THE SOPHIA FREEMAN SERIES
by T.X. Troan
GENRE: Middle-Grade Fantasy Mystery
BLURB:
What begins as a special trip for eleven-year-old SOPHIA FREEMAN and her billionaire father, leaves her trapped on a mysterious island with a tree boy and other fantastical creatures.
The moment Sophia thinks her situation can’t get any crazier, she is shocked to learn the island is under a deadly eternal curse. All living things are rapidly decaying and soon nothing and no one—including herself—will be left alive.
From competing in a three-round yearly held competition to reviving a long-lost magical spell, Sophia and her new companions must gather every ounce of courage, wit and skill as they are stepping closer to breaking the 150-year-old curse. But will they make it in time while surrounded by enemies and traitors aiming to stop them at any cost?
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Excerpt:
With most islanders in the water, a menacing laugh halted them.
“Going somewhere?” said Arbiter Scarlon, standing next to Bolrock, the monstrous boulder creature and dark guardian leader who almost killed Sophia when she first came to Pandilone Island. Iron-masked guards stood behind them.
“Scarlon, after what the island has given you—how could you betray us?” Arbiter Nulon snapped telepathically.
“In order for all of us to have a better future, we must make a change to this place,” Arbiter Scarlon pointed out. “I am just … speeding up the process.”
Tim clenched his fists and barked, “You just want more power for yourself!”
“We are such fools for trusting you.” Arbiter Nulon lowered her head.
“You are not the only fools here,” said Arbiter Scarlon, glaring at Allen. “Boy, I thought you were smarter than this. You could’ve had so much more, but instead you decided to leave with these pathetic weaklings.”
“I never wanted anything to do with you or the new era,” Allen revealed. “I only got close to you guys to destroy Tombermon.”
“He was just pretending this whole time?” Tim whispered, staring at Sophia.
She nodded with a grin.
Arbiter Nulon stepped past her guards. “Scarlon, you can have the island. We just want to leave in peace.”
“Ah, that is very generous of you,” he said sarcastically, waving his hand to command his army to surround them. “Unfortunately, no one is leaving this place.”
“Why not?” Sophia demanded, shifting into her attack position. “You already got what you were after.”
“The reason is very simple: to ensure a long-lasting new era, there must not be any kind of rebellion,” Arbiter Scarlon explained.
“You think we will return one day and take everything back?” Allen guessed.
“The risk is far too great,” Arbiter Scarlon continued. “But if you remain here, the chance of that happening is extremely low.”
“So, what you’re telling us is staying on the island is our only option?” Allen asked.
He sneered. “Well, it’s your only living option.”
“Enough with your nonsense!” Arbiter Nulon thrust out her hand and shards of ice appeared from her palm, forming an oversized sword. “BLIZZARD BLADE!” She flung her sword over fifteen feet, snow flying everywhere.
Interview with T.X. Troan
Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
No.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Most of them came to me naturally. Some are based on their attitude or habit.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
No yet.
What was your hardest scene to write?
I think the hardest scene for me would be from book 2, Sophia Freeman and the Gate of Jade, where Sophia and Tim is on their final round of the Beyond Event competition. I had to do a lot of thinking and changes to achieve a meaningful ending.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I am trying to build a body of work with connections between each book.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
Other than sharing a great story, I want my readers to realize how important it is to have respect for nature, fight hard for what they believe in, and to strengthen the mind and body to take on the upcoming challenges.
What inspired you to write the Sophia Freeman series?
The human versus nature theme has followed me for many years after watching an inspirational animation, Princess Mononoke, by Hayao Miyazaki. Now, it’s time to tell my version of the story.
Can you tell us a little bit about the next books in Sophia Freeman series or what you have planned for the future?
I am currently writing and illustrating the last book (5th) of the Sophia Freeman series. Can’t wait to share the big ending with you guys!
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Sophia Freeman series?
Sophia Freeman (protagonist) starts out as an eleven-year-old girl who got trapped on a mysterious cursed island. On the island, she met some highly-evolved creatures and a kind tree boy, who holds a secret that could change Sophia’s life... forever.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I enjoyed most coming up with spell names and how to use them!
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Thuan Doan is an award-winning author of the Sophia Freeman series. He conceived his first middle-grade fantasy novel, Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain, during a trip to Gabriola Island, British Columbia in the summer of 2013. Then he took his work and settled in a small town of Enderby, where it’s peaceful and quiet.
Thuan is writing under a pen name of T.X. Troan. “X” stands for Xu, his grandmother’s name who passed away. And “Troan” is a combination of his parents' names.
“No matter how this turns out, I want my family to be a part of this wonderful journey.”
T.X. Troan married Sarah, his original fan and longtime love, in 2016. They live in Enderby with their pack dogs!
Connect with T.X. Troan
Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads
17 comments:
Thank you for hosting today.
Excellent interview. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed the post. Sounds like an entertaining series.
I liked the excerpt.
Looks like a great series.
How did you pick the title and cover , for this book?
Are there story types or themes you haven't explored yet but want to in the future?
To Traciem - I usually come up with a few titles and cover sketches, and go from there. I do enjoy horror, but I don't have any future plans for it.
Thank you so much, everyone. Hope you guys enjoy the series!
I appreciate your insightful responses and wish you much success in the future. I look forward to seeing your future works!
To Traciem - thank you so much. Can't wait to share my big ending of this series with you guys! Have a wonderful day :)
Sounds very cute
Thank you, Nancy. Have a wonderful day!
I would ask the author if you plan the stories in detail before writing them or do you let them emerge as you go?
To Damaris - I go into detailed plotting. It takes longer, but I find it makes writing the manuscript much easier.
Congratulations on your book!
To Nancy - thank you so much. Have a wonderful day!
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