YA INTERROGATION WITH GUEST BLOGGER MEGAN

This week, we’re delighted to introduce Megan from Book Addicted Girl blog.

Hi everyone!  It’s great to be here today!  My name is Megan, AKA The Book Addicted Girl, and I’ve been blogging since December 2010.  I’m addicted to YA fiction – especially anything related to the paranormal! – but I read anything and everything really!  I’m always up for talking about books, but in my spare time I love to watch crime drama, mess about making fanpics and spend time with my family and friends.

      Why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?

Well, I guess I read YA because I am a teenager.  When I started blogging, I was only fourteen, so obviously I was already reading YA books without even really realising it (saying that, though, my first post was a review of A Christmas Carol)!  But even if I wasn’t a teen, I’d still be reading YA books.  Why?  Because they all just have this magical feel to them – something about YA books is just so much more interesting and addictive than adult books.  I think it’s because they’re faster paced, often funnier, and with characters I can really relate to.

And, of course, I write about YA because I read, love and obsess over YA.  I just love sharing my views with all my poor, unsuspecting followers who just weren’t expecting the rambling, excited and insanely long review of a book I loved to pieces!

      What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you have read?

Ooh, good question…  Um, paranormal wise it just has to be Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: her spin on the vampire genre is just absolutely awesome!  I want to go to St Vlads and train to be a Guardian.  Or maybe I just want to be a Moroi…   

As for fantasy I have to say the most original is Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.  Why?  ‘Cause it rocks!  Seriously, though, there is nothing normal or mundane about the Grisha series: there are guns, cannons, magic, old-timey Russia, The Darkling and a whole new genre: Tsarpunk! 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas is also very, very original.  I mean, c’mon.  Assassins.  That’s awesome.  But female assassins in a world where magic once ruled?  Awesomely original. 

Shadows by Paula Weston is brilliant too.  It is original for many reasons, but I’ll list the top three.  One: Its angel lore is absolutely awesome.  Two: It’s NA – my first paranormal NA too!  Three: The lead girl has lost almost everything but she doesn’t sit around and mope – gotta love that!  And I know it’s cheating because it’s NA not YA but I just had to mention it!

Um…  I can’t think of any more off the top of my head…  But we all know that I’ll click ‘send’ on the email to you guys I’ll think of a million others!

     What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?

Whiny characters or stupid ones that always need saving – be they male or female.  And my old and most notorious foe: Instalove.  Drives me insane.  I get instalust or instaattraction, but insta-I-love-you-and-will-die-with-you-love just doesn’t exist.  And even if I’m reading about angels and demons, I still like my reality…  That makes no sense, does it?   Moving swiftly on…

    What makes for a great YA book?

Strong characters, witty writing, a unique plot and real emotions.  Throw in a kickbutt girl, a funny and hot guy and one heck of a world and you’ve got yourself a best seller!

    Which YA characters would you most like to take OUT TO DINNER and why?

Ooh… First on my guest list would be Daemon Black from the Lux series by Jennifer Armentrout.  Why?  Because he’s H-O-T hot and also really funny – though the night may end with him being punched: he can be a bit obnoxious sometimes too...!  Magnus Bane would be invited because he’s funny too and because I love him to pieces.  Rose Hathaway would have to come, because she’s one of my favourite YA leading gals – ditto for Celaena Sardothien.  Also, I just really want to get the two of them in the same room – they have a few similar traits and I think the initial meeting would result either in friendship or insant-nemesis, both of which would be really really interesting and funny!  Adrian Ivashkov and Jace Wayland would come because they’re hot and funny…  Valkyrie Cain and Skulduggery Pleasant because that would just liven the table up…  And Augustus Waters because he’s Augustus Waters.  Duh.

      Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?

My ideal heroines are probably Rose Hathaway and Celaena Sardothien – they are strong, feisty, kickbutt and snarky – the embodiment of Girl Power.  Billi SanGreal is brilliant too because she’s so… different from the normal heroine: she’s strong and brave but also alone and kind of weary too.  And, of course, totally kickbutt as well.  Saying that, I also love Tessa from Before I Die because while she doesn’t go around killing off demons or just killing people off, she’s strong – so, so strong.  I could never be as brave as her: facing cancer, finding love, accepting the inevitable…

      What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?

