Author Interview: Elsie Chapman previews Dualed

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 Elsie Chapman on the blog to talk about her debut novel DUALED which comes out from Random House on February 26, 2013. I have actually already read this one (spoiler: it's fantastic!) and Michelle and I will be discussing it on the blog tomorrow.

Here's the summary:

DUALED is a dystopian YA featuring West Grayer, a fifteen year old assassin who lives in a gated city where everyone has a double, a virtual twin, an Alternate. In this oasis of safety from the wars without, and with limited space and even less resources, only one Alt is allowed to survive. When it’s time to kill her own Alt before her Alt kills her, West has to face the hardest Assignment of all–herself.

The cover:

And the interview:

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

It’s fun to dive into new worlds. And ones with dark themes will often make us sit back and really examine what makes up our own. I also think readers love to follow a character’s arc of growth throughout a book—how they learn to deal, overcome problems, mature. Going along for the ride makes their accomplishments ours, too.

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

Like many writers, I really think music helps nail down that perfect mood. And it almost gets woven in, becoming a part of the book itself. While I was writing DUALED I listened to a lot of Arcade Fire, Eminem, Coldplay, The Killers, KOL. But if I have to pick one song that always reminds me of West and Chord, it would be Snow Patrol’s Run. The lyrics are beautiful, and the music just creates this great atmosphere, rainy and desperate and hopeful all at the same time.

What fictional character from another book would your main character chose as his/her best friend and why?

The Millenium series’ Lisbeth Salander. I can see her being this really unique big sister or mentor figure for West.

What are your top 5 Dystopian lit recs and why?

Battle Royale—Koushun Takame
Really disturbing, really violent. High school students left on an island to fight each other until only one survivor remains. If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games or Lord of the Flies and don’t mind a hefty dose of gore, you’ll probably love this.

Never Let Me Go—Kazuo Ishiguro
Dystopia mixed with science fiction. The writing is so lyrical, the plot nearly peaceful, that you don’t feel the full impact of the story until after you’re done reading. Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy stuck with me days afterward.

Twentieth Century Boys—Naoki Urasawa
A group of friends fight against a society that’s unfolding in exactly the same way as the events they’d made up as kids. A manga full of intricate plot twists and jumping timelines, it’ll make your head hurt and keep you reading way past your bedtime.

Watership Down—Richard Adams
With dystopian elements, this is one of my favourite books ever, ever, ever. A bunny world that’s just as rich, complicated, and messy as our own. Fiver, Bigwig, and Hazel are simply fantastic characters, fur and all.

The Road—Cormac McCarthy
I’m cheating because this is post-apocalyptic and not dystopian. But the combination of McCarthy’s unique style of writing and the sheer bleakness of the setting makes for a chilling read.


What's on the top of your to-do list before the world ends?

If we only have until December of 2012? Somehow get through my massive TBR list. Go back to Japan for a vacation with my husband and two kids and climb Mt. Fuji. Visit New York, get tickets for the Jimmy Fallon show, find the best black and white cookie in the city.

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

There’s no huge rebellion in DUALED. Rather, West’s biggest challenge is herself, when her own worst fears—whatever haunts her and keeps her from moving on—are brought to life in the form of her Alt. She has to kill this other version of herself if she wants to stay alive. And because life outside the city’s gates is even more dangerous, West’s world is this strange and complex dystopia-within-a-utopia-within-a-dystopia sort of place.

Thanks Elsie!
 

Blog: elsiechapman.com
Twitter: twitter.com/elsiechapman
Facebook: facebook.com/elsiechapmanauthor
Goodreads: goodreads.com/elsiechapman

Author Interview: Polly Holyoke previews The Neptune Project

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'm thrilled to introduce Debut Author Polly Holyoke whose middle grade adventure novel THE NEPTUNE PROJECT is coming out with Disney/Hyperion in the US and Puffin Books in the UK in Summer 2013.


Here's the summary:

THE NEPTUNE PROJECT is set in a future where the seas are rising and global warming is out of control. Nere Hanson and her teen companions are shocked to learn they have been genetically altered by their desperate parents to live in the sea. Protected by her loyal dolphins, shy Nere leads the rest on a perilous journey to her father’s new colony. Fighting off government divers, sharks and giant squid, can Nere and her companions learn to trust each before their dangerous new world destroys them?

