Character Interview + Giveaway: Henry from Through Her Eyes

Henry, one of the characters from Through Her Eyes, is here today to answer some of my pesky questions! 

Henry, quick! Describe yourself in seven words or less!

1.      Misunderstood

2.      Secretive

3.      Lonely

4.      Tormented

5.      Smart

What’s the best memory you have from your life?

By far, my best memory is the moment at the bridge when Bell agreed to run away with me. I knew then that she loved me more than her family, her friends . . . and Daniel. I knew that when I showed her the world, she would finally realize that the two of us were meant for so much more than Cedar Canyon had to offer, with its small minded people, none of whom had ever experienced an original thought.  

I know that you're a bit of a musician! What other kind of talents did you have?

I was an artist – a musician, a painter and a poet – but an academic, as well. When it became apparent that I knew more than my teachers at Cedar Canyon High, I stopped attending school and proceeded to educate myself through self-assigned reading and study. I was also able to “read” people – to see past the facades they presented to the world to their true feelings and motivations. This ability made me aware of Daniel’s hidden feelings for Isabel, which in turn, changed the course of our friendship. I knew then that I had no choice but to separate them, even though they both denied having any romantic feelings for each other.

So Henry, how did you meet Isabel and Daniel?

The three of us were born in Cedar Canyon. My father was a very successful rancher and when I was four years old, he built a new house for our family on land located across a field from Isabel’s father’s farm. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know Isabel. We grew up playing together every day, because we lived so close. We had no other neighbors nearby, and as a consequence, we were each other’s only playmates. Except for when Daniel visited her house, that is. Daniel’s folks and Isabel’s were best friends, so he was often around. I met him for the first time when I was only five years old – so young, I barely remember the encounter. Later, the three of us attended school together. And when Daniel was eight-years-old and I was nine, I saved his life.

And now for the very random yet slightly thoughtful question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?

I would be gray. The color conjures images of brooding storm clouds and turbulence – the way I often felt inside, although I would deny it if you were to tell anyone. However, gray also denotes intellect – brains or gray matter, and while people, living and dead, have described me in less than flattering terms, they could never deny my intelligence. Also, gray seems incredibly unsure – hovering between darkness and light. I never admitted it to anyone other than Isabel, but I also suffered uncertainties and self-doubts. And that is why I needed her so much.

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Thank you so much to The Teen Book Scene and Jennifer Archer for the fun interview, and for providing the prize for the fabulous giveaway (see below for rules/entry form)!

One winner will receive a signed ARC of 

Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer

• To enter, please fill out the form linked below
• US entrants only (PO boxes okay)
• Entrants 13 yrs and older
• Ends April 29th at Midnight
• Check out my contest policy
• Extra points for commenting on this interview post

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Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer

Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer

Release: April 5, 2011

Pages: 384 (hardcover)

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: The Teen {Book} Scene

Summary: 

Every ghost has a story to tell.

The last place Tansy Piper wants to be is stuck in Cedar Canyon, Texas, in the middle of nowhere, with a bunch of small-town kids. But when her mother decides to move to the desolate West Texas town, Tansy has no choice but to go along. Once there, Tansy is immediately drawn to the turret of their rickety old house, a place she soon learns has a disturbing history. But it's the strange artifacts she finds in the cellar—a pocket watch, a journal of poetry, and a tiny crystal—that have the most chilling impact on her.

Tansy soon finds that through the lens of her camera, she can become part of a surreal black-and-white world where her life is intertwined with that of mysterious, troubled Henry, who lived in the same house and died decades earlier. It seems their lives are linked by fate and the artifacts she found, but as Tansy begins spending more and more time in the past, her present world starts to fade away. Tansy must untangle herself from Henry's dangerous reality—before she loses touch with her own life forever.

Review: Through Her Eyes is a successful  mysterious and realistic novel - with a supernatural twist!

Tansy Piper is once again the new girl, thanks to her authoress mother's need to live wherever she's setting her latest novel. Tansy's a bit (understandably) moody in the beginning, but her determination to be who she is amazed me. She sees the world through a lens, and in this new town, she's seeing a whole lot more than usual - and the more she looks into the past, the more real it becomes to her. Secondary characters like Bethyl Ann almost stole the show, especially with her quirky and Shakespearean personality. Henry himself flirts with madness and sanity, making him by far the most intriguing character. 

Lyrical and compelling poetry flits it's way into the plot, as well as a focus on other types of art. The setting is vibrant and the writing easily got my imagination working. By the time you reach the end, you genuinely feel like you got to know this town and a majority of the people in it. Glimpses of the past also weave their way into the story, and it's easy to get caught up in the mystery of Henry's chaotic life and death - and just what he wants from Tansy. The story twists and turns, leading up to a surprising ending that I enjoyed very much. 

A beautiful and haunting tale of friendship, love and mistakes from the past, Through Her Eyes is a unique and wonderful YA debut. 

  

Highlights: This story was shockingly realistic, despite the ghostly undertones to the plot. It's very different than I expected. Archer does something different than other ghost stories do, and it was intriguing. Archer also provides a slightly fractured yet loving family base for our heroine, with a caring mom and a sweet grandfather who broke my heart - I connected so easily with these characters and their struggles. The romance angle is sweet and budding for Tansy, a definite plus considering how much YA stories feature instant-love romances. 

Lowlights: I wish some of the "past" characters had been delved into a bit more. There were also a few plot points that felt like a bit too much considering everything that was happening. The ending seemed a bit too quick, so it would have been nice to see it fleshed out and explained just a bit more.

Rating: