Young Adult Science Fiction

XOMBIES reviewed...

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:32:00 +0000

It's not labeled Young Adult, but I think you'll like it. Oh, and they're not zombies, they're XOMBIES. 'Kay? It's Science Fiction.

New, okay, Morphed Review Blog

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:18:00 +0000

My good review buddy, Tia, has morphed her Fantasy Debut blog into 'Debuts & Reviews.' I thought you all might be interested because she's expanding beyond the Fantasy genre and debuts.
http://www.tianevitt.com/weblog/

SOULLESS reviewed...

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:15:00 +0000

...by Mfitz at-
http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/10/soulless-by-gail-carriger.html
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We don't usually go in for that spooky stuff, but this one was special.

MOLLY FYDE AND THE PARSONA RESCUE reviewed...

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:09:00 +0000

...by me at

http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/10/molly-fyde-and-parsona-rescue-by-hugh.html

SKINNED reviewed...

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:56:00 +0000

...by me at- http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/09/skinned-by-robin-wasserman.html

Blog Renovations

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:48:00 +0000

Good morning, YA SciFi Geniusus!

Well, I had my beautiful baby girl, otherwise known in the Blogosphere as Lil Bean. http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/07/welcome-to-this-wonderful-world-lil.html I'm getting back into my groove here. The great thing about being forty years old is I know what makes me happy now - books and babies. I've had all my babies and now I have to reorganize my schedule to accomadate books too. As part of that, I'm folding the most important aspect of this blog - the book reviews - into my main book review blog, Enduring Romance.

And so books of interest to my younger friends will be reviewed on the Fourth Thursday of Every Month at http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/ Although I will review a variety of genres, there will always be a strong preference for anything Science Fiction flavored. It's just SciFi is so much harder to find for you all. (((sigh))) But, I shall continue to do my level-best.

Therefore, this blog is now 'read-only,' although I will post notices when I review YA SciFi at Enduring Romance.' We accumulated a lot of good stuff in the few short months it was in full operation, so do take time to look around if you're new here.

Have a Trekkie Summer!

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Good morning, YA SciFi Geniuses!
I'm signing off for the summer now because I have a baby to make and that's a lot of work.
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If you get bored, I'd really appreciate if you'd invent a Fetal Transport Unit for me, like the one the Doctor used to deliver Naomi Wildman on Star Trek Voyager. While you're at it, a replicator would be nice too..
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Live long and prosper.

It's Their Kid, Sheesh!

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:53:00 +0000

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/swedenoffbeat This article's about a Swedish couple who are fighting for the right to name their son "Q." Well, you know how I feel about parental rights and the right of individuality. When the state can dictate what you can and can't name your own child, good grief. Besides, as a Trekkie, I think 'Q' is perfect.

A STAR TREK movie review

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:46:00 +0000

Good evening, YA SciFi Geniuses! Yep, I'm still around, just beached and severely limited in what I can do until after I recover from giving birth. Anyway, remember how worried I was about the new STAR TREK movie? Doing a remake of such an iconic Science Fiction show was a tall order I feared no human could hope to accomplish. I mean, good grief, just think of all the real life scientists and technology inspired by the original t.v. series, like Dr. Mae Jemeson, the first African American woman in space, and those doors which slide open for you at the grocery store.
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However, my good Blog Buddy, Tia, over at the Fantasy Debut has seen it and is sufficiently impressed, which makes me want to go. My husband is also reassured by initial reviews. We have to wait until after my doctor's appointment tomorrow. I might get put on medical bedrest and then it'll have to wait. Thankfully, there's a theater in Anchorage which runs movies that have already left all the other theaters, so there's a good chance I'll still get to see it in all that wonderful movie house magic.

Here's the link to Tia's review- http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com/2009/05/movie-review-star-trek.html Isn't the new Mr. Sulu hot? Of course, I always thought the first one was too.

;)

Here's an official article on the new STAR TREK's surprising success- http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/39star-trek39-has-galactic-76.5-million-opening

Weekly Tech News from Dear Author

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:55:00 +0000

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2009/04/26/weekly-tech-round-up/

ENCHANTRESS FROM THE STARS by Sylvia Engdahl

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:24:00 +0000

The thing to remember with this one is that its original copyright is 1970. That makes it 39 years old. The style is very different now. Nevertheless, this book was so popular its been republished several times and cover art varies. You should be able to find it in any good library or large used bookstore and on-line at Amazon.com and the like.

