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I always love to hear what kids have to say about their lives and the world they live in, so I’m really excited about having Bassan, Byron’s young son, here today.
Hi Bassan. I’ve read CassaStorm and feel as if I’ve visited Tgren. Can you tell everyone what your home planet is like, so they can understand where you live?
Good day, Lee. A lot of Tgren is desert, although there are areas of vast lakes and grassy plains. Where I live, there’s a lot scrub brush, except near the river. We grow most of our crops near the river. Our buildings are made of stone and clay, with lots of windows to catch the breeze. Of course, I live on the Cassan base with my parents, and all the buildings are of Cassan design. Still really dusty though. Makes me sneeze sometimes.
Nice to know that even in the future Kleenex is a necessity. 🙂
You have a wonderful mom. What’s she like?
Mother is wonderful! She always makes time for me and we play games and stuff. She almost never gets mad, either. Of course, I don’t want to make her mad. Sometimes I worry when she and my father are flying. I don’t want to lose them.
They have a lot of responsibility for your planet’s safety. I can see why you worry.
I know you’ve had some problems with other kids because you’re half Tgren and half Cassan. Tell us what’s it’s like being different from the others.
Most days it’s no fun. I attend classes with the other Cassan children and sometimes they call me a half-breed. My best friend Drent is half Tgren, but no one messes with him. Wish I was tough enough to stand up to the bullies.
Some things like bullies and intolerance never change. I’d hoped those kinds of things would be long gone from our galaxies. Guess not.
Your dad’s famous. What’s it like being the son of a famous Cosbolt pilot?
It’s really awesome what he did during the Vindicarn War, but it makes me feel awkward. I’ll never do anything as great as that. I don’t even like to fly.
We all have our place in our worlds. I’m sure you’ll find yours.
What do you want to be when you’re grown up?
I want to work on the alien ship that’s buried in mountains next to our city. It carried my ancestors to Tgren! I want to know more about the ship and those people.
See? When you grow up I’ll bet you’ll be a great scientist and make amazing discoveries for all the inhabitants of these worlds.
Is there anything you’d like to change about your life?
I wish I could fit in better. I wish people respected me like they respect my father. I’m not even sure he likes me that much.
That’s hard, but when I met your father in the book he seemed like someone who had deep feelings for his friends and family. He just didn’t show them very much.
If you could send a message back to a planet called Earth, say about 2013 or so, what would you tell them about your time?
They need to be prepared, because they aren’t the only ones out there. And not everyone is nice, either.
I’m passing this along. It’s a great heads up for this century.
Thanks so much for coming here today, Bassan. It has been very interesting to talk with a young representative from the future. You’re amazing!
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Book three, Cassa Storm, finds Byron facing a galaxy-wide war that could end life on all of the planets. In this stage of his life, Byron has more to fight for than ever–his mate, Athee and his son, Bassan. Facing his greatest challenge, Byron must convince the diverse and warring races to sign a peace agreement if he’s to save his world and his family. However, the the final step in securing peace will put him and his son in terrible danger.
I liked how the racial conflicts propelled much of the plot in this story, driving home a message that’s relevant to our own world and giving the book an interesting texture.
At the center of the family theme, is the coming together of father and son. Byron learns of his son’s isolation as a mixed race child and Bassan learns of his father’s love and belief in him. READ MORE
CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Have you voted for your favorite entry in the WRITE CLUB? It’s hard to choose, but very interesting to read the entries this year.
I’ll be celebrating some small things on Friday! Hope you’ll join me and the others in this Celebration.
Thanks, everyone! Glad you like Bassan as he's a big part of the story.
I can't wait for Cassastorm.
This was fun! Looking forward to reading Cassastorm.
Very nice interview! I love character interviews. Bassan sounds like a really great character, with a compelling story.
Great interview and he's just so sweet!
That's how I see him! Thanks for the comment, WordsCrafter.
Such a unique interview with one smart boy!!! Loving the write club love!
Thanks for the visit. The Write Club is interesting this year.
It was great to hear from Bassan! His story really tugs at my heart! He sounds wise. 🙂
~Jess
Alex has created a nice kid in the future. Thanks, Alex.
Sam, very true!
Michelle, hope you enjoyed it.
Carolyn, three sides to every story…
Julie, he could use a hug.
Ella, thanks!
