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WORK TITLE: REBEL, BRAVE AND BRUTA
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PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://shannondittemore.com/
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COUNTRY: United States
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LAST VOLUME: SATA 368
http://www.leisurereads.com/broken-wings-shannon-dittemore/ http://www.bookangelbooktopia.com/2013/02/review-broken-wings-by-shannon-dittemore.html
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Daughter of pastors; married, 2002; husband’s name Matt (a preacher); children: Justus, Jazlyn.
EDUCATION:Attended Portland Bible College.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and novelist. Writing teacher on junior and senior high-school level. Participates in adult and youth ministry.
AVOCATIONS:Community theatre.
MEMBER:Inspire Christian Writers.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Shannon Dittemore began writing as a creative outlet when her two children were young, and her first young-adult novel, Angel Eyes, was released in 2012. Dittemore expanded her story into a paranormal trilogy that gained fans due to her saga’s religious and inspirational underpinnings. She reached a far broader readership with Winter, White and Wicked, a teen fantasy that plays out on a frozen island with an uncertain future.
Winter, White and Wicked transports readers to the island of Layce, a land originally inhabited by the Shiv. Sentient and partially rock-like, the Shiv still resent the human-like Kerce, which sought sanctuary on Layce three centuries before. Seventeen-year-old Sylvi Quine is a Kerce. With her parents dead, the pale-haired teen survives on her wits: working as a smuggler, she hauls illegal goods long distances in her high-powered truck, the Sylver Dragon. The island spirit Winter is Sylvi’s protector, both from the weather and from the rebels that lead raids from their camps in the north. When Sylvi’s good friend, fellow smuggler Lenore reportedly joins the rebels and disappears, Sylvi is skeptical. Traveling north to locate Lenore, the teen is aided by fellow smuggler Mars Dresden and his cohorts: female warrior Hyla and Kyndel, a talented Shiv mechanic.
Praising Winter, White and Wicked as “a truly unique tale,” Maggie Mason noted in School Library Journal that the character of Winter directs much of the story’s plot. “A resilient though conflicted” teen, according to Mason, Sylvi’s evolving relationships with Dresden and his colleagues “provide … emotional pause between adventures.” A Kirkus Reviews critic cited the novel’s “cinematic science-fiction dystopian elements,” in particular noting the appearance of “reanimated monsters, wrathful Winter,” and “relentless action sequences.”
When readers first meet her in Angel Eyes, protagonist Brielle returns to her hometown of Stratus, Oregon, to recover from a tragedy that ended her dream of being a dancer. Amid her grief and guilt, Brielle befriends Jake, a newcomer who appears to have the power of healing. The young man is actually a supernatural being, protected by angels that fight any demons intent on doing him harm. Jake’s gift of a bracelet allows Brielle to see the hidden Celestial realms where confrontations between angels and demons usually occur. When the two team up to disrupt an evil scheme perpetrated by fallen angel Damien, they become not only targeted by Damien but of several other demons as well. A Publishers Weekly reviewer observed of Angel Eyes that Dittemore’s underlying theme is clearly stated: “Accepting that human understanding is limited and therefore trust in God’s greater, unknowable plan is key to being saved.”
Broken Wings finds Brielle and Jake romantically linked, even though she senses that he has secrets. Unfortunately, her ability to see the Celestial realms begins to affect Brielle’s health, adding to worries caused by her father’s excessive drinking. Meanwhile, Damien convinces Lucifer to capture Brielle and Jake and harness their powers for darker purposes. Events soon spin out of control for Brielle: her mother’s grave is found to be empty, she witnesses a terrible battle between angels and fallen angels, and Jake is lifted up into the sky and disappears.
Dittemore’s “Angel Eyes” trilogy concludes in Dark Halo, as Brielle continues to witness the ongoing battle between good and evil that rages, unseen, in the skies above her town. After talks with her father resolve a family rift, she works to locate Jake. After meeting with the Prince of Darkness himself, the teen must decide whether to accept his tempting offer or remain self-reliant and stay the course. Praising Broken Wings, Ragan O’Malley suggested in her School Library Journal review that the saga should appeal to “teens who like paranormal, edge-of-your-seat drama with a strong Christian message.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2013, review of Broken Wings; September 1, 2020, review of Winter, White and Wicked.
Publishers Weekly, May 21, 2012, review of Angel Eyes, p. 59.
School Library Journal, March, 2013, Ragan O’Malley, review of Broken Wings, p. 154; September, 2020, Maggie Mason, review of Winter, White and Wicked, p. 85.
ONLINE
Romantic Times Book Reviews, http://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (October 20, 2013), Lindy J. Swanson, reviews of Angel Eyes, Broken Wings, and Dark Halo.
Shannon Dittemore website, http://shannondittemore.com (February 12, 2021).*
Shannon Dittemore is an author and speaker. Her young adult books include the Angel Eyes trilogy, a supernatural foray into the invisible world, as well as the fantastical adventure duology Winter, White and Wicked and its sequel, Rebel, Brave and Brutal.
Shannon's stories feature unforgettable characters who grapple with fear and faith as they venture into the wilds of the unknown. She’s often wondered if she’s writing her own quest for bravery again and again.
It’s a choice she values highly. Bravery. And she’s never more inspired than when young people ball up their fist and punch fear in the face.
To that end, Shannon frequently offers classes providing junior high and high school students with an introduction to creative writing and the publishing industry. Tools she hopes will enable them to use their voices in new and powerful ways.
Together with authors Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson, she encourages young writers online at Go Teen Writers, an instructional blog recognized by Writer’s Digest five years running as a "101 Best Websites for Writers" selection.
To learn more about Shannon’s speaking engagements, and to request an event, please visit the Events page.
Shannon is represented by Holly Root of Root Literary.
