|| WORLDS BENEATH || It's Blog Tour Time! Book Review + Interview with Author K.A. Emmons!

Sunday, July 15, 2018


Hey, friends! I am SO PUMPED for today's post! Today, we are celebrating the LAUNCH of Worlds Beneath by the fantastic K.A. Emmons! I had the honor of being a part of her launch team last year for The Blood Race, and I am so excited to be back celebrating the launch of her second novel!

There is nothing cooler than watching your friends chase their dreams, and I just have to say how incredibly proud I am of Kate and all that she is doing. Publishing a book is such a long, difficult process, and she's done it not once, but TWICE! She is absolutely killing it, and I couldn't be prouder of her. SHE IS THE QUEEN! ♥

Now...on to the flailing!

-----


If you haven't watched this trailer yet... it is an utter masterpiece. Abbie is incredible.

In case you've somehow missed out on all of the excitement and hype over this amazing series, let me tell you a bit about it. The Blood Race series is a YA sci-fi/thriller trilogy by indie author K.A. Emmons. It's jam-packed with an action-filled plot, complex characters, and so much more. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, unable to step away.

So, about Worlds Beneath. 

Oh my goodness, you guys. This book.

You all know what a massive fan I was of Kate's first book, The Blood Race. I distinctly remember messaging her the moment that I finished it, already dying to find out what happened next. (This girl does not mess around when it comes to cliffhangers.) I anxiously awaited Book 2 all year, and it most certainly did not disappoint. 

There's such a tendency to have the fear that "there's no way the sequel can be as good as the original", but this did not ring true in the least for Worlds Beneath. It was a stunning continuation of the story, one that left me on the edge of my seat the entire time that I was reading. I read it in two sittings, only stopping when I realized that it was nearing one a.m., I had work the next day, and was only halfway through. The temptation to stay up all night and finish was so freaking real. 

As always, Kate's characters were so utterly real, genuine, and beautiful. There are more perspectives in this book than in The Blood Race, and while sometimes I'm not a fan of books with more than one or two POV(s), I could not have loved this more. Each different voice was so unique and defined, and I couldn't help falling in love with all of them. (Especially Fin. Always Fin.) I particularly enjoyed getting to see Hawk's character develop, and learning more about her backstory. She is such an intricate character, and watching her arc might just be my favorite. Although one can't help but just want to grab Fin right out of the book and tuck him away somewhere safe for the rest of eternity. Kate is not kind to that poor boy. #protectFin2k18

I love how the plot is woven together, and the specificity with which information is released and the plot is thickened. The Blood Race series is wonderful because both the characters AND the plot are so, so strong. It's not just a character-driven novel, or just a plot-driven novel. It's the perfect blend. 

The ending, in typical Kate style, KILLED ME, and I am already counting down the days until Book 3 comes into the world. The cliffhangers in this series are no joke, guys. My heart really cannot handle this.

Saying that Kate is a modern day C.S. Lewis is not an exaggeration. I love the allegorical nature of her writing, and the poignant themes that stab you in the heart, but don't feel as though they're being shoved down your throat. Her prose is beautiful and haunting, and leaves you in a state of awe and thought long after you've set down the book.

I could ramble forever about this book, but I'm afraid that I might delve into the land of spoilers, so I'll just say this- READ THIS BOOK. It is so, so good. You won't regret it.



RATING- ⭑⭑⭑


-----




I had the opportunity to ask K.A. Emmons some questions about this beautiful novel of hers! It was so fun to hear her talk about her book, and the process of bringing it to fruition. Kate, take it away!


Was your process for writing Worlds Beneath different than your process for writing The Blood Race?


I always like to say that books are like children, because it’s true: each is so different from the next. Each has its own personality and flavor, and Worlds Beneath was no different. The process of writing it was different from The Blood Race, and it took longer to write, but all in good ways. It definitely needed that time and space to grow and develop.


What was the most difficult part of writing Worlds Beneath?


Hmmm… the most difficult part really had nothing to do with the story itself, but more to do with the fact that my husband (then fiance) was away on deployment. I had a LOT on my mind and that sometimes made it difficult to concentrate. But because of that, writing was SUCH good therapy, too!


Who is your favorite character to write about?


Hawk, Icarus, Fin, and Sensei are always so incredible to write about because I’m super attached to each of them, and I’ve learned so much from each. I will say that writing Fin’s POV for the first time was such a blast!


