Blog Tour: Burn Out by Kristi Helvig

Welcome to my stop on the BURN OUT blog tour. I'm especially excited to interview Author Kristi Helvig today because I loved BURN OUT so much, I blurbed it. See?

I was fascinated by Tora's story from page one. Imagine being the only person left on a dying, scorching Earth and knowing that if you don't somehow get off the planet, your days are numbered. That's what Tora is facing, and yet she doesn't give up hope. And she has the guts to protect her father's legacy at all costs.

The official summary (you might see something familiar...)

A futuristic blend of Beth Revis's Across the Universe and Lenore Appelhans's Level 2, Burn Out will satisfy the growing desire for science fiction with a thrilling story of survival, intrigue, and adventure.

Most people want to save the world; seventeen-year-old Tora Reynolds just wants to get the hell off of it. One of the last survivors in Earth's final years, Tora yearns to escape the wasteland her planet has become after the sun turns "red giant," but discovers her fellow survivors are even deadlier than the hostile environment.

And now, please welcome Kristi!

I think thanks to BURN OUT’s summary, the first question all of my blog readers are going to have is, in what way is BURN OUT like LEVEL 2 (aka THE MEMORY OF AFTER)? And who had the idea to use LEVEL 2 as a comp title?

I think both books are similar in that they imagine a world very different than the one we live in today, and though the settings of our books our quite different, both worlds are navigated by strong, female heroines. Our heroines both struggle with complicated feelings toward certain members of the opposite sex, while dealing with life and death issues at the same time. Neither world is easy and the main characters become stronger in some ways, yet more vulnerable in others. It was my editor’s idea to use LEVEL 2 as a comp title, so naturally, I read it that same night and loved it! I can’t wait for Chasing Before to come out this summer!

While I was reading BURN OUT, no joke, I was clutching a bottle of water the whole time. It just made me so thirsty! Were you the same way while writing? Did exploring the concept of the Earth heating up change anything about the way you live?

Ha, yes, I wrote the first draft of BURN OUT in the summer and remember how scorching hot it was on some of those days. Writing the book made me even more conscious about the value of our natural resources and though I’ve always tried to be eco-friendly, I’ve definitely stepped things up a notch. My seven-year-old just learned a song about “water-wasters” for Earth Day at school, so we’re trying to keep the faucet off while we brush our teeth, etc. Sometimes, I’ll get filtered water from the fridge tap and feel intense gratitude that I have clean water on demand. That’s sadly not the case for many parts of the world.

Your supporting characters are so complex and fleshed-out. Is there one of them you could see being the star of his/her own novel? Or maybe one of those eShorts that are so popular these days?

Thank you—they were so much fun to write. I just turned in the sequel to BURN OUT and Markus became my favorite character in the book, so I could see him him being the star of his own novel. He’d certainly think he deserved it and that it would be the best book ever!

Tora's father built a secret room to store all their weapons. If you had a secret room in your house, what would you store in there?

Books. I loved that whole secret book labyrinth in The Shadow of the Wind. Maybe some good bottles of wine too. That way, I can enjoy some great vintages with some great reads.

And just for fun, how do you think Tora would react if she landed in the world of FROZEN and met Elsa?

Thanks to my seven-year-old, I’ve seen the movie about fifty times already. I think Tora would be in absolute awe of the snow and ice, since it’s something she’s never experienced. She’d probably love Elsa and ask her to make snow cones for her on a daily basis, though Tora might ask her to stop singing after the fiftieth rendition of “Let it Go.” Or maybe that’s just me. ;)

Thanks again for having me! :)

________________________

Kristi Helvig is a Ph.D. clinical psychologist turned sci-fi/fantasy author. She muses about Star Trek, space monkeys, and other assorted topics on her blog and Twitter. Kristi resides in sunny Colorado with her hubby, two kiddos, and behaviorally-challenged dogs. Grab a copy of BURN OUT on Amazon, Indiebound, or Barnes & Noble.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are loving this week:

Jessica Love adores BREAKFAST SERVED ANYTIME by Sarah Combs

Rebecca Behrens raves about THE SECRET SIDE OF EMPTY by Maria E. Andreu

Katy Upperman praises THE EIGHTH GUARDIAN by Meredith McCardle (with giveaway!)

Shari Arnold is crazy for THE THOUSAND DOLLAR TAN LINES by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

 

Our Favorite Picture Books of 2012 + 2013 Preview

As a writer and illustrator team, Daniel and I are always on the lookout for amazing picture books to inspire us.

