1. Hi—okay, sorry before I start this interview, I really must ask. Why are there three of you?

Oh, hi. My name is Tracy. I’m just here to be the buffer between those two. *points at a boy and a girl glaring at each other with crossed arms*

2. But why do they need—
Trust me. They need a buffer.

3. Oh. Okay then. Well, thank you so much for joining us today. Please intro-duce yourself!

The Girl: I’ll start. I’m Haruna Mitsukai. I’m 17 years old and I’m the main char-acter of the story. I’m a student in my final year at Shady Glenn Private Acade-my. I’m Head Girl (which is kind of like student president at regular schools) and I’m aiming to be valedictorian. One of my main goals is getting into the Universi-ty of—
The Boy: She just asked who you are, not for your life story.
Haruna: Shut up! Why are you even here?
Tracy: Stop it, you guys. *gives a deep sigh* This guy over here is Ryu Debiru. He’s the story antagonist.
Ryu: Antagonist? I’m the main character in this story too!
Haruna: But why? That’s what I’d like to know.
Tracy: Yeesh. I’ll take over from here. *looks over with a smile* I’m Tracy Hasan and I’m one of Haruna’s best friends. I also go to the Academy. Ryu does too.

4. Let’s step back for a moment. What is your story about?

Tracy: So the book is called Judge by the Cover which is part of the Hafu Sans Halo series. It’s a YA/New Adult series.
Haruna: And the first book is about this assignment we have to work on for our English class. And it’s a major assignment—like super important. But naturally, it’s impossible to get anything done with this guy.
Ryu: I’d gouge my own eye out with this icepick before spending five minutes with her to be honest.
Tracy: Ahem. Just to be clear, no eyes were lost in the making of this book.
Haruna: Am I the only one wondering why he randomly carries around an icepick?

5. Wait, I’m curious about something else. What does “Hafu Sans Halo” mean?

Ryu: Well, “hafu” is a word meaning “half.” We’re both half Japanese so I’m guessing that has something to do with it.
Haruna: You’d have to read the book and come to your own conclusions.

6. Wow. I guess being half Japanese means you have some things in common?
Haruna: No way!
Ryu: Not. At. All.

7. Can you tell us about one of your most distinguishable features?

Haruna: I’ll go first. I’m an honour student. I have advanced levels in piano and violin. I play the clarinet in the school band. I tutor. At my church I’m a Youth Minister—
Tracy: Haruna, she means physical features. *turns to smile* Like for example, if you look closely Haruna’s got freckles on her nose—
Ryu: Also her eyes are like this weird blue-green colour like that gross algae that kills people.
Haruna: Excuse me? What do you mean “weird?” You’re weird! When’s the last time you combed your hair? It’s a mess. *looks back* It’s always a mess.
Tracy: *drags palm across face*

8. Do you have any birthmarks or tattoos?

Tracy: Oh I don’t have any tattoos. I’d like to get one but I definitely can’t. My parents wouldn’t like it and it’s against my religion, actually. But I’ve done henna once.
Haruna: Yeah, I’m not allowed to get them either. I don’t want one anyway. On-ly try-hards get tattoos. Piercings too.
Ryu: So you’re calling me a try-hard now?
Haruna: He has, like, a zillion ear piercings.
Tracy: Hey Ryu, do you have tattoos?
Ryu: None of your business what I’ve got.
Haruna: See! He’s rude, isn’t he?

9. Er, how about I change the topic? Oh here’s a fun one! Would you ev-er want to go hang out with your author? If so, what would you do to-gether?

Tracy: No. She’s way older than us.
Haruna: Maybe she can give us advice for university though?
Ryu: Everything with you is school.
10. If you could have a super power what would it be, and why?

Tracy: I’d like to be able to fly. That would be pretty sweet!
Haruna: Hmm…I think invisibility would be great sometimes.
Ryu: She’s lying. She loves attention.
Haruna: He’s just jealous because he’s already invisible.
Tracy: Haruna!
Haruna: Okay, fine. I’ll stop.
Ryu: *ignoring her* Anyway. I’m pretty much able to read minds. It’s not a super power, just intuition I guess. And I have a 4th degree black belt so…yeah, I’m good. But I think it would be cool to be able to teleport.