Which character is the most challenging to write about?


Oooh. Probably Mitsue - because I obviously can’t identify with him a lot, haha. Thank goodness! But it also changes it up and keeps it fun to write about someone whose personality is so different from my own.


How many drafts does it typically take for you to finish a book?


It depends on how you define drafts, because I know there’s some room for interpretation there. After I finish a manuscript, I generally get straight into editing, then have my betas read. I then add their corrections and it goes off to my editor. So as far as how many rounds of edits I do, typically three-ish to make sure it’s nice and squeaky clean before it goes off to my proofreader.


What is your favorite part of the writing process?


The actual WRITING! :D And coffee. Of course, coffee. I just love getting up every day and sitting down at my desk and seeing where the story takes me that day. Each and every chapter is so different and special and FUN, it’s just pure adventure. That’s my favorite bit.


What is the biggest thing that you want readers to take away from Worlds Beneath?


Anything that helps them realize there’s a warrior within them. There’s a LOT in Worlds Beneath… and I find I don’t even really talk about that a lot, because I kind of just want people to read it and let it meet them where they are and let them take away whatever they naturally take away from the story. But if the story gives them anything, I hope it gives them trust in the fact that they are so much more powerful and loved and valuable than they realize. That we ALL are.


How TERRIFIED should we be for Book 3??

Maybe just a little bit??? Just a tiiiny bit terrified? Haha! I am seriously SO looking forward to getting book 3 out there, you can’t even imagine. I’m working hard on edits over here! It’s coming atcha soon!

-----

Isn't she gorgeous like what?!
When she’s not hermiting away in her colorfully-painted home office writing her next science fiction, passionate story-teller and adventurer Kate Emmons is probably on the road for a surf or hiking trip, listening to vinyls, or going for a power run. Emmons’ debut novel The Blood Race is the first book in her YA science fiction/fantasy thriller series. Get connected with Kate on your favorite social platform, and be sure to check out http://kaemmons.com/!






↞ F O L L O W ↠









-----

Have YOU read The Blood Race series yet? Get ready- it's incredible.

15 comments:

  1. AAAAAHHHHH, LOVE THIS BOOK SO FREAKING MUCH!!!

    It was through your post I discoved TBR, actually. SO I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL TO YOU!! <3

    AND BOOK 3????!!!!!! I NEED IT YESTERDAY!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness, it makes me so ridiculously happy that my post is how you learned about the world of The Blood Race! I am so glad that you love it as much as I do! :) <3

      RIGHT?? I can't wait to read it!

      Delete
  2. Aaaaaaah, I am SO itching to get my hands on Worlds Beneath! The Blood Race is one of my new favorites - TALK ABOUT EPIC. <3 (And talk about cliffhanger... Yiiiikes. O_O)

    Awesome review and interview! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness, you're going to love it. You'll have to fill me in on your thoughts once you read it!

      Delete
  3. I LOVED Worlds Beneath and I loved this post! <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. AAAHHHHH I LOVE THIS BOOK AND I LOVE THIS AUTHOR AND I LOVE THE INTERVIEW AND I LOVE THIS BLOG AND I LOVE THIS POST!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It makes me so happy to read all these glowing reviews of Kate's book. Kate is going places and I'm so glad we get to watch it happen.

    hope your week
    is lovely, Grace.
    k.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are so lucky to get to watch her take off. I couldn't be prouder.

      Thank you so much, sweet Keira. I hope that your week is full of all of the loveliest things. <3

      Delete
    2. crying, guys...it's fine. it's fine :") words can describe my love for you both

      Delete
  6. Grace Anne, you've been encouraging me on this journey since I WAS WRITING BOOK 1. <3 you don't know how much you mean to me and how honored I am to have had this opportunity to talk about WB on your exquisite, grace-filled space. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so grateful to have been able to play a little part in your beautiful journey. Could not be prouder of you, sweet Kate. Watching you soar is the most wonderful thing. <3

      Delete
  7. I'm so happy for you dear. So much success to impart. Thank God for His goodness.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! everything you need to know is there already. Great review!

    ReplyDelete

♥ Comments brighten my day- I'd love to chat ♥

CopyRight Grace Anne Johnson 2024 © | Theme Designed By Hello Manhattan