Jackie’s books really stand out from the crowd because even though there is a strong paranormal element, her novels features delicate subjects such as anorexia and self injuring. Make sure you read along to discover more about her world and learn juicy details about the upcoming books.
A series about the four horsemen of the apocalypse is very unique, would you mind introduce us to your Lore? Have you done a lot of research before your wrote your books? Were there some sources with a bigger impact on your series?
JK: Well, the original source is from the Book of Revelation. But there are plenty of other influences—Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s fabulous GOOD OMENS, Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality, and Marvel Comics’ X-FACTOR are three big ones. One of the things I had to do was figure out what the purpose of the Horsemen were in my books, considering that I don’t really want the world to end in Armageddon just yet. :) By the third book (which I’m working on now), many of the worldbuilding questions are answered. And by the fourth book, everything else will be answered. Stay tuned!
Anorexia and self-injuring, addressed in respectively Hunger & Rage, are very touchy subject, how did you approach them?
JK: I used to be bulimic, so writing HUNGER was very cathartic for me. RAGE was emotionally draining to write; I’ve never self-injured but of course I’ve had times when I’ve felt like everything was just too much to bear. I did my best to be honest with both books — there are graphic parts to both, because I didn’t want to shy away from the ugly reality behind eating disorders and self injury.
Have you been contacted by individuals or support group for those conditions?
JK: A few readers have told me that HUNGER really spoke to them because they used to suffer from an eating disorder. More have told me that they had never thought about eating disorders before reading HUNGER. The more that people start talking about things like anorexia and bulimia and self-injury, the more likely it is that people who need help will get the support they need. I’m donating a portion of HUNGER proceeds to the National Eating Disorders Association, and a portion of RAGE proceeds will go to the organization To Write Love On Her Arms.
Would you like to introduce your main characters to us?
JK: Lisa is 17 and anorexic, but she doesn’t believe she has a problem—even though she’s at the point where she’s hallucinating, her hair is falling out, she’s alienating those who care about her, and she’s picking fights all the time. HUNGER begins right after Lisa has accepted a strange parcel from an even stranger deliveryman, who tells her, “Thou art Famine. Go thee out unto the world.”
Missy is 16 and a self-injurer. Unlike Lisa, she knows she has a problem and is desperately trying to stop, but situations keep occurring that drive her back to the blade. Death comes calling and offers her the Sword of War.
If you had to pick a song to represent each one of them, what would they be and why?
JK: LOL, Nirvana is on all of the Riders of the Apocalypse book soundtracks. :) For Lisa, it would be “Come As You Are.” For Missy, it would be “Jesus Don’t Want Me For A Sunbeam.”
Do you already have plans for the next two horsemen? Would you let us in on the secret without any spoilers?
JK: Yes indeed! I’m writing LOSS right now — it’s about a bullied teenage boy who is tricked into becoming Pestilence. And the last book will be called BREATH, and that’s Death’s book. **rubs hands gleefully**
And last, a question I ask to all my guests: What's your best spring break memory?
JK: Oh my gosh. Spring Break was so long ago! But recently, my family and I went to Walt Disney World. That was tons of fun — even the waiting on lines for rides was fun! (Well, okay, maybe not that...) Hope to go again next summer.
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Thank you so much Jackie for taking some time in your busy schedule to stop by <3
“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”
Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?
Purchase: Amazon | Amazon Can | Book Depository
Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.
That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a new kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.
A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power and refuses to be defeated by the world.
Purchase: Amazon | Amazon Can | Book Depository
Jackie would like a to offer one (1) copy of RAGE to one (1) lucky winner!
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This giveaway is open Internationally
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To enter, just leave a comment letting us know how you feel about touchy subjects in books ^^
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Don’t forget to include a way to contact you!
If you want to earn an extra entry, spread the word and provide a link in a different comment =)
Tweet: WIN a copy of RAGE by @JackieKessler ! http://bit.ly/hLhI08 hosted by @Tynga & @parajunkee #giveaway #ParanormalSpringBreak PLS RT
Ends April 6th, 2011.
I think touchy subjects are so important in books! that's where there is an opportunity to make them less touchy so people can be open and discuss them
ReplyDeletestrandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoy reading about touchy subjects. But I usually have to prepare myself ahead of time. I think they bring great awareness to those that don't necessarily know about the topic.
ReplyDeleteVivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
+1 spread here
ReplyDeletehttp://www.goodreads.com/event/show/113700-psb-interview-giveaway-with-jackie-morse-kessler
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Touchy subjects in books can be risky - it really depends on how the author deals with them, honesty and being straight forward and not judgemental are key elements to make it work.
