Welcome back to The Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe, a recurring series here on Tor.com featuring some of our favorite science fiction and fantasy authors, artists, and others!
Today we’re joined by Kiera Cass, New York Times bestselling author of The Selection series, as well as the self-published fantasy novel The Siren. The final book of The Selection, The One, is available May 6th from HarperTeen. Kiera is a graduate of Radford University and currently lives in Blacksburg, Virginia, with her family. She has kissed approximately fourteen boys in her life, but none of them were princes.
Join us as we cover subjects ranging from penguins to One Direction, and more!
Please relate one fact about yourself that has never appeared anywhere else in print or on the Internet.
I once sent in a secret to PostSecret.com. It did not appear on the site or in a book, but I did it.
Bad news: You’re about to be marooned alone on a desert island—name the five things you would bring along.
Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Harry Styles. I win.
Do you have a favorite word?
Copacetic. Though I tend to spell it wrong pretty often.
If you could be incarnated as any historical figure, who would you like to be?
Could I skip being a figure and just go back in time and hang out? I find the era of Henry VIII fascinating, but I don’t think I’d want to be anyone we know by name. Particularly the women. They didn’t fare so well. But! I will say that parts of my character Queen Amberly were inspired by Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon.
What’s the most embarrassing guilty pleasure you’ll admit to?
There’s no such thing in my life. I listen to pop music, eat what I want, and watch all kinds of TV without shame. Your “guilty pleasure” is my “I don’t even care.” Love what you love, people!
What would your Patronus be?
I would want my patronus to be a fox, but I feel like a penguin would pop out. Just my gut feeling. Not sure how that works with being a Slytherin, but it feels real, man.
Which language, real or fictional, would you like the ability to speak fluently? Who would you talk to?
Klingon. Have a chat with my dad.
If you had to choose one band or artist to provide the official soundtrack to your new book, who would it be?
I actually have at least one song by The Fray on every playlist for every book I’ve written. Excellent music to write to.
Two roads diverge in a yellow wood: one leads toward a mysterious laboratory in which a mad scientist is currently ensconced. The other winds its way toward a tower inhabited by a powerful wizard. You could really use a snack, and it would be nice to have somewhere to crash for the night—which road do you choose?
Mad scientist, easily. The Bunsen burner is probably going and there are plenty of beakers and things. If I can find some butter and sugar, I could probably make some cake. PS, lab coats for blankets. Boom.
Would you rather discover the fountain of youth or proof of life on Mars?
Didn’t you hear? I am the fountain of youth!
If you could choose your own personal theme music/song to play every time you enter a room, what would you pick?
It would probably be a selection of boy band goodness on rotate. Am I getting up in the morning? “What Makes you Beautiful” by One Direction. Am I stuck in traffic? “Burnin Up” by the Jonas Brothers. Am I heading to a christening? “Step by Step” by New Kids on the Block. Everything has a time and place.
