YA Wednesday! Review~ The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

 Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society.This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

 

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

 

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I fell in love with Marie Lu's writing when I read her Legend Series. It's a great dystopian read and I loved that her characters were a little younger and it went on for a few years. In a genre that can be inundated with similarity Lu has her voice and style. So I was super excited when I heard she was working on a new series about an elite group with unusual abilities. This was definitely my most enjoyable read of 2014 and something that I wanted to share on the blog.

 

 

This is a darker read and takes place in a darker world. A virus has come to the city called blood fever (it reminds me of scarlet fever, similar symptoms). The fever has killed thousands. Those that do survive are forever scarred and marked. The survivors are called "malfetto's". They may have survived the fever but they have paid the price. Scars and marks cover some or all of their bodies. They also came back with powers. Some with the power to save and some with the power to kill.

 

They became known as "The Young Elites" and those in the royal family and who obey the royals have decided that they should be hunted down and killed. They are feared and hunted and so they must live in the shadows of the city.

 

Adelina a survivor of the fever is our narrator. When she came back from the fever she came back missing one of her eyes and with an ability to unleash the ability of illusion. However, she has no idea how to control it. When her power kills she is hunted and captured and brought to the city square to burn at the stake. However, the elites help her escape and take her in. There she meets a number of other Elites all unique in power. Enzo Valenciano (Oh, hot damn, this is my MAN) should be king but the fever robbed him of his birth right and now he fills his days training and fighting as the leader of the Elites. He offers to help train Adelina and help her learn how to control and use her power.

 

Along the way there are plans by Teren, the leader of the Inquisition Axis and Queen's head man in charge of ridding the world of Elites. War ensues between Teren's group and the Elites.

 

This first book is gearing up for an action packed series. I will say I was so sad at how book one ended. I am really hoping that we are all being tricked and we will get back what we lost. For such an action and dark book it also held a lot of emotion. The connections between relationships was deep. I really enjoyed the themes of friendship and loyalty in this book. I have no idea where the next book is going to take us but I've bucked up for the ride.

 

5 Totally Addicted Skulls

 

 

 

 

YA Wednesday! Author Series ~ Nikki Jefford

Nikki Jefford loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt. Books, travel, TV series, hiking, writing and motorcycle riding are her favorite escapes. She loves meeting people from all walks of life, from around the globe, and wouldn’t trade her French husband in for anyone – not even Spike!

She’s a third generation Alaskan, born & raised in Anchorage, now living in Northern Washington. Crazy about her dog, Cosmo. (Writer’s best friend.) The dark side of humanity fascinates her, so long as it's balanced by humor and romance.

Her favorite TV heroines are Buffy, Veronica Mars, and Dr. Temperance ‘Bones’ Brennan.

Stay in the new release loop by joining Nikki’s email list: http://www.nikkijefford.com/p/email-s...
 

 

 

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter

 

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter (#1)

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Northern Bites (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2)

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Stakeout (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2.5)

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Evil Red (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2.6)

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Bad Blood (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #3)

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Coming in March

Hunting Season (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #4)

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Spellbound

 

Spellbound Holiday Set (#1-3)

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Holiday Magic (A Spellbound Christmas Story)

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Coming Soon

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Nikki, I am a HUGE fan of your work.

 

Thank you, Amber. I'm a huge fan of anyone who reads! J

 

1.      When did you start writing and how did you first publish?

 

I handwrote my first novel in fifth grade. I used one of those 120 page ruled spiral notebooks and filled the entire thing (front & back).

 

Entangled (Spellbound Trilogy #1) was self-published in February 2012 on Amazon and the other big online book sellers via Smashwords. Since then, I started publishing directly to sites like Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play and iBooks.

 

I really enjoy YA fantasy and you write some of my favourites.

2.    Are you a huge fantasy fan? Would you ever consider writing contemporary?

 

That is music to my ears. J I am a HUGE fantasy fan! Total addiction that began with books like Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones and Matilda by Roald Dahl. And movies like: The Never Ending Story, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Princess Bride, Legend, The Secret of NIMH, Ladyhawke and The Last Unicorn.

 

I’m open to other genres. I read and watch a range of subjects. I have 15,000 words of a contemporary romance novel and even purchased the cover a couple years ago, but fantasy is my first love. If I hit a lull or need a break between series, I’ll revisit that project.

