Today’s Grimm Guest…Allison Pang
Even though I don’t specifically write or rewrite fairy tales (yet, although I really am itching to do a retelling of The Little Mermaid. With robots.) I was a huge fan of reading them as a child. I had a massive Grimm’s Fairy Tales book that was about 500 pages or so, and several of the My Book House series and the various colored fairy books. (The Blue Fairy book, the Green Fairy book, etc.) so you might say I was pretty well rounded in the overall lore and mythology. Children are sometimes a bit naturally bloodthirsty in some ways, so being exposed to the original tales was a bit eye-opening, because they showed the real consequences of one’s actions before Disney got a hold of them and made them “wholesome.”
There are certain elements in most fairy tales that tend to speak to us on a deeper level. Whether it’s the archetypical tropes that seem to pop up again and again (i.e. the terrible mother, the good mother, the wise old man, etc.) or the overall journey that the characters tend to face, these tales have been with us for a very long time.
That being said, although A Brush of Darkness isn’t specifically based on a traditional fairy tale, there are certainly fairy tale elements in it. (Small pervy unicorns notwithstanding). The entire world-building foundation of the CrossRoads was based on a poem called Thomas the Rhymer, a sort of Scottish Fairy Tale written by the poet/prophet True Thomas about his adventures with the Faery Queen:
And see not ye that braid braid road,
That lies across that lily leven?
That is the path to wickedness,
Tho some call it the road to heaven.
And see not ye that bonny road,
That winds about the fernie brae?
That is the road to fair Elfland,
Where thou and I this night maun gae.
From here I developed the three Paths of OtherFolk – essentially the creatures of Hell, Heaven and Faerie. (Not that everything fits quite that neatly, but for a storybook scaffolding it makes a good jumping point.) In the meantime I do manage to weave in bits and pieces of other fairy tales as I go (goats hanging out with trolls, that sort of thing). It’s partially a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it also allows me to enrich the overall lore based on common things that a lot of people know or maybe remember from their own childhood.
In A Brush of Darkness, there are obviously Fae involved in the world, but the forthcoming sequel A Sliver of Shadow actually has Abby and the rest of her friends entering the realm of Faerie proper. (And dealing with all the fun and nasty things therin).
And here’s a little preview:
“The Queen has sealed the entryway,” Talivar said, his voice soft. “A sacrifice is required to pass.”
“That sounds reassuring,” I muttered, getting awfully tired at the Fae woman’s paranoia. Maybe it was unfair considering her kingdom was about to be invaded, but all these little trials seemed like a big waste of time given our own situation.
Moira gave me a wan smile. “It requires a drop of blood from each person who passes.” Her eyes flicked to where Brystion stood. “Although it would normally not allow the passage of daemons—”
“My blood has already been tasted by the gate,” the incubus said brusquely. “It knows who I am.”
“Of course.” To me and Melanie, she gestured at a tiny thorn midway up the first branch, very much like where a lock might be on a normal door. “Simply place a finger here and the gate will allow you to pass.”
“If I fall asleep for a thousand years, I’m counting on one of you to come to the rescue.” I’d intended it as a joke, but the elves merely stared at me as though it might very well be an option.
Allison is giving away winner’s choice…either a copy of A Brush of Darkness of A Sliver of Shadow when it comes out in Feb/March. (FYI, if the winner selects A Sliver of Shadow, it will not be mailed until it’s release next year!)
Remember, all comments left during the daily Grimm Giveaway are entered for the big giveaway…info here. Make sure you’ve read my disclaimer-all winners will be posted to my blog and that’s your notification. If you don’t check back…you don’t know if you’ve won. More info on the Grimm giveaway link.
Dying is hard enough… coming back to life is brutal.
read more…
The past year or so, I’ve become more interested in the Scottish and Irish folklore and mythologies, all in my quest to craft a unique world. Plus like you say, I like the more edgier versions of the stories, vs the “squeaky clean” ones; allows for a broader ranger of interpretation and re-imagining. 🙂
Hey Allison,
I love the world you created with A Brush of Darkness. I am really looking forward to A Sliver of Shadow (and #3 in Oct). I need to know what happens with Brystion. How many are planned for this series?
