bthr book club discussion: terra
Good morning, everyone! Who is ready to talk Terra? I’m super excited! But before we dig into that, I do have a little bit of housekeeping to tackle. When we first decided to do a BTHR book club, lots of folks were interested, but the interest has definitely fizzled as we put the book club into action. So I’d love for you to answer a few questions for me. A) Are you still interested in continuing with the BTHR book club? B) If so, what changes would you like to see? Thanks!
Now, onto the debut novel from the amazingly talented Gretchen Powell. Be warned, spoilers abound!
Before I talk at all about Terra, I have to admit, I’m incredibly biased. Not only am I an insane fan of Gretchen and her blog, but Gretch also tapped me to design Terra’s cover. I jumped at the chance to design the cover because I’d read the first two chapters of Terra and was so impressed with Gretchen’s writing that I knew it was a project I just had to be a part of. I’m so proud to have my work on the cover of this novel. I hope it does the inside justice, because damn, I love the inside. But because I’m personally invested in this book, I’m sure my review is totally, 100% biased.
I’m a huge, huge fan of the YA dystopian genre, which means that I am incredibly picky about books in it. This is such a hugely popular genre right now, and, honestly, there is a lot of crap out there (and I’ve read pretty much all of it), but I think Terra really stands out among the superstars in the genre. If I’m being totally honest, I was nervous to read Terra because Gretchen is such a good friend of mine. What would I do if I didn’t like it? What if the writing was bad? What if I didn’t like the characters? But I didn’t have to worry about any of that because I was honestly blown away with how good it was. The writing was colorful and interesting without being distracting or over-the-top. The characters were interesting and well-developed. And the world Gretchen built was simultaneously totally realistic and totally unbelievable (in a great kind of way).
My favorite thing about Terra is how Gretchen struck an incredible balance with the character of Terra herself. So often, in YA books, heroines are either (a) insanely strong-willed, closed off and emotionally stunted (I’m looking at you, Katniss) or (b) weak, simple-minded and whiny (I’m looking at you, Bella), but honestly, I think the vast majority of women in the real world are both strong and vulnerable, and I think Gretchen did an incredible job painting Terra as that “every” woman. At points, I felt like Terra was saying and doing things that I would do in that situation. But then at times, she was being so strong and powerful that I found myself looking up to her. I think that’s a really tough balance for any author to strike in a character, especially in a first novel.
I think what I love the most about Terra is that it’s obvious that Gretchen absolutely loves this genre, loves writing, loves her characters and loves this story. There is so much care put into each and every word in this book. Every phrase, every sentence, every paragraph was purposeful and helped build the story. I think many self-published authors do themselves a great disservice by not working with talented editors, but it was obvious from Terra that Gretchen had an incredible creative relationship with her editor—and the end result is a beautifully flowing story that had me sucked in from the first page.
Alright, let’s have a discussion!
Since Gretchen is so awesome, she’s agreed to pop in here and answer any questions you guys have for her, so make sure to ask ‘em in the comments. Feel free to write-up your own review, but I have a few questions about Terra that I’d love talk over with you guys:
- At what point did you know something was “up” with Adam and his story? Even if you picked up on it early, did you figure out what his secret was or was that a surprise?
- What did you think the machine Terra found was?
- If you were living in Terra’s world, do you think you’d live in the skycities or the groundworld?
- If you were casting the movie of Terra, who would you cast as Terra and Adam?
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I’m Cassie. I’m a Midwestern girl trying to live a healthy life without being too crazy about it. I’m a lover of fresh veggies, bright colors, craft beer, hiking, funky eyeglasses, and really, really dark chocolate.
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1. Right after Terra met him, I thought something was weird about Adam. After he used his “powers” to save Terra, I actually thought he was some kind of robot or genetically modified being. I actually gasped out loud when I found out who he really was.
2. Not a clue! I loved this about the book. As a reader, I learned about things as they happened, right along with Terra.
3. I’m kind of partial to the cushy life, so I’d probably prefer to live in the skycities. Though I’d hope that I would not be closed off and judgmental about those in the ground world.