ReplyDeletedanaan at gmx dot at
I LOVE touchy subjects in books, especially if the writer finds a way to incorrperate a bigger metaphor for the issue, as is the case in Hunger and Rage. I've wanted to read these since I first heard about them but I haven't had time to pick them up.
ReplyDeletekathleenelizabeth@live.com
I don't mind most of them, as long as the author truly understands them. Otherwise, I feel like it is just being used as a plot line.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
I, for one, love touchy subjects in books, and I love authors who speak their mind about societal issues. I'm a social worker and feel that we don't talk enough, so kudos to authors who brings these issues to light.
ReplyDeleteI would love, love, love to read this series! Thanks for the opp!
ash at smashattackreads dot com
Tweet! http://twitter.com/SmashAttackAsh/statuses/52336966712303616
ReplyDeleteash at smashattackreads dot com
I am perfectly ok with touchy subjects in books. I finfpd such books to be very educational in an interesting way.
ReplyDeleteBoth these books sound amazing. I've read books and watched movies/TV shows on both eating disorders and cutting. But these books talk about these subjects in a unique and innovative way I've never seen before.
Please count me in.
monagarg@yahoo.com
Touchy subjects are great in books. For one, it helps you understand them better, and for two, it makes them less of a taboo subject so that people feel more comfortable discussing it with others. This can only be a plus :)
ReplyDeletehense1kk AT cmich DOT edu
I tweeted :D
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/hense1kk/status/52341186689646592
hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu
Touchy subjects in books is a hard subject to tackle, obviously. I float between liking it and avoiding it. When I was in elementary school, there were these really popular books that basically dealt with death.
ReplyDeleteI picked up a few because they were recommended to me, but I would always cry at the end, and then it would take me a while before I got to the next one. And I think that is generally my approach to touchy subjects in books: I will read one, like The Lovely Bones", and I will read it at about 1/4 of my usual speed because I need to process it, and then when I finish, it will take me months to get to another book that concerns a touchy subject.
This series, however, intrigues me: the Apocalypse and touchy subjects - and girls - it is an interesting mix, and I really want to explore it.
Anyways, thanks for the post and the giveaway! Even if I don't win, I think I will have to pick these books up :)
apereiraorama[at]gmail[dot]com
I think fictional books are better with real issues and touchy subjects. It makes them more relate-able while enjoying the made up stuff.
ReplyDeletejuliecookies(at)gmail.com
I think books about touchy subjects are ok as long as they have a positive side to it. Like telling about it and what can be done to help someone that has that problem or how someone with a problem over came it. It's all a fact of life and although people might not want to know it's best to get it out in the open, knowledge is a good thing.
ReplyDeletebkwolf(dot)whitaker@gmail(dot)com
I have no problem with touchy subjects in books. After all it is freedom of speech and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI am Ok with touchy subjects as long as they are handled well.
ReplyDeletelizzi0915 at aol dot com
Some of my favorite books have been about touchy subjects. I think it's because their are so rare and different. I like things that are outside of the norm. I can't wait to read Rage. =)
ReplyDeleteTouchy subjects in books are perfectly fine as long as the author approaches the subject with respect. On the flip side, readers need to approach the book with an open mind and be willing to see another person's view. I have found that reading books on subjects most people avoid is a great way to gain perspective and insight on things most of us don't want to think about. When done correctly, these books can be very memorable.
ReplyDeletejasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com
Blog post:
ReplyDeletehttp://jasmynninestuff.blogspot.com/2011/03/giveaway-link-rage-by-jackie-morse.html
jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com
I'll be honest - I usually shy away from books on these subjects. Only because I find them to be kind of depressing. However, I'm very interested in the Horsemen of the Apocalypse series. I haven't read Hunger yet, but I definitely plan to. I think it's the fantasy elements of the series that intrigued me the most.
ReplyDeletedaniellesaunders1984(at)hotmail(dot)com
touchy subjects ROCK. i love to see them expressed through writing.
ReplyDeleteamericangirlie1991 AT yahoo DOT com
tweet +1
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/Dani_Nguyen/status/52380512777551872
daniellesaunders1984(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think it's OK to cover touchy subjects in books. If no one ever wrote about something that someone might consider a touchy subject there would be a lot less books written.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon.net
I enjoy touchy subjects in books - especially young adult books. Touchy subjects come up all the time in real life, and reading about them is a good way to discover good (or bad) ways to deal when they come up in real life. Seeing other people, even characters, make mistakes and learn from them is a good way to grow and learn as well.
ReplyDeleteohmorningglow AT aol DOT com
I don't mind touchy subjects in book. Like Jackie Morse Kessler said talking about them will help people who have them.
