Quelling the Last Quarter

It has been a very, very long quarter.

In the fall, I received some unexpected projects at work. I implemented a conference, spent half a week touring potential conference venues, and helped get the next event’s plan in place. I was sick more than I expected to be, and frustrated when illness wiped out days I needed for tasks.

I signed on for first-round Cybils judging, expecting that about 100 books would be nominated in the YA fantasy/science fiction category--and more than 150 ended up on my two-and-a-little-bit-of-month reading list (147 is the final eligible number). I expected I could review 100 (my final count, at the end of the year, will be 118 read--nowhere near the picture book folks’ numbers, but more than 40,000 pages...and the 29 books I didn’t receive a copy of/couldn’t borrow/didn’t choose with my personal book budget and thus didn’t see for myself are going to haunt me forever).

And some other things came up, things more personal.

What I can say is this: I have, after many years of testing the boundary, found my personal limit of time divided by tasks. Some less-than-urgent things fell by the wayside, and I’ll be making those up in the new year, even while picking up others (teaching my second year of event planning boot camp, for example, and I’m going to get back on a running program, even if it’s a tiny one). I lost my temper more often, and I curled up with a cup of cocoa and blanket more often.

But there are some fantastic things that happened this autumn. I read some truly fantastic books I wouldn’t have been able to justify squeezing in without the Cybils--and I’ll review another 10-15 of my reads in the winter and spring; I hope that I’ll be able to give a little more thought to those reviews, too. My balance definitely has been off for a while! I’ll give away as many of the books I won’t be able to review so that they can have a second publicity life. To all of the publishers and authors who provided review copies: thank you, thank you, thank you. If had a little better idea of what I was getting into, I’d have done some more showcasing and shout-outs. Since I didn’t, please know that every book I got my hands on was treated with thought care, even if--as noted under the rules--I wasn’t able to finish it and review it.

I’ve also got the bones of a post together on what made particular titles pop for me (remember, the Cybils were judged by a committee, and while I won’t spill any exciting details or hints about the process, I will assure you that it’s not a hive mind situation), as well as some problems I saw in books. Maybe it will help some aspiring and established authors, maybe it won’t. In the end, I’m just one reader in a sea of book lovers.

In the new year, I’m looking forward to turning some of my focus back to the Sirens conference reading list to get a better handle on the theme, and maybe putting together a presentation. I’m hoping to travel to ALA in New Orleans (if I can’t make BEA, the ALA exhibit hall is the next best place to research for my particular volunteer work) and to the west coast, and maybe take my first overseas trip. Until the end of the year, I’ll be headed right into the flood zone in the great Pacific Northwest, so--well, by the time this posts, I might even be out of range.

And thus, to you and yours, my very best wishes for a happy, healthy new year, full of the very best stories.

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Isabel is alone in the Mistwood when she's called: it is time for the Shifter to resume human form and protect the king, as she has for generations. When she wakes in the castle, she's missing some memories, and her instincts aren't working quite right--and neither is her ability to shift into various forms.

In Mistwood by Leah Cypess (HarperCollins - Greenwillow), Isabel is back on protection duty after her first known failure to protect a king. Loyalty is given to the crown, so now, she's been called to protect the usurper's son. With some of her memories difficult to access, Isabel finds the political climate of the court tricky to navigate, and the court finds Isabel just as tricky, because she's showing some human thoughts and emotions that the Shifter shouldn't bother with.

Isabel is tested when the failed king's son returns and challenges the usurper's son. It's not only her magical fighting skills under the gun (sword?), but her ability to tease out half-forgotten truths to determine who's worth dying for.

Mistwood has an interesting structure. The first two-thirds are very much character-driven, while the last third more action-based with a strong mystery feeling. Isabel and Clarisse, the sister of the usurper's son, are the most interesting characters--Clarisse especially so, because her loyalties and motivations are murky at best.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (HarperCollins) reminded me a lot of The Deathday Letter: both books on mortality and what you're going to do with it.

It seems like everything's going right for Sam. She's unquestionably popular, has the right boyfriend (one who refused her years ago, no less), has three BFFs, and tonight is going to be THE big night with her boyfriend. The problem is, her day isn't starting off so well--she's awake too late to get a shower, she gets a rose from the wrong boy, there's a fight at this party when a weird girl shows up, and then Sam dies.

And wakes up, and finds herself in the same place she was twenty-four hours ago, faced with tackling the same sometimes-awful, sometimes-wonderful day. After several attempts to make things right, Sam figures out that it's maybe not so much about dying as about living every moment you have.

