Ask the Author: Nicola Yoon (Everything, Everything)

   Hey guys!
   For this weeks Ask the Author I'm bringing you the amazing Nicola Yoon, the author of Everything, Everything, a very unique and brilliant read that I've loved and reviewed. She took a bit of her time and gave me a few A's to my Q's.
   Here's her book and her A's:

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Published: September 1st 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages: 320 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
   But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
   Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Nicola Yoon

   1 – Describe Everything, Everything in form of a haiku (or twitter pitch).
   Girl who is so allergic to the world that she can never leave her house falls madly in love with the new boy who moves in next door.

   2 – What inspired you to write a story about a girl that is literally allergic to the outside world? It sounds like such a unique idea so I’m wondering if there is a unique story behind it.
   I started writing EE when my daughter was just 4 months old. I was still a brand new mom and I worried about everything. I worried about her getting sick, accidentally eating dirt, falling down, bumping her head or getting hurt in a million different ways. The instinct to protect her and keep her safe was sometimes overwhelming. It got me thinking about a mother's need to protect her child and that led to thoughts about what if there was a child that needed constant protection not just as a baby but for her whole life. What would that situation do to the relationship between the mother and daughter? What would happen when that daughter wanted to branch out and see the world?

   3 – How hard was it to write a story so unlike any other? What was the most challenging about the story and the writing process?
   Imagining the world through the eyes of someone who had never seen any of it was the most challenging. I tried to imagine what my daughter was feeling & thinking when she saw things for the first time. One of the most challenging scenes to write was when Maddy sees the ocean for the first time. I grew up in Jamaica and I live in Southern California so I've seen the ocean thousands of times but now I had pretend that I never had. Before I wrote that scene I took my daughter to the beach and played with her all day and just watched how she reacted to the sand and the wind and the water. She was totally delighted and awed by it.

   4 – What, besides the obvious, makes Madeline stand out in the sea of female contemporary main characters?
   I like to think that Maddy is a part of a great tradition of wonderful female main characters (like Melinda from Speak, Ruby from The Boyfriend List). She has a personality and a drive. She has strong opinions and she makes mistakes. She loves, she learns, she forgives.

   5 – How and why did you decide on this particular narrative style of Everything, Everything?
   I write really early in the morning from 4 to 6 AM. One morning at 4 AM it occurred to me that Maddy would draw her world as a way to feel like she's a part of it. At the beginning of the book she's obsessed with the Hawaiian state fish — the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a — so a I drew a very terrible version of the fish in my notebook. My husband is a terrific illustrator so I woke him up at 4 AM and asked him a draw me a fish. He is just the sweetest because instead of telling me just to let him go back to sleep, he got out of bed, kissed me, made himself a coffee and drew the version of the fish that's now in the book. So the narrative style all started with that fish.

   6 - How long did it take you from first idea until publishing deal? And how many queries did it take until you found 'the one'?
   I had kind of a non-traditional publishing process. We sold the book on a partial manuscript. It took just under a year from first idea to publishing deal.

   7 – How does it feel like to know that your story is soon (September 1st) going to be out there for everyone to pick it up and read it? What did you feel when the first ARC reader reviews rolled in?
   It's amazing and terrifying at the same time! Amazing because publishing a book is my biggest and wildest dream and I can't believe it's actually happening but I'm so happy and grateful that it is. It's terrifying because I put my whole heart into the book and I really want people to like it but what if they don't?

   8 – What do you think about the cover? Is it like anything you imagined it might look like?
   I looooooooove the cover! I think it's so beautiful and I couldn't have asked for more. It was done by two women artists who own a company called Good Wives and Warriors. They're usually known for doing large scale murals and art installations. I was thrilled when they agreed to do the cover for EE.

   9 – What were the last three books you’ve read?
   Not including the three picture books I read to my daughter last night, I read: Another Day by David Levithan, The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart and Illuminae by Amie Kaufmann and Jay Kristoff.

   10 – Cats or dogs?
   Cats. Definitely.

   11 – If you were forced to participate in The Hunger Games, as female from District 12, what would be your strategy? Fight or flight?
   Fight. Definitely.

About the Author

   Nicola Yoon grew up in Jamaica (the island) and Brooklyn (part of Long Island). She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and daughter, both of whom she loves beyond all reason. Everything, Everything is her first novel.

