News

15
Jan

Thrice Interview: LEVEL 2

Hi! Welcome to our first 2013 Thrice Interview! Today we’re celebrating the release of Lenore Appelhans’ LEVEL 2.

level 2They say: Three levels. Two loves. One choice. Debut novelist, Lenore Appelhans has written a thrilling otherworldly young adult novel about a place that exists between our world (Level 1) and what comes after life (Level 2).

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend … and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.

Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

I say: I got to read this early, and it’s a fabulous, fast-paced thriller with a tremendously likable heroine. I’m not always a fan of flashbacks, for the same reasons that I’m not always a fan of multiple narrators; I usually want to skim one time or pov. But Lenore nails it. She does a wonderful job of making both Afterlife Felicia and Memory Felicia compelling. I was totally curious about the mysteries of Memory Felicia’s life – what she did to get banished to her grandmother’s, how she and Neil fell in love, what role Julian played in all of it.  And the Afterlife itself is a fascinating piece of world-building, a hive-like construct where the dead relive and rate their memories in pods. I’m already looking forward to LEVEL 3!

(Note: I have had dinner and chocolate cocktails with Lenore & her charming husband, but I wouldn’t lie to you guys about books!)

Now for our interview:

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

“Memory” Felicia is a guarded, guilt-ridden and yet generous girl.   

“Afterlife” Felicia is a loyal, impulsive, and truth-seeking (maybe) rebel.  

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

 LEVEL 2 is a genre-bending, twisty, thrilling tale of redemption. 

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

I am a sarcastic, enthusiastic, adventurous slave to three cats. (JS: Ha! I love your cat pictures, Lenore!)

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

 Bhutan, Jordan (to see Petra), and Madagascar.

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?

Linguistics, Russian Language, Cooking

6. If you could have any 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

Professional traveler (there is such a thing, isn’t there?!), bookseller, geneticist

7. What are your 3 favorite flowers?

Snapdragons (in German they are called “lion mouths”), Lavender, and Daffodils  (JS: Lion mouths? I love that! Snapdragons are awesome.)

8. What are your 3 favorite foods?

Avocados, Artichokes, Nectarines (JS: Avocados do not get nearly enough love. I support this choice.)

9. What are your 3 favorite books?

 Can I do 100? No? Ok, but these are just 3 from hundreds: DOOMSDAY BOOK by Connie Willis, THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins, GHOSTWRITTEN by David Mitchell (I could really go on all day…) 

Thanks so much for stopping by, Lenore!

Level 2 bag1

Lenore is being gracious enough to give away an awesome swag pack, including a LEVEL 2 tote bag, magnet, bookplate, and postcards. To enter, just leave a comment below (by Saturday at noon) letting us know which January releases you’re excited to read!

You can find Lenore on twitter @lenoreva or read her blog here.

36 Responses

  1. Erin S.

    I'm excited for Level 2! As well as Gates of Paradise by Melissa de la Cruz.

    Thanks for the giveaway, and happy book birthday!

  2. Tez Miller

    Ooh, I could use a new bag!

    Well, I just found out than an early-February release has been moved up to today (the 16th), so I'd have to say Maire Claremont's THE DARK LADY. Asylum! Laudanum abuse! Good times! 😉

  3. christinamarch

    LOVE this interview series!!

    Definitely Level 2, The Archived, Boundless!! They're all awesome:)

    Thank you:)

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

  4. Awesome interview, Jessica. The first question just added to my anticipation.

    For the books I can't wait to read that are/will be released this month are Level 2, The Archived and Nobody But Us. Thanks to you and Lenore for the giveaway! x

  5. Heather

    Amazing interview,Jessica! I loved it. I'm super excited and can't wait to read Level 2 and The Archived. I am also looking forward to Level 3 when it comes out!
    Thanks for the giveaway Lenore and Jessica! ;D

  6. Jesselle

    I love the interview! I'm excited to read Splintered by A.G. Howard, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, The Archived by Victoria Schwab and of course, Level 2! Thanks for this awesome giveaway, Jessica and Lenore! 🙂

  7. Susan Light

    What am I not excited to read. So many great books at coming out this month but I already have my hands on Throught the Ever Night, Shades of Earth and Rise.

  8. I'm excited about Level 2 (of course), Perfect Scoundrels, and Double Crossed by Ally Carter. I am also excited about Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir, but that has already been released.

    Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

      1. Oops, I just realized Perfect Scoundrels isn't a January release – it comes out on February 5th. However, Double Crossed, which is a crossover novella between the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society is. It comes out on January 22.

  9. Tez Miller

    Suddenly, I'm even more interested in STAR CURSED 😉 It's not listed on your Australian publisher (Penguin)'s website yet, but I've sent an inquiry. Will let you know if they get back to me with an approximate release date.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.