Interview with Sophie Jordan, author of Uninvited

Y'ALL. I am so excited to be sharing an interview with Sophie Jordan, author of Uninvited (which released Tuesday from HarperTeen), with you today! If you've read my review, you'll know I loved this book. I still can't get over how thought-provoking and action-packed it was, and am thrilled that I'll be meeting Sophie in person in February at the Dark Days tour stop in New Orleans. This is a book you should read ASAP--you won't regret it.

About Uninvited:

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

According to Goodreads, Uninvited is your 16th (I'm not counting novellas, unreleased books, or anthologies. I probably may have counted incorrectly, please correct me if this is wrong!) full-length published novel. (Congratulations, by the way!) How has the release day experience changed for you with each novel?

Thanks! Actually, I think I’m up to 22 (I’ve penned a six book paranormal series under the name Sharie Kohler, too) … but I lose count. ;)  

Every book release is different/special based on the book. This release is special because UNINVITED is a bit of a departure for me – it’s grittier, edgier and more complex to some degree than other books I’ve written in that it poses so many weighty questions. Also, it happens to be the first book in my first YA series since the Firelight trilogy.

What I loved most about Uninvited was how thought-provoking it was, how a story that could have simply just been action-packed fun (which it is!) is also poignant and asks hard questions. Is that what you set out to do in writing Uninvited? Or was it a product of the story, where Davy's story led you?

I think the story led me. Davy led me. Her conflict is one that begs several questions. Questions of identity, labels, bullying and discrimination. That said, every story for me has to have a romance,  action, danger, and a certain level of suspense. That’s what I enjoy reading and what I try to write.

What are some of your favorite books, or books that have influenced you as a writer? (Or both!)

Oh! So many. And this answer changes for me year to year. Early on, I was a big Victoria Holt fan. I devoured her books in my teen years. She does characterization and suspense so well.  Elie Weisel’s NIGHT was a big influencer – as well as TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Lisa McMann’s WAKE was the first YA that I read that dragged me back into the YA genre and made me want to write YA.

What book(s) are you most looking forward to reading this year?

This list keeps growing! I’m looking forward to Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY, Kimberly Derting’s THE TAKING, Jennifer Mathieu’s THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE. These are the first three that popped into my head, but there are many more. In romance, I’m also looking forward to the next Sarah MacLean and Tessa Bailey book.

Can you tell us one random, silly fact about yourself?

Hm. One little known fact is that I raised and showed rabbits as a girl … I started with four rabbits and ended up with 88 … no lie! They took over my father’s barn.

A big, huge thanks to Sophie Jordan for taking the time to answer my (maybe slightly-scatterbrained) questions! I am so happy to feature her here.

About the author:

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler. 

Find Sophie online: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Buy Uninvited: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository