■Hello Laura-Jane, could you introduce yourself?
Hi guys, my name is Laura-Jane Harvey and I've just turned 20. I'm from East Anglia, but everyone thinks that's abroad, so I say I'm from Hull, because that's where I study at University. I love reading and have just started a book review blog.
■How long have you been reading CHERUB? How did you discover the series?
I have been reading CHERUB since the start of 2005. I discovered the series because I was a judge for the Red House Children's Book Award, and The Recruit was shortlisted in 2005. I was hesitant to read it at first because it looked like such a boys book, but I loved it instantly and voted for it to win, which it did. I was also at the Award Ceremony the same year to see it win the award in the Older Readers category. At the time, there were only the first three books published, so I bought them all and got them signed.
■What do you like about the series?
Where do I start?! I think the characters are very realistic both due to their likeability and their flaws. The first book wasn't the most well-written piece of literature, but I have enjoyed following Rob's writing develop and think he has created some amazing and inspiring series of books. I'm very impressed that they have connected with such a large audience all over the world! I also like that none of the plots seem too far-fetched or forced, which helps all three of his series flow smoothly. I love reading about relationships from the male perspective too, as some female teenage fiction can get too soppy and far too idealistic!
■How devoted are you to CHERUB?
I honestly don't think I could be more devoted! I own every book (as many as possible are 1st editions!), they are all signed, I have many posters and badges from signings, own a signed copy of The Recruit audiobook and have tons of signed photographs and t-shirts! In February 2012, I also won a goody bag for being 2 hours early to a signing and therefore 1st in the queue - won a cool CHERUB hat and playing cards and other awesome things. I also have a tattoo of the CHERUB logo on my leg, but more on that later...
■Do you think you could live like a CHERUB agent?
I think I would enjoy basic training as I enjoy bootcamp style attempts to get fit, but I almost certainly wouldn't last the whole 100 days though... I also think missions would be really hard as I would probably get nervous and forget my own name! I also tend to injure myself a lot because I'm really clumsy, so I'd most likely spend my entire CHERUB career at the Medical Unit.
■So you have a CHERUB tattoo right? Why that choice? How did Robert react?
Yes, I do! It's on my right leg, just above my ankle. My best friend wanted to race me to see who got a tattoo first and I won because I got mine done the day after our conversation! He still doesn't have one... I wanted something really important to me and something that wouldn't change - a tattoo is for life, not just for Christmas! It hurt a lot, so I wouldn't recommend it. I chose the CHERUB logo because those books had been in my life since 2005. They were a huge part of my teenage years and I know my life would've been very boring without them! Rob initially thought it was fake when I showed him at a signing. He told me he was impressed by my commitment however, the best response came from his publisher who took a photo and tweeted it instantly! My leg tends to become famous around signings, as everybody asks for pictures! I'm hoping to have the Henderson's Boys logo put on my left leg before the series ends next year.
■Have you already met Robert Muchamore? If so, what did you think of him?
As you have probably worked out, I have already met Rob! The first time was back in 2005, at the Book Award Ceremony I previously mentioned. His books sold well that day and I got all three of the first books signed. He visited my school in 2006, for the launch of Man v Beast. It was great to hear about why he started writing CHERUB. He recognised me from the first signing because I had brought along a picture to get signed! We met again in 2008, where unfortunately I didn't bring a picture, so I was therefore unrecognised. Due to the fact that I wasn't wearing a pink dress like the first time we met and had cut my hair, Rob managed to mistake me for a boy! Bluewater shopping centre were the hosts of the Shadow Wave tour 2010 and the People's Republic tour 2011, both of which I attended. The People's Republic tour is where my tattoo was first revealed. In February 2012, I finally attended a Henderson's Boys signing for The Prisoner, where I met some of the lovely people from the CHERUB forums and campuscherub.com. It was great that Rob had started recognising me and knew me as female! I also attended the top-secret reading of his Jet project in May and was pleased to be able to give campuscherub.com all the gossip first. He's really friendly and happy to sign practically anything, so I enjoy going to signings. It's always great to meet other fans too!
■And finally, what is your favourite moment/quote in the CHERUB series?
My favourite quote comes from The Sleepwalker, which isn't my favourite book! I don't currently have it with me but the quote would be the insults Jake McEwan shouts when he rounds up the black shirts for a training exercise. I think it's impossible to choose a favourite moment because all of the books are fantastic, but because The Recruit is the first one I ever read, it has to be the ending with James and his friends in the campus dining hall.
Sorry for such a huge reply. Thank you for having me campuscherub.com and happy reading guys!
Laura-Jane xx