Daemon Black and Katy Swartz.  Why?  I’m in love with Daemon.  Wait a sec – maybe I shouldn’t root for them because then he can be mine…

Ok, I change my mind: Malec.  AKA Magnus and Alec from The Mortal Instrument series.  They are soo perfect for each other!  And so cute.  I heart Malec!!

    What makes you uncomfortable or question the BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?

Good question… I hate domestic violence – it makes me so angry and I want to kill the offending person.  I don’t really like wanting to kill people, even if they are evil sons of banshees.  But I don’t think it makes me uncomfortable because I question YA boundaries.  I just don’t like domestic violence full stop and I think it should be written about.  And sometimes… sometimes I think we need to feel uncomfortable because it shows us how horrible some people are and how badly others have it.  The real issues – the horrible facts of life – are meant to be uncomfortable, meant to be hard to read, and I think it’s important that young adults read about them. 

Ok, other things that do make me uncomfortable…  Swearing.  Hate it.  But I know lots of ‘normal’ teenagers swear a lot so I accept it – if rather reluctantly.  Same goes for sex and drugs and alcohol and whatnot.  Real teen issues. 

But non-teen things, like undying declarations of devotion and instalove?  No thanks.  Just not gonna happen ever in the real world and lots of teens might get a bit of a shock later in life!

      What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over the next five years?

I’d like less instalove, more ethnic minority action books where ‘being part of *enter ethnic group here* isn’t the main focus but instead all the kickbutt action is (like the amazing Ash Mistry series by Sarwat Chadda)’, total equality between girls and boys, boys reading ‘girl’ books like girls read ‘boy’ books, disappearance of gender expectations of what you can read, more original paranormals, less love triangles, more books about less mainstream paranormal beings…  Wow, that is a lot of want.  I should probably stop there.  You know what they say: if wishes were fishes, am I right?

  What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big thing in YA fiction?

I have no idea.  It’s pretty hard to judge these things. And I’ve never been that good at predicting the future.  (Or have I…?)  I think that ‘boy books’ and ‘girl books’ will prevail, we’ll get more love triangles, instalove, lots of books about the same paranormal beings and lots of cookiecutter paranormals. 

Ooh, maybe there will be more superhero books though!  I love superhero books.  Fingers crossed!

Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please, Megan

Nooo, this is EVIL!  I hate picking faves…  I have to?  Okay…  Give me a moment…  Alright, got them!

1)      Before I Die by Jenny Downham

2)      Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout

3)      Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

4)      Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Septys

5)      The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

 

And finally, Megan, if you read ONE book this year, read THIS...

Oooh, good one… 

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey!  Why?  Because it’s fast-paced, exciting and perfect for boys, girls, teens and adults alike! 

 

Megan, thanks so much for submitting to the EDGE INTERROGATION!

It’s been fun!  Well, as far as interrogations go anyway!  :D

If you’d like to read more of Megan’s reviews, you can find her here: The Book Addicted Girl

And you can follow her on twitter @BookAddictedGirl

 

 

YA INTERROGATION WITH GUEST BLOGGER JESS

This week, we’re delighted to introduce Jess from Jess Hearts Books blog

Hi guys, thanks for having me! I’m Jess - a twenty something, British Nerdfighter with a love for all things Disney. I’ve been blogging on my book blog Jess Hearts Books for three years now. I mainly blog about YA but there is some Chick-Lit and New Adult on there too for good measure! It’s bizarre to be interviewed; usually I’m the one interviewing the authors!

      Why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?

I love to read YA books as I think it’s the most diverse and interesting genre around. One minute you can be reading a book set in the future with robots and aliens and the next be reading a love story about an ordinary girl crushing on her best friend! I blog because I love discussing books with other readers. Nothing makes me happier than receiving a message from one of my readers saying they’ve enjoyed a book I’ve recommended or reviewed. I like to blog about YA because I think it’s important to get teens reading. At this age with plenty of required reading for school I know it can make or break a teen’s relationship with books. I like to highlight the amazing books out there that they can relate to with characters going through the same, or similar, struggles as them. It’s very easy to feel alone and isolated as a teenager and reading can not only provide a great escape but can also provide role models to take inspiration from and look up to.

 

   What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you have read?

