Welcome to day one of the blog tour for "The Flower of the Underworld!" There's lots of fun stuff planned, including a live Q&A with the author later this week!
Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing a handful of characters from this book: Hades, Persephone, Dionysus, and the siblings Artemis and Apollo!
This interview will be spoiler-free, and give you a glimpse at the types of characters you'll be involving yourself with should you
pick up this book. :D
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We'll start with Persephone, goddess of Spring and daughter of Demeter. Would your powers be able to grow foliage in a desert area? Or
is that more of Demeter’s shtick?
Persephone: Creating things is more my mother’s
thing. However, if there was already foliage growing in the desert then I would
probably be able to make it flourish more.
I've always wondered: do trees mind being climbed?
Persephone: Not at all! As long as you are
respectful and treat them kindly. They do not like to be married to people
trying to prove a point, however. I also have to say that trees do not at all
mind being turned into books. They find it quite an honor.
What’s something that makes you gush (babies, new plants, Hallmark movies, etc.)?
Persephone: Well, of course I love plants, and seedlings are just so adorable! But I also will say that I really love puppies and kittens!
What’s Hades’ most annoying habit?
Persephone: Oh, well, I wouldn’t say he has a truly
annoying habit, but sometimes I do think he gets too involved in his work.
He’ll go for hours and not notice the time. I’m not sure it’s entirely healthy.
Now, to the Lord of the Dead: Hades, brother to Zeus and Poseidon! What’s Persephone’s most annoying habit? (Does she even have
any?)
Hades: Annoying habits? I can’t really name
any. Obviously I haven’t known her very long, but…I kind of feel like she’s
perfect. Is that too sappy?
No, not at...well, a little. But a wonderful kind of sappy. Is there anything you wish you knew more about?
Hades: Well, I think being the Lord of the
Dead makes you a very world-weary person. There’s not a lot I don’t know about.
There’s a lot I wish I didn’t know
about. I suppose sometimes I wish I had a better grasp of politics so I could
pull one over on my brothers and the other Olympians, but I think that’s more
because I simply hate politics than my lack of study in the topic.
What’s the weirdest piece of information given to you by the
recently deceased?
Hades: I hear a lot of weird information.
Shades don’t have much in the way of coherent speech a lot of times, but on
occasion I can get something out of them. One fellow tried to convince me that
a theme park was on its way to taking over the world. I don’t really buy it,
especially since they will have to compete with my brother Zeus.
A theme park? Well, I guess I could see Disney parks doing that, if we want to get all conspiratorial, or if the machines somehow got taken over by rogue AI like in a sci-fi show. Continuing with the oddity of humanity, how often do the dead tell you that they’re “not supposed to be
here”?
Hades: Oh, all the time. Humans typically
don’t take death very well.
Is there anything you hope never changes?
Hades: Being immortal, I’ve seen a lot of
changes, but I do really hope that the Underworld will always be a place I can
go to relax and stay out of the issues everyone else seems to have.
Thank you, Hades! Onto Dionysus, god of wine and parties. Which of the Big Three is your favorite? (I’m fairly certain you
won’t suffer repercussions for answering, as Hades is the only one here and I’m
99% sure you’re not picking him. I’m also 99% sure he wouldn’t be offended if
you didn’t.)
Dionysus: Well, to be fair, I would rather be
around most anyone else. But I suppose if I had to choose, Poseidon does throw
the best parties.
What holiday is your favorite?
Dionysus: Mardi Gras of course, darling! A
fantastic celebration that we Olympians sadly had nothing to do with!
Are there any odd human fads that you don’t understand?
Dionysus: Oh, humans are always coming up with
the most amusing things! I rather love embracing all of them. Social Media is a
fantastic invention, isn’t it? One cannot post too many selfies. I suppose I
still don’t truly understand “vaping” though.
Yeah, neither do I. Have you ever done something amazing that no one was around to see?
Dionysus: Ooh too many times, unfortunately.
Either that or everyone around was too drunk to remember. But such is life, I
suppose.
Now, last but not least, the twins Artemis (goddess of the Hunt) and Apollo (rock god)! This is the first story I've come across where Artemis plays roleplay games. Specifically, Dungeons&Dragons. So, tell me about your D&D character/play style!
Artemis: Well, I’m the dungeon master, of
course, but when I do play as a character, I’m usually a huntress just like in
real life.
Apollo: Except she likes to woo the lads.
Which she cannot do in real life.
Artemis: Shut up. Typically, we like to change
up the play style depending on the day and who we’re playing with. I prefer
long campaigns, but not everyone has the patience for that.
Has Apollo played D&D (if not, why)?
Apollo: Of course! I play a very brave mage
who is very powerful and gets all the ladies.
Artemis: *eye-roll*
What's the most ridiculous argument you two have gotten into recently?
Artemis: When are we not getting into ridiculous
arguments? I think the most recent may have had something to do with guitar
strings.
Apollo: Which you still have not apologized
for.
Artemis: Because it wasn’t me.
Is there any instrument you can’t play?
Apollo: I assume this is for me because my dear
sister can’t play anything to save her life. And the answer is no. I’m
naturally gifted.
Artemis: *snorts* That’s one word for it.
What’s one thing that people usually assume you have in
common/like/hate the same, but you actually don’t?
Artemis: I think one of the main misconceptions
is that everyone seems to think I’m good at music, and Apollo is good at
hunting. Neither of which are true.
What is your favorite weapon (say damage done, or aesthetics) vs. weapon of
choice (either in real life, or D&D)?
Artemis: Real life I will always go with my bow,
but a good dagger is also handy. In D&D, always double swords.
Apollo: My bow or my charming good looks.
Ahaha, I figured.
Many thanks to characters and author both for this interview!
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Check out the rest of the tour schedule below, and be sure to enter the rafflecopter giveaway for a signed copy of "The Flower of the Underworld"!
Tour Schedule
