Please welcome veteran author Karen King to the blog today, along with her latest book, a middle-grade fantasy called Witch Angel: The Sceptre of Truth. It's now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. But before we get into all the nitty-gritty details about this exciting new book, let's ask Karen a few questions (rubs hands manically together like a mad scientist; not really sure why, though).
How did you get started writing?
I've always written. I had my first poem published
when I was 11. I started my writing career with Jackie magazine, writing
articles and photo stories.
Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?
It depends whether I'm writing to a commission or
not. If I'm commissioned I have to plot as I have to send a synopsis and the
first couple of chapters to my editor. If I'm not writing to a commission I work
out the basic outline of my story then write 'by the seat of my pants.'
Are you most productive in the morning or evening?
Morning. Often I get out of bed and start writing
straight away. I'm full of ideas in the morning.
Thanks, Karen! And without further ado, Witch Angel: The Sceptre of Truth...
Should Aluna betray her father to save
the world?
Aluna’s
father is the Master Wizard of the Katalan. On her thirteenth birthday she is
initiated into the coven and swears allegiance to her clan. Then she has a
vision about the mother she has never known and a gold sceptre with an eagle’s
head handle.
She
discovers that the mysterious new girl, Raffie, who appeared out of nowhere is
looking for the same sceptre. Aluna hopes the sceptre will lead her to her
mother so swears an oath of friendship with Raffie, pledging to find it
together only to discover that Raffie is Angleyt. They are sworn enemies.
Aluna’s father is looking for the
sceptre too, as are the evil Bygnorim.
Will Aluna really betray her father? What dreadful secret is he hiding
about her mother? Aluna and Raffie face terrible danger in their quest. Are
their combined powers strong enough or will Darke Magyck win?
Extract:
Outside, the moon shone brightly in an almost
starless sky. The incense was already burning, and a cauldron of herbs was
bubbling away near the altar. Aluna could smell the bitter aroma of the
mudreef. The circle hadn’t been drawn yet, her father wouldn’t do that until
the coven were all standing together. Witches, dressed in black, and wizards
with their brightly coloured gowns of purple, red, and blue were already
gathering for the ceremony. Sometimes, two or more would be initiated at the
same time, but tonight there was only Aluna. The daughter of the Master Wizard
had to have her own ceremony.
Aluna
recited the oath and spells under her breath as everyone gathered together and
held hands, forming a circle around her. Mirassa, the head witch, dipped a
goblet in the bubbling liquid, leaving it on the altar stone to cool.
Aluna’s
father picked up the white chalk and drew a circle around them all before stepping
inside and closing it.
“A
circle around us to bind us together,
Let
no one break it or be banished forever.”
They
all repeated the oath. Her father said a loyalty spell over the goblet, took a
sip of the herbal drink and passed it to Aluna. She braced herself for the sour
taste of the mudreef and swallowed quickly. Her throat burned and she wished
she’d been able to find the sweeter tasting fissleshoot.
The
goblet was passed around the rest of the group so they could all take a sip.
The ritual bound them all together. If anyone left or betrayed the coven, then
no Katalan would ever speak to them again.
When you joined, you joined for
life.
Aluna’s
father called her forward to test her on her spells. First, the three most
important spells: the protection, the prevention, and the returning
spell—spells to protect you from harm, to stop bad magic, and to help you get
back home. Other spells followed: the lost and found spell, the vanishing
spell, and the shrinking spell. Aluna remembered them all. Although her
father’s face was solemn, she knew from the look in his eyes that she had
pleased him.
Now,
it was time for the oath. The coven fell silent as Aluna’s father held out his
left hand. Aluna linked the little finger on her left hand with his as she
repeated the oath:
“Earth,
water, air, and fire,
This
oath I solemnly swear,
Joining
this coven is my desire
I
never will its secrets share.”
Mirassa
stepped forward, holding a red cushion. Nestled on the cushion was a clear
crystal sphere on a silver chain–the symbol of the Katalan coven. All the
crystals were clear to begin with then changed colour according to the aura of
the witch. What colour would Aluna’s become?
Her
father lifted the pendant off the chain and put it around her neck, reciting
the ancient blessing. As the sphere touched her skin, Aluna felt her body
tingle. Was her special power coming to her already?
The
crystal started to glow, changing colour. Aluna watched as it went through a
rainbow of colours before settling into a silvery blue.
There
was a gasp from the coven. Aluna looked over at her father and saw that he was
staring at her, his eyes narrowed. What was wrong?
“It’s blue,” said Milav, one of the older
witches. “We haven’t had a blue crystal for many years.”
“Not
since Kristen,” someone else whispered.
Kristen.
That was her mother’s name. Aluna shot a look at her father’s rigid face and
steely eyes. He was angry, she realised, her stomach tightening. Was it because
she had the same colour crystal as her mother? Maybe she had the same power as
well.
Although
she had no idea what her mother’s power was. Or anything about her mother at
all. Neither her father or Sariah would talk about her. The power could
manifest almost immediately, though it often took several days.
Oh, I hope I get it soon!
Author Bio
Karen King has had over one hundred and
twenty children’s books published by mainstream publishers such as Walker,
Scholastic, Harper Collins and Macmillan. She’s written for many children's
magazines too including Sindy, Barbie, Winnie the Pooh and Thomas the Tank
Engine. She writes for all ages and in all genres; story books, picture books,
plays, joke books, non-fiction and YA.
Links
Twitter: @karen_king