I think the most original series I’ve ever read is The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer it’s about fairytale creatures, cyborgs, people who live on the moon, an evil queen…it’s bizarre but utterly fantastic and unique. Ultraviolet by R J Anderson is a book that I wouldn’t even know what genre it fits into it’s that different! I guess the best way to describe it would be a YA Psychological Thriller - with a twist! Cat Patricks books also have some unusual and undiscovered concepts.

 

     What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?

A pet peeve of mine with any book would be poor editing. It just comes across as very careless, sloppy, and half-hearted and in my opinion can ruin what could be a brilliant book. Series that are ridiculously long with eight or more books I usually just end up giving up on. I’m also not a fan of most love triangles unless they are done really well and have purpose to the story.

 

      What makes for a great YA book?

My favourite YA books are books that are strong in Plot, Characterisation and Prose. I think you can write about pretty much anything and if the writing is engaging, the plot well explored and paced out, and there are characters that feel real and relatable then any story on any subject has the potential to be a great one.

 

    Which YA characters would you most like to take OUT TO DINNER and why?

I’d love to have Will and Jace from The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments - although they are from the same world they are alive in different time periods and I’d love to get them together to see how they get on! I’d also like to invite Kat from Heist Society - I think we’d get on really well and it’d be pretty awesome to pick the brains of a teen criminal mastermind!

 

   Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?

I like heroes and heroines who are strong - not necessarily physically but mentally. I like characters that are intelligent, brave and compassionate. A side of nerdy and witty is also very much appreciated! Simon from The Mortal Instruments I feel has all of these traits and even though he’s not the main hero in the story he’s my hero. One of my favourite heroines of all time is Rose from Vampire Academy she’s intelligent, funny, a loyal friend, and is strong in every way possible.

 

     What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?

Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy are my all-time favourite YA couple. They have this amazing chemistry that sizzles off the pages and they respect one another hugely. They make an incredible team.

 

      What makes you uncomfortable or question the BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?

I’m all for the controversial reads that put hard, or even taboo, subjects under the microscope. No matter how uncomfortable a topic is you can bet that there is a teenager somewhere going through it and I think these books are important for teens and parents to read and discuss together. I’ve found time and time again that books that are banned or controversial or make for uncomfortable reading are the books that provide the biggest lifeline to teenagers who are experiencing similar things.

     What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over the next five years?

I’d honestly like to see more standalone novels! It seems like everything is part of a series these days and it’s hard to keep up with them all! I’d also really like love triangles to become a thing of the past and perhaps see some stories that have no love story at all. I enjoy romance as much as the next person but I find it unrealistic and unnecessary that every single story and situation requires one.

 

  What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big thing in YA fiction?

I’ve been seeing a few books based on Japanese Mythology this year and Parallel Worlds. These seem to be the hot new topics in YA.

 

Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please, Jess

I’ve just took a peep at my favourites shelf and these books jumped out at me! There’s some Fantasy, Contemporary and Historical Fiction in there but despite genre I’d recommend these to anyone who simply loves good YA!

 Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

 

And finally, Jess, if you read ONE book this year, read THIS...

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey is my favourite book of 2013 so far and is something I’d recommend to anyone! The characters are fantastic, the plot is mind blowing, there are so many twists and turns and the writing is so incredibly powerful. I think it has all the ingredients that make a great book (as mentioned above!) - I couldn’t put it down!

 

Jess, thanks so much for submitting to the EDGE INTERROGATION!

Phew! *Wipes sweat off brow* I think I’m going to go have a little lie down with a book now after that! 

 

If you’d like to read more of Jess’ reviews, you can find her here: http://jessheartsbooks.blogspot.co.uk/

 

And you can follow her on twitter @JessHeartsBooks

 

 

YA INTERROGATION WITH MICHELLE FROM FLUTTERING BUTTERFLIES BLOG

This week, we’re delighted to introduce Michelle from Fluttering Butterflies book blog.

Thank you so much for having me here on The Edge! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Michelle, and I blog at Fluttering

Butterflies.  I juggle writing my blog with raising my two beautiful children and studying for a degree in Psychology. I've always been a big reader and I love sharing my thoughts with my blog readers...

Michelle, why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?