For all that Before I Fall is about death, the strongest focus is on puzzling out the events of the day; at the same time, the message is clear: you never know when it will be your last time. It took me a long time to connect with the protagonist, but upon reflection, I like that she's not always likeable; it seems like that's okay for a boy protagonist, but not for a girl, so I'm glad to have seen her. The last quarter of the book is the strongest, as Sam unravels problems for and about those she loves best.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

oToads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson (Henry Holt) takes an old French fairy tale (see also this annotated version) and transports it to a fantasy pre-colonial India, drawing on the traditions there in a way similar to how a lot of fantasy draws on "ye olde medieval England" to ground a tale, and creating a sort of fusion retelling. In online interviews, the author explains that she was seeking a reptile-friendly setting, and in notes for the book, she gives a brief overview of how she drew on the historical period and religions, as well as suggestions for further reading. I note this to explain that this reminds me of, say, Silver Phoenix--not everything in the book will map to a present or past thing (attitude, food, location), but Toads and Diamonds undeniably evokes its Indian inspiration.

Tana and Diribani, half-sisters, have fallen on hard times; their father, a jewel merchant, has died, and their (step-)mother hasn't been of much support. They've sold nearly all of their belongings. But, when Diribani goes to fetch water, she meets Nagali-ji*, one of the twelve gods of Diribani's religion, and Nagali-ji gives her the blessing (or burden?) of speaking flowers and jewels--which prettily demonstrates some of Diribani's unspoken thoughts as well. The girls' mother encourages Tana to visit the well too, but Tana's gift is to speak (lucky) toads and snakes--some poisonous, some very, very useful.

From there, the sisters' stories diverge for some while. Diribani attracts royal attention, and must figure out how she can use her gift and how she can resolve her feelings about the prince, who observes a religion that's in power and very different from her own. Tana is in more immediate danger in her home city, and must go on the run, but her travels endanger the man she loves. Both of them will need their gifts to stay alive and to find a way back to one another. I especially appreciated how the separate stories came full circle, and how subtle some of the conflict was.

Even with the adventure aspect, Toads and Diamonds is a quiet read, yet a quick one. It's always nice to see fantasy set in non-Western settings, especially in the YA market.

*I'm away from my copy right now, so I apologize for any misspellings.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Fantasy Reviewers...

Sadly, a bout with the flu has me behind on having reviews ready--I've caught up to myself at last. In the meantime, check out this post if you're interested in contributing fantasy reviews appropriate for this project. Questions? Just ask.

Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown

Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin and illustrated by Lisa Brown (Sourcebooks - Fire) didn't grab me right away; I think the cover misdirected me a little, though on reflection, the font, at least, is evocative of the insides.

Jennie, of Brookline, Massachusetts, has lost her twin, Toby, and her half-cousin (and fiancé) Will to the Civil War. Only Will's taciturn brother Quinn has come home, and her help nursing Quinn's injury isn't quite enough to keep Jennie safe from being turned out by heartless Aunt Clara and Uncle Henry. She's reduced to servitude in her foster home, to things like running errands for Uncle Henry, who wants to consult a medium about Quinn's death, but who can't be debased to set up an appointment for something like that. Then things start to go grimmer--phantom necklaces that tighten in Jennie's sleep, a ghostly undertow, the claustrophobia of attic rooms. Most everyone Jennie loves is dead; is she next?


Chapters are interspersed with illustrations representing Jennie's scrapbook, providing clues or examples related to Jennie's adventures. I thought these were a little younger than this Gothic romance came across, but they grew on me as the story went along, and by the end, I was hooked on the illustrations as well, and the book design was really a great part of my reading experience. (I hope to see more books like this, actually.)


Picture the Dead hits a bunch of the tropes that you'd expect to see in a story with ghosts, a medium, and a brooding, gloomy household, but the results aren't ghastly at all--rather, deliciously shivery. Readers who liked A Drowned Maiden's Hair a few years ago might like this one now.


I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Living Hell by Catherine Jinks

Living Hell by Catherine Jinks (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) is one of the scariest books I've read this year. I could not look away--just like I could never look away from, say, Alien(s).

Cheney's life on the Plexus is pretty unremarkable. He's awake, and in suspension for four years, and awake again as the colony roams the universe for a habitable planet. He does rotations around the ship, learning different jobs, wondering if they'll ever find a safe place to call home. And then, one day, the unthinkable happens: a red alert is called because there's a wave of strange radiation ahead.

At first, everything seems to be okay, but then the careful balance of the ship goes...out of whack. Strange things are growing on the walls. Things are getting sticky. And people are dying. Cheney's friends an family are some of the smartest humans ever, but can they figure out what's going on in time to save themselves?

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

The Deathday Letter by Shaun David Hutchinson

The Deathday Letter by Shaun David Hutchinson (Simon & Schuster - Simon Pulse) starts when Ollie receives his final notice: he's got 24 hours to live. So, what does a 15-year-old do when he's thinking about mortality? Sort of the same things that kids who think they're immortal do: go driving without a license, try drugs and alcohol, try to get laid, jump off a bridge (because everybody's doing it). That's what Ollie does, and his best friend, Shaun, and his other best friend, Veronica, tag along.

