$9.99 U.S./$11.99 CAN
ISBN: 978-0373211050
Young Adult
304 pages
Harlequin TEEN
October 29, 2013
Nerissa Marin hides among
teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright-the
undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in
is her best weapon-until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges
her to a battle to the death on Nerissa’s upcoming birthday-the day she comes
of age.
Amid danger and the
heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing
Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the
only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a
prisoner of Nerissa’s mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa
back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?
REVIEW
This
was a brilliant read with a fascinating twist on the normal undersea creature.
I was expecting another mermaid novel but this was nothing like anything I've
ever read, with interesting mythology, a great sci-fi element, and plenty of
adventure.
Howard
has created a new type of alien race, one with a great sense of purpose and
drive. I could not put this book down as I just had to know more about the
Aquarathi. Their story was one of tragedy and pain, but also one of hope,
if only Nerissa would accept her destiny. As the story unfolded, an evil,
twisted, intertwining plot grew to epic proportions that saw Nerissa coming
face to face with her evil nemesis in a fight to the death, as well as having
to deal with the dark secrets that destroyed her family.
The
characters were all amazing. I particularly loved Jenna. She has to be the best
friend ever, and she really kicked ass with her taser. Lo was a bit mysterious.
I knew there had to be more to him and I enjoyed looking for the little hints
that would give me some clue as to what was up with him.
It
has been a while since I’ve been so immersed in a story that speaks to
everything I love about this genre. It was an amazing, well developed, smooth
read, and I’m very much looking forward to reading the next installment.
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
CONTACT:
Marissa Curnutte
347.574.3136
‘BLOODSPELL’
WRITER AMALIE HOWARD RETURNS TO BOOKSHELVES WITH FIVE NEW RELEASES
Young adult author’s debut novel named a Seventeen
Magazine Summer Beach Read
NEW
YORK CITY – Young
adult author Amalie
Howard enchanted
readers with her debut novel “Bloodspell,” a Seventeen
Magazine Summer Beach Read. She returns with an impressive five new books
to be published throughout the next two years.
First, readers will take a dive into
the deep blue sea in the first novel from Howard’s new oceanic science fiction two-part
series, The Aquarathi. “Waterfell”
(October
29, 2013, Harlequin TEEN)
tells the story of an alien shape-shifting princess who hides among humankind, and
fights to save her species in the depths of the Earth’s oceans when an enemy murders
her family, threatening the future of her underwater kingdom. The sequel “Oceanborn” will follow in 2014.
Continuing a tradition of strong
female characters, “The Almost Girl”
(January 7, 2014, Strange Chemistry)
introduces readers to a tough, independent soldier from a parallel universe who
is thrown into an earthly mission that has her second guessing life as she
knows it. “The Almost Girl” is first in a two-book series.
Howard’s “Alpha Goddess” (March 2014,
Skyhorse/Sky Pony Press) seamlessly blends Indian mythology and fantasy.
Her unique take on the Hindu myth of Ramayana, the epic love story of Rama and
Sita, has already piqued the interest of a Hollywood producer who is eager to adapt
the book into a film.
Having landed publishing deals with three presses in just the span of
one month, Howard is a sought-after novelist with her finger on the pulse of
young adult readers. After the release of her first book “Bloodspell,” she
earned a stellar reputation as an engaging writer with a sixth sense for what
young readers are really looking for in literature. Howard has been honored by
the Royal Commonwealth Society, and is a member of the Society of Children’s
Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in New York with her husband and three
children.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A
rising star among young adult writers, Amalie Howard developed a loyal
following after releasing her debut book, “Bloodspell,” in 2011. Now, she is
returning with five new books that are sure to excite her devoted fans and
catch the attention of new readers.
A bookworm from the beginning, Howard grew up on a small
island in the Caribbean with her nose buried in books. When she was just 13
years old, her poem “The Candle” was published in a University of Warwick
journal, marking a sign of great things to come. Howard immersed herself into
other cultures, globetrotting through 22 countries in North America, Europe,
Asia and Australia. After moving to the United States, she earned a bachelor’s
degree in international studies and French from Colby College in Maine. She also
holds a certificate in French literature from the Ecole Normale Superieure in
Paris, France. Traveling around the world, Howard has lent talents as a
research assistant, marketing representative, freelance writer, teen speaker, blogger
and global sales executive.
Howard is a recipient of a Royal Commonwealth Society award,
an international youth writing competition. She is also a member of the Society
of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Howard’s
first book, “Bloodspell” (June
2011, Langdon Street Press) earned rave reviews and was named a Seventeen
Magazine Summer Beach Read. Readers will hear more from Howard as she
releases a pair of two-book series, “Waterfell” (November
2013, Harlequin TEEN) and “The Almost Girl” (January 2014, Strange Chemistry),
as well as “Alpha Goddess” (March 2014, Skyhorse/Sky Pony Press) over the next
two years.