And the interview!

Why do you think people are drawn to “dark” stories?
Wow, that’s a great question, and it’s one I’ve often thought about in the context of fairy tales. I’ve always been fascinated by the way small children love bloodcurdling stories like “Little Red Riding Hood.” “Hansel and Gretel” is just about the most frightening tale I can imagine — a trusted father takes his young children out into the forest and purposely abandons them there. They almost get eaten by a witch and cook her in an oven instead. That’s pretty grim stuff.

Perhaps we need constant reminders that our own lives and fears aren’t nearly as scary as the challenges characters face in dark stories. We as a species certainly enjoy being frightened , but to just the right degree. Then we can scamper back to our own nice, relatively safe reality.

If your book had a theme song, what would it be and why?
My first reaction was: “Under the Sea.” Hey, I work for Disney now, and the lyrics, “Darling, it’s better down where it’s wetter, take it from me,” fits the long term future of my characters! They do adapt and begin to build a whole new community in the sea. But it’s not an easy task, so now I’m imagining the low, ominous opening notes to JAWS playing—my characters have some very scary battles with sharks and giant squid. “Never Let Me Go,” by Florence and the Machine sounds like sea music to me, and the lyrics, “And I’m going under, but I’m not giving up! I’m just giving in…” make me think of a harrowing moment in the story when Nere’s mother forces her under the waves to make Nere breathe water for the first time.

What fictional character from another book would your character choose as a best friend and why?
I think Nere would really like Cammie Morgan from Ally Carter’s spy books. They both are shy and tend to disappear into the background, but they also are loyal, brave, tough and resourceful. They both are natural leaders, even though they don’t see themselves in that light.

What are your five Top Dystopian recs and why?
My five Dystopian lit recommendations would have to include: Shipbreaker (awesomely vivid and creative world building), The Hunger Games (deceptively simply prose, great characters), Dark Life (fun MG sea book, wonderful male protagonist), Divergent (non-stop action) and City of Ember (one of the first modern Dystopian novels, really a classic).

What’s on the top of your to-do list before the world ends?
I REALLY want to go trekking in Nepal because I grew up in Colorado and love mountains even more than I love the sea. I want to backpack the entire unimaginably beautiful NaPali coast of Kauai and spend several nights camping at the end of this incredible trail. And I would love to dive on the Great Barrier Reef before rising ocean temperatures (and they are rising, that is scientific fact, folks!) bleaches all the corals. 

How does your novel stand out from others in the genre?
I think the coolest thing about THE NEPTUNE PROJECT is its unusual setting. After chapter 10, truly all the action takes place in the ocean. I’ve been fortunate enough to do a fair amount of scuba diving, and those experiences introduced me firsthand to the amazing world under the waves. I did a ton of research on oceanography and all kinds of marine life, and I believe that also helped me to depict the ocean world more vividly. I’ve always loved dolphins, but the more I found out about them, the more fascinated I’ve become with these intelligent and amazing animals.

Thanks Polly!

Check out Polly's website: www.pollyholyoke.com
Add THE NEPTUNE PROJECT to Goodreads

Like Polly on Facebook
Follow Polly on twitter @pollyholyoke

Author Interview: Amy Tintera previews Reboot

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 Debut Author Amy Tintera to preview REBOOT, a sci-fi dystopian thriller due from
HarperTeen in Summer 2013.


The summary:

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation). 

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum. 

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

And the interview:

Why do you think people are drawn to "dark" stories?
I think we like to see characters pull themselves out of darkness. We like to see odds stacked against people, and then watch them persevere anyway. My favorite stories are the ones where things are really, really bad and the character straps on their boots and basically says “bring it on.”


If your book had a theme song, what would it be and why?
The theme song for REBOOT wouldn’t be a song; it would be silence. I know that’s boring, and as someone who absolutely loves music, it’s a little painful to say. But it’s true. The main character of REBOOT, Wren, loves silence, and the first chapter of the book explains why. It is also the first book I wrote where I had a hard time writing to music. Silence has always defined this book for me. *Lenore's note: So ... Enjoy The Silence (Depeche Mode) then ;) ha


What fictional character from another book would your main character chose as his/her best friend and why?
 My main character, Wren, is not so great at making friends. But I think she and June from LEGEND by Marie Lu would really hit it off. I think they might forget to make small talk around all the “saving the world” talk, but they’d certainly get along.


