I’m so excited to be a part of the book tour for Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom that is hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours. I was really excited to also be able to interview the author for this book!
INTERVIEW
How would you describe Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom in one sentence?
A lonely artist accidentally brings her creation to life—or so she thinks.
Can you introduce us to the main character(s) of Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom?
Eleven-year-old Juniper Harvey loves art, bugs, and the Texas desert, roughly in that order. She’s funny and kind, and also shy and socially anxious, insecure about herself and her abilities. She’s desperate for a friend, but terrified to reach out.
Do you know from the beginning how your books will end or do you let your characters decide their journey?
Like many writers, I generally know the beginning and end and have to figure out the middle bit. I know where my characters will end up, but they often surprise me on the journey to get there.
Do you have a favorite scene, moment, or quote from the book?
Juniper, describing the oppressive heat of Florida: “It’s like living in the sweaty armpit of God.”
What is something readers will find in Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom that they may not realize based on the
synopsis?
Lesbian gods.
What’s something you hope readers will take away from Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom?
I hope it will be fun—and that for queer readers especially, it will feel like a warm, welcoming place to inhabit for a few hours.
What are three books you would recommend if someone enjoyed Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom?
- TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY by Kwame Mbalia
- AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS by B.B. Alston
- WITCHLINGS by Claribel Ortega.
ABOUT THE BOOK
TITLE: Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom
AUTHOR: Nina Varela
GENRE: Middle Grade Fantasy Retelling
RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2023
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound
Rep: Queer, Lesbian, Anxiety
Synopsis:
A thrilling fantasy adventure from acclaimed author Nina Varela that explores friendship and queer identity, perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Rick Riordan’s Trials of Apollo series!
When Juniper Harvey’s family moves to the middle of nowhere in Florida, her entire life is uprooted. As if that’s not bad enough, she keeps having dreams about an ancient-looking temple, a terrifying attack, and a mysterious girl who turns into an ivory statue. One night after a disastrous school dance, Juniper draws a portrait of the girl from her dreams and thinks, I wish you were here. The next morning, she wakes up to find the girl in her room…pointing a sword at her throat!
The unexpected visitor reveals herself as Galatea, a princess from a magical other world. One problem—her crown is missing, and she needs it in order to return home. Now, it’s up to Juniper to help find the crown, all while navigating a helpless crush on her new companion. And things go from bad to worse when a sinister force starts chasing after the crown too.
Packed with adventure and driven by a pitch-perfect voice, this middle grade debut from Nina Varela is about one tween forging new friendships, fighting nightmarish monsters, and importantly, figuring out who she is and who she ultimately wishes to be.
Content Warning: Violence (involving swords), blood, physical combat; Brief mentions of animal suffering; Discussions of anxiety, panic attacks
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nina Varela was born in New Orleans and raised in Durham, North Carolina, where she spent most of her childhood running around in the woods. These days, Nina lives in Los Angeles with her tiny, ill-behaved dog. She writes stories about queer kids, magic, and the magic of queer kids. You can find Nina on twitter (@ninavarelas) or at http://www.ninavarela.com.
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