New Version of Reader's Roost

The Reader's Roost blog has officially moved. Now, the site can be accessed through http://mcplreadersroost.wordpress.com. I hope you all like the new look!

- Wesley

Robin Parrish Interview

Author Robin Parrish was kind enough to talk with me a bit about the first two books in his Dominion Trilogy series, Fearless and Relentless. He also mentions what to expect in the third installment. Both of Parrish's books are available at the Muhlenberg County Public Library.

Wes: Give us a bit of background on yourself along with your biggest inspirations as a writer.

Robin: I’m a 32 year old professional novelist from High Point, North Carolina. Married to a wonderful wife Karen, and at the time of this interview, we are expecting our first child any day now! We know he’s a boy, and we’re naming him Evan.

My background is in journalism and marketing, both of which come in pretty useful as a novelist. Any kind of writing you can do on a regular basis — even if it’s journalism — can’t help but strengthen the way you string together words. It’s like anything else: the more you do it…

My biggest inspirations as a writer largely come from unconventional mediums (for a novelist) like film, television, and comic books. But a few of my favorite novelists are Michael Crichton, my friend James Byron Huggins, Ted Dekker, Neil Gaiman, and Peretti’s early stuff. And of course Lewis and Tolkien.

Wes: Describe the plot of the Dominion Trilogy to our readers without giving away too much.

Robin: Wow, what a loaded question… The Dominion Trilogy is about a group of people who discover that they have been given extraordinary powers, but they don’t know why. Book 1 is about their discovery of this power and how they learn to use it. Book 2 is about their decision to use their powers for good, and the consequences of that decision. And Book 3 is about what happens when they finally find out the reason they were given these powers — and it wasn’t what they expected.

The story centers around our hero, Grant Borrows. He’s an everyman with a painful past who must overcome his own hurts and biases about other people to become the most powerful of all the heroes. But a 7,000 year old conspiracy has designs on Grant that tempts him down a path that leads to a very dark destiny. Can destiny be overcome? Do we get to make our own choices, or is everything predetermined? And is there power in fighting the good fight — even if the battle has already been lost?

These questions and many more form the basis of The Dominion Trilogy.

Wes: What first sparked the idea to create this world and its inhabitants?

Robin: It was one of those sudden flashes of inspiration, like the old story you hear about C.S. Lewis and how he had this mental image that came out of nowhere of the faun in the snow, carrying an umbrella near a lamppost. Similarly, I had a vision of a man who was getting off of the bus on his way to work one morning in a big city, and across the street at the bus stop, he sees… himself. Figuring out what that was all about, and answering all of the questions that it created, birthed the entire idea in my mind.

Wes: Both books in the series appeal to fans of supernatural tales like Heroes and Lost. Do you feel the book and movie industry is more acceptant of stories such as these than ever before?

Robin: No question. Audiences love big-budget spectacles, but they also love stories that speak to ancient truths of the human condition. Truths like — these are ideas that are engrained in us, built into our DNA, and we can’t deny them no matter what. They move us, because somewhere in our souls, we know they’re true.

Wes: You, along with a visual artist, produced an online comic strip entitled Guardian which bridged the two books together. Are there any plans to do this before the release of the third book? Any plans to revisit these characters in comic form after Dominion is done?

Robin: No, no current plans to tell more stories in the Dominion Trilogy universe. It made sense to do the mini “graphic novel” as we called it between books 1 and 2 because there was a two-month gap in storytelling time between them. There is no gap whatsoever between 2 and 3; 3 picks up at the exact moment that 2 ends.

As for plans to revisit these characters…. Nothing is planned right now, though you never know what the future might hold. I’m definitely not going to say “never,” because while Merciless is the definitive ending of Grant’s story, it leaves open some possibilities for some of the supporting players. And there’s room for more stories in the Dominion Trilogy universe, I think, but what I do next will be a fresh start, set in a different world unconnected to the Trilogy.

Wes: While your trilogy will predominately appeal to those who enjoy tales of superheroes, there are also dashes of romance and spirituality. Is this something you purposely did to grab the attention of outside audiences? Or, do you feel that a good tale of supernatural heroics cannot exist without those aspects?

