Reviews on a Theme: Sex in YA

Sex in YA is usually of the fade to black variety. But I read three contemporary books this year that get quite a bit more graphic than that. For further reading on the topic of sex in YA, check out this excellent post at Stacked.

THE INFINITE MOMENT OF US by Lauren Myracle

Wren has always done exactly what her parents want her to. But the summer after she graduates from high school she decides it's time to do what she wants instead. That includes falling hopelessly in love with a foster kid, Charlie Parker.

What Myracle does so, so well here is capturing the all-consuming nature of first love. Wren and Charlie's get to know each other deeply on many levels - emotionally, intellectually and, yes, physically - and it's all refreshingly honest and straightforward.

But --- not gonna lie, Wren drove me absolutely crazy with her self-centeredness. It's like once she realizes she can live for herself instead of her parents she thinks everyone else should live just for her. This was especially apparent in her relationship with Charlie (who should be awarded a roomful of medals for putting up with her). His sweeping romantic gesture at the end of the book would have been swoon-worthy if it wasn't so foolhardy and if it didn't play right into Wren's self-centeredness.

Still, I would jump at the chance to read what happens next between Wren and Charlie.  Here's hoping there's a sequel (set in SPOILER).

FTC disclosure: Netgalley

WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE by Trish Dollar

Callie returns to her father after her mother is arrested for kidnapping her as a child. As she adjusts to life in a stable environment, she also falls for the town's resident charmer.

Based on the pitch, I somehow expected this to be more of an exploration of Callie's relationship with her father. While this aspect is more or less glossed over in favor of Callie's romance with Alex, I can't complain too much because their chemistry is a thing of beauty. Other pluses: Callie's fabulously understanding and uncomplicated friend Kat, the extended Greek family and detailed rendering of the tourist town of Tarpon Springs, FL. Personally I yelled at Callie a lot for the horrible way she treated her father, but at least I could understand why she behaved so badly.

FTC disclosure: Netgalley

USES FOR BOYS by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

In the beginning, it's just Anna and her mother and they are each other's whole world. But as Anna's mother starts a series of relationships with men, she pulls away from Anna - leaving Anna to look for someone else to complete her.

Anna's loneliness and neediness permeate the pages. Much of the novel is about how people use each for sex, and it's gritty and heartbreaking and depressing. Fortunately the ending is hopeful and I really do think Anna's journey is a powerful one that I'm sure many teens will relate to.

FTC disclosure: Bought

Bookanista Review: Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn

So funny story -- immediately prior to reading this novel, I was chatting with several bookish friends about how I was mostly burnt out on the YA contemporary issue novel -- those dealing with abuse, self-harm, incest, drug use, etc. I tend to gravitate towards the sunny, carefree side of contemporary YA, probably to counterbalance all the dark science fiction and dystopians I read.

CHARM & STRANGE is a strange case, however. It's not immediately clear what genre you're getting. Is it a YA contemporary featuring a male protagonist with some serious mental health issues or is it a paranormal about werewolves living among us? (In this set-up, it reminded me a lot of Justine Larbalestier's LIAR, except that Andrew isn't so forthright or cheeky about his possible unreliable narrator status).

What is clear is that Andrew needs to excise his demons. The action in the present takes place over the course of one night at a party in the woods with Andrew's boarding school classmates, and is interspersed with flashbacks of his family life.  The novel cleverly plays with the idea that we often need fiction to be able to deal with fact and keeps you guessing and compulsively reading to find out what is fact and what is fiction in Andrew's life.

CHARM & STRANGE is available now. Find out more about it at the author's website.

FTC disclosure: Netgalley


See what the other Bookanistas are excited about this week:

Shelli Johannes-Wells gives cover love to FAKING NORMAL

Stasia Ward Kehoe delves into DANCER, DAUGHTER, TRAITOR, SPY by Elizabeth Kiem

Elana Johnson and Nikki Katz adore THIS IS W.A.R. by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Gretchen McNeil is wowed by THE WIG IN THE WINDOW by Kristen Kittscher

Katy Upperman praises WORST CASE OF PASKETTI-ITIS by Kris Asselin

Book Review: Override by Heather Anastasiu

OVERRIDE is the sequel to GLITCH (my review).