Admittedly we weren't exposed to as many 2012 picture books as we probably should have been, but of those we read, these were the standouts.

I Don't Want to Be a Pea by Ann Bonwill, illustrated by Simon Rickerty
Hugo Hippo and Bella Bird are looking for a couples costume for a party, but each suggests something that puts them in the starring role and the other as a merely a prop. Can they find a costume that lets them both shine?

Lenore says: I love the pairing of a hippo and bird and Hugo and Bella's squabble is sweet, realistic and funny.  Favorite line: "I think you look rather nice orange." "Thank you. But I will still not be a pumpkin."

Daniel says: The dialogue between Hugo and Bella is great. The stylized, reduced illustrations fit the tone of the story perfectly.

Oh No George by Chris Haughton
We've all known a dog like George, one who just can't keep himself out of trouble. George's owner asks him to be good while he's gone ... but he's not (hence the title).

Lenore says: George's eyes say it all. Watch how they change from page to page (tempted, guilty, excited, remorseful). And the ending is up to you to decide - has George changed his ways? Or not?

Daniel says: Beautifully designed with striking colors.  I love the character designs of George and Harry.

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
A twist on Klassen's bestseller I Want My Hat Back, this book tells the story of a little fish who dares to steal a hat from a much bigger fish. Will he get away with it?

Lenore says: It's pretty rare these days to have a such a blatantly "unhappy" ending in a picture book, and that's what I love about this.  The humor is dry and the text deceptively simple.

Daniel says: A tight story with beautiful art. Great details throughout.

The Amazing Hamweenie by Patty Bowman
Hamweeine bemoans his fate as the coddled pet to a very attentive little girl.

Lenore says: I would have never found this gem if it hadn't been for the new releases shelf at Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in Greater Los Angeles. The text and illustrations work together so well. My favorite page has to be where the girl has Hamweenie bundled up in a stroller and the accompanying text says "Fate has been cruel to Hamweenie."  A great laugh for anyone with spoiled cats.

Daniel says: Extremely funny. The exaggerated language is used to great effect and Hamweenie's expressions are priceless. There are so many fun details to find in the illustrations.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
Annabelle lives in a cold town where everything is white as snow or black as soot - until she starts knitting colorful sweaters from a box of yarn.

Lenore says: I'm a sucker for stories about bringing color into your life, and this one's a visual stunner. I love the way the sweaters look on the animals (especially the cat - so cute!).

Daniel says: Beautifully rendered.

Where is Fred? by Edward Hardy, illustrated by Ali Pye
Only available in the UK (sadly). Fred is a fluffy white caterpillar who is very, very good at hiding. This frustrates Gerald the Crow to no end, because how can he eat Fred if he can't find him?

Lenore says: I love all the creative places Fred hides and the bumbling nature of Gerald. My absolute favorite scene is when Gerald shows off his fluffy white "scarf" to his crow buddies. Ha!

Daniel says: I wish I had come up with this idea. Very funny. I love the story and the rhythm it has to it.

ALSO:

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Brothers at Bat by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Steven Salerno
Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Big Mean Mike by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Scott Magoon


(FTC disclosure: We bought all the books mentioned in this post except Big Mean Mike which I got at BEA)

Bonus! Here are some books we're looking forward to in the first part of 2013:

That is NOT a Good Idea by Mo Willems
Mo Willems is a picture book powerhouse, and this one looks to be very fun and interactive. (HarperCollins, April 2013)

I Am Not a Copy Cat by Ann Bonwill, illustrated by Simon Rickerty
Yes - the sequel to I Don't Want to be a Pea (see above). This one, about sychronized swimming, is even cuter than the first Hugo + Bella book (if that's possible). (Simon & Schuster, May 2013)

The Three Triceratops Tuff by Stephen Shaskan
This dino retelling of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" pits a villainous T-Rex against the clever Tuff brothers. Made me laugh out loud. (Simon & Schuster, April 2013)

Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Brandon Dorman
Betsy is a picture book expert (and blogs over at Fuse #8), so we've been looking forward to this one since the sale was announced. (HarperCollins, April 2013)

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea
How hilarious is this cover? Can't stop smiling. (Hyperion, May 2013)

And don't forget Chick-O-Saurus Rex! (Simon & Schuster, July 2013)

ALSO:

The Monstore by Tara Lazar, illustrated by James Burks
Open Very Carefully by Nick Bromley, illustrated by Nicola O'Byrne


Any recommendations for us? What outstanding picture books tickled your fancy this year?

