Author Interview: Gregg Rosenblum, author of the Revolution 19 series

I'm so excited to have author Gregg Rosenblum back on the blog today for another fun interview! Gregg is the author of the action-packed, sci-fi Revolution 19 series and book two, Fugitive X, releases next week...

Fugitive X

(Revolution 19 #2)

by Gregg Rosenblum

1/7/14

Harper Teen

Their fight for freedom is humanity's last hope for survival. The chilling Revolution 19 trilogy continues in Fugitive X.

A war between humans and robots is on the horizon, and only one side will survive.

Siblings Nick, Kevin, and Cass are struggling to survive in a world where deadly, sophisticated robots have turned on their creators and enslaved mankind. Fugitives from one of the bot-controlled Cities, the siblings venture into the woods, but when they are attacked by bot foot soldiers, the siblings are separated...and for the first time, they are on their own.

Created in conjunction with Alloy Entertainment; Howard Gordon, showrunner of 24 and Showtime's Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Homeland; and James Wong, writer-director of the Final Destination films, Fugitive X is the gripping next installment in the cinematic Revolution 19 series.

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N / IndieBound

Revolution 19

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.
Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.
Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed. 

Amazon / B&N / Indiebound

What three words best describe Fugitive X?

Danger, surprise, struggle

Grab a copy of Fugitive X and answer the following:

Favorite chapter?

Chapter 39, the final chapter. I creeped myself out.

Favorite page?

23. Something terrible is happening to Nick and Cass, but it's a powerful moment, I think.

Favorite new character?

Erica. She's dangerous, and self-reliant, and strong, and Nick is in way over his head with her...

Flip to a random page and give us a 1-2 sentence teaser:

Okay, I did do this randomly, although I was tempted to cheat...Pg. 155: "One of the girls stepped towards her, slowly, her hands raised in a gesture of peace. 'Cass, I'm Lexi. This is Farryn. We're your friends. And Nick is your brother.'"

How have your three main characters- Nick, Cass, and Kevin- changed and grown since book one? Have any of them surprised even you, their creator, with how they’ve evolved or developed, or are they exactly how you always magine them to be?

All three end up separated, and have to survive without each other's help. Kevin, I think, grows up a great deal...he proves to himself what he can survive, and gains confidence and (some) maturity. Nick ends up being quite the fighter, with help from an unexpected source...but Cass is the one who surprised me the most. She goes through some extremely difficult trials, and she ends up being stronger than I had originally imagined.

There’s some pretty awesome tech and weapons used in Fugitive X, do you have a favorite? What one piece of tech or weaponry would you recommend as a necessity  in a war against robots?

I'll take a Wall cloak, to hide away. I'm not a fighter.

In both Revolution 19 and Fugitive X we are introduced to different kinds of robots with varying purposes...what would YOU use a high tech robot for?

A combination chauffeur/chef/dogwalker.

Can you give us any hints about what’s to come for Nick, Cass, and Kevin in the last book of your trilogy?!

The struggle against the bots comes to a head, but not quite in the way that Nick, Cass, or Kevin, had expected. It turns out they have more than just the Senior Advisor to worry about...

Fill in the blanks:

I’m really awesome at Worrying.

I’m really embarrassed to admit that I don't know how to drive a stick-shift car.

The last great book I read was An ARC of The Museum of Intangible Things, by Wendy Wunder

If you were to create and bake a cupcake inspired by any one character or setting in Fugitive X who/what would be the inspiration, what would the cupcake look and taste like, and what would you call it?

A Sphere Bot Cupcake Ball: Vanilla cake, with silver frosting, and a molten chocolate center when you manage to crack it open (with a burst rifle, or just a really big bite).

Thanks so much, Gregg, for stopping by today! Readers, be sure to check out Gregg's thrilling Revolution 19 series!

goodreads * twitter

Review: Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum

Revolution 19

Gregg Rosenblum

1/8/13

Harper Teen

Format: ARC

Source: pub

add on goodreads

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.
Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.
Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.

I went into Gregg Rosenblum's Revolution 19 expecting some intense Terminator meets I, Robot meets Battlestar Galactica craziness, but what I got was a bit less intense and cinematic and more middle-grade-ish over-the-top (in a good, fun way) sci-fi. Was I a little disappointed with this book? Yes, but I did walk away from it thoroughly entertained and liked it much more than I didn't like it...if that makes any sense at all.

Siblings Nick, Kevin, and Cass have lived their whole lives in a hidden and secluded community in the woods away from the big city and the robots. Robots that man built to fight their wars have turned on their creators and have taken over. When the safe haven in the woods is discovered by the robots, Nick; Kevin; and Cass must travel to the terrifying city and face the robots in order to save the people they love. Along the way, they make new friends, experience new things (some scary, some surprising), and discover that things may not be at all what they seem.

Revolution 19 is a quick, fun read. Is this the “blockbuster epic” that the blurb promises? No, but it does have its thrilling and captivating moments. The story may not have blown my mind or break any new sci-fi ground, but it did keep me entertained and intrigued.

The story has the potential to be grand and complex, but it never quite gets there. Rosenblum has certainly created and offered the inklings of a fascinating and exciting history of his sci-fi/dystopian setting, but the world-building never feels complete or intricate enough. I found the idea of these robot soldiers turned leaders and the rebel revolutions to be super cool and interesting; I just wish the story had something more (more world-building, more oomph, more substance, more action). I had hoped for a more edge-of-your-seat cinematic landscape and experience, but I didn't hate the story offered by any means.