The best thing about this story is its girl hero. Seems to me we get more stories like this when Science Fiction is in a popular phase. However, it also takes into consideration the belief that girls prefer Fantasy to SF. The author clearly tried to bridge the gap between the two genres.

Elana is the daughter of two agents. Her dad leads her team and her mom died on assignment some years before. She's a teen but she's already engaged to Evrek, another agent who's just ahead of her in rank. They arrive at a Youngling world in their starship. Younglings are people from worlds less advanced than their own. They're there to explore and also to investigate an incursion by a nearby interstellar empire which wants to clear away Younglings for colonization.

Elana is so eager to go on the mission that she tricks her way into the landing party. When the only other female on the time dies during first contact, her father has no choice but to promote her to the next rank. He and her fiance are very upset at needing to do this.

Meanwhile, the local Younglings believe a dragon is terrorizing their people. A woodcutter's sons set out to defeat this dragon. The youngest, Georyn, is a sensitive, intelligent young man. When they encounter Elana on their journey, they believe her to be an enchantress and Georyn is taken with her in a personal way too.

While that's going on, another young man, Jarel, is working as a guard for the Imperials and questioning why they're there clearing away the primitive peoples because, now that he sees them in person, he realize they're just like him. They're no animals.

Of course, the three - Jarel, Georyn, and Elana - have to work together to resolve the plot.

Remember, this was written almost forty years ago, so the language is a bit stiff and the romance is rather shallow compared to Young Adult romance now. Besides YA romance not being all that deep back then, this was Science Fiction during a time when it was believed SF readers thought romance was icky and almost entirely read by boys who thought romance was even ickier. However, the author clearly knew better and I thought the romance, though light, came off well.

Sylvia Engdahl has a huge backlist. Be sure to check it out on-line or at any good-sized library. http://www.sylviaengdahl.com/

THE TROUBLE WITH DEMONS by Lisa Shearin

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Even if you don't usually read Fantasy, I think you might like this one just for Lisa's wry storytelling voice. http://enduringromance.blogspot.com

STAR TREK Anyone?

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:31:00 +0000

Good morning, YA SciFi Geniuses. If you've popped in lately, you know how much I've slowed down. Even though I have a wonderful new laptop, it's difficult to write due to my unborn baby pinching a nerve somewhere on the left side of my body. I have to reserve my writing time mostly for my own stories. Of course, my increasing belly size makes it difficult to sit for long periods of time too. I won't be able to attend the opening of the new STAR TREK movie in May. So, I'd really appreciate it if those of you who do could write up some kind of review for me. Either email me - my address is in my Blogger profile - or put it in the Comments of any post. All comments must be approved by me via email anyway. Instead of posting it as a comment, I would copy and paste the review to its own post. Thanks a whole bunch!
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During this time, my priority will be book reviews for you all. I'll also link you to reviews at my other blog, Enduring Romance, for books which I think you might like even if they're not SciFi.

In baby news, my little princess is doing very well. She's large for her age, which is good because she'll probably be born early. It's good to marry a large man if you're going to have premature babies! The bigger the preemie, the better chance she has. Still, I'm hoping to keep her in full term. As for me, well, I'm in pain and increasingly uncomfortable and so on. Making babies is very hard work, which is why it's good to only make them with a responsible, unselfish, and utterly devoted mate. It also helps if he's very cute and a darn good kisser.

Young Adult at Cerridwen Press

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:26:00 +0000

*FROM DREAMS TO REALITY by Barbara Goodwin looks pretty darn cool to me.*

Now, these are all new to me and look Paranormal all around, rather than Science Fiction. But, there might be some SciFi in there or on its way. These novels are not specifically written for Teens, I don't think. I believe they're grouped together for Teens because they have cross over appeal for both teens and adults. http://www.jasminejade.com/c-111-young-adult-interest.aspx

New Source for YA Paranormal- Harlequin Teen

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:17:00 +0000

*This is INTERTWINED by Gena Showalter, one of the debut novels for this line. I've never read Showalter's books, but I know plenty of people who have and love them.
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Harlequin Teen is a new line from the famous Romance novel publisher and it's coming in August of this year. Despite the Romance connection, the stories will actually compass all of Young Adult fiction. Looks like the first two are Paranormal and I'm hoping future titles will include Science Fiction. We can only wait and see. http://www.harlequinteen.com/harlequinteen/index.html

Here's the link to a website trying to connect early with teen readers- https://www.harlequinteenpanel.com/Portal/default.aspx I think it looks a little too 'Tween' rather than 'Teen,' but they've got four months to get their act together.

