Unravel (Linked #2)by Imogen Howson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 8th 2014
Untold dangers await telepathic twins in this sequel to the futuristic, romantic thriller called classic sci-fi, space-travel adventure at its best. After Elissa and Lin exposed the government's secret experiments inLinked, which Booklistcalled a roller-coaster ride into space that just about everyone should enjoy, their home planet Sekoia is thrown into chaos. Determined to do their part to help the planet they've hurt, they return to Sekoia only to discover that things are far worse that they imagined. Resources are suddenly scarce, people are scared, and there's a rising current of anger against the Spares. When Lissa and Lin find themselves among another group of Spares and twins, they feel like they've found their kindred spirits at last. But a threat none of them could have expected is lying in wait for Sekoia's Spares.
What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
The inspiration for Linked came from an article I read, about teenage twins who had a telepathic link. I didn’t intend it to have a sequel, but once I’d finished writing it I knew that there was more story to tell. Unravel is quite a bit longer than Linked, so it turned out there was LOTS more story to tell!
Who is your favorite character in the book?
I think Lin is my favorite character. I like the way she doesn’t have much of a social filter—she says the things other people might be thinking, but they’re too polite to say them.
Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel was called Telepathic Twins Save the World for ages, and then it was called Shattered, and then my publisher said it needed a title change because there was another book out that was also called Shattered, so it became Unravel. So the novel definitely came first!
What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
There’s a scene right in the middle of the book, where the characters are under attack from a terrorist group. It’s full of action, which is kind of hard to write because it’s difficult to make it clear what’s happening at the same time as making it fast moving. And there’s this bit where Cadan is running to safety and one of the terrorists throws a grenade at him, and Elissa thinks it’s going to hit him. It’s a really short scene, but, for me, it’s incredibly vivid—I can see it the way you see a scene in a movie. So I’m really pleased that I’ve written something that works so well for me, at least. I hope it works well for other people too!
Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
I think the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that writing never gets easier, so there’s no point worrying about it and thinking “surely this should be easier by now?”. Every book is just as hard as the one before—and sometimes a lot harder.
What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I love the cover of Unravel. I think what I like best is that it carries on the themes on the cover of Linked, but reimagines them in a totally distinctive and new way.
What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2014?
I just saw a new release being promoted on Twitter last week. It’s called Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neill, and it was described as “Mean Girls meets The Handmaid’s Tale”. Howcool does that sound?
What was your favorite book in 2013?
Oh, so many… I loved Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley, and also Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein.
What’s up next for you?
It’s kind of a mystery! To me, I mean—I’m not being deliberately mysterious. I’m working on three different projects. Two science fiction and one that’s completely different, because it’s a contemporary book, which I never write. None of them have sold yet, which is always a scary time.
Is there anything that you would like to add?
Thank you for hosting me on this tour, obviously! And while I’m here, can I recommend everyone goes and buys Undone by Cat Clarke? It just won the Lancashire Book of the Year Award, which is judged entirely by young adults, and it’s the most powerful book I’ve read in as long as I can remember.
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As a child, I loved reading so much that I not only read in bed, at the table and in the bath, but in the shower and – not so successfully – on my bicycle.
I enjoyed books in a slightly unorthodox way, too – many of my childhood books have ragged edges where I tore paper from the margins in order to eat it.
I wrote my first book at eight. It was entitled The Dragon in the Teapot and would probably have been a huge hit if I hadn’t lost the only copy on a family day out.
Some years later, armed with several different types of backups, I’m busy writing romantic science fiction and fantasy for young adults and adults.
I live with my partner, our two teenage daughters, and three cats, near Sherwood Forest in England. I’m a Christian, a feminist, and a lover of cheese, chocolate, stationery shops and eighties pop music. I still read in most places, but I no longer eat paper.
I’m a member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the group blogs The Lucky 13s and Author Allsorts, and the online writers’ community Romance Divas. I’m represented by Mandy Hubbard of D4EO Literary Agency.
You can keep in touch with me on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/imogenhowsonauthor – or Twitter –http://twitter.com/imogenhowson.
Or please feel free to contact me by email.
My BFF and roommate throughout college would be my twin sister. When we'd be out in public and wanted to draw the other's attention to something, we had our own nonverbal cues and code language.
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