CHILDREN OF ECHOES EASTER EGGS
Every author likes to sneak little details and inside jokes into their work and Children of Echoes is no exception. Here is a list of some of the Easter Eggs I hid in Children. Be warned some of these are SPOILERS.
- The character Tarver is named after the character Tarver Merendsen from Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner's These Broken Stars, one of A.J.'s favorite novels.
- Sophie Sharpe is named after another favorite character, Richard Sharpe, from Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series. Sophie's sword is also a reference to the Richard Sharpe character. It is a pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry saber.
- Justin's "It's A Mutant Thing" t-shirt is inspired from a similar shirt worn by a character in the All New X-Men.
- The Beyz' landlord, Mrs. Colletta, is a reference to my mother, who constantly had her name mispronounced "Colletta" growing up.
- The story of Justin's mother is inspired by Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown who earned the Silver Star shielding wounded comrades after a roadside bomb struck one of the vehicles in her convoy on April 25, 2007.
- Echoing was originally called "Flashing". Yeah. That got changed pretty quick.
- The Karani loop-tailed coats are inspired by the fashions of the early 19th century.
- The Soul Drinkers are partly inspired by the Spider-Man Symbiote.
- Tarver's reference to "Karanikish" is taken from a critique session I had early in the writing of Terra Soul in which a reviewer took offense with the word Karani and thought that it should be said Karanikish.
- The Karani use modified Turkish for the Old Tongue.
- The Karani way of greeting each other with the cardinal direction they face is based on an actual Australian language where knowing your orientation is critical.
- In the chapter "Shadows" Justin refers to a Soul Drinkers blow as "hitting with the force of a charging titan." a reference to my current favorite video game--and a game I imagine Justin would have played--Destiny 2.
- Most of the details about Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station are accurate, including the closet labeled SGC, itself a reference to the show Stargate.
- Sophie and Ayla's "literally / figuratively" exchange is a reference to the vastly inappropriate and hilarious show Archer.