Stories from The Edge Blog Tour Round-up

In case you missed it — here is a handy round-up of all of the stops on our recent Stories from The Edge blog tour.

Find out why a visit to a local school scared Bryony Pearce 'half to death' and inspired her to write Face2Face at YA YEAH YEAH

Paula Rawsthorne's interview with
TALES OF YESTERDAY

Dave Cousins reveals the inspiration for Magpie Soup at
SERENDIPITY REVIEWS

Sara Grant takes the power of the short story to
LUNA'S LITTLE LIBRARY

Savita Kalhan talks genies with
SISTER SPOOKY

Miriam Halahmy discusses peace with
NINJAS READ TOO

Keren David explains how a character from one of her novels demanded his own story to the BIBLIOMANIAC

Katie Dale delves into the darker side of social media with
TEEN BOOK HOOTS

Huge thanks to all the bloggers for hosting a spot on the tour. 

Click here to read more about Stories from The Edge, or here to buy a copy.

Thanks and happy reading, The Edge.

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 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

YA Interrogation with Guest Blogger Cicely Loves Books!

This week we are delighted to welcome Cicely from Cicely Loves Books as our guest on the Edge …  

Cicely with Karen Mahoney

Hello, EDGE-y people! I’m Cicely and I blog over at Cicely Loves Books (you can tell I toiled over that one). I blog pretty much solely about YA, and have been doing so for about a year and a half now, (and LOVING it). I’m also a pretty big fan of the old Caps Lock/exclamation point, so forgive me if I come across as being incredibly excitable. I’m not *always* like this, I promise. Just when I’ve been at the ole’ caffeine, (Which, I guess, is all the time…)

So, Cicely, WHY do you read and write about YA books?

I read and write about YA mostly because, well, I am a teenager. So it only really seems appropriate, right? Also, it makes me feel pretty normal when I’m reading a contemp and the characters are like me and I can just relate and it makes me feel a bit less, well, weird. Makes me feel less alone sometimes, I guess. As does the awesome community!

We're big fans of weird at the Edge! So what are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you've read?

Hmm, most original? That’s a tough question, but surprisingly some of the most original YA (in my opinion) are retellings of things. I think it really takes an original perspective to take something familiar and turn it into something brand new, so books like Shadows on The Moon and Long Lankin, and Nevermore (which is all just kind of based on Poe’s work). Also, anything that takes on a new format in storytelling, I guess, and uses a new style to tell the story like Stolen and The Perks of Being A Wallflower.

OK, but what is a TURN OFF for you in YA fiction?

Ugh, INSTA- FREAKING-LOVE. It needs to be less frequent. I’m not saying it should stop, it should just appear less. Please.

But what makes for a GREAT YA book?

Originality. Interesting characters, or at least relatively realistic/relate able ones. An interesting plot line. Stuff that makes any book great, I guess?

Side-stepping reality for a moment, which YA characters would you most like to take OUT TO DINNER and why?

What YA characters would I most like to take out to dinner...? Katniss Everdeen, because I reckon we’d both have equally bad table manners and I wouldn’t have to pretend I knew why there’s about 7 different types of fork. Plus her tales from the Arena would be pretty interesting, if not off-putting. But if we’re talking date-dinner, probably Will Herondale: witty, tortured, and permanently dressed in Victorian clothing. Perfect dinner companion!

On a similar theme, who is your ideal YA HERO / HEROINE and why?

My ideal YA heroine is probably Korra from the Legend of Korra. I know she’s already fictional, but I don’t care, I want her in a book now please. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen this show, but it’s AMAZING and I love Korra and I can’t wait to see her character development and I really shouldn’t have brought this up because now I won’t stop talking about it. *deep breath*

(Half an hour later …) What makes you uncomfortable or question THE BOUNDARIES of YA?

Nothing, really, apart from gratuitous sex scenes I guess. Not that I’ve even come across stuff like that in YA, ever. Yeah… But sex is cool as long as it isn’t really into detail, drugs are cool as long as they’re being represented realistically and not advocated, swearing – well, I swear and I am a teen, so that’s fine. Yeah.

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

Less paranormal romance, more horror/suspense paranormal fiction. I want scary things to actually be scary. And more high quality YA comtemps! And UK YA!

But what do you think will ACTUALLY BE the next big thing in YA?

Hmm, there’ll still be this thing with Dystopia going on for a little while I think, but I think there’ll be more high fantasy over the next few years, too.

