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WORK TITLE: A Treason of Thorns
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WEBSITE: https://www.lauraeweymouth.com
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COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: Canadian
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PERSONAL
Born in Ontario, Canada; married; children: two daughters.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
AVOCATIONS:Gardening, raising chickens, baking, cooking, playing piano, knitting.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Born in Ontario, Canada, Laura E. Weymouth is a writer based in New York state. She is the author of fantasy books for young adults.
Weymouth’s debut novel is The Light Between Worlds, a book inspired by the celebrated C.S. Lewis series, “The Chronicles of Narnia.” In an interview with Beth Edwards, contributor to the YA and Kids! Books Central website, Weymouth explained how the book came to be. She stated: “I’ve always wanted to read a book about what happens after the adventure in a YA novel. And then I serendipitously saw a tweet in which a publishing professional was looking for a book about Susan Pevensie after the ‘Narnia’ series. I couldn’t stop thinking about that idea, and finally decided I wanted to write a story about a family similar to the Pevensies, caught in parallel circumstances and struggling to cope in a way the Pevensie children never seem to.” Weymouth’s book finds three sisters—Jamie, Philippa, and Evelyn—being sent from their home in London to a rural location away from the violence of World War II. When they visit their parents in the city, an air raid occurs, and they girls hide underground in the bomb shelter. There, their world transforms, and they find themselves in a magical place called the Great Woods. When they return to the real world, Evelyn, the youngest, has a difficult time adjusting and eventually disappears, possibly having gone back to the Great Woods. Meanwhile, Philippa studies in America and joins the National Gallery when she returns to the U.K. Even after she meets and falls for a wounded soldier named Jack, Philippa struggles with feelings of guilt surrounding Evelyn’s disappearance.
Regarding the themes of the book, Weymouth told Jonathon Svendsen, writer on the Narnia Fans website: “At its heart, The Light Between Worlds is about home and belonging. Where do we belong? Is home a place we find or a place we make? Can we ever really return home once we’ve left? Is it possible to be happy when you’re not sure where you belong? So there’s that. It’s also about the harm war does, not just to those directly involved in conflict, but to those who end up as collateral damage. And lastly it’s about holding onto hope in the middle of hardship.” In a favorable assessment of the volume in Resource Links, Patricia Jermey commented: “This novel will appeal especially to readers sensitive to the allure of fantasy, to the pain of loss, and to the special bond between sisters. The role of poetry and art as a means to explore emotions is an added bonus.”
Violet Sterling is heir to the position of Caretaker of Burleigh House, a position a member of her family has held for generations. However, a prohibited act by her father leads to Violet’s expulsion from the estate. After some time, Violet returns to Burleigh, finding the estate in terrible shape and her father dead. She must save Burleigh soon, or the King has vowed to burn it down. Weymouth discussed the inspiration behind A Treason of Thorns in an interview with a contributor to the Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club website. She stated: “A lot of disparate pieces came together to form A Treason of Thorns, but the very earliest seed was a microfiction I wrote on Twitter, about a girl sitting in an enchanted garden, waiting to entertain an unwanted suitor.” Writing again in Resource Links, Jermey suggested: “Although many of the images are cinematic, as the House magic is expressed, the plot and characters rarely rise above fairy tale tropes.” A critic in Kirkus Reviews asserted: “Weymouth’s … prose is lush and evocative, filled with palpable descriptions and compelling mystery.”
In an interview with with Elise Dumpleton, contributor to the Nerd Daily website, Weymouth gave this advice to aspiring writers: “Read widely and write with abandon. Try writing in a lot of different genres, a lot of different styles. Practice imitating other voices and inventing new ones until you find something that’s a perfect, organic fit for you. And give yourself at least a couple years at the outset where you’re NOT writing with the goal of publication, so you can take those literary risks that will allow you to hone your style.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
BookPage, December, 2018, Jill Ratzan, review of The Light Between Worlds, p. 42.
Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2019, review of A Treason of Thorns.
Resource Links, December, 2018, Patricia Jermey, review of The Light Between Worlds, p. 39; October, 2019, Patricia Jermey, review of A Treason of Thorns, p. 45.
ONLINE
Laura E. Weymouth website, https://www.lauraeweymouth.com/ (March 3, 2021).
Narnia Fans, https://narniafans.com/ (November 18, 2018), Jonathon Svendson, author interview.
Nerd Daily, https://www.thenerddaily.com/ (September 8, 2019), Elise Dumpleton, author interview.
Perks of Being Noura, https://theperksofbeingnourablog.wordpress.com/ (February 6, 2020), author interview.
Unofficial Addition Book Fan Club, http://theunofficialadditionbookfanclub.blogspot.com/ (September 10, 2019), author interview.
YA and Kids! Books Central, https://www.yabookscentral.com/ (December 10, 2018), Beth Edwards, author interview.
Laura Weymouth is a Canadian living in exile in America, and the sixth consecutive generation of her family to immigrate from one country to another. Born and raised in the Niagara region of Ontario, she now lives at the edge of the woods in western New York in a house that may or may not have chicken feet.
Laura’s debut YA fantasy, The Light Between Worlds, was published to critical acclaim in 2018, and her sophomore novel, A Treason of Thorns, released in September of 2019. Her third YA, A Rush of Wings–a retelling of the classic fairytale The Wild Swans–is forthcoming from McElderry in Fall 2021. She is represented by the inimitable Lauren Spieller of TriadaUS.