Ollie manages to be sympathetic despite reminding me pretty much of a high school boyfriend at a time when, like a lot of teenagers, brains and mouths were unfiltered. He's kind of a tool, but as the best tools do, he experiences some growth in those hours that remain to him.

Despite the speculative scenario, I think this story is best matched with readers who like whimsical realism, and will resonate with fans of stuff like Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I'd hand it to readers who liked Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, Swim the Fly, Going Bovine, and (I hear, though it's still on my to-read list) Before I Fall. 

 I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

The Clearing by Heather Davis

I gulped down The Clearing by Heather Davis (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - Graphia) in one sitting on an airplane. It helps, I suppose, that it's set in western Washington, an area I'm very familiar with; it helps, too, that a minor theme is getting away from a bad relationship, which is a nice change from all of the magical, destined, no-way-out romances that are popular...but a little creepy as a steady diet.

Amy has moved to the North Cascades to live with her Aunt Mae--and to get away from an abusive boyfriend. She's starting over in a small town that's nothing like Seattle, and battling preconceptions about city girls. Making friends when you're the newbie in town isn't easy, so when Amy goes exploring in the mist on Aunt Mae's property and meets Henry, who seems to want nothing from her, she finds herself spending a lot of time with the boy next door.

And I mean a lot of time: a quick visit with Henry, and she doesn't know where the time went...

Henry's concept of time is different, too; he's been living the same day over and over, a wish he made to prevent that tragedies related to his brother's military service. He mows the same patch of grass on the farm every day, while his mother and granddad go about the same routine--only once Amy shows up, they start to suspect that something's not right.

If Amy can help Henry find his future, what does that mean for Henry? For their romance? What happens when you're really out of time?

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Pod by Stephen Wallenfels

Pod by Stephen Wallenfels (Namelos) starts in Prosser, Washington, with the wake-up call of an incredible noise: strange alien spacepods hovering over everything, zapping anyone who dares go outside.

The book alternates between Josh, a boy who's stuck in his house with his dad, and Megs, a girl who's stranded in the parking garage of a hotel. Josh and his dad spend a lot of time cooped up contemplating survival, mortality, and the end of their days, while Megs spends most of her time trying to avoid being noticed by the authoritarian society that's sprung up inside of the hotel--and that would like to see her dead. I was favorably reminded of Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer for Josh's half of the tale, while Megs had more of an adventure/survival story that reminded me favorably of Home Alone, of all comparisons (certainly less humorous, but Megs shows no less ingenuity).

Pod is a gripping read that is open for a sequel--but I felt that that the story wrapped up nicely, even with open threads.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell

I really enjoyed reading The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell (Egmont).

Damien Locke is excited to get his V--a fingerprint on his thumb that will identify him as one of the supervillians of Golden City. (Icky boring superheroes get an H instead.) Damien gets a surprising X on his finger, and his mad scientist mom admits to a single...encounter...with a superhero in a subway bathroom that led to his birth, and so he's got genes from both heroes and villains.

When Damien tracks down his superhero dad, dad wants Damien to come stay at dad's house, try out a different lifestyle, learn to fly (despite Damien's disdain for heights), maybe skip going off to villain academy. Damien hates it, but he might be more soft-hearted than he knew. His future is a puzzle, and he's going to have to solve for that x.

Sorry, math joke.

Even though Damien is a toad, and his antics frequently cringeworthy, it's hard not to root for him as he spins the needle on his moral compass. He's a very different kind of protagonist, and the humor and nods to superhero comic book tropes are a nice touch.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Chasers (Alone series) by James Phelan

Well, this isn't even in the U.S.'s Amazon system yet; it's an Australian book published by Lothian, a Hachette imprint. So, hmph, no cover image. For now. Amazon, I'm giving you the stinkeye.

Chasers by James Phelan (Hachette - Lothian) is yet another post-apocalyptic zombie tale. Jesse is on the subway with other Model UN kids--Dave, Anna, and Mini--when an explosion rocks New York City. They survive and emerge to a strange world where the people who can still move have an unquenchable thirst, even drinking humans. The kids find their way to 30 Rock and set up a haven on the observation levels, trying to figure out how they’re going to get out of a city that keeps collapsing, off an island with no bridges. For Jesse, things start to blur--what happened when he raided apartment 59C? Why can’t he remember yesterday? Why can’t they decide whether to stay or to go?

As the start of a series, Chasers has a lot of potential and a neat twist at the end of this first book. In addition, it's interesting to see the U.S. through an international lens as the four--from the U.S., Australia, the U.K., and Taiwan--try to figure out how they'll survive. I have no idea if this has a U.S. release date, sadly.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committe

Green Witch by Alice Hoffman

I started reading this beautifully designed book with a sense of déjà vu. Had I read a story about a girl who lives outside a ruined city, making the most she can of the plants that still grow in her garden? About a girl who loved a boy named Diamond? Who truly understood stories?