11. What is your biggest pet peeve when dealing with others?

Tracy: I don’t have any.
Haruna: Some people are just really dumb. I can’t stand idiots.
Ryu: Me neither. I also dislike posers, and that’s pretty much everyone around here. Plus, people can never seem to say my name right.
Haruna: Heaven forbid you mispronounce this guy’s name. Geez.
12. What would I love the most about you?

Haruna: I’m passionate about anything I set my mind to. I never give up!
Ryu: I tell it like it is.
Tracy: I bring the comic relief, but I tell it like it is too.
13. What would I hate the most about you?

Haruna: Hm, I’ll admit I stress out over small things sometimes.
Ryu: She’s somehow both a drama queen and a teacher’s pet.
Haruna: We’re answering for ourselves, idiot!
Ryu: See? Exclamation marks for everything.
Haruna: Get me out of here. Please.
Tracy: I’m just going to go on a limb here and say everyone loves me. Even the haters.
14. Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?

Haruna: I think so.
Ryu: Mostly.
Tracy: I feel like she made me look more boy crazy than I really am.
Haruna: You are pretty boy crazy though.
Tracy: But who isn’t though? We’re teenagers!
Ryu: Stereotype.
15. What is your idea of a perfect day?

Ryu: A day when everyone just leaves me the hell alone.
Haruna: A day spent with my friends and my boyfriend. After all my homework and chores are done, of course.
Tracy: Same answer. Minus the boyfriend part. Ugh. Forever alone….
16. What is your greatest fear?

Haruna: Getting assigned to work on something with this guy.
Ryu: Whatever.
Tracy: That’s a good question. I think I’d be embarrassed to say.
Ryu: Yeah, I’m obviously not answering this question either.
17. Someone is secretly in love with you. Who is it and how do you feel about that?

Tracy: Oh my gosh—please let it be Samuel Hope! Hottest guy ever!
Haruna: He’s too old for you.*looks back* He graduated when we were juniors.
Ryu: Some girls secretly like me apparently, but I couldn’t care less. It would be a waste of my time and theirs.
Haruna: Gross. Why would anyone like you?
Tracy: *leans in to whisper* Pretty sure these two are secretly in love with each other.
Haruna: TRACY! EW—NO!
Ryu: Not a chance.

18. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Tracy: An actress. I want to star in something cool and edgy like Vampire Dia-ries.
Haruna: Do you mean when I was really little or now? When I was little I don’t think I ever thought about it.
Ryu: I’ve always wanted to be like my dad. Now I’m not so sure.
Haruna: What’s that supposed to mean?
Ryu: It means exactly what you think it does.
Haruna & Tracy: …
19. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do to-day?

Tracy: Wow, this is deep.
Haruna: Yeah I agree. I don’t really know? Go shopping?
Tracy: But what if you can’t use all the stuff? I think I’d rather throw a huge par-ty.
Ryu: I’d probably do the same thing I usually do. Since the day I die could be any day.
Tracy: Well… that was rather cryptic, Ryu.
Ryu: Good. It should be.

20. What is the one food you can’t live without?

Haruna: Waffles!
Tracy: I’m a sucker for junk food. Also my mom’s naan is delish.
Ryu: I like the food from Long’s Restaurant, but I can’t afford to be too picky. I live with six other guys.
21. If they turned the book into a movie, who would be cast to play you?

Tracy: I’d play myself! But I really like Yasmine Al-Bustami. I think she could rock my short hair too.
Ryu: For me, maybe Kato Keisuke? He’s a Japanese actor.
Tracy: But don’t you need someone who speaks fluent English?
Ryu: I don’t care who plays me. As long as it’s not Keanu Reeves. Although… I’m pretty sure Emma Stone could play Haruna.
Haruna: Oh aren’t you just the comedian today?
Tracy: Who do you think would play you, Haruna?
Haruna: Katie Chang or Reina Triendl I think.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MTPVI0U?
Book Website:
www.hafusanshalo.com
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeCYHtVlM30
Author Page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/abielleamiel
Twitter: @abielleamiel
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15820401.Melissa_Abigail