Laura’s Press Kit is available here.
FAQ
1. Agent?
Real-life superhero Lauren Spieller of TriadaUS.
2. Favorite Books?
The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta; MEM by Bethany Morrow; Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie Dao; Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake; The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix; Plain Kate by Erin Bow; All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin; An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson; The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden; A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle; The Collected Letters of CS Lewis (no, really!)
3. Writing Music?
YES, always! I listen to a lot of movie scores (The Village, Jane Eyre, The Duchess, Song of the Sea, Kingdom of Heaven, Whale Rider) and a lot of female vocalists (Ingrid Michaelson, AURORA, Birdy, Regina Spektor, Florence + the Machine)
4. Favorite Movies/TV?
Ever After. Any Jane Austen adaptation ever. Wives and Daughters. North and South. The first season of Poldark. Downton Abbey. Star Trek. Farscape. Firefly. The Great British Bake Off. Escape to the Country. The Painted Veil. Water. The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions.
5. Hobbies?
Gardening, whenever possible. Raising chickens. Baking, though my food is almost always ugly. Playing piano, badly. Knitting, also badly. Begging my husband for sheep. Moisturizing. Concocting and consuming delicious soups.
6. I am a librarian/bookseller/book blogger and would like a review copy of one of your books! Where can I get one?
Digital review copies of forthcoming novels will be available via Edelweiss. Physical copies are limited, but if you get in touch with me via the contact form on this website, I’ll forward your information to my publicist!
7. Social Media?
Twitter and Pinterest
Laura E. Weymouth was born and raised in Ontario; she now lives in western New York, along with her husband, two wild-hearted daughters, a spoiled cat, and an indeterminate number of chickens. She is the author of the critically acclaimed The Light Between Worlds and can be found online at www.lauraeweymouth.com.
Author Interview | Laura E. Weymouth, Author of The Light Between Worlds
6 FEB 2020 THEPERKSOFBEINGNOURABLOGLEAVE A COMMENT
author interview
Today’s interview is very very special to me.
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Say hello to the wonderful Laura E. Weymouth the author of The Light Between Worlds and A Treason of Thorns. I am so thrilled to be interviewing one such a great author. Have you read any of her books yet?
And onto the interview we go!
https://i.imgur.com/t87BuXJ.jpg
The Light Between Worlds has been one of my most anticipated (which reminds me I should get my review up soon). It was a really wonderful and unique read. What inspired you to write this special book?
The Light Between Worlds was actually born on Twitter! I saw someone in the publishing industry requesting a book about Susan Pevensie after Narnia, and thought that sounded really intriguing, and that I’d love to read a book like that. A few months later, I saw the request again and the idea had been percolating in my mind ever since. I knew I had to be the one to write it. And along the way, the story grew into its own self, so that it’s not about the Pevensies specifically, but about anyone caught in a situation similar to theirs—trying to deal with the aftermath of an adventure, and feeling caught between two worlds.
Can you give a brief summary on what The Light Between Worlds is about for those who haven’t come across it yet?
The Light Between Worlds is the story of three siblings, Evelyn, Philippa, and Jamie Hapwell, who were swept away to an enchanted kingdom called the Woodlands as children. They’re dealing with the aftermath of that adventure, and the aftermath of the second world war, and can’t talk about the former to anyone. Evelyn, who’s the youngest, really struggles to cope as she felt she’d found her home in the Woodlands and wants nothing more to return. And Philippa in particular has spent years in the wake of their adventure just trying to keep Evelyn together.
Do you have any advice on writing for all those aspiring authors?
Read widely and write with abandon. Reading outside your preferred genre will help you develop your craft in ways that sticking to one corner of the literary world won’t (I love both nonfiction and poetry, in addition to genre fiction.) And take risks with your writing, while you still can. Doing so is one of the best ways to hone your voice and learn what works and what doesn’t for you.
(Noura’s note: Best kind of advice!)
Was becoming an author always a dream of yours or did you dream of something else before that?
Until I was about ten, all I wanted in life was to be a vet. But I loved writing, and when I developed very severe allergies to pet dander (which have now abated a good deal) I quickly switched my “when I grow up” goal to becoming an author. And now I’m an author who has a menagerie of animals, so I feel like I’ve really ended up with the best of both worlds!
Are there any authors that have inspired you?
Growing up, Madeleine L’Engle, CS Lewis, and Ursula le Guin. And more recently, I’d love to write with the empathy of Melina Marchetta, the sharpness and clarity of Bethany C. Morrow, and the lush, immersive worldbuilding of Natasha Ngan.
What are some of your favorite reads in 2018?
My standout read of 2018 was MEM by Bethany C. Morrow. I also loved Beneath the Haunting Sea by Joanna Meyer, Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan, The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert, and An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson.
(Noura’s note: Some books to look into 😍)
If you could swap places with a fictional character (whether your own or otherwise) who would you be?
Bilbo Baggins. Everything always comes out right in the end for Bilbo, and once he leans into his more adventurous side, he seems to have a pretty good time no matter what’s going on. Plus then I could spend decades puttering around the Shire and retire to the beauty of Valinor!
So, let’s say you’re stranded on an island and you only have three books with you. What would those three books be?
