The Book Muncher

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2012-02-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Aria has grown up in the enclosed city of Reverie. She’s been taught that this is the only way to safely live, in a protected dome that separates her society from the outer wasteland known as the Death Shop. Out there, there are a million ways to die, whether from being eaten by cannibals, getting lethally sick from some kind of airborne disease, or being caught in an Aether storm. So when Aria is exiled from Reverie and forced into the wasteland, she knows her chances of survival are slim to none. But then she meets an Outsider named Perry, and she realizes that if she wants to live, she’s going to need his help. Together, they form a shaky partnership as they struggle through dangerous territories, hoping against hope to find what they’re looking for, and growing to realize that what they need most might be each other.

Under the Never Sky is an entertaining read, but not one that particularly stands out among the rest of the dystopian titles in YA. I didn’t find Rossi’s setting particularly original or unique, with small pockets of protected areas where the remains of advanced society reside and some sort of destroyed wasteland to embody the rest of society, usually where the rebels or other groups of people believed to be barbaric live. These are ideas I’ve seen in countless other books, including Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and Dark Parties by Sara Grant. I’m not usually too opposed to borrowing ideas if it fits with the story, but I didn’t like that these ideas were not particularly embellished upon in Under the Never Sky or even explained. Rossi’s futuristic society really only makes sense because of other futuristic novels I’ve read, because Rossi herself never gives much background for why the Aether is so dangerous and where it even came from. The plot is somewhat engaging, especially as the romance between Aria and Perry develops, but it doesn’t go much deeper than that until the very end of the story. Despite my issues with its worldbuilding, Under the Never Sky remains a quick and enjoyable dystopian read.

Readers who love dystopian worlds such as those in the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld, Dark Parties by Sara Grant, Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien, and Delirium by Lauren Oliver will enjoy Under the Never Sky.

Rating: 3.5

Review copy from NetGalley

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

2012-02-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Out of her friends, Brie was always the romantic. So maybe it makes a little sense that when her boyfriend tells her that he doesn’t love her, this breaks her heart. What Brie never expected was for this heartbreak to be so literal. Just shy of sixteen, Brie is now a new soul in forever, or just plain dead and gone. Disoriented and bewildered, Brie struggles to make sense of what happened to her and what is to become of her now, and it seems that the only person willing to help her figure everything out is Patrick, a resident Lost Soul who looks like he just stepped out of an ’80s flick. With Patrick’s help, Brie will have to learn to grieve and let go, forgive and move on, and maybe even find the courage to love again.

As with most novels about love and loss, I always approach novels pertaining to the afterlife with some degree of trepidation. However, The Catastrophic History of You and Me is the first book about the afterlife that I’ve read in a while, and I’m pleased to say that while Rothenberg’s version of life after death isn’t necessarily the most outstanding or original, the story surrounding it is certainly enjoyable. I would attribute this mostly to Brie’s extremely realistic voice; debut author Rothenberg imbues Brie with a perfect balance of romanticism, dramatics, confusion, and every other emotion imaginable that any dead sixteen-year-old would experience. This helps make an otherwise lengthy read pass by rather quickly, or at least until the really good plot twists towards the end of the novel. The Catastrophic History of You and Me is without a doubt a funny, romantic, and ultimately heartwarming read from a promising new author.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me will be enjoyed by fans of Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, and Earthly Pleasures by Karen Neches.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from publisher Penguin

Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray

2012-02-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ophelia never meant for things to get so out of hand, but maybe that’s just what happens when you’re a girl in her position: Prince Hamlet of Denmark’s girlfriend. As the daughter of an important member of the royal staff, Ophelia grew up in the castle alongside Hamlet, though it wasn’t until more recent years that their close friendship turned into something more. Ophelia would be the first to admit that dating royalty is tough. Not only are they followed around by the paparazzi everywhere they go, but Ophelia has to deal with all of Hamlet’s family drama in addition to her own as well as all the other types of unwanted attention garnered by Hamlet’s fame. Ophelia thinks she is willing to put up with all of this for the sake of her relationship, but she doesn’t take into account how things could go so quickly from bad to worse. When Hamlet’s father dies under mysterious circumstances and his mother quickly remarries his uncle, of all people, Hamlet descends into a sort of madness, taking an unsuspecting Ophelia with him. Hamlet’s had the chance to tell his story, but now it’s Ophelia’s turn—and she’ll reveal what really happened.

I love all manner of retellings, whether they are only loosely based on the original story or follow it quite closely. Ray’s debut novel Falling for Hamlet is of the latter example and sticks quite close to the original plot of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, though in a more modern setting and with a few embellishments and twists. I was primarily interested in this story because I wanted to see the story from Ophelia’s perspective; she is a rather perplexing character in the original play, and I know I’m certainly not the only reader who has wondered if there’s more to her story. Ray really plays off this dynamic to create her modern Ophelia, a girl who is torn between her strongest loyalties, to her family, to the royal family, to her boyfriend, and to herself. I think Ray did a fantastic job of portraying and strengthening Ophelia’s character, but for me, she wasn’t entirely successful in translating the original Hamlet to the modern day. Some of the dialogue felt rather stilted and formal, especially the closer it came to the original Shakespearean language, and I didn’t really like how Hamlet’s soliloquies, which are lengthy in the play, were generally summed into a few awkward sentences. With that in mind, though, I acknowledge taking on Shakespeare is no small feat, so Falling for Hamlet was certainly an ambitious project.

