Author Interview with Malia Ann Haberman

Today I'm excited to welcome to the blog Malia Ann Haberman, author of the middle grade fantasy novel Chase Tinker and the House of Magic. This was such a fun read, and you can check out my review of the book here.

Welcome to Rally the Readers, Malia! Thank you for answering a few questions today.

What made you want to write a book about magic?

I love fantasy and magic because so many fun and incredible things can be done with the worlds that are created. You can let your imagination go pretty darn crazy. After all, where in real life can you conjure a pepperoni pizza from your nose? Or really become invisible? Or shoot lightning bolts from your eyes? I have such a good time coming up with all the different ideas.

Are there any particular challenges you face writing for younger readers?

There are so many distractions for kids these days; I would say one challenge is writing a book that's fun, exciting and interesting enough to hold the reader's complete attention. You don't want them tossing aside your book just because they became bored or discontented with it.

Growing up, what were some of your favorite books/who were some of your favorite authors?

I really can't remember any particular favorites. I just read tons of books. I always had a book in my hands. (I'm proud to say that I mastered the art of reading and watching TV at the same time.) Oh yeah, I was also a huge Nancy Drew fan.

I absolutely loved the whole concept of every room in the Tinker house having its own magical power. How did the idea come about?

Almost 7 years ago, I was working as a Real Estate Agent. After a day of showing homes to my clients, that night I dreamed I was living in a huge house where every room had magic in it. I don't usually remember my dreams, but this one stuck with me. And it's a good thing, or Chase Tinker would be in the same dark place as all those other forgotten dreams. :)

What can we look forward to in Book 2, Chase Tinker and the House of Secrets?

Well, I can't give too much away, but I can share that an awesome and unexpected character joins the cast, and a stunning revelation knocks the pants off everyone. Lots of exciting stuff.

And now for a few random questions:

If you could have any magical power, what would it be?

I'd want the ability to teleport. I'm kind of afraid of flying so with that awesome power, I could go anyplace in the world in the blink of an eye. I'd also use it to constantly drop in on my family members who live in other states. Ha! I'm sure they would love that.

Favorite room in the Tinker house?

The Library. Besides having tons of books, you can conjure up almost anything you want in that room. Plus, it has a pirate ship, a hot air balloon, a tree house and other fantastic things to have fun with.

Period in history you'd most like to travel back in time to?

As long as I didn't have to live there, because I happen to love indoor plumbing, electricity and my computer, I wouldn't mind visiting the wild, wild west with lots of, hopefully, sexy cowboys. :)

Favorite color?

I like all different shades of blue and purple. And green. And red. And gray. Oh, and pink.

Thanks again for your time, Malia! I really appreciate it!

You're welcome, Lee! Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. :)

About Malia Ann Haberman

Author of "The Chase Tinker Series" Malia loves dancing, reading, writing, sunsets, ladybugs, playing video games on her iPod, watching TV, and chocolate. She also has terrible motion sickness and hates onions. She's always wanted to have the ability to teleport and the power to move things with her mind. She lives in the Seattle area with her four wild and crazy ferrets.

You can find Malia on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Review: Chase Tinker and the House of Magic by Malia Ann Haberman

Chase Tinker and the House of Magic (Chase Tinker #1)
By Malia Ann Haberman
Publisher: Crossroad Press

* A copy was provided by the author for review.

To Sum It Up:

Since his father’s mysterious disappearance, Chase Tinker has been getting into a lot of trouble. Chase is also dealing with the fact that he can manipulate objects with his mind, and now his younger brother, Andy, is able to freeze time. The boys are in for the surprise of their lives when the grandfather they didn’t know they had appears on their doorstep and announces that they are part of a magical family. The Tinkers also have an old foe that has been trying to steal the source of their magic and is very likely responsible for whatever happened to Chase and Andy’s dad. Together with their newfound family members, the brothers are ready to face their enemy and find their father.

Review:

When it comes to reading, I think a part of me will always be a kid at heart. That’s why I still enjoy reading middle grade books from time to time; they take me back to some of my happiest childhood memories. Chase Tinker and the House of Magic contains all of the elements that made me fall in love with reading all those years ago: a relatable hero, a thrilling story, and lots of magic!

The standout aspect of this novel is the writing. The characters, the setting, and the pacing are all very well done. I especially loved the descriptions of the Tinker family’s magical house; they burst with such vibrant imagination. What I wouldn’t give to explore a place like this and try out the different magical powers that each room holds! Want to time travel? Not a problem—there’s a room for that. Need to teleport? There’s a room for that, too. If the book had only been about exploring every nook and cranny of the house room by room, that would have been enough to keep me reading.

I thought Chase made a great main character—brave and daring, yet sometimes too rash with his decisions. I loved how he and Andy looked out for each other, and their good-natured sibling squabbling lent a sense of realism to their relationship. I also liked how they formed a tight-knit quartet with their cousin, Janie, and Persephone, the housekeeper’s daughter. Chase’s crush on Persephone and how embarrassed he became around her were just too cute.

The twist toward the end of the novel quite surprised me and should lead to some intriguing plot developments in the next book. It’s been a while since I’ve read a magic-themed book for younger readers, and they, too, should find this both engaging and enchanting. There’s plenty of action and mystery, and let’s not forget the magical house that is just built out of plain awesomeness.

All in All:

This is a fun read for younger readers and not-quite-so-young readers alike, and it’s yet another middle grade novel that I wish had been around when I was growing up.