Why yes, I had. Green Witch by Alice Hoffman (Scholastic) is a follow up to Green Angel, which I read some time ago (and haven’t yet found in my old reviews, though scouring those for YA literature is on hold until Cybils season is over). Here, Green is the maker of stories and specialness, writing down the wisdom of the after times, and gathering knowledge from the local witches in this post-future-war fairytale. Kindness and giving people special moments are looked upon with suspicion, and Green, who can grow gardens and write down people's stories, has lost her love, Diamond. If she can find him, will she still want his love? What if he's betrayed her to the core? And what sort of story must she write--and live--for herself?

If I start quoting, I'll quote the entire book, but here's just a few sentences:

You think you can measure love?
.....
No scale would be strong enough. ... It would break to pieces under the weight.

But that is only one love lesson Green has to learn; she has many to learn about healing.

This is a quick and lyrical read. Even if you're not much of a fan of fairy tales or fantasy, take a look at this book for its absolutely fantastic design.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

I didn’t really want to read this. I was excited when I saw that Harlequin was starting a teen imprint, and then horrified with some of the bites I had of the books. That said, this book gave me new hope.  

My Soul to Save is the second installment in the Soul Screamers series, and though I’m not sure I would have liked the first one--one of my frustrations (besides a lot of fading to black) in fantasy is that there’s only so many ways to say “Yer a wizard, ‘Arry”--leaping into the second one didn’t leave me confused in any way.

Kaylee is a bean sidhe. This means that when she sees someone dying, she screams in a way that shatters people’s minds, all in order to do the job she’s been given in regards to people’s souls. Her boyfriend, Nash, is a bean sidhe too, but his talents lie in his soothing voice. Nash’s brother, Tod, is also bean sidhe, but after he died, he became a grim reaper (presumably, pun intended; “tod” means “death” in German).  Together, they fight crime--

--sorta. They happen upon an old friend’s problem: Dekker Media, a teen and tween (and everything else) powerhouse, has signed teens into contracts for their souls, and old friend’s soul is already gone...but now Dekker wants old friend’s little sister’s soul. Can they stop this? Can they find out who’s helping Dekker with the gruesome plan? Just how much will Kaylee give up to save a friend?

I was pleased, though unsurprised, to see that Harlequin lets teen girls (and, I suppose, boys) act out their sexual tension, though it was in line with the “sweeter” romances where details are left to the imagination. I think that writing about sex for teens--and about teens--is fraught with peril, and Harlequin’s approach will be appreciated even by those teens who’ve already skipped ahead to grownup romances. 

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committe

Wildwing by Emily Whitman

In Wildwing by Emily Whitman (HarperCollins - Greenwillow), Addy can, at best, hope to be a household servant in 1913 (presumably British) society. Her mother is unmarried, and Addy’s social standing puts her in the path of bullies--and really, she needs to quit school to go to work. Her new position with Mr. Greenwood is tedious and depressing, and when he catches Addy with a volume of Shakespeare that she stole from his library, Addy can only expect the worst. 

But better happens: Mr. Greenwood enjoys her company, and this life might not be so bad. Still, when Addy discovers a strange elevator in a disused room, and that it takes her back to medieval times, she sees the opportunity to take on a new persona: a highborn lady.

Mistaken for a drowned aristocrat, Addy becomes Lady Matilda, and eases into her new life while at the same time, pushing against the restrictions placed upon women of the age. Her best refuge is in falconry and her blossoming relationship with the falconer’s son.  Once she learns his secret, can she stand to tie him in jesses, or should she let him be free?

Wildwing is a charming love story with not one, but two great historical settings.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committe

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

In Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson (Simon & Schuster - Simon Pulse) Claire is sweet sixteen, and there's something she's finally old enough to hear: she's a werewolf, part of a matrilineal society of loup-garou. Problem is, catching and curing (read: killing) werewolves is on the whole town's mind because a rogue has been knocking humans off one by one. Can Claire keep her secret from Matthew, that boy who's finally her boyfriend, when his father is the one leading the wolf hunt? Her mom says she's not meant to have human friends, but Claire loves her enough to rescue her--and Claire knows that real friends help you hide bodies.

Claire de Lune is an interesting take on werewolves; as an all-female society, that means that the power dynamics are a little different here. The best part is that Claire is very much an equal player in her romantic relationship--something that I wish I saw in more YA romance.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

Confession: I didn’t finish Rampant, the first book in this series about virgin unicorn hunters. I read some of it, and found it enjoyable, but life conspired.

Jumping into Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund (HarperTeen) turned out to be a great idea, however, as I knew just enough to have my interested piqued. As with any other book where you jump into the middle of a series, you’ll get spoiled a little, but it worked out for me.