I read and write about teen books because they're brilliant. They're intelligent and interesting and emotionally charged and they constantly make me think in different ways. Reading young adult books only began to happen within the last few years but the books that I've read during that time has excited and inspired me in ways that other books hadn't been doing for me in awhile.

As for why I write about them, that began in response to the isolation that I felt after my eldest child was born. I used to work as a manager in a bookstore but gave it up in order to care for my son. I missed the atmosphere of the bookstore in which I was conversing about books all day every day with colleagues, customers, publishing reps and everyone else. I missed being surrounded by books, selling books and talking about books. Though my blog wasn't always centred around what I'd been reading, the transformation into a book blog feels like a natural progression.  I'm very passionate about books and reading and I hope that comes across on my blog. 

What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you have read?


That is a tough question. I think the books to me that feel the most original are when I read a story that should be simple - about teen pregnancy, say or a love story between two people - and everything ends up very different to what I've expected because of the twists that the author places on the story. I love it when I can think differently about a subject after reading a book.  This has happened over the years with Malorie Blackman's Boys Don't Cry which looked at some of the prejudices facing a teenage father. With Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma, which made me think differently about love as she has written about a consensual incest relationship. And most recently, Laura Lam's Pantomime had me falling in love with a beautiful story that included something I've never come across before...

What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?

I've been reading about a lot of unhealthy relationships in YA books which makes me incredibly sad. I don't want teenage girls to think that these relationships are something that is okay or worth striving for. I particularly don't like when serious topics are included into a storyline for (what feels like to me) entertainment value.  Obviously cheesy dialogue is a turn-off, as are sexist and shaming language towards female characters.


What makes for a great YA book?

I would say that for a book to be great, I would have to connect to it on a really strong emotional level.  It's really personal for me.  That if a book makes me laugh or cry or cringe in embarassment or makes me loathe a character or fall in love then I think it's pretty great. And to do that the characters have to be rounded out and flawed, there have to be some good relationships - not just romantic but also platonic and familial relationships. Good dialogue and an interesting plot. Extra special points for making me fall into a story or characters or setting so fully that it feels as though I'm there too.  It's not much to ask, is it?

Which YA characters would you most like to take OUT TO DINNER and why?


I'd love to have Magnus Bane from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. I think he'd have the most interesting things to discuss over dinner.  As would Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.  I think the two of them could bring something wonderfully unexpected to the table.

I'd invite Mia Thermopolis from the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot and Ruby Oliver from the Boyfriend list by E Lockhart as I think they're both awesome and I think we'd all really hit it off.

And finally, I think Tiny Cooper from Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan would be the life of any dinner party. 

Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?

I really struggled to answer this question.  I think there are lots of YA heroes and heroines that I admire but I'm going to pick Carly from Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar.  I think that for most people the obvious choices for an 'ideal' character going on a heroes journey is somebody who is already strong and brave and good. But when I stopped to think about this, the journeys that I respond to the most happen when characters like Carly (or Echo from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry or Daisy from Saving Daisy by Phil Earle) are at their lowest points physically, mentally or emotionally and they are at the stage where they can choose to give up or choose to struggle on.  And these amazing characters manage to find hope and strength within themselves to continue fighting and striving for something better. And that sort of courage appeals to me so much more. 

What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?

The relationships between Will, Tessa and Jem in The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare was done wonderfully. Especially in the ways in which she challenges most people's beliefs about love triangles. The three of them are beautiful together. That's been my favourite romance to follow lately.

What makes you uncomfortable or question the BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?

Speaking of romance, I think the thing that makes me the most uncomfortable within YA are insta-love relationships in which the characters feel like this love consumed them, almost outside of their control, and that it will remain forever. That makes me uneasy. Both in that the love between two people is not a choice to be made but something that takes over and also the idea of there never being another choice available. I don't like either of these concepts. I don't think either patricularly questions the boundaries of YA but it sure makes my skin crawl. 

What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over the next five years?

I would love for there to be more standalone stories. Series books make me weary. I'd like to see a bigger variety of characters populating teen stories - LGBT characters, people going through mental illness issues, characters that are non-white or are of mixed race or that have physical disabilities. I think a lot of these minority views need to be more prominent.

From a personal perspective, I really like stories involving sports. And stories that include supportive parents or family members are pretty refreshing. And as I'm a big supporter of books by British authors, I'd like to see UKYA reaching a wider audience.

What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big thing in YA ficton?


I think the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer spurred many paranormal romances to be published and the success of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins meant a wealth of dystopian fiction. Both were made into film adaptations.  I'm not great at predicting trends or anything but I wonder how the release of big film adaptations this year and next might influence what we see being published in YA over the next few years? Perhaps more urban fantasy along the lines of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare? I'm not really sure!

For me personally, I really hope psychological thrillers are the next big thing. I've really enjoyed the books I've read of late that were a bit heart-pounding and twisty-turny.

Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please, Michelle.

If I Stay/Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Heart-Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne

And finally, Michelle, if you read ONE book this year, read THIS...

My favourite book that I've read in 2013 has been Undone by Cat Clarke. Cat Clarke consistently brings us edgy books with wonderfully flawed characters and emotionally charged stories and this book made me questions everyone's motives and wonder what's right and wrong.  It made my heart hurt and my eyes were sore from crying. 

Michelle, thanks so much for submitting to the EDGE INTERROGATION!

If you’d like to read more of Michelle’s reviews, you can find her here: www.flutteringbutterflies.com

And you can follow her on twitter @cloverness

If you think the Edge Interrogation is easy - try naming YOUR top 5 Teen/YA books in the comments section...

YA INTERROGATION WITH SISTER SPOOKY

This week we’re delighted to welcome Laura from Sister Spooky blog as our guest. 

Thanks for asking me to take part.  I usually just stick to ASKING questions on my blog in between reviews not answering them and these questions were surprisingly hard but easy at the same time!

Why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?

I always found reading a big challenge as a teen and because I have dyslexia it meant that as much as I enjoyed reading and writing it was an uphill battle at times.  I rekindled my passion for reading through YA in my 20s and once I began reading other book blogs I decided to start my own as a small place for me to talk about books and hopefully where I could inspire some people to read something outside of their comfort zone.

What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you have read?

At the time when I first encountered it in my early teens, The Secret Life of Adrian Mole aged 13 and 3/4 was a major revelation for me because it was a book from a boy's point of view that wasn't all about action packed adventures.  Compared to current books it's not an original really but when it first came out it was amazing.  More recent original YA I've read are Heart Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne, Undone by Cat Clarke, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David LevithaN.  I better stop now before this list goes on and on.

What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?

I'm not sure what the actual term is but I just refer to it as the "easy out".  When things are written off with magic or just something happening at the right moment but for no real reason other than it would be helpful to the plot.  I don't want the love interest to suddenly get they are in love with the MC just at that vital moment or that the one tool the MC needs to get out of a pickle is in their pocket.  If it's believable then YES but otherwise it just gets my back up.

What makes for a great YA book?

Characters with a voice.  If I'm reading about a MC or group of characters that have clear and honest voices and personalities then you can throw whatever you like at them and I'll love it just to see how they deal with it.

Which YA characters would you most like to take OUT TO DINNER and why?

Skarper from Goblins by Philip Reeve. He'd be a real rascal and funny to talk with. Magnus Bane from Cassandra Clare's TMI and TID series because no dinner parties are complete without Magnus. Oscar from Emma Hearts LA by Keris Stainton because geek boys own my heart and Jody from Rockoholic by C.J.Skuse because we'd gab about music for hours.

Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?

Hester from The Mortal Engines series by Philip Reeve because she's such a broken person which such strength and weakness that I can't fault her even with all her flaws.

What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?

Anna and Abel in The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis. I can't even begin to tell you how fantastic this book is. Totally blew my socks off and a surprise treat.

What makes you uncomfortable or question the BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?

If I'm honest it's New Adult. I don't mind there being sex in YA and in fact I think there should be more when it's believable and honest to reality rather than overly sickly and romantic because it's not always like that. It's important for YA to embrace sex because teenagers have so it's not a shock to them. New Adult is fine but I think the uncomfortable level for me is when it's a blurry line in terms of how it's being pitched to YA markets. I think NA and YA is hard to separate at the moment to the point that even authors don't know if they are technically going into NA grounds. I once heard about a 50 Shades of Grey type book aimed at YA audience. I mean….seriously?

