TV Watch Online EXCLUSIVE:
Interview with Author Kaleb Nation
September 9, 2009
Meet Kaleb Nation: Blogger. Internet sensation. Writer. And now, published author. And it just so happens that his debut novel, Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse, is being released today through Sourcebooks Jaberwocky. I had the distinct privilege to be able to read an Advanced Readers Copy just over a month ago. With the release being today, I thought it fitting to share with everyone TV Watch Online’s exclusive five-question interview with the author and my own review of the book.
From BranHambric.com:
Bran Hambric was found locked in a bank vault at six years old, with no memory of his past. For years, he has lived with one of the bankers, wondering why he was left behind -- until one night, when he is fourteen, he is suddenly confronted by a maddened creature, speaking of Bran’s true past and trying to kidnap him.
Bran finds that he is at the center of a plot which started years before he was even born: the plot of a deadly curse his mother created…and one that her former masters are hunting for him to complete.
Interview with Author Kaleb Nation
September 9, 2009
Meet Kaleb Nation: Blogger. Internet sensation. Writer. And now, published author. And it just so happens that his debut novel, Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse, is being released today through Sourcebooks Jaberwocky. I had the distinct privilege to be able to read an Advanced Readers Copy just over a month ago. With the release being today, I thought it fitting to share with everyone TV Watch Online’s exclusive five-question interview with the author and my own review of the book.
From BranHambric.com:
Bran Hambric was found locked in a bank vault at six years old, with no memory of his past. For years, he has lived with one of the bankers, wondering why he was left behind -- until one night, when he is fourteen, he is suddenly confronted by a maddened creature, speaking of Bran’s true past and trying to kidnap him.
Bran finds that he is at the center of a plot which started years before he was even born: the plot of a deadly curse his mother created…and one that her former masters are hunting for him to complete.
Haunted by the spirit of his mother’s master and living in a city where magic is illegal, Bran must undo the crimes of his past...before it is too late.
Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse is the first book in a planned series, which chronicles 14-year-old Bran Hambric as he discovers who he really is by delving into the past.
I am a huge fan of fantasy novels, but it is rare for me to read one where, afterwards, I am willing to pay money to buy my own copy. Bran Hambric is one of those rare exceptions. The book is being marketed towards a middle school level; however, it is an enjoyable read for people of all ages, just as Harry Potter is. And speaking of Harry Potter, if you are a fan of the light-hearted, funny, witty, and comedic moments of the earlier HP novels, or of any Lemony Snicket books, then this is the book for you.
Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse is the first book in a planned series, which chronicles 14-year-old Bran Hambric as he discovers who he really is by delving into the past.
I am a huge fan of fantasy novels, but it is rare for me to read one where, afterwards, I am willing to pay money to buy my own copy. Bran Hambric is one of those rare exceptions. The book is being marketed towards a middle school level; however, it is an enjoyable read for people of all ages, just as Harry Potter is. And speaking of Harry Potter, if you are a fan of the light-hearted, funny, witty, and comedic moments of the earlier HP novels, or of any Lemony Snicket books, then this is the book for you.
If you are a fan of Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket, this book is for you!
My favorite scenes are with the Wilomas family, Bran’s adopted family. Sewey, who works at the bank that Bran was found in as a baby, is Mr. Dursley-ish, but has his own hilarious phrases, such as “Oh rot!” I say Mr. Dursley-ish, instead of saying he is just like Harry Potter’s uncle, because he is, if you can believe it, more likable and funnier. I am not sure if Kaleb meant for that to happen, but that is the feeling I felt from his character. His wife, Mabel, is a germaphobe who is also such a unique character that you want to spend even more time with this family, no matter how horrible they treat Bran. Then there’s Balder, who always needs the biggest and newest products, and Baldretta, who, at three-years-old, needs a translation every time she says something. The only sensible one in the family, and the one who is the closest to Bran, is Mabel’s cousin, Rosie.
“Oh rot!”
One of my favorite lines is one that is repeated throughout: “No gnomes, no mages, etcetera.” What does that mean, you ask? Well, you should read the book to find out. But I will say that you can find out more about this in my interview.
All fantasy novels seem to feature the cliché speech about doing what you are meant to do . And Bran Hambric is no exception: “Are you going to be ordinary like everyone else? … Will you just give up when things get hard? Let them force you to forget who you are? Or will you find the courage to make the choice—and be a hero?” [Page 331, ARC] But when an author can make it work, like Kaleb has, it can be a powerful thing.