Falling for Hamlet is an enjoyable read that will certainly be appreciated by anyone who has read Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as well as by fans of Tighter by Adele Griffin, Abandon by Meg Cabot, and The Juliet Spell by Dougles Rees.

Rating: 3.75

Review copy from publisher Little, Brown

A quick recap of the last many events I went to...

2012-02-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

So, I've been to a few great book events since I've gotten back to NYC for the new semester. The only problem is that I've been too lazy to post about most of them until now. So, here we go! Here are the highlights of the events:

Almost a month ago, towards the end of January, I went to Bluestockings for Kody Keplinger's reading and book signing.

Kody Keplinger reads from her second novel, Shut Out

the highlights:

arriving before the event started (the last time I went to see Kody Keplinger, I was an hour late!)
getting to hang out with Kody, Kody's agent, and my most lovely boss afterward!

Then, that next week, at the beginning of February, I headed on over to the Barnes & Noble on the Upper East Side for an event with Alecia Whitaker and Jennifer E. Smith.

the most lovely Jennifer E. Smith and Alecia Whitaker

the highlights:

finally getting to go to an event for Alecia Whitaker, who reads so enthusiastically, you feel like you're part of the story!
meeting to lovely Jennifer E. Smith
getting my copies of The Queen of Kentucky and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight signed
seeing some of my favorite bookish people, including Rachel from Bookshelf Lust and Mitali from Alley of Books (even though she doesn't really blog there anymore), who I hadn't seen since the end of last summer

Then, the week after that, I went down to the Jefferson Market branch of the NYPL for February's Teen Author Reading Night, hosted by Barry Lyga and featuring authors Kate Ellison, Carley Moore, Madeleine George, Jennifer Hubbard, Maryrose Wood, Peter Lerangis, and Barnabas Miller.

the authors and host of February's Teen Author Reading Night

the highlights:

hearing all these fabulous authors read from and talk about their latest novels
seeing more favorite bookish people, including Mitali, Ruth, and Sam from Living Little Women
chatting with author Michael Northrop and meeting Rebecca Serle, author of the upcoming When You Were Mine

Finally, this past Friday, I went to Books of Wonder for the NYC stop of the Breathless Reads tour, featuring authors Andrea Cremer, Marie Lu, Beth Revis, and Jessica Spotswood.

Marie Lu, Jessica Spotswood, Beth Revis & Andrea Cremer

the highlights:

talking to each of the featured authors, particularly Jessica Spotswood, whose debut Born Wicked I absolutely loved, and Andrea Cremer, who remembered me from her event in California that I went to!
being first in line to get things signed
seeing even more of my favorite bookish people, including author Kody Keplinger, Mitali, Rachel, Kelsey from The Book Scout, Britta from I Like These Books, as well as my favorite Books of Wonder employee Adam
getting some Breathless Reads posters signed, for some lucky ones of you!

Contest time!

(2) lucky winners will receive a Breathless Reads poster signed by Andrea Cremer, Marie Lu, Beth Revis, and Jessica Spotswood

To enter this contest, please fill out this form:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEFUYmN4dFpZMUp2S1JnZjNwVGNCaVE6MQ

Other details:

US mailing addresses only.
Contest ends 3/01/12, at 9 p.m. EST.

Remember, you must complete the form to be entered, and only one form submission per person will be counted. If you have any questions about this contest, see my contest policy, or contact me and ask away.

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

2012-02-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Everything irrevocably changes the day that Laurel’s brother and parents are killed in a car accident. They were at their neighbors’ house, and maybe if Laurel hadn’t decided to go home, things would have turned out differently. Maybe if the Kaufmans hadn’t wanted to go out for dessert, Laurel’s family and Mrs. Kaufman wouldn’t be dead and Mr. Kaufman wouldn’t be in the hospital. There are too many ifs and maybes in Laurel’s new life, and they’re threatening to tear apart her world. Laurel can’t just go back to the way things were, and she finds herself growing apart from her friends and withdrawing into herself. The only thing that remains constant is her neighbor David Kaufman. Like Laurel, David is still reeling from the aftermath of the tragedy, and maybe this is the source of their inexplicable connection. As each struggles with their own loss, they’ll learn that maybe there is still hope and beauty in the after.

The Beginning of After is one of those many stories about loss and love, but it is also one that is done extremely well. Debut author Castle paints a heartbreaking image of two teens suffering from and connected by their mutual loss. Laurel and David are initially only acquaintances because of the proximity of their homes, but this tentative relationship develops into a strong bond as they struggle with and against each other in their grief. The grief narrative works so well in The Beginning of After because of the strength and vividness of Castle’s characters as well as her beautiful writing. It’s hard not to care about Laurel and David, especially with all the tragedy that is thrown their way. Despite, or perhaps because of its frequently used themes, The Beginning of After is a fresh and delicate look at the both destructive and cathartic power of grief that is sure to grab readers’ hearts.

