LA SERIE DE NOON ONYX
de Jill Archer
Queridos arrebatadores, quizás recordéis que os presenté las dos primeras novelas de esta trilogía de
fantasía new adult y os dije que me había hecho fan de la autora, Jill Archer.
Por fin he leído la tercera novela, WHITE HEART OF JUSTICE, y estoy dividida entre lo maravillosa
que ha sido y lo frustrada que me ha dejado. Ay, sí, esa ausencia
importantísima de Ari me ha dolido. Y ese final... es esperanzador, pero
devastador también.
Aún así, ha sido una aventura impresionante, en la que el
arco de la historia se ha completado con primoroso detalle, con la salvedad de
la relación personal de Noon con Ari. Sin embargo, ha explorado multitud de
aspectos que me han dejado muy satisfecha y asombrada. La autora ha vuelto a
someter a Noon a pruebas físicas y emocionales que la han transido de dolor, la
han llevado al límite, le han hecho comprender muchas cosas sobre sí misma así
como sobre su familia, amigos, enemigos y amantes.
Noon, la aprendiz de
magistrado mágico que debe juzgar y ejecutar demonios díscolos en un futuro
tras el apocalipsis en el que Lucifer pereció tras ganar la batalla contra los
ángeles, se embarca en una gesta para hallar una reliquia perdida. En el
camino, luchará contra monstruos, el frío gélido, su atracción por el ángel
Rafe, sus sentimientos oscuros por Ari, los enemigos que tratan de matarla, los
secretos legendarios del pasado y contra su propia naturaleza.
La evolución de este personaje es absoluta. El uso de la
magia está muy enraizado en la historia demoníaca y legal del mundo de Halja,
del que descubrimos muchas cosas más. Aunque echo de menos un mapa, la
descripción es muy gráfica y vívida por lo que es fácil imaginar los
recorridos, las culturas, las idiosincrasias de ángeles, demonios y
magistrados. Todo ello está magistralmente hilado con la fabulosa protagonista
que es toda una heroína y con el romance sensual, profundo y emotivo que
convierte esta fantasía en algo único que voy a recordar siempre.
Os recomiendo esta trilogía encarecidamente si os gustan la
aventura, las heroínas que no saben que lo son hasta que aprenden a serlo a
base de lecciones durísimas, los romances llenos de secretos y drama y
sensualidad, y una magia demoníaca muy original.
¡Un mensaje de la autora para los lectores españoles!
Sólo hablo y leo un idioma. Así que me
abruma y estoy agradecida de que lectores cuyo idioma natal no sea el inglés se
animen a leer mis libros. Quizás algún día se traduzcan a otros idiomas.
Todavía recuerdo el día en que mi blog recibió visitas desde más de cien
países. Fue una sensación maravillosa. El mundo es un lugar muy grande pero
compartir historias puede darnos la impresión de que es pequeño e íntimo.
Los mejores deseos y feliz lectura para
todos los lectores en Torre de Babel.
My opinion of White Heart of Justice
It's a
pleasure to return to the world of Halja. I fell in love with Noon and her
tumultuous life in the first book, Dark Light of Day. I was heart-stricken by
her odyssey in the second novel, Fiery Edge of Steel. Now, I'm in awe of White
Heart of Justice. In awe, I tell you!
This is why I
read books.
Noon is being
tested again, and the tests are pitiless. It's all in the name of competing in
the Laurel Crown Race. If she wins, she'll be able to choose her next
assignment on her own terms which could be permanent and safe. Not an easy feat
in Halja. However, this final test is so full of pits that it's going to prove
an insurmountable challenge. In the meantime, Ari still haunts her heart and
Rafe harbours more shocking secrets.
Again, I
loved the first books. And the third one is a hell of a ride. Literally. It
reincarnates the traditional journey of the hero who seeks a relic that will
beknight and redeem him in his search of himself.
Noon's quest
is the highest bet possible. It's everything or nothing. And nothing means her
life. The horrors she faces, the sacrifices she endures, are as intense and
harrowing as the discoveries she makes along the way.