Robin: Any good superhero story is going to be a morality tale, no matter how you slice it. The main character has something in their past or some fatal flaw that must be overcome, and in their overcoming it, that makes them a hero and therefore worthy to go out and help others. That’s just the basic blueprint for how superhero stories work, particular superhero origins.

But on a more personal level, I just happen to love stories that mix in elements of lots of different genres. The Dominion Trilogy are most easily described as “suspense/thrillers,” but there’s loads of other stuff in there too. As you said, you’ll find bits of romance, drama, a sprinkling of fantasy, plenty of mystery, and bucket loads of action. I also love witty dialogue, so anything funny that I try to write usually comes out in banter between characters. I love superheroes. I love the classic hero’s journey and all of the archetypes that come with it (and taking those archetypes as far outside of the box as they can go and still making them work was one of the funnest aspects of designing this story, for me). And I love stories that have something to say about the nature of human existence, why we’re here, what we’re doing here, who put us here and why.

All of those things are stuff you can probably look for in most of my future work, though I intend to have a go at lots of different genres and try my hand at a little of everything.

Wes: The final book releases in 2008 – can you give us a tease of what’s to come? And, a note to our readers, please skip this question if you don’t wish to have the first two books spoiled.

Robin: That’s a tough one, because I have avoided talking about this one in a very strict, very intentional way, because it contains everything that the fans have been waiting for, and I don’t want to spoil the experience. Every major mystery is answered and resolved, and in a very real way, the first two books were merely set up and back-story for what happens in Merciless. This is without a doubt the main event.

Without getting too specific… Characters live, characters die. The epilogue at the end of Fearless wasn’t a throwaway bit, with all of the world’s timepieces stopping. Time as we understand it has literally been removed from the equation, and this is a major plot point with huge ramifications. Did Grant die when he fell in that abyss? Well, yes he did. But what makes you assume death is the end? What becomes of all of the friends he left behind without him there to lead and guide them, and what jaw-dropping, mind-boggling thing comes crawling out of that hole in the ground where Grant fell? Whatever it is, it’s what the entire plot of the last two books has been building to.

Oh, and the world ends.

How’s that?

Wes: Sounds fantastic! Hearing your previous statement makes my anticipation for the final book all the more greater. That’s all the questions I’ve prepared, so, please leave us with any closing words or thoughts you might have.

Robin: I can report that I have just signed a contract with Bethany House for three more novels, which will keep me writing through 2011. No more trilogies or series for me for a long while, though. This was a real brain-buster and I need a breath of fresh air. So I’ll be doing three standalone novels next.

The first is titled Offworld — and this is the first time I’ve publicly revealed that title. It’s got all the action and suspense and whatnot that you’d expect from me, but it’s a complete departure from the Trilogy. It’s a science fiction story first and foremost, with a big twist and a huge mystery at its core that’s going to keep you up at night, trying to figure it out.

After that I’m planning a supernatural thriller that’s also going to keep you up at night, but for different reasons. ;) I think I’ve settled on a title for that one now, but since it’s so far out, I’m going to hold off on revealing any details just yet.

Wes: Thanks for talking with us, Robin, good luck with the trilogy and Offworld. Can’t wait to find out how Dominion ends!

Obedience by Will Lavender

Obedience, by Will Lavender, is a first novel by a Lexington, Ky., resident. Set in the fictional college/university of Winchester in Indiana, the plot revolves around the mysterious “Professor” Williams’ assignment to his logic and reasoning class to find a young woman in six weeks or she will be murdered. The style bounces from the thoughts of one student, to another, to another. Although, I’ve only just begun the novel, it is definitely different from the usual popular novels. I think I will enjoy it because of its “differentness”, although I don’t appreciate the stereotypical casting of the one student from Kentucky or the name Williams being used for the Professor. The only patron I know who has read it did notn care for it. How about trying it for yourself?
-Anniesse

