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Genre - YA Fantasy
Rating - PG13
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Website http://www.runawaypen.com/
Page 99... So what can be learned from a novel by reading page 99?
Quite a lot, actually.
As a writer, I am a compulsive editor, so turning to page 99 of my book was a bit of a challenge. I was worried that I might find something I'd rather change, or something that might not be very interesting to discuss. However, I was pleasantly surprised!
Page 99 finds Sora, the main character, at a turning point. Raised as a rich noblewoman, she has always dreamed of going on an adventure. Then, on the night of her wedding, she is kidnapped by an assassin and a group of thieves.
Sora wants to be a tough warrior like the heroes in the books she reads, but she is quickly learning that an "adventure" is a lot of hard work. Page 99 finds her traveling with a band of seasoned warriors and mercenaries. She has finally been equipped with a weapon (a staff made of witchwood) and they are teaching her how to fight for the first time. Fighting, unlike in the stories of old, is a lot of dirt, grit and bruises. The assassin who kidnapped her is also the one training her. He is merciless and aloof, but despite being afraid of him, she wants to prove herself. She wants to show the other warriors that she has what it takes to survive on the road.
"Sora fell back against a tree, her shoulders aching and her hands numb, not to mention that her feet were about to fall off. Crash wasn't the most patient of teachers, and she suspected that he was working out some secret grudge against her. The assassin had beat the living daylights out of her every day that week, without even a word of praise. She was aching and sweating by the time they stopped each evening. Despite the lack of words, she figured that she was getting better because the bruises were becoming less."
Sora is a flawed character. She is spoiled but doesn't realize it, goodhearted but naive, and genuinely wants to travel the world. A lot of her "inner" story is about personal growth. It's about discovering that hand-to-hand combat is a slow learning process. That going weeks without a bed or proper breakfast can take a toll on you. And that adventuring is not for the feint of heart!
This is also an important turning point for the character interaction in the book. Up until now, Sora has been a captive. The assassin, "Crash," and the other mercenaries treat her like baggage. Now, finally, they are giving her the chance to be an equal.
Quite a lot, actually.
As a writer, I am a compulsive editor, so turning to page 99 of my book was a bit of a challenge. I was worried that I might find something I'd rather change, or something that might not be very interesting to discuss. However, I was pleasantly surprised!
Page 99 finds Sora, the main character, at a turning point. Raised as a rich noblewoman, she has always dreamed of going on an adventure. Then, on the night of her wedding, she is kidnapped by an assassin and a group of thieves.
Sora wants to be a tough warrior like the heroes in the books she reads, but she is quickly learning that an "adventure" is a lot of hard work. Page 99 finds her traveling with a band of seasoned warriors and mercenaries. She has finally been equipped with a weapon (a staff made of witchwood) and they are teaching her how to fight for the first time. Fighting, unlike in the stories of old, is a lot of dirt, grit and bruises. The assassin who kidnapped her is also the one training her. He is merciless and aloof, but despite being afraid of him, she wants to prove herself. She wants to show the other warriors that she has what it takes to survive on the road.
"Sora fell back against a tree, her shoulders aching and her hands numb, not to mention that her feet were about to fall off. Crash wasn't the most patient of teachers, and she suspected that he was working out some secret grudge against her. The assassin had beat the living daylights out of her every day that week, without even a word of praise. She was aching and sweating by the time they stopped each evening. Despite the lack of words, she figured that she was getting better because the bruises were becoming less."
Sora is a flawed character. She is spoiled but doesn't realize it, goodhearted but naive, and genuinely wants to travel the world. A lot of her "inner" story is about personal growth. It's about discovering that hand-to-hand combat is a slow learning process. That going weeks without a bed or proper breakfast can take a toll on you. And that adventuring is not for the feint of heart!
This is also an important turning point for the character interaction in the book. Up until now, Sora has been a captive. The assassin, "Crash," and the other mercenaries treat her like baggage. Now, finally, they are giving her the chance to be an equal.
Exerpt: Page 99 of Sora's Quest by T. L. Shreffler
“Don’t listen to your head, girl! Listen to your gut!”
Swoosh!
Clack!
Goddess! I think I’m going to die!
“Yes, like that, good... don’t wipe your eyes, it leaves you open.”
“I can’t see!”
“You don’t have to see.”
This was the most Sora had ever gotten out of Crash. Really, it was a breakthrough, though he still refused to call her by her name. Sometimes she wondered if he had forgotten it, and simply refused to admit the fact.
“Good, now use that step I taught you—now, use it now, when your opponent moves like this—what are you doing?”
Sora fell back against a tree, her shoulders aching and her hands numb; not to mention that her feet were about to fall off. Crash wasn't the most patient of teachers, and she suspected that he was working out some secret grudge against her. The assassin had beat the living daylights out of her every day that week, without even a word of praise. She was aching and sweating by the time they stopped each evening. Despite the lack of words, Sora figured she was getting better because the bruises were becoming less.
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