About the Book
Absolute obedience, servitude, neutrality.
These were the laws that once governed Bartholomew, an immortal soulcatcher, until one ill-fated night when he was forced to make a choice: rebel against his masters or reveal an ancient, dangerous secret.
He chose defiance.
Imprisoned for centuries as punishment for his decision, Bartholomew wastes away—until he creates an opportunity to escape. By a stroke of chance, Bartholomew finds himself in the human world and soon learns that breaking his bonds does not come without a price. Cut off from the grace that once ruled him, he must discover a new magic in 1930s Chicago.
Armed with only a cryptic message to give him direction, Bartholomew desperately tries to resume the mission he had started so long ago. Relying on the unlikely guidance of the streetwise orphan Charlie Reese, Bartholomew must navigate the depressed streets of the City in the Garden. But in order to solve this riddle, he must first discover if choice and fate are one in the same.
MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KIMBERLEEE ANN BASTIAN
Hello and welcome, Kimberlee! Let’s start with my first question. THE BREEDLING AND THE CITY IN THE GARDEN is the first instalment of your Element Odysseys saga. What are the main features/themes in your series?
The
main features in the series are the historical setting and elements I use to
surround my fictitional characters. It was important to me to create a
historical fantasy that is set apart from those traditionally thought of,
especially those in Europe. Setting it in America during the Depression Era
gave me the leeway to use a melting-pot of beliefs, folklore, and myths to
create an unique world building mythology, as well as provide a setting that
would cater to the plausibility that supernatural elements intereacted with the
“real” world.
Two
of the biggest themes of the series deal with the notions of free-will verses
destiny, and the honor of keeping ones word.
When and How did your fascination with mythology start?
I was
a Disney Kid, through and through, so I have always been facinated by
make-believe and fairytales; but I think my love for mythology was fully
realized in sixth grade when my class read and studied Homer’s Odyssey.
Time travelling is one of the elements in your saga,
especially in this first book. How
difficult is it to write about different time periods, especially past periods.
Do you work a lot on research?