Howard lives in New
York with her husband, three children and one willful
feline that she is convinced may have been a witch’s cat in a past life.
Author Website I Twitter Facebook I Amazon I Bloodspell Facebook Page I LinkedIn I Goodreads I Google + I YouTube I Tumblr I Pinterest
Other books by Amalie Howard
Bloodspell
Young Adult
400 pages
Langdon Street Press
June 2011
The spell was simple...
Cruentus Protectum (Defend the Blood)
But what do you do if your blood is your enemy?
Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast at school, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds -- much less one that reveals she's a witch with unimaginable power.
What's more, when she meets the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. The terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her. And Christian has a sinister secret of his own...
Without knowing whom to trust, can Victoria survive her blood's deadly desires? Or will she lose everything, including herself?
Cruentus Protectum (Defend the Blood)
But what do you do if your blood is your enemy?
Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast at school, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds -- much less one that reveals she's a witch with unimaginable power.
What's more, when she meets the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. The terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her. And Christian has a sinister secret of his own...
Without knowing whom to trust, can Victoria survive her blood's deadly desires? Or will she lose everything, including herself?
Praise for Amalie Howard’s “Bloodspell”
“You’ll love it if… you’re sick of all the lovey-dovey stuff
other books can’t seem to leave out of their supernatural stories. This is just
the right amount of romance here, but it doesn’t overpower the plot. The fight
scenes are terrific, and much more satisfying than listening to people whine
about wanting to be together forever!” – Kara McGrath, Seventeen Magazine
“Conjures up elements of teen angst:
forbidden love, loss and, of course, supernatural powers, in this fast-paced
tale of a young witch come into her powers.” – Nancy L. Claus, Westchester Magazine
“It takes a calling, skilled writing and
more than a little courage to release yet another vampire stories these days,
but Larchmont writer Amalie Howard has created a world of vampires and witches
that addresses many real-world issues faced by modern teenagers.” – Polly Kreisman, The Loop NY
“The story itself is compelling and
interesting, the descriptions of the locales are beautiful, the teen melodrama
mostly manages to stay at the level of actual drama, and the ideas are fresher
and newer than most in the genre.” – Samantha
Holloway, Albedo Magazine
“From the first page this story grabbed me
and did not let me go until I closed the book. This narrative moves. It is not
kinetic – it is highly compelling. Amalie Howard is a good storyteller and a
nuanced writer who knows her material, knows how to draw us in as readers, and
clearly cares about her characters – therefore we do. I loved the back story of
Victoria’s family and the connections that are brought forward to the present
in the narrative as a riddle for both the protagonist and the reader to
discover together. They are beautifully woven into the story from beginning to
end.”
– Jon
Lunievicz, author of “Open Wounds”
Readers on Amazon
“I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fresh new perspective to a world that we all love hiding in.”
Readers on Amazon
“I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fresh new perspective to a world that we all love hiding in.”
“‘Bloodspell’ is dark and brooding with the perfect story of
forbidden love intertwined into it, along with feuding families and a
never-ending power struggle for supremacy.”
“Howard’s characterization sets the right tone for love,
intrigue, betrayal, lust, power, human frailty and grandeur, against a backdrop
of soulful Maine, larger than life New York, enthralling Paris and historical
England and France.”
Readers on GoodReads
“Amalie Howard turned a now seemingly common topic of vampires and witches and made it extraordinary. The mythology that she weaves into the story is fantastic. The plot is complex, full of action and does not shy away from the dark aspects of vampires and magic.”
Readers on GoodReads
“Amalie Howard turned a now seemingly common topic of vampires and witches and made it extraordinary. The mythology that she weaves into the story is fantastic. The plot is complex, full of action and does not shy away from the dark aspects of vampires and magic.”
“Amalie Howard’s
‘Bloodspell’ is a winner. From the intricate yet captivating storyline to the
setting and characterization, Amalie’s novel unfolds in a masterful display of
language.”
Coming
soon!
Alpha Goddess
Hardcover, $16.95
ISBN: 978-1626362086
Young Adult
400 pages
Skyhorse/Sky Pony Press
March 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1626362086
Young Adult
400 pages
Skyhorse/Sky Pony Press
March 4, 2014
In Serjana Caelum’s world, gods
exist. So do goddesses. Sera knows this because she is one of them. A secret
long concealed by her parents, Sera is Lakshmi reborn, the human avatar of an
immortal Indian goddess rumored to control all the planes of existence —
Illysia (the Light Realm), Earth (the Mortal Realm), and Xibalba (the Dark
Realm). Marked by the sigils of both heaven and hell, Sera’s avatar is meant to
bring balance to the mortal world, but all she creates is chaos. A chaos that
Azrath, the Asura Lord of Death, hopes to use to unleash hell on earth.
