Questions About Ivory and Bone (Ivory and Bone, #1)

by Julie Eshbaugh (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (13)

I'm just curious: what kind of research did you have to do to write this book and how much of it did you do? I absolutely love the Paleolithic/Ice Age era fiction and I always hear that the authors put themselves through months of (probably very taxing) research to write it. Also, I'm very excited to read this book! I'm especially glad it was expanded from a duology into a trilogy. :-)

Julie Eshbaugh Hi! I did do a lot of research, but I honestly loved it because (like you!) I'm fascinated by prehistory. I read four books, tons of scholarly article…moreHi! I did do a lot of research, but I honestly loved it because (like you!) I'm fascinated by prehistory. I read four books, tons of scholarly articles, visited museums, and studied a lot of maps. I also read up on hunter-gatherer societies, edible plants, how spear points are made, how to tan a hide, and lots of other details. I'm still reading a lot as I write Books Two and Three.
Thanks for your question!(less)

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Will this be a series or a standalone?

Julie Eshbaugh I probably should have updated my reply to this question a while ago--sorry about that! In fact, after writing the sequel, OBSIDIAN AND STARS, I reali…moreI probably should have updated my reply to this question a while ago--sorry about that! In fact, after writing the sequel, OBSIDIAN AND STARS, I realized this series was always meant to be a duology. (See my original response to your question, below.) So with the publication of the sequel, the IVORY AND BONE series is officially complete as a duology. :)

Original response from 2016:
IVORY AND BONE started out as the first of a duology, but it has been expanded into a trilogy. :)

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Does this whole book follow the First Person Point of view where the reader is actually a secondary character? I have high hopes for this book based on the reviews, but the writing style in the first chapter inexplicably throws me off. I've picked it up five times with intention of fighting my way into seeing past it, but I can't even make it to the end of chapter one. I'm usually a completion and have to finish.

Julie Eshbaugh Hi! Thanks for your question. The story does switch over to a straight first-person narrative, but not until late in the book. I'm frequently asked ab…moreHi! Thanks for your question. The story does switch over to a straight first-person narrative, but not until late in the book. I'm frequently asked about the style and the choice to write IVORY AND BONE as a story told to Mya by Kol. The honest answer is that the story came to me that way -- I felt like I was eavesdropping on Kol speaking to Mya. For me, the style has a lot to do with the time period and oral storytelling, and also with the nature of Kol and Mya's relationship. It's a little like song lyrics. When a singer sings, "I love you," we relate to either the singer or the person being sung to. I hope readers will feel that way when they read IVORY AND BONE. (less)

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It's pretty clear, to me at least, that there will be some sort of love triangle between Kol, Mya and Lo, but can I ask how heavy it is? I despise love triangles and any other polygon out there, but I really want to try and read this book. Is it resolved quickly, is it not really a true triangle and just seems like it on the surface or something, is it a heavy portion of the romance in the book, etc?

Julie Eshbaugh Although there are strong rivalries in IVORY AND BONE, there's nothing most readers would describe as a love triangle. :)…moreAlthough there are strong rivalries in IVORY AND BONE, there's nothing most readers would describe as a love triangle. :)(less)

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Shouldn't this be classified as a retelling when the marketing campaign says it's a retelling of Pride and Prejudice? I'm sick to death of retellings but the prehistoric fantasy aspect looks awesome.

Julie Eshbaugh IVORY AND BONE is not a true retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but it does contain allusions to that book (but with the genders reversed!)

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