This past season saw a bumper crop of first novels. We spoke with the authors of three standouts: a riveting fantasy about a girl “graced” with the skill of killing, a tale of a 16th-century clockmaker's daughter who attempts to retrieve her father's enchanted eyes, and a coming-of-age story about a teen who petitions the Vatican to make her a saint.

Fall 2008 Flying Starts: Kristin Cashore

Fall 2008 Flying Starts: Marie Rutkoski

Fall 2008 Flying Starts: Donna Freitas