Sunday, April 14, 2013

BOOK EVENT: Robin LaFevers discusses Dark Triumph at the Burlington B&N


I apologize for being MIA this past week! I've been reading, reading, but didn't have much to post (organization fail). However, I have a lot for you this coming week, starting off with a recap of the Robin LaFevers talk I attended last Wednesday evening. Unfortunately, I forgot my good camera, and none of my pictures came out that well.  

LaFevers had many fascinating and inspiring things to say. I had a great time meeting her, and even got into the signing line twice so that I could talk to her more. I especially loved how much it was clear that she's tried to make her books real and relatable, amidst the Mediaeval setting. 

I've read several fantastic recaps of LaFevers Dark Triumph tour stops, and I'm not going to rehash everything that she said when I met her. Instead, I'm highlighting some of the points that stood out to me, including the audience questions she answered, because I know those are unique to each location. If you're interested in reading a more full recap from the Salt Lake City event, check Ems amazing post, HERE. LaFevers talked about many of the same points when I met her, and they are all fantastic. 


My husband especially loves to take these "action" shots, while I'm getting books signed.

Robin LaFevers discussion recap:


1) On facing the darkness of Sybella's past: When LaFevers started writing Sybella’s story, she didn’t realize that it would be so dark. At first, she found it difficult to delve into the layers of Sybella’s past. However, she began to realize that many girls don’t get out of their teens without emotional damage. Also, while there are lots of problem (issue) novels about traumatized girls, there aren’t many where that girl gets to be the hero of the story, winning the battles. That gave LaFevers a stronger desire to face Sybella's past. 

2) How did LaFevers get through Sybella’s dark story? She wrote the scene where Sybella encounters Mortain early in her writing process, so that she had a high point to work towards - a moment of healing. She knew Sybella would eventually be okay.

Whenever LaFevers wrote a scene without Beast in it, she felt dark and claustrophobic, but then he’d come on screen and it would be much lighter, like a weight had been lifted. (LOVE LOVE LOVE this point)

3) On Annith's book: LaFevers had trouble connecting to Annith's story at first. She kept imaging Annith stuck in the convent, safe and closed off from the world. But then LaFevers realized that she’d only been thinking about Annith from Ismae and Sybella’s points of view.  Once she was able to get inside Annith's head, the story began to flow. LaFevers began to understand that Annith has her own secrets and story that she wants to share.

I did ask LaFevers whether we’ve met Annith’s love interest yet, and she said that it’s been the question of her tour, but unfortunately she can’t share that information yet (she thought it would cause too much speculation). She also mentioned that Sybella's book occurs during a lull in the political action, but that it would pick up again in Annith's story. Also, don't google these historic events, unless you want to encounter some major spoilers about how it all ends - yes, in case you didn't know, this book is based on real events in history. 

4) How old is Beast? Both Beast and Duval are about 23-24 years. LaFevers mentioned that young girls – aged 12 and up were often married to 30 year-old men, so age differences could be even broader.

5) On the message LaFevers wants to send to girls: LaFevers talked about how she married young (so young that she would not be happy if her children got married as early), but marrying and finding someone to share her life with actually opened up her life, instead of restricting it. She felt stronger, and freer to live her life after she married her husband. LaFevers mentioned that so many books feature controlling, restrictive relationships between guys and girls, where you have to sacrifice freedoms for a relationship, but she wanted to portray a heroine who became more independent and stronger around the man in her life. (I can definitely see this in both Sybella and Ismae's lives)

6) How did Julian enter the story? Julian’s character grew organically with the story. It took LaFevers a while to get him right, because it was easier to paint him as a flat villain. But when LaFevers began to think about the fact that people have to be taught how to love - What would happen if a child never learned that? Could love become warped? - he began to take shape for her. That doesn’t excuse Julian’s behavior, but it makes him more complex. LaFevers thought it was hard to write Julian, and she was worried about taking such a strong stance on a controversial character. She knew some people would disagree with her take on him, but thought it was important to include his character.  (I told her that many people who've read her book did get the point she was making)





21 comments:

  1. I love that Robin wrote the Mortain scene first. It really would be the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

    I also really love the point about Beast! I love that he's the relief from the dark, because that's how I saw him too.

    Her point about marriage and being stronger around the man in one's life really hits home. It makes me realize that I haven't married because I haven't found anyone who makes me stronger - only those who try to drag me down. I love making real world connections with books!

    Fantastic recap! I love reading about all the different experiences people have with this book and with Robin. (and thanks for linking my post!)

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    1. I really liked the marriage point as well! I thought Robin was so very inspiring and had great intentional messages. I'm glad we were both able to meet her. And BEAST! I know. He sure is a winner. Thanks for writing such a fantastic recap! When we talked about Julian, Robin mentioned that someone had asked about him in Salt Lake City (must have been you!!).

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  2. Yes, I agree completely, especially when it comes to Julian. I love what she did with his character, actually, and the complexity it brought to the story was perfectly executed. Also, I can really see the respect and understanding that exists in the relationships she writes. Beast, in particular, really does make the scenes so much lighter with his soothing presence. I loved that, not to mention Sybella's dark past. I can't imagine how hard that must've been to write. Thanks for sharing this, Lauren! I enjoy all your book event recaps so much!(:

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    1. Yes! Julian's character made this story stronger. I just love Beast. He makes me smile.

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  3. LOVE this post:) Love what she had to say about Beast (of course) and I'm glad you got to ask the Annith love interest question (even if she declined to answer it:)And the info regarding Julian was a relief as well. Glad to know that she meant him to come across as a sympathetic character and not a straight villain.