Over the past year, I’ve become more interested in the Scottish, Irish, and other cultural folklore and mythology in my quest to craft a unique world/story. Like you said, I like the edgier stories and legends I’ve come across, it allows more room for interpretation and re-imagining.
Hi Christy,
So glad you’re enjoying it! (And yes, Brystion will be part of all three books, though not quite as much in A Sliver of Shadow…but he’ll be back big time in the 3rd, so no worries.) At the moment, I’m going to wrap up the main story arc within the three books…it sort of depends on the publisher if they’ll want a fourth (although if not, I could totally see going a self-pubbing route if there’s enough call for it.) 🙂
There’s also a short story about Melanie in the works for an upcoming anthology (for those of you who want to know how she got her violin…and Brystion even has a bit of a cameo in that, although obviously it’s pre-Abby, so he’ll be a little different.)
Hi Allison,
Thanks for the little preview 🙂 I’m very excited for book two! I remember when I picked up A Brush of Darkness I was with my hubby and I said to him ” I have to have this! There is a mini unicorn in it” he laughed at me but let me get it along with the ten other books I was lugging around 😛
Keep up the great work! I am sure the publisher will contract past the three books.
Fairytales are amazing– I love Shiloh’s Grimm books. When I was a kid we lived on a farm and didn’t have much money. I remember reading ANYTHING I could get my hands on, including encyclopedias. LOL They came with a set of childhood stories and I read those over and over. Later I switched to horror, then sci fi. Yes, kids can be kind of bloodthirsty:)
This looks great. Thank you for the excerpt. I too have been reading plenty of lore from the Isles lately. What got you into it?
I’m so looking forward to A Sliver of Shadow! I love Abby, Phin, and Brystion.
Also, congrats on the Bookie noms, Allison. You got my votes! 🙂
Interesting to see how CrossRoads was developed! I love learning these type of things; it’s so fascinating how authors’ minds work.
Thanks for the giveaway, Allison!
It’s absolutely amazing the different tidbits that can inspire whole worlds. Thanks for the excerpt; looking forward to reading more!
i love the cover, it’s beautiful. the book sounds wonderful and i can’t wait to read it and the rest of the series.
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com
I really enjoyed A Brush of Darkness and I’d love to win a copy of A Sliver of Shadow! Thanks!
I’m dying to read A Sliver of Shadows, you make this blurb come alive.
another new author to me.
I would love a chance to read A Brush of Darkness.
Thank you,
Kelly
I love when the fairytales are rewritten. this one looks cool. Thanks for the chance.
I loved A Brush of Darkness and I’m looking forward to reading A Sliver of Shadow to see what happens next for Abby, Brystion and Phin.
I still haven’t read A Brush of Darkness. It’s been on my list, I just never seem to make it out while the bookstores are still open (unless I’m on my way to work). Thanks for the chance to win it. ^_^
Have been loving Shiloh’s Grimm series, yours sounds pretty intriguing, so I look forward to it reaching the top of my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win it.
I am really enjoying this fairy tale series! Thanks for another great post.
I love all versions of fairy tales. I love the originals and their darker interpretations. I love Disney’s versions which are fun and bubbly and always include the HEA. I love the modern retellings. And I love fairy tales with actual fairies! It’s all good. Thanks for another great guest post.
mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com
Another author that I have not read and going to go check out right now!
Both books sound intriguing and can’t wait to read them.
Gigi
Alison’s books sound good. I love the cover to A Brush of Darkness.
Little Mermaid with Robots…would definitely be interesting! Fascinating story behind where the Crossroads came from in your novel(s). Thanks for the preview of SoS; can’t wait to read it!
I’ve been dying to read A Brush of Darkness.Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I would love to read Brush With Darkness its on my must buy list thank you for the chance to win it .
flanagan@mebtel.net
Awesome post!!!! I just got this book and I can’t wait to start it!!!! Thanks for the giveaway! I’ll be greedy and throw my hat in for book 2, A Sliver of Shadow.
Thanks again!!!
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
Great post! A Brush of Darkness sounds awesome! Id love to read it! Thank you!
shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com