From the very
beginning, I've felt very invested in Noon's story. Regardless for a moment how
appealing it is to follow her adventures and evolution as a character, I also
find myself deeply intrigued and attracted to the world she inhabits. I think
it would be extremely easy, and tempting, to read other plots and spin-offs
deviating from the one we know and cherish. How cool would it be to read about
demons as main characters? To explore this land of wondrous dangers? To
disclose more of its hidden powers and treasures? That'd be something worthy of
dreaming about. On another note, I still miss some maps that illustrate the
geography of this hell on earth. Still, in this book we get to know more about the
land and its people's origins. I love all the legends and stories that
continually spring up.
Personal
Anecdote:
There is a
popular quote from Shakespeare that's repeatedly used to belittle women in all kinds of situations, and I
was so happy to see the tables turned for once.
Cheers, Jill!
There is a
beautiful balance between plot, world building, magic and character growth.
Everything is equally important, and deserves detailed and loving attention. Not
only the main characters get their spotlight. I was very fond of the brief,
albeit emotional interaction Noon and her mother share. Though Peter is also becoming
quite surprising.
Angel Raphal
Sinclair is an amazing character. As a love interest for Noon, he's over the
top. Though I missed the dynamics between Ari and Noon so much. I've never been
too much of a fan of love triangles in novels because I usually pick up a
favourite, and they prove to be a distraction from the plot or the real
romance. In this case, though, just thinking of choosing between Ari and Rafe
has my heart divided and painfully pumping.
While Noon's
motives were understandable (who can blame her for being drawn to that charming
beacon of light?), it still felt odd and a little bit disappointing that Ari
was put aside. Yes, he did what he did, but his love for Noon was authentic, as
was hers for him. Doesn't that account for some loyalty? Ah, my heart betrays
me...
Despite my
hunger for Ari's presence, I must admit this book is a homage to Noon's independence.
She's always been evolving and learning things about herself and her power, but
in this last adventure she travels far in her revelations about not only her
powers, but also her sense of self. I think the author had a wonderful time
discovering Noon's true potential.
Another asset
of this novel is how satisfyingly it develops the arc of the story. It touches
on all aspects, all details and relationships, powers and legends, to convey
meaning and significance to everything that has been building up. As with
waning magic, no matter how destructive it is in essence, in the right hands,
Noon's hands, it becomes almost life-creating and hopeful.
The novel
never slacks. It's well-plotted and punctuated with shocking surprises as ever.
With a quirky sense of humour and a fantastical worldbuilding, White Heart of
Justice delves deep into a quest of magic, freedom, redemption and love.
Alas, it
never forgets that Noon is a true heroine. No doubt, she has help along the
way, real allies, but she is the one who ultimately faces the big challenges,
she who wields her growing abilities to defeat her enemies, and saves the day,
the hot guys in distress and changes the world as History knows it.
One cannot
simply stop reading after book two, and starting book one was an eye-opening,
thoroughly exciting experience for me. So this trilogy is a must and I recommend it whole-heartedly to everyone who
loves the best things in a reader's life: creativity, emotional intensity,
adventure, a new look into a genre and fun, lots of fun.
Now, please,
tell me there is a fourth book to follow after that wise,
emotionally-overcharged, heart-fluttering ending. Dear Jill, you can't, just
can't, leave Noon, Ari, Rafe and ME like this. We need closure!
- Noon is a complicated character in
a far more complicated world. How and why did you choose the challenges she has
to face in order to come to terms with who she is?
I’ll
admit, Dark Light of Day has a lot of
subplots. Throughout the story, I tried to choose situations and conflicts that
would be a plot nexus, bringing together two or more subplots. Everything was
set up to support the ending, where all of the plots converged and merged
Noon’s struggles with academics, romance, magic, and her own self-identity.
In
Fiery Edge of Steel, many of the challenges
Noon faces have to do with her becoming more comfortable with her destructive
waning magic while remaining true to herself and coming to grips with the path
she’s chosen and what she’s expected to do.
In
White Heart of Justice, I wanted the challenges
to be even bigger and the consequences for screwing up to be more extreme. Noon
faces competition from her peers, but this time their competitive arena is more
deadly than ever. And it’s not just one person or one outpost at risk; it’s all
of Halja. Noon faces numerous demon adversaries, as well as “other
miscellaneous atrocities made of blood, bone, metal, and/or magic.” Nearly everything
in the book is broadened, deepened, or intensified: the magic, Noon’s
relationships, her choices, and their effects.