NA is great for a NA audience because there is a big difference to sex in YA and sex in NA.

What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over the next five years?

MORE FUNNY!  I love to laugh and the funny books I've found over the last year or two are stunning reads but often are few and fair between.  I would LOVE to see more UKYA authors getting audiences in the USA where there is a big market for it.  Plus I think that it seems like USYA authors when being "sold" to bloggers etc they get a lot of energy and cash thrown at them and UK ones get much less.  Might be just my own personal opinion but the playing field is no where near equal in that respect.

What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big thing in YA fiction?

There seems to be the taste for fairytales of late but I'm not sure how long that will really last.  I think there will be a lot more contemporary books about big issues like alcoholism, drugs and mental illness because when they are done well they are hugely moving as well as amazing to read.

Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please.

TOP 5 OF ALL TIME!! ONLY FIVE!!!

You guys are so strict!!

OK, in no special order

Heart Shaped Bruise by Tanya Bryne

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

If you read ONE book this year, read THIS...

Geekhood: Close Encounters of the Girl Kind by Andy Robb.  I go on and on about this one but I found it so funny and clever and had wonderful messages about dealing with divorce, teen existence, girls, geeks, friends and family.  Even made me shed a tear or two when a few moments hit home with me.  Plus it's UKYA!

Thanks so much for submitting to the interrogation, Laura.

Check out Laura’s book blog here: www.sisterspooky.co.uk

Or follow her on Twitter: @sisterspooky

Next Friday Michelle from Fluttering Butterflies undergoes the Edge Interrogation!

YA INTERROGATION WITH GUEST BLOGGER, VIVIENNE DACOSTA

This week, The Edge Writers are delighted to introduce YA book blogger Vivienne from Serendipity Reviews blog.

Hi everyone. Thank you Savita for inviting me onto The Edge. I have enjoyed featuring many of you on my own blog, so it is lovely to be able to return the favour.

1.      Viv, why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?

That's an easy one. I read and write about  teen books because I simply love them. From the moment I read Twilight, I fell in love with YA. The books are normally fast paced and you are completely engulfed in the story by the end of the first chapter. YA books are about telling a damn good story, not trying to write the fanciest sentences. I don't want to spend hours trying to work out what the author is getting at - I want to embrace the main characters and delve into their lives.

2.      What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you have read?

Oh crikey that is a hard one. I had to search back through hundreds of books and came back to a recent book I read that bowled me over. Ferryman by Claire McFall is definitely one of kind. I don't think I have ever read an after life story that has touched me so much. The idea of a Ferryman taking you to Heaven I know is an old idea, but the way Claire wrote it just took my breath away. Her writing alone, shows an originality in her voice, to the point, I feel I could spot her writing without her name attached to it.

3.      What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?

Instant love. I imagine a lot of people have said this but it really is annoying and can easily turn me off a book. I know teenagers fall in and out of love a lot easier than adults, but they don't fall within seconds of meeting each other. In the last year or so, there has definitely been a move away from this type of story. The characters  falling in love lately have known each other most of their lives which makes it so much more believable.

4.      What makes for a great YA book?

Strong, identifiable characters. Fast paced plot. A first chapter with so many hooks I am practically trembling with excitement by the end of it. Lack of adults.

5.      Which YA characters would you most like to take OUT TO DINNER and why?

The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines. In particular Beau! I fell in love with him from the first chapter. But then Abbi writes the most awesome male characters. He would be the eye candy for the dinner party.

Caelena from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. She is one of the strongest female characters I have ever come across and I know I could learn a lot about self defence from her.

Mary Shelley Black from In The Shadow of the Blackbirds by Cat Winters as she is one of the most interesting and quirky characters I have ever met. I just know we would be best friends.

The four horsemen of the Apocalypse from Barry Hutchison's hilarious book The 13th Horseman. They are so funny, I'm sure they would have great stories to tell around the dinner table. Their quick witted banter would keep the rest of the table entertained.

6.      Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?

Caelena from the Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. As I said above, she is the strongest female character I have ever met, stronger than Katniss from The Hunger Games. She is only young yet she can fight better than Lara Croft and has survived torture.

7.      What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?

Lila and Alex from Sarah Alderson's Hunting Lila. I loved the chemistry between these two, they just set the book alight. I loved how feisty Lia was and the way Alex was so determined to protect her.

