The Chasm
by Branwen OShea
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GENRE: YA Science Fiction/Fantasy
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BLURB:
They thought the biggest problem they faced was each other.
After Bleu, Rana, and their new friends narrowly prevent war between the star beings and humans, they hope the upcoming negotiation will secure the peace. Newly emerged from their subterranean haven, the Northern Haven humans are clearly not suited to Earth’s ice age, and require assistance from the enlightened star beings to survive long term on the Surface. But Commander Savas doesn’t trust the suspiciously kind star beings and their unexplainable abilities. When both sides reluctantly negotiate a joint mission to find the other Havens, Bleu must somehow cooperate with the manipulative commander to keep his friends safe.
As their team confronts unexpected dangers, Bleu and his teammates begin to suspect the star beings don’t know as much about the Surface as they claimed, while Rana is torn between remaining true to her nonviolent ways or becoming more human to survive. When an unnatural predator attacks, even the nearly all-knowing Kalakanya can’t explain it. Now the team must pull together or their new discovery will pull them apart, limb by limb.
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EXCERPT
Savas grinned. “Think of it as research. They’re a new species. You’re doing field observation.”
“I don’t think she eats at all.” Atsushi frowned. “None of the Crowned Ones seem to. They go to the gathering hall to socialize.”
“You do realize that’s impossible, right? They’re alive. They need an energy source.”
“Kalakanya said she eats air or something.”
Savas snorted. “Well, be curious. Ask Kahali when you’re alone. Later, ask the others. We’ll compare answers.”
Atsushi grimaced. “They’ll know what I’m thinking. I don’t want to upset them.”
“No, you don’t.” If he had another Medicci device to block mindreading, he’d offer it to him. There must be something the boy could do to stay safe. A tiny, guilty voice rose within him at exposing the boy to the dangers of mind-control. No kid should go through that.
“What if you keep that chant Kahali taught you running in your head? Maybe then they won’t catch on?”
“Maybe.” Atsushi was silent. “I’m supposed to be chanting that all the time, but I’m horrid at remembering.”
“Then work on that.”
Atsushi nodded and then glanced toward the fire, where the star beings suddenly sang more loudly. “You still don’t trust them, do you?”
“No, I don’t.”
“But why? They’re so nice.”
“There used to be a fish that lived in the depths of the ocean. It evolved a beautiful light that shone magnificently in the darkness. Other fish would swim close, mesmerized by the beauty, feeling completely safe. And then the light-bearing fish would tear them to pieces.”
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Author Interview
What
is the first book that made you cry?
How
long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
If
you were the last person on Earth, what would you do?
I
wrote a book, Silence of the Song Trees, about the last alien of his kind. I’d likely
not be as heroic as he was. I’d end up befriending all the stray cats, dogs,
and other animals, and caring for them as best as I could. Animals make great
company.
What
fictional character would you want to be friends with in real life?
If
we were truly friends, then I’d choose Loki from the Marvel series. He’d be a
ton of fun and would be up for lots of adventures.
What
book do you wish you had written?
I
wish I’d written Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. The world-building,
characters, and language are all incredibly beautiful in that book. I also love
its redemption arcs and use of of reconciliation, found family, and the enemies
to friends/lovers tropes.
Tell
us 10 fun facts about yourself!
· I’m
horrible at learning other languages but also fascinated by them, especially
Japanese.
· I’m good at baking and cooking, and frequently make up my own recipes.
· I
homeschool my kids.
· I
see ghosts. ;)
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
As a young girl, Branwen wanted to become an ambassador for aliens. Since the aliens never hired her, she now writes about them.
Branwen OShea has a Bachelors in Biology from Colgate University, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Connecticut with her family and a menagerie of pets, and enjoys hiking, meditating, and star-gazing. Her published works include Silence of the Song Trees, The Calling, The Cords That Bind, and The Chasm.
Website: www.branwenoshea.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/branwenoshea
Instagram: www.instagram.com/branwenoshea
Facebook: www.facebook.com/branwenoshea
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/branwenoshea
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/branwenoshea
The Chasm (Book 2) on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFPHQVN
The Calling (Book 1) on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735915998
The Cords That Bind (Book 1.1) on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CSK4813
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Branwen OShea will be awarding $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner
via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteThank you, Jasmine, for hosting The Chasm's book tour! If anyone has any questions about my series, please feel free to ask. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! :)
DeleteThe book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your interview, bio and book details, I have enjoyed reading about you and your work and I am looking forward to reading this book and series. The Chasm sounds like a story that my teen-aged grandchildren will enjoy reading as well
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the interview and the excerpt, The Chasm sounds like a thrilling, edge of your seat read that the grandkids will enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it with me and have a sunshiny day!