The Beginning of After will be enjoyed by fans of Saving June by Hannah Harrington, Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi, and The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas. I’m more than eager to see what Castle writes next.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from NetGalley

Various Positions by Martha Schabas

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Georgia is a shy, slightly awkward girl who doesn’t really know what to do with herself or her body, except when she’s dancing. As a ballerina, Georgia is in complete control, but as a normal girl, she’s stuck between a dysfunctional family and boy crazy friends. That’s why she loves dancing so much, and why she’s beyond thrilled to be accepted into the Royal Ballet Academy, Canada’s top dance school. But attending the Academy presents a new set of problems and pressures for Georgia. She wants to be the best, but when Artistic Director Roderick Allen recognizes her potential, she’s not sure what to think of his extra attention. Are the extra rehearsals and training to help make her an even better ballerina, or are they opportunities for Roderick to show he means something else? And how can Georgia remain an instrument of dance, rigidly disciplined and sexless, when her image of her own body is becoming increasingly sexual? Georgia’s life at the Academy has become a treacherous dance, and one misstep could cost a teacher’s career—and her future.

Schabas’s debut novel Various Positions is a gorgeous yet chilling look at coming of age in ballet school. Readers are given a glimpse into the harsh but alluring world of professional ballet and a look into the mind of a young girl who dreams of a future in this world. I loved the way that Schabas was able to really peel away the layers of protagonist Georgia’s mind; it was so fascinating to see how Georgia analyzed and responded to each new development at the Academy—and how each misinterpretation would affect her behavior. I found this book impossible to put down, even as reading from Georgia’s perspective became increasingly creepy because of her obsession with becoming the perfect sexual and completely asexual student for Roderick. This is the kind of story that will really make readers wonder who is at fault in the loaded and politically dangerous situations Georgia finds herself in. Various Position is truly an impeccably written novel with an addictive story and delicious taste of a young, confused dancer’s psyche.

Various Positions is sure to be enjoyed by fans of Now You See Her by Jacquelyn Mitchard and Liar by Justine Larbalestier.

Rating: 4.75

Review copy from publisher Macmillan

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Cahill sisters live just on the edge of society. Others snub them for being too reclusive, too educated, and too eccentric. But what they don’t know is the truth: they’re all witches. It’s a secret they keep closely guarded, lest they be discovered by the Brotherhood and meet a ghastly end. Cate, the eldest of the sisters, lives in constant fear of her and her sisters being found out. She’s determined to take care of her sisters at any cost, just as she promised her mother before her death, but with less than six months left to choose between marriage and joining the Sisterhood, she fears she won’t be able to. Things only get worse after Cate uncovers a shocking secret in her late mother’s diary, a secret that could mean the destruction of not only Cate’s family, but the entire world as they know it. Cate needs answers and she’s determined to find them, even amidst the dress fittings, tea parties, marriage proposals, and forbidden romances that make up her new life. But if what she finds out is true, then Cate and her sisters aren’t safe from anyone, including the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—even themselves.

Born Wicked is a phenomenal debut of dark magic and high society, all set in an alternate version of New England in the 1890s. If the combination of historical glamour, steampunk flair, and illegal magic isn’t enough to intrigue readers, then Spotswood’s brilliant characters, fantastic plotting, and beautiful writing are sure to do the trick. Born Wicked is so clearly a book that succeeds on so many levels. Cate is a likeable, strong, yet flawed heroine desperate to protect her sisters but unsure of how to do so. Spotswood’s lush descriptions and superb character development really bring Cate and her sisters to life and securely establish them within a slightly exotic version of New England. The plot is smart and unpredictable, from the beginning to the shocking end, and certainly had me on the edge of my seat. Add in a sexy, swoon-worthy romance and a prophecy of epic proportions, and you’ve got this perfect gem of a book. In Born Wicked, Spotswood gives readers a story that is simply irresistible, absolutely riveting, and impossible to forget. What’s not to love?

Born Wicked will be snatched by fans of dark urban fantasy, especially readers who also liked the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz, the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, and Sisters of Misery by Megan Kelley Hall.

Rating: 5.0

Review copy from publisher Penguin

Win Love? Maybe. by Heather Hepler

2012-02-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

CONTEST CLOSED

Here's the perfect Valentine's Day read for romantics and non-romantics alike!

Just because Piper's birthday is on Valentine's Day does not mean she's a romantic. In fact, after watching her father and then her stepfather leave, she's pretty sure she doesn't believe in love at all. Then her friends concoct a plan to find them all Valentine's dates, and somehow Piper finds herself with the most popular guy in school. But true love never follows a plan, and a string of heartfelt gifts from a secret admirer has Piper wondering if she might be with the wrong guy.

In this heartwarming romance, true love is more than a maybe - and it might be closer than you think.