;)

New Books from Tor

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:03:00 +0000

I haven't checked these out, YA SciFi Geniuses, but I don't want you all to suffer just 'cause I'm knocked up and sidelined. DREAMQUEST looks kinda cool.

;)

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=236284388&albumId=991130

Tor makes it easy to keep up with what they're doing. I wish other publishers did. And I wish it was easier to find YA Science Fiction. (((sigh)))

Happy Easter!

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:31:00 +0000

We're finding our Easter eggs in the mud and leftover snow banks here in Alaska, but, hey, at least we know Spring is on the way. Have fun!

Weekly Tech News from Dear Author & I got a mini laptop!

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:29:00 +0000

Here's the Dear Author link: http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2009/04/12/weekly-tech-roundup-2/

And here's my mini loptop-

Now, I can write on my stories anywhere and also accept eBooks and electronic ARCs for review.

Reading News for Techno-Geeks

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:23:00 +0000

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2009/04/05/weekly-tech-roundup/ I don't know about you all, but I want one of those itty-bitty laptops.

TENNYSON by Lesley M. M. Blume

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Here's another non-Science Fiction paranormal for you-

http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/04/tennyson-by-lesley-m-m-blue.html Click on the link because it's actually posted at my other book review blog.

Although it's labeled Middle Grade, I think anyone would enjoy it. I'm forty and I did.

Meanwhile, I'm having a terrible time finding Science Fiction in the New Releases for you all. I had what I thought was a great one, but it opened so insanely boring and full of teenage stereotypes I just knew you'd gag. I'm going to have to go back to the Older Releases to find something good, I'm afraid, and definitely not limit my choices to the YA label. (((sigh)))

JUMPER by Steven Gould

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:36:00 +0000

Not sure if you'll like this one, but some of you might so I thought I'd let you know about it. The first thing to know about this novel is that it's a guy's story. It's written by a guy from a guy's point-of-view and totally in a guy-appealing way. So, if you're a girl and can enjoy books written like that, you'll be fine. Otherwise, I suggest watching the movie instead. It was released last year and is out on DVD. Although marketed to the Male Teens Through Twenties demographic, it's much more girl-appealing, especially when you consider Hayden Christenson was cast in the leading role. Yum! Movie-makers know guys like to take their girls to the movies. To this day, when my husband and I go out to the movies, it's inevitable Science Fiction or Fantasy because we both love those kinds of stories. He's glad I've never been in to 'Chick-Flicks,' except one, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, which I can watch by myself on DVD. Anyway, the movie is better structured for suspense and action.

However, if you think the book might work for you, read on.
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Davy's father beats the crap out of him and his mother ran out after putting up with the abuse for too long. His father keeps him around for the slave labor and so he won't have to pay child support. Davy's almost 18 years old when he discovers his natural ability to teleport. Suddenly, he's able to escape his pathetic idiot of a father.
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Disoriented at first, he goes hungry, gets mugged on the streets of New York City, and doesn't quite know what to do. He can't get a job, because he escaped his father without a birth certificate, a high school diploma, a driver's license or a social security card. He has no idea how to establish himself and his identity elsewhere and he's understandably afraid. He begins to 'jump' into hotel rooms to sleep and to other places to steal food, then clothing and other stuff. Although he demonstrates a clear sense of ethics otherwise, his stealing increases until he starts jumping into bank vaults to steal vast amounts of money.
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Early on, Davy meets Millie, a girl about three years older. They fall in love, but don't expect sighing romantic tension if you're a girl who likes that, because this is a book for guys. Remember?
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Eventually, Davy goes searching for his mother. He's terrified because she abandoned him, but Millie, a psyche major, encourages him. Eventually, he finds her and learns she didn't intentionally abandoned him, but fled to a hospital to have her face re-built after his father broke it. Then, she was afraid to go back for him.
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And so Davy has Millie and his mother back in his life again, not to mention an unlimited 'bank account.' Things should be good. However, after rescuing a woman from her abusive husband, a police officer, he finds himself being hunted down by the police who, of course, prefer to believe the pathetic idiot instead of Davy. And then his mother is killed when terrorists blow up the jet she's traveling in. Davy freaks out and wants to hunt down the terrorists, because he has this super power now and can exact revenge. The corrupt police and assorted shady characters also kidnap Millie.
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Now both the women Davy loves have been attacked and all he wants to do is avenge, rescue, and try to make all the bad people stop hurting all the good people. But, can he?
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This book was released in 1992, so it ought to be in your local library. There's another version, JUMPER - GRIFFIN'S STORY, which I have not read.
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A few warnings for the more sensitive among you- There is a little bit of graphic sexual innuendo, but nothing that effected me, probably because it's so guy-oriented that it bored me. There is a significant amount of cussing, which you might expect from any human in a really tense situation. And there's some graphic violence. None of this really bothers me much, but if it had been cleaned up just a bit the book could have been stocked in Young Adult as well the regular Science Fiction section, at least in my community's store and library, and, therefore, receive more exposure to readers. The themes are certainly pertinent to young adults, teens and twenties.

