Hello and welcome to today's stop for THE FORBIDDEN WISH blog tour hosted by Penguin Teen! I am so thrilled to have author Jessica Khoury on the blog today to talk about her newest book, which will be out TOMORROW!
ABOUT THE BOOK
By: Jessica Khoury
Published by: Penguin
Released on: February 23rd, 2016
Add it to: Goodreads
When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years -- a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes.
But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity—only to discover she is falling in love with Aladdin. When saving herself means betraying him, Zahra must decide once and for all: is winning her freedom worth losing her heart?
As time unravels and her enemies close in, Zahra finds herself suspended between danger and desire in this dazzling retelling of Aladdin from acclaimed author Jessica Khoury.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Congratulations on The Forbidden Wish! I love that this is a retelling of Aladdin, but with a fabulous twist. Do you find that it's easier or more challenging writing retellings?
I found it harder in some ways! The challenge of writing a retelling is making it your own story, while leaving echoes of the original. It’s a tricky balance to strike. I had a list at one point on my wall of “Original Story Elements” and “New Story Elements,” to keep track!
What is one thing you admire in Zahra?
Even after thousands of years in her lamp, enslaved to a long succession of cruel, selfish masters, Zahra retains her ability to empathize with and care about humans. Not all humans, but some! ;) She hides this softness in her heart so deeply that even she doesn’t realize it’s there. It’s this compassion that has the power to either save or destroy her.
Who was more of a challenging character to write, Zahra or Aladdin?
Aladdin! Zahra came to me at once. The strength of her voice was the thing that kept drawing me back to this story even while I was working on other books. It took me a few drafts to pin down Aladdin, though, probably because I was trying to find that balance I mentioned earlier, between the original and the new. But when I finally found his primary motive (avenging his parents) all the rest fell into place.
What element did you enjoy writing the most, the romance, the world or the characters?
I really loved getting to write Zahra’s backstory and incorporating her past tragedies into her current narrative. The book is written as if she is telling her story to her long-dead mistress, Queen Roshana, whom she addresses as “Habiba” (meaning beloved friend in Arabic) . This was one of my favorite parts of the book, and while most of the story changed from initial concept to final product, this element remained constant.
Which character did you enjoy getting to know?
I have to say Zahra. Her voice seized me from the very beginning, and there were times as I was writing when I felt like she was telling me the story and I was simply transcribing it. I used to think that kind of thing was silly and didn’t actually happen, until I met Zahra. She felt so real to me, and her history so complex and deep, that I have to agree with Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic when she says that story ideas don't originate with us—they find us and choose us to tell their stories. That’s what it was like with Zahra.
What's one of your favorite lines from the book?
“Even a thief may have honor, and even a jinni may have a heart.” I feel this sums up the entire story. ☺
If you were granted 3 wishes, what 3 things would you wish for?
If you were granted 3 wishes, what 3 things would you wish for?
1) A magic pen (or laptop, I suppose; this is 2016 after all) that writes out the entire final draft of a story as soon as I get the idea for it. All glory, no work! ☺
2) The ability to teleport myself, any persons I want, and my luggage to any location on the planet. Insta-vacation!
3) (A serious one now) Peace in Syria.
If you could write one of your favorite fictional stories into The Forbidden Wish, who would it be and why?
2) The ability to teleport myself, any persons I want, and my luggage to any location on the planet. Insta-vacation!
3) (A serious one now) Peace in Syria.
If you could write one of your favorite fictional stories into The Forbidden Wish, who would it be and why?
Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons. Reason being: they are just SO. FREAKING. COOL. I want them everywhere. In every story. In the real world. On the Iron Throne. #TeamDany
What are you working on next?
A few new ideas, all fantasy! Still in the very early stages, but hopefully I can share more soon!
What are you working on next?
A few new ideas, all fantasy! Still in the very early stages, but hopefully I can share more soon!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica Khoury wrote her first book at age 4, a fan fic sequel to Syd Hoff's Danny and the Dinosaur, which she scribbled on notebook paper, stapled together, and placed on the bookshelf of her preschool classroom. Since that day, she's dreamed of being an author.
When not writing, Jess enjoys spending time with family, playing video games, and traveling the world in search of stories and inspiration.
Jess currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the author of Origin, Vitro, Kalahari, and The Forbidden Wish.
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I'm not sure about this one yet. It sounds like it holds a lot of promise though, and of course I love the idea of wishes and magic and all of that kind of things :D Looking forward to looking into this one some more.
ReplyDeleteMy recent review and giveaway: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2016/02/soulless-review-tour-giveaway.html
Yay for taking part in this awesome blog tour :D Stunning post Katie. <3 I love love love this interview. Sigh. So much love. I got my hardcover today, and I cannot wait to read this book. <3 Reading it very shortly. So, so excited :)
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