Shannon Dittemore
Shannon Dittemore has an overactive imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local theater companies, and a focus on youth and young adult ministry. The daughter of one preacher and the wife of another, she spends her days imagining things unseen and chasing her two children around their home in Northern California. Angel Eyes is her first novel.
Genres: Inspirational, Young Adult Fantasy
Series
Angel Eyes
1. Angel Eyes (2012)
2. Broken Wings (2013)
3. Dark Halo (2013)
Winter, White and Wicked
1. Winter, White and Wicked (2020)
2. Rebel, Brave and Brutal (2023)
Q&A: Shannon Dittemore, Author of ‘Rebel, Brave and Brutal’
Elise Dumpleton·Writers Corner·January 28, 2023·3 min read
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We chat with Shannon Dittemore about Rebel, Brave and Brutal, which is the gripping sequel to Winter, White and Wicked that boasts the thrills of Mad Max: Fury Road and the icy magic of Frozen.
Hi, Shannon! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Absolutely! Obviously, I spend a lot of time reading and writing, but I also enjoy hiking and the outdoors. I’ve done a little theatre, and I enjoy teaching the craft of writing. I’m one of three authors who make up the team at GoTeenWriters.com, a blog dedicated to the encouragement and instruction of young writers. This year, I signed on to to teach two high school creative writing classes as well. It’s been a rather full stretch for me!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve always read, and enjoyed writing. As a kid, I was too busy wanting to be an astronaut to ever entertain the idea that it could be a job, but I wrote nonetheless, and I won awards, so clearly there was something there. I didn’t begin to pursue writing as a career until after my second child was born. I was 29 years old and really missing a creative outlet. As a young mom, I found myself unwilling to give up my evenings with my little family, and that was a requirement if I were to step back onto the stage. One night, while walking a crying baby around the house, I realized I could scratch that creative itch by telling stories from home. That was nearly 15 years ago and I’ve been writing for publication ever since.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
I am so bad at lightning rounds, but here goes!
First book I remember reading: Where the Red Fern Grows. SO STINKING SAD!
The one that made me want to become an author: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets because creating magical words had to be the best job ever.
The one I can’t stop thinking about: The Likeness by Tana French. Just read it.
Rebel, Brave and Brutal, the follow-up to Winter, White and Wicked, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Magic ice rigger fights back.
What can readers expect?
There’s a lot of action in this one, a lot of adventure. After the treacherous journey of book one, REBEL, BRAVE AND BRUTAL will see a larger crew of rebels joining their skills together to challenge the ruling class on the frozen isle of Layce. Sylvi, of course, takes center stage, and her ability to use Winter as a weapon is both blessing and curse. We get to see that struggle throughout. There’s also a deepening thread of romance in this one, a different kind of blessing and curse to be sure.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further?
I love this crew, all of them! I love watching them work together, and the friction that brings. Lots of room for snarky dialogue and heartfelt interactions. Mars Dresden was particularly fun this go round. He’s just such an easy character for me to hear. One day, I really should pen his story. Winter was fun as well. Further exploring her relationship with Sylvi was incredibly fulfilling.
See also
Q&A: Greta Kelly, Author of ‘The Seventh Queen’
Do you have any advice for those who may have set some writing resolutions for the new year?
There’s nothing quite so daunting as a resolution, is there? The best advice I’ve got is this: When your muse shows up, make time for her. It’s not easy to get words on the page—EVER—so when these special moments of motivation and inspiration align, you must grab hold. They’re few and far between, and it would be a tragedy not to capitalize on them.
What’s next for you?
I have two projects in the works right now. One is a YA fantasy, and it’s working its way through the submission process as we speak. The other is a historical mystery, and I’m moving like a snail on that one. I get caught up in the details, so I’m having to learn to balance the research and creativity pieces. A challenge for sure!
Lastly, are there any 2023 book releases our readers should look out for?
Oh, great question! I think Tana French has a new book out this year, and I am so ready for it! On the fantasy front, I’m actively awaiting some sequels: Return of the Vengeful Queen by CJ Redwine, Shades of Rust and Ruin #2 by AG Howard, and The Looking Glass Illusion by Sara Ella.
You can find Shannon on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads, along with at her website!
Dittemore, Shannon REBEL, BRAVE AND BRUTAL Amulet/Abrams (Teen None) $18.99 1, 10 ISBN: 978-1-4197-5770-9
In this sequel to Winter, White and Wicked (2020), Sylvi's band of rebels returns to fight for their future--using Winter as a weapon.
After Sylvi discovers the truth about who she is and the power she holds over Winter, she, her brother, Mars, and her revolutionary friends are on the run from the Majority. As they cross the Kol Sea on their way to meet the king of Paradyia, hoping he will lend his army for their fight against their oppressors in Layce, Sylvi comes up with a different option, one that could avoid an all-out bloody war. It's a daring and dangerous plan that sends them home, back to where everything started. In the meantime, the curse-bond between Kyn and Sylvi starts to take a toll on their budding romance, and Sylvi's long-lasting, turbulent relationship with Winter comes to a standstill. This volume sees Sylvi embracing her role as the chosen one and the de facto leader of a revolution--but not without some thoughtful rumination about her feelings for Winter, easily the highlight of an otherwise superficial story that doesn't flesh out the Majority as a villain and relies on a deus ex machina infodump for its denouement. The fast-paced, plot-driven narrative leads to a rushed, simplistic resolution to a story hundreds of years in the making. The main characters read White; racial diversity exists in the world.
A flat and compressed duology closer. (map) (Fantasy. 12-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Dittemore, Shannon: REBEL, BRAVE AND BRUTAL." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2022, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A729072597/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=9709dc57. Accessed 17 May 2023.