So, give us your TOP FIVE YA/Teen books.

Only five?! But it changes all the time! Okay, I’m going to try. At this very minute, my favourites are:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (so excited for the film!) 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Everything by Sarah Dessen ever

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowely

Chime by Franny Billingsly

Finally, could we ask for a recommendation – if you read one book this year, read THIS … 

Perks of Being a Wallflower. I only read it for the first time this year, but it’s just really good. If you’re not a big reader, it’s short and simply written, but it’s really honest and melancholy and it’s just a really good book, regardless of it being YA or whatever.

OK, that's a few more books to add to the Edge bookshelf! Thanks for being this week's guest on the Edge Cicely and for taking the time to answer all our questions so thoroughly!

Thanks for having me! 

Don't forget to check out Cicely's own blog over at Cicely Loves Books.

How Book Blogging Changed My Life by Guest Blogger Beth Cohen

This week we welcome guest blogger Beth Cohen to the Edge. Beth started her "tween-teen book blog" Page-Turner in 2011 and posts regular book reviews, news and interviews. Find out below how blogging has changed Beth's life …

Book blogging changed how I saw authors, how I saw books and most importantly, what a community really was.

Blogging has given me a huge sense of responsibility, and it has made me truly realise – if you give up on something it will never work. I was disappointed when I didn’t immediately start getting loads of author interviews and ARC’s, but I soon realised that is not what blogging is about.

When I first started book blogging, almost a year ago, I was really frightened at the idea of putting my own thoughts live onto the internet. For a short space of time between the 25th of July until around the middle of August, I didn’t really post properly. However, I started looking at the amazing book blogs out there and really wanted to create something special like that. So, could I have made my blog all on my own? No, definitely not! I really wanted to make a blog to share my thoughts and it was how amazing all of the other blogs were that made me want to do something like that. Now, blogging has really turned into a part in my life and has made me LOVE, LOVE, LOVE reading even more. (I have an addiction!!) 

Before I started blogging, I used to give up on a book easily when I didn’t like it, but now I hardly ever give up on books. I never even dreamt I could ever get in contact with an author, but when I started blogging I quickly realised just how awesome and kind authors and bloggers are; they have made my blog what it is today.

There is a wide age-range of book bloggers out there, but whatever the age difference, there is always something in common: a love for reading, and a love for blogging which will tie us all together and create the community that we have. I am so proud to be a book blogger and am honoured to be part of the community. I’ve learnt so much and am so grateful to all my fellow bloggers and the authors who have kindly taught me throughout the length of time my blog has been set up. I have made a lot of friends through the blogosphere and I hope I will stay friends with them forever.

I want to keep on blogging for years and years and years. I’m so thankful that blogging will have always been apart of me, and the experience has been amazing.

If you love to read, and love to share your thoughts on books, and are thinking about doing a book blog. I really, really encourage you to do so. If I had completely given up between that short space of time, I would have not started blogging properly, and I honestly don’t know what I would do without it! I was scared about not being accepted when I started book blogging, but authors, publishers and fellow bloggers are so welcoming and kind, and were so amazing to me when I first started blogging.

So, fast forward almost exactly a year since I started blogging on the 25th of July, and book blogging has become a huge part in my life.

And it has also changed it.

Thanks to Beth for guesting here at the Edge. Keep up the good work at Page-Turner.

Young Adult Books Interrogation with Guest Book Blogger Paula Hardman from PaulaSHx

This week our guest at the Edge is Paula Hardman who has been blogging about books at PaulaSHx since the start of January 2011. On the blog Paula describes herself as a blogger, book reviewer, social media addict, beta reader, aspiring writer and Harley Davidson lover – amongst other things!

Originally from Brazil, Paula came to the UK aged seventeen, intending to study English and Photography for three years and then return home to finish a degree in Journalism. Needless to say, it didn't quite go according to plan. She blames her husband for the fact she is still here. "I had no plans of having a beautiful little girl in this trip either, but I like it better this way. Life's curves made my life complete!"

Over the coming months we will be inviting a number of book bloggers to guest here at the Edge. Huge thanks to Paula for volunteering to be the first to undergo the Edge interrogation. So, without further ado, lets shine that light and let the questions begin … 

Paula, WHY do you read and write about Young Adult books? 

I love YA Books! Your teens might be a little traumatic, but they are also the years when you start finding out about adult life - falling in love, discovering who you are and what you can do - without the responsibilities of actually being an adult. When I read YA it evokes all those feelings and memories in me and I enjoy reminiscing about my younger years when things were more dramatic, but simpler.