8.      What makes you uncomfortable or question the BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?

I struggle with YA books that deal with child abuse. I think that comes from being a mum; any stories involving any sexual or violent abuse upset me and I find them really uncomfortable. I also struggle with incest. I still haven't been able to read Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma and ended up writing a post about it. That definitely stems from being a mum, as in my younger years I fell in love with Flowers In The Attic by Virginia Andrews.

9.      What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over the next five years?

I would like to see books have longer shelf lives. Within YA, there are so many books out there that it feels like many get lost in the stampede of new books and never get the attention they deserve. I want to walk into a book shop and see older YA still available not just the latest books out that month.

I would also like to see more UKYA, perhaps set in smaller towns and villages around the UK. We have some amazing and historical places of interest that deserve to have their stories told through YA, creating such interest that teens would actually want to visit them.

10.   What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big thing in YA ficton?

That's an interesting question because at the moment, New Adult contemporary books are taking over the internet, but I'm not sure they have filtered down to the general public. I think book bloggers and tweeters see trends erupting long before they reach the book buyers. So New Adult is definitely about to storm the country. Followed closely by New Adult fantasy books which is practically non existent at the moment. I know NA is not YA, but I can guarantee a lot of teenagers will be reading them.

There is definitely a move away from paranormal books. I think angels and vampires have had their time in the spotlight for awhile and contemporary thrillers are stealing the limelight.

Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please, Viv.

This is really hard. So I am going to go with my Top five out of the books I have read this year. I have to do it on a yearly basis because there are just too many amazing books.

From What I Remember by Stacey Kramer and Valerie Thomas

Ferryman by Claire McFall

The Quietness by Alison Rattle

In The Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Hidden Among Us by Katy Moran

And finally, Viv, if you read ONE book this year, read THIS...

Undone by Cat Clarke. It will destroy you. *passes hankies* Cat is an amazing storyteller and can write such emotional and realistic scenes.

Viv, thanks so much for submitting to the EDGE INTERROGATION!

Thanks for the torture! These were the hardest questions I have ever had to answer.

If you’d like to read more of Viv’s reviews, you can find her here: www.serendipityreviews.co.uk

And you can follow her on twitter @Serendipity_Viv

YA INTERROGATION WITH GUEST BLOGGER, JIM DEAN.

This week, we’re delighted to introduce Jim Dean from YAYeahYeah. Jim blogs and writes reviews about teen/YA books, and he's agreed to take part in the Edge Interrogation! Over to you, Jim.

Hi, I’m a maths teacher (sorry!) who loves writing and reading, and has previously edited a school magazine. I’ve been book blogging since December 2010, but got my start in book reviewing when the lovely people who run The Bookbag (www.thebookbag.co.uk) accepted my e-mail application to become a reviewer. A few hundred books later, I think it’s safe to say that’s probably the most important e-mail I’ve ever sent anyone!

1.    Jim, why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?

As a teacher, I really like reading books that the people I teach are likely to enjoy. As a reader, I think the years in which teens are growing up are absolutely fascinating to read about. And as a blogger, I get so excited about the sheer number of incredibly good YA authors out there that it's brilliant to share my love of these books with other readers.

2.    What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you have read?

My standard answer when it comes to originality is Jaclyn Moriarty's Ashbury/Brookfield novels. Told in a huge amount of different ways, featuring everything from notes on fridge doors to answers to exam questions, JM is a thrillingly inventive author who manages to write superb novels using her own unique style. Adding to that, I'll throw in Laura Lam's Pantomime, a classy fantasy which deals with issues which are rarely seen in any YA books with real grace.

3.    What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?

Nothing, when's it done well! Having said that, love triangles, insta-love, and 'sexy' scenes are some of the things that I think quite often AREN'T done particularly well, so my heart tends to sink just a tiny bit on seeing them.

4.    What makes for a great YA book?

For me, great characters beat everything else out, with a strong voice being a must if it's written in first-person as well. Plot, setting, and writing style play an important part for me to, but it's believable characters who develop well throughout the book which are the one thing that will definitely hook me.

