Blood Red Road by Moira Young: Review

Blood Red Road
By: Moira Young

Format: E-Book
Published: June 7, 2011; Margaret K. McElderry
Source: Received E-Galley from publisher
Challenges: Debut Author Challenge; E-Book Challenge; Dystopia Challenge

---

Summary (from Goodreads): Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

My Review: I couldn't believe that this was a book by a debut author. I kept looking around, sure that she had other books out somewhere. The writing quality is amazing, and is reminiscent of a more experienced author.

The summary mentions a poetically minimal writing style. There are no quotation marks, and the words are spelled phonetically. This gives an element to the story that will turn some people off, and others will love it. I loved it. Which is saying something, because prose or different formatting will sometimes turn me off to a story. I didn't find the writing style distracting, but found it a very unique way to show a part of Saba's character. She is uneducated, but is very smart.

Saba's struggle is made evident early in the book as she searches for her brother after he is taken by cloaked horsemen. She doesn't know where to begin looking for him, and she's never ventured outside her home, but she shows remarkable courage in her determination to find him. No matter the cost.

That doesn't mean that Saba is without her faults. She despises her younger sister Emmi, and does not want her tagging along. However, throughout the book, their relationship develops, and Saba learns to forgive Emmi for many of the things that she (wrongfully) holds her responsible for.

With all of these inner conflicts, there are many external forces trying to rip Saba apart as well. I was absolutely glued to this book, and had to know how things worked out for Saba. Her journey is terrifying and romantic all at once. And, in reference to romance, be advised that our love interest is not introduced until much later in the story.

This is a title that I think many who love dystopian fiction will love. If the actual formatting on the page and spelling doesn't work for you, I'd suggest giving the audio book a try. I listened to the first couple chapters on Simon and Schuster's website, and the narrator is very good.

If you've read the book, let me know what you thought of it. Does prose bother you when reading a book?

My Rating:

What I learned at BEA

I'm not going to do a recap of BEA, since I think that my videos from the past week will suffice. If you haven't had a chance to watch them, they are all listed below:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Book Expo America was an absolutely insane experience. Like many other people, I got hardly any sleep. I woke up early, and went to bed late. I met some wonderful bloggers, authors, and publicists. I also witnessed some pretty crazy drama. But, in a nutshell, this is what I learned:

1. Publishing is ready to accept bloggers. At every event I went to during the week, bloggers were treated like royalty. Our questions were answered. We were thanked for generating buzz. Authors were incredibly grateful and kind.
2. Bloggers need to accept the responsibility we've been given with professionalism. The vast majority of the bloggers that I met last week were incredibly professional and kind. However, there were a few incidents that made me want to hide under a rug. As a group, bloggers make up an important part of the publishing puzzle. But, those that want to be successful need to forgo the nasty, biting comments and gossip. Whether you have 50 followers or 5,000 followers, you have an audience and a voice. I firmly believe that no one blogger is any better than another, and that only by working together can we influence publishing in a positive manner.
3. Authors are my rock stars. I met too many authors to name, but every single one was amazing. It was so great to see long signing lines for authors that may not be huge names, but that we are all excited about.
4. I <3 Bloggers. As I mentioned before, there were a few cringe-worthy moments at BEA and BBC. However, I met some really amazing bloggers. When I lost my phone in the Javits center on the first day, I had a whole team of people helping me out. People lent me cell phones, made sure I wasn't alone, and generally made what would have been a very stressful time much easier. I stayed with a group of other bloggers in a house in Brooklyn, and many nights were spent talking, and laughing. I really made some fantastic new friends.
5. I have so much to improve on my blog. I didn't just come home with a ton of books, but I've got a bunch of great ideas to make this blog better. And, if you just started following me this week, welcome! I'm happy to have you.

Did you go to BEA? If you did, leave a link to your wrap-up post in the comments and I'll stop by!

If you didn't go to BEA, don't be sad. I've got a ton of books and swag to share with you.

Armchair BEA Vlog: Final Day

This is the final video for Armchair BEA and the mayhem that ensued.

I should explain that the This is Teen launch that is mentioned in this video is Scholastic's new initiative to use Facebook to connect authors with readers. The reception beforehand and the signing after was magnificent. It was so delightful to meet and really talk with Maggie, Libba and Meg. I'm referring to them by their first names, because I'm pretty sure that we are good friends now.