4. Oooh, fun question. I have no idea, though. I’ll have to come back to this.
I was really skeptical about Terra. I even told my husband that I was not sure about it. I wanted to purchase the book in support of a self published author, as I would hope people will do the same when I publish my first book, but I was nervous about reading it. I’ve read a self published book before and it was awful. Terra, however, was freaking awesome. I loved the relationship between Terra and her brother (does Gretchen have a brother? I felt like the relationship was so natural, she must have a brother who she is close to). It reminded me a lot of my relationship with my brother. I also loved that her relationship with Adam was obviously going to happen, but was not the center of the story. It came along side the story and added to it. I was kind of annoyed at the ending, though. Not fair to leave me wanting more.
To answer your first question, I’m still interested in the book club. But find my time to read is limited, so I don’t always get to read when I’d like to. That said, I definitely need to be making time to read.
I do have a brother who I’m super close to (we live together, our friends think it’s weird that we’re, like, FRIENDS each other, etc) but he’s the older one! So I definitely have a very real concept of how the sibling dynamic works, except in opposite from how Terra and Mica are. It was challenging but fun to reverse it for the book, and put myself in the older sib’s shoes and still make the relationship meaningful without overwrought.
I like the book club idea but it depends on the book, I really didn’t want to read The Book Thief, but I did want to read this.
1) I knew something was up from the beginning and I had a couple of theories but I so didn’t see that coming.
2) I thought the machine might have something to do with the conditions on the ground world. You have acid rain that destroys clothing and burns skin on contact but not buildings? So I thought it may have been engineered.
3) If I was living in Terra’s world I think I’d end up living in the groundworld, just cause.
4) I have no clue who I’d cast, sorry I just draw blanks.
I enjoyed the book, it left me with so many questions and I want to see how it’s going to work out. I’m pleased that the romance wasn’t front and centre because it was all a bit magic, there was a lot of tell and not enough moments of showing me that feelings were deepening/changing but I think that’s just me! Just hurry up and write the next one!
I’m happy to participate in this month’s book club discussion because I just so happened to read Terra! I’m generally not a very good book club person because I rebel against being told what to read! Even if I’m volunteering to do it! I’m weird. Ignore me.
I was pretty pleased and entertained with this debut novel. I’d loosely followed the author’s writing blog, but I didn’t read any of the previews or snippets she posted. I thought the writing was pretty tight and the story moved along at a good pace with lots of effective plot devices.
1. I knew something was different about Adam when he and Terra were in the subterranean room, but I thought maybe that has was part of a whole culture of people who were subterranean that maybe didn’t even know there was an outside world. I realized his likely story later through some hemming and hawing he did in conversations with Terra and her brother.
2. I had no idea what the machine might have been. I thought Gretchen’s description of it was good and imagined a very steampunk-esque device.
3. The question about which world we’d live in – sky or ground – is one I thought about a lot while I was actually reading the novel. I drew a lot of parallels to life – the haves and have nots and the dynamic between the two. I think it’s very similar to being an American and being a citizen of the second or third world. How like the skydwellers – oblivious, ridiculous, wasteful, etc. – we must seem to outsiders (and I probably wouldn’t disagree).
4. I am notoriously bad at knowing any actors under the age of Lohan, so I’m not sure who I’d cast. I’m not clear on Adam’s age, either. Maybe this is a detail I’ve just forgotten, but it seems he might be older than Terra if he’s a researcher and going on missions to other worlds, etc.
I love the idea of the book club and hope it continues.
1. I knew something was up with Adam from the very beginning when he was able to fight off the raiders himself. I really had no clue who he really was which helped to add to the suspense in the book
2. Again, not a clue which was intriguing as a reader.
3. The people in the groundworld seemed to live a much more simple life so I would like to say that is where I would live.
4.I am horrible at questions like this but so I looked up some actors and actresses to see if anyone “looked” the part of Terra and Adam. I think for Terra, Ellen Page and for Adam, Josh Hutcherson.
I am always a bit hesitant to read dystopian novels because the topics are far fetched and ones that don’t seem to interest me in the least. I loved the Hunger Games along with Divergent and Insurgent, so I was willing to give Terra a shot. Just like the other books I really enjoyed this one. I found that it was easy to relate to the characters. I was captivated by the interaction between Terra and Adam. as well as Terra’s fight against the government.
You can find the link to my review here:
http://ankeyingredients.blogspot.com/2013/01/terra-book-review.html
Thanks so much for putting together the book club. I am looking forward to seeing what book is picked for February.
Mmm, Josh Hutcherson…. *dreamy sigh* Just hike him up about 6 inches and he’d be a PERFECT Adam!
Sounds like it’s time to embrace dystopian novels
You’ve read every one I’ve been referred to read in the genre of late 
So lgad you’re enjoying your adventure.
Out of curiosity, since we’re in a club together now, what kinds of books do you usually prefer to read instead?
Honestly I read a little bit of everything. I will read biographies, memoirs, most types of fiction from the serious to a good ol chick lit. If there is a particular book out that that is getting a lot of attention I always have to jump on the bandwagon to see what all the hype is about.
A) Are you still interested in continuing with the BTHR book club?
Yes, I definitely am! The 1st month’s book club was a flop for me because I was still in the middle of a pretty lengthy novel when it started and then I got an advanced copy of Terra and just couldn’t put it down. I’m on track for future book clubs, though
B) If so, what changes would you like to see?
So, with the last book club, it started when I was already in the middle of the book. Maybe I was inattentive, or distracted, I’m not sure, but it’s like it started with no warning. Maybe a few more count down type promos on facebook would help everyone start at the same time?
At what point did you know something was “up” with Adam and his story?
I’d like to say that I knew something was up right away, but at the same time, the world that Gretchen created was so unpredictable that I thought that maybe he was just some skyboy who came down with his parents and decided not to leave again..
Even if you picked up on it early, did you figure out what his secret was or was that a surprise?
No! It was a complete surprise!! As a matter of fact I went and commented to Gretchen “Telekinesis?!?! WHAT?!” hahaha.. It was so much fun to be able to express my reactions to the author in real time. It was a treat to be able to share my experience with the person who created it.
What did you think the machine Terra found was?
Honestly, I still don’t know exactly what it is. I pictured it as shiny and like she looked at it and looked around and had the song stuck in her head of ‘one of these things is not like the other’
If you were living in Terra’s world, do you think you’d live in the skycities or the groundworld?
I’d like to say that I’d be a terrestrial, but I’d honestly probably be a skydweller. My current lifestyle is one that’s accustomed to technology and convenience and I don’t have many opportunities to hone a craft that would keep me alive on the surface. So, yeah.. I’d either be a skydweller, or dead.
If you were casting the movie of Terra, who would you cast as Terra and Adam?
Ohh, don’t shoot me for doing this, hahaha.. I think that Anna Kendrick would make a pretty perfect Terra. Can you picture Tom Felton as Adam?! Ah! And to see those two working together? That’d be awesome.
OMG. I think you just created the perfect cast of Terra. Gretch, PLEASE AGREE!
I still love the book club idea! I was bummed that I didn’t get to participate last month because I accidentally posted my review a day late, though. I think you had closed comments or something and I was disappointed.
Here’s the link to my review of Terra: http://bitinglife.com/2013/01/31/book-review-terra/
Loved this book! Thanks so much for picking it… I don’t want to live in a world where I haven’t read Terra
I really liked your description of Terra and how real she is, because of her capability to be both strong and vulnerable. I agree that she’s a much better female main character than the ones from most (if not ALL) other YA dystopian novels.
To answer one of your questions — I was totally SHOCKED by Adam’s secret. I knew something was “up,” but I had no idea what it was going to be, which I loved. I feel like maybe I should’ve picked up on it, considering the double-meaning of “terra,” but I really liked being in the dark and then being surprised.
First of all, I completely echo your sentiments and cautious feelings about reading the book. Gretchen is a good friend of mine, and I KNOW that she is a very talented writer- but, I thought the same thing… what if I don’t like it?
I am NOT a fiction reader. I’ve never read any other book in this specific genre and have never had an interest in it. And I don’t know if I can now- Gretchen set the bar pretty high!
Luckily, I found that after the first few pages, I LIKED IT.
I AM biased, but I’m also honest. I loved the book. I can’t wait for the next one.
Alright- the questions:
1. I knew something was up, but kept thinking that he’d turn into a villain. I kind of figured that they’d fall for each other… but kept waiting for him to turn…
2. The machine? I have no idea! Something that has great power and could possible do a lot of damage? Very vague, I know.
3. I would totally live in the skycities. The thought of my skin burning if it was touched by rain freaks me out. And, I wouldn’t want to eat glug.
4. I know that he looks NOTHING like the description of Adam, but I keep picturing Adam Scott! I guess it’s because of the name Adam, and I started reading it one night after watching Parks and Rec, but I TOTALLY hear Adam Scott’s voice SPEAK Adam’s words. And I can’t get past it!!!
Terra would be Zooey Deschanel. With colored (brown) contacts, obviously.
Hahahahaaaaa, I looooove Adam Scott. His character on Parks & Rec is who I want to marry (y’know, besides Sean). He’s definitely got the nerdy quirky adorableness that book-Adam has personality-wise, but looks-wise… yeah, that’s a pretty big stretch, hehe.
SUPER interesting you thought Adam would turn eeeeeevil! There is the mild “betrayal” aspect of him withholding so much information from Terra, but aside from that I’m sorry to disappoint that he’s pretty much good through and through in this book.
I had the privilege to follow Gretchen during her writing process of the book. I’d like to say that I’m able to have an objective opinion, but in all honesty I’m probably partially subjective. I did enjoy the book and will be putting a review/analysis up on my blog in the very near future.
1) As soon as you meet Adam, there are a few red flags that go up telling you that there is something different about him. However, Gretchen did such a good job through Terra’s eyes of making it seem like that’s just who government research skydwellers are. I had NO idea who he really was until it was revealed, and then my brain backtracked to all of the signs and realized that the clues were there the whole time. Gretchen just made us interpret it differently… AND SUCCEEDED!
2) I had no idea what the machine was until it was revealed. Personally, I was kind of hoping that it was an incredibly mundane thing, like a futuristic cheese grater or a kid’s toy, just as a fun juxtaposition to huge payout Terra gets.
3) If I had to be completely honest, I would say that I would be a skydweller. Despite the fact that my family started out low income, I never went hungry, or had to look for water, and an education was always a possibility. Although I’d like to think that I’m adaptable enough that I would be able to survive and make a life for myself on the groundworld.
4) I have a very boring answer for this. As someone who works in film and television, I know that sometimes the best recipe is to take relatively unknown actors to create your own image for a franchise. So at the moment, I can’t think of any relatively unknown actors that I think would be perfect.
I haven’t participated in the book club yet, but it’s just because I have SO many books out from the library right now. I’ve recently been using my public library like crazy. I’m constantly putting books on hold (I think I have an addiction) and now always have piles of books to be read.
I’ve read The Book Thief years ago so I decided to skip the first month even though I’d love to read that book again!
It seems like Terra is getting some great reviews, but I’m going to wait to read that one. I’m not sure if I’m a fan of the YA dystopian genre. I got really into The Hunger Games, but it was the first book of the genre that I’ve ever read. I’m finding everything else I’m reading in the genre to have similar stories and they are just really boring me. Currently reading Insurgent and I just want it to be over! I’m a huge fan of historical/medieval genre, so I need to go back to those for the next little while.
Anyways, with all that said, I’d still like to read Terra. Everyone seems to have such positive feeling about it and I always like supporting first time authors! Congrats to Gretchen for what it sounds like a very successful first novel, and to Casey for the awesome cover design!
1.) At what point did you know something was “up” with Adam and his story? Even if you picked up on it early, did you figure out what his secret was or was that a surprise?
I was SUPER surprised by the ending. I sort of figured that he was different and it would turn out he could help Terra. I never in a million years thought he would have originated from where Terra lived. Shocker!!
2.) What did you think the machine Terra found was?
The first one I think was a cell phone, tablet sort of thing. And I have no ever loving idea what the second one could have been haha.
3.) If you were living in Terra’s world, do you think you’d live in the skycities or the groundworld?
That’s a tough one! I’d like to say I’d live in the ground world, but honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in the privilege of the skycitites. I am really excited for the second book, so I can learn more about not only the skycities, but also where Adam is from.
4.) If you were casting the movie of Terra, who would you cast as Terra and Adam?
Hmm, tricky. I feel like I don’t want to pin one certain actor to these roles because I want to develop them more in the next few books. Does that make sense? Even if I have one image right now, it could change after reading the second book.
I would love to keep participating in the book club. It is super tough though since I do 3 IRL book clubs as well. I’ll get here as much as I can!! Thanks for organizing this amazing discussion!!
Thanks for hosting Cassie!
I am completely 100% still interested in BTHR Book Club. One of the big reasons for me is that I have already read two books I never would have touched before joining the book club, and for me that was the whole point. For me to experience and be exposed to books, authors and genres that I wouldn’t necessarily have picked up on my own. Having said that, I think the questions you are asking this time around (compared to last month) are much more accessible. Even though there were more question choices last month I wasn’t drawn to answer any of them, but I did anyway. So, if I was suggesting changes I would suggest keeping the questions more like this month than last. Either way, I’ll be sticking around and reading whatever selections are chosen. Thanks for being the hostess!
At what point did you know something was “up” with Adam and his story? Even if you picked up on it early, did you figure out what his secret was or was that a surprise?
I am just dense I guess, because I was totally shocked when I found out about Adam. Of course, I wondered what his big secret was, but I figured he was some criminal or other rebel from the skycity who wasn’t supposed to be where he was and the reason he wanted to talk to everyone so badly was to see if they knew about him.
What did you think the machine Terra found was?
I didn’t know specifically, but I thought it was probably some technology from the skycity that would have made lives easier for people on the ground, but the skycity people didn’t want them to have it.
If you were living in Terra’s world, do you think you’d live in the skycities or the groundworld?
Oh, well I’m sure I would prefer to live in the skycities because it seems so much nicer, but how horrible to give up ones humanity for a cushy place to live.
If you were casting the movie of Terra, who would you cast as Terra and Adam?
Hmm…I really don’t know. Zoey Deschanel seems too quirky, Anna Kendrick doesn’t seem “tough” enough, maybe Hailee Steinfeld? And for Adam, maybe Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter). I actually have no idea because I don’t really follow young actors (or any actors really) so I just did some googling to see who sort of struck me.
Here is a link to my review on Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/511281933
Gretchen- really excellent job. I am not a dystopian fan, but your story sucked me right in, and I agree with so many others, the editing was spot on!
I was definitely considering the book club but it definitely depends on the selection. I will definitely keep it in mind for next time.
I don’t usually read YA books at all but I found this really enjoyable, at first it seemed like it was gonna be really similar to the last ones I read the Hunger Games but once I was a chapter in I realized it was completely different in the best way possible.
I am definitely interested in continuing the book club, I liked both books so far but would also love to read something about food or gardening.
1. I could tell something wasn’t being told about Adam but I had no idea that he wasn’t from the skyworld. I thought he just had some weird modifications and implanted technology.
2. I thought the machine must have been some sort of tablet computer.
3. I would hope to be in the skyworld since I love plants and animals, I don’t think I could live without green even if it was fake.
4. I am so not up to date on younger stars so I don’t think the ages would work but maybe Terra could be the girl from Juno? I pictured her as very “normal” looking with average height and brown hair.
Congrats Gretchen on your book, it is quite the feat to have written a novel. I will definitely be reading the next one