Ask the Author: Rebecca Phillips (Faking Perfect)

   Hey guys!
   For this weeks Ask the Author I'm bringing you Rebecca Phillips and her novel Faking Perfect. I've started reading Faking Perfect a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it quite a lot so of course I had to e-mail Rebecca about an interview. Luckily, she agreed.
   Here's her novel and her Q's for my A's:

Faking Perfect by Rebecca Phillips
Published: June 30th 2015 by Kensington
Number of Pages: 272 Pages (Paperback)
Series: No

   When Lexi Shaw seduced Oakfield High's resident bad boy Tyler Flynn at the beginning of senior year, he seemed perfectly okay with her rules:
   1. Avoid her at school.
   2. Keep his mouth shut about what they do together.
   3. Never tease her about her friend (and unrequited crush) Ben.
   Because with his integrity and values and golden boy looks, Ben can never find out about what she’s been doing behind closed doors with Tyler. Or that her mom’s too busy drinking and chasing losers to pay the bills. Or that Lexi’s dad hasn’t been a part of her life for the last thirteen years. But with Tyler suddenly breaking the rules, Ben asking her out, and her dad back in the picture, how long will she be able to go on faking perfect? (goodreads.com)

Interview with Rebecca Phillips

   1 – Describe Faking Perfect with a haiku.
   A girl with a snake
   Is pretending to be real
   But she's telling lies

   2 – What sparked the idea for Faking Perfect? Was it the simple idea of a girl doing what many girls do in High School, pretend to lead a perfect life most don’t really have or was it something entirely different?
   I don't really remember how I came up with the plot. Basically, I just liked the idea of a girl pretending to be perfect and normal but feeling like the exact opposite inside. The rest of the story branched out from there.

   3 – Was there a scene in the book you specifically remember writing because it stuck out to you, either in a positive or negative way?
   There's a scene near the end of the book, with Lexi's father, that I especially labored over because I really wanted to get it right.

   4 – What made you come up with the idea of giving Lexi a corn snake as pet? It’s quite an unusual choice, as most teenage girls rather prefer cute dogs or cats.
   The snake has a specific meaning and is tied to other things in the book. I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but it has to do with a tattoo, and certain types of people probably wouldn't have tattoos of cute dogs and cats. :)

   5 – In retrospective, is there anything that you’d change about Faking Perfect or are you happy with the way it turned out in the end?
   If I had to do it over, I'd probably include more Tyler. He was so much fun to write. He's the first and only "bad boy" I've ever written and I loved creating all the Tyler/Lexi scenes.

   6 - How long did it take you from first idea until publishing deal?
   More than two years. I started writing FAKING PERFECT at the end of 2012. I finished it in April 2013. I got a book deal in April 2014. Traditional publishing takes a long time.

   7 - How do you feel about the fact that in only a few more weeks (June 30th) thousands of readers will be able to hold and read your novel? How nervous were you when the first reviews rolled in?
   It's crazy. I'm both excited and terrified. I get so nervous about reviews. This isn't my first book so my skin is already pretty thick to criticism, but it's still nerve-racking. I have to keep reminding myself that books aren't like hundred dollar bills--not everyone is going to love them. I appreciate any and all reviews. Just that fact that someone took the time to read my book and write about it is amazing to me.

   8 – What do you think about the cover? Is it anything like you imagined it being?
   I love the cover, and it's almost exactly the way I imaged it being. It's so contemporary YA.

   9 – High heels or flats?
   Flats, for sure. I can barely walk a straight line in heels.

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?
   Read, read, read. You can't be a good writer if you're not a big reader. Also, learn patience. Publishing is a long, sometimes frustrating process.

   11 – If you were forced to participate in The Hunger Games, as female from District 12, what would be your strategy? Fight or flight?
   I'd probably hide in a cave and cry like a baby until someone finds me and kills me. So I guess my strategy would be...cowardice?

About the Author

   Rebecca Phillips has been a fan of contemporary young adult fiction ever since she first discovered Judy Blume at the age of twelve. She's the author of the JUST YOU series, OUT OF NOWHERE (2012 ABNA finalist), FAKING PERFECT (Kensington), and ANY OTHER GIRL (January 26, Kensington).
   Rebecca lives just outside the beautiful city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with her husband, two children, and one spoiled rotten cat. She absolutely loves living so close to the ocean. Visit Rebecca on her website www.rebeccawritesya.com and on Twitter @RebeccaWritesYA

Review: Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider
Published: May 26th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 336 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   At seventeen, overachieving Lane finds himself at Latham House, a sanatorium for teens suffering from an incurable strain of tuberculosis. Part hospital and part boarding school, Latham is a place of endless rules and confusing rituals, where it's easier to fail breakfast than it is to flunk French.
   There, Lane encounters a girl he knew years ago. Instead of the shy loner he remembers, Sadie has transformed. At Latham, she is sarcastic, fearless, and utterly compelling. Her friends, a group of eccentric troublemakers, fascinate Lane, who has never stepped out of bounds his whole life. And as he gradually becomes one of them, Sadie shows him their secrets: how to steal internet, how to sneak into town, and how to disable the med sensors they must wear at all times.
   But there are consequences to having secrets, particularly at Latham House. And as Lane and Sadie begin to fall in love and their group begins to fall sicker, their insular world threatens to come crashing down. (goodreads.com)

“Being temporary doesn't make something matter any less, 

because the point isn't for how long, the point is that it happened.”

   Extraordinary Means is extraordinary, gripping, beautiful and honest. I loved it from page one on.
   I have a thing for stories which feature teens with diseases, physical or mental, so when I first heard of this one I knew I had to have it and read it. The gorgeous cover sealed the deal. Robyn Schneider's voices for Lane and Sadie were amazing, very distinct and truly interesting. Whereas Lane started out as this laser beam like focused student who only thought of getting the best grades, getting into collage and the career he planned on having, Sadie was a free mind. She was creative, a photographer and happy in her own way despite being in a place like Latham House.

   The idea of a new stem of TB (tuberculosis) which is immune to drugs is truly interesting and the portrayal of this camp like place for teens, far away from everyone, was both terrifying and captivating. The way those who were healthy looked at those with TB was very honest, no sugarcoat, which is always good to see. I loved the fact that the question of "what will happen once we'll he healthy and left back into the world?" was quite present and dealt with in a very good way. I also liked it a lot that the thought that they might never leave Latham House, except in a bodybag, was always present, not in speech or thought, but you could still feel it. It's always good to see that the author doesn't forget about details like that halfway through the novel, but rather that they come up again and again, just like they would come up in a real life situation.

“There’s a difference between being dead and dying. We’re all dying. 

Some of us die for ninety years, and some of us die for nineteen. 

But each morning everyone on this planet wakes up one day closer to their death. 

Everyone. So living and dying are actually different words for the same thing, 

if you think about it.”

  Besides our two main characters, Lane and Sadie, I loved their friend group. All of them had very distinct personalities and a life even outside of interactions with our main characters. The twists and turns were very smooth and natural and, what kind of surprised me, was just how funny some of the dialogues and scenes were. The humor was on point, filled with references to, for example, Harry Potter which, let's face it, most of us love. I loved seeing them have fun, laugh and have a good time even when all odds were against them, even when they were stuck at Latham House.

   Something that, although it didn't surprise me, creeped up on me was the ending which was heart wrenching but extremely honest and true. I love that, even though the author could have chosen the easy path of writing a book with a cotton candy happy fluffy ending, she decided to stay real because in life, not all endings are happy and fluffy. So, even though I was really sad, I was also happy that everything happened the way it did, which sounds really weird and twisted, I'm aware of that.

“And the thing about trying to cheat death is that, in the end, you still lose.”

   All in all I enjoyed reading Extraordinary Means a lot. The tone was very honest and sometimes heartbreaking, but also a lot of fun, laughs and giggles. Robyn Schneider created a amazing story filled with realistic characters and a situation which felt very real and wasn't sugarcoated even in the hardest of times.

I give Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider 5 out of 5 Stars.

Ask the Author: Charlena Miller (What Lies Between)

   Hey guys!
   For today Ask the Author I'm bringing you the awesome Charlena Miller, author of What Lies Between. I am extremely looking forward to reading her book, especially because it plays in Scotland which is definitely a country I'd love to visit one day.
   Here is her book and her A's for my Q's:

What Lies Between by Charlena Miller
Published: February 28th 2015 by Red Bicycle Press
Number of Pages: 336 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   Set in modern-day Scotland and laced with adventure, romance, and hope, What Lies Between reminds us that love and belonging are often discovered in the most unexpected places.
   Trust has never come easily to Ellie Jameson. A broken past taught her that self-reliance is the only option—no one sticks around for the long haul. When a fateful letter arrives with news of an unexpected inheritance, she sees a silver lining in the tragedy that seems to follow her. Anxious to leave American city life for the rugged Scottish Highlands, she sets off to claim her fate in a whirlwind of determination. Captivated by the land of stunning lochs, fiery whisky, and a particularly charming Highland local, it seems things may finally be turning around . . .
   But nothing could have prepared Ellie for what awaits at the Glenbroch estate, where she soon discovers very little is as it seems. The rugged, romantic Highlands harbor old secrets and vengeful enemies, entangling her in a web of lies and betrayal. As the line between ally and enemy blurs, Ellie is in danger of forfeiting her inheritance—as well as her heart. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Charlena Miller

   1 - Describe What Lies Between with five adjectives.
   Adventure-packed, mysterious, emotional, romantic, unexpected

   2 - What sparked the idea behind What Lies Between? Was it a name, a sentence, Outlander, or something entirely different?
   It was 2013 and I had just left my home in Scotland, which I loved, but my visa was up; this move coincided with the discovery that my birth father had died. I decided to process the sense of loss and write about it. I woke up the next morning in Germany with the story clear in my mind. I wrote the complete outline that day.
   The idea for the title of the book came from my interest in astronomy and particularly what lies between the stars visible to the naked eye. The Hubble telescope revealed that at least 10,000 galaxies our eyes aren’t strong enough to see lie behind a speck of dark sky the size of a grain of sand. This fact made me think of all the things we can’t see that lie between people—the unspoken thoughts, the truths and deceptions, and what lies between one’s heart and mind, as well as the distance between two hearts, between the past and the future, between current reality and our dreams. What happens when someone takes a risk to cross the distance for a chance to truly understand and connect with someone else or reach for one’s own dreams?

