Q&A with Alma Katsu discussion

Hi! I thought I'd hold a Q&A on Goodreads as I'm starting to get queries from book clubs and see questions about The Taker posted on Yahoo! and elsewhere. I'm thrilled that some folks have found The Taker so interesting that they want to talk about it. I'll give away swag for the posts that provoke the most discussion, talk about what you might see in the second book in the series, The Reckoning, and ask you questions on what you think should come next. Please introduce yourself, and thanks for joining the group!

Hey All...I am Naomi and, funny thing, is that I actually start this book tomorrow for a Women of Mystery Monthly Challenge!!

Hi Naomi, Wow! What great timing! Could you let them know about the Q&A? OMG this will be so much fun...

I will ask about the moderators..

Hi everyone! I'm Laura I have a review blog (A Novel Review). I haven't read The Taker, yet. I've read tons of reviews and I'm very interested in getting my hands on it :) I'm looking forward to finding more about the book.

I'm so thrilled to be here to pay tribute to this most accomplished, debut novel by Ms. Katsu. I was so excited to win an ARC from Goodreads giveaways and the author. It truly soared beyond my expectations! The Taker is an incredible journey everyone should 'take'.

Thank you for inviting me to your group.

I got to read this one before it came out and loved it. Can't wait for the sequel.

I really enjoyed The Taker. This not my normal type of novel, at least by modern writers, so the immortal/romance novel is not one I usually pick up. I read the synopsis in Goodreads and decided to give it a try and found myself completing it within a two day period. Something that usually only happens with fast paced high adrenaline novels by the likes of James Rollins and Matthew Reilly.
I eagerly look forward to Reckoning!
If I have one issue is that I did feel why Lanny was a wonderfully well crafted character who survives and strives from not just her decisions but from her mistakes as well. I did find the men characters in the Taker to be somewhat one dimensional. One perverted and cruel whose life has left him too little mysteries left. Another narcistic and spoiled who's lack of responsibility and sense of entitlement has repercussions not only for himself but for all those who care for him. Finally a well educated and strong individual who falls so easily for a young woman for no other reason than the emptiness he currently feels in his life.
I found Lanny to be an incredible character whose sheer force of will drove this book. I hope in Reckoning she has a stronger supporting cast.

I am just beginning The Taker. How exciting it is to be able to talk to the author about it as I read!

Albert wrote: "I really enjoyed The Taker. This not my normal type of novel, at least by modern writers, so the immortal/romance novel is not one I usually pick up. I read the synopsis in Goodreads and decided to..."

Your comments are very helpful, Albert; thank you for them. Earlier versions of the book were written in multiple third person POVs, so you got to look inside Jonathan's head, etc. It made the characters more understandable, but ultimately I couldn't do it because I wanted to keep the storytelling frame: Lanny telling her story to the reader, through Luke. What I liked about doing this is that you're never quite sure if you're getting the real story--she's learned to be very manipulative in order to survive. And, of course, she may not really understand Jonathan; he always eluded her, after all. And, in the next book, The Reckoning, you get chapters written from Adair's POV (which has been so much fun to write.)

There's interest in publishing some of those unpublished third person bits as stories now that the book is getting a following. A story from Jonathan's POV is going to appear in Portland magazine in November (unfortunately, I don't think it's going to be available online, but maybe I can put it up on the website with the magazine's permission) and one from Evangeline's POV may be released on Kindle in a few months.

Elizabeth wrote: "I am just beginning The Taker. How exciting it is to be able to talk to the author about it as I read!"

I hope to come up with good answers for you! I love peeking over someone's shoulder as they read something I've written.

This book is our Ladies' Choice for October. I plan to read this book while I'm on vacation. I can't wait because I've heard such positive things about it.

Hi Everyone! I bought this book because it kept flashing on my Good Reads. (The marketing strategy worked :D). It sounded interesting. I started reading it yesterday and am half way through. Looking forward to the discussion and impressions of other readers.

Finished it! 4.5 stars!!! (I rarely rate a book 5 stars). Will recommend to all my friends and strangers.

Mira wrote: "Finished it! 4.5 stars!!! (I rarely rate a book 5 stars). Will recommend to all my friends and strangers."

Wow--so glad you enjoyed the book! Looking forward to your questions, and thank you so much for helping to get the word out.

And will be waiting impatiently for the next book!

Hey everyone. I'm Emma. Completely loved the Taker, can't wait for the sequel!

I work in a bookshop, and each member of staff gets to pick their favourite book of 2011 to recommend/promote to customers and The Taker is mine. :)

Emma wrote: "Hey everyone. I'm Emma. Completely loved the Taker, can't wait for the sequel!