Zoe is free of the Community, but she's still in great danger.  Hiding out with the Foundation rebels, Zoe is part of the plot to overthrow the Chancellor and liberate everyone, but the Chancellor has plans of her own ...

GLITCH got the zombie chicken merit badge for romance, and while Adrien is still a presence here, I have to give OVERRIDE the badge for twists because --- whoa!  Lots of stuff I didn't see coming leading up to an amazing showdown that sets up SHUTDOWN perfectly.

OVERRIDE comes out this Tuesday, Feb 12th. Find out more about the series on the author's website.

FTC disclosure: I beta-read the manuscript for the author.

See index of all dystopian reviews at Presenting Lenore

End of the Year Mini-Reviews (of 11 books!)

Before I get to all my year end best lists, I wanted to make sure I say a few lines about all the books I read this year that I didn't get a chance to review.  So here you go!

SMALL DAMAGES by Beth Kephart

In this sun-drenched character study, Kenzie goes to live in Spain where she plans to give up her baby after its born. As usual, Kephart has a keen eye for details and prose you can get lost in. I loved the foreign setting and Kenzie's slow realization that she's the master of her own destiny. (acquired: bought)

THE EVOLUTION OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

Sequel. Mara and Noah are back and the story gets even crazier.  This installment is loooong, with most of the thrills coming in the second half. (acquired: review copy from publisher)

34 PIECES OF YOU by Carmen Rodrigues

After a popular girls commits suicide, three teens (her brother, her best friend and her best friend's sister) try to piece together why she did it.  Out of the 3 POVs, I was most interested in Jake's story. This is a pretty dark book, but the writing is lovely.  I ended up passing it on to a fan of Ellen Hopkins. (acquired: BEA)

TEN by Gretchen McNeil

A teen retelling of Agatha's Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, TEN is horror-lite, in the vein of Christopher Pike (and just as implausible as those books). Great atmosphere building on the island, some truly messed-up secondary characters and a decently sympathetic heroine make this a fast, thrilling read. (acquired: BEA)

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER by Jaime McGuire

I just had to see what this whole "new adult" genre was all about, didn't I? In this case, "good girl" Abby makes a bet with "bad boy" Travis and ends up having to live with him for one month. Although Abby and Travis's relationship - if it existed in real life - would be considered about 99% disaster (he's violent, possessive and gives her a horrible nickname) and maybe 1% beautiful, I have to admit this was compulsively readable fiction. (acquired: borrowed)

SURVIVE by Alex Morel

All Jane wants to do is take a lethal mix of pills when she flies home for Christmas, but then her plane crashes and she fights to survive with a boy named Paul. This was a very touching romance/survival story that reminded me a lot of the movie Titanic. (acquired: review copy from publisher)

SCARLET by Marissa Meyer

Sequel. Due in 2013. A certified page-turner, SCARLET cemented my love for this series. The way Meyer incorporates the original fairy tales and yet updates them to this crazy futuristic world with Lunars is brilliant. (acquired: review copy from publisher)

SEVER by Lauren DeStefano

Third book of trilogy. Due in 2013. I thought this was a surprising and worthy end to this series. The plot flows as steadily as the River Rhine before hitting some major rapids and careening us off a cliff at the end. (acquired: review copy from publisher)

No cover yet

THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales

If you've read Leila Sales' other books, you know that she's funny, with impeccable comic timing. This one is darker and more raw than her first two books - it's about a teen outcast who creates a suicide playlist after all - but Leila imbues Elise with such genuine warmth and offbeat humor that despite the depressing particulars of Elise's life, you can help but smile at Elise's keen observations and turns of phrase. Destined to be a fave of 2013! (acquired: review copy from agent)

OVERRIDE by Heather Anastasiu

Sequel. Due in 2013. OVERRIDE continues the adventures of Zoe, Adrian and their crew of rebels against the system.  Zoe has a big disadvantage to overcome - her severe allergies - if she's going to be of any use to the rebellion.  This is an entertaining installment which sets up the final showdown in the last book well. More during Dystopian February. (acquired: review copy from author)

STARGLASS by Phoebe North

Debut due Summer 2013. Terra becomes part of a plot to overthrow the ruling elite on her generation ship, but falls in love with her target. You'll hear more raves from me about STARGLASS next year, but for now, know that I loved the depth and originality. (acquired: review copy from publisher)



And with that, I'm all caught up! 100 books read for the Goodreads Challenge 2012. Woo hoo!