(1) lucky winner will receive Love? Maybe. by Heather Hepler

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Other details:

US/Canadian mailing addresses only.
Contest ends 2/24/12, at 9 p.m. EST.

Interview with Ashley Hope Pérez

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

How was the process of writing your second YA novel different from that of your debut novel?
The biggest difference was that, with What Can’t Wait, I saw my audience every day since I was still teaching high-school English when I was writing it. While I was writing The Knife and the Butterfly, I still thought about my former students all the time (and even emailed them), but they weren’t conveniently seated in my classroom.

The plotting of The Knife and the Butterfly is also more complex, since it moves back and forth between Azael’s present and his past. Then there’s Lexi’s part of the story... I had to learn how to handle all that gracefully. I hope I succeeded.

What sort of research did you have to do for The Knife and the Butterfly?
I read tons and tons on gang culture in general and MS-13 in particular. I also learned about canning culture (street art and tagging), especially in Houston. I researched other things as I was writing, like the differences between Mexican Spanish (what I’m most familiar with) and the Salvadoran Spanish that Azael’s older family members speak. Maybe my weirdest form of research was going out to the garage while my son was napping and shaking empty paint cans for an hour while trying to figure out how to describe the sound.

What was the most difficult scene for you to write, and why?
My biggest challenge was not a scene but a person: Lexi. At first, I really, really, really couldn’t stand her. But I had to find the place inside Lexi that was wounded—and the place inside her that was still willing to change.

One thing I did to get closer to Lexi was to give her some of my own flaws, like my sweet tooth and lack of self-control. And I started writing a journal in her voice (parts of which end up in the novel) to figure out what experiences shaped her into the person she had become.

What is the most interesting thing you learned while writing The Knife and the Butterfly? (This can be about yourself, about writing, or anything at all).
I got very wrapped up in the different styles of street art. There’s a great gallery of Houston street art on Flickr, for example, that I studied for hours. Of course I had noticed graffiti and spray-painted stuff in my environment while living in Houston, but I could never have told you the difference between a tag, a throw-up, and a piece. Nor would I have labeled myself a serious appreciator of street art. I’m still firmly in the camp of “Don’t Mess Up Other People’s Stuff,” but as I learned about canning, I came to understand what making a mark on the city’s face might mean to a teen like Azael.

What is the most rewarding part about being a young adult author?
Readers, readers, and readers! The truth is that I never even thought about writing YA until my high-school students rocked my world and made me want to give them a book. I still adore school visits because they give me a chance to talk to the people that my novels are for.

Don’t get me wrong: I love librarians, teachers, my mother-in-law, and my son’s godfathers. I hope that they’ll love the book and buy it for everyone they know. But if they don’t, that’s okay. Because my number-one concern is writing novels that ring true to teens, challenge them think hard about the world around them, and make them want to turn the pages.

You can meet some of my former students (who I still think about when I write) here: http://www.ashleyperez.com/blog/item/81-coming-home-to-my-first-readers

Ashley with one of her groups of seniors back in Houston in 2007.
Some of her former students are now teaching in the same district

If there was one thing you could change about The Knife and the Butterfly, what would it be?
I’m thrilled with the novel as it is, but there are tantalizing loose threads for me as a writer that I wouldn’t mind following (and maybe weaving into something new) someday. Whatever happened to Becca, for example? What stories does Eddie have to tell? What does the future hold for Lexi? Is there more to Azael’s story? I may be the author, but there are some things I don’t know (yet).

What are you working on next?

I’m knee-deep in a new novel. It’s set near where I grew up in East Texas, and it involves twins, a school explosion, and an interracial romance. That’s all I can say because I am really superstitious about discussing work in progress.

Speaking of: I agree with my fellow Carolrhoda Lab author that baby-book comparisons mostly fail, but… to me, the first draft is like that first week or two before a baby finds his or her true face. Nobody needs to be commenting (honestly) on appearances, right?

But you can comment all you want on The Knife and the Butterfly. And I hope you will! My family and I are in Paris until May, but there are lots of ways to shout across the pond. Talk to me here, find me (and my blog) at www.ashleyperez.com, follow me on twitter (@ashleyhopeperez), or hunt down my author page on facebook.

And thanks so much for inviting me to be munched, Rachael!

Congratulations to...

2012-02-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

Caitlin Audet

who won a signed Nightshade poster

Leslie

who won The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe & a Miniemergency Kit

NSmith

who won Tempest by Julie Cross

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Fashion means something entirely different to Lola Nolan than it does to most other girls. That’s because Lola does not stop at fashion and instead reaches for a higher art form: costume. Those that know her aren’t ever surprised to see her wearing her more outrageous, elaborate, and extravagant conceptions because they know that’s just who she is. But despite her more wild outfits, Lola is really a good kid and loving daughter. So maybe her dads don’t really approve of her sexy rock star boyfriend, but at least Lola knows she’s keeping her eye on the prize: a fashion-filled future. That is, she was until next door neighbors move back in. And now that twins Calliope and Cricket Bell are back, Lola can’t concentrate on anything, not even her most ambitious costume yet. No matter how much she tells herself that she has everything she wants, she can’t ignore her lingering feelings for Cricket, her childhood friend and first love.

Lola and the Boy Next Door is just as sweet and charming a book as its companion Anna and the French Kiss. Perkins delivers another wholeheartedly satisfying romance that is sure to make its way into all readers’ hearts. The neat balance of strictly romance and the more complicated side of life that I came to appreciate in Anna and the French Kiss functions nicely in Lola and the Boy Next Door as well. In addition to struggling with her conflicted feelings for both her boyfriend Max and her neighbor Cricket, Lola has to deal with an unexpected houseguest, her screw-up of a biological mother. I loved Perkins’s flamboyant yet realistic characters and the sometimes ridiculous yet still believable situations they find themselves in. If there’s anything to complain about, though, it’s that the solution to Lola’s relationship with Max is a little hasty, but even with that, Lola and the Boy Next Door is a smooth and fantastic read. In all, Perkins has given readers another winner of a YA romance.

Fans of Anna and the French Kiss will not want to miss its companion, Lola and the Boy Next Door, nor will readers who also enjoyed Breakfast at Bloomingdale’s by Kristen Kemp.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from BEA

Tankborn by Karen Sandler

2012-02-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Best friends Kayla and Mishalla were born GENs, or Genetically Engineered Non-humans, making them the lowest class in their society’s strict caste system. Because they don’t have entirely human DNA, they are viewed as essentially good for nothing except the jobs to which they are Assigned at age 15. Neither girl is ready to come of age and leave all they know behind, but they have no choice. They’ve both resigned themselves to dull if productive Assignments, but they’re both about to find themselves in the midst of a larger conspiracy. Kayla is Assigned to care for Zul Manel, the patriarch of an important trueborn family who holds the key to many of their society’s greatest secrets, including the true origin of GENs. Farther away, Mishalla struggles to work as a nurturer, while some of her children are being taken away in the middle of the night. Both girls are caught up in a plot much larger than themselves, one that will test their faith, their strength, and all that they know—one with the potential to tear their society apart from the inside out.

Tankborn is a thrilling dystopian novel that is sure to thoroughly entertain readers as well as challenge the way they think. From the very first page, Sandler thrusts readers into a world wracked with a myriad of underlying social problems, the very least of which is a caste system. Sandler’s fantastic worldbuilding makes Kayla and Mishalla’s world feel so realistic, despite technological peculiarities that separate their world from ours. This makes for a complex and fascinating backdrop for what proves to be an increasingly gripping story that is full of dark secrets, plot twists, and, of course, forbidden romance. What makes the story in Tankborn even better, though, is its ability to provoke questions about the ethics of everything from genetic engineering to rigidly enforced social classes to the various uses of technological advances. Without a doubt, Tankborn is an exciting story that is sure to stay on readers’ minds for a long time.

Tankborn appeals to readers who also enjoyed Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien and Dark Parties by Sara Grant.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from Lee & Low Books

Win an ARC of Perception by Kim Harrington

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

CONTEST CLOSED

Did you love Clarity by Kim Harrington? Then, now's the time to get excited, because here's your chance for an early peek at its sequel, Perception!

When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

(2) lucky winners will receive an ARC of Perception by Kim Harrington

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Other details:

US mailing addresses only.
Contest ends 2/13/12, at 9 p.m. EST.

Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Justina Griffith is not the type of girl to get excited about prom. She could care less about fancy dresses and heels. In fact, she’d have to admit that she doesn’t even know the first thing about formal attire. But when her best friend Ian Clark asks her to prom, Justina realizes that she’ll have to put all her fears and doubts about prom aside because, well, Ian’s kind of amazing. But that doesn’t explain why Justina finds herself on the side of the road on the morning after prom with bruises, a Tinker Bell tattoo, and a very ruined prom dress—alone. At the nearby 7-Eleven, Justina takes inventory of each dress stain, bruise, and bite mark from the night where she got ditched by what was supposed to be her perfect date. She thinks the last thing she wants is to see Ian again, but there’s another side to the story of prom night that she hasn’t heard yet. After all the damage and miscommunication, Justina will see that maybe missing out on prom doesn’t mean she’s missed out on love.

Ditched is a very cute story of high school romance. The cast of characters isn’t necessarily the most original, but they still remain quirky and pretty realistic. I’d say that plot and character development were satisfactory overall, if not stellar, but what really made this novel stand out for me was the way in which protagonist Justina told her story. Justina’s narrations alternate between her present conversation with two colorful women in a 7-Eleven and flashbacks which correspond with some physical mark on her unruly physical appearance. It’s kind of hilarious to read along as Justina recounts the story behind each stain and bruise; this more unusual way of storytelling certainly made Ditched very entertaining to read. Though the story overall is rather predicable, Ditched is still an adorable, fun, and heartwarming story perfect for all those high school prom cynics.

Ditched is sure to be enjoyed by fans of Prom Kings and Drama Queens by Dorian Cirrone, The Espressologist by Kristina Springer, and Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci.

