Chat With an Author Giveaways

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown: A Chat With Holly Black + Awesome Giveaway

We will just start by saying this: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is an AWESOME book, a throwback to old-style vampires that are both creepy and extremely alluring. Ana will be reviewing it on Monday next week but for now, we are delighted to be a stop on Holly Black’s Blog Tour with a Q&A about Jameson, one of the characters in the book, plus a super cool giveaway.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown holly-black

Please give it up for Holly Black, folks.

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The Book Smugglers: When the quarantine started in the Springfield Coldtown, Jameson, like many others, got trapped inside even though he was not infected – a situation that is both is unfair and complex. Jameson got caught in this web and now he knows how Coldtown works–he knows places and he knows people. How essential is Jameson in your world?

Holly Black: I am not sure that Jameson is essential so much as I think that the book would have been poorer without him.

Jameson is living a life he never would have chosen for himself and, currently, he has no possible way out. He’s seen family, friends and neighbors die as a result of being trapped inside the quarantined area and he doesn’t have a lot of illusions about his own long-term survival. But despite all that, he’s also one of bravest and most moral people in the book.

I think Jameson is a really useful character for a couple of reasons. For one, I think we did need to see that even in a world like this, good people still exist. For another, his knowledge of the city gives Tana a greater sense of how the non-vampire parts of Coldtown work and how to navigate them. And I think he gives the readers a much more vivid sense of Coldtown as a prison, one where the vampires aren’t something to be sought out, but something to be avoided if at all possible. Plus, I think he gives us a sense of a possible future for Tana, one where she has new friends as well as new enemies.

The Book Smugglers: We never know exactly what life was like for Jameson before Coldtown or what his future will entail. Will we ever find out the backstory for Jameson?

Holly Black: THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN was written as a stand-alone, but it’s a world I really love, with characters I really love, so I wouldn’t mind going back some day. If I did, it would be great to get to tell more of Jameson’s story.

The Book Smugglers: The question that is on everybody’s minds these days is: Vampires – are they diseased or are they demonic? Do they deserve mercy or do they deserve death? What would Jameson’s take be on this discussion?

Holly Black: Because of Jameson’s personal history, he believes that being made a vampire is something that takes people outside of humanity in such a profound way that the person can no longer be trusted. He’s not interested in hunting down vampires for sport, but he also isn’t interested in giving a vampire the benefit of the doubt if a human is in danger. Mostly Jameson isn’t all that interested in the debate, because he thinks it has no practical application. He’s seen too many people too fascinated by vampires to believe that will stop any time soon. And, like everyone else in Coldtown, he’s seen people he cares about become vampires and found how incredibly difficult it is to stop caring about them.

The Book Smugglers: Why a flamethrower as his weapon of choice?

Holly Black: Kills vampires really well and at a distance, so with a low risk to the person using it. Kills multiple vampires at one time and you can sweep the flame in a circle, which is especially useful if you’re trying to defend a group.

The two big problems with a flamethrower are that you need to be able to repair it (possibly by getting new parts) and you need to have a supply of fuel. Jameson has lived in Coldtown long enough to be able to manage both.

You can listen to Jameson’s audio clip HERE and check Holly Black’s Tour stops HERE.

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Giveaway details:

We are giving away 3 (THREE) copies of the hardcover of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown and 1 (ONE) copy of the audiobook CD. The giveaway is open to the US only and will run until Saturday September 14 12:01PM EST. To enter, please fill the form below. GOOD LUCK.

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81 Comments

  • Shannon H
    September 5, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    This book just received a great review over at Dear Author today, as well. It is flying to the top of my wish list!

  • Shannon H
    September 5, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    And I would have to say my favorite creepy/scary vamp story is Interview With a Vampire? I don’t read a ton of creepy vampire stories, to be honest

  • Rebecca I.
    September 5, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    Fav would be the UK version of Being Human! Can’t wait to read Coldtown – looks great!

  • Lorena
    September 5, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    Oh, my favorite creepy/scary vampire story is probably “The Strain” by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, with the “Blade” movie trilogy coming a close second (especially the second movie, which del Toro directed).

  • Halley Todd
    September 5, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    Hmmm my favorite creepy vampire story is the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker. Newer, though, I am enjoying Justin Cronin’s current “The Passage” trilogy.

  • Sarah
    September 5, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    I’ve never read a creepy/scary vampire book, but I really love Claudia Gray’s vampire series.

  • Kaethe
    September 5, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    I just realized that the only vampire tale I consider creepy is Let the Right One In. I’m kind of shocked to see how many funny ones I’ve really enjoyed.

  • Anna
    September 5, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Let the Right One In by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist is the best vampire novel ever.

  • Carl
    September 5, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    I think the creepy/scariest vampire story ever is the old black and white film Nosferatu. Just the images of that vampire are so weird and off-putting. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Jamie Moesser
    September 5, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    These are not vampire novels per se, but still along the lines of infected/scary: The Maze Runner by James Dashner (gripping book) and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

  • Melinda
    September 5, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    Have to go with Nosferatu!!

  • Amanda Lee
    September 5, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    I’m all about the classics that terrified me as a kid… Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Nosferatu.

  • LeAnn
    September 5, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Probably The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. I was hooked from the very beginning with the creepy missing person case and then the search for the truth. (Hated her second book though, with a passion.)

  • Zpie
    September 5, 2013 at 3:59 pm

    Probably Dracula. It’s been a source of inspiration for many Vampire stories.

  • van p.
    September 5, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    Salem’s Lot by Stephen King, thanks for the giveaway!

  • Rhiannon
    September 5, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    Guillermo del Toro’s series was one of the creepiest I’ve read, but Anne rice’s interview is still my favourite classic.

  • Noelle
    September 5, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    The last vampire story that really creeped me out was Let the Right One In. I can’t wait to read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. I’ve heard such promising things!

  • Eliza Crewe
    September 5, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    The only one that comes to mind is The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klaus. It’s not a scary book, but when I read it as a kid the freaky little vampire brother (at least I think it was the brother) scared the crap outta me.

  • Devon
    September 5, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    It’s really tough, but I think Interview with a Vampire has to win. The Historian was a close contender though, and I’ll always love Dracula.

  • Kelley
    September 5, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    I reallly like the creepy vampires in Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniels series. The series itself is neither creepy nor really about vampires but I think her take on them is really original and not the sexy variety at all 🙂

  • johnnie-marie howard
    September 5, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    My Favorite Creepy/Scariest Vampire story I would have to say is also my 1st Vampire story that got me hooked on Vampire’s and supernatural things is Thirsty By M.T. Anderson It was really great!!!

  • Darith
    September 5, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    I’d say The Hunt by Andrew Fakuda. 😀

  • Greg
    September 5, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    Been a while since I read a vampire store I thought was scary but Clay and Susan Griffith made some pretty not glamorous, fun warm piers in their Vampire Wars books and The Greyfriar was particularly good….

  • Jill the Owl
    September 5, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    The Cirque Du Freak books are pretty creepy!

  • Abigail Johnson
    September 5, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    I’m loving The Hunt series by Andrew Fukuda.

  • jennie
    September 5, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    Most recently I loved the UK version of Being Human.

  • Alison C
    September 5, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    The Passage by Justin Cronin

  • Katharine Ott
    September 5, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    Definitely Anne Rice’s “Interview with a Vampire.”

  • Hannah H
    September 5, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    Scott Westerfeld’s Peeps scared the heck out of me when I was younger and more impressionable. The combination of vampirism as a disease (viruses always terrify me, dunno why) and having the vampires be repelled by things they used to love is just creepy to me. Furthermore, the idea of remaining more or less the same while unknowingly changing the people around you… Creepy.

  • Natalia
    September 5, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    I liked “The Passage”, “I am Legend” the book, and I just read “Drink, Slay, Love” which was not that creepy but lots of fun and the vampires were evil also were-unicorns.

  • Andrea E
    September 5, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    I have to go with the classics on this one! Dracula and Interview with a Vampire are the best creepy vampire books I’ve read. Most of the newer stuff doesn’t really qualify as creepy. Looking forward to this one!

  • Serenity
    September 5, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    The Passage by Justin Cronin was pretty damn creepy…

  • Victoria Zumbrum
    September 5, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    I love Lost Boys. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Megan
    September 5, 2013 at 8:44 pm

    Definitely Dracula!

  • erinf1
    September 5, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    I’d also have to vote for The Passage by Justin Cronin 🙂 thanks for sharing!

  • DebraG
    September 5, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    The original Dracula is still my favorite.

  • Rylie
    September 5, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    I have to say Let the Right One In.

  • Jillian T
    September 5, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    I love all (non-sparkly) vampire stories. Bram Stoker was my first inspiration, so I’m going to have to go with that one.

  • mary anne
    September 5, 2013 at 9:41 pm

    I don’t know that I’ve ever found vampires creepy per se, but my favorite vampire stories where most of the vampires are bad guys are Buffy (yeah it’s TV and not a story, but Buffy should always count) and Robin McKinley’s “Sunshine.”

  • Rose
    September 5, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    Interview with the Vampire is definitely the best vampire story I’ve read so far!

  • Lexi
    September 5, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    Sunshine by Robin McKinley was the first vampire book I ever read and it has a special place, although not so creepy. Bram Stoker’s Dracula wins on creepy for me.

  • Justine
    September 5, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer creeps me out. Seriously.

  • Angiegirl
    September 5, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    SUNSHINE. Hands down.

  • donnas
    September 6, 2013 at 12:44 am

    Salems Lot.

  • Melanie
    September 6, 2013 at 2:31 am

    I still love Salem’s Lot after all these years.

  • Len D.
    September 6, 2013 at 4:20 am

    I love the movie version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Gary Oldman is THE vampire you’d want to haunt your nightmares.

  • Erin Golsen
    September 6, 2013 at 5:57 am

    The Passage and The Twelve were extremely creepy.

  • Amy @ bookgoonie
    September 6, 2013 at 6:40 am

    I really haven’t read a lot of creepy vampires…Blue Bloods & VA probably have the darkest vampires I’ve read, but the HSness undercuts the scarey.