Torn between reconciling her past and present, Sera must figure out how to stop Azrath before the Mortal Realm is destroyed. But trust doesn’t come easy in a world fissured by lies and betrayal. Her best friend Kyle is hiding his own dark secrets, and her mysterious new neighbor, Devendra, seems to know a lot more than he’s telling. Struggling between her opposing halves and her attraction to the boys tied to each of them, Sera must become the goddess she was meant to be, or risk failing, which means sacrificing the world she was born to protect.
Retellings of classic fairy tales and Greek myths are becoming staples in the young adult and adult fiction genres, and now Amalie Howard, author of the popular “Bloodspell,” brings the myth of Rama and Sita’s love story to an exciting new level. Howard’s stunningly fresh voice and imaginative characters promise to make “Alpha Goddess” an exciting addition to the young adult fiction world. Aimed at readers ages 13 to 17, both girls and boys will relate to Sera’s and Kyle’s realistic teen persona and dilemmas while learning more about a famous Hindu myth.
Torn between reconciling her past and present, Sera must figure out how to stop Azrath before the Mortal Realm is destroyed. But trust doesn’t come easy in a world fissured by lies and betrayal. Her best friend Kyle is hiding his own dark secrets, and her mysterious new neighbor, Devendra, seems to know a lot more than he’s telling. Struggling between her opposing halves and her attraction to the boys tied to each of them, Sera must become the goddess she was meant to be, or risk failing, which means sacrificing the world she was born to protect.
Retellings of classic fairy tales and Greek myths are becoming staples in the young adult and adult fiction genres, and now Amalie Howard, author of the popular “Bloodspell,” brings the myth of Rama and Sita’s love story to an exciting new level. Howard’s stunningly fresh voice and imaginative characters promise to make “Alpha Goddess” an exciting addition to the young adult fiction world. Aimed at readers ages 13 to 17, both girls and boys will relate to Sera’s and Kyle’s realistic teen persona and dilemmas while learning more about a famous Hindu myth.
The Almost Girl
Hardcover, $17.99; eBook, $6.99
ISBN: 978-1908844804
Young Adult
Strange Chemistry
January 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-1908844804
Young Adult
Strange Chemistry
January 7, 2014
Seventeen-year-old Riven is as tough as they come. Coming from a world ravaged by a devastating android war, she has to be. There’s no room for softness, no room for emotion, no room for mistakes. A Legion General, she is the right hand of the young Prince of Neospes, a parallel universe to Earth. In Neospes, she has everything: rank, responsibility and respect. But when Prince Cale sends her away to find his long-lost brother, Caden, who has been spirited back to modern day Earth, Riven finds herself in uncharted territory.
Thrown out of her comfort zone but with the mindset of a soldier, Riven has to learn how to be a girl in a realm that is the opposite of what she knows. Riven isn’t prepared for the beauty of a world that is unlike her own in so many ways. Nor is she prepared to feel something more than indifference for the very target she seeks. Caden is nothing like Cale, but he makes something in her come alive, igniting a spark deep down that goes against every cell in her body. For the first time in her life, Riven isn’t sure about her purpose, about her calling. Torn between duty and desire, she must decide whether Caden is simply a target or whether he is something more.
Faced with hideous reanimated Vector soldiers from her own world with agendas of their own, as well as an unexpected reunion with a sister who despises her, it is a race against time to bring Caden back to Neospes. But things aren’t always as they seem, and Riven will have to search for truth. Family betrayals and royal coups are only the tip of the iceberg. Will Riven be able to find the strength to defy her very nature? Or will she become the monstrous soldier she was designed to be?
“The Almost Girl” is a richly imagined story of defiance, courage, and heart. It is the tale of a girl who finds her own way on her own terms, a girl who won’t let what she is define her, and a girl who will sacrifice everything she is for the ones she loves. It is a story of someone who eclipses her predestined fate to become something more … something extraordinary.
Q&A with author Amalie Howard
You released your first book “Bloodspell” in 2011, which led to an
impressive five book publishing deals. How the heck do you have time to write
so much, and what does it feel like to have your work recognized in such a
great way?
I am so incredibly grateful that my wonderful editors
saw something they loved in my books and wanted to publish them. All three of my
upcoming novels—WATERFELL, THE ALMOST GIRL, and ALPHA GODDESS—each brings
something different and unique to the table, so I’m really excited that readers
will get to sample such a diverse range of what I have to offer as an author.
As far as writing so much, I’m very lucky that I’m
a fast writer, so once I get an idea in my head, I just go. I plot a basic
outline of my expectations, and then I let the story take me on its journey. And
as I always say to my teen creative writing classes, writing is like homework.
You have to make time for it and be
diligent about doing it.
What will fans of “Bloodspell” like best about your upcoming titles?