   3 – I know you have been in Scotland yourself in the past; therefore I am sure you’ve seen some of the places we get to see in What Lies Between. How much additional research did you have to do?
   When I first visited Scotland I fell in love with the country, specifically the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. The settings in the book were borne out of my experiences there. I did go back to my favorite places to make sure I got the sense of them reasonably accurate. I will add that it was challenging to strike the balance of immersing readers in a place that is such a powerful character itself, as Scotland is, while focusing on the people and relationships in the story.

   4 - What do you like the most about your protagonist, Ellie, and what do you like the least?
   I like most that even though she has every reason to be self-protective, she chooses to take risks. She has a good heart and wants to see the good in people even when her trust has been broken many times.
   One character trait that gets in Ellie’s way is her tendency to push people away out of fear that what has happened in the past will repeat itself. At times, it’s easier for her to apply a superficial judgment than to leap and take the risk, and she tends to hold back—she has to learn to risk. This trait can make her frustrating at times; I wanted to have it out with her and push her to do what I wanted her to do. But she can be quite stubborn.

   5- How long did it take you from first idea until publishing deal? And how many queries did it take until you found 'the one'?
   The book took two years from the first idea until its release. I chose not to query this book as I wanted to independently publish What Lies Between.

   6 - What was your first thought when you saw the final cover design?
   I loved it! It was important to me that the artist capture the blues of a Scottish summer night and he did this brilliantly. I also wanted an unexpected cover, and after sorting through options, we landed on what became the final design.

   7 - How does it feel to know that as of February 28th thousands of people can pick up your book and read your story? How scared were your of the first reviews done by those who received ARCs?
   Immediately after news of the pre-order was announced, I left my house to go running and sprinted much farther than my fitness level could afford, pushing up a distant hill. At the top of the hill I chucked up the pent-up energy of nerves, exhaustion, and anticipation; it felt symbolic and cathartic. Probably not what one imagines an author doing in a moment like that. J

   8 – What was your favorite place out of the ones you visited in Scotland?
   The Isle of Skye is a place I will always return to. One of the specific locations on Skye that I go back to frequently is Kinloch Forest and the clearance village ruins of Leitir Fura, which is the location of a scene in the book.

   9 - Ice cream or cake?
   Both! I would have said ice cream, hands down, but I have recently begun to appreciate really good cake as well. I’m in a summery lemon and raspberry phase. I love to bake so I’m always concocting new baked goods.

   10 - Did you listen to any particular songs or artists while writing What Lies Between? If so, could you give us an example?
   A few of the songs I listened to (and there were many):
   Orphan Girl, Gillian Welch
   The Reach, Miranda Lee Richards
   I Lived, One Republic
   Come by the Hills, a traditional Scottish song performed by Kenny Jamieson (who is part of the Scottish band, Schiehallion)

   11 - If you were forced to participate in The Hunger Games, as female from District 12, what would be your strategy? Fight or flight?
   I would likely head into the forest, observe the rest who had started fighting right away, and think through next steps.

About the Author

   After working in marketing, I took a creative sabbatical, departing with a one-way plane ticket, traveling solo, no itinerary. Much of the time was spent on foot or in the saddle of a mountain bike discovering the tucked away locations I integrate into my stories.
   My debut novel, What Lies Between, is set in the Highlands of Scotland, a land that stole my heart and refused to give it back. After living there for some time and eventually having to return to the States, I really had no choice but to write a tale set in the land of legends, lochs, glens. Most of the places in the book are real or are based on locations I spent time in. I hope you enjoy Ellie’s Scotland adventure as much as I did researching and writing it.
   To go behind-the-scenes of my writing journey, visit www.charlenamiller.com and sign up for news and exclusive content.

Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Published: September 1st 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages: 320 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
   But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
   Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. (goodreads.com)

* I received an eARC via Random House Children's and NetGalley in exchange for a honest review *

   Everything, Everything is a remarkable story told through a beautiful voice which belongs to a unique narrator and a plot filled with twists, cute moments and those who make you stop and really think again about what you've just read.
   In Everything, Everything we follow the story of a girl called Madeline who is literally allergic to the world as she suffers of a very rare disease called SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency). Because of SCID Madeline cannot leave her house, which means she's basically spend her entire life inside. Before reading this book I was aware that diseases like SCID exist and that people suffer from them but I've never been able to even as much as fathom how it must feel like to have it. Thanks to this book and reading from Madeline's perspective, I now do.
   All her life Madeline only had her mother and her nurse, Carla, to talk to in person. She could never make real friends, never have them come over (without extensive medical checkups and alike) or the possibility of going out with them. But, one day, a new family moved into the house next door and that's where the story really took off.

