Author Interview: Zoraida Cordova

Today I am thrilled to have author Zorida Cordova on the blog for an interview!  Zoraida is the debut author of the fabulous novel, The Vicious Deep, which I recently read and rather adored. I really hadn't read many mermaid novels until this year, but I LOVE what Zoraida has done - she's really put a lot of heart and soul into The Vicious Deep, into developing the mythos and the fascinating characters.  If you don't believe me, you can check out my review here, then dive on into my interview with her! 

Zoraida Córdova was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she learned to speak English by watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker on repeat. Her favorite things are sparkly like merdudes, Christmas, and New York City at night.


For more on Zoraida, visit her here: Website | Twitter | Facebook


Then go on over to Goodreads to add The Vicious Deep to YOUR TBR!

Author Interview: Zoraida Cordova

OUAP:  What did you learn about writing that you didn't know before you wrote The Vicious Deep?

ZC: Killing your darlings. I've seen other writers say this, but I always thought "NO WAY NOT ME." But in the end, to get a leaner, stronger novel, you have to do just that. Self-editing is important. 

OUAP: What made you want to write from a male's POV?

ZC: I've always wanted to write about a guy who goes through all the changes. It's pretty fun. 

OUAP:  Why mermaids, instead of other mythical creatures?

ZC: I've had a love of mermaids since I was little. There's so much left to explore and I want to make my discoveries known. 

OUAP: What is the main reason you write YA?

ZC: I don't want to grow up.   (Molli's note:  I LOVE this answer!!!)

OUAP: Do you read for pleasure? If so, what are a few books that have come to mean a lot to you?

ZC: I have less time to read for pleasure lately. But my favorite books are A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray and Tithe by Holly Black. 

OUAP: Was there ever a moment you KNEW you were a writer, or was it something you always knew?

ZC: We were given an assignment in junior high to write a three page short story. I ended up writing 21 pages. Once I started it just kept GOING. I KNEW it wasn't done. So I kept writing.


Thanks to Zoraida for doing the interview and to the amazing folks at Source Books for letting me be part of the Bloggers of the Deep Tour!  

Review: The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova
Pages: 384
Rating: Squee-worthy
Expected publication: May 1, 2012 (Sourcebooks Fire)
Source: E-ARC from the publisher
Series or stand-alone: The Vicious Deep (1)
Further info/purchase: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Find the author online: Website | Twitter


 For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

My Review

In The Vicious Deep, we meet lifeguard Tristan Hart - popular, handsome, who seems to have the perfect life - shortly before a freakish storm hits the beach he's on, and Tristan dives into the water, thinking he's saving someone.  Three days later Tristan wakes up on the beach, with no memory of what happened to him after he entered the water, and his entire life changes.  Zoraida Cordova plunges the reader instantly into Tristan's world with a novel where the action never really stops, yet where this would have thrown me off in other books, with this one: it worked.  I felt like I was constantly trying to catch my breath, but because that sensation was backed by a hilarious, sensitive at times, typical male at other times narrator and a fabulously twist-y plot, I was never taken aback by the pacing; if anything, it seemed right.  Cordova is a talented author, delving into the mind of a male protagonist, which has to be tricky, but I've discovered, I REALLY enjoy: both as a writer and as a reader.  It's a nice treat from most novels, which are narrated by females, plus, Tristan, even though he's a stereotypical guy, is also instantly likable, and carries the novel well.  

The Vicious Deep takes Tristan Hart on an unbelievable journey, from Coney Island to another island - the ancestral home of the merfolk, to whom he learns he has a connection that is truly mind-blowing for Tristan.  I was worried about the reveal - as an author, how do you pull out the, "So, you're a merman card?" but Zoraida Cordova handles that with fabulous poise and style.  She's built an amazing home life for Tristan, who has the love and support of both parents, as well as his best friend, Layla.  All of these characters were beautifully developed and never felt flat; often, authors don't pay enough attention to their secondary characters, but for Cordova, this clearly was not a problem.  I found myself drawn to Layla and wanting immediately to know more about her, and to see more interaction between her and Tristan.  I just wanted to wrap my arms around them both - their banter and bond was adorable, with moments of seriousness to break up the light-hardhearted-ness, where you REALLY saw how much they cared for one another.  

The plot itself, while not chock-full of twists, did keep me guessing at a few points, and was just genuinely really enjoyable.   In some ways, The Vicious Deep definitely wasn't what I was expecting - it was better.  The entire Sea Court angle was different and oddly fascinating!  And while I'd have liked for there to be more interaction with Tristan and a few of the minor characters, who nonetheless play very important roles, there is a sequel, and I have high hopes that I might get my wish, then, because most of those characters are still around.  And the awesome thing is there are people like Kurt and Thalia that, yes, you will have to read the book to meet, but I promise, they are well worth it!

Zoraida Cordova has a way with words, and a way of getting under the reader's skin.  I never thought I would enjoy a mermaid book as much as I did, but after I was 50 or so pages in, I quickly realized that The Vicious Deep has a lot to offer: action, romance, humor, and most importantly, heart.  I saw some character growth on Tristan's part throughout the novel and I think in the next book/s just judging by what I think is going to happen, there will have to be a LOT more.  I don't really have any gripes with this book - it was a good length, there were a lot of elements to it that are guaranteed to make me giggly, and it left off in such a way that I NEED the sequel now.  The Vicious Deep is a GREAT read, just not one of those "this will change your life" kind of books, but definitely an energetic, mysterious read.  If I could say one thing to convince you to read The Vicious Deep, it is that this is the perfect summer read: fast-paced and fun, yet definitely with more to offer than meets the eye - this book has a  LOT to offer, and I am already highly, eagerly, impatiently awaiting the sequel, The Savage Blue!

Book Trailer