1. Was it difficult to return to the MYTHOS ACADEMY universe after a 3-year hiatus? Did you have to re-read the original series, or did it feel like you never left?
It really wasn’t hard for me to dive back into the world. I didn’t re-read the original series, but I did go back through books #5 and #6 in the original series, and study all the scenes with Rory Forseti, since she’s the heroine of the new Mythos Academy spinoff books.
I always had fun coming up with the artifacts and mythological creatures for the original series, and it was pretty easy for me to jump back in and come up with some new artifacts, creatures, and more for the new spinoff series.
2. How will this spin-off differ from the original? Can newcomers start with SPARTAN HEART, or do you recommend they read your 6 other books first?
As of right now, there will be three spinoff books, and they will tell Rory’s story. Rory is the main heroine in these books, not Gwen Frost from the original series.
I think there’s enough backstory in SPARTAN HEART for folks to start reading the series there, although they will miss out on some info from the original series. So it just depends on where folks want to start reading.
The first few chapters of SPARTAN HEART are sort of my homage to Gwen and TOUCH OF FROST, the first book in the original Mythos Academy series. So I hope that readers of the original series will recognize and enjoy that, and I hope that new readers will check out the spinoff series too.
3. Why did you choose to feature Rory as the heroine? Do you enjoy the challenge of writing from a black sheep’s POV?
Everyone at the Colorado academy knows that Rory’s parents were Reaper bad guys, so she is definitely an outsider at school. I wanted to try and show how alone Rory feels and how she is struggling not to let all the evil things that her parents did define her as a person. So stepping out of her parents’ Reaper shadow is a big part of Rory’s journey in SPARTAN HEART.
Plus, I love to write fight scenes, and Rory is a Spartan and a great warrior.
4. Can we expect any cameos from Gwen & co.? Can you give us any hints of other surprises that you might have in store? I know how you love your Easter eggs!
I do love my Easter eggs. 🙂
SPARTAN HEART will feature some cameos from characters from the original Mythos series. There will also be references to events, places, artifacts, and creatures from the original series. The SPARTAN HEART cover is also an Easter egg, and once you read the book, then you will realize exactly what the cover is, so be on the lookout for that too.
And, of course, I have included mentions of town names and other things from my Elemental Assassin, Bigtime, and Black Blade series.
So there are lots of little Easter eggs in SPARTAN HEART, and I hope that readers enjoy them as much as I did including them in the book.
5. Why did you decide to start self-publishing your titles?
I had done some self-publishing before with my Bigtime superhero series, and I had been interested in doing more of it. So this just seemed like the right time.
I’m also going to be self-publishing my Elemental Assassin series going forward. I’m hoping to release VENOM IN HER VEINS, book #17, in spring 2018, but we’ll see what happens.
6. If you could trade places with one of your characters for a day who would you pick, and why?
Good question! I would probably say Finnegan Lane from my Elemental Assassin series. Finn always get all the best lines in the books, and he’s just a character who always seems to have a lot fun. Plus, he enjoys the finer things in life, and it would be nice to be pampered for a day.
7. If you could go back to high school knowing what you do now, but as your seventeen year old self–what would you do differently? How would you use your experience to your advantage?
I would definitely try to have more fun. You’re only a kid for a short time, and then all those pesky grown-up responsibilities take over. So I think it would be fun to go back and be a little more carefree.
Happy reading, everyone! 🙂
About Jennifer Estep
Jennifer Estep is the New York Times bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series; the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series; the Kill the Queen epic fantasy series; the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy; and the Bigtime paranormal romance series.
About the Book
Spartan Heart by Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy spinoff #1
Published by: Indie
Published on: December 5, 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal
Pages: 279
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New school year, same old problems…
At Mythos Academy, everyone knows exactly who I am: Rory Forseti, Spartan girl and the daughter of Reapers.
Even though I fought alongside my cousin Gwen Frost to save the mythological world from Loki and his evil Reapers of Chaos, I’m still the most hated girl at the academy because of all the horrible things my parents did. I had hoped that this school year would be different, but the other kids just won’t let me forget about my parents.
But something strange is going on at the Colorado academy. First, I run into a Viking guy who dislikes me more than most. Then I notice some odd artifacts in the Library of Antiquities. And worst of all, I start hearing rumors about a new group of Reapers who can summon mythological monsters.
I might be the most hated girl at Mythos Academy, but I’m also the only one who can save it…
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
So many authors are moving towards self-pubbing these days. I wonder what kind of effect that is going to have. I love Finn too. He is so funny, he really does get the best lines!
Great interview ladies. I love to learn about an author’s inspiration and writing process. I have enjoyed a book or two by Jennifer, and plan on reading more.
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Great interview! Sounds like a good read, I’m going to give it a try!
Great interview, Carmel. I love the questions. I agree with Jennifer, Finn is a great character to trade places with. I haven’t started Mythos Academy yet, but I’ve asked my library to buy book one on audio and they’ve agreed. I’ll be trying it as soon as it comes in.
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