Lindsay has created a world set in the city of Blackthorn, a city divided by species. Although we are introduced to a variety of the species that inhabit this dark, wet city, Blood Shadows focuses mainly on the vampires - in this case, Kane Malloy, a Master Vampire. Tasked with hunting him is the human Caitlin Parish a Shadow Reader and a member of the VCU (Vampire Control Unit). In a nutshell, Vampires do not have souls - they have shadows. I'll give a special Brownie Point to anyone who can guess what special talent a Shadow Reader has...
I loathe reviews that give too many plot points away, so plot-wise, the only thing I will add is that although natural enemies, Kane and Caitlin need each other for their own personal - and deadly - reasons.
Blood Shadows is a wonderful book - for a debut author it is first class. There were moments when I was reading it that I could smell the oil on Kane's hands and swear I heard the rain dripping against the window pane. Lindsay sucks you into Blackthorn so you're right there with them, living this deadly moment with them, and she keeps the suspense and atmosphere going right to the very last page.
And now for the most exciting part of the blog - the interview! As Lindsay has written such a dark, atmospheric book, I thought I should ask questions that perfectly encapsulates Blackthorn. And then I thought, 'nah', that would be boring!
Q) If you won the lottery (and we're talking mega-money, not a trifling million), what would you spend it on? And don't say anything worthy about 'sharing it with my family' or 'donating a portion to charity'. Unless that charity is the Michelle Smart Hardship Fund.
A) No family or charity at all? Hmmm. I’d probably indulge in books, lingerie and chocolate. And not necessarily in that order. Maybe a tree house. Oh, and a car – my husband just wrote off my last one so I don’t have one anymore. I’d have a black Audi convertible with the Blackthorn logo somewhere. Hang on, mega money? Ah, let’s just go for a Batmobile. In fact, I’m going to buy Wayne Manor. Bruce can stay if he likes…
Q) What was your favourite book as a child, and why?
A) The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I read it countless times during childhood (accompanied with regular visits inside my wardrobe – I even had a schedule to increase my chances of getting to Narnia). I loved the story because of the adventure, the talking animals and all the scary stuff with the queen turning characters into stone, let alone the idea of a parallel world being that accessible. And all that snow! I love snow.
Q) What was your favourite TV show as a child and why?
A) The Little Vampire (I should have guessed ha ha ha!). I was fascinated by another world co-existing furtively alongside ours. I adored the costumes and the setting. It was so beautifully gothic. I’d probably look back at it now and cringe because it wasn’t exactly a high-budget show, but I loved it at the time.
Hmmm, the other-wordly thing is becoming a theme here…
Q) If you were stranded on a desert island and were allowed only one book, what would it be and why?
A) I’d take Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian * (an update of Dracula), quite simply because its been on my TBR pile for about three years. I keep putting it off until I have some time to indulge in it properly. I’d hate to think how many books I’ve read in-between – I should have just got on with it! It’s either that or Calvin and Hobbes. They crack me up.
*Lindsay originally wanted to take a note pad. Tut tut. The cheat.
Q) You're still on the island - what is the one music record you would want and why?
A) It would depend on what mood I’m in. Am I on my own? That means I can sing at the top of my voice. I’ll go for My Chemical Romance’s Black Parade in that case.
Q) You're still on the island - if you could have one fictional man there with you, who would it be and why (and he has to be a character from a book)?
A) Still on the island? This is turning into an episode of Lost. A book that’s been published already… Kane! * Surely I don’t need to tell you why.
* She cheated again! Going for her own character is against the rules so I'm taking Kane away from the island and sending Hurley from Lost in his place.
Q) What's your favourite smell?
A) Do I go with soothing smells, sexy smells, invigorating smells…? I like cinnamon. And pomegranate. Oh, and woodburners. Old paper – I love the smell of old bookshops. Okay, we’ll go with the latter. Excellent choice Lindsay!
Q) What's your one money weakness?
A) Eating out. I LOVE eating out. I’m obscenely cautious with money but will eat out at the drop of a hat. Italian (my favourite!), Chinese, Indian, Mexican… any excuse.
Q) What's your favourite joke?
A) A vampire bat returned to his cave late one night, covered in fresh blood. He was just settling down in the roof to get some sleep when all the other bats smelled the blood on him. Soon they were all pestering him about where he got it from.
He told them to leave him alone and let him get some sleep, but they kept on at him. Eventually, he gave in.
‘OK, follow me, he said, and flew out of the cave with hundreds of his fellow bats behind him.
Down through a valley they went, across a river and into a forest full of trees.
Finally he slowed down and all the other bats excitedly milled around him.
‘Now, do you see that tree over there?’ he asked.
‘Yes, yes, yes!’ the bats all squeaked in a frenzy.
‘Good,’ he said. ‘Because I didn’t.’
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lindsay for agreeing to the interview (even though she did cheat more than once - did I mention she tried to get out of doing the joke?). Lindsay, it's been an absolute pleasure and I wish you and Blood Shadows and your wonderful publisher Bookouture every success in the world.
Take care all xxx