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    1. HAHA. No I think we all read Julian correctly. He would have been much scarier as a straight villain. But this book already had one in d'albret, so it was better with Julian as a complex character. I tried to get more about Annith! But I completely respect her decision to hold off. I still want to speculate who her love interest, is though!

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    2. I have NO idea about who the love interest could be. NONE. But I'll think on it.

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  4. You always write the best even recaps, Lauren. I loved Grave Mercy so much that I've been putting off reading DT--so silly, because all the reviews have been amazing! I just know I'll miss the original two, but Sybella sounds so intriguing as well.

    I liked hearing her own personal background with marriage and how her relationship opened up the world to her, by the way--I'm always curious about how much an author's personal experience shapes her characters'.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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    1. I hope you LOVE Dark Triumph. It is a different book, for sure. But just fantastic. Sybella is extremely compelling. And BEAST is amazing. I agree, I love hearing a little about an author's personal story and how that's affected their books. Though sometimes even meeting an author gives you a glimpse into their books. I really felt that way with Jodi Meadows.

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  5. "Whenever LaFevers wrote a scene without Beast in it, she felt dark and claustrophobic, but then he’d come on screen and it would be much lighter, like a weight had been lifted."

    That just made me smile on a very sad day. I loved this post. Thanks. And my thoughts are with everyone in and around Boston.

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    1. Thanks, Jen. Yesterday was a hard day. Beast is an amazing character for lifting spirits. I love that books can do that.

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  6. Love this recap! And I love that she wrote the Mortain scene first, one of my favorite parts. Sybella's WAS a very dark story, but I'm glad she got to be her own champion. And now you've got me wondering who Annith's love interest could be!!!

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    1. I have NO idea who Annith's love will be. We may not have even met him yet. But I'm very eager for her story. I agree, love what Robin said about Sybella being her own hero and saving the day!

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  7. As always, lovely recap, Lauren! I especially love the part where she talked about her message with these books. I agree that the predominant theme is women being independent, but I think it's wonderful that there are books out there that show that some relationships make people BETTER, and that that's not a bad or restrictive thing. In fact, I think those are the best relationships there are. Ah!!! Still can't wait for this one...the library wait is killing me (I may have to cave and buy it).

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    1. I agree, love what Robin said about relationships. You shouldn't enter into one unless it's going to make you a better, stronger, freer person. Or at least that it is supportive and uplifting. Love that she said that a woman can be independent AND have a man in her life.

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  8. Oh goodness, I just found myself sitting here at this computer reading this and getting closer and closer to my screen trying to soak all of this information in just by getting closer to it - that's how I feel everytime you do an event recap, L.

    About Beast - WOW, I loved that she felt claustrophobic without him. That is so awesome. I am not a writer and didn't feel claustrophobic without him on the pages, but I think it is so amazing how close writers can be with their characters. I love that. And the same goes with Annith and seeing her outside of the perspective of Sybella and Ismae.

    You know that I loved Julian, that I saw redeemable qualities in him despite his villain/pseudovillain status. My heart broke for him in the end, but I feel much more settled to find out her thoughts on him. I think I felt no closure with Julian in how his story ended, which may sound weird, but it affected how I felt about this wonderful book. So thanks for including that part because I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me. If that makes any sense at all.

    Great recap! Did you get both books signed?

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    1. You're right. It is fascinating to see the relationships that authors have with their characters. Meeting Robin made me love Beast even more.

      When I talked to Robin about what you said - I showed her your email saying that you thought that Julian was redeemable, and she said "so you don't think I had to ____ him at the end?" I think she was afraid of more backlash, but has felt blessed by all the people who understand Julian as a character. I know how you love those tortured boys, A!

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    2. Oh I'm so grateful that you showed her that! I do love the tortured (and broken, even) boys but you know that I love the redeemable ones. Julian just got to me and I will NEVER EVER forget him as a character. I have a feeling that once this series is over, he will be the standout character for me. In fact, I have started this as a Kindle collection, but I'm considering buying these for my shelves because I think that particular character made me love these books even more. THAT may be weird and twisted, but I don't care. And isn't it wonderful that even if she was potentially afraid of the backlash, she went with her instincts anyway? And then the public is embracing her? I LOVE that as a community we stand behind the authors that we love and can see their hearts through their characters sometimes. I would LOVE for her to come to within driving distance because I'd LOVE to be able to tell her myself how much that character's redeemability meant to me and that I support and trust her as an author. What a wonderful opportunity to have met her. She seems so lovely. Ems' visit with her seemed wonderful as well.

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  9. I didn't understand all the points you made here, since I haven't read Dark Triumph yet, but still, this sounds like a great event! I will have to read more recaps to find out more about what she said in relation to gender roles and relationships - I love hearing about messages like those. I am quite disappointed I ended up missing her relatively near me but there's next year still!

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  10. This might sound wrong but I found Julian to be the standout character. (Spoilers here for those who have not read the book)

    At first he came off as a classic villain but once the details of the disturbing childhood both he and Sybella survived came to light, I felt sorry for him. He didnt know better. How can anyone grow up in such environment and learn the boundaries of whats appropriate and what's not. I think his desire to protect Sybella manifested itself into sexual because he himself grew up alone, abused and mentally scared. The best part about LaFever's writing is how she does NOT glorify or condone their relationship, but gives an honest look into two damaged kids growing up into damaged adults. She took risky & controversial topics and shed light on it without being overt or accepting of it.

    Waiting for the 3rd book will be pure torture!!

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  11. I went here for an event where they spoke with that radio host about his environmental activism. I was just in the city for the summer so I didn't realize this Hall would be so famous.
    New York Wedding Venues

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