I always appreciate the insight of the family dynamic! Nicely done~
I am looking forward to CassaStorm!
Well done!!
You'll enjoy the read, Ella.
It's great to learn more about Bassan and I love him already. I want to hug him when he says he wishes he fit in better. And the father-son relationship definitely sounds like an interesting one.
Enjoyed the interview, Alex and Lee. 🙂
It fleshes out the story very well,
I am looking forward to the release of book 3. Bassa's son sounds like he may be a disappointment to his old man. I am sure it is a one sided view point, though.
It's complicated and therefore interesting. Nice father-son dynamics.
Great interview!
I've only read CassaStar…(still need to review it) and have yet to get my hands on the other books…
Writer In Transit
Will look forward to your review, Michelle.
I have to agree with Bassan's closing comment of what was a very intriguing interview–we "aren’t the only ones out there. And not everyone is nice, either." I think that can apply to our world, too, kiddo! It's up to us to be the "nice" ones:)
Fortunately, we do have a lot of nice ones here. Thanks for stopping in leave your thoughts.
Alex, it can't be easy for Bassan to grow up in the shadow of a famous father. CassaStorm is going to be great.
Jai
An old theme, but now we're in the future.
Julie, he is a little busy…
Michael, more intelligence here would be good.
Pk – typical!
Lynda, I think he does.
Gary, can't help you with the aliens in Parliament.
So nice to meet you, Bassan. What a wonderful interview. Your book sounds interesting. Congratulations.
Thanks, Beverly.
Hey Lee and what's happening, Bassan?
What a spaced out interview. Most enlightening and hey this little old rock could use some help. Would you mind visiting Britain? We've got some weird creatures trying to destroy us. They've taken over what's called the Houses of Parliament. Help us!
Thrilled about the interview? Yes!
A fan of Alex? Who? Sorry, yes!
Excited about the "Write Club" and the entries? I'll have a look.
Love blogfests? Argggghhhh!
Amazed by blog hops? Argggghhhhh! Part 2.
Delighted by my highly collectable comment? Of course you are!
Fun interview! Great post! Thanks for sharing!
As usual, your starstruckest fan,
Gary
Dear StarStruckest Fan. What would we do without your comments. They bring sunshine and Hoppiness with each word.
Please don't stop visiting, okay?
Thought I should hop back over and reply to your comment. Did I really say "hop"? I may require help. Your starstruckest fan shall continue to visit your must-read site and try to leave some semblance of a comment to delight you.
Oh hoppy daze….
Bassan is awesome 🙂
(personally I think he steals the show in Storm hehehe)
Great interview!
He does upstage a few characters, doesn't he?
I love this. 🙂 Well done, you guys!
Thanks, Carrie. Hope all is well on your home front!
Bass an sounds like a typical kid–one who has an interplanetary pilot for a dad, that is.
Fun interview!
Great interview. Bassan is a trouper and congrats Alex on a great series.
Loved to see you here and thanks for the comment.
Can't wait to read this! Bassan sounds like an upstanding young man and good to get some snippets of what we're in for.
Great interview! I'm excited to learn a bit more about the book. You're so lucky you've gotten to read it already! I can't wait for 9/17…
Tina @ Life is Good
Hi, Lee, Hi, Alex…
Terrific interview…. That poor kid… it tough being a kid at any time, especially when there will ALWAYS be bullies.
He seems like a VERY mature and together kid… At least there is some INTELLIGENT life out there… WE sure use more on our planet… LOL.
Lee… Glad you like my covers you saw at Roland's site….
What a great interview Alex and Lee! Hopefully, Byron and Bassan will reach an understanding in CassaStorm. Of course this won't be an easy task, as he will be busy saving the world.
Julie
Robyn, it might!
Lee, I will be visiting Nutschell this fall for my tour.
Libby, sorry to make you sad.
Thanks everyone!
Yay. Her workspace series is great.
Sounds like another awesome tale from Mr. Cavanaugh! Happy Monday!
'Tis indeed!
I'm sure Bassan's growing pains will lead him to doing great things. He just has to wait.
Yep. That's my guess. Maybe we'll see that in another book.
I know this is a fictional character but "I wish I could fit in better. I wish people respected me like they respect my father. I’m not even sure he likes me that much." broke my heart.
But that character represents a lot of kids, doesn't he? That's why the story is good. Thanks for stopping by today!
