Until Again

by Lou Aronica

Reviewers have called Lou Aronica’s novel BLUE “compelling,” “beautifully written,” “a story to remember and cherish,” and “one of those books that everyone should find a moment to read.” Readers have said it was “a great inspiration,” “I’ve never been more moved or inspired,” and “one of the best books I’ve read.” Now comes this prequel novella, a short work that provides the essential story behind the story.

UNTIL AGAIN tells of a decidedly real-world event: the final weekend in the breakup of a marriage. For Chris Astor, the divorce is not something he wants, primarily because of the distance it will put between his ten-year-old daughter Becky and himself. Juxtaposed against this is a critical event in Tamarisk, the bedtime-story fantasy world that Chris and Becky created when Becky was much younger. Miea, the university-age princess of Tamarisk fears that her world has become a terribly dangerous place...but she could not possibly have imagined where that danger will lead her and the people she loves.

These parallel stories converge, in a most unusual way, in a tale of change and new tomorrows. A powerful revelation for those who have read BLUE, and an emotionally charged introduction to these deeply relatable characters for those who haven’t, UNTIL AGAIN is a warm, engaging, and bittersweet work that promises to speak to your heart.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Ebooks, Young Adult, Novella, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2011

About the author

I have been associated with the book publishing world since August 1979, when I started as an assistant in the Managing Editor’s Department at Bantam Books. Prior to founding The Fiction Studio, I served as Deputy Publisher of Bantam and Publisher of Berkley Books and Avon Books. During this time, I launched the premier science fiction and mystery imprints in the business, and also presided over the largest growth period to date in the history of the #1 single-title romance program.

My earliest publishing experiences were in the field of science fiction and fantasy. I started my first publishing imprint, Bantam Spectra, at the age of 27 and published my first New York Times bestseller with that imprint a year later. My first editorial acquisition, David Brin’s Startide Rising, won the field’s two highest awards, the Hugo and the Nebula. I subsequently published New York Times bestsellers with Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, David Brin, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Raymond Feist, William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman, and others, while also acquiring five consecutive winners of the Nebula Award. In addition, I created the “Full Spectrum” anthology series, which won me a World Fantasy Award in 1994.

My biggest commercial accomplishment in the field of science fiction and fantasy was my acquisition and design of the Star Wars book publishing program. Started at a time when licensing interest in the movies was very low, the book publications consistently hit the New York Times list (as high as #1) while also jump-starting the entire Star Wars franchise.

In the nineties, I moved beyond science fiction. As Mass Market Publisher for Bantam, I launched the Bantam Crime Line mystery imprint and was closely involved in the development of several bestselling authors, including Elizabeth George, Robert Crais, and Diane Mott Davidson. I launched the Bantam Fanfare romance imprint, which led to the development of bestselling authors such as Amanda Quick, Tami Hoag, and Iris Johansen.

In 1994, I left Bantam to become SVP and Publisher of the Berkley Publishing Group. The two imprints I started there, Boulevard (a media imprint) and Signature (a literary imprint) had New York Times bestsellers within their first year. I also acquired and edited the bestselling futuristic mysteries by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts).

In 1995, I moved to Avon Books to spearhead a turnaround of that company as SVP and Publisher. I supervised significant changes to the company’s industry-leading romance program, which led to the largest growth period in the program’s history to that point. Committing the company to a profitable path of publishing for dedicated readers, I launched a series of imprints focused on science fiction, literary fiction, mystery, pop culture, health, history, and teen literature. Most of these imprints had bestsellers very quickly.

In 1999, I left Avon after the acquisition of the company by The News Corporation. The creative investment I made in that house continues to pay significant dividends, however, as writers whose publishing programs I developed became breakout bestsellers, including Dennis Lehane, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, J.A. Jance, Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, Bruce Feiler and Peter Robinson.

In addition to my current role with The Fiction Studio, I am a novelist and nonfiction writer. My novels, The Forever Year and Flash and Dazzle appeared under the name Ronald Anthony. My nonfiction books include the New York Times bestseller The Element (written with Sir Ken Robinson), the national bestseller The Culture Code (written with Dr. Clotaire Rapaille), Conscientious Equity (written with Neal Asbury), Miraculous Health (written with Dr. Rick Levy) and A Million Thanks (written with Shauna Fleming).

Finding myself missing the publishing side of the business, in 2008, literary manager Peter Miller and I started a small book imprint called The Story Plant. Right now, it’s a tiny opera

Reviews

[Myndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a prequel novella, and I chose to read it prior to reading Blue. Perhaps this was a wrong decision because I was slightly confused. I will say, however, that the writing is gorgeous, and I'm intrigued to read the next book.

[John Anthamatten · Rating 3 out of 5]

O. K. Mostly repetitive info from BLUE.

[K Fray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until Again: The prequel novella to Blue is a wonderful introduction to the world of Lou Aronica's earlier book, Blue, taking us back four years in time to when main character Chris and his ex-wife Polly’s divorce first happened. It allows the reader to see Chris and his daughter Becky happy, before the strain of her parents' divorce tears them apart. We see the dynamic between Chris and Polly, and can understand all the better the choices and problems that they come up against in Blue.

It also gives the readers out first taste of Tamarisk, the fantasy world that Becky and Chris created as a way for Becky to cope with her leukemia treatments. Aronica describes each detail not only of the world, but of its creation, in such flawless detail that it becomes impossible not to see yourself in their world. We see Chris' investment in the world that has helped keep his daughter optimistic through these difficult times - and in many ways, probably keeps Chris optimistic as well. We see Becky struggling with the fact that she knows something is wrong between her parents, but neither of them are talking to her about it - and perhaps it's her age that keeping them silent. And on the other side of the wall, we see Miea - a princess of Tamarisk - desperately trying to make her own path in a world that is resistant to her being her own person...but might see her put there all too soon, regardless.

Until Again is an excellent jumping block into the world of Blue - so much so that it is highly recommended to buy both books at the same time; it will be very difficult to set either of them down once they're picked up.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is very short, serving as background omitted (and that was a good choice, I think) to the main novel, Blue. However, it doesn't take much time to read, and if you're going to read Blue, this is a good way to get into it.

These are my thoughts about the story, taking both books into account:

I don't know Lou Aronica, and I haven't read his bio, so I don't know anything about him. That said, this man writes as though he has faced the unthinkable - the death of a child, a child who holds a parent's heart in the palm of his or her hands. I don't know how someone could write this story who hasn't been there.

For me, the story was totally believable - not physically believable, but emotionally believable. I, too, lived a story like this with my son a number of years ago, only our "other world" was a playground filled with laughing children and the music of a merri-go-round. We, too, knew it ultimately wasn't real, but while we were there, it was so real we could hear all the joyous sounds of that place. It gave us many happy moments.

There's magic in this story, and it's so well told that you care about what happens in this other world, and you hope and pray, along with the father and daughter, that they can come up with solutions to fix the challenges the people of the other world are facing. In the end ... well, read the story to find out.

Congratulations, Mr. Aronica, on a story well told!!!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read Blue by author Lou Aronica and loved the magical world of Tamarisk and missed Chris, Becky and Princess Miea than you are in for a treat. Mr. Aronica has written a prequel to Blue titled Until Again. This short book takes readers back to where it all began.

In this book, Chris and his wife are getting a divorce. Becky and her father, Chris only have one night a week with each other. Though, that is not much time, Chris cherishes every moment he has with Becky and this includes their story time. Chris has been telling Becky about the land of Tamarisk and the Princess Miea.

I grew close to Chris and Becky in Blue, so it was nice to revisit with them again, even if it was for a brief bit. To be honest, I never really gave much thought to going back in time and wondering what started Blue off. Mr. Aronica was that good of an author that I didn’t have questions. Though after reading Until Again, I am glad, Mr. Aronica wrote this book. I could get a much broader overall picture of Tamarisk and the characters. Until Again is a nice prequel. Fans of Blue will enjoy this short story.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really debated about reading this one before Blue. Ultimately, my need for chronological reading won out. We'll see if I was right after I'm done with Blue.
As for this book. Polly is portrayed as a real ball buster and Chris spineless. As a child of divorce, I've always been grateful that it happened before I could really remember. I can't imagine being 10 years old and having both my parents acting the way Polly and Chris did. I'm not happy about Polly's passive/aggressive comment about Chris moving to another town and I'm not happy about Chris acting as if he has absolutely no say in the seperation and custody. ANYWAY......beyond that part, I think the book was pretty good for a short story and I really look forward to reading Blue. I look forward to finding out more about all the characters and Tamarisk. Oh, I LOVE how Miea and her dad said goodbye...."Until Again". Very sweet. :-) I also love that Chris and Becky have put so much energy and time into this tradition of theirs. How awesome to have that kind of special time every night with each other.

[Samantha March · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I took a chance on Blue, a fantasy novel by Lou Aronica, I was super pleased I did. I gave the book 4 1/2 stars and fell in love with the story and characters. When Aronica contacted me about reviewing Until Again, the prequel to Blue, I had to say yes. A chance to find out about these amazing characters before all the events in Blue transpired? Yes please! The prequel follows Chris Astor and the divorce that he is going through. While not too sad to be divorcing his wife, he is devastated that he won’t be able to see his daughter, Becky, as much. The father and daughter have a tradition of weaving tales of the fantasy world Tamarisk, with Princess Miea and her mystical land. Until Again shows readers the background of some major events that lead to the plot lines in Blue, and I recommend both of these novels. Even if you don’t normally read fantasy, give Lou Aronica a chance. He spins a masterful story, touching and emotional, that will leave you thinking about these characters far long after you’ve closed the books.

[Wulfwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Until You by Lou Aronica is a prequel to his novel Blue. It is a Novella not a full length book. The novella is the story of the breakup of the family. It starts with Chris wondering how to tell his daughter, Becky, that a divorce is coming. It takes us through the telling and to Chris moving out. Much like Blue it is an emotional read and also has the story of Tamarisk. For those not familiar with Blue, Becky is seriously ill as a young child and Tamarisk is a fantasy world that Chris and Becky make up with nightly storytelling. If you have not read Blue then I highly recommend both these books. Lou Aronica writes a beautiful story. I do not know if Mr Aronica has had a child die from cancer or not, (if so he has my deepest condolences). He captures the pain as one who has experienced it.