I work in a bookshop, and each member of staff gets to pick their favourite book of 2011 to recommend/promote to cus..."

Emma, I am so grateful for your support. I hope I get to tour in the UK some day so I can thank you in person. The mass market paperback is supposed to come out in mid-October. Fingers crossed that it finds its audience!

I wanted to share some good news with you:

---BOOK RIOT just wrote an article comparing The Taker to other popular magical realism novels such as A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, THE MAGICIANS and THE MAGICIAN KING, THE NIGHT CIRCUS, and THE HANGMAN'S DAUGHTER!

---My Italian publisher invited me to go to Italy Spring 2012 for the launch of The Taker!

Well deserved! Your Italian publisher knows what a gift he has in you and your talent! Congratulations and arrivederci!

In like The Taker, I think I'd sell my soul to go to Italy!!

That's fantastic! Congratulations, and well deserved :)

Congratulations! That's Fantastic! Enjoy your trip and try the gelato! It's fantastic too :)

Just finished reading it! What a great book! Anxious for the next one to come out!

Hi everyone I'm destiny...Finished the taker last week It was phenomenal read. I would recommend it to everyone. Cant wait till the sequel:)

Destiny wrote: "Hi everyone I'm destiny...Finished the taker last week It was phenomenal read. I would recommend it to everyone. Cant wait till the sequel:)"

THank you so much, Destiny! I hope you join in the discussion threads. We have some interesting conversations going on over in the SPOILERS thread.

Alma, is The Taker out in audio? I think it would be amazing to listen to - even after having read the book. Sometimes audio can bring it to life.

Elizabeth wrote: "Alma, is The Taker out in audio? I think it would be amazing to listen to - even after having read the book. Sometimes audio can bring it to life."

It is! Here's the link for Audible.com but it's also available on iTunes. Laurel Lefkow is the narrator; she also did The Devil Wears Prada.

http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?...

I wanted to pass along some great news: American Library Association's Booklist magazine named The Taker one of the top debut novels of 2011!

Congrats Alma. Well deserved!!!

Congratulations Alma! Definitely well deserved!

Congratulations, Alma. I believe all of us here, agree with them!

Wow cograts Alma! What a honor... I'm glad that your book has been given the recognition that it deserves:)

I agree. Congratulations on well deserved recognition!

Alma wrote: "I wanted to share some good news with you:

---BOOK RIOT just wrote an article comparing The Taker to other popular magical realism novels such as A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, THE MAGICIANS and THE MAGI..."

What an awesome honor, Alma!

Hi Alma thanks so much for The Taker Group Disccussion invite.

I began The Taker yesterday October 19th at 7am and finished today October 20th 8am. In 1 day because it was really amazing and grabbed at your heart.

Alma what a story and to find The Taker is going to be a trilogy. That's great.


Congratulations on The Italy Spring Launch of The Taker in 2012!

Cassandra (The Book & Movie Dimension blogger) wrote: "Hi Alma thanks so much for The Taker Group Disccussion invite.

I began The Taker yesterday October 19th at 7am and finished today October 20th 8am. In 1 day because it was really amazing and gr..."

Wow--a marathon reading! Thanks Cassandra

I mentioned that I had been interviewed for Midtown Reviews' podcast and it's up now at: http://bit.ly/vAJRVh if you're interested. Thanks all!

Okay, everyone: October is winding to a close. That means the Q&A group will be winding down. Thank you all for your participation. Feel free to send me questions anytime and I might host another one of these sessions in a few months, when more people have had a chance to read the book.

First, I'd like to send a little Taker swag--the post-it notes, a signed bookplate, bookmark--to anyone who'd like it. Just send me your mailing address and I'll pop it in the mail to you, anywhere.

Secondly, if you enjoyed the book, may I ask you to help get the word out. Tell your friends. Tell your librarian, your local bookseller. Nothing works with books like word of mouth. And it is so, so hard to break out as a debut author these days. I am tremendously grateful for all your support. Thank you!

Thanks Alma. And another good book disscusion will be great!

Thank you Alma!

Thank you Alma! Really enjoyed this book discussion and am looking forward to many more. When is the paperback version coming out? Will definitely spread the word about this great book. Have started already!

Mira wrote: "Thank you Alma! Really enjoyed this book discussion and am looking forward to many more. When is the paperback version coming out? Will definitely spread the word about this great book. Have starte..."

The trade paperback is coming out in late March 2012, I believe, and the second book, The Reckoning, is scheduled for June 2012. Thanks for asking!