Today, I’m introducing a book that will definitely make you think of masked balls, hot boys, and conspiracies when you see it on shelves today. Yes you guessed it, I’m talking about THE CONSPIRACY OF US by Maggie Hall! Read on for an interview and make sure to enter the giveaway for a finished copy of THE CONSPIRACY OF US, courtesy of Penguin!
The Conspiracy of Us
Author: Maggie Hall
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contempoary, Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: January 13, 2015
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Summary:
Avery West’s newfound family can shut down Prada when they want to shop in peace, and can just as easily order a bombing when they want to start a war. Part of a powerful and dangerous secret society called the Circle, they believe Avery is the key to an ancient prophecy. Some want to use her as a pawn. Some want her dead.
To unravel the mystery putting her life in danger, Avery must follow a trail of clues from the monuments of Paris to the back alleys of Istanbul with two boys who work for the Circle – beautiful, volatile Stellan and mysterious, magnetic Jack. But as the clues expose a stunning conspiracy that might plunge the world into World War 3, she discovers that both boys are hiding secrets of their own. Now she will have to choose not only between freedom and family – but between the boy who might help her save the world, and the one she’s falling in love with.
Interview with Maggie Hall:
1. Hi Maggie! First of all, I’m super excited for your book – just look at that gorgeous cover! Did it turn out to be everything you’ve hoped for and did you have any input on the cover?
The folks at Penguin did an amazing job with the cover! It is everything I’d hoped for and more. Seriously, the first thing I said when I saw it was, “That is exactly what I would have wanted if I’d known what I wanted!” I did have a little input: at first, we had a couple directions to choose from and I got to give my opinions, and then I got to offer tweaks they were great about implementing (like with exactly how the compass looked). But they mostly did it themselves, and I think it turned out great!.
2. Can tell us something we don’t know about you, something we won’t discover from a simple Google search?
I love college football. I went to USC during the time we were winning a bunch of national championships, and I still follow it religiously. Saturdays in the fall are very much football days for me, and I’m very excited there’s a playoff this year!
3. According to the summary, there are “code-breaking” and “masked balls and explosions” in The Conspiracy of Us – what specific topics did you research for the book that might have landed you on the FBI watch list?
Ooh, some of this is spoilery. But I can tell you that there were definitely searches about different kinds of bombs and how they work, and maybe some of those searches were in conjunction with some landmarks…so yeah, if that doesn’t get me arrested, I don’t know what will.
4. I’ve heard that there was a love triangle in The Conspiracy of Us. Did you have intentions of writing a love triangle for The Conspiracy of Us or is it something that progressed on its own while writing?
It’s only kind of a love triangle. In book 1, at least, there most certainly are two very intriguing boys, but only one is really a romantic interest. Of course, I can’t promise anything about future books! ;) The relationships between the three main characters are still changing and evolving, so I’d definitely say it’s something that happened while writing, because of the characters, and not something I really had intentions for. I always meant for there to be a strong romantic element to the book, and it turns out romance is complicated…
5. The Conspiracy of Us is set in the United States as well as Paris and Istanbul – did your travels around the world help make the setting more vivid and lifelike in the book?
Absolutely! When you’ve smelled schwarma cooking on a spit in Istanbul and spent many an evening sitting by the Seine drinking wine in Paris, you can’t help but have a better feel for the cities. It’s really important to me that readers feel like they’re visiting these new places along with Avery, and it’s something I kept in mind constantly while I was traveling.
Her debut novel, a YA international thriller, is coming from Putnam/Penguin in 2015.
Terms & Conditions:
- This contest is US ONLY.
- The giveaway will run until January 27, 2014.
- You must be 18 years or older, or have parents’ permission to enter.
- All your entries will be disqualified if you pickup entries for something you haven’t done. (I had to do this for so many of my last giveaways, please don’t make me do this again.)
- If you only use ONE account to do all these tasks and enter under different names, they will still only constitute as ONE entry.
- If the winner does not respond to my e-mail within 48 hours, I will have to choose another winner.
- I am not responsible for any items lost in the mail.
I LOVE thriller and characters who have to figure out what’s going on and I love the travelling abroad!!
She sounds like she’s done a lot of research into it!!
Lovely interview :)
I have a US address but rafflecopter might show my location outside US because I’m doing a semester abroad.
thank you so very much :)
I am so excited for this book! I requested a copy of it just the other day, so I don’t know if Penguin has any left, but I cannot wait to read it! It seems like one that’s a little different than what I normally read, but might be just what I need.
Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Erin @ The Hardcover Lover recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday (16)
When books describe places it always makes me want to visit those places, so I love that she actually has traveled to Paris and Istanbul so that I’m sure I’ll be suckered into adding them to my future travels list.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Review: The Last American Vampire by Seth Grahame-Smith
I hadn’t realized the book would be so amazing before the interview. Srsly. Paris. Istanbul. Sign me up!
Sana // artsy musings of a bibliophile recently posted…Review: Sovereign, Volume 1 by Chris Roberson and Paul Maybury
I am so excited for this book! The race against time partnered with secret societies and ancient prophecies? Sign me up! Thank you for this chance. Y
What a great interview!
❤️Britt @ please feed the bookworm
Brittany T recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – I meant to read you! I swear it!!
I would love to travel to the places Maggie has been! I’m way excited to read this book!
International thriller – I was sold right away. I love travel and suspense so this should be perfect for me. I’m super jealous that Maggie is travelling the world all the time. So. Jealous.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Stefani @ Caught Read Handed recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: 2014 Releases I Didn’t Have Time to Read
Yes, I’m super excited! I’ve already done a Waiting on Wednesday post about this book. It sounds incredibly interesting and can’t wait to pick it up! :D
Brianna’s Bookish Confessions recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: 2014 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn’t Get To
This book sounds seriously amazing. I keep hearing about it and every time, I get more excited!
Great cover and the fact that it is set partially in Paris really make me want to read this book.
I am definitely excited to read The Conspiracy of Us! I also like that it’ll be a series to look forward to for the next two years? or so, so I’ll always have something to look forward to. For now, I’ll cross my fingers and hope I get a copy of The Conspiracy of Us soon! n_n
I am super excited for The Conspiracy of Us! It sounds epic and totally cool and there is romance! Does anyone else think that this has heist, spies, etc. written all over it (or maybe I’m the one that’s late in the noticing)? I’m getting that kind of vibe and it says that its perfect for fans of Ally Carter, I’ve read all of Ally Carter’s heist society books and loved all of them <3 I've also read a lot of good things about this book (and about swoony Jack) so YEES I AM EXCITED!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Good luck everyone!
YEEES. For some reason, I get really excited when I see YA authors who went to USC. Probs because it’s one of my top choices, but I really loved reading this interview! I’m SOO SO intrigued by the fact that there is a KIND OF love triangle… hmmm. :) And Paris and Istanbul SOUND AMAZING. I am definitely going to check this book out. Thanks for the awesome interview, Kelly!
I haven’t heard too much about this book, but it sounds absolutely thrilling and I love the cover/title. I can’t wait to check it out! Thank you so much for this post and this giveaway!
it’s too bad this is US only…but i am still very much excited for this coz I love Ally Carter’s Heist Society and this one is all about secret society and espionage…so i already have this on my tbr! I am going to get my ebook copy first coz my local book store don’t have it yet as usual :/
Sounds like a fantastic read, thanks for the chance!
This sounds like a really cool book! Thanks for the giveaway!
I cannot wait until I get to read this book. It literally has some of my favorite things: Paris, mysteries, and a beautiful cover. If I don’t win, I will definitely buy a physical copy of my own. :)
I am super excited about this book! I can’t wait to read it!
I am so excited to read this one! I have been hearing so many good things, and I adore travelling so it is extra perfect. And the cover? Gorgeous! Thanks so much for the chance!
Shannon recently posted…Stacking the Shelves and Other Weekly Shenanigans (44)
sounds interesting
I think the book will be great! This sounds like something I’d share with my sister after I read it.
I put the wrong twitter link in the Rafflecopter box and it won’t let me edit – here is the correct link: https://twitter.com/DedeZoomsalot/status/556816031344517121
Dede recently posted…Missing in Paradise – book review
AHH I want to read this book SO BAD!! It sounds SO AMAZING!!!
Anna Weimer (@lostbraincell) recently posted…A Little More Personal- My Life Growing Up in an Abusive Home Part 3
This book sounds like a really amazing book!!! I love the mystery aspect and the powerful secret society! Can’t wait to read it!!!
I am SOOOOO excited for The Conspiracy of Us! When I see the cover, it makes me anxious and my palms get itchy. I want to hold it like something fierce! I am definitely ready to own my own copy.
I love that this book takes place partially in Istanbul, what a beautiful city!
Very excited! It sounds interesting and unique. Can’t wait to read it!