Interview: KaSonndra Leigh

The lovely KaSonndra Leigh

I've got a treat in store for you all today. Earlier in the week I reviewed When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh and today the lady herself KaSonndra Leigh has kindly answered some of my questions. Enjoy!

Hi, KaSonndra and welcome to V’s Book Life. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I’m a little nervous as it’s my first interview but we should do alright. I’ve just finished When Copper Suns Fall and really enjoyed it (read my review here). Here’s the blurb for those who haven’t read it yet!
'In fifteen-year-old Chela Prizeon’s city, alchemy is forbidden and angels hide among the mortal. With a deadly virus ravaging the globe, Chela’s nightmarish memories compels her to experience a past riddled with gloom, and now her brother is infected. Chela’s only hope is the Caduceans, slayers sworn to protect the last seven Light Keepers and the ancient memories they share. A group led by the sometimes elusive, sometimes infuriating boy who intrigues Chela. But can she trust this boy with the mysterious past, someone who can influence her memories? With the Caduceans aid, Chela races to defeat her rivals, to unearth dark family secrets, desperate to find a cure…only to discover the glutovirus is far more than a simple disease.'

Vikki: This is a great storyline. I found Chela’s world and the people that inhabit it fascinating. Where did you get you inspiration from?
KaSonndra: When I sat down and began writing When Copper Suns Fall, the story was a standard in your face, super-high fantasy. It came complete with blue creatures, unicorns, princes, and all that. Chela’s name was Cara and Faris had a name that has been overused lately. I wasn’t trying to be fad girl or the Lady Gaga of the writing world. But rather, I was trying to write the story I always wanted to read. One that came to life when my oldest son asked me: “what if angels that looked like people lived in a dystopian society?” The seeds were planted, the lights in my muse’s apartment lit up. The challenge was on. I asked myself: “how do I stick to an urban setting with fantastical elements, but bring my love of dystopia into play?”

Vikki: Why the urban fantasy/dystopian genre? Have you always been drawn it?
KaSonndra: I love both of these genres. I have certain books I can devour in one sitting, and others well, it just takes a little longer. Doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not good or anything at all. I tend to love dystopian novels and urban fantasy. They’re magical and intriguing and everything I enjoy in a story.

Vikki: Chela has an awful lot to take in over the course of this book and makes a few tough decisions. She is a very strong person, as is Faris. Did you base her or any of your characters on real people?
KaSonndra: Of course, our writing always is based on the events, people, and places that most shaped our lives. I’d say the characters, themes, and overall tone of Copper Suns’ message is based on the way I feel about losing my grandmother. She was the one who told me to learn how to talk to the flowers. They hold the secrets hidden by the angels. So that’s what I did.

Vikki: I noticed that When Copper Suns Fall is book 1 of a trilogy, can you give us a hint as to where you’ll take Chela next?
KaSonndra: Sure can. You can expect to hear more from Faris’s voice in the next novels. You’ll also get more insight into the world where the Great War began. This time, Chela will dive deeper into Seth and Faris’s mysterious world on the other side of the river.

Vikki: If When Copper Suns Fall were to be made into a film or T.V. show, who would you have play Chela?
KaSonndra: I actually did a character mock up of the main characters in WCSF. And for Chela, I picked Jessica Szhor who plays Vanessa on Gossip Girl.

Vikki: Have you got any novels being released in 2012? Can you tell us a bit about them?
KaSonndra: Yes! Yes! I’d love to tell you about them. The expanded edition of When Copper Suns Fall will be released on March 31st. I have a short story being published by Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly in May. My Gothic paranormal novel Hacienda Moon will be pubbed in June. I’m really excited about that one because there’s a new type of supernatural creature being used in this one. And finally, in late fall of this year, we’ll be releasing the sequel to Copper Suns. It’s called When Silver Moons Rise. As you can see I’ve been VERY very busy! :-D

Vikki: Wow, you have been busy! Where is your favourite place to write? 

KaSonndra: I have a swing in my backyard where I sit and listen to nature all around me as my inspiration. Even though I only get to write outside like that for a few select months out of the year, I still enjoy connecting with life around me. Nothing is more inspirational.

Vikki: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
KaSonndra: I have tons of hobbies. When I’m not writing, I enjoy hanging out with my X-men. In case you haven’t read up on who they are, I’ll tell you they’re my two boys. And yes, both their names start with an X. That being said, another of my favourites is gardening. It’s meditative and offers a cure for writer’s block like you wouldn't believe.

Vikki: If you could meet any author (dead or alive) who would it be? (For me it’s the Bronte sisters…they started my love of the written word!)
KaSonndra: This is a loaded question. Why? Because I can’t really decide on one person. I mean, I’m stressing out over here as I try to decide who I’d want to meet first. I’d say Ann Radcliffe or Bram Stoker. I might be a dystopian fantasy author, but at the end of the day, I’m scouting out the latest in Gothic lit. Nothing beats the classics and those two set a very high bar for us authors to reach.

Vikki: And finally, what book are you reading right now?
KaSonndra: I have six books I’m reading right now. LOL I’m finishing up Graveminder by Melissa Marr first and then moving on to the Hunger Games trilogy...again! :-D

Vikki : Thank you so much for your time. I’ll be looking forward to book 2 in the Copper Suns trilogy!
KaSonndra: And thank you for taking the time to host me and review my novel When Copper Suns Fall. I heart you dearly. :-D

KaSonndra's début novel When Copper Suns Fall is available to buy on Amazon here!

Review: When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh

Hey all, my newest review is When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh. This dystopian fantasy is book 1 in the Copper Suns Trilogy.

