The Chasm by Branwen OShea - Book Tour + Giveaway

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?

In fourth grade I read The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. That book devastated me. Really, any book where an animal dies wrecks me.

How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?

I’m not sure how to answer that. My first book (The Calling) took ten years to write. My second book (not published yet) took four months. That’s a pretty drastic range, lol. Part of the difference is that I learned a lot in those ten years, but also it makes a big difference how long and complicated the book is. Multiple point of view novels take longer to write than single POV novels. I worked on The Chasm for six years, but also wrote other books during that time. Fortunately, the third book in the series, The Ruined, is already in edits.

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 a cat magnet. Stray cats, especially sick ones, find me in all sorts of places and follow me home.

·       I’ve lived in several haunted houses and survived.

·       I’m horrible at learning other languages but also fascinated by them, especially Japanese.

·       I love writing conflicted characters and villains, but am a super honest person myself.

·       I’m good at baking and cooking, and frequently make up my own recipes.

·       I enjoy meditating.

·       I love learning about different religions, myths, and folklore.

·       I read all genres, but my favorites are sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal.

·       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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway