Shannon thought there was no such thing as real magic. Until that day. The day that changed everything.
Put yourself in her shoes. Would you open your eyes, if you were the one that heard them? Two magic-takers from another world, arguing about whether they can collect what they came for before you wake up. It sounds like a crazy dream, or a practical joke.
But what if the air around you started to vibrate with an invisible force field? What if, all at once, it felt scary, yet familiar too? You would have no way of knowing that this discovery would set you on a path no-one from our world has taken for centuries. Towards a deadly enemy, and a fight you will almost certainly lose.
All you know is that your heart is beating so fast you're worried they will hear it, and your brain is starting to buzz as the force field reaches it. Would you open your eyes?
Join Jax and Shannon as they live through the most exciting and terrifying ten days of their lives!
Stealing Magic will be $0.99 during the tour.
Excerpt
“Why do you-?” started Shannon, at the same time that Jax said
“How did you-?”
They both laughed nervously.
“You go first,” said Jax. “I’ve got a feeling I need to answer a few of your questions first before you can be any help answering mine.”
“OK,” replied Shannon. “Why do you travel to my world and steal its magic?” she began.
“Steal?” replied Jax, shocked. “Stealing magic is not what we do. We harvest it.”
“You steal it,” retorted Shannon. “If it’s not stealing, why do you only do it in secret? And why does no-one on my world seem to know that it’s happening?”
“Exactly!” said Jax. “If you don’t know it’s happening, and you don’t even know the magic is there in the first place, and you don’t miss it when it’s gone, how can it be stealing?
Besides, it has always been this way. For hundreds of years magic-takers have travelled from Androva to Terra to harvest its magic.”
“You still haven’t answered my question anyway,” said Shannon, crossing her arms. “Why do you do it?”
Jax shifted in his seat, and looked out of the window.
“I don’t exactly know why,” he mumbled.
“What?” said Shannon.
“I don’t know why!” repeated Jax, more loudly. His cheeks went a little red, and he scuffed his shoe along the floor.
“I am not permitted to know until I am of age. I only know that it has something to do with a very old Treaty, and that it’s a really bad thing if Androva doesn’t harvest its full magic Quota each month.”
Interview
What was the hardest part to write in this book?
It’s probably a strange thing to say, but in terms of the actual writing, I enjoyed it all. This was my first book. There was no pressure on me, I had no readers, and no-one waiting for me to finish. I could have stopped and walked away at any time, and not a single person but me would have cared or even noticed. Whereas now, of course, things have moved on a little bit!
However, I did find parts of Stealing Magic difficult, just because I have a lot of empathy for my characters. Writing them into trouble is not something I enjoy, even though it’s necessary for the story. There is a rather unpleasant person called Marcus on the Androvan Council who gets the better of Jax, Shannon and Darius, and I felt pretty aggrieved on their behalf. I could never write a thriller, because I’d probably end up having sleepless nights!
What do you think makes a good story?
Great question! For me, a story is only as good as the characters who bring it to life. Great characters can turn even the mundane and predictable into a good story. However, all other things being equal, I like to discover something new when I’m reading.
It could be an event in history told from a different perspective, or a shocking future for the world we live in, or an imaginary world entirely. It could even be something contemporary set in a place or situation that I have no experience of. I also like it if I can’t predict the ending until I’ve nearly finished the book!
What’s next for you?
The fourth book in the Legacy of Androva series came out at the end of 2016, and I’m currently writing the fifth. It’s nearly finished, and I hope to release it as soon as the editing is complete, perhaps in April or early May.
I introduced the world of Imbera in the fourth book, and I wanted to explore it in more detail for the fifth book. Jax and Shannon’s adventure was resolved, (because I can’t seem to write a cliffhanger!), but they met a boy, Callax, who had a whole backstory and future that deserved to be written.
Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
If I could only choose one format for the rest of my life, it would be ebooks. I read a lot. The freedom to purchase spontaneously, and read on multiple devices whenever and wherever, is brilliant. However, there is a nostalgic part of me that loves picking up a real book. I still buy a handful each year, when the cover or illustrations are particularly appealing. The last books I bought were the illustrated editions of Harry Potter, and they are incredible!
What kind of music do you like?
A lot of different kinds. It depends on my mood, where I am and what I’m doing. When I’m writing, I always play music, and certain songs become linked with each book in my head. If I ever struggle to write part of the story, it usually helps me to return to that playlist.
I guess the best way to answer the question is to give some examples. Two of my favorite albums are Ten by Pearl Jam, and Foot of the Mountain by A-ha. I have the Jamiroquai album Automaton on pre-order. The last single I bought was the new song by Lorde.
What are your future ambitions?
If the day ever arrives when I can be a full-time writer, that would be my dream come true! Right now, the pace of my writing is dictated by a lot of external factors. I work long hours in an office and family life is incredibly busy. The cast of characters inside my head don’t get as much space as they would like.
I’m definitely pursuing my ambition of being a full-time writer, but there is also a lot to be said for finding the joy in today. I haven’t quite found the right balance yet, so I’ll have to keep working on it!
Any last words?
Thank you so much for featuring my book on your blog today! I really enjoyed the interview. I’d also like to say a big thank you to each and every person who has read one of my books.
Thanks...
Alex writes contemporary fantasy books for a middle grade audience and older. There are three (self-contained) stories in the Legacy of Androva series so far, with a fourth on the way. You can contact Alex, and find more information about Androva, including a character interview, at http://www.alexcvick.com
Alex lives in the South of England with her husband and two daughters. When she's not working, or writing about magic, she also loves reading and photography.
Giveaway
Alex C Vick will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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