Finnikin of the Rock, Froi of the Exiles, and Quintana of Charyn. Together they make up the Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta. It’s my absolute favorite fantasy series and I re-read it annually. It’s a gorgeous, raw, open-hearted look at the refugee experience and what it means to be part of a diaspora told through a fantasy lens. Absolutely exceptional storytelling.
How long has the idea for The Light Between Worlds been in your head? and how do you feel now that it’s out there?
The Light Between Worlds is quite new in the grand scheme of things! I first read the manuscript request that sparked the concept in the spring of 2016, drafted over the summer, signed with an agent in fall, sold the book in December of the same year, and then it hit bookshelves in October 2018. My second novel, A Treason of Thorns, is a newer idea as well, but the project I’m currently drafting is an old one—it’s a story I’ve been trying to tell in some form or other since I was in my late teens.
If the fans of The Light Between Worlds had to take back one message or life lesson, what would that be?
The importance of moving towards hope and the possibility of healing, whether others can see and understand your motivations or not.
Any future projects that we should look forward to?
Yes! As I mentioned above, I have a second standalone fantasy novel coming out in September of this year! It’s entitled A Treason of Thorns, and you can add it on Goodreads.
(Noura’s note: This interview took some time to go up because of an email error so A Treason of Thorns is already out!)
QUOTED: "Read widely and write with abandon. Try writing in a lot of different genres, a lot of different styles. Practice imitating other voices and inventing new ones until you find something that’s a perfect, organic fit for you. And give yourself at least a couple years at the outset where you’re NOT writing with the goal of publication, so you can take those literary risks that will allow you to hone your style."
Elise Dumpleton·Writers' Corner·September 8, 2019·3 min read
Q&A: Laura E. Weymouth, Author of ‘A Treason of Thorns’
A Treason of Thorns Laura E Weymouth
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Dark, gripping, and utterly unique, this atmospheric historical fantasy from critically acclaimed author Laura E. Weymouth is perfect for fans of ‘The Hazel Wood’ and ‘Caraval’.
After the release of her debut novel last year, Laura E. Weymouth returns with a new YA fantasy that will have you hooked! We chat to Laura about A Treason of Thorns and its inspiration, along with book recommendations, writing, and more!
Hi Laura! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m a fulltime kid-wrangler/animal-keeper and part-time author/Baba Yaga, who lives at the edge of the woods in western New York. I like coffee (though it doesn’t like me) running (though I’m terrible at it) and being surrounded by living things.
A Treason of Thorns is set to release on September 10th. If you could only use five words to describe it, what would they be?
Fierce and prickly pastoral gothic.
Now let’s hear a little more! What can readers expect?
A Treason of Thorns is the story of Violet Sterling, the dispossessed daughter of a treasonous nobleman, whose family has long served as Caretakers to a sentient estate called Burleigh House. When Vi’s given the opportunity to return to her family home after her father’s execution, she seizes it, only to discover that Burleigh House itself is slowly dying, and that if it fails, there could be severe consequences for the surrounding land. It’s up to Vi to decide whether her House is worth fighting for, or if, as others believe, it should be put down.
Where did the inspiration for A Treason of Thorns come from?
I’ve always been a history lover, and while a number of things factored into the development of the idea that became A Treason of Thorns, one of them was a fascination with how much of our personal stories houses witness. And particularly old stately homes in Europe, that see generations of the same family living under their roof. There’s a real sense of responsibility towards their homes among families who’ve been in one place for a long time, and so I thought what if the house was just as strongly bonded to its family? So that’s how Burleigh House came to be, and the rest of the book grew around it.
Did you face any challenges while writing?
HA! Yes. I have two daughters, who I describe as mildly feral. They’re seven and four and very lovely, happy kids but also absolute agents of chaos. I’m their fulltime carer first and foremost at this point, rather than a fulltime writer, so that’s definitely the biggest challenge—working my writing into the nooks and crannies of a pre-existing and nearly all-consuming endeavor.
Was there a certain scene or character you enjoyed writing?
Anytime I got to write interactions between Alfie and Espie was a DELIGHT, because I tend to write a lot of melancholy, brooding characters and to have two people who are so obviously on the same wavelength and so obviously having fun together no matter the circumstances was a treat.
See also
Infinity Son Adam Silvera Author Interview
Writers' Corner
Q&A: Adam Silvera, Author of ‘Infinity Son’
Your debut novel, The Light Between Worlds, published last year. How have things changed since then?
I sleep a lot less??? I always joke that my office hours are from 8pm till 11, after the kids are in bed. And sometimes people refer to me as a “critically-acclaimed author” which means I have to awkward-shuffle away, even if I can only do it internally.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Read widely and write with abandon. Try writing in a lot of different genres, a lot of different styles. Practice imitating other voices and inventing new ones until you find something that’s a perfect, organic fit for you. And give yourself at least a couple years at the outset where you’re NOT writing with the goal of publication, so you can take those literary risks that will allow you to hone your style.
What’s next for you?
A nap! But on a publishing front I have a few projects in the works, none of which I can talk about yet, so you’ll have to stay tuned!
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?
ALWAYS. My eternal blanket recommendation is the Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta which are the books of my heart and which I re-read annually. Recently I’ve loved the stylish and whip-smart MEM by Bethany C. Morrow, An Enchantment of Ravens and Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson, The Beholder by Anna Bright, and Echo North by Joanna Meyer.