Nice interview! Like many others, I loved the first two books and I'm now gnawing at the bit to get started on CassaStorm.
Thanks, Pat. Great to have your visit and your comment on Alex's books.
Wohoo! Love that Alex I mean Bassan is here. Can't wait to read this book.
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
You need to ask him to share his workspace with you on your blog. I love those post where authors show us where they create their stories.
Aw, he's a good Cassan-Tgren. I bet some nice girl will help boost his confidence.
Fun interview, Lee and Alex.
xoRobyn
Exactly! A truly inter-cultural girl with a good heart. Alex? Are you taking notes? 🙂
Hi Lee .. I must read book two – and be ready for book three!
Great interview – Bassan will have his work cut out won't he .. and very difficult with his parents being who they are .. and the war of the worlds about to start ..
It'll be so good to read .. and great interview with Bassan .. Hilary
Thanks, Hilary. I know Alex will love hearing what you have to say about his books.
Bassan is a great kid…hope things start looking up for him soon!
We all need to sign a petition so he gets things going his way soon!
Aw, poor Bassan. I'm sure life will be better for him soon.
I'm requesting that happen in the next book.
Roland, the two of you would have fun exploring the ship.
Elizabeth, there just might be a romantic element in the second one…
Nice meeting you Bassan. I have a good feeling about you and your future. As for those bullies, I wish I had a magic wand and that I could turn them into something… like maybe frogs or mice… Alas, I can't. Hang in there buddy, this too shall pass.
My bet is he becomes a famous scientist who saves the world in a different way than his father. And you're right, bullies go away.
I read book one…need to read the next two. I wish I was a faster reader!
Now that I know there is a son…book two must have a smidge of love story to it. Must push it a little higher up the to-read chain…I'm allowed, it's my list, my rules.
The love interest is "interesting." You'll enjoy it. As to rules, you are the rule maker when it comes that list.
Bassan, bullies deep inside are cowards, and cowards never end up well in life — but that doesn't make the fear or the bruises go away. But you will grow up; they never will. I want to inspect that alien ship with you — but take precautions — and a light!! 🙂
Loved your comment! In the next book I'll bet Bassan takes your advice.
Susan, this series surprised me as so many have read it that don't read science fiction.
Interesting character in Bassan! I like that his father's a famous pilot but Bassan doesn't like to fly.
I know. That's one of the themes I liked in the book, Catherine.
The outcast in a sci-fi world. I'm not a sci-fi reader, but I really need to delve into Alex's books. The interview makes me look at the genre differently. Nice interview.
There were universal themes in Cassa Storm than any reader would identify with.
Wonderful interview! I liked how you kept it totally to Bassan's viewpoint.
Maybe he needs a book of his own.
LOVE character interviews. They give such a unique look into the story.
You're right, Barbara. You get to see some of what went into making this character.
Natalie, glad you're enjoying it!
Really nice interview!
Thanks!
I'm reading this now and really liking Bassan. Thanks for the great interview with him.
Nice kid, isn't he?
I enjoyed meeting Bassan reading the interview.
Can't wait for CassaStorm's release, Alex. 🙂
I think soon. Have to check with Alex.
Fun interview! Nice to learn more about Bassan. Thanks for sharing!
Great to meet you, Karen. Thanks for leaving a comment.
It's always wonderful getting to know more about the characters in the books we read or will soon read. Bassan sounds like a great kid with some of the typical problems of growing. Like you, Lee, I'd hoped some of these things would be gone, but of course, there is truth to the saying that "the more things change, the more they stay the same."
Enjoyed the interview 🙂
I guess it's the human factor, Angela!
lee, thanks for hosting Bassan and glad you enjoyed CassaStorm!
It's a pleasure to have you and your book here, Alex. I did enjoy the story a lot.
Great interview, nice to hear what the youngsters think!
It is fun to find out the kid's thoughts. He's a good character in the book and you feel for him.
Awwwww baby Bassan! Awwww I want to hug him and wrap him up in lots of tissues!! Raspberries to all the bad bullies calling him names!!
Take care
x
He's a good kid. He'll be okay.
I'd want to know more about that alien ship too, Bassan! Great interview and I enjoyed getting to know more about Bassan. (:
Thanks for the visit, Elise. Glad you liked the interview.