Interview With Sarah Rees Brennan

It's rare for me to take to my blog and gush about a book outside of an author interview. The one exception I can recall from the last two years was Sarah Rees Brennan's DEMON'S LEXICON. That book blew my mind. Literally. There I was, totally captivated by the story, entranced by the vivid characters, sucked into the plot so thoroughly I couldn't bear to sleep until I finished the book when suddenly WHAM. Sarah did something very few authors ever manage to do. She surprised me. Completely. I thought I saw the plot twist coming at the end. I was SO INCREDIBLY WRONG. I was left reeling in the most delicious sense of the word. I raced back through my memory of the story and saw all the stepping stones leading to this moment and acknowledged that Sarah had now irrevocably earned my total devotion.

I approach a lot of authors asking if they'll be interviewed on this blog. I don't feel nervous about it. These are my peeps and I can't wait to share their awesome stories with my readers. But this time? My hands were shaking as I sent Sarah a message. When she instantly responded with not only gracious acceptance but enthusiasm, I literally fangirl squealed right there at my laptop. And then I destroyed all chance of Sarah thinking I was calm, cool, and collected by informing her of said squealage. I may have said something about being her number one fan. (Probably true. Anyone who wants to fight me for the title can face my Spork of Doom.) And maybe I said something about chasing teenagers down the YA aisle at Books a Million with her book in my hand. (Also true. Just, um, let's not mention me by name at BAM, yes?) And she was still enthusiastic about the interview. Yay!

The sequel to DL just came out and I've been devouring it as well. Here's a peek at DEMON'S COVENANT:

Mae Crawford always thought she was in control. Now she's learned that her little brother Jamie is a magician and Nick, the boy she'd set her heart on, has an even darker secret. Mae's whole world has spun out of control, and it's only going to get worse. When she realises that Jamie has been meeting secretly with the new leader of the Obsidian Circle and that Gerald wants him to join the magicians, she's not sure how to stop Jamie doing just that. Calling in Nick and Alan as reinforcements only leads to a more desperate conflict because Gerald has a plan to bring Nick down - by using Alan to spring a deadly trap. With those around her torn between divided loyalties and Mae herself torn between her feelings for two very different boys, she sees a chance to save them all - but it means approaching the mysterious and dangerous Goblin Market alone...

Sarah chose to be interviewed by that bastion of charm, Captain Jack Sparrow.


Captain Jack Sparrow




Sarah Rees Brennan



Now that you know who's who, let's dive into the interview and reveal the gorgeous cupcake my hubby made for Sarah. In Sarah's series, there's a demon mark that you do NOT want on your body. Sarah sent me a pic of it and my hubby reproduced it on a cupcake. Without further ado, I give you the cupcake and Sarah's interview with Captain Jack.



1. Would you classify yourself as a pirate or a member of Her Majesty’s Royal navy? Why?

I would classify myself as a member of Her Majesty's royal navy, so pirates and I can have an antagonistic and exciting relationship! Um... also for truth and justice. And the Queen: my uncle, who is a diplomat, takes tea with her and assures me she's lovely.

2. I'm not exactly sure what to do with a man who takes tea with the Queen. Unless, of course, he's slipping a few of her valuables into his pockets at the same time? Perhaps a gold-plated teaspoon? I do, however, know what to do with a woman who has an antagonistic relationship with me. What’s your favorite thing to do in Tortuga?

I don't know, sugar. What are you doing tonight?

3. Whatever it is, I can assure you it doesn't involve tea. It may, however, increase the antagonistic and exciting elements of our relationship. *winks* I’m offering you free passage aboard my ship to anywhere in the world. Where shall we go, love?

I pick Australia. Not only because I've always wanted to go there - I have relatives there who are silversmiths for the Queen of England and my friend Justine Larbalestier is Australian and swears it is an earthly paradise - but because that's a long voyage with a handsome pirate...

4. What is it with your family and the Queen? *shakes head* Let's focus more on the voyage with the handsome pirate. Who is the hero of your story most like: me (savvy, debonair, and unquestionably smooth with the ladies), the insufferably honorable Will Turner, or that deceptive little minx Elizabeth?