For those who have read the final two Harry Potter books, you will be familiar with the Horcrux storyline and the history behind it. There is a similar feature in Bran. While that may seem like Kaleb took the easy way out by not being original, take note: he has not even read the HP series, so I will let him off the hook this time.
I can’t talk about this book without talking about the cover. Wow! Brandon Dorman, the illustrator, did an amazing job. I know that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But by browsing the shelves of a bookstore, we are drawn towards particular books because of the covers. And if you see this cover, you will be drawn towards it, too. There is such detail and depth in the illustration that clearly captures the magic and suspense of the story. And you may ask questions like “Who is Bran running from?” and “Does the crescent moon necklace have any meaning to the story?” The answer to the latter is “yes.” I really hope that Mr. Dorman illustrates the covers for the rest of the series; I know Kaleb wouldn’t mind.
[The cover] clearly captures the magic and suspense of the story.
I won’t keep going on and on, because I do not want to give too much away. I want you to experience it for yourself.
If you are still not persuaded to read it, you can read a four chapter preview at branhambric.com to get a sense of what the book is like before you buy it.
TV Watch Online Interview:
And now, without further ado, I present to you the TV Watch Online interview with Kaleb Nation:
TV Watch Online (TWO): Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse takes place, for the most part, in the city of Dunce. Is this the only city that outlaws gnomes, mages and etceteras? If so, why?
Kaleb Nation: In the story, as of now, Dunce is the only city that completely outlaws magic and gnomes. However, there is still a great deal of prejudice against gnomes throughout the whole world, so it's not much better for them outside. As for the reason why, I'll be writing more about that in one of the books.
TWO: Each member of the Wilomas family is unique in their own way. Did their characteristics and qualities come easily to you when writing?
Kaleb: The Wilomases appeared in the story fully formed in my mind. In fact, they have mostly been the same from the beginning, except that Balder was two people (Balder and Nasier) that I merged into one, and Mabel's medicine obsession appeared a few years into writing her character. When I'm writing, the scenes with the Wilomas family are probably my easiest to do, because they really drive their own scenes by themselves!
TWO: How did you decide that gnomes would be featured, and why are they discriminated against?
Kaleb: I'm not exactly sure where that idea came from. It was just something that has always been a big part of the story, and never was any different!
TWO: Why did you decide that the story would take place in a modern setting, as opposed to a more historical time?
Kaleb: When I had the first idea for the book, way back on 3/3/03, I imagined Sewey and Bran on the rooftop of a modern house. That was simply how it appeared in my mind. I didn't really take the time to think "this is an alternate, fantasy world with cars and buildings instead of knights and castles" because the modern setting was just how the story was originally envisioned.
TWO: You have mentioned in previous interviews that a prominent theme found in this book is the power of choice, whether it is with Bran’s mother, or Bran himself. Will that theme continue to reappear in the rest of the series, with Bran knowing that he has a choice in aligning with the good side?
My favorite scenes are with the Wilomas family, Bran’s adopted family. Sewey, who works at the bank that Bran was found in as a baby, is Mr. Dursley-ish, but has his own hilarious phrases, such as “Oh rot!” I say Mr. Dursley-ish, instead of saying he is just like Harry Potter’s uncle, because he is, if you can believe it, more likable and funnier. I am not sure if Kaleb meant for that to happen, but that is the feeling I felt from his character. His wife, Mabel, is a germaphobe who is also such a unique character that you want to spend even more time with this family, no matter how horrible they treat Bran. Then there’s Balder, who always needs the biggest and newest products, and Baldretta, who, at three-years-old, needs a translation every time she says something. The only sensible one in the family, and the one who is the closest to Bran, is Mabel’s cousin, Rosie.
“Oh rot!”
One of my favorite lines is one that is repeated throughout: “No gnomes, no mages, etcetera.” What does that mean, you ask? Well, you should read the book to find out. But I will say that you can find out more about this in my interview.
All fantasy novels seem to feature the cliché speech about doing what you are meant to do . And Bran Hambric is no exception: “Are you going to be ordinary like everyone else? … Will you just give up when things get hard? Let them force you to forget who you are? Or will you find the courage to make the choice—and be a hero?” [Page 331, ARC] But when an author can make it work, like Kaleb has, it can be a powerful thing.