“It's a hard concept to hold on to--the idea that there was 

a time before us. A time before time.

In the beginning there was nothing. And then 

there was everything.”

   I adored Madeline and her narration. I really, really liked her character and would have loved to have her as my friend, if she were real that is. It was really easy to understand the decisions she made and why she made them. What impressed me the most about her was the fact that despite having such a hard life, being so restricted and limited in terms of things she can do, she never stopped being a happy person. She is friendly, positive and just a very strong character in an entirely different way then characters usually are when you call them "strong".
   And then there was Olly, the boy next door, who was intriguing and fascinating from the second on in which he appeared in the story. He is the exact opposite of Madeline. Seeing the two of them interact, become friends and then something more was super cute and fun to read about.

“You can't predict the future. It turns out that you can't predict the past either. 

Time moves in both directions - forward and backward - and what happens 

here and now changes them both.”

   All in all, Everything, Everything is a heartfelt, unique and cute story you should definitely not miss out on. This story was just so good and had so many different aspects in terms of how the story is told. The characters felt like real people, their decisions and dialogues were amazing and the plot twist at the end was just wow. I definitely didn't see it coming and wasn't expecting it at all, which is always a good thing.

I give Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon 5 out of 5 Stars.

Review: True Calling by Siobhan Davis

True Calling by Siobhan Davis
Published: October 2014 by Siobhan Davis
Number of Pages: 400 Pages (Paperback)
Series: Yes, #1

   TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS. ONE SHARED DREAM.
   Planet Novo, nestled in space twelve hundred miles above the surface of the Earth, is the new home of 17-year-old Cadet Ariana Skyee. Confused by the government-sanctioned memory erase and distressed at her impending forced marriage and motherhood, Ariana’s plans for the future are thrown into complete disarray.
   As the traumatic events within her family life enfold, Ariana grows increasingly alarmed at the authorities apparent pre-occupation with her and feels progressively more isolated and alone.
   Her growing feelings for fellow Cadet Cal Remus intensify as the recently announced pageant, ‘The Calling’, gets underway. Struggling to comprehend the continuous, inexplicable dreams of the mysterious Zane, discovering the past helps shape her future, with devastating personal consequences. (goodreads.com)

* I received a copy of True Calling from the author in exchange for an honest review *

   I've had this book on my 'to-read' list on goodreads for months so I was quite happy when the author approached me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing this book.
   The first thing that drew me in was, no surprise here, of course the really gorgeous cover. The next thing was the concept of humanity leaving earth behind to start a new life on a different planet and the fact that they used quite intriguing technology to help you forget those you left behind on earth. Of course only very specific types of people were allowed to join the new world, which comes as no surprise.

“It’s degrading being routinely subjected to a battery of medical tests 
to ensure I continue to deserve a place in this new world.”

   True Calling managed to hook me quickly and allowed me to fly through it, despite being quite a lengthy read. Siobhan has a beautiful writing style that catches your attention and doesn't let you go until you're done.

   As for the characters I really liked Ariana and even more the fact that despite the 'nostalgia elixir' (th previously mentioned technology to make you forget) love found a way to seep through the tiniest of cracks and find it's way back into Ari, even though she didn't quite understand it at first.
   The one thing that did bug me about Ari was how quickly she changed her mind about Cal, but other then that her actions seemed reasonably paced and understandable.

“My romantic history since arriving on Novo has been non-existent, 
but I don't know what, if anything, came before; thanks to the 
government's cerebral pilfering.”

   I enjoyed the fact that True Calling wasn't just your average sci-fi or YA romance book, that it brought it's own spin on a possible, though still quite terrifying, way humanities future might look like. I mean, imagine our world completely run down and used up, moving to a different planet, having your memories erased to make it easier for you, and the fact that, as someone who is seventeen, you will have to be one of those who will have to help populate your new home. Not quite what seventeen year olds dream of, right? But, it sounds like something that could be possible, in a still quite far future, if we make it that far, which is always nice to have.

   All in all, True Calling was an interesting read that I enjoyed quite a bit. I was hooked quite quickly and definitely want to continue on with the series, which is awesome especially because Siobhan has also given me book two, ... , which I hope to get to soon. So, if you're looking for a interesting new sci-fi, romance, dystopian YA read with a spin and beautiful writing, check out True Calling!

   I give True Calling by Siobhan Davis 4 out of 5 Stars.