 

3. What does your writing process look like?

I know for your latest book in the Aurora Sky series you wrote a product but then decided to start over. I find that really admirable. How has that process been?

 

Movies are filmed out of order. Likewise, my best novel writing takes place when I write the scenes I’m most excited about first then go from there. For example, one of the first scenes I wrote in Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, Vol. 1 (now free!) was the public bus—hot kiss—scene between Aurora and Fane. That and her initiation as a vampire hunter. They were both incredibly tense—one sexually, the other a life and death situation. Completing those got me pumped and excited about the book and characters. They were defining moments that helped set the overall tone of the novel.

 

More recently, I began writing books chronologically and—ironically—the process hasn’t gone as smooth.

 

As you know, the last Aurora Sky book (Hunting Season, Vol. 4 – now available for pre-order) got out from under me. I wrote the entire novel… then rewrote nearly the whole thing again from scratch.

 

Despite the financial loss and blow to my confidence, I am grateful I wasn’t locked into a release date and could take the time to start fresh, reconnect with the characters and get them back on track.

 

4. If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your books, who would play your characters?

I can't wait to hear your answers on this!!! :)

 

This isn’t all going to be age appropriate, but I’m sure Hollywood can do their thing with makeup.

 

Aurora Sky – Adelaide Kane (I just started watching Reign about Mary, Queen of Scots on NetFlix and am impressed with Adelaide Kane. She has an air of naivety and kindness, yet is unrelenting when push comes to shove).

 

Dante – Chris Pratt (I could not stop thinking about Dante when I saw Christ Pratt as Peter Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy. They have that same goofy, headstrong nature. They even like to sing fun songs. And he looks like the clean-cut, hottie poster boy.)

 

Fane Donado – Can we resurrect James Dean? So far I haven’t come across any actors who remind me of Fane. Maybe there’s some undiscovered new talent out there. ;) 

 

Noel Harper – Lucy Hale

 

Valerie Ward – Isla Fisher (She has the red hair! I’ve never seen Fisher play a mean part, but she’s got the right look and I’m a fan and I’m sure she could pull Valerie off!)

 

I really love romance but I really gravitate toward YA romance novels.

5. How hard is it to write romance?

 

I’m also a romance buff. Writing the romantic bits is the most fun part of the process. They’re my favorite scenes to read and write so long as lives are at stake and/or the world is falling apart. I have A.D.D. big time, which is probably why I’ve never gotten into contemporary romance. The only thing that seems to be keeping couples apart in contemporary romance is poor communication, social status, jobs, and/or family dynamic. It’s very formulated. I like to be surprised.

 

 Speaking of romance you write one of my favourite book boyfriends and my favourite vampire of all time, FANE!!!!!!!!!!!!

6. What inspired FANE?

 

Killer! I am so happy to hear that. Fane was inspired by Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I fell for him, HARD, during a back-to-back, binge-watching Buffy marathon in 2011. Then the series was over and no more Spike!

 

I was at a low point in my life—getting old and going nowhere kind of thing. Joss Whedon reminded me of why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. He inspired me to put the ideas I thought were too “outlandish” to paper. That the sky was the limit.

 

For over a decade, I’d tried to be a literary writer, then a historical romance writer. When I returned to my first love: fantasy, the world unfolded before me. It was life altering.

 

As for Fane, he helped get me through Spike withdrawals.

 

7. Out of all the characters you write who is the most like you? Who is the least like you?

 

Probably Graylee Perez from the Spellbound Trilogy. She puts a lot of focus and energy on magic (her passion), the way I’m focused on writing. It can get in the way of personal relationships and come across single-minded. But if someone she cares about is in trouble, she’ll drop everything in a heartbeat and fight to the death. We’re also both food obsessed. Aurora doesn’t care about food. Gray and I are chocoholics who love yummy, bready things. We both leap before we look, which leads to adventure and misadventure. We enjoy language and world travel—though I love the French language, which Gray doesn’t. She’s into Spanish. I’m a Francophile all the way, including a French husband I met and married in France!

 

On the flip side, the character least like me is Gray’s twin sister, Charlene Perez. I’ve never come close to being suicidal over a boy. I can’t stand selfish, shallow behavior. She does horrible, murderous things for her own benefit with no remorse. She makes Valerie Ward from the Aurora Sky series look like an angel in comparison.

 

8. What writing advice do you have for aspiring writers?

 

Read at least 50 books a year.

