Hello, sweet Spirits! Today, I'm delighted to share my first blog tour here at The Book Sprite -- an exclusive look at The Electrical Menagerie, a debut novel from author Mollie E. Reeder!
About the Book
BOOK ONE OF THE CELESTIAL ISLES
The Electrical Menagerie, one-of-a-kind robotic roadshow, is bankrupt.
Sylvester Carthage, illusionist and engineer, has the eccentric imagination the Menagerie needs to succeed creatively -- but none of the people skills. Fast-talking Arbrook Huxley, meanwhile, has all the savvy the Menagerie needs to succeed commercially -- but none of the scruples.To save their show, Carthage and Huxley risk everything in a royal talent competition, vying for the chance to perform for the Future Celestial Queen. In this stardust-and-spark-powered empire of floating islands and flying trains, a shot at fame and fortune means weathering the glamorous and cutthroat world of critics, high society, and rival magicians -- but with real conspiracy lurking beneath tabloid controversy, there's more at stake in this contest than the prize.
Behind the glittery haze of flash paper and mirrors, every competitor has something to hide... and it's the lies Carthage and Huxley tell each other that may cost them everything.
"Dazzles from start to finish. In Carthage and Huxley, Sherlock and Watson fans will find another dynamic duo whose ready wit and sizzling banter (and inevitable personality clashes) never fail to delight. You'll be calling for an encore performance."
~Gillian Bronte Adams, author of The Songkeeper Chronicles
Amazon // Goodreads
Character Interview: Sylvester Carthage
My name is Sylvester Carthage. Thank you for having me. I'm not sure what to say about myself. Huxley told me to prepare to recite my biography, but I doubted you wanted me to read from a script. Even I'm not interested in what I've already done -- I'd rather talk about the future.
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| Sylvester Carthage art by Randi Lynn Jackson. |
I understand that you are the creative mind behind the Electrical Menagerie. What inspired this unique robotic roadshow?
Well, I don't know how old you are, and I suppose many young people now have grown up with electricals serving in the home -- it seems nowadays even the most middle-class families have an electrical maid, or a footman -- but I didn't. We didn't even have electricity.
When I experienced electricity for the first time, I knew that mankind had turned a tremendous corner. We are no longer limited by darkness, or by distance, or by what already exists.
I could have a live menagerie, but then it would just be what already exists. My electrical menagerie is limited only by imagination -- which is hardly a limitation at all.
You work alongside Mr. Arbrook Huxley, is that correct? How did you two meet?
It was on Astoria Isle, where I did magic on the corners for many years. One morning, after a show, he came straight toward me and started talking without any introduction. I was so taken aback I confess I may have seemed stupidly slow to respond.
But I have since chalked that up to his being foreign. On Fallsbright, apparently, one may engage a total stranger without any sort of preamble.
In a matter of time, you could have the opportunity to perform for the Future Celestial Queen. What makes you think you can do this?
When I was a street magician, I was oft rained on, I was spit on once or twice, and I went hungry many nights. There is something inside me -- perhaps something foolish, but powerful nonetheless -- that just didn't care. I can abide pain, I can abide hunger, but I can't abide anything less than to accomplish what I set my mind to.
This, for me, is more than a contest. It's the culmination of a lifelong journey, and I will stand on that stage on Celestia.
As for what I'll do when I get there -- well, I have more than a few new inventions and illusions up my sleeve. But you'll have to watch the show. A magician never gives away his secrets.
Thank you for your time, Mr. Carthage! Any final words of wisdom for the audience?
There are many people with no belief left in them at all. You must choose to believe anyway, despite those people -- in all of the good things that go unseen.
Mollie's first job was with a major theme park, where she operated a roller coaster, fixed parade floats, and helped Scooby-Doo put on his head. Now, Mollie is a movie producer and the author of character-driven science fiction / fantasy novels for adults who never outgrew imagination. Her favorite things include Jesus, dinosaurs, and telling cinematic stories that blend glitter and grit.
Explore the world of The Electrical Menagerie by entering to win this Celestial Isles prize pack, which includes: "High Victorian" playing cards by luxury playing card company Theory11, handmade galaxy mug by DeVita Designs, science-and-engineering-themed pocket notebook set by CognitiveSurplus, and a tin of Electrical Menagerie themed tea (over a $50 value)! US only.