Review: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Published: October 20th 2015 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages: 608 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: Yes, #1 of The Illuminae Files

   This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.
   This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
   The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
   But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.
   Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's for proving an eARC in exchange for an honest review *

   Where do I start with this book? I have no idea because, even ten days after finishing it, I still don't know how to put my thoughts regarding this book into a coherent stream of words that would make sense to everyone and not just me.
   Illuminae is a book unique in so many ways, not only due to the extraordinary way through which the story is told, but also thanks to the brilliant writing of Amie and Jay who created characters that felt like they are actually real, documents that made me feel like I'm some agent reading through actual secret files and a AI that made you both hate it, fear it and pity it. Illuminae blows fresh wind into the genre of sci-fi which one should definitely not miss out on.
   When I first heard about this book months ago, I wasn't sure if it would be my thing but once I heard more details and saw early reviews of it on BookTube I was already in love with it and knew I had to get my hands on it. Of course, situations like that oftentimes come with the annoying factor of high expectations which can ruin a book for you, but not this one. If I was expecting a 8 out of 10 when I opened the book, I finished it knowing it deserves at least 20 out of 10, no joke.

   The story itself might seem simple: It's the story of two teens who live in 2575, who broke up the day their planet gets invaded. Luckily, both manage to get onto one of the rescue ships (different ones) and flee, but war is coming. As simple and classical as this might seem for a sci-fi novel, it is about WAY more than that. The story has so much depth, relatable and hatable characters, tough decisions, a beautiful love story and AIDEN, on whom I will not elaborate to not spoil anything.

"Am I not merciful?"

(That quote probably will seem weird until you'll read the book, so go and read it)

   The two main characters, Kady and Ezra are captivating. Kady is a huge nerd but she also kicks total butt in the best way possible while Ezra is swoon worthy and just the perfect counterpart to Kady. Reading their conversations and rooting for them is amazing, though most of the time it's anything but rainbows and puppies. Don't forget there is war and war has the not very friendly side effect of people dying or at least getting hurt. Seeing them deal with the situations they have to face is amazing.

   But the best thing about this book is the plot which was created by two masterminds who exactly know how to create a scene which will make you hold your breath while the scenes unfold in front of you. There are so many plot twists in this book that I didn't see coming, that were impossible to even imagine as reader and the ending blew my mind because THAT I really did not see coming. Where did Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff take their brains from?! Please masters, teach me the art of awesome!
   Anyway, I could go on and on about how brilliant this book is but that would require spoilers which I definitely want to avoid because you guys simply have to go and get it the second it comes out, seriously, it's totally worth every dollar!

   All in all, Illuminae is mind blowing, extraordinary, feels causing and just nothing you've ever read before. I cannot wait to get my hands on a finished hardcover copy (which mind me I rarely buy those so when I do, you know the book is special, or only out as hardcover but pshhh no one has to know).

I give Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff 5 out of 5 stars.

BLOG TOUR Interview: Sarah Gagnon (Date with a Rockstar)

   Hey guys!
   Today I'm part of a blog tour for Date with a Rockstar by Sarah Gagnon which comes out . Below you'll find the interview I did with her and also info about her book, which I'm looking forward to reading soon. Thank you to Spencer Hill Press for making me part of this tour and Sarah for taking time to answer my questions.
   Here is her book and her interview:

Date with a Rockstar by Sarah Gagnon
Published: June 23rd 2015 by Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 320 Pages (Paperback)
Series: No

   Only one girl will win the cash prize...and a chance at love with Jeremy Bane.
   Monet isn’t just another lust-struck teenager trying to win the heart of Rock God Jeremy Bane--she needs the prize money from his new reality show to cure her illness.
   Monet has Fluxem, a contagious disease that's spread through saliva. It's completely curable if you have enough money, which she and her single mother don't. Now that she's on the show, Monet has to work harder to keep her Fluxem hidden. She only has to keep the secret long enough to woo Jeremy Bane so he picks her as the winner. She doesn't even care about the love part; the prize alone will change her life.
   But the real Jeremy Bane is nothing like she imagined. Monet finds herself fighting against feelings that make her want to give in to her attraction and Jeremy's attempts for a kiss. The further she goes in the competition, the more impossible it becomes to resist him--and when the producers turn the tables and start digging up dirt on the contestants, Monet fears her secret will be revealed before she's ready and ruin everything.
   The only way to win Jeremy's heart is to tell him the truth, but confessing her disease could cost her the competition, the prize money, and him. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Sarah Gagnon

   1 – Describe Date with a Rockstar in a twitter pitch.
   Desperate teen girl competes on a reality dating show to win the money to cure her disease, but falls for the gorgeous rockstar.