Fans of BLOODSPELL will enjoy meeting some very
special new characters and being introduced to completely different worlds—figuratively
and literally, especially in THE ALMOST GIRL. In WATERFELL, I was particularly
excited to share my love of the ocean (I grew up on an island) and surfing! I
also wanted to explore the myth of the sea monster and shift it from something
terrifying into something beautiful … enter the mysterious world of the
Aquarathi!
I’ve always been fascinated by quantum mechanics
(even though I was hopeless at physics in high school) and the possibility of
alternate universes. In THE ALMOST GIRL, I was able to explore that and more in
this book, like the whole concept of nature versus nurture and whether we
evolve differently based on harsher environments. I think this book will take
readers on an interesting journey.
In ALPHA GODDESS, I wanted to explore some of the
stories I’d been told as a child. I also wanted to share some of my experience
with readers. My father comes from a long line of Hindu priests, so these myths
were a large part of my childhood. The Ramayana
is a particularly beautiful love story, and while my novel is a work of
fiction, I really enjoyed crafting my version from such an inspiring mythology.
Your next release, “Waterfell,” departs from the world of vampires and
witches but stays in the realm of fantasy and science fiction. What do you like
about those genres?
Clearly, I love escaping reality. Fantasy and
science fiction have always been my true loves. Don’t get me wrong, I love a
great contemporary novel as much as anyone, but getting lost in a an epic fantasy
world or meeting characters from other planets who have superhuman powers is icing
on the cake for me. I like being able to push the boundaries of reality, to
create mind-boggling ‘what if’ scenarios … for example, with WATERFELL, what if
sea monsters really did exist? And what if they were a species from another
planet hiding on ours? And what if they could shift into human form? With
science fiction and fantasy, the possibilities are endless.
Like all of your books so far, “The Almost Girl” features a strong,
independent female character as the protagonist. What do you hope readers learn
from her?
I’m a
huge fan of strong female protagonists (that said, I do have a novel with a
strong male protagonist so I’m not gender-biased). I do like strong
protagonists on the whole, but I also do think there has to be character growth
that is transparent and meaningful to the reader. No one’s going to relate to a
character who stays the same. With Riven from THE ALMOST GIRL, I love that she
has to dig deep down to embrace her emotions. A soldier first, she’s so hard on
the outside but still vulnerable on the inside—I really connected with her
struggle to just let go of all her rules and be a girl. We build so many walls
to keep from being hurt that we don’t allow ourselves to connect with others. I
love that she was brave enough to trust her heart. In the end, I’m hopeful that
readers will empathize with Riven and learn, as she does, that humans are born
to feel, and that being open to life and love doesn’t make you weaker … it
makes you stronger.
“Alpha Goddess” is your take on an Indian mythological tale. Where did
you first hear about it?
Although ALPHA
GODDESS is a work of fiction, a lot of my inspiration for the characters and
the world-building in this novel is based on Hindu mythology. My father is a
second generation Brahmin (priest class in traditional Hindu society), so
Indian mythology was an integral part of my childhood and religious education.
Fascinated by stories and legends of various Hindu gods who incarnated as
avatars to avert human tragedy, I wanted to write an epic story that
encompassed some of the Hindu mythology elements I enjoyed as a child, like the
Ramayana, the story of Rama and Sita.
Of course, ALPHA GODDESS is my own invented take on another reincarnated
version of these characters, and does not actually exist in Indian scriptures.
You are quite the world traveler. How do you incorporate the cultures
you come across into your writing?
I love meeting new people and exploring different
cultures. I really believe that traveling the world has helped me to craft my characters,
especially the ones that aren’t human (whom I have to invent). How do they
evolve? How are they different from regular people? How are they the same? I enjoy
using elements and facets from all the different cultures I’ve interacted with
over the years to develop compelling scenarios and create robust characters in
my writing.
I also like to include some of my favorite cities
in my novels, for example, Paris and New York in BLOODSPELL, San Diego,
California in WATERFELL, and Fort Collins, Colorado in THE ALMOST GIRL.
Although a writer can research anything online, writing about a place I’ve actually
been to helps me to picture scenes and places more vividly. It allows me to
create more authentic descriptions, so that my readers can feel like they are
there, too.
We can only imagine you’re working on something new. Can you give us any
sneak peek into the mind of Amalie Howard and what’s to come?
I’m working on several different projects. I’ve just
finished writing OCEANBORN, which is the sequel to WATERFELL, and I’ve also
just completed a near-future, technological YA thriller/romance, which has a
male protagonist that I’m very excited about. That one is now in the capable
hands of my agent. In addition to that, I have outlined a companion novel to
ALPHA GODDESS, and I am about to start writing the sequel to THE ALMOST GIRL.
Lastly, I’m fleshing out a joint project with another YA writer that’s super
secret and under wraps for now. So yes, I’m busy, but I’m embracing it all
(with a lot of gratitude).
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