Book Review: Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick

I was a huge fan of ASHES, the predecessor to SHADOWS, as you can see from the joint discussion of it with Michelle we had last August.  My favorite part of ASHES was probably the cool way Bick integrated fringe science and made it believable and fun. So, I was unprepared for how much SHADOWS strayed into horror territory.  This sequel is Brutal with a capital B. I often found myself skimming over the gruesome descriptions of cheek biting and shoulder flaying and flesh eating.

In this installment, we don’t only follow Alex, but we get the story from several other points of view, including a Spared who seems to be going through the Change, a character who has been hidden by a compassionate older couple but who gets chased down by bounty hunters, a character who is captured by a sadistic militia who likes to experiment on Changed and Spared alike, and others. Thanks to all these POVs, we get a bigger picture view of just how horrific this post-apocalyptic scenario is. The multiple POVs also serve to move the different players into place for what I’m sure is going to be a major battle the third book, which means, in essence, I felt like a lot of this novel was merely set-up for the next one instead of really being a complete book with satisfying arcs in its own right.

Even though SHADOWS was too hard-core for me, I did manage to finish it.  I may be too much of a wimp to read book 3, but I will certainly want someone to brief me on what happens (minus the gore).

SHADOWS comes out on Sept 25, 2012. Find out more about it at the author’s website

See index of all dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: ARC picked up at BEA 2012

Book Review: You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

20 year old Emmy Rane's baby is kidnapped one day and it tears her life apart.  14 year old Sophie has never had friends or roots because her mother is constantly moving her from town to town. In this novel featuring alternating narratives, Emmy and Sophie both long for freedom.

I got this via NetGalley, so my eGalley is expired - otherwise, this review would be full of excerpts because I adored Beth's writing.  I'm not exaggerating when I say I got slightly drunk on her prose.  She has such a unique way of looking at the world - describing ordinary things and emotions with such clarity and beauty. 

Of the two narratives, I enjoyed Sophie's the most.  I loved her tentative interactions with neighbor boy Joey and his aunts, and how her fear of her mother making them move again really upped the tension.  I wouldn't call this the most accessible of Beth's novels, but the patient reader will find it richly rewarding.

YOU ARE MY ONLY is available now.  Find out more about it at Beth's website.

Joint Book Review Discussion: Ashes by Ilsa J Bick

So Michelle of Galleysmith and I thought it would be fun to have a conversational review about a few of my dystopian reads this month. These are more in-depth than my usual reviews and discuss plot points in a non-spoilery way. We've posted about a different book every Thursday, and our final book is ASHES.

Here’s the official summary:

It could happen tomorrow...

A cataclysmic event. An army of "The Changed."
Can one teen really survive on her own?

An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky, destroying every electronic device and killing billions. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human...

Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the Changed, Alex meets up with Tom---a young army veteran---and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse.

This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to survive.

Also, because I loved the writing, I wanted to share a small excerpt (even though this from the ARC and could be different from the final published version):

What no one warned her about was that when you had no sense of smell at all, a lot of memories fizzled. Like the way the smell of a pine tree conjured a quick-brain snapshot of tinsel and Christmas lights and a glittery angel, or the spice of nutmeg and buttery cinnamon made you flash to a bright kitchen and your mother humming as she pressed pie crust into a glass dish. With no sense of smell, your memories dropped like pennies out of a ripped pocket, until your past was ashes and your parents were blanks: nothing more than holes in Swiss cheese. (p 13)

Michelle and I decided to discuss four topics: Genre classification, science, pacing/plotting and community vs individuality. The first two we discuss below, the second two we discuss over at Galleysmith.

Genre classification

LENORE

Since the electromagnetic pulse that devastates the US happens in the beginning of the novel, I guess this is apocalyptic more than post-apocalyptic. The first half is very much a survival story, with Alex on the run from zombiefied humans while trying to protect Ellie, a spoiled young girl she runs into in the forest while hiking. The second half finds Alex in a town run by some sort of cult (very dystopian) that has plans that Alex is not exactly down with. I enjoyed both parts, but maybe give an edge to the first half because I was literally at the edge of my seat reading. That scene with the dogs - I almost had a heart attack!