Book Review: Midnight City by J Barton Mitchell

Ten years ago, earth was conquered by aliens. Today, earth’s major cities are home to giant obelisks that attract all adults infected with “the tone” leaving only children and “the heedless” (humans unaffected by the tone) left roaming around. Many have banded together – either in roving gangs or fairly organized societies (such as Midnight City) – but Holt is a loner, accompanied only by his dog. Until he meets Mira (a “freebooter” wanted by Midnight City) and Zoey (a strange young girl who has no memories but knows that she needs to get to Midnight City).

MIDNIGHT CITY is an action-packed page-turner that shows what earth might be like at the mercy of aliens. It definitely hits some familiar post-apocalyptic beats – such as Holt’s daring supply run into a flooded drugstore – but adds a supernatural element in the form of artifacts from “The Strange Lands”. “Freebooters” like Mira are experts in making useful combos that can get them out of scrapes and in collecting artifacts that can fetch high prices at market. But it can also be quite humorous (such as Holt and Mira’s “meet cute” in an abandoned house where Mira is taking a hot bath) – so it’s not your typical gloom and doom.

Yes, the narrative is very plot driven, but the characters don’t suffer in the least for it. Holt’s gruff resourcefulness and Mira’s scrappy charm pair well and Zoey was awesome in every way. Three loners + a dog (‘the Max”) = excellent team. That’s just good math! Also, I’d be remiss not to mention the villainous Lenore. The book world can always use more villainous Lenores IMHO.

As the start of a series, MIDNIGHT CITY answers some of our burning questions (where did Zoey come from? What did Mira do to get banished from Midnight City? Will Mira and Holt finally kiss?) and brings up other questions to be explored later (why do the aliens want Zoey so badly? Why is Holt on the run from a gang? Will “the Max” find an everlasting gobstopper to satiate his sweet tooth?)

MIDNIGHT CITY comes out October 30, 2012. Find out more about it at the author's website.

See index of all dystopian reviews at Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: NetGalley

Author Interview: J Barton Mitchell previews Midnight City

For my spotlight on upcoming dystopian/post apocalyptic fiction series, I interview authors with novels coming out in the genre in 2012/13. These are exclusive first looks at exciting new works. Enjoy!

Today I have J. Barton Mitchell on the blog to talk about MIDNIGHT CITY, his post alien invasion novel that rocked my socks off (my review later today). It comes out with St. Martin's Press on Oct 30, 2012.


Here's the summary:

Earth has been conquered by an alien race known as the Assembly. The human adult population is gone, having succumbed to the Tone—a powerful, telepathic super-signal broadcast across the planet that reduces them to a state of complete subservience. But the Tone has one critical flaw. It only affects the population once they reach their early twenties. Which means that there is still one group left to resist: Children. 

Holt Hawkins is a bounty hunter, and his current target is Mira Toombs, an infamous treasure seeker with a price on her head. It's not long before Holt bags his prey, but their instant connection isn't something he bargained for. Neither is the Assembly ship that crash-lands near them shortly after. Venturing inside, Holt finds a mysterious, young girl who remembers nothing except her name: Zoey. 

As the three make their way to the cavernous metropolis of Midnight City, they encounter freedom fighters, mutants, otherworldly artifacts, pirates, feuding alien armies, and the amazing powers that Zoey is beginning to exhibit. Powers that suggest she, as impossible as it seems, may just be the key to stopping the Assembly once and for all.

The cover:

And the interview:


Why do you think people are drawn to “dark” stories?
I think fear is a part of being alive. I also think that with the self consciousness that comes from being human, we all have a fear of...being afraid, ironically. We don't want to be scared, mainly because we don't want to show our fear to others, so there's something cathartic about “dark” stories set in frightening or disturbing places, because, I think one of the main reasons people love reading, is the ability it grants us to become someone else for a time. We all project ourselves onto the main character, and doing so with someone who is living in a dark world with dark repercussions and yet isn't inhibited by fear is very alluring. It feels good to go through these experiences as the main character and triumph over them...or, at least, be unintimidated by them. It's comforting and exciting at the same time.

