A Q&A with Veronica Rossi and Tahereh Mafi

Veronica interviews Tahereh

VR: Why are you so awesome and will you consider moving closer to where I live so I can see you all the time?

TM: Um I love you. Please come live in my house.

VR: What was the most surprising part of writing Unravel Me?

TM: The part where it was hard as hell.

VR: So many of your fans, myself included, are captivated by Warner. Can you tell us what intrigues you about this character?

TM: I could! But I canâ??t. Because spoilers! But AHHHHH I have so many feeeeeelings!

VR: Iâ??m borrowing one of your questions to me . . . can you describe Unravel Me in one word?

TM: Sexy.

VR: What are some of your thoughts as the series approaches a conclusion? Are you looking forward to working on other projects? Nostalgic about the whole experience?

TM: Iâ??m super excited to work on something new. Anxious, even. But I love these kids and their stories. I can crack open a book and visit them whenever I like. Thatâ??s a nice feeling.

Tahereh interviews Veronica

TM: If you could use one word to describe Through the Ever Night, what would it be?

VR: Intense!

TM: What do you think is the hardest part of writing a sequel?

VR: For me, it was balancing what is right for the story with the expectations of fans. There are a few things that happen in THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT that needed to happenâ??they were organic to the storyâ??but I worried about how fans would react. Ultimately, of course, I wrote what felt true to the characters and to the world. Iâ??m so happy to see how fans are responding to the book. Theyâ??re loving everything I agonized over!

TM: Who is your favorite character in Through the Ever Night? Why?

VR: You are a cruel, cruel friend to ask me this! Okay. If we remove the central characters and focus on characters who are NEW to the series in this middle book, then my answer would be Sable. Heâ??s mentioned in Under the Never Sky, but we meet him in Through the Ever Night. Heâ??s mercurial, power-hungry and very smart, which makes him tons of fun to write!

TM: What do you think will shock readers the most about this second installment?

VR: I canâ??t share anything specific without spoiling the fun, but there are a few points in the book that I believe are truly surprising. This is a world in decline. These are societies grasping for their survival. Of course, not everything goes as planned, or as the characters hope.

TM: Are you excited or are you nervous for readers to get their hands on Into the Still Blue (the third and final book!)? Do you think they'll be okay with what you have in store for your characters?

VR: Excited, definitely! Iâ??m very proud of the last book, and I canâ??t wait for fans to read it! And while some of what happens in the novel might make fans white-knuckled as they read, I think they will accept that what happens is all meant to happen, and ultimately be thoroughly satisfied with the book and trilogy as a whole.