Well, I don't know how old you are, and I suppose many young people now have grown up with electricals serving in the home -- it seems nowadays even the most middle-class families have an electrical maid, or a footman -- but I didn't. We didn't even have electricity.
When I experienced electricity for the first time, I knew that mankind had turned a tremendous corner. We are no longer limited by darkness, or by distance, or by what already exists.
I could have a live menagerie, but then it would just be what already exists. My electrical menagerie is limited only by imagination -- which is hardly a limitation at all.
You work alongside Mr. Arbrook Huxley, is that correct? How did you two meet?
It was on Astoria Isle, where I did magic on the corners for many years. One morning, after a show, he came straight toward me and started talking without any introduction. I was so taken aback I confess I may have seemed stupidly slow to respond.
But I have since chalked that up to his being foreign. On Fallsbright, apparently, one may engage a total stranger without any sort of preamble.
In a matter of time, you could have the opportunity to perform for the Future Celestial Queen. What makes you think you can do this?
When I was a street magician, I was oft rained on, I was spit on once or twice, and I went hungry many nights. There is something inside me -- perhaps something foolish, but powerful nonetheless -- that just didn't care. I can abide pain, I can abide hunger, but I can't abide anything less than to accomplish what I set my mind to.
This, for me, is more than a contest. It's the culmination of a lifelong journey, and I will stand on that stage on Celestia.
As for what I'll do when I get there -- well, I have more than a few new inventions and illusions up my sleeve. But you'll have to watch the show. A magician never gives away his secrets.
Thank you for your time, Mr. Carthage! Any final words of wisdom for the audience?
There are many people with no belief left in them at all. You must choose to believe anyway, despite those people -- in all of the good things that go unseen.
About the Author
Website // Twitter // Instagram
Giveaway
Explore the world of The Electrical Menagerie by entering to win this Celestial Isles prize pack, which includes: "High Victorian" playing cards by luxury playing card company Theory11, handmade galaxy mug by DeVita Designs, science-and-engineering-themed pocket notebook set by CognitiveSurplus, and a tin of Electrical Menagerie themed tea (over a $50 value)! US only.
Click here to enter!
Tour Schedule
Book Spotlight – Sarah Ashwood's Newsletter
Author Interview – New Authors Fellowship
Review – Finding Kat Heckenbach
Tuesday, June 5th
Review – Seasons of Humility
Book Spotlight – Fairies, Fantasy, and Faith
Wednesday, June 6th
Guest Post – H.L. Burke's Blog
Character Interview – Kyle Robert Shultz
Review – Bold Reads
Thursday, June 7th
Review – Inspired Chaos
Guest Post – J.L. Mbewe
Review – Scriblerians
Review – The Bibliophile of Beaverton
Guest Post – H.L. Burke's Blog
Character Interview – Kyle Robert Shultz
Review – Bold Reads
Thursday, June 7th
Review – Inspired Chaos
Guest Post – J.L. Mbewe
Review – Scriblerians
Review – The Bibliophile of Beaverton
Friday, June 8th
Author Interview – Bethany A. Jennings
Guest Post & Review – The Elven Padawan
Author Interview – Shannon A. Hiner
Saturday, June 9th
Author Interview, Character Interview, & Review – Katelyn Buxton Books
Review – K.M. Carroll, Author – fun, fantastical escapes
Character Interview – The Book Sprite
Monday, June 11th
Blog Tour Wrap-Up – Unicorn Quester
Author Interview – Bethany A. Jennings
Guest Post & Review – The Elven Padawan
Author Interview – Shannon A. Hiner
Saturday, June 9th
Author Interview, Character Interview, & Review – Katelyn Buxton Books
Review – K.M. Carroll, Author – fun, fantastical escapes
Character Interview – The Book Sprite
Monday, June 11th
Blog Tour Wrap-Up – Unicorn Quester
Thanks for reading! ❤
~Serethiel
This was SO good! I loved getting to know Carthage better and hear his drive for why he does what he does. I also would LOVE to see his tricks so I guess I better get to a performance quickly! ;)
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