Watch TV series and pay attention to characters and plotlines that grab your attention and keep you hooked. (How can you recreate this effect in your writing?)

Write! At least a few times a week.

Jot down notes, bits of dialogues—whatever comes to mind—in a notebook.

Edit! Nothing comes out perfect the first time. Keep working on your craft and find beta readers who can give you honest and insightful feedback.

 

9. What are some of your favourite YA reads/authors?

 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

John Green! (Big love!)

Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Grimoire Saga by S.M. Boyce

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

 

10. What do you have in the works next?

 

Something I'm super mega excited about: Losing It – a collection of never before published sex scenes from 20 bestselling YA authors. We’re taking fade to dark scenes from previously published YA series and revealing what went on behind closed doors.

 

Heather Hildenbrand and I organized this collection and it’s been interesting to see the reactions. It pushes a lot of writers outside their comfort zone, but we managed to round up an incredibly talented (and brave!) group. Sex and nudity is a sensitive subject, especially in the U.S. Yet violence is acceptable and I have to see dismembered body parts on the evening news. I’d rather see a boob than a bloody arm any day of the week. Besides, reading about sex is what kept me out of trouble growing up. I’m reading submissions as they come in for the collection and let me say this, readers are in for a real treat!

 

The Losing It collection releases next month and will be available for pre-order very soon.

 

Thank you so much for having me, Amber!

Nikki is giving away one audio edition of Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter. Enter here via Rafflecopter or enter HERE  on our Facebook page.

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YA Wednesday! Favourite reads of 2014 & most anticipated reads of 2015.

Hello darlings! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and Happy 2015!

Below is a list of my favourite YA reads of 2014.  

 

 

 

 

I read a HUGE amount of YA in 2014 but these really shined among the crowd.  I loved each and every page of these books.

 

 

 Here is a list of my most anticipated YA reads of 2015. Those that have covers right now, anyway.

What YA novels did you all love in 2014? What are some of your most anticipated reads in 2015? Drop me a line in comments.

Cheers to 2015!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM #YAWEDNESDAY

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT ADDICTED SOULS! #YAWEDNESDAY WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK.

LET US KNOW WHAT BOOKS SANTA BROUGHT YOU. DROP US SOME COMMENTS.

CHEERS,

 

 

YA Wednesday! Amber's Wish List for Santa~

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU!!!

HERE IS A LIST OF BOOK BOYFRIENDS I AM ASKING SANTA FOR.

 

 

 

WHO IS ON YOUR LIST?? DROP SOME NAMES IN THE COMMENTS.

 

 

 

 

YA Wednesday!!!! Sarah Dessen Reread!

 

Sarah Dessen is the Queen of contemporary YA!

 If you have not read any of her books you are really missing out.  Dessen writes wonderfully poignant stories full of well-written characters and her dialogue writing is by far some of the best in all the literary world.

My friend Thomas once wrote “Reading Sarah Dessen is like walking into an air-conditioned store after a hot, humid day in the sun.” Thomas was able to capture all the feelings I have for her books with one sentence. 

Dessen has many talents but one of my favourites is her male characters. Eli (Along for the Ride) and Wes (The Truth About Forever) are two of my all time favourite book boyfriends and who I judge all book boyfriends against. At least once a year I find myself picking up my well worn paperbacks of both these novels and settling in for a nostalgic journey. A journey I love to keep coming back to. So for this YA Wednesday I thought I would share these two gems with you all along with a few of my favourite quotes. Sarah Dessen has many other great books as well. As soon as she releases one I grab it up. I love all of her books I just have a special place in my heart for these two. I also really love "How to Deal" with Mandy Moore which is based off two of her novels. Come on early 2000 Mandy Moore. #LOVE

 Whether you are new to the world of Dessen or already a Dessenite hit me up in the comments and let's talk YA.

 

 

A long, hot summer...

That's what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy's father.

But sometimes, unexpected things can happen—things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to wonder, Is it really better to be safe than sorry?

AMAZON

Seriously, though go to your library. They are going to have Dessen!

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

AMAZON
Again, your library is AWESOME!

 

 

 

 

I hope this starts you on your Dessen journey. You won't regret it. Until Next week!

 

 

YA WEDNESDAY!! AUTHOR SERIES!!!!! EVERYONE GIVE IT UP FOR THE BRILLANT TARA ALTEBRANDO!

