which went nowhere. Dozens of rejection letters later. I
started a second book. A year later I was offered representation by Thao Le
from Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and within another six months I was offered
a book deal. EVERLAND (Scholastic) is scheduled to debut Summer of 2016!
Today I live in the Bay Area with
my husband and three sons who are my biggest fans. While they're off at work
and school, I bounce ideas off my four-legged, furry family members, Odie and
Sammy.
Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy
of UMBERLAND, US Only.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
Week Two:
5/8/2017- BookHounds YA- Review
5/12/2017- Emily
Reads Everything- Review Go back to where it all started and get the prequel and book 1!
Loved Everland!! I am so excited for more from Wendy :)
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