ReplyDeleteGlassheart18ca@hotmail.com
Sometimes its hard to read about touchy subjects, but if it opens my eyes then it was worth the read.
ReplyDeleteJnmt3@hotmail.com
I think books are an excellent forum for discussing subjects such as this. Not only do they increase awareness and educate, they provide a neutral approach to discussion and, hopefully, recovery for any who suffer from these types of afflictions.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! I'm on WordPress or DM @paigevest on Twitter!
Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteflaka.077@gmail.com
tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/Ronyka7/status/52448675946958848
ReplyDeleteI think touchy subjects are so important in books but it´s important too how the author deals with them becouse he have to understand this problems
ReplyDeletewelzen@hotmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/elblogdewelzen/status/52466652264140801
Touchy subjects add more depth to books. So bring on the touchy subjects.
ReplyDeleteMorganlafey86@aol.com
tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/YearofTiger86/status/52492692646666240
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with touchy subjects. I try and remain open minded. Sometimes the funnest books to read are the ones that make the reader a bit uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleterobin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
I didn't realize what these were about when I first heard of Hunger! It seemed very steampunk to me, and I must have been skimming the description the first time. The books actually sound very cool.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind touchy. I like edgy and touchy, as long is it's not being flooded by angst. Touchy means the author's willing to risk entering the forbidden territory, the "taboo" area. It's impressive.
Thanks so much, Tynga!
rivkarno1(At)hotmail(dot)com
Touchy subjects don't bother me. When it comes to fiction, no topic is really off the table...unless its illegal. You just need to understand your own comfort level.
ReplyDeleteheatwave96(at)hotmail.com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/IntenseWhisper/statuses/52501028444188672
ReplyDeleterobin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
tweeted - http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/52501129031983104
ReplyDeleteheatwave96(at)hotmail.com
I like touchy subjects if it's done well. For example, these books look really interesting. I don't like when they are thinly veiled political statements, which seems to happen a lot with pro-lifers and romance novels.
ReplyDeleteinnocentbutler@hotmail.com
I love touchy subjects in books. It makes you think and discuss and remember those books.
ReplyDeleteamy408(at)gmail(dot)com
I appreciate the touchy subjects addressed in some books. Many books I have found relate to issues that my teens go through and reading about these problems in books and then talking about it with them later has really helped in my house.
ReplyDeleteterilhack at gmail dot com
I don't mind reading about touchy subjects as long as they are handled with respect to the issues.
ReplyDeletelexie.bookbug at gmail dot com
I tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/LexieBookBug/status/52515541235154944
ReplyDeletelexie.bookbug at gmail dot com
I think it takes a very brave author to write about "touchy" subjects. Not only are they usually baring their souls by drawing from personal experience, but all too often, they are opening themselves up for ridicule.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Kate
mleger0546 AT rogers DOT com
I don't have a problem with touchy subjects as long as its done tastefully.
ReplyDeletevampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
I tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/BookLovershaway/status/52555663326445568
I actually appauld touchy subjects in books--especially if the author writes about them in a proper way.
ReplyDeleteReading has become such a big thing recently, and I think discussing and bringing awareness about certain subjects to a new range of people is brilliant!
rachybee101@live.com.au
I tweeted too!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/RachyBee/status/52625051928903680
I believe if it is done tastefully there is no problem. It is really up to the reader, if they want to read it.
ReplyDeleteJudy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com
I think touchy subjects are good. They get people to think about things they might not usually think about. Then hopefully voice their opinion on the matter.
ReplyDeletefindjessyhere at gmail dot com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Emma015/statuses/52722365313982464
ReplyDeletefindjessyhere at gmail dot com
I think it's important to write about touchy subjects. They will generate the most emotional responses, and that in turn makes a book memorable.
ReplyDeletehelpersarah2009@gmail.com
I like reading about them and am glad when authors can bring awareness to certain problems. I don't think authors should be afraid to brooch touchy subjects; if a reader sees the blurb on the back and finds a subject offensive, they can choose not to read it.
ReplyDeleteb(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
I don 't mind some subjects as long as the story is good and the subject materials are handled appropriately- and I can always choose not to read them.
ReplyDeleteaudie@wickerness.com
Touchy subjects are important subjects so I definitely don't mind reading books that include them! However, they do need to be written with sensitivity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
Touchy subjects are really good in books, it opens us up to discuss and sometimes understand things that we shut out.
ReplyDeleteofficiallyjewels@gmail.com
thanks julie
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/officiallyjewel/status/52817218534252544
ReplyDeleteofficiallyjewels@gmail.com
thanks julie
I think touchy subjects in books are okay it helps us understand that subject matter better
ReplyDeletebookflamereviews@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/bookflamereview/status/53122431816187904
ReplyDeletebookflamereviews@gmail.com
im usually okay with touchy subjects in books. it takes alot to offend me and if a book does, i try to take it in stride and not let it affect how i enjoy the story.