Rating: 3.5

Review copy from NetGalley

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2012-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

The last thing that Anna Oliphant wants is to spend her senior year of high school at the School of America in Paris. Sure, Europe seems glamorous, but no one seems to be taking into account that Europe means leaving her friends and family back in Atlanta. Besides, Anna can barely speak a word of French. Anna’s convinced that her one and only boarding school experience is going to be nothing short of a nightmare—that is, until she meets Étienne St. Clair. He is probably the most prefect specimen of a guy that Anna has ever met: charismatic, charming, gorgeous, effortlessly Parisian, and with a sexy British accent—just utterly irresistible. Too bad Étienne already has a girlfriend. Too bad Anna is still kind of involved with a guy back home. But as the year progresses, Anna and Étienne’s easy friendship starts to turn into something more. Will they be able to weather all the drama and find the courage to go after what they really want?

I was a little wary of reading Anna and the French Kiss, only because I have seen people literally go gaga for this book, and I was afraid that I would be disappointed if my own reading experience was nothing short of spectacular. I am pleased to say that while I wasn’t totally and completely blown away, I was still wholeheartedly charmed by this sweet and romantic story. Young adult romances are usually my go-to books whenever I feel like smiling (which is basically all the time), and there’s no doubt that Anna and the French Kiss should be situated somewhere at the pinnacle of this subgenre. This romance really defies any of my previous conceptions of what YA romance should be; Perkins works around stereotypes and clichés so that her story settles comfortably within the realm of completely realistic. And the best part is that all her characters fit so well there: both Anna and Étienne are perfectly flawed. No emotion is left unexplored, for either Anna or Étienne (finally, a guy not afraid to express his feelings!). In all, Anna and the French Kiss sure is an utterly delightful and truly charming story that gives a good name to frothy romance.

Anna and the French Kiss will appeal to readers who enjoyed Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton, Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, and Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from personal collection

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

When Skye turns seventeen, she doesn’t know that trying to persuade her best friends against throwing her a surprise party and figuring out to diffuse her other friend Ian’s crush on her are the least of her worries. She has no idea that her seventeenth birthday marks such an important turning point in her life, but she’s about to find out, thanks to two new people in her life. Asher is charismatic but with a dark streak while his cousin Devin is the more reserved golden boy. Each is magnetic in his own way, and Skye can’t deny that there’s something so captivating—and disturbing—about both. Asher and Devin seem to know a little bit more about Skye than she’s normally comfortable sharing, and it isn’t long before she’s questioning the truth of her own mysterious past. There’s something larger at work in Skye’s life, and though she’s unaware, it won’t be long until she’ll be forced to take her own role in it.

A Beautiful Dark might appear to be just another book riding the angel wave of the latest paranormal trend, but debut author Davies keeps things fresh with snappy dialogue, a strong heroine, and unique angel mythology. The way that the story opens makes it seem that the main concerns of this book will be clothing and crushes, but the plot quickly gets much more exciting with the mysterious appearance of newcomers Asher and Devin along with a series of confusing and almost sinister events. I think what I liked best about A Beautiful Dark among other books about angels was that Skye fights so hard to maintain her identity while being thrust into a supernatural situation of epic proportions; it’s not that she doesn’t want things to change at all, but instead, she doesn’t want to just become a tool for one side of the conflict or another. Davies keeps readers entertained throughout the story with lots of action and romance, slowly building up the intensity of the story until its shocking conclusion. There’s no doubt that there will be many readers impatient for the next installment of Skye’s story to find out what happens to Skye, Asher, and Devin.

A Beautiful Dark is sure to be enjoyed by fans of Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, and Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from BEA

Win Tempest by Julie Cross

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

CONTEST CLOSED

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

(1) lucky winner will receive Tempest by Julie Cross
courtesy of St. Martin's Press

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Other details:

US/Canadian mailing addresses only.
Contest ends 2/02/12, at 9 p.m. EST.

Tale of a book signing with Daniel Handler & Maira Kalman

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Last week, I made the very good decision to go down to the Barnes & Noble at Union Square for a book signing. It was a good decision because it was a book signing, of course, but it was a particularly good decision because this event was for Why We Broke Up, written by Daniel Handler and illustrated by Maira Kalman.

The author and artist thoroughly entertained the audience with their random comments and witty banter, all accompanying a slideshow containing images from Why We Broke Up as well as other pictures that said something about Maira Kalman and Daniel Handler's joint history.

One of the images from the slide show

For example, the first few images were photographs that Maira sent to Daniel. He in turn wrote a little something about that image. The story accompanying the image above was particularly hilarious.

Maira Kalman & Daniel Handler, again!

In addition to these funny little stories, Daniel Handler also read a few short excerpts from Why We Broke Up. But I have to say that my favorite part of the evening (aside from, you know, getting my book signed!) was the "Are you a romantic?" quiz that everyone in the audience got to take. Here was my score:

10-15
You lied while taking the test in a vain effort to make others believe you're more or less on an even keel.

For the record, I totally did not lie.