What are your top 5 Dystopian lit recs and why?

Legend by Marie Lu – I love both the characters. They’re tough but vulnerable in their own way. I’m also a big fan of tightly paced/plotted stories, and this is a fabulous example of that. Marie Lu lingers in all the right places, but knows when to move the story along. And as someone who lives in Los Angeles, a post-apocalyptic story set there is awesome.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi – Veronica Rossi does such a great job of building Aria’s character arc in this story. I love the journey she takes from beginning to end. Plus, the romance! Swoon-worthy romance!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – Of course. It’s terrifying and gripping and a perfect example of an author creating a world that is absolutely horrifying, yet still believable.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis – I’m not entirely sure this qualifies as “dystopian,” but I’m listing it anyway because I love it. Beth Revis sets up impossible choices for her characters from the very first page and takes such care in creating the world. A story set entirely on a space ship could get boring, but there’s isn’t a dull second in this book!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi – I love crazy characters. LOVE them. And Juliette is a great example of a character who is not quite all there but is still incredibly easy to relate to. I love Tahereh Mafi’s use of the strike-through to convey Juliette’s mental state, and the romance in this book is really powerful.


What's on the top of your to-do list before the world ends?
I’d really like it if the apocalypse would hold off until my book is published, since that’s been my dream since I was about ten years old. Other than that, I think I’d like a cupcake.


How does your novel stand out from others in the genre?
I’d like to think my characters make my novel stand out. I sought to create a character (Wren) that people wouldn’t be entirely sure was the good guy. She complex, she’s kind of scary, and she may be the tiniest bit of a sociopath. I’m not a big fan of GOOD VS EVIL. I prefer stories that are murkier, where you’re rooting for a character despite their flaws, despite the fact that they may not be solidly in the “good guy” camp. I hope my book has a little bit of that.

Thank you Amy - I am SUPER excited for this *squee*
 

Amy's website: http://amytintera.com/
Twitter: @amytintera
Add REBOOT to your Goodreads Wishlist

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

The corrupt and ruthless shogun sends Yukiko and her father to hunt down a mythical griffin and bring it back from him to ride into his endless war. And surprise -- they actually find one.  Yukiko and the griffin, Buruu, form an unlikely bond as they stumble upon a resistance movement and a plot to overthrow the government. 

I'm not a big reader of epic fantasy, but something about this novel called to me (maybe because it's a dystopian set in steampunk Japan and Jay just seems so awesome) and I'm glad it did. Because once the story hits its stride, I was consumed by it. The relationships - between Yukiko and her father, the guardsman Kin, the green-eyed samurai, and most especially the griffin - are intense, touching and surprising. It also goes without saying that I want both a griffin and the power of kenning so I communicate with my cats.

STORMDANCER could have gotten the writing badge because Jay's sentences are so perfectly constructed, I had to read many of them out loud just to feel them on my tongue. This happens rarely, and usually only with Lauren Oliver or Laini Taylor's stuff. So respect!! But in the end, I decided to go with the World Building badge because of the way Jay convinced me that this alternate universe Japan exists for reals.

As a special bonus, Jay did a picture book version of STORMDANCER that he sent to his editor when she had a baby. He sent me a PDF and it was just as amazing.  This guy is a multi-talent you guys.  He's going to take our world by storm ;)
 

 

Because Jay is an Apocalypsie (Debut Author 2012), we get an Apocalypsies Love interview today too!

What is your favorite scene in the book?
My absolute favourite scene is the last chapter, but I can’t really talk about it because the Spoiler Police will (justifiably) do the curb-stomp shuffle across my baby-maker. There’s a scene in the treetop ninja village where Yukiko learns what happened to… no, wait… can’t talk about that one, either…

I do really love the hunt for the thunder tiger, and the moment Yukiko first touches his mind. It has mid-air explosions and it makes some people cry, which are two of my favourite things.

What is your favorite line in the book?
“Let me show you what one little girl can do…”

What setting was most fun to write?
Kigen city. It’s this messy collision of steampunk technology and Japanese feudal society. Streets choked with exhaust fumes, beggars in the gutters, clockwork samurai, beautiful geisha girls, sky-ships dragging themselves across a blood-red sky. Suffocating and dangerous and seething with a thousand secrets – it was a lot of fun to write.

Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?
Michi. She’s a serving girl (or is she?) in the Shōgun’s palace. She’s sarcastic and insightful and an absolute wrecking machine with a sword – just a really cool combination of fanaticism and femininity. She’s the kind of character I’d want to spend more time on in later books but MAYBE SHE DIES IN BOOK ONE AND YOU WON’T KNOW UNTIL YOU READ IT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT AT HOME TO MR SPOILERS HERE.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
Well, holding the book in my hand for the first time was unreal, but everything kinda pales beside finding out people seem to really love reading it. I mean *I* loved it, because it’s my baby, you know? But first reviews have started coming back to us and people are saying just awesome, amazing, humbling stuff. When someone tells you in all honesty “This is the best YA fantasy I’ve ever read”, yeah… nothing really compares to a moment like that.

I might join in the best YA fantasy choir - because HELLO - it's awesome!

STORMDANCER comes out September 1, 2012 in the UK and September 18, 2012 in the US. Find out more about it at the author's website.

See index of all dystopian reviews at Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: ARC from publisher after participating in the cover reveal.

Author Interview: Melanie Crowder previews Parched

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'm pleased to have Author Melanie Crowder here to discuss PARCHED a middle grade novel coming from Harcourt Children's Books in June 2013.

Here's the summary:

Told in three voices and set in a near future scarred by drought and
devastation, PARCHED is a story of survival and of hope. 

In the desert where raindrops slide between the cracks in the ground
as quickly as they fall to the earth, water riots pour out of the
dying city, killing Sarel’s parents and burning her home to the
ground. Now she struggles to keep herself, and her dogs, alive. Nandi
and her pups watch over Sarel as she worries over their dwindling
water supply, flinching away from the reach of the city gangs. 

Musa’s mother taught him to read the twitching dance of the dowsing
sticks. But in this time of punishing drought, Musa’s own brother
betrays him to the brutal Tandie gang. He is kept in chains and forced
to dowse for water while the city is slowly crushed on all sides by
rival gangs. 

When Musa escapes, Nandi senses the approach of the boy with the water
song inside him and eases the way between the two untrusting children.
But Sarel and Musa must work together if they are going to find water
before the Tandie find them. 

"Spare, unflinching, and beautifully written, this novel walks theline between magic and reality."-Franny Billingsley, National Book Award finalist

The newly released cover:

And the interview:

Why do you think people are drawn to "dark" stories?
When I look back, the middle grade books that stuck with me over the
years are the dark ones. The ones that allowed me to confront the loss
or hurt or betrayal in my own life by experiencing the life and death
struggles of a character in a book.

Dark stories can also serve as a warning. I think one of the strengths
of PARCHED is that it presents a very real and potentially near future
for all of us.


If your book had a theme song, what would it be and why?
I have to mention Ndinderere by Stella Chiweshe since that one song
was the actual soundtrack playing while I wrote PARCHED. But thinking
more mainstream, I would have to pick I Dream of Rain by Sting, though
not all the lyrics fit—this is middle grade after all!


What fictional character from another book would your main character
chose as his/her best friend and why?
 I think Sarel and Hollis Woods would be great friends. They are both
the kinds of girl who put up all this emotional armor to protect
themselves because they have to, because the world has been brutal
with them. But underneath, they are all resilience and love and hope.


What are your top 5 Dystopian lit recs and why?
There is no way I can pick only 5! So instead, I'll mention 5
dystopian books that are also debut 2013 titles:

THROUGH THE BOMB'S BREATH by Peggy Eddleman
LANDRY PARK by Bethany Hagen
IN THE AFTER by Demitria Lunetta
DUALED by Elsie Chapman
ACID by Emma Pass


What's on the top of your to-do list before the world ends?
Honestly? Seeing this novel come to life. I have worked so hard for
this! In "The Voiceless," Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote: Alas for those
that never sing, but die with all their music in them.

This book is me singing, fulfilling my dreams, living an extraordinary
life. I have traveled the world, found the love of my life and laughed
often. Given another decade or six, I will hopefully only write,
travel, love and laugh more!

How does your novel stand out from others in the genre?
PARCHED is very real. It's not dystopian, or even post-apocalyptic. It
is straight-up apocalyptic. The story is set when the already
teetering balance of the planet tips into devastation. When everything
around you is dying, how do you find the strength to live?

Thanks Melanie!

https://www.facebook.com/MelanieCrowderAuthor
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5446303.Melanie_Crowder
http://melaniecrowder.net/

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang + Giveaway

Addie and Eva share a body in an world where everyone is born with two souls. At a young age, the recessive soul is supposed to fade away, but Eva clings to life - a risky existence in a world where hybrids are considered dangerous. 

As the sister trapped in a body she can no longer control, Eva narrates the sisters harrowing story.  Her voice is what makes this novel work so well. She knows that Addie's life would be better in many ways without her, but she also knows that Addie needs her and loves her. How heartbreaking is that?

Addie may be the dominant sister, but her choices are tough too.  Can she - and should she - give Eva the possible chance to regain some control over their shared body? And if she does, can she live with what Eva decides to do with it? 

Complicating their situation further, the sisters have a younger brother who is sick and depends on the government to stay alive. This presents a horrible dilemma for their parents -- which child should they prioritize? Which child has the better chance in life? The physically sick one or the mentally sick one?

There are no easy answers in this compelling exploration of sisterly bonds, government oppression and the right to life.

Because Kat is an Apocalypsie (Debut Author 2012), we get an Apocalypsies Love interview today too!

What is your favorite scene in the book?
That's so hard to answer! I'm not sure if I have a favorite scene. The ones I like the most are all rather spoiler-y, so I won't mention them now ;) My favorite non-spoiler-y scene would probably be the scene in Hally's room, right before Ryan shows up for the first time. Wow, I guess that was really vague :P I dunno!

What is your favorite line in the book?
This might not be the exact wording, but: "I would always wonder what might have happened if we'd listened." :)

What setting was most fun to write?
Nornand! Although, it was a difficult setting to write at times, too.

Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?
Hmm, I have two in mind, but one is less spoiler-y than the other, so I'll go with her :) I enjoy writing Hally a lot because she's so different from Eva, and it's fun to go in a completely different direction sometimes. There's a lot to her and her story that doesn't make it into the book.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
Definitely getting to meet so many other authors and readers and industry professionals. It's been so amazing to get involved in this community! :D

WHAT'S LEFT OF ME comes out on September 18, 2012. I have one hardcover copy of WHAT'S LEFT OF ME provided by HarperCollins up for grabs! To enter, fill out this form by August 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Open US only.

Visit the author's website for more information.

See index of all dystopian reviews at Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: ARC from BEA (Thanks to Katie Babs!)

Dystopian August - Midpoint Recap + Bonus Giveaway

Wow - August is more than half over. Where has the time gone? Here's what went on during Dystopian August so far. (See details of the bonus giveaway below - copies of Unwind and Unwholly by Neal Shusterman!)

Stay tuned the next two weeks for more reviews, previews and giveaways!

Reviews

Receiving the Zombie Chicken Badge for Action were:

Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Feedback by Robison Wells

Receiving the Zombie Chicken Badge for Romance was:

Promised by Caragh O'Brien

Receiving the Zombie Chicken Badge for Twists were:

Skylark by Meagan Spooner

Prodigy by Marie Lu

Yesterday by CK Kelly Martin

Once by Anna Carey

Receiving the Zombie Chicken Badge for World building were:

Insignia by SJ Kincaid

Beta by Rachel Cohn

Receiving the Zombie Chicken Badge for Writing were:

Shadows Cast by Stars by Catherine Knutsson

Requiem by Lauren Oliver




No badge:

Living Proof by Kira Peikoff



Preview Interviews:

J. Gabriel Gates previews Blood Zero Sky (HCI/October 2012)

Laurence Klavan and Susan Kim preview Wasteland (HarperCollins/March 2013)

Bethany Wiggins preview Stung (Walker/April 2, 2013)

T. Michael Martin previews The End Games (HarperCollins/Summer 2013)

Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner preview These Broken Stars (Hyperion/Fall 2013)

Alexandra Duncan previews Salvage (HarperCollins/Fall 2013)


Winners!