For those who have read the final two Harry Potter books, you will be familiar with the Horcrux storyline and the history behind it. There is a similar feature in Bran. While that may seem like Kaleb took the easy way out by not being original, take note: he has not even read the HP series, so I will let him off the hook this time.
I can’t talk about this book without talking about the cover. Wow! Brandon Dorman, the illustrator, did an amazing job. I know that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But by browsing the shelves of a bookstore, we are drawn towards particular books because of the covers. And if you see this cover, you will be drawn towards it, too. There is such detail and depth in the illustration that clearly captures the magic and suspense of the story. And you may ask questions like “Who is Bran running from?” and “Does the crescent moon necklace have any meaning to the story?” The answer to the latter is “yes.” I really hope that Mr. Dorman illustrates the covers for the rest of the series; I know Kaleb wouldn’t mind.
[The cover] clearly captures the magic and suspense of the story.
I won’t keep going on and on, because I do not want to give too much away. I want you to experience it for yourself.
If you are still not persuaded to read it, you can read a four chapter preview at branhambric.com to get a sense of what the book is like before you buy it.
TV Watch Online Interview:And now, without further ado, I present to you the TV Watch Online interview with Kaleb Nation:
TV Watch Online (TWO): Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse takes place, for the most part, in the city of Dunce. Is this the only city that outlaws gnomes, mages and etceteras? If so, why?
Kaleb Nation: In the story, as of now, Dunce is the only city that completely outlaws magic and gnomes. However, there is still a great deal of prejudice against gnomes throughout the whole world, so it's not much better for them outside. As for the reason why, I'll be writing more about that in one of the books.
TWO: Each member of the Wilomas family is unique in their own way. Did their characteristics and qualities come easily to you when writing?
Kaleb: The Wilomases appeared in the story fully formed in my mind. In fact, they have mostly been the same from the beginning, except that Balder was two people (Balder and Nasier) that I merged into one, and Mabel's medicine obsession appeared a few years into writing her character. When I'm writing, the scenes with the Wilomas family are probably my easiest to do, because they really drive their own scenes by themselves!
TWO: How did you decide that gnomes would be featured, and why are they discriminated against?
Kaleb: I'm not exactly sure where that idea came from. It was just something that has always been a big part of the story, and never was any different!
TWO: Why did you decide that the story would take place in a modern setting, as opposed to a more historical time?
Kaleb: When I had the first idea for the book, way back on 3/3/03, I imagined Sewey and Bran on the rooftop of a modern house. That was simply how it appeared in my mind. I didn't really take the time to think "this is an alternate, fantasy world with cars and buildings instead of knights and castles" because the modern setting was just how the story was originally envisioned.
TWO: You have mentioned in previous interviews that a prominent theme found in this book is the power of choice, whether it is with Bran’s mother, or Bran himself. Will that theme continue to reappear in the rest of the series, with Bran knowing that he has a choice in aligning with the good side?
Kaleb: Choice is certainly a strong theme throughout the series. When Bran is faced with such a strong predisposition to be a criminal, nearly every choice he makes is an important one so that he doesn't fall for the same fate his mother did. I think that the choices we make in real life are the same way, and can alter so many things that we may never know about -- even if we don't have a mother who is a magic criminal!
Many thanks go out to Heather Moore, Liz Kelsch, and especially Paul Samuelson for sending me the ARC and setting up the interview.
If you want to purchase a copy of Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by debut author Kaleb Nation, visit the TV Watch Online STORE, where this product can be found on the front of the TV/Entertainment Products page.
You can also bid on an extra ARC on eBay. Click here to read more and place your bid.
This interview is one of many stops along the Bran Hambric Blog Tour. Click here to see the complete list.
Keep visiting T.W.O. and our Twitter page to find out the latest on when any future interviews will appear here on Blogger. Until next time, you know you can always find the latest television, movie and entertainment news on TV Watch Online.
Many thanks go out to Heather Moore, Liz Kelsch, and especially Paul Samuelson for sending me the ARC and setting up the interview.
If you want to purchase a copy of Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by debut author Kaleb Nation, visit the TV Watch Online STORE, where this product can be found on the front of the TV/Entertainment Products page.
You can also bid on an extra ARC on eBay. Click here to read more and place your bid.
This interview is one of many stops along the Bran Hambric Blog Tour. Click here to see the complete list.
Keep visiting T.W.O. and our Twitter page to find out the latest on when any future interviews will appear here on Blogger. Until next time, you know you can always find the latest television, movie and entertainment news on TV Watch Online.
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