It's here! Slayers: Friends and Traitors!

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There's something about dragons that makes geeks like me geek-out. I have absolutely no idea why we so adore giant flying lizards known to roast virgins for lunch, but, well, we do. Probably because they're imaginary. I can't see us holding the same love if our loved ones started getting barbecued on a regular basis.

The Slayers series by Janette Rallison CJ Hill proves my point: dragons might be pretty and sort of awesome, but when if you're ever given a chance to meet one... run. Run fast. Actually, better if you can fly. (Not that that will save you.)

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Slayers: Friends and Traitors and I. LOVE. IT! It's the perfect continuation from book one, with teenagers acting like teenagers would if they had superpowers and were instructed NOT to contact anyone from camp over the school year. Also, if the danger they thought they had years to prepare for was happening... oh... NOW. Lots of awesome high-flying action sequences and on-the-ground intrigue. And high-flying intrigue. And on-the-ground action.

Have I mentioned that you can't grow up with the name of a bird without loving all things that can fly?

One of these is for a giveaway. Both are awesome.

I asked CJ for a character interview, so she, um, attempted to interview Jessie, one of the hot guys you can see on the cover of Friends and Traitors, the book up there on the right. He was kind of squirrely, but can you blame him?

CJ: So I’ve had requests for a blog where I interview my characters and I thought it would be fun to try. I’ve got Jesse here with me today. He’s captain of the Slayers’ Team Magnus. (I shuffle through my papers because I’m disorganized and can never find what I’m looking for the first time around) Okay, Jesse, here’s my first question: How do you feel about having superhero powers?

Jesse: (looking squarely back at me) I don’t know what you’re talking about.

CJ: You know, the power of flight . . . the extra strength . . . night vision . . .

Jesse: You must have me confused with someone else.

CJ: I’m pretty sure I don’t. After all, I did create you. I’m your author.

Jesse: (shifting uncomfortably in his chair) I’m just an average teenage guy.

CJ: Except that you fight dragons.

Jesse: (sending me one of his intense glares) Look, if you’re really the author, you know that certain facts about me are supposed to be kept secret.

CJ: But . . . I mean . . . being a Slayer isn’t really a secret. You’re on the cover holding a weapon . . .

Jesse: Would you want me telling your secret identity to everyone?

CJ: I don’t have a secret identity.

Jesse: Really CJ, or should I call you Janette Rallison?

CJ: That’s a pen name, not a secret identity.

Jesse: Pen name, alias, secret identity—it’s all pretty much the same. It means you’ve got something to hide.

CJ: (putting my papers down) Um, okay. I guess that concludes my interview with Jesse, the average teenage guy, who isn’t necessarily a descendant of the knights who killed off most of the dragons during the Middle Ages. Can I at least say that dragons are coming back and a dragon lord is using them to take down the government?

Jesse: You can say it, but no one will believe you.

CJ: Right. Thanks for coming, Jesse. (To myself) Next time I’m so interviewing Tori instead.

I'm going to have to catch Tori's interview, too.

Anyway, Janette has been one of my favorite authors for years and years, and I was thrilled when she branched out in to urban fantasy. I'm loving the Slayers series and honestly still can't decide which guy I want Tori to end up with. Just when one seems obvious.... Ah, I'll just stop there and let you read them yourself.

To that end, Janette has given me a copy of Slayers to pass along to one lucky blog reader. I'm sort of torn about it, though. I mean, I HAVE a copy of Slayers, of course, and it's personalized and everything, but it has the old cover with the egg on it. And I love that cover, but this one has a DRAGON on the front! But, well, the letter that came with it said I had to give it away, so I guess I will. Unless there are no entrants. Then I'm keeping it.

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