A vision of Midnight City - the scorewall

If your book had a theme song, what would it be and why?
That's an interesting question, because I generally write to music. My go-to soundtrack for the book has pretty much been Daft Punk's score to TRON: LEGACY. A lot of that music is too electronic to really fit, but the orchestral stuff is amazing. The “Overture” to that soundtrack, to me, really captures how I see the story; it has a Copland-esque pastoral feel to it, which fits with a lot of the scenery in book one, especially the first half, but it still somehow hints at the kind of epic, Tolkien-like adventure the series strives to encompass.

What fictional character from another book would your main character choose as his/her best friend and why?
The series has three main characters, but book one concentrates the most on Holt Hawkins, who's a bounty hunter and a strict survivalist, which isn't unusual in that world. He throws off all opportunities for connection with other people, believing his self-sufficiency is the key to his survival. Things happen in the story, however, which make him question that conviction. I don't know about “best friend”, I'm not sure Holt would see having a close friend as an advantage when the story begins, but he's had partners in the past, people who shared his viewpoint and were wholly focused on survival. I think he would choose someone like Allan Quatermain or Duncan Idaho. Characters with a comparable skill set, who can survive in really difficult landscapes, and know how to live by their wits. They're also older, with lots of experience and things they could teach Holt, which he would also see as valuable.

The Strange Lands

What are your top 5 Dystopian lit recommendations and why?
NEUROMANCER
One of my favorite novels of all time, by one of my favorite authors. The first in William Gibson's Sprawl trilogy, NEUROMANCER, while it didn't create the cyberpunk genre, certainly solidified it, and is considered the archetype of the genre. Full of amazing ideas, uncanny futurist predictions, a brilliantly conceived world, a fascinating and complex (to say the least) villain, and a twisting, sci-fi noir plot line that's riveting. Read all three if you haven't.

ROADSIDE PICNIC
If you've read this unique post-apocalyptic tale, it won't come as a surprise that the Zone, created by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, was an influence on Conquered Earth, the Strange Lands specifically. This is a visionary piece of post-apocalyptic fiction, with a still wholly original setting that continues to inspire numerous creators today.


THE STAND
Everyone's favorite Stephen King book, and for good reason. A very original post-apocalyptic world, with an urban fantasy story that feels like H.P. Lovecraft mixed with EARTH ABIDES. King wanted to do a Tolkien-like epic fantasy adventure story, but with a contemporary setting, and his success here illustrates why Dystopian story worlds are so compelling: they allow for a variety of imaginative story forms, while still letting you have the sense of realism you miss out on with traditional fantasy or far future settings.

Y: THE LAST MAN
Not strictly a book, but a brilliant comic series written by Brian K. Vaughan, and well worth reading. The series follows the only man to survive the simultaneous death of every male mammal (barring the same man's pet monkey) on Earth. Really cool, unique, deceptively obvious premise, and a post-apocalyptic story world that continually evolves in unexpected ways. This series got Vaughan a gig writing for LOST, among other things (including adapting Stephen King's UNDER THE DOME for Spielberg and Showtime).


THE ROAD WARRIOR
George Miller's masterpiece. Not a book, I know, but still a huge influence and something all fans of Dystopian stories should experience. Anything gritty, low tech, post-apocalyptic owes something to this movie. Violent and dark, realistic in some ways, absurd in others, like all greatly imagined worlds should be. Tremendous action, awesome wide screen photography of the Australian outback...and a main character who, in spite of his anti-hero nature, you still root for. The ending monologue is classic. “He lives now, only in my memories...” Try hard to see it on the big screen.


What's on the top of your to-do list before the world ends?
Actually win a game of Words With Friends. Seriously, you'd think I'd be better at it. Beyond that, probably travel, which is one of my passions. There are a lot of countries I haven't visited yet. I'd like to see as many of them as possible before the invasion begins.

Hiding from the aliens

How does your novel stand out from others in the genre?
I think there are several genres in play in Conquered Earth, the most obvious being post-apocalyptic and alien invasion. For me, the uniqueness of the series as a whole comes mainly from the fact that it's set almost a decade after the invasion. Typically, in alien invasion stories, the narrative takes place either during the invasion or immediately following it, and tends to focus on the resistance aspects; characters who are trying to overthrow their alien overlords.

