[Blog Tour] Author Interview featuring Liesel K. Hill

Author Liesel K. Hill

Last year, I've had the privilege to schedule an interview with authoress Liesel K. Hill, author of Persistence of Vision, a young adult, dystopian novel. She was kind enough to allow me to read and review Persistence of Vision, as well as answer a few of my questions! (She made me such a happy fan-girl~!)

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading her book. Persistence of Vision has got me cheering for her awesome characters! And I suggest that you should read it, too! If you would like to read my review of Persistence of Vision, you can read it HERE.

To officially kick off 2013, Book Junkie Joint's first post is an Author Interview featuring Liesel K. Hill! =)


Q: First off, your book Persistence of Vision is a dystopian which distinctly deals with the intricacy of the human brain. What was the inspiration for coming up with the brain as a source of power for Persistence of Vision?

A: It’s something I’ve always been interested in. Before I stopped kidding myself and turned to writing as my calling, I was taking pre-med classes. I had a lot of science, but I found western medicine and science not to my liking. I’m someone who things the brain and soul are intricately connected to each other and to the body. I believe people can heal themselves to a much greater extent than most of them realize. Scientists estimate that we only use a fraction of our brain power—something like 12%--and Albert Einstein, a genius by anyone’s standards, probably only used 15% of his brain. (Don’t quote me on those percentages.) Imagine what we could do if we used 100% of our brain power!

Q: Speaking of powers, I’m curious about how you came up with them. What was the inspiration behind each of the members’ powers and where did you base them?

A: Nothing in particular. I just tried to think of powers that 1) I thought were cool and 2) would come in handy in a world where people used their brains for everything. I’m also a big fan of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. While his ‘powers’ are from a totally different source than mine, I did receive some inspiration from there.

Q: I’m pretty sure everybody in this world has, at one point or another, wished for superpowers. Personally, I really liked the thought of being able to heal any injury as Marcus’ powers were. If you were a member of the Interchron and one of the prophesied members that could take down the collectives, which role would you prefer and which power would you like to have?

A: I agree that Healing would be awesome, but if I had to choose I think I’d want Marcus’s prowess with Offensive energy (i.e. the ability to cut down your enemies with a thought). I live with my sisters and two-year-old niece, and am the second oldest of twelve children. I have an enormous family and am ridiculously close to all of them. I’m someone who starts to feel sick when I can’t protect them all. So, this power would give me awesome peace of mind. ;D

Q: Personally, I found myself relating to David because he showed honesty, vulnerability and courage. Aside from Maggie and Marcus, who is your personal favorite among the many characters?

A: I have a hard time having a favorite because they’re all so different, in the same way I love all of my eight brothers equally but differently. David is definitely up there because he’s going to go through the biggest change throughout the series. He’ll be very sympathetic and relatable. I also love Karl, just ‘cause he’s a goof ball and lots of fun to write.

Q: Let’s go to a lighter note. If you were to be given an opportunity to pick an actor and an actress to play Maggie and Marcus, who would they be? (If you have a picture, would it be possible to ask for a link or an image perhaps?)

Jensen Ackles

A: For Maggie, I have no idea! Being straight, I don’t daydream about actresses much. Though I’m not sure how good a fit they’d be, I’m currently a fan girl of Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, and Anna Kendrick.

For Marcus, I am the world’s biggest Jensen Ackles fan! Totally love him. I’d love him as Marcus too!

Fan Rant: I just want you to know that your book is awesome and I literally had flashes of goose-bumps when I was reading! :)))

Thanks, Hon! I appreciate it! So glad you liked it!

Wanna get a copy of Liesel K. Hill's 
Persistence of Vision?

Links:

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

[Book Review] Persistence of Vision

Title: Persistence of Vision

Author: Liesel K. Hill

Date of Publication: January 2013

Source: ARC from Author

Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopian

Rating: 5/5

Links:

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Blurb:

 In a world where collective hives are enslaving the population and individuals have been hunted to the verge of extinction, Maggie Harper, and independent 21st Century woman, must find the strength to preserve the freedom of the future, but without the aid of her memories. 

After experiencing a traumatic time loss, Maggie is plagued by a barrage of images she can't explain. When she's attacked by a creep with a spider's web tattoo, she is saved by Marcus, a man she's never met, but somehow remembers. He tells her that both he and her creepy attacker are from a future in which individuals are being murdered by collectives, and Marcus is part of the rebellion. The collectives have acquired time travel and they plan to enslave the human race throughout all of history. The flashes Maggie has been seeing are echoes of lost memories, and the information buried deep within them is instrumental in defeating the collective hives. 

In order to preserve the individuality of mankind, Maggie must try to re-discover stolen memories, re-kindle friendships she has no recollection of, and wade through her feelings for the mysterious Marcus, all while dodging the tattooed assassins the collectives keep sending her way. 

If Maggie can't fill the holes in her memory and find the answers to stop the collectives, the world both in her time and in all ages past and future will be doomed to enslavement in the grey, mediocre collectives. As the danger swirls around her and the collectives close in, Maggie realizes she must make a choice: stand out or fade away...

Review:

A well-planned and well-written, thrilling dystopian which is like a mix of the movie Push, and the hit TV series Heroes!

The beginning of the story was slow because of the confusion of the lead female from whose point of the view the omniscient narrator was telling the story. Perhaps, it may make the reader feel confused as well. I know I did feel a little bit off at the beginning, but giving the story time to take root and unfold would be the best course of action to take. I’m pretty glad I continued reading!

Aside from being a dystopian, young adult story, Persistence of Vision also largely incorporates sci-fi elements and political ideologies into the storyline. It’s literally a mish-mash of so many things, but the author was able to weave a compelling story in such a way that it wasn’t confusing or unclear.

The plot was very well-planned, and the whole book was very well-written. Even though I haven’t experienced living in the world where the characters in this book existed, I could picture out everything clearly. From the way the individualists live, to the Interchron compound, and even how David struggled to break away from the collective – everything was picturesque and very detailed. I could even picture this book being made into a movie!

As for the characters, everyone was distinct enough that I was able to differentiate one from another. By the end of the story, this may sound weird but I felt that I even personally knew each character myself. I especially adored David because he’s a combination of honesty, vulnerability and courage, and I loved how his growth was portrayed in the story. Also, I wish to know more about Nat and Doc because they are intriguing. I bet they know a lot more than they openly let on. Smart people can often be sneaky and conniving, after all.

By the end of the story, what was unclear at the beginning finally made sense, but more questions were left unanswered and I really wanted to read more!

What were Marcus and Karl planning to do? What made Maggie give up her memories? What was it about Marcus that made Maggie want to give up her memories? What about Colin and his blood-sucking whatever? Where will they find a replacement Concealer? Where will they find a Deceiver? And how were they going to complete the prophesied members? When will Maggie and the other individualist reunite? I have so many questions that I want answered, I’m already awaiting Book 2!

I highly recommend this book to people who are fans of super powers and super heroes! And also to those who might want to read a thought-provoking dystopian story!