Publisher: Swoon Reads
Release Date: May 25th 2021
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology
Synopsis:
An exiled goddess goes on a quest to clear her name and save Mount Olympus in Talia Rothschild & A. C. Harvey's action-packed young adult debut, The Immortal Game!
Galene, daughter of Poseidon, desperately wants to earn her place among the gods. But when a violent attack leaves Mount Olympus in chaos and ruins, she is accused of the crime. Banished from Olympus, Galene sets out to prove her innocence and discovers a more deadly plot—one that threatens even the oldest of Immortals.
Fortunately, she has allies who willingly join her in exile:
A lifelong friend who commands the wind.
A defiant warrior with deadly skill.
A fire-wielder with a hero’s heart.
A mastermind who plays life like a game.
All-out war is knocking at the gates. Galene and her friends are the only ones who can tip the scales toward justice, but their choices could save Olympus from total annihilation, or be the doom of them all.
Can you briefly describe THE IMMORTAL GAME and its characters?
We feel like the jacket copy does it well! But put in different words, The Immortal Game follows young, still unknown gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus. Galene, our foremost protagonist, is the daughter of Poseidon, with power over the tides. She is accused of a crime and banished from Olympus, and has to fight to clear her name and save her home. She does so alongside four comrades:
Iyana, Galene’s best friend and passionate daughter of Zeus.
Kostas, the newly established God of Games, who can feel and see emotions.
Braxtus, son of Apollo, a loyal friend who wields fire.
Demitri, an intense, attractive son of Ares, whose fighting skills are unmatched.
Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?
Talia: Iyana. When we first started writing her, I put a lot of my own insecurities on the page, into her character. I related so much to her that I grew very, very proud of her when we shaped her story into an empowering arc of learning and strength. She’s sweet and fun, but she has an indomitable courage and fierceness to her spirit. I adore her. I want to be her friend in real life. :)
Ash: Kostas! He’s been through a lot of re-writes and changes. I really miss some aspects of who he was before our final draft, but he’s still amazing. He’s brave, loyal, kind, determined, and he values knowledge and thinking outside the box. In my mind, he is an example of what all humans should aspire to be like. He definitely inspires me.
How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?
We were inspired at the age of 13, at a sleepover! We’d been close friends since the fifth grade, but we’d finally outgrown make-believe games. So, instead of play-acting, we decided to write down a story instead! Driven by our passion for mythology (largely sparked by the Percy Jackson series), we created characters and a world among the Greek pantheon, and with that, The Immortal Game was born. :) We found inspiration in other books, movies, and ultimately, each other, as we talked through some of the most epic ideas we had.
If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?
Talia: This one is difficult for me—but I might go with Speechless by Naomi Scott (written for the live action Aladdin). The whole song is about finding your voice in a world that is trying to drown you out, and that’s exactly what Galene and our other characters are fighting for. Even the first lines hauntingly allude to the ocean in a metaphor about exactly that: Here comes a wave meant to wash me away, a tide that is taking me under. Swallowing sand, left with nothing to say, my voice drowned out in the thunder.
Ash: Head Above Water, by Avril Lavigne - This song makes me think of Galene and all her struggles through this book, how much she’s fighting and how much she’s dependent on her friends to help her. The general feel of the song fits the more desperate elements of this story which is a big part of the novel haha.
What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?
Talia: Right by the Aegean sea. And while I’ve never tried it, I’ve heard the Greek drink Soumada is delicious! I’d love to sit on the sand before the Aegean sea with this book and a new and exotic almond drink in my hand—the full Greecian experience.
Ash: I have to agree with the beach. And I would say a sprite (fresh and tasty with some bubbly excitement—just like TIG)
Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish THE IMMORTAL GAME?
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book? And what’s the best thing of writing a book together?
Talia: The most difficult part for me is getting that first draft out, and having to cut things you love before you see the better, cleaner picture of a later draft.
The best thing about having a coauthor is getting a built-in cheerleader, a partner in crime who GETS the story, who you can pass off the scenes you’re struggling with to when you need a break. :)
Ash: Difficult — Plotting and outlining. Crafting a seamless story that connects subplots and character arcs and smoothing out all the wrinkles before you can even start! Best — Talia kind of covered it. It’s also great getting help with plotting and coming up with an exciting timeline together.
What’s next for you?
Talia: We’re still writing! I have finished my next novel and first solo project, another YA Fantasy, the first in an intended series (working title The Cobra’s Heir). I’m about to start a new project as I work toward deals on that book. Meanwhile I’m a stay-at-home mom, with a darling 3-year-old girl and another little girl on the way.
Ash: Moving to Massachusetts this summer for my husband’s dream job and quitting teaching to become a full-time writer! I’m on my final draft of my next novel, soon to be submitted to publishers, and crafting a new YA story to dive into as well. I’m excited to work on personal side projects and hopefully be able to get out and experience new things and new places in New England!
Talia Rothschild
Talia Rothschild, Italian American, is passionate about stories in many forms—music, dance, photography, film and, of course, great novels. She believes in thick hot chocolate and creamer in your tea. When she's not happily writing, she's mothering the sweetest baby girl and making memories with her husband. Her debut book The Immortal Game, coauthored with A. C. Harvey, hits the shelves May 2021.
A. C. Harvey
Ashleigh Harvey is teaching high school physics and bringing her writing dreams to life. English-born and world-traveled, she loves filling her life with new adventures, such as visiting a new country or exploring the Wild West with her husband. She also finds escape in movies, music, literature, and yearly comic conventions. The Immortal Game is her debut novel, created alongside Talia Rothschild, her close friend.