With MIDNIGHT CITY, it's clear that isn't so much the case. The idea of a revolution is pretty much dismissed at the beginning of the story, the Assembly are just too powerful, and the characters have, for the most part, settled into a new existence, post-invasion, and in their own ways are trying to rebuild the world. The story has a lot of WAR OF THE WORLDS in it, to be sure...but also a lot of LORD OF THE FLIES as well. I was always fascinated by the idea of a world where kids and young adults were left in charge. What would they do? What kind of world would they build? The books explore those ideas in depth.

And while the series is technically post-apocalyptic, it's rarely, I think, a depressingly dark story. It has moments that are grim, but I always wanted to create a world that, despite its inherent darkness, was still fantastical with a sense of wonder and imagination that made you want to live in it. All my favorite worlds have had those elements, even if they were Dystopian.

Thanks J!

Add MIDNIGHT CITY to your Goodreads wishlist

Visit J's website: http://jbartonmitchell.com
Follow J on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jbartonmitchell
Like J on Facebook: http://facebook.com/mitchelljb

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Back in Dystopian August 2011, one of the upcoming novels I previewed was STORMDANCER by fellow Apocalypies member Jay Kristoff (read preview interview).  I was excited by the premise then (dystopian/steampunk Japan!) and got even more interested when Jay shared the most amazing sentences from the book with us during our Apocalypsies Thursday chats. So yeah - now we get to see the cover!

Isn't it gorgeous? I want this on my shelf now.

Or perhaps you need to see a summary to be convinced? Here you go:

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.
AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima's imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.
A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.
But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.
STORMDANCER will be released September 18 in the US through Thomas Dunne books/St Martin’s Press.

Or perhaps to REALLY be convinced you want a giveaway? Well, I've got that too.  Just fill out this form by May 25th, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST to be entered to win an ARC of STORMDANCER. Open internationally!

Jay is also running a STORMDANCER Uber Giveaway on his own blog. For a chance to win another ARC and some other Stormdancer-y goodness (like so good even I plan to enter), click here for details. My question for the Uber Giveaway is: What color is the sky in Shima?

For more info:

Stormdancer on Goodreads
Jay’s blog
Jay’s Twitter

Book Review and Pre-order Giveaway (International): This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Sloane and her older sister have always said they’ll escape their abusive home together, but when her sister leaves without her, Sloane decides she wants to die. Then a zombie virus breaks out and only by fighting for her life does Sloane discover she might actually want to live.

THIS IS NOT A TEST is far from your typical action-driven zombie novel. The way it focuses on the complex personal relationships of its characters reminded more of THE WALKING DEAD than DAWN OF THE DEAD. Sloane has the most dramatic character arc – some of her moments of personal growth made me weepy-eyed – but all the main characters are fleshed out and fully human by the end.

I don’t want to say a lot, because I think it’s more powerful if you go in knowing as little as possible. But know this: I make it my mission to read everything Courtney writes. Her style is to strip-down to the emotional truths of life and I love that kind of honesty in fiction.

THIS IS NOT A TEST doesn’t come out until June 2012, and I don’t have an ARC I can offer, but because Kelly J of STACKED blog offered to donate a pre-order, I decided to match her offer and thus can give away (2) preorders to anywhere The Book Depository ships. Just fill out this form by March 6, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST for your chance to win.

Find out more about the book at the author’s website.

See index of all dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: I read a copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Book Review and Apoc Love Interview: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Cybernetically-enhanced teen Zoe Gray is glitching, and if she's found out by her rigid underground society, she'll be reprogrammed or even deactivated. As she learns to stay hidden and control her developing telekinesis, she discovers other glitchers including two boys that vie for her affections - Adrian, a boy who can dream the future and Max, a shapeshifter.

If that last sentence makes you think "oh no - not another love triangle", fear not, because the triangle is not the core of the emotional journey (though it does have some rather cool implications plot-wise).  Because Zoe has effectively been dead to emotion all her life, her glitching opens a whole new world for her. Her interactions with Adrian are so affecting because she has no artifice. Though he's a long term member of the resistance, Adrian renews his investment in the cause because he's so inspired by experiencing the beauty of the world through her innocent eyes.  It's an incredibly tender romance with an underlying current of sizzle - and that's why it gets the Zombie Chicken Merit Badge for Romance.