- I get the impression that some
mythology or ancient folklore was incorporated into Noon's world. If that is
the case, how much and what kind?
The
short answers are “lots” and “all sorts.” I often use real world myths,
legends, and folklore as inspiration.
Lamia,
Nergal, and Kalisto are all characters that were inspired by real world
deities. Lamia was a Greek demon with shark, sea monster, and vampire
associations. Nergal was a Mesopotamian solar deity who was also referred to as
a god of war, plague, and pestilence. Callisto was the Greek goddess who was
turned into a bear by Hera and set among the stars as Ursa Major.
In
writing parts of Fiery Edge of Steel,
I was inspired by two children’s songs and a fairy tale. The songs were
“Duérmete, Mi Niño” and “Señor Don Gato” and
the fairy tale was Charles Perrault’s “Little Thumb,” all of which were
modified for purposes of the story.
I
use research as a jumping off point for my imagination so my final fictional
creation may or may not resemble its real world inspiration.
- How did it occur to you to tackle
such an obscure albeit intriguing concept as demon law in a fantasy book?
Noon
was very loosely inspired by the Egyptologist Evelyn “Evie” Carnahan from the
movie The Mummy. I was having lunch with
a bunch of writers during the time when I was seeking inspiration for a new
project. I was still practicing law and I sat next to a librarian. We each
shared with the other that we felt our day jobs were fairly pedestrian and not
necessarily something that could be tapped into to create a dynamic,
otherworldly character. I then mentioned Evie as an example of a wonderful
librarian character, who found love while battling the undead, despite her
bookish ways. So that conversation got me thinking… If Evie could do it, maybe
another similarly bookish lawyer character could do it too.
- Are you a pioneer in New Adult
Fantasy? Is there more of its kind?
I
am flattered that you would ask this question, but I don’t think I am. Others
are writing it, and were likely writing it, before I was. And I’m not even sure
that Fiery Edge of Steel or White Heart of Justice can be considered
New Adult. In Fiery Edge of Steel,
Noon is still coming to terms with who and what she is and her place in the
world and, in White Heart of Justice,
one of her biggest motivators is wanting to win the right to control her own
professional destiny. And the books
have significant romantic elements.
But,
after reading a handful of other NA books (albeit all contemporary), I’m not
convinced that my books fall squarely within the New Adult umbrella. Instead, what
I try to do is present the series as an option for NA readers who like fantasy.
I consider myself a fantasy writer first and foremost.
If
anyone wants to read more of my thoughts on whether or not the Noon Onyx series
is New Adult, as well as hear from other SF/F NA authors, a great place to
start is the guest blog series I did back in April (http://wp.me/p1G39m-1Lu). I interviewed six
other NA SF/F authors and we discussed all sorts of good stuff, including:
Is the term “New Adult fiction” synonymous
with “college romance”?
Is there a market for New Adult Fantasy?
Is Multi-Genre NA a Fantasy?
- Is it a worthy risk to add steamy
romance to a fantasy plot?
Romance
and fantasy are two of my favorite genres. So adding them together just makes a
book that much better in my mind. I’m aware that some fantasy fans prefer to
keep the bedroom door shut. And I’m aware that some romance fans are impatient
with too much worldbuilding. The Noon Onyx books are not their best choice.
The
readers who love these stories adore dark worlds, dangerous doings, and deeply
felt relationships.
- I fell in love with Empyr, a
restaurant and private club in the world of Halja with a wonderfully magical
wine menu. Was it loosely based on or inspired by a real experience you've had?
I
think it’s wonderful that you fell in love with Empyr. It’s nice to know that a
particular aspect of the world appeals because I spend lots of time tinkering
with the people, places, and things in Halja to get them the way I want them to
be, which is entertaining and purposeful.
I’ve
dined in private clubs at the top of tall buildings but I didn’t base Empyr on
any one place. The wine menu was inspired by various antique apples. I never
realized how boring the types of apples are that I eat. Red delicious, Macintosh,
gala, even the pink ladies seem positively prosaic compared to the vintage
varieties. I spent a lot of time at this site, studying names and descriptions:
- Did you plan all three books in
advance or did you encounter some surprises as you wrote along?