Winner of the Apocalypsies Summer Starter Pack is: Sophia L. of The Book Basement

Winner of Eve & Once by Anna Carey is: #16 Stephanie O. in WI

Winner of Beta by Rachel Cohn is: #49 Alyssa S. in MD

3 Winners of Prodigy by Marie Lu + posters are:

#3 Catherine C in PA
#11 Amanda T in Alberta
#82 Emilia S in CO

Winner of Insignia by SJ Kincaid is:

#12 Lauren G in NC

Winner of Skylark by Meagan Spooner is: #59 Kimberly F. in TX

Still open contests:

Win 5 marked up novels including Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans, Prodigy by Marie Lu, Incarnate by Jodi Meadows, For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund &Starters by Lissa Price

Win the entire Birthmarked series by Caragh O'Brien

Win The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Win one of 5 copies of Shadows Cast by Stars by Catherine Knutsson

And now for the bonus giveaway!! Tell me in the comments what you think of Dystopian August to be entered to win a paperback of Unwind and an ARC of Unwholly by Neal Shusterman!  (My review of Unwind) (More about Unwholly at Goodreads) Enter by August 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Open internationally. Prize provided by publisher. Remember to leave some way for me to get in touch with you if you win!

Also, for more dystopian goodness, check out A Reader of Fiction's Dystopian August recaps so far here and here.

Book Review: Feedback by Robison Wells

VARIANT, the book that precedes FEEDBACK, was one that Michelle and I discussed at length last August.  We agreed that VARIANT was primarily a "boy book" due to its action plot, thin romance, and detachment of the main character.  But the saving grace of VARIANT for me, what elevated it to truly memorable, was the mega twist at the end, which was both set up very well and unpredictable - which is a super difficult feat.

FEEDBACK has the action of VARIANT, perhaps more so (and the stakes are certainly raised), but the twists aren't as compelling since there aren't many places a plot can go after you learn what you learn about academy and the surrounding community. So if you've come precisely for the action, I'd say go for it.  But if you, like me, came to get a second helping of BAM! CRAZY! TWIST!, well ... you might be disappointed.

FEEDBACK comes out October 2, 2012. Find out more about it at the author's website.

See index of dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: I got this book at BEA 2012

Book Review: Requiem by Lauren Oliver

REQUIEM is the final installment in the exciting, thought provoking dystopian trilogy that began with DELIRIUM (read my review of that instead of this if you haven’t started the series yet). 

In my review of the middle book, PANDEMONIUM, I said: "It's no secret to anyone who has read Oliver's books that she has a way with words. This is writing that can make you believe in anything.” That holds true here as well. See, I came into REQUIEM hoping for a certain outcome and even though that outcome didn’t materialize, I left the book convinced that Lauren stayed true to her characters and that everything that happened developed organically.

Lauren was in Frankfurt for the book fair last October, and when I met up with her, we had a long discussion about the romance element of REQUIEM. Who should Lena end up with? With Alex, the boy who first showed her what love is and with whom she shared an unparalleled sizzling chemistry in DELIRIUM? Or with Julian, the boy who discovered what love is thanks to her and who is sweet and awesome and completely won me over in PANDEMONIUM? Unlike in most YA triangles these days, it is not a clear or easy choice.

But REQUIEM is not all about the boys – far from it. With the addition of Hana’s POV (in alternating chapters with Lena’s POV), we gain more insight on why Lena’s fight with the resistance is so urgent. It’s a testament to Lauren’s skill as a writer that she is able to make Hana sympathetic despite some rather shocking revelations having to do with her. Although I was understandably more invested in Lena’s story, Hana’s parts were essential to fleshing out the world.

Now that I’ve finished the series, I’m itching to go back and start reading it all over again – and really – what higher praise is there?

REQUIEM comes out March 5, 2013. Find out more about the series at Lauren’s website.

See index of dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: This book was sent to me by the author

Joint Review Discussion + Giveaway: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

For the third month in a row, Michelle of Galleysmith and I are doing joint review discussions. These are more in-depth than my usual reviews and discuss plot points in a non-spoilery way. We'll post about a different book every Thursday, and our third book is THE DARKEST MINDS.