5.    Which YA characters would you most like to take OUT TO DINNER and why?

Most main characters are too young for me, so I'd go for one of a pair of wonderful supporting characters - either Annabel, from Geek Girl by Holly Smale or Stepmama from Stephanie Burgis's superb Kat Stephenson series. Both of these ladies are brilliant characters who I'd love to meet.

6.   Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?

I'm probably pushing the boundaries of YA by mentioning Stephanie Burgis's Kat Stephenson series once, let alone twice, but I'm going to name Kat for this answer anyway because she's a simply stunning heroine - loyal, brave, feisty and just generally incredibly cool. Favourite hero is significantly harder to pick, but having just raced through Department 19: Battle Lines in an afternoon, I'll say that vampire hunter Jamie Carpenter is probably my answer for at least the next hour. (Although as I’m about to pick up LIGHT by Michael Grant, there’s a fair chance that by the end of that book one of the teens from the FAYZ may have grabbed top spot, as it has so many brilliant heroes!)

7.   What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?

Tempted to go with Department 19 again, with the partnership of Jamie and vampire Larissa being one of my favourites for ages. I'd also consider several couples from some of last year's wonderful YA contemporary releases - Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt had Jenna, disfigured in a car crash, and New Age traveler Ryan, while Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry was a stunning romance between damaged teens Echo and Noah. If I had to pick just one, though, Lucy and Ed from Cath Crowley's Graffiti Moon would take first place because they're fantastic individual characters - Lucy is smart, feisty, and really likeable, while Ed is a brilliant artist and a seriously great guy - and the chemistry between them is so hot I was half expecting my book to catch fire as I read it.

8.  What makes you uncomfortable or question the BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?

There's actually very little that makes me uncomfortable, to be honest - the only thing that springs to mind is one I read in which a group of teens got away with rape with little consequences.

9.   What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over the next five years?

More dual narratives, because I love them! More brilliant fantasy which deals with real issues - I'm thinking things like Laura Lam's Pantomime, as mentioned above, Celine Kiernan's outstanding Moorehawke trilogy, and Curtis Jobling's wonderful Wereworld novels. And more of the Monstrumologist, because I have a horrible feeling that I've read somewhere Rick Yancey's next book will complete the series, and I really don't want to see it end.

10.   What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big thing in YA fiction?

 Will Hill's Department 19: Battle Lines is (as I write this) just about to hit the shops, and I think the brilliance of that series, which builds on Stoker's Dracula with some stunning world-building and great characters, might inspire a fair few similar novels. I think it's great to see books like these - and Andy Briggs's superb Tarzan reboot - which look back at classic literature. I also think there's going to be a lot more paranormal books (nothing new there) but can see them moving away from romance and into more chilling territory.

Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please, Jim.

Oh good grief... the first two are obvious (to me, and to anyone who's ever read my blogs!) - after that, it gets ridiculously difficult.

Code Name Verity - heartbreakingly beautiful. My policy on CNV is that I just say "It's amazing!" and shut up to avoid spoiling it, so that's all I'm saying.

The Sky Is Everywhere - the best YA contemporary I've ever read, which had me in floods of tears. Captures the grief of losing a sibling perfectly but gives you hope as a reader that things can get better.

The Things We Did For Love by Natasha Farrant - Code Name Verity is getting tons of (well-deserved!) plaudits, which is fabulous to see. However its success has perhaps overshadowed Natasha Farrant's stunning novel, also set in World War II, which follows the fortunes of two young lovers

Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt - My current favourite YA contemporary author, Jarratt has only written two books so far but both are amazing! This staggeringly great dual narrative looks at themes like prejudice, disfigurement, mental illness and grief, and does so with fabulous characters and brilliant writing.

Can I sneak a series in instead of just a book for the fifth, please? If so, I'll choose Michael Grant's GONE sequence - full of great characters, heart-pounding action and a superb plot.

And finally, Jim, if you read ONE book this year, read THIS...

Pantomime by Laura Lam. Stunningly beautiful, with brilliant characters.

Jim, thanks so much for submitting to the EDGE INTERROGATION!

If you’d like to read more of Jim’s reviews, you can find him here: (www.yayeahyeah.com), and if you’d like to check out his new blog – YA Contemporary, click on the link – www.yacontemporary.com

And you can follow him on twitter @Yayeahyeah