Actually, that is a difficult question! Nick, the hero of my story, is really, really ridiculously good-looking, so he does fine with the ladies, but he's a whole lot surly and a whole lot not smooth. As for honourable, you can forget it... That said, his brother Alan, who co-heroes for me often, is absolutely and definitely a deceptive little minx.

5. Interesting combination. You may want to guard the rum around Alan. I've had a bit of experience with deceptive little minxes and the rum is never safe. Nor is your life, come to think of it. Rum? Or more rum?

That second one. With a pink umbrella.

6. My kind of woman! Despite your regrettable connections with that tea-swilling Queen. And your deceptive little minx of a co-hero. Which leads me to the age old question: Why is the rum always gone?

I don't know what you're talking about. *hides tiny umbrella behind back*

7. You are a sly one, aren't you? What’s the most piratish thing you’ve ever done?

Leaped from a high window in my undergarments, narrowly avoiding crushing a nun. (I had a misspent youth. There's also the butter incident and the pier incident and the fire extinguisher incident. Maybe I need to go back and review my answer to question one...)

8. Darling, no need to review. You are a pirate at heart. If the rum-stealing hadn't already proven the fact, your admirable ability to crush nuns while wearing nothing but your undergarments is undeniable proof. Are they rules? Or more like guidelines?

I keep hearing rules like 'don't change points of view' and 'centre your story on ROMANCE, not family.' Since I keep breaking them, I guess they'd better be guidelines...

9. That's my girl! Any undead monkeys in your stories?

Actually... there's this one bit in book three... Maybe I should talk to my friend Jennifer Lynn Barnes about that. (She is a monkey mad scientist as well as a writer, and I don't want to get any facts wrong.)

10. You crush nuns while wearing nothing but undergarments AND befriend monkey mad scientists? I see I'm going to have to keep a weather eye on you. Any curses in your story? Heartless monsters? Irritating women who insist on taking matters into their own hands?

Countless curses! (Magicians are an untrustworthy bunch.) At least three heartless monsters, and one of them is the hero. And every single woman in the books insists on taking matters into their own hands, the wenches. This leads to things like numerous people going on fire.

11. I'm not surprised you've got people being set on fire with headstrong wenches running rampant through your pages. One of my favorite words is “egregious.” Care to share one of yours, love?

Sneachta. I'm Irish, and it's an Irish word: I like it because it sounds just like the sound of snow crunching under your boots. 'SNEACH-ta.' Very satisfying. Also now you know some Irish!

12. Darling, I find the judicious application of rum solves all language barriers. Parlay? Or draw your sword?

Well, I fence, and most of my characters are a violent crowd. So I draw my sword! Plenty of time for parlay if I look like losing later...

13. A woman who can also wield a sword? Shall we run away together? You’ve got a crowd of cursed sailors and a nasty sea monster on your trail. How do you escape?

My enemy's enemy is my friend! I romance the sea monster (stop LOOKING at me like that, romance with supernatural creatures is very hot right now) and then he crunches the bones of the sailors to powder and we ride away into the sunset! Me & Nessie 4 Eva.

14. ROMANCE THE SEA MONSTER? *chokes* I refuse to dignify that with a response. Romantic night in? Preferably with me and NOT a sea monster. Or adventure on the high seas?

Romantic night on the high seas! I'm an all or everything kind of girl.

15. I truly adore that about you. My personal motto is: Take what you want, give nothing back. What’s yours?

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, magic in it. Begin it now. - I stole it from Goethe. I really may make it big as a pirate.

Darling, I was never fooled. *hands you pirate hat and broadsword* Welcome aboard, mate.


Thank you, Sarah, for such an entertaining interview! And for leaving me with a vivid mental image of you leaping on top of a nun while wearing undergarments. I fear I may never be the same. lol

To learn more about Sarah and her books, visit her site. Of course the fun isn't over yet! Sarah has graciously offered to give away a signed copy of DEMON'S LEXICON. International entries are welcome!

How to Enter:

1. Earn entries:

*Comment on this post with a question or comment for Sarah = 1 entry

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2. Tally it up: Please tally up your entries and leave the total in your comment.


3. Check back: The contest is open until 8 p.m. Saturday, July 3rd. Please check back to see if you've won and to claim your prize!