Miscarriage of Justice

Miscarriage of Justice is the powerful debut novel by Kip Gayden, Circuit Court Judge in Nashville, TN. The story revolves around Dr. Walter Dotson and his wife Anna. With her marriage becoming devoid of passion, Charlie Cobb enters Anna’s world offering her understanding, romance and delivery from the emptiness she has felt for some time. This attraction between Charlie and Anna eventually destroys both of their families. Anna’s betrayal leads to a public murder, a killer’s confession, a riveting trial and a shocking, unimaginable verdict. Base on a real 1913 tragic murder case that was reported in three Nashville newspapers of which the actual text appears. Very, very good book.
-Kay

Invasive Procedures by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston

Science Fiction author Orson Scott Card's Malpractice, originally written as a short story in 1977, was turned into a movie script by screenwriter Aaron Johnston. Although the film was never produced, Card and Johnston recently teamed to pen Invasive Procedures, an original novel based on the script. The story revolves around V16, a virus created by geneticist George Galen which he hopes will cure many genetic diseases. It does prove effective on those that it's intended for; however, if anyone else is exposed it leads to a gruesome death. Galen's maverick practices have put him at odds with the national science community; he has allied himself with a religious sect known as the Healers to help further his work. They begin running experiments on the homeless community, with or without their consent. The virus eventually makes it into the wild, several deaths follow, which leads a federal biohazard agency, along with virologist Lt. Col. Frank Hartman, to launch an investigation. The fast-paced book grows more intriguing with each page turn; most will find this one difficult to put down.

The book is far from the extreme Science Fiction that Card's readers often expect. However, if you enjoy medical thrillers with an edge, you'd do well to try this one out.

- Wesley

Blue Heaven by C.J. Box

Blue Heaven by C.J. Box is a suspenseful thriller set in northern Idaho. William and Annie Taylor witness a gruesome murder and are being perused by retired California cops that now live in the area. As the story evolves, so does another plot to the story. Set in a 48-hour timespan, Blue Heaven delivers suprising twists and turns until the very last page. C.J. Box is a new author for me. I enjoy the book even though it was rather violent in nature and had bad language I can do without.

- Kay

Here are additional comments on the author from Anniesse.

C.J. Box's earlier books feature game warden Joe Pickett in Wyoming. They are quite engrossing as the reader follows Joe's life in several novels. As Kay mentions, with his new novel and new main characters, the violence is quite graphic and the language a little strong.

Richard Matheson's I Am Legend

I Am Legend, a short story collection from author Richard Matheson, was originally published in 1954. It has received much attention as of late due to Will Smith staring in a film based upon the tale from which the book gets its title. While the film and original story differ, both are worth taking in should you be a fan of vampires, monsters, and zombies.

Richard Neville, the book's protagonist, has somehow survived a virus that has either killed or caused a vampire mutation to the entire population of the world. It took his family, friends, and neighbors and left him with nothing more than material possessions. Is he the only human left? Is there a way to cure the infected? These things he ponders throughout the story while attempting to evade a vicious pack of the infected that taunt him each night.

The book contains a few other short tales from Matheson; however, I Am Legend is clearly the centerpiece. Its take on the vampire is as fresh and new today as it was in 1953. Pick this one up if you're in the mood for a scare.

- Wesley

Here's another take on the book from Angie.

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson is a wonderful book. I am not going to say much about it because it will ruin the story for someone else. When I first heard of the book, someone told me it was horror. I almost decided not to read the book because of this. I am glad that I decided to give it a try. I did not interpret this as a horror but more as a basic human need and evolution. In the book we see Robert Neville going through major changes trying to deal with the fact that he may be the last human on Earth. I as captivated by the depth of Robert Neville, the many faces of his character, the importance of his need that you felt just by the words written on the pages. The only thing that was lost to me was the appearance of the character. Matheson describes him as a Caucasian male with blue eyes and of German descent. From the movie previews I kept picturing Will Smith, go figure! Either way, the book is a very powerful statement of basic human needs and the fight for survival in a very bleak future. I would definitely recommend this book as it was superbly written, suspenseful, and awe inspiring. Throughout the book I was continually fascinated by Robert Neville and the insurmountable challenges he faces. I cannot wait to see the movie to see how true to character they kept Robert Neville. But, I already know the movie is not going to live up to the book.