Tag Archives: Ilana Waters

by

Paying Piper by Ilana Waters

WatersPayingPiperWhy I Read It: I enjoyed the author’s other story, The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt.

Where I Got It: Free on Smashswords.

Who I Recommend This To: Great story for kids, and for parents to read to kids.

Publisher: Self-published (2013)

Length: 20 pages

This was a charming retelling of a classic, and provided a lesson not just for children but for everyone – essentially we should all be kind to one another. And look at that cover. How could you not enjoy a book with that cover? The town of Hamlin has a rat problem, and the Mayor agrees to pay a traveling musician to dance the rats out of town for good. Pied Piper isn’t just any musician, and his music isn’t only that of a flute. No, his haunting melodies, pointy ears, and ability to speak with the rats tells the reader he is much more.

This tale follows the classic storyline in that The Piper removes the rats and then the Mayor makes the mistake of paying The Piper one quarter of the agreed upon price. So, of course the children must be taken next. But instead of being the typical sinister tale (which supposedly originated due to a plague outbreak that took the town’s children), Ilana Waters twists the tale in a unique way. Instead of reflecting the sadness of mass graves (which were often the results of the plague in 1500s Germany), the author shows how people can slip into every day unkindness, and pass those traits on to their children if they are not careful.

I won’t spoil the ending for you, so let me just say that it is clever and I was not expecting it. Also Waters provides some discussion questions at the end about when, if ever, it is OK for a child to go off with a stranger.

What I Liked: The cover (lush & simple at the same time); the ending; it’s a retelling of a much loved and ancient tale.

What I Disliked: I didn’t really have anything to go here, but I will say this childrens’ tale is worthy of some illustrations and perhaps a future edition would have some.

I currently have an interview and giveaway running for 3 ebooks of The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt (there will be 3 winners). Check that out and enter if you would like a chance to read Ilana Water’s middle grade fantasy adventure novel.

by

Interview & Giveaway: Ilana Waters, author of The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt

Everyone, please welcome Ilana Waters, author of The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt, who is joining us today for an interview and a giveaway. If you have frequented this blog recently, then you probably saw my review of The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt earlier this week.

First, a little bit about the book, and where Ms. Waters can be found hanging out, goofing off, or skulking under a candle with a good book.

WatersStanleyDelacourtIlana Waters’ first book, The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt: Book I of Hartlandia, is a middle-grade fantasy. It’s available at Amazon, Amazon.com/uk, Barnesandnoble, Apple, Kobo, and Smashwords. Look for the release of Book II of the Hartlandia trilogy in 2013.

Summary:

Ten-year-old Stanley Delacourt loves his quiet life in the peaceful village of Meadowwood. At least, he does until his best friend is killed. Then the town library—where Stanley lives and works—is burned to the ground. The individuals responsible for both tragedies are a nasty group of soldiers. They work for the kingdom’s new leader: Christopher Siren.

No one understands the rules Siren’s creating. They don’t know why breaking them means death, or why the leader is so keen to destroy books. And no one can figure out where the former queen and king disappeared to—or if they’ll ever return.

With the grown-ups too fearful to take action, Stanley vows to confront Siren. He plans to get answers and demand justice. Little does he know that his journey will involve sword-wielding knights, kidnapper fairies, and dark magic.

Stanley has only two allies back home. One is an intimidated witch named Meredith. The other is a young apothecary called Sophie—who may have enchantment problems of her own. Can they help him discover the reason behind Siren’s crimes and end this terrible reign? Or is Stanley set to become the next victim in the tyrant’s evil plot?

If you enjoy the fantasy works of Rick Riordan, Lemony Snicket, or Philip Pullman, then explore the world of Stanley Delacourt today!

Read the first chapter here for FREE!

If you care to stalk Ms. Waters, she can be found frolicking at these fine locations:

IlanaWaters.com

Twitter

Goodreads

Interview Time!

What were some of your favorite books growing up and what were their influences on your own writing career?

Strangely enough, I read a lot of what are considered “contemporary” kids’ books (i.e., ones that reflect real life). Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and Ann M. Martin were some of my favorite authors. Now that I am “grown-up” (ha!), I deal almost exclusively in fantasy. I’m not sure what caused the switch. What I did learn was a) kids need their concerns taken seriously, even in literature, b) no one likes to be talked down to, and c) keep your language simple.
In choosing the lead character for The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt, did you know straight away that Stanley was the one, or did you think maybe it might be The Adventures of Sophie?

Funny you should ask. I would say that, in the beginning, Stanley chose me. His story was first and foremost in my brain. It wasn’t till I got about two-thirds of the way through the first book that I realized I was telling it from two points of view: Stanley’s and Sophie’s. Sophie just kept popping up in her persistent way and would not be silenced! If you’re a fan of hers, definitely stay tuned for books II and III. You haven’t seen the last of Sophie Delphi!
The mix of feudal-type kingdom and modern items such as plastic is unusual. How did you choose what small modern bits to pull into your book The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt?