Publisher summary:

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have been cursed with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby has spent nearly half her life desperately trying to hide the fact that she’s outwitted the camp’s sorting system—that she isn’t powerless, or safe. She’s one of the dangerous ones… and everyone knows what happens to them.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of teens who escaped their own camp, pursued along the way by terrifying bounty hunters. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close to him. Not after what happened to her parents. 

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Before the end, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Michelle and I decided to discuss four topics: Genre classification, "Black is the Color", Government Control and Characters. The first two we discuss below, the second two we discuss over at Galleysmith.

Genre Classification

Lenore:
THE DARKEST MINDS is one of those novels where something horrible happens (semi-apocalyptic) and then a corrupt government takes over, ruling over the country with an iron grip and making the lives of our characters miserable. It reminded me a cross between ASHES by Ilsa Bick (disease that affects only teens), Kristen Simmons’ ARTICLE 5 (brutal police force rounding up kids and putting them in rehabilitation camps) and SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi (main character with paranormal abilities who can’t touch people lest she screw them over).

Michelle:
You know what it reminded me of? X-Men. Mutant kids who are persecuted and segregated for their abilities then rebel was definitely reminiscent of X-Men. This just happens to be a situation that occurs at semi-apocalyptic time when the corrupt government has the ability to take over. Despite the similarities in theme I thought this was a fantastic read. Though I appreciated the character focus I do wish we knew a bit more about how these circumstances arose.

Lenore:
Ha! Yes - I always heard SHATTER ME compared to X-Men and it works here too for sure. I’m not always a fan of integrating paranormal abilities into real-world dystopians (I prefer “realistic” dystopians, lol), but Bracken does a great job of showing how terrifying it would be to suddenly have these strange (and amazing) abilities. The way Ruby is portrayed is absolutely consistent with how I imagine someone in her position would develop. She’s learned to blend in and keep her head down no matter what. And making friends has never been a safe proposition for her, which is super heartbreaking.

Michelle:
I didn’t mind the paranormal abilities so much. The way Bracken tied them in with IANN made them a natural progression instead of just some magical appearance. She integrated everything very well without having their prevalence be too overwhelming to the story overall.

Black is the Color

Lenore:
The original title of the novel was Black is the Color, a title which speaks to one of the kid characters assurances that all the kids of all the colors are equal, when they most assuredly are not. Oranges, like our main character Ruby, are the most powerful and dangerous (and most seem to be psychotic as well), while Reds (firestarters), Yellows (electrical manipulation) and Blues (telekinesis) can also cause a lot of damage. But Greens (increased intelligence)? I never really got why parents would be frightened enough of their super smart children to let them go, especially after 98% of the children in the US died.

Michelle:
One of the best parts of the book was when Black is the Color was mentioned as a way to unify all the kids as opposed to segregating them. Only, it didn’t really work out that way because in the reality of it all the strong were groomed for more (nefarious as it was) and the weak were just kind of there. It really wasn’t an all inclusive culture but a society built on segregation hiding behind the idea that they were all fighting for freedom and equality.

This brings me to the idea of the Children’s League. I struggled with understanding their true role in it all. Did they want to have control instead of the President? Did they want to free the kids? It wasn’t ever truly clear to me what their grand intentions were.

Lenore:
You’re right about that. But I don’t think the think the Children’s League’s intentions were meant to be clear (though, I’m suspecting that the CL has less than benevolent intentions). I think we’ll be finding out a lot more about them in the next book.

Michelle:
I can’t decide if there is some deflection there. I got the vibe that not everything was as it seemed (both from the positive and negative side). There was definitely more to allude to the latter than the former but I still find myself wondering if there is so much more to it. I didn’t realize there is another book, this excites me! I was left feeling like I wanted more at the end of this one. Especially given how things with Ruby and Lee played out.

Lenore:
I’m pretty sure it’s a trilogy!

Don't miss the rest of the discussion over at Galleysmith!

THE DARKEST MINDS comes out in hardcover on December 18, 2012. Visit the author's website for more information.  Want to read it early? I have one ARC to give away to a reader in the US curtesy of the publisher. Simply fill out this form by August 24, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST to enter to win!

See index of all dystopian reviews at Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: I got the ARC at BEA 2012 (thanks Susan!)