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

Oh! This is a hard one as most of the books I have read recently are following trends while giving it their own twist. I would have to say: The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare – she walks the fine line in between all fairy tales and different religions while creating her own very different world; Mercy series by Rebecca Lim – a very interesting take on angels and a double story as in every book Mercy must discover who she is as well as help the life she’s inhabiting for the moment; and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr – a very political take on fairy courts and love.

What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?

A very slow pace or events that are so unrealistic you are left scratching your head and asking: “seriously?”

What makes for a GREAT YA book?

Convincing tension, romance, characters and action. I like when an author tells me there are cats raining from the sky, but he/she does it so convincingly, that I actually believe it’s plausible. I also like finding out the backstory while the action in the present plot is still going on - when the pace slows too much to fill you in I usually lose interest.

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

I am a girl, so I will have to say Seth Morgan from Wicked Lovely – the alternative but extremely clever and wise sort – and Cole St.Clair from Maggie Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls – the bad boy with brains.

Who is your ideal YA HERO / HEROINE and why?

I like strong female leads, girls who can hold their own and kick butt, so I adore Isabel Culpeper from Maggie Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls and Isabelle Lightwood from The Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare. They are not the main characters on any of these books, but I sympathise with them as we have the same attitude and way of thinking. I’m a little sceptical, sarcastic and straight to the point like they are.

What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?

Cole St.Clair and Isabel Culpeper (Wolves of Mercy Falls) – they are both fighting their demons and finding their feet. And while they are both really messed up, their dramatic and complicated relationship actually helps them work through their issues. It’s realistic, you know? Real relationships are not perfect and this one isn’t either.

What makes you uncomfortable or question THE BOUNDARIES of YA?

When things become too graphic. And it’s not just YA, this could also apply to adult books. I think the magic of a book lays on letting the reader imagine half of the scene themselves, so they ride the book with you. When you are a teen, you are discovering all sorts of things about yourself - that includes principals, sexuality, beliefs and boundaries- and it would be unrealistic of a book talking about teens not to tackle that to some extent. That is not to say that it can’t be done with taste and touch. Swearing, for example - if added at the right scene, it enhances the mood or the character’s reaction. If dropped in constantly to replace another word, it’s just rude. A heavy making-out session in between characters is another one – we all know the chase is a lot more interesting than actually winning the game. It’s the tension of flirting that gives you the butterflies, not characters that can’t leave each other’s faces alone.

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

I would love to see YA treated with a little more respect. It’s a genre like many others. It annoys me when you tell people you read YA and they say: “Oh, I read proper fiction.” You have to read what rocks your boat, and YA rocks mine.

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

It sounds like there is a whole undead thing going on at the moment. Historical Fiction also seems to be getting stronger, but I really like the ones about real life issues (Edge Authors), if done properly, they can be really interesting, helpful and raise awareness for the issues.

Give us your TOP FIVE YA/Teen books.

In no particular order: Mercy series by Rebecca Lim, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr, 15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins, and Sabado a Noite by Babi Dewet (this is a Brazilian author and the book is so far only written in Portuguese).

(And no, we didn't bribe Paula to include one of our Edge authors in her list!)

If you read one book this year, read THIS … 

This is not actually a new book, but The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. It works on two levels: If you read it to a child, it’s about the adventures of an alien prince. If you read in between the lines, it’s a serious critique on society and its priorities. My favourite quotes are:

“Grown-ups like numbers… If you tell grown-ups, ‘I saw a beautiful red brick house, with geraniums at the windows and doves on the roof…,’ they won’t be able to imagine such a house. You have to tell them, ‘I saw a house worth a hundred thousand francs.’ Then they exclaim, ‘What a pretty house!’”

“In those days, I didn’t understand anything. I should have judged her according to her actions, not her words. She perfumed my planet and lit up my life. I should never have run away! I ought to have realised the tenderness underlying her silly pretensions. Flowers are so contradictory! But I was too young to know how to love her.”

Thanks very much to Paula for being our guest and providing some great answers to our questions. Be sure to take a trip over to PaulaSHx for some great reviews and much more besides.

You can also follow Paula on Twitter @PaulaSHx

If you would be interested in submitting to interrogation, or have something you'd like to say about teen and young adult books, send an email to edgewritersATyahooDOTcoDOTuk. Thanks.