Will you be picking up A Treason of Thorns? Tell us in the comments below!
QUOTED: "At its heart, The Light Between Worlds is about home and belonging. Where do we belong? Is home a place we find or a place we make? Can we ever really return home once we’ve left? Is it possible to be happy when you’re not sure where you belong? So there’s that. It’s also about the harm war does, not just to those directly involved in conflict, but to those who end up as collateral damage. And lastly it’s about holding onto hope in the middle of hardship."
Through a New Wardrobe: The NarniaFans Interview Series: Discovering “The Light Between Worlds” By Laura E. Weymouth
November 18, 2018 Jonathon Svendsen Interviews, Miscellaneous Fantasy, NarniaFans.com Comments Offon Through a New Wardrobe: The NarniaFans Interview Series: Discovering “The Light Between Worlds” By Laura E. Weymouth
The Light Between Worlds
Hey, everybody! Welcome back to “Through a New Wardrobe”, where we sit down and chat with some of today’s hottest writers who have been influenced by CS Lewis and the Land of Narnia. For today’s interview we sit down with author Laura E. Weymouth and discuss her novel The Light Between Worlds.
NARNIAFANS: Tell us a bit about yourself, for our readers that might not know much about you.
The Light Between Worlds
LW: Hi everyone! I’m a Canadian living in exile in America, and the sixth consecutive generation of my family to immigrate from one country to another. I grew up in the Niagara region of Ontario, but now live at the edge of the woods in western New York, along with my husband, two wild-hearted daughters, a spoiled cat, and an indeterminate number of chickens.
NF: How do you find time for writing?
LW: Currently, I work a *lot* of night shifts. I joke that my authorial office hours are from 8pm till 11pm, and that’s not far from the truth. My kids are still only 6 and 4, and life is really busy, but I enjoy being able to show my daughters that it’s possible to balance family and creative passions, if you’re willing to put in the work and do a lot of rearranging.
NF: Growing up did you have a favorite Narnia book? Why that one?
LW: My favorite has always been Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I love everything about the ship and the journey and the fascinating new islands Lucy and Edmund and Eustace explore along their way. And there’s something so achingly magical about the scene at the end, where the characters reach the world’s end and meet Aslan and are sent on their separate ways. It’s just a beautiful, enchanting book.
NF: Who was your favorite character?
I love Aravis because she’s so fiercely independent and lives her life with such bold, takes-no-prisoners passion. I will also NEVER forgive Aslan (or by extension, CS Lewis) for what he did to Aravis towards the end of The Horse and His Boy—that’s not a reasonable method of showing someone the error of their ways.
NF: In what way would you say that CS Lewis and the Narnia books influenced you as a writer?
LW: They taught me to look for hope and magic, in both the world around me and the world on the page. They showed me that there’s great value in continuing to view the world through the eyes of a child, and to always be on the watch for moments of wonder.
NF: Can you give us a quick teaser for The Light Between Worlds that will give us an idea of what we’re in for?
LW: Sure! The Light Between Worlds is the story of three siblings—Evelyn, Philippa, and Jamie Hapwell—who are swept away to a magical other realm called the Woodlands during an air raid in WWII. But rather than closely following the siblings’ adventure in that other realm, The Light Between Worlds focuses on what happens after they get back—how they cope, how they do or do not adjust, and what it’s like to have your life so fundamentally uprooted by an experience you can never tell anyone else about. Conceptually and archetypically, the story nods to the Narnia books, but also very much stands on its own.
Laura E. Weymouth
NF: What were your inspirations for the story of The Light Between Worlds?
LW: We see a lot of Big Adventures in Young Adult fantasy, and I’ve been wanting to write a story about the aftermath of one of those adventures for a long time. And I really wanted to write a book that included some of the things I loved seeing in books as a teen—beautiful poetry, and art references, and settings that feel real enough to step into.
NF: What themes did you try to convey in the story?
LW: At its heart, The Light Between Worlds is about home and belonging. Where do we belong? Is home a place we find or a place we make? Can we ever really return home once we’ve left? Is it possible to be happy when you’re not sure where you belong? So there’s that. It’s also about the harm war does, not just to those directly involved in conflict, but to those who end up as collateral damage. And lastly it’s about holding onto hope in the middle of hardship.
NF: One challenge in YA fiction is maintain a sense of authenticity in a book set in the past. I’ve read some that were even set 15 years ago that feel more like 2018. Your book however feels exactly like is set in the London of 1949 to the point that I could almost see Jamie, Philippa, and Evelyn Hapwell being schoolmates with Peter, Susan and Lucy Pevensie from Narnia. How did you achieve this? What kind of research did you do?
LW: I’m a former Medieval and Renaissance Studies major, and read/watch historical dramas from all time periods voraciously, so I came to this book with a fairly good instinct for how to build an immersive historical setting. And I did plenty of research, which is a process I enjoy anyway—I had to look up precisely what was still rationed in 1949/50, what an air raid actually sounded like, which bits of the National Gallery were still damaged in 1950, what the floor plan of the Gallery looked like then, what sort of cars Jack and Jamie would have driven, how art restoration actually *works* (I don’t have any sort of background in it), and the list goes on. I probably put 50 hours into research alone for this book, but it was fascinating and rewarding, and hopefully paid off!
