Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Guest Blogger: Yasmine Galenorn


Hello, and thanks to Lynda for inviting me to guest blog here again. So, yes, I have a new series coming up (no, I am NOT stopping the Otherworld Series—in fact, I just received a wonderful new contract for books 10-12 in the series). Today, I want to discuss the magic in my new Indigo Court series.

First let me preface this with the fact that everybody who’s read the first book—Night Myst—has gone, to be blunt, ape-shit over it. They love it. It’s darker than the Otherworld Series, it’s edgier and in ways more romantic. But it’s also far more magical. Which brings me to one potential downfall: a review I read the other day totally slammed me for having so much magic in it.

All I can say in response is: the magic is what makes up this world, so I figure it just wasn’t the right book for the reviewer to read. Because the world of the Indigo Court is steeped in Fae magic. It’s a world of Fae and shapeshifters and vampires. A world of innate magic that permeates the land, of magic that sweeps through the air and the water to the point of where the magic itself is another character.

Now we’re not talking deus ex machina, where the gods come out and fix everything, where magic removes the need for thought and action. No, we’re talking inherent magic, where the world around Cicely Waters becomes a living, breathing entity and every aspect has some form of magic to it. The series is very shamanic and totemic by nature.

My background in nonfiction, and as a shamanic witch who works with elemental magic and totem animal spirits has given me a good perspective from which to write the book, and in some ways, I consider Night Myst my best book I’ve ever written. The magic is far more vivid than the magic of our world or the magic that I practice, it’s not ‘wiccan’ or dungeons & dragons magic, either, but the magic of transformation, where creating illusion, and manipulating the elements is as common as breathing.

In a sense, I believe that this is the series I’ve been waiting to write—that I’ve been working my way up to. I totally love the D’Artigo Sisters and the Otherworld Series, but the Indigo Court Series is darker and more sensual, it’s a world in which powers vie for supremacy, in which the balance is always off kilter and where you have to dance with the demons in order to still the devil. I’m hoping that you will enjoy this new world, and that it sweeps you away into a winter wonderland of bewitchment.

In case you haven’t seen the YouTube video for Night Myst, here is the
Link. (And yes, I make my book trailers myself. ~grins~)

So what kind of magic do you enjoy in books? What magical powers would you, yourself, like to have? My publisher will give away three copies of Bone Magic, the seventh (and most recent) book in the Otherworld Series to three people who comment (US/Canada only, please for contest).

New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy for Berkley: both the bestselling Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series for Berkley and the upcoming Indigo Court urban fantasy series. In the past, she wrote mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and nonfiction metaphysical books. Her books have hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists numerous times.

Yasmine has been in the Craft for over 30 years, is a shamanic witch, and describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Bellevue WA with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her website at
www.galenorn.com

11 Comments:

Blogger CrystalGB said...

Night Myst sounds great. I love the cover. I would like to be able to control the elements. :)

9:27 AM  
Blogger morseren said...

Night Myst sounds like it is going to be fantastic!

If I could choose any magical power I think I would want to be able to work with storms and ocean magic. I love the picture of standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean, arms raised and being able to bring up or calm down the storm.

Rebecca W.

10:55 AM  
Blogger Jennifer X said...

I definitely love reading about magic from the earth and using the elements to protect and defend. I would love to be able to harness the weather. So much can be done with it, good and bad. I can't wait for the new series. I'm still finishing the Otherworld books and I love the characters! Thank you!

11:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That book vid is really beautiful, loved it!!

If I could choose any magical power, I would like to be able to command the earth, plants, flowers and trees.

Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com

1:19 PM  
Blogger Jacqueline C. said...

I like reading about all different sorts of magic in books. I think that magic is such an abstract concept that it allows writers to be really creative with it. If I had magical powers I want it to be something helpful along the lines of healing.

1:36 PM  
Blogger Mary Kirkland said...

Night Myst sounds great, I can't wait to read it. I'm such a fan :)

I think I would like to have the ability to shape shift into animals. That would be cool. Although I like reading about any sort of magical powers when reading about them in books.

miztik_rose@yahoo.com

3:19 PM  
Blogger JenM said...

Ever since I started reading paranormal books, I've been drawn to the idea of being able to control the elements - especially fire or water. I'll read just about anything with that theme, so I'm very excited to read Night Myst.

I'd also love to win Bone Magic. I've read up to Night Huntress so far in that series.

jen at delux dot com

8:11 PM  
Blogger Stacey Smith said...

If I had a Magical Power i would like to be a Healer.I would love to save live's

sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

9:10 PM  
Blogger Lil said...

I love to read stories of magic and have done ever since I can remember. If I could have a magical power I would choose that of healing.

10:59 PM  
Blogger Fedora said...

Hi, Yasmine! In books I love reading about all kinds of magic--it's a pleasure to see what the author chooses to weave into her world. As for a magical power of my choice? It would be super useful to either be able to alter time or to magically clean without effort! Not perhaps useful in fighting the baddies, but would be helpful in real life ;)

7:59 AM  
Blogger Cid said...

Night Mist sounds really awesome. I've read a bunch of blog posts about it and everything I saw was very positive. Can't wait to read it for myself!

10:47 AM  

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