Astrid is still a unicorn hunter, using her special unicorn-hunting senses to keep herself and her friends safe. Things have changed since Rampant: the public knows about the vicious unicorns, about the hunters. And things are changing for Astrid, whose friend Cory isn’t sensing the unicorns like she used to. Through a series of events, Astrid finds herself protecting a herd of unicorns and--strangely for her--sympathizing with their plight, against all of her original instincts. Everything is wrong, and things are more wrong following a hunting trip during which Astrid suffers a head injury. She, and the other hunters, are less themselves than they’ve ever been, just when they need to figure things out the most.

If you're looking for a modern girl-kicks-butt book, this is it, but it's also about friendship, long distance romance, and questioning authority. Pair this with Dark Goddess for a one-two punch with substance. 

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Random House - Delacorte Books for Young Readers) isn't something that I read for the Cybils, but something I've been meaning to read for some time. It wasn't very long, so I grabbed it off the shelf to read before I read the sequel, which is a Cybils nominee.

Thomas knows his name. That he’s a boy. That he’s maybe in his teens. And that’s about all he knows when he steps out of a creepy one-way elevator into the Glade, a small, safe, farm-like space at the center of the Maze, where other amnesiac boys have founded a small but surviving society. They tend the animals, they grow crops, they cook--and some of the boys are Runners, whose job it is to run out into the Maze and map it, every day, without dying. Monsters live out there, and there’s an endless abyss. Of course, Thomas is drawn to being a Runner the most.

Just when Thomas is beginning to feel adjusted, something happens that has never happened before: The elevator brings a girl into their midst. Something else new happens--the protective doors to the Glade stop working, so the monsters can come at any time. And then, worst of all, the extra supplies that the elevator brings disappear, and the sun goes out. They have to find a way out of the Maze, and they have to find it fast. They’ll need to work together and trust Thomas’s scattered memories if they want to live.

Anything I could say in follow up would be a spoiler, but I’ll try to reveal as little as possible about The Scorch Trials. Thomas and his friends are faced with a new trial, and they can rely less and less on reality to be as it appears. Their minds and bodies can be manipulated, and even the trial itself is rigged in favor of some and against others.

Reading the two books back to back was slightly frustrating in that, after two books with similar structures, only hints have been revealed about who, where, why, or how the scenario came to be. I love it when I have to figure things out, and I have never minded starting with “okay, the world is like this now,” but given the similarity in structure between The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials, knowing the answer--or just more about--any one of the open questions would have raised the stakes significantly. That said, both are exciting books that pit teenagers against unknown and powerful forces within a prescribed structure, and I’d recommend them for someone who wants more like The Hunger Games.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Draw the Dark by Ilsa J. Bick

Draw has multiple meanings here: to draw in the artistic way, to draw out memory, and to make something come to you. 

Christian has long been an artist, and long had an idea about a strange land called the sideways place. The sideways place is on his mind more and more, especially after he draws Nazi symbols on a barn in Wisconsin while sleepwalking. At unexpected times, Christian is other people in the past, trying to solve a 1940s mystery about an affair/using WWII prisoners of war as cheap labor/a union dispute/a dead infant/a murder, and sometimes, he’s other people right now. If the whole town thinks he’s a crazy delinquent, does he have a chance of finding out why people have been disappearing? Does he have a chance of figuring out his own life?

I enjoyed Draw the Dark by Ilsa J. Bick (Carolrhoda YA), but I suspect that the whole time I was reading, I really just wished for the mystery of the story to stand alone without supernatural elements--it was compelling in its own right--and I suspect that this wasn't a good match for me as a reader. I felt that the book was a little ponderous, and that the story threads didn't braid together in a way that kept things flowing. Beware also: HIPPA does not seem to exist in this universe. YA horror fans and mystery fans, however, have got a hefty speculative history read to immerse in. Pair this with Bleeding Violet for two scary books that address ideas of sanity and reality.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee. 

The Unidentified by Rae Mariz

The Unidentified by Rae Mariz (HarperCollins - Balzer + Bray) is part So Yesterday, part Pretties, part Feed. If that sounds like the best thing you've heard about all year, read on.

Katey goes to school in a mall that's been repurposed by the corporate sponsors who now provide education for the masses. Students themselves are branded, recruited for different commercial programs, used as corporate guinea pigs for whatever is being prepared for the next trend--à la minute. School is one big competitive Game, and the administration is viewing your profile. Not only that, but just like in non-dystopian high school, there's a sense that everyone's personality is at least part performing for the cameras.

And then the mysterious Unidentified offer a choice to Katey/Kid:

"Your identity is reduced with every choice you fake, every secret they take.... They make an offer and you buy it. Things you are told are freedoms in fact limit your choices. You hold a razor blade to your soul. You choose your suicide.

...

"We refuse to choose our suicide."

Why can't everyone see what Katey sees: that they're reduced to tweets and trends, to two-minute attention spans? If she can find out who's behind the rebellion, does she want to be a part of it?

