Interview: Andrew Fukuda (author of The Hunt)

Born in Manhattan and raised in Hong Kong, Andrew Fukuda is half-Chinese, half-Japanese. After earning a bachelor's degree in history from Cornell University, Fukuda worked in Manhattan's Chinatown with the immigrant teen community. That experience led to the writing of Crossing, his debut novel that was selected by ALA Booklist as an Editor's Choice, Top Ten First Novel, and Top Ten Crime Novel in 2010. His second novel, The Hunt, the first in a new series, was bought at auction by St. Martin's Press and was published in May 2012. Before becoming a full time writer, Fukuda was a criminal prosecutor for seven years. He currently resides on Long Island, New York, with his family.

Hello Andy, nice to have you here at Bookcase to Heaven™ today! I have some questions that I just had to ask you after reading your enrapturing novel, The Hunt! So I will kick off this interview with the first question :)

The Hunt is not distinctly dystopian with its touch on vampires. Are you a fan of dystopian novels or fantasy writing?  

I'm a fan of dystopian, not so much of fantasy, although the latter is certainly a genre I highly respect. What I find so fascinating with the dystopian genre is how it wrestles with mankind's attempt to find utopia. It's a misguided attempt, of course, because it will always be tainted with humanity's inability to reach social ideals-- everyone is too fractured, broken, greedy, fallen-- and the end result is inevitably a dysfunctional governance. 

In my mind, that's how it gets its name: dysfunctional + utopia = dystopia.   

I do agree, such is the charm of novels illustrating dystopian societies. As I recall, there was a subtle reference to Twilight in The Hunt. So, in reality, which is closer to your idea of a vampire-- Bram Stoker's Dracula or Stephanie Meyer's Edward Cullen? (I couldn't resist asking this *cheeky smile*) 

Hmmm...tough question. I think the vampire has become so ubiquitous across genre and art mediums that its form has become quite malleable. Edward Cullen is quite different from the Anne Rice's vampires which are in turn quite different from the Johnny Depp vampire in the upcoming movie. I think what matters most is whether the form of the vampire fits the function within the artistic medium it is in. I do have a preference, as you've probably realized, for the vampires in I am Legend (movie version).  

Yes, indeed, now on to a question that would interest most female readers of your novel. The romance between Gene and Ashley June was quite perfectly done! Perhaps this is quite an odd question to ask a male author, but I am rather curious on the matter. Do you believe in true love?  

I do - but it's rare. I prefer to think of love as on a sliding scale with Total Incompatibility on one end and Complete Synced-ness on the other. Most people fall somewhere in between.    

How has your Japanese and/or Chinese heritage influenced your writing?  

It had a direct effect on my debut novel, Crossing, because the protagonist is a Chinese immigrant living in America. His experience is quite different from mine, but there was some overlap. With The Hunt, my Asian heritage makes me feel more a need to prove myself. The YA genre is written by mostly white (and female) authors, and as an Asian American male I feel the need to prove myself while at the same time sticking to my artistic vision, no matter how unique and against the grain it might be.

That, I can understand. You have sure proved yourself! I can say with utmost conviction that you have inspired many other aspiring Asian young writers to pursue their writing dreams. 

But before I end, I have to admit that I am eagerly awaiting the sequel to The Hunt! Anything to reveal?  

The book is already written, but right now I can only reveal the title. It is THE PREY. Thanks for a great interview, Selina!

You are most definitely welcome! Thank you for satisfying my curiosity by answering these questions! I can't wait for The Prey!

Get the gist of The Hunt in this trailer. Do you see those fangs? ;)

 

To know exactly what I feel for The Hunt, read my review here. :)

xoxo,

Sel

Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls #1)

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls #1)

Author: Ally Carter

Summary:

Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?

Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.




Published 25 April 2006

*

Once upon a time, when I was ten, I picked up Book 2 and 3 of this series. I was left in awe. I searched endlessly for Book 1, but always brushed past it by some chance. 

This year, with the fifth book out, I have with me here, a copy of the first book. 

But, like many childhood memories revisted, this one was sweetly endearing yet too faraway and unreal. 

*

Every girl had their own version of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream.

When I was a kid watching Spy Kids, I dreamed of becoming a spy, learning how to kill someone in 101 ways in classes much less mundane than Algebra.

And, Hallelujah! Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women was my dream come true.

Yet, when I closed the galley today, I was left feeling lost and disappointed. I'd loved the stories of Cammie, Liz, Bex and Macey, yet, this story that started it all was one that did not hit too close to home.