The Darlings in Love by Melissa Kantor

2012-01-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Victoria, Natalya, and Jane have successfully survived their first semester of high school at separate schools, and now they feel that the Darlings can handle anything—even and especially love. Even though Jane has sworn off love, things are going great for Victoria and looking up for Natalya. Victoria knows that she and her boyfriend Jack are just perfect together, and every moment that they spend together makes her positively glow. And Natalya’s crush Colin might just be dropping hints that he likes her back. Even Jane’s new acting partner Simon may give her a good reason to believe in love again. But just when things are going smoothly, the Darlings are going to have to learn about the more complicated side of love. Victoria’s Valentine’s Day surprise for Jack doesn’t quite go as planned, Simon might be a little too good to be true, and it turns out that Colin has been keeping some very big secrets. But through all these romantic dreams and heartaches, the Darlings know that they still have each other and that their friendship can get them through anything.

I was just as charmed by The Darlings in Love as I was by its prequel, The Darlings Are Forever. The focus on romantic relationships for this second book in a series is a tad overdone, but Kantor still handles it wonderfully. This is partially because Darlings are such a lovable trio; Victoria, Natalya, and Jane are girls that every reader will be rooting for as they struggle with their romantic and other drama. Additionally, the focus of the story isn’t solely on romantic relationships but also on the Darling’s relationships with each other and their families. Though the plot is a little predictable, I still found The Darlings in Love heartwarming and entertaining because of Kantor’s superb character development. Victoria, Natalya, and Jane are so realistic and likable that their stories are always sure to make me smile.

Fans of The Darlings Are Forever won’t want to miss its sequel in The Darlings in Love, nor will fans of The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer and Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from NetGalley

Win The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

CONTEST CLOSED

I'm super excited to be giving away one incredible dystopian book!

It starts with an itch you just can't shake.

Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat.

A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

And don't forget to check out the book trailer:

(1) lucky winner will receive a Miniemergency Kit and The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe
courtesy of Big Honcho Media

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Other details:

US mailing addresses only.
Contest ends 1/31/12, at 9 p.m. EST.

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

This year is going to be different. This year, Kaelyn promises herself that she’s going to talk to people at school and make more friends. Then everything will be better, and she’ll stop missing her best friend Leo as much. And Kaelyn’s right: this year is going to be a lot different—only, not in the way that she thinks. Instead, people start getting sick. The symptoms are strange and unlike those of anything doctors have really seen before, with uncontrollable itching, sneezing, and coughing; a breakdown of social inhibitions; and paranoid hallucinations. No one really knows what to do, not the parents or the doctors or the government, but with the deadly virus spreading father every day, something has to be done. With her island home locked down on quarantine and people close to her getting sicker every day, Kaelyn has almost given up on everything. Is there an end to this nightmare? Kaelyn doesn’t know, but she can’t give up hope—because that’s all she has left.

The Way We Fall is an absolutely chilling look at the reverberating effects of a deadly virus in a small, enclosed community. For me, Crewe’s story is so scary and horrifying because the real villain is invisible: it’s a virus; I can’t think of anything more frightening than watching your home and world fall apart because of something you can’t see or even effectively protect yourself from. I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book because Crewe crafts this world so well. The virus itself and its symptoms are entirely believable and the degeneration of the community in which Kaelyn lives is so scarily plausible. Even when comparing the initial state and the ending circumstances of Kaelyn’s home, their vast differences are easy to understand because Crewe makes the worsening transitions so smooth. It’s also interesting to watch the changes that Kaelyn undergoes as she’s forced to grapple with unfamiliar situations and adapt to new roles, but I found that I cared less about her than I did about the overall situation on the island. I also felt that the story cut off in an odd place; either Crewe could have shortened it to leave more of a cliffhanger, which would have been acceptable considering The Way We Fall is the first in a new series, or she should have added a little more onto the ending. However, I am optimistic that character development will improve in books to come, and I am eager to see how Kaelyn’s story and life on the island will continue.

The Way We Fall will be enjoyed by fans of Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, Wither by Lauren DeStefano, Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien, and Dark Parties by Sara Grant.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from NetGalley

Congratulations to...

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

Annie

won a signed copy of Eve by Anna Carey

Yiling / Addictedtolife
who won a Shadowhunters poster and pin

Cialina
who won a signed copy of The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

&

Debbie's World of Books
who won Switched by Amanda Hocking

Tale of a book signing with Andrea Cremer

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, I went to my first California book signing in years. Yes, years. It felt weird not to be able to hop on the subway and take a ride to my local Barnes & Noble like I do in New York City, but fear not, I made it safely in my friend's car.

I was super excited to soothe my book event withdrawal, which occurs every time I come back to California during a school break, and also to see author Andrea Cremer, who's on tour to promote the last book in the Nightshade trilogy, Bloodrose. It's always a little awkward for me when I go to book events for books that I haven't read yet, especially when I don't have my book signing regulars to distract me from my own awkwardness, and especially when my copy of Bloodrose bears the battle scars from losing a fight with a Brita filter...long story. But of course, I needn't have worried, because it was a thoroughly enjoyable event!