How cool would it be to go to school where you could spend your day following your own passions, making robots, competing in bike races, mixing your own music, going to lectures on the physics of Hollywood special effects, with the tests being customized in-Game queries that encourage you to (literally) do the math for points? Creepy market research--and loss of content ownership and control--aside, the self-directed,  high-tech, Montessori-gone-wrong-due-to-sponsorship-style learning aspect of The Unidentified is very alluring.

But, most of all, I appreciated a rebellion focused on our consumption, our choices to conform or not--things that are largely out of control for minors, that are much desired, and that are part and parcel of coming of age. In addition, I thought it very appropriate that Internet privacy was a theme; just as it's getting to be in real life with sketchy, difficult to opt out of "services" like Spokeo and with places like Facebook unconcerned with protecting your private information, the characters in The Unidentified have to contend with privacy as a right denied to the popular.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee. 

Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

Girl Parts by John M. Cusick (Candlewick) is a sort of an update on 80s movie favorite Weird Science (meaning mostly that it reminded me vaguely of the aforementioned film). Charlie Nuvola is the everyday loner who lives on the wrong side of the lake and, when the new school counselor says Charlie's depressed and needs to be not alone, Charlie's option is to try dating (rejecting the "Fixol" prescription), with predictably disastrous results.

In contrast, David Sun lives on the good side of the lake, so after it's decided that he's "disassociated," he gets the latest high-tech solution to teach him human relations: a girlbot. Rose is learning to be human as she goes along, and she both loves David and keeps him at arm's length with some very persuasive deflection. The question is whether Rose--who David knows isn't human--can teach David (or anyone else, including Charlie) anything about being a better person. Is it really all about the parts on the inside/outside? And what would a girlbot do if she didn't have a David anymore?

I liked Girl Parts a lot, despite some personal dissatisfaction with how some of the threads came to an end. It's rare in my reading to find a book that acknowledges that boys could be mentally ill (whether they are or aren't in this story is a separate issue), considers gender as being about and not about parts (and I'm not sure how I feel about it here; it will definitely please some and annoy others), or addresses issues of consent and control in relationships. Rose, even as robot, is a fully developed character, and our glimpses of other girls are interesting as well--a real girl struggling with relationships, another who initiates a one-night stand for her own pleasure. In the same vein, the boys vary from the type to cop an anonymous feel in a crowd to those much better behaved. In the end, just as in real life, being human is about a lot of different things. 

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

One of my favorite YA novels is Neal Shusterman’s Unwind. I love how it makes everybody wrong about abortion and works backward from there. (I've been flamed for saying that--as if somehow I don't have my own opinion that's being deconstructed as well. But I think it's a good way of conceptualizing the book.) Bruiser (HarperCollins - HarperTeen) comes from a similar place, casting even the most well-meaning as antagonists.

Tennyson and Brontë are twins, but they certainly don’t have identical tastes. In fact, Tennyson hates Brontë's new boyfriend Bruiser--Brewster--and thinks that Bruiser the outcast is just another one of Brontë's projects. When Tennyson sees Brewster protect his half-brother Cody from their angry uncle and guardian, Tennyson realizes that he’s been quick to judge, and they form a truce, of a sort.

It’s not long before Tennyson’s family takes in Brewster and Cody at Brontë’s urging, but Tennyson’s motives for being Brewster’s friend aren’t entirely altruistic. Brewster has the ability to receive pain, to wipe away hurts physical and psychological. It’s bringing Tennyson’s family back together, helping him on the lacrosse field, making him happy, but how far will he let it go to feel safe and happy? Until Brewster dies? Bruiser is fascinating fiction about giving and receiving help, as well as about owning and dealing with one’s feelings.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee. 

Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde

I adore one of Vivian Vande Velde’s earlier books, Heir Apparent, and so I tend to buy copies of her work that I really, really mean to get around to reading someday. I’ve enjoyed Being Dead, and I hope that late next year I can schedule in reading The Book of Mordred.

Cloaked in Red (Marshall Cavendish) came in under tough competition: I recently heard Terri Windling discuss the history of the tale in great detail, and perhaps that’s why I was expecting something more subversive. In eight (often humorous) short stories, Cloaked in Red reimagines Little Red Riding Hood from the point of view of the wolf, a bumbling woodcutter, and the grandmother, and others; it paints Little Red as far less than perfect in several of the versions. While I am (happily) no longer attuned so much to what kids of various ages “should” or “shouldn’t” read about, I felt that the stories could have been much meatier and provided more to gnaw on. On the other hand, the collection isn’t too scary to hand to a younger reader. 

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee. 

Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences by Brian Yansky

Let's talk about colonialism.

Sounds a little dry, a little scary, a little unpleasant? Yeah. And maybe that's why you haven't heard of Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences by Brian Yansky (Candlewick) yet, because a review would have to mention the complete alien takeover of Earth, and the humans don't win. 

