Debut Author Interview: Kristen Simmons, Article 5

It is an absolute honor to be hosting Kristen Simmons on the blog today with an interview! Her debut dystopian novel is a 2012 release, Article 5, and it is a phenomenal read! A great read for anyone who is a fan of the genre!

Kristen Simmons is the author of young adult fiction. Her debut novel, ARTICLE 5, the first installment of a dystopian trilogy, was published by Tor Teen in January 2012. Words cannot describe how happy this makes her. Kristen Simmons has a master’s degree in social work and is an advocate for mental health. She lives with her husband Jason and their precious greyhound Rudy in Tampa, Florida.

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1. Can you sum up your book in 5 words or less? Oh boy, I'm notoriously bad at summing things up, but how about this: Teens hunted by moral regime! (That sounds sort of newspaper headline-ish, doesn't it?)

2. Article 5 has a setting in Kentucky and surrounding areas. As a Lexingtonian, I flailed and squeed as I don't get to experience knowing the setting like that often. Of all the places, what was it about Lousiville and Lexington that landed a special place in your book? I LOVE that area. We lived there for about 6 years - during that time I wrote ARTICLE 5 and the sequel BREAKING POINT. It's this great, community-driven place - a clash of new, progressive ideals and traditional values. The people are friendly and welcoming, and yet there is such diversity of opinion in everything. It the was perfect place to stage a story about a girl who is learning what is really important to her.

3. Can you build up any expectations for us to live us desperate for Breaking Point? Well...I can tell you that the resistance is becoming more active, there's a daring rescue scene, and things are heating up between Chase and Ember.

4. Do you find your characters can upset you at times with their decisions or outlooks? Absolutely. Sometimes they drive me crazy. There were times I wanted to scream at them just to talk to each other! Communicate! It's not that hard! But it was for them. In ARTICLE 5, Chase and Ember struggle with things that have happened in their pasts. This doesn't make it easy to always make the right decisions. But, they live and learn, like we all do I hope!

5. How does it feel having your debut finally released? It feels like, ahhhhhh....at last.

6. People usually share the best advice they have ever been given about life, writing, etc. Have you ever been given terrible advice? Someone several years (yes, years) into the querying process told me to forget about it. If it (publication) hadn't happened yet, it probably wasn't going to. A couple years after that I wrote ARTICLE 5 and hey, it DID happen. So here's my advice to anyone working toward a goal: NEVER GIVE UP. It may take a long time, it may be painful, but in the end it will be that much sweeter when you get it.

7. What is your favorite book to movie adaptation? I think Hunger Games did a pretty good job! That and Harry Potter 3. For some reason, that movie stands out as a really nice adaptation of the book.

Debut Author Interview: Meredith Zeitlin

I am so thrilled to be hosting Meredith Zeitlin on the blog today. Her debut, Freshman Year and Other Natural Disasters, recently released featuring the wonderfully frustrating life of Kelsey Finkelstein. I'd like to thank her for stopping by and being so awesome to answer my questions!

Meredith Zeitlin is a writer and voice-over artist who lives in Brooklyn with two adorable feline roommates. She also writes a column for Ladygunn Magazine, changes her hair color every few months, and has many fancy pairs of spectacles.

In case you're wondering whether any of Kelsey's experiences are based on Meredith's own, the answer is NO WAY. When she was fourteen, Meredith looked and behaved perfectly at all times, was never in a single embarrassing situation, and always rode to school on her very own unicorn.

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1. Can you sum your book up in 5 words or less?  Oooh, that's hard! "Best book ever; buy now?" Okay, okay - lemme try that again. "Kelsey Finkelstein's high school misadventures!"

2. Was your freshman year of high school on the same level of disastrous as Kelsey's? Yes and no. I certainly had my share of missteps - many of the ones in the book, in fact - but since it was real life, there were lots of regular old boring things in between the disasters, whereas the book is much more concentrated. On the other hand, almost everything seemed like the end of the world when I was fourteen, so at the time it felt like it was definitely a non-stop disaster zone. Hm. I have no idea if I actually answered this question. Ah, well - moving on!

3. How does it feel having your debut finally released? It's pretty amazing. The process took so much longer than I had anticipated, so for a while it seemed like the book would never come out. There were times when I was so frustrated that I honestly didn't care anymore if it ever did. But now that it's finally happened, and people seem to really like Kelsey and her story, I feel happy and proud and excited and eager to write something new. All I wanted, really, was to write something that would make a fourteen-year-old girl somewhere laugh and feel like she wasn't the only imperfect person in the world and that that was totally okay. I think maybe I've actually done that, and I'm thrilled about it.

4. Can you share the experience of what it is like to get back into the mindset of a fourteen year old girl? You know, I never tried to do that. I just wrote down the voice I had in my head that I knew was Kelsey. I've had the same inner voice since I was a little girl, and still do - I never want to dumb down a character because kids are "supposed to be" less mature (or more reckless or slangy or whatever) than adults. So I didn't think about writing "younger," but more about what a girl Kelsey's age would be focused on and how it would affect her - what choices she'd make based on her experiences so far.