The novel has so much more to offer too.  An interesting world, high stakes, and a killer of a twist ending. Zoe's journey from naive follower to empowered fighter is exciting, emotional and kick-ass fun.

Since Heather's an Apocalypsie, we also get an Apocalypsies Love interview with her today!

What is your favorite scene in the book?
Picking a favorite is so hard! I will say there’s a scene—between Adrien and Zoe at his mom’s house when they first get to really talk—that was one of the scenes stewing in my head long before I ever actually started writing the book, so it definitely stands out to me.

What is your favorite line in the book?
“I opened my mouth to his and tried to take him in so deep that my soul, if I had one, would remember what my brain forgot.”

On it's own, that line might seem a bit over-the-top, but because of the scene it follows, it's absolutely perfect. What setting was most fun to write?
There’s this scene on the Surface that was fun to write because I got to play with being an unreliable narrator. It’s one of the things I love about writing in first person. If things start getting crazy for your main character, then the narration starts getting warped too. VERY fun to write!

Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?
Book 1 of the trilogy is pretty narrowly focused in on just a few characters, but they’re all main characters. But say, if I could write a spin-off book where I got to tell events from a different point of view, it would definitely be Max. He’s got some bad boy tendencies, and he’s so much fun to write.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
So far, nothing has beat the high of first selling the trilogy, getting the phone call that it sold to a great publisher here in the US (St. Martin’s), and then getting another call the next week that it had sold to France and Germany too. It was this amazing feeling of: oh my gosh, this is really happening, my book is going to be published and be on shelves around the world!!!

Thanks Heather!

GLITCH will be available August 7, 2012.  Find out more about it at Heather's website.  See also the GLITCH preview interview she did last Dystopian August.

See index of all dystopian reviews at Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: The author sent me this book for review.

Author Interview: Heather Anastasiu previews Glitch

For my spotlight on upcoming dystopian/post apocalyptic fiction series, I interviewed over 20 authors with novels coming out in the genre in 2012/13.  These are exclusive first looks at exciting new works.  Enjoy!

Today I am thrilled to have Heather Anastasiu in the house! Her debut novel GLITCH comes out Spring 2012 from St. Martins Press - and I'm positive it's gonna rock hard.

Here’s the summary:

Seventeen-year-old Zoe Gray is a cybernetically-enhanced teenager living in an underground society when her internal hardware begins to malfunction. She slowly realizes that her body is changing, that she’s developing powerful telekinesis, and that she’s not alone. Even though getting caught could mean reprogramming, or worse, deactivation, Zoe begins to seek out other glitchers in society, including a dreamer named Adrian who can see the future, a boy named Max who can mimic others' appearances, and a girl named Molly with x-ray vision. They work together to plan their escape, but soon learn there is another powerful faction at work whose ambitions could threaten all their carefully laid plans.

I mean, how cool does that sound? Let's get on with the interview...

What do you think draws people to "dark" stories?

The thing I love about dystopias is that they take what could be the very best of the world and humanity—a utopia—and then turn it sideways to expose the dark underbelly of human desire, ambition, and our attempts to control both other people and the chaotic world around us.

 Jung talks about the “shadow self” in all of us, and while I don’t think it’s as specific as he would make it out to be, I think we all recognize the darker shadow bits of ourselves, the parts we suppress and ignore. Darker stories let us explore those parts, luxuriate there for awhile, play with subversive possibilities that we maybe can’t in our real life, and ultimately, I hope, enlarge our view of the world around us and ourselves.

If GLITCH had a theme song, what would it be and why?

I think the best theme song for this book would by “Awake My Soul” by Mumford & Sons. Waking up is the best metaphor for what Zoe goes through, and really, I think it’s a feeling a lot of people have in their teen years—waking up to the world around them, thinking about mortality, and really feeling beauty and passion deeply for the first time. (though my best choice for an ultimate dystopian playlist would have to be "24" by JEM!)

What fictional character from another book would Zoe Gray chose as her best friend and why?

Hmm, great question! I think Rose from the Vampire Academy books. Rose is so strong, but also equal parts passionate and caring. For someone like Zoe just getting used to feeling emotion for the first time, I think Rose would be the kind of friend who would be a solid friend helping Zoe figure out how to be a strong woman in a difficult world…and of course, she could give Zoe lessons in kicking ass!

What are your top 5 Dystopian lit recs and why?

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson. Oh my gosh, I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! This is really the best kind of speculative fiction—thinking about a future that logically could occur (the world-building is so solid for such a short book!), but really, this story is all about Jenna’s journey of re-discovering what it means to be human. I thought this book dealt so compassionately with a possible future without turning anyone, even the leadership, into Absolutely Evil Villains.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano. The language and atmosphere in this book is simply luscious.

The Declaration by Gemma Malley. This dystopia is too often overlooked and is SO good!!!!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I loved the passion and sense of discovery in this book.

Bumped by Megan McCafferty I like how McCafferty played with some societal trends in the world today, but mainly, I loved this book for its heart and the relationships and growth of each sister.

What's on the top of your to-do list before the world ends? (you know, in case it ends next year)

Oh dear, I don’t like thinking about the world ending! And the top of my life to-do list is happening now, getting a book published!

How does your novel stand out from others in the genre?

I think many of the 2012 dystopias coming have genre-bending elements, which I find really exciting!! GLITCH is no exception: it's a blend of dystopian and super-heroes, with a hefty dose of romance too ;) In a few words, I describe it as 1984 meets X-Men. But what really seems to stand out with readers is one particular character and his tumultuous journey through the transition of being an unfeeling drone into the rushing world of emotion when his bionic hardware begins to glitch-- hence the trilogy name ;) Glitch is primarily about Zoe's journey of becoming an individual, with great power and a calling destiny, but the relationships to those around her are a large part of what will define her. The questions I explore in this book are: what would life be like if you'd never been able to feel emotion, but then are suddenly dropped into the body of a fully-aware hormonal teenager? How would you deal with that? In GLITCH we get to see some characters react well and others badly. In the end, I hope it's a picture of the human condition, why we make the choices we do, and how we begin to make distinctions between wrong and right.

Thank you Heather!

Visit Heather’s website 

Follow Heather on Twitter @h_anastasiu

Add GLITCH to your GoodReads wishlist

Heather is also part of the group blog for YA sci-fi 2012 debuts Brave New Words

Author Interview: Jay Kristoff previews Stormdancer

For my spotlight on upcoming dystopian/post apocalyptic fiction series, I interviewed over 20 authors with novels coming out in the genre in 2012/13.  These are exclusive first looks at exciting new works.  Enjoy!

Raise the roof for debut author Jay Kristoff! STORMDANCER is due Spring 2012 from St. Martins Press (US)/Tor (UK).

Here's the fab summary:

A dystopian fantasy set in steampunk feudal Japan. The Shima Isles are verging on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork mechanization and toxic pollution. Sixteen-year-old Yukiko is the daughter of the Shogun's Hunt Master, gifted with the ability to speak telepathically to animals, but forced to hide her talent for fear of the murderous Lotus Guild and their campaign against "impurity". Befriending the last griffin alive on the islands, Yukiko pits herself against the Shogun and the Guild in the hope of seeing her homeland saved, her family freed and the crippled griffin fly again.

Dystopian steampunk set in Japan? I'm so there!  Now let's get onto Jay's witty answers to my interview questions.

Why do you think people are drawn to "dark" stories?

I’ve been thinking about that a lot recently. It could be something as innocent as the “horror movie” instinct. The same impulse that makes us climb aboard roller-coasters or take one step closer to the edge of a really tall building and look down into that drop. I think part of us likes to be scared, to embrace that impulse inside us, because it makes us feel alive.

But that impulse has always been there, and stories about the end of the world have never been more popular. So I think the truth is a little less simple. I think the truth is that there’s something wrong with this place we’ve built, and deep down inside, we know it. The western empire in which we dwell is built on such a tenuous premise. Our economies only work if they’re constantly expanding. The machines that drive us are fuelled by a finite resource, becoming more and more difficult to obtain. We chop down 1.5 hectares of rain forest every second. Animal species are disappearing at a rate of somewhere between 30 to 150 every day. And this is the world in which teenagers are growing up. Would I be scared if I stood to inherit this place? Jesus, I’d be terrified.