Tara Altebrando is the author of several wonderful YA novels.  Including "DREAMLAND SOCIAL CLUB" which was picked by KIRKUS REVIEWS as ONE of the BEST TEEN BOOKS OF 2012. Tara writes creative and compelling stories full of wonderfully developed characters and LOOK at those book covers. They are gorgeous!

Dreamland Social Club is by far one of my favourite reads of all time. I was completely captivated by its story (full review below). I AM obsessed with that book. This lead me to discovering her other novels and totally falling in love with the stories she weaves and the characters she creates. She's also totally cool, gracious,  charming, and witty. Seriously, I love me some Tara Altebrando.

Tara grew up on Staten Island, NY, and currently lives in Astoria, Queens, with her husband and two young daughters. For more information on Tara visit HERE .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  I am a huge fan of all of your books but I really fell in love with Dreamland Social Club. 

 What inspired you to write that? 

 

I've long been obsessed with old Coney Island, and with this idea that something that was so amazing—a vacation destination for millions with incredible amusement parks the likes of which the world had never seen—could basically cease to exist. The history of freak shows and fires and hotels shaped like elephants...how can you NOT want to write a novel about that? Since I'm not inclined to write historical fiction, I decided to write about a girl in current day Coney, discovering its past and her own mother's past there. 

I have a huge fascination with Coney Island and your book really feed that obsession in the best way. 

 

 What is your writing process? 

I sit down and write pretty much every day. Or rather, I write every day that my children are in school. If I'm not feeling particularly inspired, I write anyway, and then typically I GET inspired along the way. My process often seems to involve writing one totally misguided complete draft, so I'm working on fixing that. 

Do you have ideas for all your books long before you start to write? Which comes first the characters or the storyline? 

 

Sometimes I feel like the book I'm writing is the last one, that I'll never have another idea. Sometimes I have two or three ideas in the queue. It changes year to year. But I typically start with ideas that are more plot driven and the characters get fleshed out in the first (or, er, second) draft. 

Do you have any strange writing habits? Writing on your head? In the middle of the night?

 

I sometimes will listen to the same song on repeat all day if it is the song that captures the mood of what I'm trying to write. But other than that I'm pretty boring. Before I had a family I would occasionally rent a cabin or hotel room somewhere random and lock myself away for a few days to bang out a draft or revision but these days, not so much. 

 We are huge YA fans at Addicted Souls. What inspired you to write YA? 

 

I was mostly inspired to write YA because I had an idea for a book that I wanted to write—about a teenager who is working at one of those historic reenactment villages the summer her mother dies—and, well, that sounds like YA to me, so I knew that's how it would be published and put out into the world. I wrote two novels for grown-ups under my maiden name first and, honestly, I've never looked back. I love YA. I love writing it, I love reading it and I love the people I've meet who also write and read it. 

 I really loved the magic in Dreamland Social Club but I was also really moved at how you were able to also incorporate some pretty heavy issues into the story. That is something that I really love about your writing and your stories. 

 How much of that mix is in the pre-work for setting up your novel? Are you always trying to find a balance between elements of your story? 

I think I strive for that mix because I also like it in what I read. But I also think that the balance is different in each of my books. I wouldn't say that Dreamland Social Club is a funny book at all! Babette has her moments, but Jane's not a particularly funny main character. But in The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life the focus is more on humor and a more humorous premise. I get bored if I try to do the same thing a second time so my books seem to alternate in tone a bit if you line them all up. 

 I'll admit I am a YA swoon junkie. You managed to bring the swoon big time in Dreamland Social Club and there are zero sexytimes. I LOVE THAT! 

 How hard is it to write those scenes? 

I loved writing those scenes with Jane and Leo exploring Coney together at night. And it felt important to me that Dreamland Social Club strived for a sort of "classic" feel--no cellphones, for example—so I didn't want to bring too much of the sexytimes into it. Because it's an otherwise very sweet story about loss and nostalgia and love. I feel like the best part of teen romance is often the longing stage and the longer that stage goes on, the happier everyone is. Does that say something warped about my idea of relationships? I have no idea. :)

How do you feel about social media? Do you use it to promote your books and talk to your fans? Do you attend any author conferences or do public readings? 

I'm not a super astute online marketer like a lot of authors are. I tweet and Facebook and love accepting invitations to do readings and panels and such—I want more invitations, actually!—but where I am in my career right now doesn't DEMAND that I do a ton of that stuff and I guess that's a bit of a blessing as my daughters are still quite young. It would be challenging to go on a long book tour, for example. 