The story isn't wildly unpredictable, but does have some great twists and turns. And the sci-fi elements may not be super original, but they are presented in some enthralling and refreshing ways. The story doesn't lack humor either, which I really liked. I do think the overall story and its characters come off more upper middle-grade than young adult and may have been better off if it were originally conceived with that tween audience in mind. Older readers may find the overall story hard to fall into or believe, and find themselves distracted by a lack of complete world-building or some instances of illogical explanation. But I think MG readers will find the sci-fi elements and dashes of romance and adventure to create the right amount of fun, excitement, and intrigue. As for me, I quickly put my own expectations aside and really just went with the story and once I did, I was able to enjoy it much more.

I found the main characters to be likable enough, but I didn't fall in love with them. I think younger readers will like that each of the main characters offers a unique and likable personality to relate to. The relationship between the three siblings is surprisingly moving. And I actually really enjoyed the very sweet romances and flirtations sprinkled in. I would have liked a more in-depth look at the robotic “villains” though.

The books concludes in a satisfying (if a bit cheesy) cliffhangery way, but definitely left me eager for more.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Revolution 19 may not have turned out how I expected and hoped it would, but that didn't keep it from entertaining me overall and I would definitely read a sequel. Readers looking for a quick, uncomplicated sci-fi read will find much to like about this book. A worthwhile read!

MY RATING

Purchase Revolution 19

Hardcover: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound

ebook: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

Gregg Rosenblum 

Goodreads I Twitter I Harper Teen

Gregg Rosenblum works at Harvard, where he wages epic battles against technology as an editor/webmaster/communications/quasi-IT guy. He graduated from UC San Diego and has an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College. He lives in Boston with his wife and daughter.

Revolution 19 Blog Tour: Interview with Gregg Rosenblum

I'm so excited to have the Revolution 19 Blog Tour stopping by today with my interview with author Gregg Rosenblum. And, Revolution 19 releases today!

Revolution 19

Gregg Rosenblum

1/8/13

Harper Teen

add on goodreads

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.
Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.
Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.

WS: What three words best describe REVOLUTION 19?

Exciting, fast-paced, adventure

WS: Can you give us your best one sentence pitch for REVOLUTION 19 that will convince readers that they must read it?

Revolution 19 is a YA dystopian sci-fi that will hopefully scare you and excite you and have you rooting hard for Nick, Cass, and Kevin—three siblings faced with the impossible task of sneaking into a robot-controlled city to rescue their parents.

WS: When writing REVOLUTION 19 did you draw any inspiration from other books or movies that deal with robots or dystopian and sci-fi settings in general?

Sure. It’s impossible to be my age and mention killer robots without thinking of the Terminator, of course…although honestly Revolution 19 is quite different. Some other books/movies that come to mind are Blade Runner (based on work by Philip K.Dick), I, Robot (the Asimov book, not the Will Smith movie), and Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.

WS: Grab a copy of REVOLUTION 19 and answer the following:

Favorite chapter?

Chapter 28…Nick vs. the Lecturer

Favorite page?

263…I had a lot of fun with the epilogue

Favorite character?

Hmm…I feel like a parent asked to pick a favorite child…I’ll go with one of the minor characters, Doc, with whom I had lots of fun.

Flip to a random page and give a 1-2 sentence teaser:

Pg. 94…“Back storage room, now,” said the man. “Wait there for an hour, then leave through the back alley.” He smiled grimly and held out his hand to help Cass to her feet. “Some of us remember. We were all freemen once.”

WS: A robot revolution sounds terrifying to me...what is the scariest or last dystopian/sci-fi/apocalyptic setting or world that you'd want to find yourself in?

1984 by George Orwell…that one always scared the hell out of me, because it feels so plausible at the same time it’s so horrific…

WS: What's the last awesome book that you read?

Small Gods by Terry Pratchett

WS: Random Favorites:

Midnight Snack?

Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food frozen yogurt

Superpower you'd love to have?

Telekinesis.

Fictional character (from any book or movie or tv show)?

Gandalf.

Place to write?

In the shower. Okay, I don’t actually write there, but that’s where I get all my ideas.

Nonsensical word or expletive?

Deadline.

WS: If you were to create and bake a cupcake inspired by REVOLUTION 19 what would it taste and look like, and what would you call it?

The Great Chocolate Intervention—chocolate cake with a seam of caramel baked in, and the words “Peace, Prosperity, Protection” on top in vanilla frosting. And it would be vegan, because my daughter is allergic to eggs.

Watch awesome book trailer

Purchase Revolution 19

Hardcover: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound

ebook: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

Gregg Rosenblum 

Goodreads I Twitter I Harper Teen

Gregg Rosenblum works at Harvard, where he wages epic battles against technology as an editor/webmaster/communications/quasi-IT guy. He graduated from UC San Diego and has an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College. He lives in Boston with his wife and daughter.

Teaser Tuesdays (58): Revolution 19

Teaser Tuesdays...is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

MY TEASER

(a few more than two sentences today)

"A buzzing roar swung by overhead, drowning out Gapper, a wave of sound that rose quickly from silence to a painful howl and just as quickly back to silence. Cass looked up to the sky, her ears throbbing. Nothing. Then came a deep, slow thrumming drone that she could feel in her chest, and then she saw it coming over the tree line, covering up Mars, swallowing up the rest of the night sky. She forgot to breathe." (ARC, pg 27)

Revolution 19

Gregg Rosenblum

1/8/13

Harper Teen

add on goodreads

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.                                      Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.                                                                                                Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.