I
loosely plotted out a total of seven
books in the series, but none of the books have ended the way I originally
envisioned them so the series probably won’t either. I generally work off my
outline for at least the first half of the manuscript. Throughout the writing
process I allow myself to go “off script.” In Dark Light of Day, for example, the “petites fleurs” scene (chapter
2), Serafina, and Vigilia were not part of my original outline.
(AMAZING!
SEVEN!!!!)
- Are you going to write more Noon
Onyx stories?
I’m
actually in the process of deciding that now. I feel that White Heart of Justice ends in a place where those who have loved
the character and the world can walk
away satisfied. But it’s hard to say goodbye. Halja’s a fascinating place
and Noon is an interesting, strong character to write about. Part of me would
like to see where she goes next.
But
if I move forward with a fourth book, I’d likely be self-publishing it. It’s a
big commitment. So I’m asking readers to weigh in. After you finish WHOJ, let
me know whether you want more Noon Onyx stories! :-D
(NO,
NO, not satisfied, I NEED more!)
- What’s next?
The
next story of mine that will likely be available for purchase is a short story
called:
“Dream, Interrupted” in the Mammoth
Book of Southern Gothic Romance
http://www.amazon.es/Mammoth-Book-Southern-Gothic-Romance/dp/0762454725/
It features a new heroine, Corelei Neverest, who’s just as interesting as Noon.
Her world is different, of course, but it’s also dark, creepy, romantic, and
deadly.
- Any message for Spanish readers?
I
can only speak and read one language. So I’m humbled, awed, and grateful that
someone whose first language isn’t English would even read my books. Maybe someday
my books will be translated into other languages. I’d be thrilled. I still
remember the day I realized my blog had gotten hits from over a hundred
different countries. It was the most amazing feeling. The world is a big place but sharing stories can make it seem small and
intimate.
(such
a beautiful, endearing feeling, one of the reasons I love reading)
Thank you,
Babel, for this fantastic interview and for being such a great champion of
the series! If anyone wants to read more about White Heart of Justice, here’s a
link to its Amazon page in Spain:
Best wishes
and happy reading to everyone here at Tower of Babel!
**
White Heart of Justice
Noon Onyx
Book 3
Jill Archer
Genre:
Fantasy
Publisher:
Ace
Date
of Publication: May 27, 2014
Number
of pages: 304
Cover
Artist: Jason Chan
Since Lucifer claimed victory at Armageddon, demons,
angels, and humans have coexisted in uneasy harmony. Those with waning magic
are trained to maintain peace and order. But hostilities are never far from erupting…
After years of denying her abilities, Noon Onyx, the
first woman in history to wield waning magic, has embraced her power. She’s won
the right to compete in the prestigious Laurel Crown Race—an event that will
not only earn her the respect of her peers but also, if she wins, the right to
control her future. However, Noon’s task is nearly impossible: retrieve the
White Heart of Justice, a mythical sword that disappeared hundreds of years
ago. The sword is rumored to be hidden in a dangerous region of Halja that she
is unlikely to return from. But Noon’s life isn’t the only thing hanging in the
balance. The sword holds an awesome power that, in the wrong hands, could
reboot the apocalypse—and Noon is the only one who can prevent Armageddon from
starting again…
Tour giveaway details
$50 Amazon eGift Certificate (or bookseller of winner’s choice)
(international)
5 copies of White Heart of Justice
(or an earlier book in the series,
winner’s choice)
(international so long as Book Depository ships to your address)
Dark Light of Day themed SWAG pack
(incudes signed copy of book and other awesome goodies)
(US only)
Fiery Edge of Steel themed SWAG pack
(incudes signed copy of book and other awesome goodies)
(US only)
White Heart of Justice themed SWAG pack
(incudes signed copy of book and other awesome goodies)
Estoy tremendamente feliz de haber descubierto a esta autora y sus libros, y de haber podido disfrutar de una lectura maravillosa y un breve, pero emocionante interludio de amor de fan. La autora ha sido majísima con su disponibilidad para la entrevista y dejando un mensaje para los lectores españoles :o)
Babel fantásticamente adicta.