NF: One thing intriguing to me in your fantasy world was that your Aslan figure, Cervus, was a Stag. What influenced this choice?
LW: I actually went on a field trip to a red deer farm when I was in elementary school, and was incredibly struck by how huge and regal red deer stags really are. So when I had come up with a creature to serve as Guardian of the Great Wood, the choice was obvious!
NF: How did you come up with the title?
LW: The quick answer is, I didn’t, my team did! The long answer is that we went through five titles before getting to The Light Between Worlds—the book started as The Once and Future Queen, became The Forever Queen, transformed into The Weight of Worlds, briefly spent time as The Vanishing Kingdom, and finally ended up as The Light Between Worlds, which is a title my excellent UK publisher, Chicken House, fielded.
NF: Are any of the experiences in the book based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
LW: Evelyn is very much me as a teen. I had that same acute sense of unbelonging, that manifested in depression and self-harm. Phil’s more myself now—I cope better, internalize more, but still sometimes default to a few destructive behaviors.
NF: Wow. Let me be honest and say, that I’m glad to hear that you made it through the other side. May I ask, if it’s not to personal, what helped get you from the “Evelyn” point to the “Phil” point in your life?
LW: You know, there were a lot of factors involved. While I was a teen and really struggling with a lot of things, it was immensely helpful to find books in which characters went through periods of depression or despair. Seeing what I was going through in fiction, when I felt like I couldn’t really talk about it, made a huge difference. That was one of the driving forces behind me writing The Light Between Worlds, too–books in which characters grapple with depression, but that end with hope and possibility, were so vital in my life and I wanted to add to their number.
There were other things too, of course. Age and time were helpful, as I came to realize that we all have darker and brighter seasons in life. And I came back to the Christian faith after walking away for a few years, which was and is a great source of comfort. I don’t think I’d have come back if it wasn’t for CS Lewis’s nonfiction–in particular, Surprised by Joy–and for Madeliene L’Engle’s candid, open-hearted way of speaking about faith, doubt, and the creative life.
NF: What was the hardest part of writing The Light Between Worlds?
LW: Getting into Ev’s headspace. I have to feel what I’m writing in order to convey genuine emotion in a scene, so I had quite a few miserable evenings over poor Ev and her struggles.
NF: Did you learn anything from writing The Light Between Worlds? What did you learn?
LW: To trust my instincts and give myself full creative rein when working. I’d written something prior to The Light Between Worlds that was perhaps more commercial, but also not unique enough for anyone to take a chance on it in today’s very competitive fantasy market. So with The Light Between Worlds I gave myself permission to just write the book *I* wanted to read, and to break whatever rules I felt like breaking along the way. It all seems to have worked out 😊
NF: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I know I should say CS Lewis, given the direction of this interview, but Madeleine L’Engle’s had a profound influence on my work, both through her fiction and nonfiction. She herself broke a lot of rules, stuffing her books with art and poetry and music, time travel and religion and science. She wrote with joy and courage and abandon, which I aspire to do as well.
NF: Please tell me there will be a sequel!
LW: I don’t have plans for one at the moment, unfortunately!
NF: What are your current projects?
LW: I have a second book coming out in September, which is also a standalone fantasy. It’s set in an alternate history England, where the well-being of the land is tied to and governed by five sentient magical manor Houses. Violet Sterling, the main character, has a long family history with one of the manors and becomes Caretaker of Burleigh House, only to discover that her House is slowly dying.
NF: Thank you so much for your time, Laura. It’s been an absolute delight to talk with you and read your book. Look for our review of the book coming soon.
QUOTED: "A lot of disparate pieces came together to form A Treason of Thorns, but the very earliest seed was a microfiction I wrote on Twitter, about a girl sitting in an enchanted garden, waiting to entertain an unwanted suitor."
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Interview with Laura E. Weymouth for A Treason of Thorns
A Treason of Thorns
by Laura E. Weymouth
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 10th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
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Synopsis:
Violet Sterling has spent the last seven years in exile, longing to return to Burleigh House. One of the six great houses of England, Burleigh’s magic always kept the countryside well. And as a child, this magic kept Violet happy, draping her in flowers while she slept, fashioning secret hiding places for her, and lighting fires on the coldest nights to keep her warm.
Everything shattered, though, when her father committed high treason trying to free Burleigh from the king’s oppressive control. He was killed, and Vi was forced into hiding.
When she’s given a chance to go back, she discovers Burleigh has run wild with grief. Vines and briars are crumbling the walls. Magic that once enriched the surrounding countryside has turned dark and deadly, twisting lush blooms into thorns, poisoning livestock and destroying crops. Burleigh’s very soul is crying out in pain.
Vi would do anything to help, and soon she finds herself walking the same deadly path as her father all those years before. Vi must decide how far she’s willing to go to save her house—before her house destroys everything she’s ever known.
Content warnings are available via the author's website.
Can you briefly describe A TREASON OF THORNS and its characters?
A Treason of Thorns is the story of Violet Sterling, the dispossessed daughter of a treasonous nobleman, who’s given the opportunity to return to her ancestral home after her father’s death. But Violet’s home, Burleigh House, is no ordinary English manor—it’s one of five Great Houses, ancient and sentient places of power that govern and guard the health and wellbeing of the land. Vi loves Burleigh House and Burleigh is devoted to her, but when she does return, she soon realizes that her House is, in fact, slowly dying. That could have very serious ramifications for the surrounding countryside, so Vi is faced with the difficult decision of risking everything to save her House, or putting it down, as many people believe she should.
Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?
Burleigh House, because it was so much fun as a writer to get to write both setting and character at once, and to convey emotion and information through things normally viewed as set-dressing.
How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?
A lot of disparate pieces came together to form A Treason of Thorns, but the very earliest seed was a microfiction I wrote on Twitter, about a girl sitting in an enchanted garden, waiting to entertain an unwanted suitor.
If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?
Burning House, by Cam. No contest.
If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?
Aaaaaaah, I’m honestly terrible at fan-casting! But there’s a Dutch model, Luca Hollestelle, who IS Violet Sterling in my head. I’ve never pictured her any other way. That’s the only person I have a super clear vision of in Treason, though.
Fall is almost here, and we love to find a cosy place to read our favourite books. What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?
I mean, I think you’d have the IDEAL reading experience if you could bring the book to one of the inns around Taunton, Somerset, and have a glass or two of scrumpy while you read. Since that’s a little cost-prohibitive for most North American readers, I’d recommend reading it outside under a tree on a crisp and sunny fall afternoon with a thermos of cider. Preferably near where someone’s burning brush, so you get the benefit of the smell of woodsmoke.
Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish A TREASON OF THORNS?
Well, obviously I have to recommend my first book, The Light Between Worlds, which is the story of two sisters struggling to deal with the aftermath of coming back to our world after having a portal fantasy in another. It’s about loss and longing and belonging, and is another excellent fall read. If you’re looking specifically for Gothic vibes, like A Treason of Thorns will provide for you, I recommend either The House of Salt and Sorrow by Erin Craig (a wind-swept, remote retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses) or Beneath the Haunting Sea by Joanna Meyer (which I have occasionally described as the love child of The Secret Garden and The Silmarillion.)
What’s next for you?
A nap! And then work on a number of projects I can’t talk about quite yet!
Laura Weymouth is a Canadian living in exile in America, and the sixth consecutive generation of her family to immigrate from one country to another. Born and raised in the Niagara region of Ontario, she now lives at the edge of the woods in western New York, along with her husband, two wild-hearted daughters, a spoiled cat, an old soul of a dog, and an indeterminate number of chickens. She is represented by the inimitable Lauren Spieller of TriadaUS.
QUOTED: "I've always wanted to read a book about what happens after the adventure in a YA novel. And then I serendipitously saw a tweet in which a publishing professional was looking for a book about Susan Pevensie after the Narnia series. I couldn't stop thinking about that idea, and finally decided I wanted to write a story about a family similar to the Pevensies, caught in parallel circumstances and struggling to cope in a way the Pevensie children never seem to."
Author Chat with Laura E Weymouth (The Light Between Worlds), Plus Giveaway!
News & Updates Giveaways Beth Edwards, Blog Manager Monday, 10 December 2018 2713 Hits 14 Comments
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Today we're excited to chat with Laura E Weymouth author of The Light Between Worlds.
Read on for more about Laura and her book, an interview, plus an giveaway!
Meet Laura Weymouth!
Laura Weymouth is a Canadian living in exile in America, and the sixth consecutive generation of her family to immigrate from one country to another. Born and raised in the Niagara region of Ontario, she now lives at the edge of the woods in western New York, along with her husband, two wild-hearted daughters, a spoiled cat, and an indeterminate number of chickens. Visit her at www.lauraeweymouth.com [lauraeweymouth.com].
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Meet The Light Between Worlds!
What happens when you return to the real world after being in a fantastical one like Narnia? This YA debut by Laura E. Weymouth is perfect for fans of Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood and Lev Grossman’s The Magicians.
Six years ago, sisters Evelyn and Philippa Hapwell were swept away to a strange and beautiful kingdom called the Woodlands, where they lived for years. But ever since they returned to their lives in post-WWII England, they have struggled to adjust.
Ev desperately wants to return to the Woodlands, and Philippa just wants to move on. When Ev goes missing, Philippa must confront the depth of her sister’s despair and the painful truths they’ve been running from. As the weeks unfold, Philippa wonders if Ev truly did find a way home, or if the weight of their worlds pulled her under.
Walking the line between where fantasy and reality meet, this lyrical and magical novel is, above all else, an exploration of loss and healing, and what it means to find where you belong.
Amazon * B & N * Indiebound
~ Author Chat ~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I've always wanted to read a book about what happens *after* the adventure in a YA novel. And then I serendipitously saw a tweet in which a publishing professional was looking for a book about Susan Pevensie after the Narnia series. I couldn't stop thinking about that idea, and finally decided I wanted to write a story about a family similar to the Pevensies, caught in parallel circumstances and struggling to cope in a way the Pevensie children never seem to.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
I know Tom tends to be a fan favorite, but I really love Jack Summerfield, who appears in the second half of the book. He's very perceptive and has a quiet sort of self-confidence, which Philippa needs in the people around her, because she can be a little bull-headed.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
My books always come first, I'm AWFUL with titles and they end up changing at least half a dozen times anyway!