   2 – What lead to the idea of Date with a Rockstar?
   The initial idea was from a dream. In the dream I was on a bus making out with this famous guy. There were cameras in the background, but we’d try to get away and he was talking privately to me, like he really cared and I was special. Lots more making-out and then…time jump. I’m walking through an aisle of guests on a reality TV show and they’re booing me—shaking their heads and generally disgusted. The guy I was making out with and believed we had a real connection, makes eye contact with me and shakes his head. I can’t understand what he’s trying to tell me. Then the audience is telling him who to pick and he doesn’t choose me. I woke up with this crushing feeling of rejection, and that’s where the idea started.
   The next day I was watching a live concert online and the musician was surrounded by computers and pushing buttons. I remember thinking this is what music will look like in the future.
   The day after that, I started writing Date With a Rockstar. That was the title before I even wrote a single word.

   3 – Was there a scene in the book you specifically remember writing because it stuck out to you, either in a positive or negative way?
   There’s a particularly romantic scene in a hydro garden with the growlights like warm little suns surrounding Monet and Jeremy. I love the idea of being warm under the sun, but somehow more private than you ever could be outdoors. After being followed around by cameras, I pictured that as a perfect escape for Monet.

   4 – How did you come up with the concept of a main character with a disease transferred through salvia participating in a bachelor-type contest?
   I really liked the idea of having a disease that physically marked a person, but wasn’t terminal. Originally, I wanted it to be more of a question of vanity, but Fluxem changed a lot during the edits. For the reality show, I wanted to give her a good reason to participate.

   5 – How long did it take you from first idea until publishing deal? And how many queries did it take until you found 'the one'?
   When I wrote this book, I spent two months on a solid draft. Then I started querying agents. That took awhile, and I did more revisions based on feedback. I have a tendency to not want my characters to suffer, since I love them. So the first revisions were about making Monet’s situation worse. After that I got my first offer of representation.
   I signed with Nicole Resciniti 4 months after finishing the book. It took about 10 months after that to receive an offer from Spencer Hill Press.
   Specific numbers: This was the 4th book I’ve queried. I had a grand total of 354 rejections before I got an agent. That said, I wasn’t very choosy in the beginning. I think I just loved the query lotto. Many authors are more focused in their searches and have fewer rejections.

   6 – How do you feel about the fact that in a couple of months, thousands upon thousands of people will be able to read your book?
   I sure hope it’s that many! It feels great to interact with readers, and I so hope people will enjoy reading my book as much as I’ve enjoyed reading thousands of others.

   7 – Did you listen to specific bands or albums while writing Date with a Rockstar or do you rather prefer writing in silence?
   I have small children and I usually write to the sound of children’s shows. No music at all, which is funny considering the subject matter. When I listen to music, I think too much about the specific songs and meaning behind the lyrics.

   8 – What do you think about the final cover?
   That I’m glad they replaced his head, lol.

   9 – Music genre: Indie or Metal?
   Indie.

   10 – If you were forced to participate in The Hunger Games, as female from District 12, what would be your strategy? Fight or flight?
   I would totally hide. I’m not that coordinated and I’m bad with loud, sudden noises. I don’t think I could fire a gun, or pull back the string on a bow. If I couldn’t hide, I’d be picked off immediately.

About the Author

 

 Sarah Gagnon grew up in the frigid woods of Maine amidst snow and animal skins and has now moved back home. As a small child she wrote ship-wrecked romances all while being stared down by a taxidermied duck.
   She has a BFA in photography and a minor in writing from the University of Southern Maine. She's the mother of two tiny, feral children and two ill-behaved dogs. For fun she’s taken up construction and interior design. Her first project: moving into a dilapidated farmhouse with her computer-genius husband.

Find Sarah: Website, Twitter, Facebook

Buy Date with a Rockstar: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, The Book Depository or Kobo

Win a paperback copy of Date with a Rockstar and a T-Shirt! (US only, sorry)

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Writing retreat with Courtney C. Stevens & mini interview

   Hey guys!
   I'm calling out to all the writers! The wonderful Courtney C. Stevens, author of Faking Normal and The Lies about the Truth (Out November 3rd) has reached out to me and a bunch of other bloggers to raise your attention toward a writers retreat she is holding. She

wrote a wonderful post about it, which you guys should most definitely check out, over on her blog which made me really want to go, but as non US resident that's a bit tricky which is why I'm telling you guys about. I'm sure there are others like me out there, aspiring authors who could benefit from attending such a retreat. The MadCap Retreat will also be featuring guest writers such as Victoria Schwab (Vicious, A Darker Shade of Magic and many more), Tessa Gratton, and Natalie C. Parker. How much better can it get?