Andrea Cremer! (I apologize for the poor picture quality of my iPod)

Andrea read a favorite scene from Bloodrose, and then took lots of questions from an eager audience. I was especially excited to hear about the projects she's working on next, including two prequels and other books set in the world of Nightshade, a steampunk trilogy, as well as a collaboration with the famed David Levithan. Needless to say, there is cause for my excitement!

EDIT: me, my friend Kristi, and Andrea Cremer! (thanks to Kristi for this picture)

My good friend Kristi and I got our books signed and also got to snag some pretty cool posters featuring the new (well, new in a relative sense) cover art for Nightshade. Yes, we got those signed too. And yes, I have one to give away here!

CONTEST CLOSED

(1) lucky winner will receive a signed Nightshade poster

To enter this contest, please fill out this form:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGEyTnBZSk80Mkw5N2pMQzNQSXdDbkE6MQ

Other details:

US mailing addresses only.
Contest ends 1/25/12, at 9 p.m. EST.

Interview with Megan Miranda

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

And now for a quick interview with Megan Miranda, whose debut novel Fracture, comes out next week!

What has your experience as a debut author been like so far?
I feel incredibly fortunate. My experience as a debut author has been nothing short of wonderful. That’s not to say it also hasn’t been hard work (it has), but it’s been a very rewarding experience. I think the thing that makes the debut experience so different is that you’re learning so much of the process as you go. Pretty much everything is…surprising. At least it has been for me. With that said, it’s been surprising in a pretty exciting way.

What has been the best part of the publishing process for you? the worst?
I think, like any job, there are aspects of it that are more difficult than others, but I definitely wouldn’t call them bad. Some of the hardest parts (like revisions) turned out to be the best part of the process, as it made my book that much stronger. Right now, I’d say this is my favorite part, though. Getting ready to launch the book that we’ve all spent the last few years working on. It’s a really exciting time.

What sort of research did you have to do for this novel?
I did a lot of fact checking for a lot of the science aspects, and I did a lot of research about ice safety J I feel pretty confident that I now know how to rescue someone who has fallen through the ice…

What is the most interesting thing you learned while writing Fracture? (This can be about yourself, about writing, or anything at all).
I learned a lot about my writing process. I start with characters instead of plot, so my early drafts tend to have my characters wandering around without a story. I usually have to throw out the first draft completely, but I typically have a pretty good feel for my characters by then.

What is the most rewarding part about being a young adult author?
I think the young adult community is so incredibly supportive and very approachable. Writers, people in publishing, bloggers, readers—everyone seems to be online and connected. This also extends in person. People are always willing to meet up and support each other, and I think this is such a rare thing in most industries.

If there was one thing you could change about Fracture, what would it be?
It’s not something I’d really choose to change, because I like that the book is told solely through Delaney’s point of view, but I would’ve liked to explore the back-story of one of the side characters even further, from his perspective. But it doesn't really have a place in Delaney’s story.

What are you working on next?
I have another standalone, set to come out early 2013. It’s a psychological thriller about memories, the thin line between the real and the imagined, and friendship.

Fracture by Megan Miranda

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

Delaney had been underwater for eleven minutes before her best friend Decker pulled her out. She was trapped in icy waters under a partly frozen lake in Maine for an entire eleven minutes. Her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped functioning. She should have died—but somehow she didn’t. Against all odds and despite the scans showing brain damage, Delaney is alive. But she isn’t completely well. She finds herself waking in the middle of the night with a strange itching sensation from within her body and hands that won’t stop shaking. She finds herself pulled in strange directions which all seem to lead to people dying. Delaney’s terrified that something is seriously wrong with her, but she doesn’t know who to turn to; her parents don’t know how to deal with her anymore, and her relationship with Decker isn’t the same. But then she meets Troy, and he seems to know exactly what she’s going through. Like her, he’s drawn to people who are dying. But what is this strange ability? Is it a curse, or a gift? And what are they supposed to do with it?

Fracture is a book with a fascinating concept but a story that is not quite as spectacular to accompany it. Miranda has created such an unusual premise of a girl who, for all intents and purposes, was and should still be dead, but isn’t. I was intrigued by Delaney’s unusual situation, especially as it became apparent that it was connected to something greater and possibly more sinister—the deaths of others. However, I was much less impressed by how these ideas manifested in the story. The reasons for, precise nature of, and implications of Delaney’s strange ability are never really explained, even though this ability is very central to the novel as a whole. The focus, instead, seems to be on Delaney’s evolving relationships with her family, friends, and new acquaintances. This would be fine if it was well done, but Delaney’s tendency towards melodrama in describing how she’s been wronged became rather irritating. I was also disappointed with the ending, which didn’t leave much sense of accomplishment or conclusion. Though Fracture certainly has a unique premise, the poor execution of its story made reading it less enjoyable than it could have been.

Fracture will still be enjoyed by fans of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma, and Frost by Marianna Baer.

Rating: 3.5

Review copy from NetGalley