Title: When Copper Suns Fall
Author: KaSonndra Leigh
Publisher: TriGate Press
Release Date: 6th December 2011 (Kindle Edition)
Series: Copper Suns Trilogy, Book 1
Source: I recieved a copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from the KaSonndra Leigh's website:
In fifteen-year-old Chela Prizeon’s city, alchemy is forbidden and angels hide among the mortal. With a deadly virus ravaging the globe, Chela’s nightmarish memories compels her to experience a past riddled with gloom, and now her brother is infected. Chela’s only hope is the Caduceans, slayers sworn to protect the last seven Light Keepers and the ancient memories they share. A group led by the sometimes elusive, sometimes infuriating boy who intrigues Chela. But can she trust this boy with the mysterious past, someone who can influence her memories?
With the Caduceans aid, Chela races to defeat her rivals, to unearth dark family secrets, desperate to find a cure…only to discover the glutovirus is far more than a simple disease.

Review:
First Line: 'My brothers hand twitched. It was the first time he'd moved in almost a year. Micah was in a coma. He lay in his bed, sightless eyes staring upward. Tubes attached to his arms, legs, and head led to a life-support system. My chest ached, stomach rolled, and grief was a bomb waiting to explode inside me.'
This first few lines drew me right in, how did Chela's brother end up in a coma? This is the question that eventually draws Chela into a world most believe had been left in the past. The official story is that he was in an accident, (Micah fell from the top of a ride) but Chela is convinced that it was no accident. She believes the mythical Tainteds were somehow involved and being twins...Chela will not stop until she discovers the truth.

Unfortunately the incurable Glutovirus is rampaging through Micah's system and his Doctor wishes to use Micah's body for research purposes...because Micah and Chela share a secret. They have celestial blood running through their veins. With her celestial blood Chela could have thrown off the men who took her from her brothers room or done some serious damage to the doctor who threatens to tell the world what she is...but Chela knows she has to keep her blood hidden...otherwise she risks being arrested or shot like the others of her kind. Since the Great War the humans have been forbidden, by the governing tribuneral, to have any association with the Caduceans and Tainteds who where the beings at the centre of the war which changed mankind forever. Chela's journey to discover the truth about Micah takes her further than she had ever imagined and drags her in to a place where the Caduceans and Tainteds are anything but myths. Chela makes some life changing discoveries about her home and her celestial heritage. Lies will be uncovered and cracks begin to show in the perfect society, for those in power have been anything but honest. Chela's celestial blood brings her new discoveries about her heritage and the role she will play in a hidden war. With the help of her friends Chela will change the world and her future...forever.

As far as the characters go, I liked Chela, she's strong and protective of those she loves and will do all she can to make things right. She is human and makes mistakes...I find a flawed heroine more believable than a perfect one so this is a definite plus for me. However, I didn't always connect with Chela. In some places I can picture exactly what she sees and feels...but in a couple of other places I feel more like someone sat on the sidelines. The love intrest in the form of Faris certainly has some promise...and I love the scene where they first meet, my word Faris is certainly intriguing...my mind kept wandering back to him. However, 2 more love interests are inrtoduced in the form of Seth and Jalen. The love triangle...or maybe it's a square...I don't know that ensues is hard on Chela (though I was always rooting for Faris) and she loses herself briefly.

“They’ll call me, now, and make me a witness against you. I’m sorry, but I already have too many problems. So I—I have to tell the truth,” I said.
“That won’t be a problem.” Faris smiled, a catchy one that lit his face up. I couldn’t decide whether it was angelic or downright wicked. Just like I couldn’t remember where I’d ever heard an accent like his. What kind was it? Old southern? Old English? Irish? It sounded like a mix of all three, but with a deep timbre, making him sound god like. “In a few minutes, you won’t remember me or any of this.”
“Really? How do you figure that?” I asked, heart racing.
“Because my gift to you…” He moved his face closer to mine, pulling me into whatever was happening in his head. “My gift is to remove memories that cause you pain.”
“Okay, um, right.” Had I lost my mind? It probably wouldn’t have hurt to scream.
He held my gaze, locking me into something I couldn’t explain. A tear puckered up in his left eye, and slid down his cheek where it stopped on his top lip. Then he blinked, snapping us out of whatever place he’d taken us to, and glanced behind my head. “Here comes your dark knight,” he said, easing his arms away from me.

Seth, unlike Faris, creeped me out from the very beginning. He is just one of those characters you are always suspicious of, and for that I think he is absolutely great. He is the guy in this love triangle who whenever Chela spent time with him I was going 'NOO! FARIS, PICK FARIS, GIRL ARE YOU BLIND!?' I always enjoy trying to get characters to see what they, in my opinion, are doing wrong...though my housemates get creeped out when I start shouting at books haha.

When Copper Suns Fall certainly keeps you on your toes while you're reading it. KaSonndra Leigh has created a new world full of many types of people. It reads well and I rarely had to struggle through it. There is a lot of action and when you think you see where the story is going, KaSonndra Leigh throws a curve ball and you suddenly have no idea what will happen next! I loved that about it, predictable is no fun. The unique spin on angel myhtology was absolutely fascinating and the dystopian theme was woven really well into the mythology. The Seraphim, Cherubim, the Caduceans and the Tainted will keep you enthralled throughout.

The one fault I could find with When Copper Suns Fall was the lack of background information in one or two areas. Some area's are not fully explained and left me a tiny bit lost at times. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the read but I don't think I got as into it as I feel I should have done, I mean the story showed so much promise. I had to flick back occasionally to try and find explanations that weren't always there which spoilt it for me a little bit. An example is that we don't get an awful lot of information about the Great War, it is mentioned yes, but not to the level of detail that I would have personally liked.
BUT, and this is a big but, this series certainly has a lot of promise and I certainly will be keeping an eye out as the trilogy progresses.

My Rating 3.5/5