   Head on over to the MadCap Retreat website and have a look around. If you're worried about financing there is an amazing opportunity waiting for you! Help us spread the word about the retreat and then enter this contest (which runs from June 15th-June 20th) to win a $300 coupon for the retreat! There are three of them in total which is amazing. There are also a couple other awesome prizes up for grabs as well! Check it out:

   1- 50 page manuscript critique by Courtney C. Stevens
   3- signed copies of Faking Normal (U.S./Canada Only)
   1- ARC of The Lies About Truth (U.S./Canada Only)
   5 - electronic copies of The Blue Haired Boy

   Furthermore, Courtney has taken a bit of her time to answer three writer and marketing related questions for you guys. Isn't she amazing?

   1) What do you think is the most important part in the process of creating a story?
   In my opinion, the idea itself. It must be worth pursuing. Good writing and great characters cannot rescue a bad idea. The idea is the lid of the whole project and every other part of the story exists beneath it.

   2) What tip could you give others who might be facing a dry season, so to speak, during their writing process? Taking a break or pushing through? Something entirely different?
   I have several pieces of advice for this, because a dry season isn't one-size-fits-all.
   a) Check your story intake. Are you seeing art? Watching great t.v.? Reading amazing books. Eavesdropping on conversations at the mall? I firmly believe that output relies on intake. The creative well isn't spring fed; it's transported one bucket at a time.
   b) Change the instrument. If you write on a computer, pick up a notebook. If you write on Microsoft Word, download Scrivener. If you write with a notebook, try a laptop. If you usually write in a nook in your house, take your phone and transcribe story into the notes section. I've found that change is the reset button for me.
   c) Take a life analysis. Sometimes a writing problem isn't a writing problem; it's a life problem. I find that I often put down in words something I'm struggling with, and then I get stuck in my writing, because I'm actually stuck in my life. I don't know how to write the end, because I haven't lived it yet. So I advise doing a quick evaluation to see where the actual problem lies.

   3) What are the key elements of a good book marketing campaign? Is there something like a secret recipe or does it all depend and vary from book to book?
   The key element of any great marketing campaign is making champions of either your work or yourself, and I advise the latter.
   There is no secret recipe. The closest thing I've discovered is adopting this mantra: no one is more invest in selling my book than me. What will I do today to make that happen?

   This is an amazing opportunity for all writers out there so take a chance who knows, you might win more then just a coupon but loads of wonderful insights from amazing authors. And, while you're at it, don't forget to check out Courtney's books. I've read Faking Normal last year and adored it.

Ask the Author: Lydia Kang (Control)

   Hey guys!
   For this weeks Ask The Author I'm bringing you Lydia Kang, the author of Control. I'm really excited to share this interview with you guys.
   Here's her book and her interview:

Control by Lydia Kang
Published: December 26th 2013 by Dial Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages: 393 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: Yes, #1

   When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn't even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.
   A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Lydia Kang

   1. There is quite a bit of science in this book. How much research went into it?
   Just a little, to be honest. I created the mutations out of my imaginations, and did a bit of research to sharpen up the details and make them a little more believable. It was nice having a background in biology and medicine--this part was easy!

   2. Is there one scene in particular that you remember drafting and being all excited while writing it?
   There is one fight where Vera is kicking butt and Hex is monster-raging on the bad guys. I loved writing that scene! It practically wrote itself. :)

   3. How long did it take you from first idea until publishing deal? And how many queries did it take until you found 'the one'?
   I blogged about my querying journey, complete with statistics:
http://thelucky13s.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-querying-journey.html
   But for the short version--it took 27 months from my first novel idea to getting an agent and a book deal. Control was my third book written, and it took 101 query letters to get my agent, Eric Myers, with Control. The publishing deal with Penguin happened about 6 weeks later.


   4. What do you think about the cover? Is it like anything you imagined it might look like?
   I adore the Catalyst cover. I love how it evolves from the cold, metallic Control paperback, and becomes more lush, green, and organic. It's a great metaphor for what happens in the story. I'm really bad at imagining book covers, so this was a pleasant surprise!

   5. Which do you prefer: Dystopians or Paranormal?
   Over time, I've changed. Originally, I liked dystopians more because I appreciated the world building that went into making a dystopian society. Lately, I've enjoyed more nuanced paranormal--what might be called slipstream fiction, like Imaginary Girls.

   6. If you were forced to participate in The Hunger Games, as female from District 12, what would be your strategy? Fight or flight?
   I'd fly, for sure. I'm a bit like Rue, in that I'm good at climbing. I'm petite and was one of those kids who'd never get found in hide-and-go seek. So yeah--I'd run and hide!

About the Author

   I love salt more than chocolate. I'm somewhat small, yet deceptively strong. Sort of like an ant.
   I write YA fiction, poetry and narrative medical nonfiction. I'm a part time doc, full time family member, and rather oxygen dependent.
   My YA sci-fi novel, CONTROL, will debut December 2013 (Dial/Penguin). I'll be holding my breath until then. Watch me.