So, I think we like dark stories because they help us deal with fear we feel every day. I think we write stories about the end of the world because we can see one on the horizon. But most importantly, we like to read stories about one person’s power to change that future - to believe that all of us have the ability to do something positive about it. That no matter how bad things get, it’s not too late. It’s never too late.

If STORMDANCER had a theme song, what would it be and why? 

Wow. Really hard question. Music is so important to the writing process for me. I get ideas for whole books from lyrics.

If you forced me to pick one song (you are sooooo mean) I’d pick Guerrilla Radio by Rage Against the Machine. It’s about defiance in the shadow of a corrupt regime, speaking the truth no matter what the cost, and most importantly, that change can start with one voice. That’s STORMDANCER in a nutshell:

“It has to start somewhere.

It has to start sometime.

What better place than here?

What better time than now?”

What fictional character from another book would Yukiko chose as her best friend and why?

Katniss from the Hunger Games, probably. Katniss and Yukiko are both courageous, self-determined, and have crappy taste in boys. JBuckbeak from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban would rate an honorable mention (though he’s a hippogriff, not a griffin). He’s fierce and loyal, and has the air of slight unpredictability that comes with being a wild animal.

What are your top 5 Dystopian lit recs and why? 

1984 – George Orwell. This is kinda the ultimate dystopian, probably the first one I ever read. Censorship/information control is a subject very close to my heart. I’m also a sucker or tragic endings, and they don’t get much more tragic than this.

The Windup Girl – Paolo Bacigalupi. Beautifully, beautifully written story of a post-collapse world set in South East Asia. Never seen it done before, and it’s amazing.

A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess. Again, wonderfully written. Alex is a great character - thoroughly deplorable and yet somehow still sympathetic. The way Burgess writes the slang of the future (Nadsat) is just ripping.

V for Vendetta – Alan Moore. Subversion. Rebellion. The power of one to change the world. Yes, comics can be literature, people!

The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins. Comes back to what I was talking about above – the idea that one person really can make a difference, even in a world that’s gone totally dark. And because Katniss kicks mucho ass. 

I also need to give a shout out to Divergent. I’m only half way through it atm, but it’s 100% worthy of the hype. So nice to see a new wave of kick ass female heroines, as opposed to a pack of Bella Swans.

What's on the top of your to-do list before the world ends? (you know, in case it ends next year)

Publish my damn book! Lol. I feel so extraordinarily lucky to be working with such an amazing group of people right now – my editors, my agent, his assistant, none of it reals quite real. I keep feeling like this is a dream that I’m going to wake up from any minute now. I just want to hold the damn thing in my hand so I know all this actually happened. J

How does your novel stand out from other dystopian/post apocalyptic fiction out there?

STORMDANCER is a collision between dystopian and steampunk fiction, and I wanted to see if I could break the rules for both. One of the golden rules of dystopian fiction seems to be that it needs to be set in a dark future. STORMDANCER is actually set in a dark past - it's a kind of historical end of the world novel, I guess. And of course the book has steampunk elements and more "traditional fantasy" elements mixed in that you don't usually see in a dystopia. No laser guns or computer networks here, folks. We've got griffins and samurai in suits of combustion-powered armor. :P

There's this unspoken rule in steampunk that says your book has to be set in Victorian England or Colonial America. So I said "why not set a steampunk novel in feudal Japan?" Likewise, there seems to be this 'rose-colored glasses' (or should that be goggles) aspect in steampunk; a lot of SP writers hearken back to Victorian times as some kind of utopia, where the world was filled with the spirit of adventure and techonology made anything possible. So I said "why not make this steampunk novel set in a dystopia, where the wondrous technology has actually screwed everything up? Where the machine isn't the savior, it's the enemy."

Finally, instead of the setting being post-apocalypse - a world or a nation in ruins - the apocalyptic collapse is actually unfolding throughout the book. STORMDANCER is set in a country that's teetering on the brink of total ruin, and it falls to one young woman to take the first step in pulling things back from the edge.

Thank you Jay! We can't wait!

Visit's Jay's blog

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Add STORMDANCER to your Goodreads wishlist

Jay is also a part of the group blog Brave New Words.  Check it out!