Was Ally Carter trying to be funny? Because, she was not. The jokes were more than dry.

All that I'd loved about the book seemed to have vanished with time. What I once thought was stunning is now purely outlandish. What I once believed to be great characterization is now simply to shallow for me. The girls' friendships had no real substance and I was entertained yet not affected.

And, yes, falling in love.

Josh, the male protagonist, was a great let-down. He's ordinary, too boring to fit into the tale. Cammie's relationship with him was so dull as a result. They talk, they walk, they eat ice-cream. It's sweet! But they can't even pull off a remotely decent and interesting conversation between the two of them. For the first time, I wondered why Cammie might even possibly fall in love in the first place. Though, to give the series some due credit, the love interest changes to another spy in subsequent novels, but let's not talk about it now.

I wish I could tell you the story is awful, but it's not. It's just that there is very little to it. No exciting climaxes, no searing plot, no life-changing dilemmas. You would have expected a dose of that in a novel about spies, wouldn't you?

There has to be something in a book. Because if I emerge out from reading the book same as before, my heart strings not even pulled, then why even read at all?

I never believed in a thousand years that I would say this, but here it is: I wanted so badly to love this book. But I didn't.

I thought it would be a fantastic read, one that would make me swoon, one with a five-starred review.

In the end, it's just a tribute to my younger starry-eyed self.

Source: From Disney-Hyperion (Publisher) for review purposes.

"In honor of the release of Out of Sight, Out of Time (book 5 in the Gallagher Girls series), please enjoy the one that started it all, I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You, book 1 in the Gallagher Girls series."

A Netgalley copy.

xoxo,
Sel

In My Mailbox: 01/05/2012

This is a long post! Your comment would make my day :)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. Let us know what books you've bought, borrowed or received for review!

Library

The Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon 

Doesn't the cover look beautiful? Simply stunning! I hope the story is equally good as well! I have high hopes for this kind of Chinese Martial Arts adventure/romance novels. If the content is as good as the cover, this might land itself a four-stars review at least. 

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Heard so much about it! I read a few reviews lately about Wither too, and all were positive. This novel seems deal with several touchy subjects. The author should have enough skill in packaging these themes in her lovely language and selling them off as a enticing YA novel!

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I picked this book up because I head from Veronica Roth that this book has one of the most believable romances ever. Sounds like a fantasy/adventure novel. Never would have picked it up, but now I'm glad that I did!

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

Want. Want. Want. 

Now, this doesn't seem too good. I read a few pages and I'm bored. This might not make it into THE CHRONICLE. Think I should give a negative review? Or just leave it? 

*

Purchased

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

The blogosphere has been going gaga over this book! I'm kind of behind everyone, but here I am, finally following the tide. I know that there's a love triangle (sobs), but the temptation is too great. I'm totally like "WHO CARES"?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Everyone knows Noah Shaw. The hottie bom botty has enamoured everyone, including me, even before I read this. I have to set this behind because of the pile of books I've not yet read (sobs... Gee, I'm sobbing a lot!). But I'm sure the moment I read this, it will be the unbecoming of Sel.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

I'm half way through this. Yes, I know, this IMM came quite late. The book was such a charming distraction from my tests. Might have to read it again. Not sure if I would, but I sure want to.

Switched by Amanda Hocking

I bought this on the spur of the moment. It has been such a long time since I last read a good old clichéd story, so I took this off from the shelves. Needless to say, I was seriously surprised when I heard that this was a self-published novel which was then turned bought by an official publishing company. The author is now a multi-millionaire. Let's see if her first novel is worth the gold.

Bewitching by Alex Flinn

Alex Flinn won me over with her story A Kiss in Time and then had me tagged as her fan with Beastly. Both were great adaptations of fairytales and I just couldn't resist this one. Bewitch me, Ms Flinn!

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

I just watched a Romeo and Juliet play last weekend. This book enters nicely into the equation. 

*

ARCs

The Glimpse by Claire Merle

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

House of Night #1 (The Graphic Novel) by a bunch of people including P.C. Cast

Redemption by Veronique Launier

The Shapeshifter's Secret by Heather Ostler 

*

Oh my! Isn't this a packed reading schedule? I'm rubbing my hands in glee.

Hope you are too! ;)

Tell me what you think! If you have any IMMs too, comment & I'd love to link you!

xoxo,
Sel