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Interview: Jay Chris

If you’re reading this then that means you have eyeballs. Congratulations! Continue to use those to read this quick interview between the Monster and author Jay Chris about his book Envenom.

Envenom is a very imaginative book with lots of interesting gizmos and situations. What was your inspiration for the technology in the book?

I have always enjoyed science so in the midst of writing, I sat down at my desk and asked myself, “what technology would a rebuilt world have in it?” And also, “what would make this story more interesting?” The combination of these two questions, science, and family support inspired the technology throughout the novel.

There were times when Ash and Cora often butted heads over Kelvin, even when Kelvin was obviously not interested in Ash. What were your ideas behind exploring the dynamic between these characters interactions?

I thought it would be interesting to have a lopsided love triangle in the midst of the mission to give the story a bit more spark. Due to this, Ash developed into a determined, focused, and funny character.

In Envenom Kelvin has an idea that someone in his group is working for the other side, but he’s not sure who. Did you always know who would turn or is that something that happened organically?

This was something that actually happened organically. At first, it was supposed to be a different character who did the betraying. However, I felt an unsung connection between Kelvin and the other character.

If this book was turned into a movie who do you imagine would play your characters; Kelvin, Ash, Cora, Deadeye, and The General?

I was actually thinking about this not too long ago. Kelvin- Josh Hutcherson, Ash- Ashley Madekwe, Cora- Lindsey Morgan, Deadeye- Thomas McDonell, and The General- Kevin Spacey.

The ending of the book ends with a wild twist. Can you give us an idea of what to expect in the book two of this series?

Of course! Cora still has a lot to learn about her family, her hometown, the initial rebellion, and of course, Kelvin. There is a deeper, yet unforeseen connection between two of the characters that will be explored. Readers will be able to meet the man who started it all, The Crusader. Finally, I plan to explore Kelvin’s connection to his past and how this will affect his life as he tries to save Cora’s life.

Posted in Interviews

Review: Envenom

Jul 1

Posted by Literary Titan

Envenom

Kelvin is a teenager doing his best to provide for his mother while surviving in an oppressive society that exists to serve the elites in Sentinel City which are led by a man named ‘The Crusader’. General Sanders is the leader of the rebellion against the oppressively militaristic regime of The Crusader. He enlists Kelvin to command a diverse band of mercenaries on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the capital city and steal a cure for a disease that is killing his only daughter. Kelvin’s dedication to the rebellion is thrown into question when he must choose between the mission and the love of his life.

Envenom is an entertaining young adult adventure novel that succeeds in its ability to deliver a constant stream of action and character turmoil. It gets away with delivering the standard love triangle in the story by making that triangle obviously one sided; leaving the other woman after Kelvin stuck watching the love she wished she had play out in front of her. Kelvin is discovered by The General in the begining of the novel because of his skills with a sword and is quickly given the role as leader of the group. While as a young adult novel I don’t necessarily find fault with the protagonist being a teenager, I just wanted there to be a better reason to believe that the entire group of mercenaries, consisting mostly of teenagers, are the best people to send on such an important mission. But with that said, the shocking ending to the novel does provide some clarity as to why Kelvin is central to everything that happens in the book and really brings everything full circle in a dramatic turn of events. While the story was entertaining the writing was sometimes awkward, but it was nothing that couldn’t have been saved by several well-placed contractions. The drama between the characters is something that I felt was organic and made me empathize with their struggles, but was brought down by strained stilted dialogue that often felt too esoteric, poetic or studied for the characters. Imagination is one thing that is not lacking. There are a lot of contraptions that the General uses to train the recruits, and the numerous confrontations the mercenary team get into through the story work together to deliver a creative bright spot in the book. “We are going to trudge through a gross desert full of crazy animals, and then if we arrive in one piece, we have to find a place called Envirocorp and get some medicine called AnoTron. After, we are required to escape with our lives and trudge back through the desert to Liberty Republic.” I wanted there to be a better reason why Kelvin was selected to lead this mission and I wish that the Crusader was delved more into in this story because they are both central to the arc of the story, but I suppose this is why this is only book one of the series. All in all, I had a fun time. The ending was a wild twist that begs for a second book to be written.

ASIN: B00R1WXB8S