Aliens show up and, as Jesse understands as one of the few humans able to communicate on the aliens' level, they conquered the world in ten seconds. Easy peasy. The aliens put those humans who survive the quick and painless invasion to work, pleased to have some "product" that will help make the planet ready for its colonization. The problem is, the people are showing some signs that they might not be as primitive, not as easy to enslave as the aliens thought they'd be.

Yansky injects humor into the story, and brings both the plight of the humans and the creeping fear that drives the colonizers to life. While the message is clear--great wrongs are done when we consider others to be lesser than--it's not a one-sided story, and we get an interesting look at at both sides of the situation.

My closest read-alike might be something of Sherman Alexie's, and while I can't think what that is in particular, I was reminded of Alexie's combination of humor and head-on engagement with what's wrong with how people--and here, aliens--have treated one another.

 
I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Zombies vs. Unicorns, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier

One of the first things I noticed about Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers - Margaret K. McElderry) is the cover. Mine has a jacket, but only about half a jacket. The zombie and unicorn cutouts are blurry and confusing because there's a bright pattern underneath. If you're me, the first thing you do with a hardcover is remove the jacket for safekeeping--which reveals a gory, hand-drawn scene something like what would happen if Where's Waldo walked into a nightmare. So, you see, you're in for a bit of subversion right from the get-go!

Team Zombie, led by Larbalestier, and Team Unicorn, led by Black, contribute a variety of stories about each, framing the zombies and unicorns as traditional and not so much. Some of the stories have a strong horror bent while others veer into romance, humor, fairy tales, and so on. Each is introduced with commentary from the editors, and while this could easily have come across as in-jokey and twee, it was pretty funny, particularly as the editors stuck to their good and bad cop roles. (Of interest: both gay and straight relationships were represented in the romances.)

Short story collections can be a tough sell, I think, but I also think that they're good choices for reluctant readers who don't have to commit to an entire book, and a good experience with an author's story can lead to interest in entire novels. The authors included in Zombies vs. Unicorns all write novel-length works as well. My favorite stories in the collection, in no particular order, were those by Libba Bray, Kathleen Duey, Meg Cabot, and Maureen Johnson. Given this subset, it's a tie between the horned ones and the undead.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (Little, Brown) has been on my shelf for a while, and I picked it up the other night on my way to bed, thinking that I'd skim the first dozen pages and decide whether it should be moved around in my most urgent to-read stack. I ended up staying awake far past my bedtime to inhale this one.

Nailer is a shipbreaker, someone who salvages wrecks along the drowned Gulf Coast of the United States, and one of the little ones who can crawl deep inside the ship's bones to recover scraps of useful metal. The poles have melted and the climate has changed; Category 6 hurricanes--"city killers"--have blown down several iterations of New Orleans. Pollution and trash mar the land. It seems that some resources are gone, leading to the need to recycle and to use fast-moving ships for international transport.

Nailer's crew leader, Pima, is pretty good. She is loyal to her crew. She keeps them safe. But another crew member doesn't care if Nailer dies as long as it benefits her. After a harrowing brush with death, Nailer understands that it's never good to abandon crew. When Nailer and Pima discover a small, expensive wrecked ship, they're pleased to have the chance to salvage enough to change their hardscrabble way of life, but less than pleased to find that shipping heiress Nita Chaudhury is aboard. Is Nita crew, or commodity? Should Nailer work with his father, Richard Lopez, to ransom Nita, or work against him to keep her safe?

I love a good adventure story, and I love a good dystopia; Ship Breaker has both. Here, the dystopic elements are not so unthinkable, making them much scarier and much more believable as science future. In addition, I enjoyed that questions of loyalty, class, and the human status were threaded in as part of the plot. The book ends satisfactorily, but I can imagine a sequel. (And though I liked that this book was self-contained, I'd have liked some more of it!)

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

The Friday Hop

It's Friday! I need to write up my review of Ship Breaker, but in the meantime, if you're looking for some new blogs to follow, you might check out the Book Blogger Hop.This week's question:

"What are your feelings on losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?

I might notice it in terms of numbers, like I had 101 and I'm back to 100, but I don't see any reason to stress about it; there's also the consideration of people reading privately or via a different format (bookmarks, RSS, etc.) and the idea that more isn't necessarily better. Maybe someone is overwhelmed from following blogs. Maybe they don't care for my reviews or other content. Maybe they've realized that they skim my entries every single time--or they skip them every single time. Following or not following is a personal choice in every way, and I don't begrudge that of people.

Have I stopped following anyone? Sure. I've stopped following people who've stopped updating their blogs, or when I've moved on from one interest to another. I try to add slowly, because it's easy to get overwhelmed and to find that you have time to read but not to comment, and I don't comment as often as I might; sometimes, I'll write out a long comment and delete it without posting it! I think it comes from this decade's personal goal of listening more than talking more than trying to avoid people's blog comment area!

So, to sum up, follow or unfollow at will. Bloggers enjoy an audience, but I'd rather readers not feel that they can't slip out the back. Readers will read what they want to, and just like all books not being for all readers, so go blogs.

(Now, Twitter--scarier, I follow more people in the first place and feel like there's more pressure to follow if someone follows you; I unfollowed someone the other day when I was culling my list down a little for manageability, and I hope they didn't think it was about their last tweet, which was a good one...I'd just already made my decision. Eep.)

Brightly Woven by Alexandria Bracken

Brightly Woven by Alexandria Bracken (Egmont) tells the story of how Sydelle ends up the prize for Wayland North, a wizard who came to town and ended a drought in a way that stopped an invading army, and who needs someone to accompany him to report the enemy's actions. Sydelle is less than pleased, but she's also just a little excited to be getting out of her provincial life and maybe finding a way to share her remarkable weaving with the rest of the world. During the perilous journey, Sydelle discovers that North isn't all bad--and that her weaving might indicate more magic than she'd ever dreamed possible, which she'll need when she gets caught up in international machinations with no one to protect her.

Sydelle is a lovely heroine, and the book's opening reminds me of Sherwood Smith's best, with Sydelle somewhat older than Wren and younger than Meliara. Wayland North reminds me of Diana Wynne Jones's Howl, and in a good way, even though I find Howl's Moving Castle to be a frustrating read. (Edited to add: I'm not the only one who thought this!) I also found the writing to be even (though at times, I wondered if a sentence or paragraph had disappeared, because a thread would come up and not seem to be followed by a conclusion or transition) and the length to be, as Goldilocks would say, just right.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which means that I may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I read some books nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction category in 2010 before the nomination period, and may have already reviewed them or declined to make a public review; these books might not have a Cybils post tag. As a first-round judge, I was tasked with helping create a shortlist of books. My personal reviews do not reflect any actions or discussions of the judging committee.

I Promised I'd Post: Sirens

Before I took off for this year's conference, I promised that I'd post about Sirens when I got back. I promised it right here. The guests for 2011 will be Justine Larbalestier, Nnedi Okorafor, and Laini Taylor.  They've all agreed to come and give keynotes, and the theme of the conference will be monsters--which you can read as "Let's take apart how women are portrayed as monsters, sometimes."

I hope that next year's attendees will be a great mix, just as in past years--authors, readers, publishers, teachers, librarians. People who are really interested in fantasy, and interested in a focus on women (and girls) as authors and characters. The programming, including papers, panels, workshops, discussions, and the like, comes from attendee participation, and if you've got an idea related to the theme, or women in fantasy in general, please check it out.

I haven't forgotten the promised Gallagher Girls giveaway, either; I just need to figure out when I'd be able to mail the prize promptly, and if not for having a lot of pre-scheduled posts, I'd have disappeared!

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

I didn't want to read Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry (Simon & Schuster). The cover is really icky and scary looking and yes, I do judge books by their covers. And sometimes, I am so wrong, because this was an awesome read.

Benny Imura (half Irish, half Japanese) can't remember a time when the world wasn't pretty much taken over by zombies. He blames his older half-brother, Tom, for saving him and leaving his parents to be zombified during the zombiepocalypse, so he really doesn't want to be his brother's apprentice and become a zombie bounty hunter. He changes his mind when he sees that Tom wants to change the world: Tom isn't motivated by money, but by helping families and zombies get closure in their undeath.

When Benny is collecting zombie trading cards, he gets one of The Lost Girl, an almost mythical figure who's been living on her own in the Rot and Ruin outside the small, enclosed safe town where Benny and Tom live. Wondering about her isn't safe, though, because it draws the attention of other bounty hunters who are rumored to take kids into the Rot and Ruin for the Z Games, where Christians vs. lions has become kids vs. zombies for the pleasure of men who know that outside of the rare safe town, there is no law. And it draws attention to Nix, Benny's friend who's just learning to fight. Can Benny and Tom save her? Can she save herself? Or are they all destined to die?

I've never been particularly interested in zombies, but Rot and Ruin brought a lot more to the table. It felt pitch-perfect as a teen book, because sure, it's about zombies--but really it's about waking to what the big conflicts in the world are and deciding what kind of person you want to be. Just without the "The more you know!" ad at the end.

I read this book as a first-round judge for the Cybils Awards, which   means that I  may have received a review copy from the publisher (or not; I own a lot of the books in this category). I  read  some books  nominated for the YA fantasy and science fiction  category  in 2010 before  the nomination period, and may have already  reviewed  them or declined  to make a public review; these books might  not have a  Cybils post tag.  As a first-round judge, I was tasked with  helping  create a shortlist of  books. My personal reviews do not  reflect any  actions or discussions of the  judging committee.