ReplyDeletejennzahling@gmail.com
I'm alright with touchy subjects in books and sometimes feel that it's important to have them because it can certainly provide a more in depth view and maybe perhaps even educate readers on the subject matter.
ReplyDeletechibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
How do I feel about touchy subjects in books? I say bring it on. Authors should be free to write about anything they choose...if people do not like it then they shouldn't read it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! mmafsmith@gmail.com
Tweet: WIN a copy of RAGE by @JackieKessler ! http://bit.ly/hLhI08 hosted by @Tynga & @parajunkee #giveaway #ParanormalSpringBreak PLS RT
ReplyDeleteWell I think touchy subjects are important in books but the author must know how to show it and understand it too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this giveaway!
desapd(at)gmail.com
@desapd
http://twitter.com/#!/desapd/status/53503291014909952
ReplyDeleteLiterature and art needs to explore the touchy subjects, or there is no real reason for it to exist. Without that deper exploration, it is simply mindless entertainment. Some times you need the mindless, but after awhile, it becomes brain-numbing.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to read this series.
stephanie AT stephaniemloree DOT com
I for one really enjoy books with touchy subject matter. I think that a lot of people shy away from them but it's eye opening to be able to 'see' what someone goes through, with anorexia or cutting, and why they feel the need to resort to those measures. You can't begin to help someone if you don't understand what they're going through.
ReplyDeleteI need to read this series, thanks for the giveaway :]
m_laura28 at yahoo dot ca
I think touchy subject books are great. I think its horriable books are band. teens are going to have sex, teens are going to do drugs. Not alot of them are going to be reading. Also thinks like cutting and anixrexia need to be spoken out about, one of my fav book is More then you can chew
ReplyDeletealso tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/Tegan19/status/53604867540922368
How I feel about touchy subjects in books is directly related to how well they are handled.
ReplyDeleteGratuitous exploitations of violence against women and children infuriates me (oh right, your lead female is a hard-ass, clearly she had to be brutally raped as a child to get that way) - as does the use of minority stereotypes as a shortcut to characterization (oh your gay character loves musical theatre because he's gay).
But well utilized touchy subjects - whether they are generally considered taboo or just rarely tackled in any meaningful way - have been the key ingredients in some of my favorite books.
cass at feministdracona dot net
I think touchy subjects in books, YA especially, go along way to help people think and talk about things that they would usually avoid. I loved the first in this series and can't wait to read Rage.
ReplyDeletehopingfourmore[at]gmail.com
In my country a book with touchy subject inside is always hunting by the readers. I am not really mind with it as long as it's not about my faith. :D
ReplyDeleteSometimes we need to revealed it.
aleetha.ally at gmail dot com
I link in my side bar
ReplyDeletehttp://bacaan-ally.blogspot.com
aleetha.ally at gmail dot com
I can prepare myself all I want but I still have to sometimes take a breather in between things like this. I take a few breaths and plow on through it. It works from me.
ReplyDeleteTweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/Emmys322/status/53970409908998145
I like reading about touchy subjects in books. A lot of times they are about things people don't usually talk about openly. Those books can allow people to better understand issues that they might not know much about otherwise.
ReplyDeletepeacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Melanie_2006/status/54206278565761024
ReplyDeletepeacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
http://twitter.com/#!/desapd/status/54214778654162944
ReplyDeleteI feel okay about touchy subjects being in books. I suppose it depends on an individual's preferences.
ReplyDeletepams00 @ aol.com
http://twitter.com/#!/pams00/status/54381296209760257
ReplyDeletepams00 @ aol.com
It never really bothers me.
ReplyDeleteChllybrd(at)gmail(dot)com
I love "touchy" subjects in books - I love it when authors push the boundaries. Thank you for this giveaway!!
ReplyDeletePelicanJL@hotmail.com
<3 Happy Reading
Patricia @ Patricia's Particularity
I find that touchy subjects in books are a way readers can learn to deal with their problems like abuse or drugs. The find someone that they can relate to.
ReplyDeletemendyha26@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/desapd/status/55262671783727104
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what the subject is, some things I just don't want to read about.
ReplyDeletemarlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
http://twitter.com/#!/desapd/status/55753749897019392
ReplyDeleteI find them painful to read sometimes, but they are necessary. sometimes life has touchy issues!
ReplyDeleteamanda@heartless-ink.com
nice helpful information thanks for sharing
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