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Filipina author K.M. Levis brings PHL monsters to int’l readers in ‘The Girl Between Two Worlds’
When her mother disappears, a young girl learns the truth about her family. "The Girl Between Two Worlds," by Sydney-based Filipino author K.M. Levis, follows Filipina-American teen Karina as she discovers her true heritage: heir to the land of Engkantasia.
In addition to dealing with this life-changing discovery, Levis' young heroine also has to learn how to control her powers, fight monsters trying to kill her and her family, and prevent a war between Engkantasia and the human world.
"I think a person’s real character comes out during trying situations and they have to figure things out themselves," Levis told GMA News Online in an email.
"Karina is like that. She feels like an outcast sometimes but she has this strength inside her that is just waiting to be unleashed."
In a nice touch, the monsters Karina has to face should be familiar to Filipino readers— manananggal, tiyanak, nuno sa punso, kapre. International readers have a new world of scary creatures out there to discover.
A freelance journalist whose work has been published in the New York Times and featured on Al Jazeera, Kristyn Maslog-Levis has also written two children's books, "The Dragon and the Lizard" and "We Have It All (A True Story)." Anvil Publishing picked up "The Girl Between Two Worlds" and the book is now available in National Book Store, Powerbooks, and on Anvil's website.
GMA News Online asked Levis about "The Girl Between Two Worlds" and what she has planned for her plucky protagonist Karina.
GMA News Online: Non-Filipino or non-Southeast Asian readers are not familiar with our monsters. Were you excited or apprehensive about introducing them to international readers?
K.M. Levis: I was actually quite excited about it because I think the world is tired of the usual monsters we have on books and movies. Filipino mythology is so rich, it would be such a shame not to put it out there to share with the world. I know that my non Filipino friends were definitely amazed at how disgusting our manananggals are. In fact, after my husband read the book (he’s Australian) he shook his head and told me it wasn’t a pretty picture thinking about our monsters. The aim is to shock and awe, right?
Why did you choose to set the story in the US instead of in the Philippines or Australia?
I based this decision on my goal for the book, which was to reach as many new generation Filipinos as possible, especially those who didn’t grow up with Engkantos and Aswangs because they grew up overseas. I thought America would be the best place for the setting since it has a high population of overseas Filipinos.
Did you base Karina on anyone? How would you describe her personality and character?
Karina is actually my friend’s name but the character is based on different people I know, and a tiny bit of me. I wanted a girl who is clever, beautiful and strong but also vulnerable at the same time. I think a person’s real character comes out during trying situations and they have to figure things out themselves. Karina is like that. She feels like an outcast sometimes but she has this strength inside her that is just waiting to be unleashed. Also, in the book we see a glimpse of her dark side, which we all know is inside each and everyone of us. She’s nice but not that nice.
What kind of books did you read growing up? Which books/authors would you recommend to our readers?
I grew up with very little books in the house because we didn’t have the money to buy books. But the stories our mother made up fueled my imagination. When I finally was introduced to the public library, I immediately got addicted to the Nancy Drew series. That’s where I started. Then I got on to Stephen King and basically inhaled the horror genre for a long time. After a long pause reading parenting books when my daughter was born, I went back to reading again. And if you look at my Goodreads profile, you’ll see that my book taste is very diverse. I read everything I can get my hands on. No genre is safe with me. I think that’s how you grow as a writer. Plus, it is such a relaxing pastime. If you want to see my recommendations, just head on to my Goodreads profile.
Dream casting: Who would you love to play Karina, Jason, Mark, Alyssa, Karina's parents and grandfather and/or the other characters?
Oh wow, I haven’t even thought of that. I must admit though that when I created Mirasol, I was thinking of Anne Curtis. She’s too young to be a mother and that’s why she’d make the perfect Mirasol. Also, I think she would make a great antagonist in a movie. As for the other kids, I don’t know. Is there room for two Hemsworth brothers in there? I would love Asa Butterfield for Mark and maybe Elle Fanning for Alyssa. Lolo has to be someone regal but all I can think of is Eddie Garcia! As for Karina, I am totally drawing a blank but maybe the fans can nominate someone. That would be great!
Will there be a sequel for The Girl Between Two Worlds? If so, can you give us some idea what you're planning (without spoiling this first book)?
Yes, the sequel is definitely underway. Karina’s trials won’t stop after the first book finishes. She will be tested far more than she’s ever been tested before. She will find out just how far she will go to save the ones she loves. There are more creatures than ever and maybe, just maybe, a different boy in the scene.
What are you working on now?
Aside from the sequel of The Girl Between Two Worlds, I also finished the short novella on Mirasol. It is basically her side of the story. I’m hoping to include that with the second book once it’s finished. Having said that though, I have two other manuscripts that need polishing—a dystopia young adult and a women’s commercial fiction—but I’ll get to that later after the second book is finished. — BM, GMA News
‘The Girl Between Two Worlds’ (P275.00) is available in National Book Store and Powerbooks and online at www.anvilpublishing.com.