5. What does your writing space look like? A mess! I don't even have a desk; I usually write from a purple chaise lounge in my living room with my computer on my lap. Next to me is a white lacquer and glass coffee table that most likely has candy on it. There is at least one orange cat sitting on me, probably. My TV (which is a pink flat-screen, and rules) is probably on. Lots of natural light all around, which I love. And plants. I am a big plant-person.

6. What is your favorite book to movie adaptation? Fried Green Tomatoes. Oh - or The Shawshank Redemption... A tie! I'm usually not a big fan of book-to-movie adaptations... at best, they're sort of fun add-ons if you've read the book, and at worst they ruin my entire life by not being true to the book. But those two are truly wonderful examples of nuanced, stand-alone pieces that I think are even better than the originals.

7. What is your favorite movie quote? Oh, man. How to possibly answer that!? Um... the first thing I thought of: “It's not that bad. What? I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely.” (The Princess Bride) Or... anything from Auntie Mame. (BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME.) Example: "Child, how can you see with all that light!?"

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters Release & Trailer

Releasing today, March 1, is a new contemporary read by debut author Meredith Zeitlin. Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters hits shelves today from Penguin Group imprint, G.P. Putnam's Sons. This book is already popular and sparking interest in contemporary fans everywhere. Be sure to check it out!

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

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Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny.

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because Kelsey has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course…

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

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Publisher: HarperCollins (January 3, 2012)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages (Paperback): 376
Series: Under the Never Sky (Book 1)
Source: ARC from Publisher
ISBN-13: 9781742666693
Genre: Dystopian
Author: Twitter | Blog

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

____________________________________________________________________

Overview:
 

This is a brilliantly crafted debut from author Veronica Rossi. Featuring a intricate and vivid world, there exists the dichotomy of two types of peoples, the dwellers and the outsiders. When these worlds mix for Aria and Peregrine, not only are we in for a wonderful journey but we join them on their own paths to self identity and growth. Beautiful and strong are perfect words to describe Rossi's story.

Review:

From virtual reality, Aria's life is safe and pseudo. In her attempt to reach out for her mother's safety, she risks it all and loses. It is through her loss, she gains everything. Dwellers are genetically enhanced and exist within the safety of their sanitization and virtual realities. However, the Outsiders are similar to the depiction of the human race in The Time Machine; they have developed ways to survive the aether and the dangers.

This is a strong and bold setup for the factions that are at odds in this trilogy. Each "race" has a deep and solid foundation for its existence in this world and as readers we are given the information in an easy welcome to the world. On the outside, Aria has no idea how to survive and neither do we, it is always an unique experience to be able to learn about the world with the characters. What a fantastic feeling to read a book where absolutely everything is explained.

The pace of this book was interesting; it was neither slow nor extremely well paced. I struggled to stay awake when reading this book nearly every time I opened it but when the book was closed, it was all I could think about. I had to know what was going to happen to Perry and Aria. That isn't to say that it wasn't still brilliantly written. The action was well timed, realistic and even dark at times. It was true and real which is something that tends to get lost in most places when it comes to "good" and "evil".

So much of this book is beautiful but the character creation and development takes the cake. Aria and Perry start as enemies, the dweller versus the outsider are only allies in attempt to reach an end; each of them desperately needing the other but despising that same need. Aria is desperate to survive but through her journey with Perry, she becomes the woman she is meant to be. While she rarely displays fear, by the end of the book she radiates pure strength to overcome the odds. Perry, strong and dedicated to his cause, struggles and waivers with his feelings for Aria but learns truths and finds loyalty to raise to be a hero.

It stands only to reason that the two of them will continue to blossom into bigger and better people in the second book, Through the Ever Night. In a vivid and strong ending, this book has a sense of resolution but also leaves you waiting and wanting for the next step in this journey.

Rating out of 5:

ARC Giveaway: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

I just finished reading Under the Never Sky and it was a great read; a fantastic way to start my endulgence of 2012 debuts! That being the case, I have decided to share the wealth and pass on my ARC that was awarded to me from the publisher. Enter to win the goods and be on the look out for the coming review!

•     Contest Ends February 13, 2012 at 12:01AM EST
•     Open to US only (sorry)
•     Must be 13 or older
•     Extra Entries are available
•     Fill out the form below to enter!
•     Comments are love but not entries
•     Winner will have 48 Hours to respond or another will be chosen

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Debut Spotlight: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

We are quickly approaching February which means we are also approaching Sarah Wilson Etienne's debut novel, Harbinger. With beauty on its cover and within the pages, it is sure to ensnare the senses of YA fans all around!

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller... 

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

Debut Spotlight: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

To start off 2012 right, Marissa Meyer's retelling of Cinderella, Cinder, has hit the shelves and taken the young adult readership by storm. Life from the futuristic, cyberpunk world Meyer has set before lies in wait to be devoured, savored, and enjoyed.

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.