Ha-ha—I sort of cheated on this one. I just never really took the modern bits out. You see, I’m kind of crummy when it comes to research. I don’t think I could ever do a purely historical work because I’d get too much wrong. Hence my mish-mash world. If I don’t know enough about something . . . I make it up! ;-)

In The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt, you make use of several small poems as spells. How do you see poetry being used in future Hartlandia novels?

I have a few plans to use it in characters’ dreams and of course, more of Sophie’s spells. Poetry, to me, is its own sort of magic. To my surprise, many young readers agree!

I want to hear the electric eel pet sitting story. Every. Little. Detail.

Well, pet-sitting was a short-term college gig. I honestly don’t remember much about the eel one, except that it was probably the strangest job I ever had. At least with an eel, there’s no poop to pick up. But it was really creepy watching that thing slide through the water in its tank. I think I had to feed it live, tiny worms. I’d just dump them in there and run! Don’t get me started on the cat who cornered me on the couch. Or the golden lab who nearly dragged me into traffic. Or the Rottweiler who wouldn’t let me leave unless I gave him treats. Lots of treats.
What new and upcoming writing projects are you at liberty to tell us about?

I could tell you, but then . . . I’d have to kill you. KIDDING! I am fully at liberty to tell you about “Paying Piper,” a short story based on the classic fairy tale. I have no problem divulging the details of Castles in the Air and The House that Wouldn’t Behave—both adventurous Hartlandian novellas. I am triple-authorized to discuss House of Cards (a Parisian, YA paranormal romance—with vampires!). And although I may get in trouble with my superiors, I’m also letting you know that I’ll soon have a short story/Greek-myth out: “How the Lizard Got Back Her Legs.”

All these should be published in the next two or three months. Book II of Stanley Delacourt, however, will be out later this year.

Thank you so much, Dab of Darkness, for having me on your blog!

Now for the giveaway!

This giveaway will have 3 winners, each to receive 1 ebook copy of The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt. The giveaway will run for 2 weeks and you must enter the rafflecopter. All three winners will be selected randomly. All winners will be verified to have played by the rules. Yes, I do check. Because I care. Each winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond. If someone doesn’t respond, a new one will be drawn and contacted. Have fun everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

by

The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt by Ilana Waters

WatersStanleyDelacourtWhy I Read It: Sometimes I just want to be a kid and read kid books.

Where I Got It: A review copy from the author (thanks!)

Who I Recommend This To: If you enjoy fantasy adventure kid books, this one’s pretty good.

Publisher: Self-published (2012)

Length: 244 pages

Series: Book 1 Hartlandia

Young Stanley Delacourt lives in Meadowwood’s library, where he quietly and efficiently attends to the books, patrons, and the old, sleeping librarian. Stanley’s parents passed away many years before and the library has been his home. Sophie (the apothecary’s apprentice and ward) and Will (who lives on a farm with his family) are his two best friends, and Meadowwood is having an annual festival. There’s food, a boat race, fortune tellers, and good cheer left and right. At least until the second morning when the town awakes to learn that Will was killed by a guard in the night for defying the Ruler-in-Place Christopher Siren’s curfew, which was recently announced.

Stanley can barely fathom it and so he sets out on a quest to demand an explanation from Siren. Perhaps he doesn’t know how his rules are being harshly enforced? But as Stanley marches forth, he learns of other control-freak rules and starts to doubt that Siren is a reasonable man. While I was a bit saddened that Sophie did not get to go on the adventure with Stanley, I was glad to see that she did not bow out of the story all together, managing to grasp her new-found witchy powers and send some helpful spells his way.

This story was well written and well paced, mixing in the action with character development and dialogue. Each person we meet in the story was well-defined and I didn’t feel like I was simply visiting with 20 versions of the main character. The mix of magic, small town country concerns, and touches of modernism gave this tale by Ilana Waters a unique feel. the main message throughout the book was repeated in various ways without being overbearing of turning the Story into a Lesson – Think For Yourself.

Stanley meets several good-natured beings on his trip, who gift him with various items, wisdom, or other aid. While I liked all these characters and Stanley’s interactions with them, after the second one I felt that some things were coming a little too easily to Stanley. Still, it wasn’t enough to deter me from happily finishing the book. One other minor criticism, which might not be a criticism at all for younger readers, was that the evil never seemed real to me because there were no bodies – we were simply told this person or that person was dead without actually seeing them laid out. No body, no crime. I need a cold body to believe. Once again, this minor irk wasn’t enough to keep me to enjoying the book.

What I Liked: The unique world, shown to me bit by bit; the hedgehog-like critter; Sophie is a spitfire and I want to see more of her!; there are hidden pasts for the main characters, providing a backdrop of wonder and suspense throughout the novel; jokes at the expense of Hartlandia’s bureaucracy.

What I Disliked: Minor point – no bodies; Stanley does receive several convenient gifts along the way.