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Books Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe

The Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe: Jay Kristoff

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Published on November 16, 2012

Tor.com's Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe, featuring illustrator Adam Rex
Tor.com's Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe, featuring illustrator Adam Rex

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! We’ve asked each author to choose 5-10 talking points from a much longer list of questions–some of which are serious and straightforward, some of which are admittedly pretty geeky and not serious at all, and some of which are probably just weird. Every Pop Quiz will be slightly different, and should be a fun and entertaining way of getting to know these writers a little bit better….

This week, we’re delighted to welcome author Jay Kristoff, whose debut novel, Stormdancer, introduced us to a heady blend of epic fantasy, steampunk, and Asian mythology earlier this fall. Join us as we pick Jay’s brain about everything from Invader Zim to SuicideGirls to putting George Lucas on trial…

Here’s a two-parter: If you could go back in time and change one thing in the past, what would it be? And if you could time travel to the future, who or what would you most like to see?

1) That time I lined up for a midnight screening of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

2) George Lucas’ trial and public execution for Crimes Against Humanity

An interview with Jay Kristoff, author of StormdancerDescribe your favorite place to read/write?

On my couch. Wearing Ugg boots. Dog in my lap. Laptop balanced on my dog. Welcome to my rock and roll author life.

If you could choose your own personal theme music/song to play every time you enter a room, what would you pick?

I’m guessing everyone will pick the Imperial March from Star Wars for this, even though I’m 6’7 and deserve it most. So I’m going to go with the Doom Song from Invader Zim.

That’d never get annoying….

What’s your favorite method of procrastination?

Suicidegirls.com

Oh wait, you said procrastination…

…actually, yeah. It’s probably still pick Suicidegirls.com

Bad news: You’re about to be marooned alone on a desert island—name the five things you would bring along.

1) Sun lotion

2) Kindle

3) Sassy companion

4) The internet (yes, all of it)

5) A TARDIS

If you could name a planet after anyone (other than yourself), who would you choose and why?

Carl Sagan. He deserves more than a frackin’ asteroid.

An interview with Jay Kristoff, author of StormdancerIf you had to choose one band or artist to provide the official soundtrack to your (new/last/latest) book, who would it be?

Disaster Area.

What D&D character alignment best describes you first thing in the morning?

Chaotic Grumpy.

What was your gateway to SF/Fantasy, as a child or young adult?

The Hobbit. And I know it’s almost cool to hate on Tolkien nowadays, but I owe that man a big, slightly uncomfortable hug.

Cast the main characters of your new/upcoming novel (in other words, choose your dream cast for a Hollywood adaptation of your book).

Masaru – Ken Watanabe

Kasumi – Michelle Yeoh

Akihito – Tony Leung (he’d have to hit the ‘roids to bulk up though)

Michi – Chiaki Kuriyama or maybe Devon Aoki

Aisha – Zhang Ziyi

Yoritomo – Chang Chen

Hideo – George Takei (I love George)

Daichi – Chow Yun Fat

Kaori – Maggie Cheung

I’d do the VO talent for Buruu :)


Jay Kristoff grew up in the most isolated capital city on Earth and spent most of his formative years locked in his bedroom with piles of books, or gathered around dimly-lit tables rolling polyhedral dice. Being the holder of an Arts degree, he has no education to speak of.

Jay’s debut novel, Stormdancer, a Japanese-inspired steampunk fantasy was released in September 2012, and is the first installment of The Lotus War trilogy. Jay abides in Melbourne with his secret agent kung-fu assassin wife, and the world’s laziest Jack Russell. He does not believe in happy endings.

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