Libba told me a fantastic story about how she and Shannon Hale were on a plane together and Shannon tried to ease Libba's fear of flying by singing a John Denver song. Then they sang all the songs they could think of that were sung by artists who had died in a plane crash.

And, after speaking with Meg, I think I have her really excited to do a signing in Salt Lake City. So, for all you Utah folks, I think it's time to let our local indies and libraries know that we are dying to see Meg Cabot!

I hope you have all enjoyed the videos that I have been posting throughout the week. It's been such a pleasure to show you the fun things that have been happening while I'm in New York.

Some cool title here

I'm having a hard time coming up with good titles for my posts this week. Anyway, here's today's vlog. This will be great for those who wanted to see the floor, signing lines, and some authors!

Vlog today

It's up on the armchair BEA site as well, which you can check it out there. Or, see the video here:

BEA 2011: Day Two

Hey all! It's time for another vlog from today's activities. With a little bit of sleep, I'm as good as new. I picked up a bunch of stuff to giveaway to you all today, so be sure to fill out the form at the end of this post to enter to win it!



Bloggers and Authors in this video:
Heather from Fire and Ice
Nancy from Ravenous ReaderLinda from Optimistic Pessimist
Pixie from Page Turners
Michelle Zink, author of the Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy

BEA 2011: Day One

As promised: here is the vlog for day one of Armchair BEA. I know I look like I'm not excited or happy to be in New York. I really am, but it is masked by my intense fatigue. (I haven't slept since I went to bed on Friday night). So, pretend there is a huge smile on my face, and ENJOY!

BEA 2011: Preview

Well, it's finally upon us. Book Expo America begins on Tuesday, and I am pumped! (Okay, I'm extremely stressed about packing, laundry, and the hundred other things I have to do before I get on a plane at 1 am)! But, other than that, PUMPED!

For those of you that aren't going to BEA, I hope you'll join up with Armchair BEA. It's really a fantastic way to bring the fun of the biggest book expo to your house.

As I've mentioned before, I'm going to be doing some vlogging from the event throughout the week. My intention is not to make you jealous or upset. Believe me. I had to make some sacrifices to go this year, and the reality is that I may not be able to go again. And, I promise to bring you back stuff. In fact, I'm giving away a prize pack of BEA goodies when I get back that will include at least 3 ARCs. Probably more. Who knows.

For now, watch this video and get excited for next week!

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain: Review

The Lost Saint
By: Bree Despain

Format: Hardcover, 404 Pages
Published: December 28, 2010; EgmontUSA
Source: Purchased E-Book
Challenge: 2011 E-Book Challenge

---

Summary (from Goodreads): A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger - in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her - not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

Bree Despain delivers sizzling romance and thrilling action in the heart-pounding sequel to the The Dark Divine.

My Review: Bree Despain was on panel during Life, The Universe, and Everything all about writing sequels. And it's apparent that she knows what she's doing with The Lost Saint.

There were a lot of things that were done very well with this book. The absolute meltdown of Grace's mother, and the desire of her father to try and reconcile his family are heartbreaking and very real. The life that looked so perfect from the outside in The Dark Divine crumble and show how thin the facade was.

Daniel and Grace's relationship develops, and along with the excitement of a new relationship, there are boundaries that are defined, and a lot of betrayal of trust. So much so, that there were times where I found it just a little bit frustrating that they were in a relationship and yet unwilling to share important details about their nature and whereabouts with one another. Given the situation that Daniel and Grace are in during the second book, it seemed out of place that they would just not tell each other what they are up to.

While many of the events of the book were pretty predictable, the one that absolutely threw me was the interaction between Grace and Jude. Without getting into the details, it absolutely threw me. And I loved the surprise.

I wasn't in love with the cliffhanger ending, but all in all, I thought that it was a solid second installment to the trilogy, and I'm excited to read the third.

My Rating:

Hereafter Blog Tour: Top Ten List with Tara Hudson

Tara's Top Ten Favorite Paranormal YA Books:

10. Nevermore, by Kelly Creagh. This is one is SERIOUSLY spooky
9. Before I Fall, by Lauren Oliver. Not exactly paranormal, but this one literally gave me flashbacks to high school
8. Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White. Hilarity and butt-kicking blonds? It's like I'm back with Buffy again.
7. Starcrossed, by Josephine Angelini. Man, are you guys going to love this one. All those "cinematic" comments are true.
6. Die for Me, by Amy Plum. By my fellow Harper Dark Days-er, this one has got it all: beautiful writing, great setting, eerie but hot love interest,
5. Across the Universe, by Beth Revis. This one appeals to my inner Trekkie. I heart space, even when it's claustrophobic.
4. Nightshade, by Andrea Cremer. A subtly genius portrayal of gender politics, shining through awesome action and romance.
3. Hush, Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick. I like my mystery and my bad boys!
2. Impossible, by Laura Werlin. Just the right mix of humor, sweetness, mystery, and myth.
1. Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. Of course, right?

---

Synopsis: Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Tempest Rising by Tracey Deebs: Review

Tempest Rising
By: Tracy Deebs

Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Published: May 2011; Bloomsbury USA
Source: Received ARC from publisher
Challenges: 2011 Debut Author Challenge

author website | author blog | author facebook

---

Summary (from Goodreads): Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her—and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

My Review: Mermaid stories seem to be sneaking up on YA fiction. There were so many good elements in this book, surfing, cool dads, California, and lots of good undersea lore.

But, unfortunately, this book seemed like just a set up for the rest of the series. Many reviewers have mentioned that the beginning of the book is very slow. I agree. There was a lot of set-up that could have been condensed or even skipped.

And then there is the love triangle. At the beginning of the book, Tempest describes Mark as her "on again, off again, but currently on boyfriend." But, it's never clearly explained why their relationship is rocky, because all she has to say is nice things about Mark. And except for one brief moment of passion, their relationship is sadly lukewarm. Ah well, mortal men never do stand much of a chance when there is an even hotter paranormal in the background.

Ultimately, I didn't love the book, but I know that there are those that will love it. Frankly, it did make me wish that I knew how to surf, or lived in San Diego or at least somewhere near a beach or warm. It's going to be a great summer read for some, but if you don't like paranormal, this one isn't going to put you on the bandwagon.

My Rating:


Thanks to Bloomsbury, I have a copy to give away to one of you. Fill out the form, and you could win! The giveaway is open until May 16, to US residents only.

Monthly Commenter Contest: May

Happy May!

We are having another late Spring here in Utah, but it seems that it's finally here.  In just three short weeks I'll be in NYC at BEA. I'm planning on doing some blogging and vlogging from there. If you want to going in the fun, but can't make it to New York, then check out Armchair BEA.

The winners for this month's comment contest are:

Suey from It's All About Books

and

Sorilla

They have been emailed, and I'm eagerly awaiting a response to mail them their books.This month is all about Utah Authors. To celebrate their awesomeness, I've created a prize pack of books and SWAG that you will HAVE to have.

One lucky commenter receive a copy of all of these books, plus some bookmarks and other fun stuff from Utah Authors.

The Maze Runner (Maze Runner Trilogy, Book 1)  by James Dashner
Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Here are the rules:

Each month I will pick a random commenter from one of the posts within the last month to win a featured book. Each thoughtful comment you leave on a post during the month will count as a contest entry. However, the following types of comments will NOT be eligible:

* Great post! I'll definitely add it to my TBR pile.
* Hey! I'm your newest follower, would you check out my blog and follow me back?
* Love your site (although I do appreciate the sentiments)
* Generic, one or two word comments.

You don't need to write an essay, just make it evident to me that you've at least read the post, mmkay?

Only comments on posts from the current month will be eligible. Sorry, you can't comment on every post from the last 2 years. Well, actually, you can, but it won't be a contest entry.

All of these contests are open internationally unless I specify otherwise. So, comment away!

Please make sure that when you comment, that I have an email address or something that lets me identify who you are. Anonymous comments will not be eligible, obviously. But, if you have a blogger account linked or your website, make sure your contact information is either in your blogger profile or on your blog. If I can't get a hold of you, I'll pick another comment

May is Utah Author Month

I am so excited to celebrate the many authors that we have here in Utah. Utah is home to some of my favorite authors including:

Shannon Hale
Jessica Day George
Bree Despain
Emily Wing Smith
Brandon Mull
Ally Condie
James Dashner
Mettie Ivie Harrison

And some authors that will be published this year:

Elana Johnson
Brodi Ashton
Amber Argyle

I'm sure that there are more that I'm missing. This month, I'm going to be featuring books by these authors. This month's commenting giveaway will be a prize pack of books by these authors as well. I hope that you'll join me and the other Utah Bloggers in celebrating these fantastic authors.

Want more info? Read the post by Natasha at Maw Books.

P.S. If you are a Utah author (or will be soon) and would like to do a giveaway, interview, or guest post, please send me an email.