BEWITCHING SEASON reviewed...

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:37:00 +0000

...by me at my other book review blog, Enduring Romance. http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/03/bewitching-season-by-marissa-doyle.html Although this one isn't Science Fiction by any stretch of the imagination, it is Paranormal, a label often used to group SF and Fantasy together. So, I thought some of you might want to know about it. BEWITCHING SEASON is YA Fantasy Historical with a strong romantic element. I'm totally into that these days.

Young Adult Romance Reviews

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:44:00 +0000

I just found this new book review blog for the romantics among us. The reviewer seems to cover a wide variety of stories, everything from contemporary to paranormal, and the blog isn't deluged with blood-sucking dead guys either, unlike all the YA new release shelves around here. There's even one about an African American girl pilot in World War II, which I must have. The only requirement for all these novels seems to be that there must be a romantic relationship between the young protagonists. Some books seem to be all about the Romance while others seem to have it secondary to the main plot. Anyway, it's worth checking out! http://yaromancereviews.blogspot.com/

My Girl!

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:07:00 +0000

Good morning, YA SciFi Geniuses! We had an ultrasound and our Lil Bean cooperated this time and let us know that she is, in fact, a Lil Princess. If you want to keep updated on her progress, you might want to check in at my personal blog. http://starcaptainsdaughter.blogspot.com/

If you're worried I'm falling into stereotype with my Lil Princess, just consider Lucy Lawless in Xena Warrior Princess and you'll know my girl can be anything she wants to be too. Lucy Lawless was most recently on Battlestar Galactica.

Here's the glorious Temptations to help celebrate- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwmgYEUr8

Louis Armstrong also has a song appropriate for the occasion- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc&feature=related

If Kimber An Goes Silent in Cyberspace...

kimberannebula@yahoo.com (Kimber An) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:29:00 +0000

...it's not because she doesn't love you anymore.
It's because she's 'beached' on the sofa!
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Good morning, Blog Buds! I'm moving into a time in my pregnancy when I'm increasingly more tired and uncomfortable. I will, inevitably, develop complications soon, as well.
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And so I wanted to warn you in advance that I will be posting sporadically and may even stop posting for days, weeks, even months at a time. It all depends on how complicated this High Risk pregnancy becomes. After three High Risk pregnancies and one devestating miscarriage, I think it goes without saying that my husband and I are neurotically overprotective of Baby #5, and the only way to protect him or her right now is to protect me.
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I won't divulge all the gory details of my risks. Suffice it to say, I'm forty years old and have a history of preterm labor. We work very hard to keep our babies in long enough. Besides the miscarriage, the earliest I've delivered was at 36 weeks. I think it helps that my babies are larger than average due to being happily married to a very large man for a very long time. Even my 36 week Preemie didn't need any extra help following birth. It's the pregnancy part that's difficult for us.
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The good news is I'll have more time to read, which means when I'm able to get on the Internet I'll have multiple reviews to post at Enduring Romance and/or Young Adult Science Fiction. Also, please remember there are several reviewers who post regularly at Enduring Romance and I'm sure they'll do fine without me. If you're an author, keep those ARCs comin'! I need them now more than ever.
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http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/
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http://youngadultsciencefiction.blogspot.com/
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Checking email will be my priority as I become less and less able to log on, plus getting out this requested Full for MANIC KNIGHT. I should have that in the mail by this weekend. I still have two queries out for MK, but no way of knowing if I'll receive a response at all. I don't query agents or editors who don't respond to all queries, regardless, but an aspiring author never knows. You know?
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I'll post when I can as often as I can. If you want to keep up with this blog and don't want to have to check in, I suggest you subscribe to the RSS Feed which you will find on the right hand side bar.
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Thanks to all who've extended best wishes. We continue to desire your prayers and good vibes.