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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Erika Lewis. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts
Written by Erika Lewis A 2023 Teacher Favorites Winner (6th-8th Grade) for the Children's Book Council Brimming with Celtic mythology, action, and danger, Erika Lewis's Kelcie Murphy and The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts introduces readers to a new kind of magical school and a warrior who must choose with which side of an epic battle her destiny will lie. The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy―a foster child raised in the human world―is dying to attend. A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and―most importantly―finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago. When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she’s a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor. But Kelcie is a survivor, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies. Author Interview
Erika Lewis is the author of the Kelcie Murphy Series from Starscape, The Color of Dragons from HarperTeen, Game of Shadows from Tor Books, Firebrand from Legendary Comics, and more, many of which have been published around the world.
She grew up in Virginia before going off to Tennessee for school. While at Vanderbilt University, studying Math and Theatre, she spent a semester abroad, visiting haunted ruins and magical forests that would forever spark her imagination and leave behind an insatiable need to travel. An internship at CNN led to exciting years working in television, developing scripted and reality shows for various studios and networks. Then, one day, Erika knew it was time for her to write on her own, to build fantastical worlds that stayed with her after every return from a trip, and also to play her part in inspiring the next generation of readers and writers. For more information, visit erikalewis.com Where did you get the inspiration for KELCIE MURPHY and the RACE for the REAPER’S KEY? The Race for the Reaper’s Key is the third book of the Kelcie Murphy trilogy. The original inspirational for the series came from a passion for Celtic mythology and a trip to the isle of Skye, to the real location of the school that was the launching point for The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. In the lore, the Irish teaching warrior goddess, Scáthach taught Ireland’s most formidable heroes how to fight with magical weapons and extreme martial arts. Her school was called The Fortress of Shadows. The ruins are called Dunscaith Castle I visited the Isle of Skye and stood on the Bridge of Leaping (if you’ve read book one or two then you know what that is.) I knew when I was standing there, waiting for the bridge to toss me off, that I wanted to recreate Scáthach’s school in the Otherworld. To create a school that trains soldiers with weapons and martial arts, who possess powers inspired by Irish mythology. Things like shapeshifting, controlling the elements, telekinesis, telepathy, etc. The main story for the Race for the Reaper’s Key specifically involves the big bad villain from Book One, King Balor, who is also a figure in Irish mythology. The Never-Ending War is going to end once and for all, either with the complete annihilation of both sides, and everyone Kelcie loves, or with peace. What was your writing process for this book? Step 1: Research! This entire series necessitated a lot of research, which I love. Of course, I let my imagination travel off the mythological descriptions of creatures and events from the legendary pasts, but my first step was to discover whatever I could about the Irish Mythological Cycle. Step 2: World-Building for the two lands in the Otherworld, the Lands of Summer and Winter, and the Never-Ending War. Step 3: Character Development: Who was going to take the reader into the Otherworld? Somena from the Otherworld or someone who discovers it? In the end, Kelcie was abandoned in the human world, but originally from the Lands of Summer, something she discovers early on in Book 1, The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. Step 4: Write the books. That took 5 years. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? My favorite part of writing for children is when I am on school visits, and I see their excited faces when I hand them a book. Reading is a gift. Comprehending the words on a page, letting imagination create the scenes playing out on the page rather than a director telling you what it should look like, it’s an experience that can only be had through reading. When I see the love and desire all children have to read, even if they’re struggling learning how, and see the inspiration from my visit, that’s the best part. I had a hard time learning to read and have some techniques that can help with that. If I can even get one child diving in for another chance at loving books, then, to me, I’ve won the lottery. What are you working on now? I’m working on something NEW! I can’t believe I get to do that. I’ve been on deadline with Kelcie for five years. It’s exciting and scary too. My next project is a middle grade fantasy mystery. Can’t tell you too much, but it’s so much fun. I’m also on sub with a graphic novel series that got its beginnings from Salem, Massachusetts and the witch trials. What is your favorite book? This question is SO hard. I have so many. In the children’s space, I loved J.C. Cervantes fantasy Storm Runner series. I also loved Janet Fox’s contemporary Carry Me Home. C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia was a favorite of mine when I was the age I’m writing for now. I love wandering through lands I’ve never heard of, in both real life and my imagination. Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed hardcover set of all three books in the Kelcie Murphy series, including the final installment: Kelcie Murphy and the Race for the Reaper's Key!
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