[Tish · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a prequel to the book I'm reading next so it's hard to have an opinion on it at this time. I wish you could give 1/2 stars. I probably would have given this 2.5. I didn't dislike it, but I wasn't riveted by it either. I'm hoping Blue is good.
After trying to read Blue, I adjusted this to one star. There is no point to this book. Everything here is repeated in Blue, with the possible exception of the details of Miea's parents deaths and that wasn't worth knowing. You already find out how they die, so why do you need to read about their conversations before it occurs. It's not relevant to the story.
However, I could NOT even finish Blue, because it was so boring. Part of the boredom for me was rehashing everything I had just read in Until Again.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad read. It was quick and well written. Well written because I completely hated the characters, but they felt real, if stupid/manipulative. This is a prequel to a larger book and it was good enough to interest me in reading the book itself. I'm not in a rush to read it, but I do plan on reading it one day. A solid 2.5 stars, rounded up because it is interesting enough to me to read the next book. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but neither would I not recommend it. It has two story lines, the "real" world and a fantasy world that the father and daughter created and tell each other in a bedtime story every night. If you like contemporary fantasy, then you would probably enjoy this work.

[Ginger · Rating 2 out of 5]

If GR allowed 1/2 stars, I would give this one 2.5 stars. I don't care much for the genre "Fantasy" (no offense to this author or to the readers who enjoy it!), but decided to give this one a try.

The story goes back and forth between Chris (father) & Becky (10 yrs old) and the story they've made up at bedtime about the land of Tamarisk. Somehow, the author is able to intertwine the two, as Miea (Princess of Tamarisk) goes through a crisis just as Becky's world is turned upside down as well.

I'm not ready to read this author's book, Blue, just yet, but I do know I will.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until again by Lou Aronica
This story follows the story Blue form the same author.
I had not read that one and this one was a bit different and a bit out there for me.
Like story of the parents and their daughter Becky as they help her to get over the pain of the divorce and the father leaves to live elsewhere.
She will still see it but it's not the same as they had worked on a fantasy realm type game together.
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the authors other works but it was ok to read.
Received this review copy from The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this--it's well-written and has enough detail (something that's extremely lacking in a lot of short stories/novellas) to interest me in reading more about these characters and their worlds, so I'll definitely read the full-length novel that takes place four years later. But I did get a little annoyed with the pop culture references--they seemed pretty clumsy at times, especially the paragraph about the movie Over the Hedge, so I'm hoping there's less of that in Blue...

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This little prequel sets the stage for Blue. But it didn't seem to me to really add much the reader of Blue wouldn't already have figured out. If you haven't read Blue yet, this might be a good way to get into it. If you have, it might not be worth even the short time it takes to read it.

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until Again was free when I downloaded it.

I wanted to read the prequel before I read Blue because I like to read series in their chronological order. Both stories interested me enough to pull me into both worlds.

I recommend it to readers of fantasy.

[Ilene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but would definitely read it before "Blue" as it definitely gives you the background that you need to truly understand all of the nuances of "Blue." I am glad that I read this before the other one as it would have been superfluous otherwise.

[Jay Phillippi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful expansion on the world of "Blue". Both books function for a variety of audiences. I can see the YA audience, parents, fantasy fans all enjoying both books.

Check out my review for "Blue" to see how much I enjoy Aronica's writing (it's a lot).

[Mark Mallett · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an introductory prequel to the (YA, I suppose) novel Blue it's hard to say much about it. But since I'm now quite interested in getting into Blue next, I suppose it worked pretty well as a leader, which is one of the roles that a prequel might have.

[Allyson Orr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prequel novella written to supplement the novel "Blue". Does not add much new information, and would not make sense or be much of a story on its own. Skip it and read Blue, then pick this one up if you feel the need to re-visit the world or the characters afterward.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story prequel to a teen series I have not read and don't plan to read. I guess this explains where the fantasy originated, but I felt there was too much reference to the dad's marital problems. Made me think they were the author's marital problems being vented.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to have some of the back story of Blue.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed going back to Tamarisk!

[Pammy A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Blue, and this prequel was a seamless fit.

[Jayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

i'd have to say i liked the blue a lot better.

[Richard Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

A prequel to the novel "Blue". This was a very interesting lead-in that makes me eager to read the rest of the story. A clever and unique plot is unfolding.

[Sonja · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have been annoyed if I didn't have the next book "Blue" to read right away. This book doesn't really stand alone as a separate story from "Blue."

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little story. Definately makes me want to read the book now.

[Marcella · Rating 3 out of 5]

it did not grab my interest until the end and was a bit confusing with the switch between the fictional land and the other story

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect introduction to the novel "Blue". It made me want to read "Blue" so here we go!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day the family broke up. How not being honest with the child was not such a good idea.