MICHELLE

I’m right there with you on the classifications. Apocalyptic in the first third, post-apocalyptic as the survivalist stuff played out and then finally dystopian when Alex landed in Rule. I have some misgivings (which are addressed in the pacing section) but overall I think Bick did a fantastic job of infusing the three different genre focus overall.

LENORE

Yes, the story flowed really well from one element to another and Alex’s journey was natural in its progression (except for one big decision the group made that seemed more plot driven than character driven). And this was one of those books where you have the feeling that anything could happen. Bick doesn’t shelter her characters. No one is safe. It’s high stakes which equals high interest for this reader.

MICHELLE

What I also liked, that falls into the anything can happen category, is the cliffhanger at the end. Typically I’m not a girl who likes to be left hanging with something huge and unanswered but man I really liked how this book ended. It definitely makes me want to read the next as soon as possible. More than that, I totally didn’t see it coming! Not even a little bit. Total kudos to Bick for that.

LENORE

I am not a fan of cliffhanger endings when I have to wait more than a year to read the next book, so that knocked it down at least half a zombie chicken in my estimation. But as far as cliffhangers go - this one was certainly a zinger.

Science

LENORE

I just finished the first season of FRINGE, and I find paranormal science endlessly fascinating. There is so much cool paranormal science in this novel. First of all, you know that Alex is 17 and has a brain tumor. The pulse causes pretty much everyone between puberty and menopause to turn into a zombie - except Alex’s brain tumor spares her for some reason - and gives her a special sense of smell. And there is so much more to this idea that you discover during the novel and every time Bick gave me a tidbit, my eyes lit up in excitement. I love stuff like this.

MICHELLE

This was, by far, the best part of the novel for me. Bick’s use of science was uniquely crafted and was used in such an interesting way to further the plot. Most importantly, it wasn’t written at such a high level (with loads of medical jargon and geek speak) that readers won’t be able to relate to it. She brought it down to earth, made it relatable, and best of all made it an original and realistic catalyst for the outcomes of the EMP. Speaking of science, the EMP stuff was equally impressive. Again, Bick distinguishes herself in the genre by taking on a little used piece of science and growing a number of additional interesting plot angles off of it. There wasn’t as much exploration of this element but I didn’t mind because I tend to enjoy getting to the point and not banging a person over the head with stuff.

LENORE

And what’s really impressive is that she eventually addresses and answers the science questions she brings up - and in a logical way that I totally bought. This is not at all easy to do. Also, her spin on zombies feels fresh - not like something I’ve seen a billion times before. Props!

MICHELLE

Ditto that, I didn’t feel overwhelmed or put off by the science at all. It added to the value and intrigue to the story as opposed to detracting from it by getting too technical. I wonder if she’ll explore the science vs. humanity scenario later?

LENORE

That would be a great avenue to explore. I’m also wondering if there could possibly be a cure.

Read the rest of our discussion over at Galleysmith!


Zombie chickens say: We’re in love! Highly recommended and we can’t wait to see where Bick takes us next. (4.5 Zombie Chickens)

ASHES comes out very soon on Sept 6, 2011. Find out more about it at the author’s website

Song for the Ultimate Dystopian Playlist: Headlong into the Abyss by We Are Augustines. Sample lyric: "To keep driving from dreary and dead, to make bets we could not afford to. Follow me down."

See index of all dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore

Readathon Book Review: Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart

Philadelphia 1876: Katherine's hollowness after the loss of her twin Anna drives her to contemplate suicide.  Katherine had always been the more responsible twin, self-charged with looking out for careless, carefree Anna.  So when Anna dies in an accident, Katherine feels it was her fault - and she just can't live with her guilt.

As per usual, Kephart writes with clarity, beauty and keen observation.  I felt the weight of Katherine's grief - the tragic fragility of life and how all can be lost in an instant.  Katherine cannot cope with the fact that the world bustles on, despite Anna's departure.  Her parents refuse to talk about it, she has no other friends to turn to. But the Centennial fair, and the chance encounters it provides, brings hope back into Katherine's life.

This is a quiet story - no shocking revelations or sordid twists. It's power lies in its intense emotional honesty and its finely crafted prose.

Find out more about the book at the author's blog.

Book Review and Giveaway: Drought by Pam Bachorz

Ruby has lived over 200 years with her congregation, forced to gather water everyday for a sadistic overseer.  Ruby dreams of escape but she holds a secret - only her blood is what is keeping her people going.  Without her, they would all wither away.

Let's get a few things straight from the get-go: on the surface, DROUGHT is a slow building narrative (maybe too slow for some) and it leaves a lot of unanswered questions which will be frustrating for many.  However, when you dig a little deeper, you'll find much to mull on in regards to faith, duty, and the importance of love.

The main conflict here is Ruby's self-actualization vs the needs of the community as it becomes clear that the two are mutually exclusive. Ruby has been emotionally stunted by the drain of her duty to her mother and the congregation.  When a kindly guard enters the picture, he offers her a glimpse of another world - one in which she would be able to "find herself" and the idea is appealing (as is getting frisky with the guard), especially as Ruby begins to have a crisis of faith.  Her mother has been preaching that Otto will save them from their backbreaking work for over 200 years, but Ruby's patience is running out.

Belief in the saving power of Otto obviously has some religious parallels which you see in the congregations communion (they drink of "his" blood once a week) and their willingness to turn the other cheek and endure beatings in the name of their savior.  You come to find out just how twisted the whole arrangement is via the character of Ruby's mother.  She is at once a pieta figure (takes the punishments due others upon herself) and a iron-willed megalomaniac who would see her family and friends suffer needlessly for centuries just so she's not alone.

I wouldn't have minded a bit more excitement and explanation, but since there is so much to sink your teeth into here, I think it's a novel well worth reading and give it 3 zombie chickens.

I also have 1 copy to give away today to one lucky reader anywhere in the world!  Just fill out this google form by Feb 28th, 2011 at 11:59 pm CST for your chance to win.


Read interview with Pam Bachorz
See index of all dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore

Author Interview: Pam Bachorz discusses Drought

Today we welcome Pam Bachorz to the blog.  Pam's debut novel CANDOR was released last year (read my review) and she's back with the just released DROUGHT.  I'll be reviewing DROUGHT later today, so for now, I am going to give you the official summary of the novel:

Ruby dreams of escaping the Congregation. Escape from slaver Darwin West and his cruel Overseers. Escape from the backbreaking work of gathering Water. Escape from living as if it is still 1812, the year they were all enslaved. 

When Ruby meets Ford--an irresistible, kind, forbidden new Overseer--she longs to run away with him to the modern world, where she could live a normal teenage live. Escape with Ford would be so simple.

But if Ruby leaves, her community is condemned to certain death. She, alone, possess the secret ingredient that makes the Water so special--her blood--and it's the one thing that the Congregation cannot live without.

Drought is the haunting story of one community’s thirst for life, and the dangerous struggle of the only girl who can grant it.

Let's get started!




DROUGHT's main character Ruby is 200 years old, yet she has matured physically so slowly that she still looks like a teen. Would you say her way of life has kept her from maturing emotionally past the age of a teen or would that also be due to her unique physiology?

Well, maturity definitely depends, in part, on physical development. So Ruby’s emotional growth has simply been as slow as her physical growth. However, her mother still treats her like a child –the entire Congregation does—and that is a big part of her still feeling “teen” too.


Both DROUGHT and CANDOR concern dystopian societies that are limited in nature. Is there something about this limited scope that appeals to you more than a widespread dystopian society?

Limiting a story to a single place helps to add to its claustrophobia and the pressing need to escape. But it’s funny you ask; the project I am working on now is a much wider world. But I do like starting with a smaller place and exploring it thoroughly. Perhaps that will change as I write more books.



Which dystopian works influenced and informed your writing?
I think everything I read influences what I write, whether it’s dystopian works, realistic fiction, or historical fiction! Probably one of the biggest influences on my writing was the science fiction of the 1980s, aimed at teens, like the novels of Lois Duncan and Mildred Ames. I have never forgotten how excited I was to find these books: something different, with slightly changed worlds, that still had “real” characters.


Ooh! I loved Lois Duncan too! Which upcoming dystopian works are you looking forward to?
I haven’t gotten to pick ACROSS THE UNIVERSE yet and I’m psyched to read it. I am also looking forward to the conclusion of the MAZE RUNNER trilogy. I’ll also be checking out BUMPED and ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE.


Great picks! Ok...Mash-up time! What character from another book would you like to see navigate the world of DROUGHT and why? And what book would you love to drop Ruby into to see how she would handle it?

I’d like to see Piper McCloud from THE GIRL WHO COULD FLY stop by. The whole flying thing could be a real handy talent in Ruby’s world… maybe they could team up and soar around Earth to find Otto. Plus I think Piper’s plain country self would get along very well with Ruby.

I’d like to give Ruby a weekend in the world of THE PRINCESS DIARIES. Poor girl deserves a break and I’m sure Mia would show her a good time!

Thank you so much for dropping by Dystopian February Pam!  

Visit Pam's website.  There you can read the first two chapters of DROUGHT, listen to a playlist and more!

Author Interview: Anastasia Hopcus discusses Shadow Hills

I reviewed SHADOW HILLS a couple of months ago here on the blog (read my review), and really enjoyed it, so I was happy to be asked to be part of the official SHADOW HILLS blog tour.  And I am pleased to welcome Anastasia to Presenting Lenore today.

SHADOW HILLS is set in a boarding school. If you could be a teen again and go to any boarding school in the world, where would you go and why?
While I was researching SHADOW HILLS, many of the boarding schools sounded so intriguing that I really found myself wishing that I could go back to boarding school. Though several of them were very appealing, I think the one that I would choose to go to would be Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. It's on the edge of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts, which is a beautiful area. I've been to their campus, and it's very attractive, and their curriculum is really awesome.

Which of your supporting characters in SHADOW HILLS needs their own novella?
I'd really like to write something about Brody and Adriana. I just love them as a couple, and I can't show anything that happens between just the two of them because the novel is written in the first person from Phe's point of view. And the other thing that I would love to do as a novella is a historical where I could get more into the origins of Shadow Hills.

I love them too! Cool idea. Both you and I love Nina Malkin’s novel SWOON. Who would win in a fist fight between Sin and Zach?
Oh, wow---I'm not sure. Zach is probably bigger and stronger, but I think Sin has more of that competitive, kind of mean streak, which would give him an advantage. Still, when Zach gets really angry, especially when he's protecting Phe, he has some truly awesome power. So in that situation, I think Zach might very well win.

Let’s say Zeus called you up and told you that you could change the ending to any Greek myth. Which one would you change?
I would change the myth about Orpheus, who goes into the Underworld to get back his love Eurydice, who died on the day they were married. He plays such beautiful music that he is let into the Underworld and charms everyone there, even Pluto, the King of the Underworld. So Pluto lets Orpheus lead out his wife, playing his music, but he can't look back or he loses her. Just as he's emerging into the sun, Orpheus forgets and looks back to make sure she's okay, and so she's unable to come out, and he isn't let back in. I think that's so sad! So I would definitely change that ending and let Orpheus and Eurydice both get out of the Underworld safely.

Which 2011 debut author books are you most looking forward to reading?
There are a lot of interesting books coming out in 2011, but I think Clarity by Kim Harrington is the one I'm most looking forward to. It sounds like an interesting mystery as well as a paranormal.

Thank you Anastasia!

Check out Anastasia's website to find out more about her book and to find the complete blog tour schedule.

Book Review: Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

After discovering her sister Athena was plagued by similar nightmares before her death, Persephone “Phe” Archer decides to attend the boarding school in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts Athena applied to. Once she gets there, Phe finds herself investigating the town’s haunting past and how she might fit into it.

Despite a tentative beginning (I might have groaned a bit when the novel started with a dream), I was hooked by the end of chapter 1 with an electrifying meet-cute in a graveyard between Phe and her “dream” guy Zach. Their palpable chemistry is a main attraction in this fresh, thrilling take on the paranormal romance genre.

Phe is inquisitive and spunky, and though she tells us she’s broken inside, I didn’t really get that vibe from her. If anything, she felt too put together and self-possessed to be a 15 year old mourning her sister’s death. Zach is your typical brooding hottie hiding a paranormal secret, but he’s surprisingly gentlemanly and non-possessive. These two seem destined to be together…too bad Zach’s sister Corinne is dead-set on keeping them away from each other “for their own protection”.

And just why they'd be better off apart despite their undeniable, magnetic attraction is part of the mystery. The more secrets about the townspeople, their strange genetic make-up, and her own seemingly mythological part in the whole affair Phe uncovers, the more the more danger she puts herself in. Though we get enough answers and teases in this installment to get a good sense of what might be going on, I have a feeling we haven’t seen the end of Shadow Hills. And that’s fine by me – because I want more!

SHADOW HILLS will be released in hardcover on July 13. Find out more about it and read chapter 1 at the author’s website.