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
Okay, I'm going to phrase this as vaguely as possible to avoid spoilers, but there's a scene in which Jamie and Philippa are taken somewhere by Scotland Yard and that's the one I'm most proud of because it was just miserable to write. But I think it ended up being really effective and is a point in the book that always gets a very strong emotional response.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
With The Light Between Worlds it was Evelyn by a landslide. Her mood swings and that particular headspace of being stuck on something and completely incapable of letting go was really hard to inhabit. I had to lock myself in my office at night to do a lot of her scenes, so I wouldn't be totally wretched to my family if they interrupted.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2019?
I mean, I can't choose just one!!!! But I'm most excited for ECHO NORTH by Joanna Meyer, THE BEHOLDER by Anna Bright, THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD by London Shah, SORCERY OF THORNS by Margaret Rogerson, and NATALIE TAN'S BOOK OF LUCK AND FORTUNE by Roselle Lim
YABC: What was your favorite book in 2018?
MEM by Bethany Morrow was my favorite by a landslide. It's such a quiet, elegant, incisively brilliant little book. I had to work to keep up with every page, and recommend it to everyone--though it's billed as an adult novel, it can definitely cross under for the upper YA crowd.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
My sophomore novel, A TREASON OF THORNS, releases in Fall 2019! It's already up on Goodreads (you can add it here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41716322-a-treason-of-thorns [goodreads.com]) and is set in an alternate-history England where the health and prosperity of the land is tied to the well-being of five sentient magical Great Houses. Our heroine, Violet Sterling, has a family connection to one Great House in particular, and is given the task of serving as its Caretaker. But in the course of performing her duty, she discovers her House is slowly dying, and is forced to decide which she'll put first--the good of the countryside, or the good of her beloved House. Think Downton Abbey meets Beauty and the Beast!
YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
It used to be revising, but now that I spend the majority of my time in revisions, I love how illicit drafting feels. It's just me and the story, no one knows about us, and I can do whatever I want without fear of being edited. At least until I've got to hand that first draft in ????
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
Yes! Whenever possible I personally support and gently suggest that others who are able to support UNHCR, which is the branch of the United Nations that aids refugees and displaced peoples. They do incredible work around the world and are there on the ground in the midst of some really terrible, heart-breaking situations. Their website is www.unhcr.org [unhcr.org], if you'd like to give it a look.
The Light Between Worlds
By: Laura E Weymouth
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: October 23rd, 2018
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
One winner will receive a copy of The Light Between Worlds (Laura E Weymouth) ~ (US Only)
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
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QUOTED: "This novel will appeal especially to readers sensitive to the allure of fantasy, to the pain of loss, and to the special bond between sisters. The role of poetry and art as a means to explore emotions is an added bonus."
WEYMOUTH, Laura E.
The Light Between Worlds
HarperCollinsCanada, 2018. 351p. Gr. 7--adult. 978-0-06-269687-8. Pbk. $17.99
[E]
Jamie, 15, Philippa, 13, and Evelyn, 11, are siblings whose family life in London is disrupted by WW II. They have spent the last few years at boarding schools, or sent away to live with families in the comparative safety of the countryside. When home for a rare visit with their parents in 1944, they hide in the family's bomb shelter during an air raid. While there, Evelyn wishes they could be "anywhere but here". The sirens morph into the bugle of a red stag, Cervus, and the children emerge into the Great Woods, a Narnia-like fantasy world, threatened by warfare with the aggressive Tarsin empire, who want to use their woodlands to fuel conquests of other civilizations. Jamie gets his opportunity to fight for this beloved country, Philippa uses her budding womanhood to charm, and deceive, the young heir to the Tarsin empire, and Evelyn is totally enchanted: she is in her element, learning from Cervus and the stonewardens to nurture and cherish the woodlands.
This fantasy tale alternates with their story when they return to the real world. As Cervus promised, when they wish to return (six years later) it is as if no time has passed, and they return to their previous ages, expected to attend to their studies and resume life in postwar England. Our focus in the first half of the novel is on Evelyn, who struggles the most: at her school, she tries to recreate the Great Wood by helping the groundskeeper with the gardens, taking long walks at night into the surrounding woods, and withdrawing into poetry. Philippa tries to help Evelyn cope, but eventually Philippa is so drained by the effort, that Evelyn asks her to leave, and continue her studies in America. Evelyn then goes into the woods and beseeches Cervus to allow her to return.
The second half of the novel is Philippa's story. When Evelyn disappears, Philippa is consumed with guilt. She blames herself for forcing Evelyn to return to the real world, and then being unable to help her adjust. She returns from America when Evelyn is reported missing, and while Scotland Yard does its best to find her, Philippa takes a job in the National Gallery where reparations are being done to the building and the artwork. She meets Jack, a young man badly injured during his time in the army. Together they work on the delicate task of healing and moving forward.
This novel will appeal especially to readers sensitive to the allure of fantasy, to the pain of loss, and to the special bond between sisters. The role of poetry and art as a means to explore emotions is an added bonus.
Thematic Links: Fantasy; Family; Sisters; War and its Aftermath
Patricia Jermey
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Resource Links
http://www.atcl.ca
Source Citation
Source Citation
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Jermey, Patricia. "WEYMOUTH, Laura E.: The Light Between Worlds." Resource Links, vol. 24, no. 2, Dec. 2018, p. 39. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A570046536/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=71ec9835. Accessed 9 Dec. 2020.