 Leo/Tattoo Boy (Dreamland Social Club) is in my top all time favourite book boyfriends. 

Who is your favourite(s) book boyfriend? 

 

In my own books or beyond? Leo is my personally favorite, though he is a close second with James from The Pursuit of Happiness. In other YA books that come to mind I've always loved Wes from Sarah Dessen's The Truth About Forever and, more recently, pretty much any male characters Gayle Forman writes is the bees knees. 

 What are some of your favourite books and authors in and out of the YA world? 

 

Jellicoe Road, How I Live Now, and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks are some of my all time favorites. Right now, in the world of grown-ups, I'm pretty much in love with Megan Abbott and am sort of plowing through her backlist in total author-crush mode. 

 What are you working on next?

 

I'm working on my next solo YA novel (following ROOMIES, which I coauthored with Sara Zarr). It's called The Leaving and, again, is a bit of a change for me. A YA memory thriller! It's about a group of kids who disappear when they're 5 year old; eleven years later, five out of the six of them come back with no memory of where they've been and no idea what happened to the sixth. It's making my head hurt a bit right now but not to worry, I'll get it sorted out. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published: May 12, 2011

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Jane has traveled the world with her father and brother, but it's not until her fractured family-still silently suffering from the loss of Jane's mother many years before-inherits a house and a history in Coney Island that she finally begins to find a home. With the help of a new community of friends, a mermaid's secrets, and a tattooed love interest with traffic-stopping good looks, the once plain Jane begins to blossom and gains the courage to explore the secrets of her mother's past.

Colorful characters, beautiful writing, and a vibrant, embattled beachfront backdrop make this the perfect summer read for anyone who has ever tried to find true love or a place to call home.

 

A lot of the books we read come from information that we have gotten from another source. Maybe a blog or a other site has written about the book and so we pick it and sometimes books find us. I had never heard of this book but I noticed it one day in the library because of the cover and the description ( I have a HUGE Coney Island obsession) and I knew I had to read it.

Although, I will be the first to admit I do judge a book by its cover more times than not it was the story that drew me in. If you like books that are a little wacky and fun you will love this book. It's also really touching and sweet in the best ways possible. It's one of my all time favourite reads and one that I found myself going back to year after year.

The book starts our with protagonist Jane (goes by middle name. Her first name is LUNA, which let's all agree is a perfect name) who has recently moved to Coney Island with her father and brother. Jane's mom who passed away grew up in Coney Island and so it is filled with family history. Jane's dad designs roller coasters. I know, who does that!!! That is a real job. Her dad is actual a big deal in the world of roller coaster design and because of that the family has spent the last few years living in Europe and Asia while he works.

Obviously, Coney Island is a huge change from where Jane previously lived. Coney Island is full of the strange. Everywhere you look there are people that would normally be tagged as "circus folks". Jane's new school is full of the different too. This was a favourite part for me. The diversity in the book.

As Jane begins to explore Coney Island and its residents it also stirs up a lot of family history for her and there are some secrets and mysteries that she sets out to solve. I love Jane. I would totally be BFF's with her and explore Coney Island and have slumber parties. Along the way Jane makes new friends (her BFF Babette who is a little person who is goth) and enlists the help of a guy named Leo (SAWOON) who's mother was friends with Jane's mother.  All of the characters in the book are made up of incredibly gifted and hilarious and awesome people. There is a magic to the story and it is emphasized by the characters we get to know and the location of the story. I mean, CONEY ISLAND! Think of all the history of that place and how fun it would be to be a kid there.

However, it's not all rainbows and carnival rides. Altebrando also highlights the struggle and isolation of being a community like Coney Island. Altebrando brings to life a place full of wonder and amazement but she does so while navigating through some pretty heavy issues. So whilst it is dreamy and a fun read it's also contemporary at it's best because it defies stereotypes and there is a depth in the story.

You know me I love me some YA romance reads. Altebrando can bring the flame. She does it when she writes a glance or a touch. There is no SEX in this book but the swooniness (yes, that has to be a word, right?) is soooo hot! Leo is one of my all time book boyfriends.

I absolutely fell in love with the last paragraph in the book. That imagery still haunts me.

I can't wait to read more books from Altebrando. She has easily situated herself among my favourite's.

5 Totally Addicted Skulls