Book Review: Back Home by Julia Keller

Rachel’s father, a member of the National Guard, has been injured in Iraq. The family must prepare for the big changes living with an amputee with traumatic brain injury will bring.

Rachel is 13, but her father’s condition makes her wise beyond her years, and her achingly honest voice is what made this novel for me. She’s upset about the changes to her life – how friends no longer know what to say so they drift away, how the strong dad she used to know is a shadow of his former self, and how her mother now has a hard edge to her – and she expresses her frustration. But she’s also supportive and understanding in a way most 13 year olds really aren’t.

Here’s a passage from right after Rachel’s mother tells her that her father is coming home:

“I didn’t blame her for not knowing what to say. I felt sorry for her. Kids, I think, have a lot more reason to feel sorry for adults than adults have to feel sorry for kids. I know that sounds backwards. I know that’s not how most people would see it. But here’s the thing: kids know what they know. And that’s it. Adults know all the things they don’t know, all the questions and doubts and puzzles and darkness. Kids are all sealed up with the little bit they know. Adults, though, are leaking out all over the place, with everything they don’t understand but think they should.” (p 23 ARC, may vary from final published version).

I also really liked the family dynamic as seen from Rachel’s point of view, and how she realizes that her dad, even though he’s still her dad, doesn’t really fit in her family anymore. Rachel even muses that in many ways, her life would be easier if her father had died – that people would be better able to deal with that and wouldn’t feel like they needed so much distance. It’s heartbreaking.

This would make a great read for children of injured veterans, and really for their classmates too. Unfortunately, I can’t really see tweens gravitating towards such a serious premise – it seems too much like what you’d find on the dreaded required reading list. That’s why I think Ginny Rorby, author of Penguin’s upcoming THE OUTSIDE OF A HORSE (May 13, 2010), may be more successful with what is a similar topic (teen dealing with an amputee Iraq vet father) because she’s packaged it with the irresistible hook of caring for horses.

BACK HOME is available now in hardcover. Find out more about it on the author’s website.

Book Review: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Grace Divine is both disturbed and fascinated when her former neighbor - and one time foster brother - Daniel moves back to town. Her brother Jude makes her promise to stay away from him, but this is one promise Grace is finding hard to keep…

When I heard this story was loosely based on the prodigal son parable from the Bible, it piqued my interest since you don’t see many religious themes in mainstream YA. Debut Author Despain has built her intriguing plot around a seemingly normal family – Pastor dad, mom, Grace, Jude, younger sister and baby brother. They are endlessly charitable and morally upstanding without being holier than thou or preachy in the least bit (how refreshing!). And yet…they reject Daniel. Why?

I found Grace very relatable, both as a character and with how she goes about trying to figure out the dark mystery that surrounds Daniel. And yes folks, this one too veers into paranormal territory, but in a way that was so well set-up and integrated that it felt natural and even plausible. And it also veers into romance territory, but given Grace and Daniel’s shared history, this also progressed believably and satisfactorily. It all leads up to a breathtaking climax and a resolution that feels finished, but still leaves you praying for a sequel.

THE DARK DIVINE is available in hardcover now – and with such a gorgeous cover. Find out more about it at the author’s website.

Book Review: Candor by Pam Bachorz

Oscar Banks spends his days trying to convince his Stepford town of Candor that he's as "perfect" as everyone else there is. But he's not - because he knows the secret behind the perfection and takes steps against losing his own free will. But when wild Nia moves to town, his falling for her jeopardizes all he's worked so hard to protect.

Candor is definitely a case of the cure being worse than the disease. Parents bring their problem children to the town and consent to brainwashing to straighten them out. But they not only sign away their children's individuality, but their own as well. Sure, the town's subliminal messages can help you quit smoking, but they also place all power in the hands of one man: the founder of the town, who also happens to be Oscar's father. Oscar's father isn't an evil man per se, but his methods are certainly fascist and it is chilling to read about just how far he's willing to go to keep his vision of a perfect world.

Because everyone is so well-behaved, this is more of a quiet dystopia, but that doesn't mean it is boring. Oscar's struggle for control is a fascinating one, and the new feelings and past memories Nia brings to the surface provide most of the narrative tension. Supporting characters such as Mandi, a former Queen Bee meanie, and Sherman, a social wreck, illustrate both the good and the bad of Candor's MO. And that ending...whoa. I am still trying to wrap my head around that one.

CANDOR is available in hardcover now. Find out more about it at the author's website.