THE LIGHT BETWEEN WORLDS
By Laura E. Weymouth
HarperTeen $17.99,368 pages ISBN 9780062696878 Audio, eBook available Ages 13 and up
HISTORICAL FANTASY
As bombs pelt World War II London, a group of young siblings are transported to another world. Once there, they befriend magical creatures, fight a war, grow into adults and finally, via a majestic stag, return home at the exact moment they departed. If it feels like you've read this story before, rest assured The Light Between Worlds still has some surprises in store.
Evelyn hasn't been the same since she abrupdy returned from a magical land called the Woodlands six years ago. Each night, she sneaks out of her boarding school to wander the woods, seeking a way back to the world of her heart. Evelyn's older sister, Philippa, has long been her main source of support, but Philippa's become so interested in chasing popularity that Evelyn barely recognizes her.
Surrounding herself with a swirl of activities has become Philippa's defense and coping mechanism against her own sadness. When an unexpected development leads Philippa to take a job in the conservation department at the National Gallery, she meets a young man with his own reasons for wanting to repair damaged treasures.
The unspoken presence of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia pervades Laura E. Weymouth's debut novel. How might travelers feel upon finding themselves children again after living half a lifetime in another world? What could explain a teen's defection from fantasy turning instead toward seemingly spurious concerns? And what can someone do when their heart calls them home to a different world?
Fans of Narnia and contemporary interpretations like Lev Grossman's The Magicians will relish The Light Between Worlds.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 BookPage
http://bookpage.com/
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Source Citation
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Ratzan, Jill. "THE LIGHT BETWEEN WORLDS." BookPage, Dec. 2018, p. 42. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A562868853/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=32d18adb. Accessed 9 Dec. 2020.
QUOTED: "Weymouth's ... prose is lush and evocative, filled with palpable descriptions and compelling mystery."
Weymouth, Laura E. A TREASON OF THORNS HarperTeen (Young Adult Fiction) $17.99 9, 10 ISBN: 978-0-06-269690-8
A young woman must decide between her duties and her desires in this atmospheric fantasy.
Violet Sterling knows she has one singular purpose. The daughter of the Caretaker of one of the five Great Houses, sentient buildings "whose vast magic governs the well-being of England," she will take over as Caretaker of the West Country's Burleigh House when her father retires. But nothing works out as she imagined: Nine years after her father commits treason and she is exiled from Burleigh, she returns to find her father dead, the house disintegrating into disrepair, the health of the countryside failing, and her only friend, Wyn, much changed. If Violet does not return Burleigh to its former health and glory by the end of the summer, the King, who holds deeds to all the Houses, will burn it to the ground. Violet knows "A good Caretaker puts her house first….Before king. Before country. Before her own life. Before her heart." Now she must decide how to save Burleigh and see whether, in the process, she can liberate herself. Weymouth's (The Light Between Worlds, 2018) prose is lush and evocative, filled with palpable descriptions and compelling mystery. The Sterling family's steward and housekeeper, a married couple, are Jewish, and mentions of their practice are authentically incorporated. Characters default to white, and there are a few characters of color.
Spellbinding. (Fantasy. 14-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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Source Citation
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"Weymouth, Laura E.: A TREASON OF THORNS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Aug. 2019. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A594857279/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=1c7deaec. Accessed 9 Dec. 2020.
QUOTED: "Although many of the images are cinematic, as the House magic is expressed, the plot and characters rarely rise above fairy tale tropes."
WEYMOUTH, Laura E.
A Treason of Thorns
HarperCollinsCanada, 2019. 142p. Gr.
7-10. 978-0-06-269690-8. Hdbk.
$21.99
Violet Sterling is I the heir to the Sterling family vocation: for centuries they have been Caretakers of one of Britain's Great Houses, Burleigh House, which contains enough magic to heal or hurt the West Counties of England. Her mother is driven away by the potential danger, but Violet and her father and an orphan boy, Wyn, continue to live there. The house can bring good weather and flowers when it is content, but these turn to storms and thorn-studded vines to harm the inhabitants when it feels threatened. The king has the ultimate control of the Great Houses as the Deedholder, but he warns Violet that Burleigh is in danger of being burned if it cannot be maintained. Violet's father commits the treasonous crime of searching for the deed in order to unbind Burleigh, and the king sentences him to house arrest, where he ultimately dies. Wyn stays with him in the House, and by mingling his blood with the House's mortar, he absorbs some of the House magic.
Violet has been taught to believe that she must put her House above everything else, but she begins to have romantic feelings for Wyn. With the help of the King's daughter and the owner of the local tavern, she searches out the deed. Both Wyn and Violet almost die in the ensuing crisis, but Burleigh and its magic are preserved.
Although many of the images are cinematic, as the House magic is expressed, the plot and characters rarely rise above fairy tale tropes. The central concept of a House as a character with its own agency is powerful, but Weymouth had the space in over 300 pages to accompany it with a more fully developed cast.
Thematic Links: Fantasy; Fairy Tales; Gothic Horror; Responsibility
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Resource Links
http://www.atcl.ca
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 8th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Jermey, Patricia. "WEYMOUTH, Laura E.: A Treason of Thorns." Resource Links, vol. 25, no. 1, Oct. 2019, p. 45. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A609853530/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=366cc6aa. Accessed 9 Dec. 2020.