  • Bookharlot
    September 6, 2013 at 8:57 am

    I love AnneRice’s vampire novels.

  • superbwg
    September 6, 2013 at 10:05 am

    I am definitely going to have to go with the classic Bram Stoker Dracula Super creepy. I remeber reading it on a cold and dreary Boston weekend and it creeped me out in such a good way

  • Regan
    September 6, 2013 at 10:15 am

    NOS4A2!

  • Shannon @ Novel Reflection
    September 6, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    Hmm… I’ve honestly not read too much of the “creepy vampire” type. I suppose you might be able to apply the term to some of Anne Rice’s vampires, but they’re honestly way too humanized. I am, however, looking to read Let the Right One In after watching the movie. Certainly quite creepy.

  • jpetroroy
    September 6, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Hm…haven’t read that many so far. I’m eager to read this one, though.

  • Ellie
    September 7, 2013 at 12:29 am

    I haven’t read a lot of vampire stories. I just finished the Vampire Academy series, and the Strigoi in those books are creepy/scary!

  • Lozza
    September 7, 2013 at 7:06 am

    I’m actually going to go with Dracula as the creepiest- I like the backstory, as well as the horror angle rather than a total focus on the sexy.

  • Stephanie
    September 7, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Hmm, I think probably Shiki. I’ve only watched the anime as the books have not been translated into English. But the story drives home the primal, animalistic behavior of survival – from both humans and vampires.

  • katana
    September 7, 2013 at 11:09 am

    Hayao Miyazaki makes my favorite creepy stories — that No-Face is really excellent and I went as No-Face for Halloween one time. I guess I like Anne Rice for vampire stories though but have to say I haven’t read enough good vampire stories.

  • Brandon
    September 7, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    I’ve read quite a few vampire stories, most of them told from the side of the vampires, so it depends on whether the humans end up being the frightening ones (The Immortal Rules, by Julie Kagawa) or if the vampires have something even more dangerous after them (the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz.)

  • Sarann
    September 7, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    I liked The Strain by Guillermo del Toro, although I still have never made it around to reading the rest. It was a good mix of tradition and ‘it’s a disease’ schools of vampire thought.

  • Tim R
    September 8, 2013 at 10:03 am

    How about Stephen King’s “Christine.” I’ve always seen that as a vampire tale about a car. And a very creepy one at that.

  • Margaret
    September 8, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Sounds like a really interesting take on vampires, can’t wait to read it.

  • Katie
    September 8, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    can’t wait to read it!!! i’m a big holly black fan.

  • Katie
    September 8, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    oh, and i enjoyed bram stoker’s dracula. also the dead travel fast by deanna raybourn.

  • ALLISON
    September 9, 2013 at 1:51 am

    Stephen King’s ‘Salem’s Lot will always, always be my favorite vampire story

  • Jennifer | Book Den
    September 9, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    Live Girls by Ray Garton is my favorite vampire book.

  • Genevieve
    September 9, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    My favorite vampire novel will always be Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice. New Orleans, sexy creepy Lestat and haunted Louis what’s not to love.

  • Mariya
    September 9, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    Cronin’s The Passage is a book with actually scary ‘vampires’.

  • Denice
    September 9, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    I love Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice! I also Love Vampire Knight which is a manga. 🙂

  • Jen
    September 9, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Interview with a Vampire and This is Not a Test both creeped me out beyond belief!

  • Natalia
    September 9, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    Oh if you like real vampire horror read
    “Midnight Blue: Sonja Blue Collection” by Nancy Collins

  • SaraC
    September 9, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    I love Steven Brust’s Agyar. Subtly creepy.

  • Suz Glo
    September 10, 2013 at 8:24 am

    I am a hard sell on vampire stories these days but, after this review, I will definitely be trying this one. Thanks! My favorite creepy stories include Stephen King’s Cujo and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

  • Alyssa L.
    September 10, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    I loved Robin McKinley’s Sunshine!

  • Emma
    September 10, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    My favorite vampire story is probably either Sunshine or the whole Buffy series. And since the review of the book on this site mentioned both of those, I definitely have to read this!

  • hapax
    September 10, 2013 at 10:14 pm

    H’hrm. I guess Constantine in SUNSHINE counts as mighty creepy.

  • Stephanie T.
    September 11, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    Creepy vampire story would definitely have to be the classic, Interview with a Vampire.

  • alicia marie
    September 11, 2013 at 9:20 pm

    I don’t know that I have a favorite creepy/scary vampire story. Maybe the Blue Bloods series? But this book definitely sounds like something I’ll have to read : )

  • Vanessa
    September 11, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    I don’t have a favourite vampire/creepy book. But I just finished a show called Twin Peaks (1990), and it was deliciously creepy 🙂

  • Jenna
    September 12, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    I love The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle. But Interview w/ the Vampire also holds a place close to my heart… 🙂

  • Zee
    September 12, 2013 at 9:56 pm

    Sunshine by Robin McKinley.

  • Heather
    September 13, 2013 at 11:14 am

    I’m not really a huge vampire fan, but I did like McKinley’s Sunshine. This one has me intrigued…

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