Eyecatcher: Delcroix Academy: The Candidates by Inara Scott

Delcroix Academy: The Candidates

by Inara Scott

Hyperion

http://www.inarascott.com

ISBN: 9781423116363

Release Date: August 24, 2010

from the author's site: 

Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that’s not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia’s mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just … happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to people, believing this way she can suppress her powers and keep them hidden. 

When recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy offer her a full scholarship, Dancia fears her days of living under the radar may be over. But Delcroix is a school for diplomats’ kids and child geniuses — why are they treating Dancia like she’s special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make her feel welcome. And then there’s her mysterious new friend Jack, who can’t stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at Delcroix, and he wants Dancia to help him figure out what…But neither Jack or Dancia could have imagined what’s really going on behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.

why it caught my eye: 

This is a title that kept grabbing my attention because it's currently on display at work. I finally decided to see what it was about, and knew right away that I had to add Delcroix Academy to my wish list.  Anyone out there read this one yet? What did you think of it?

 

Eyecatcher: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Nevermore

by Kelly Creagh

Atheneum

http://www.kellycreagh.com

ISBN: 9781442402003

Release Date: August 31, 2010

from the author's site: 

 

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

why it caught my eye: 

What teenager hasn't gone through a Poe phase? I know I did. :) Heck my first pet rat was named Edgar. Thanks to my fascination with Poe (and I'm sure many others), I can't wait to get my hands on Nevermore. Plus you've just got to love that striking cover. 

Review: The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

The Secret Year

by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Viking

http://www.jenniferhubbard.com

ISBN: 9780670011537

Release Date: January 2010

from the author's site: 

Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They’ve never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia’s boyfriend. When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal Julia left behind. But Colt is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he’s kept.

my thoughts: 

The Secret Year was a different kind of book for me. It was like getting just a little snippet of Colt's life. Jennifer R. Hubbard's writing is absolutely compelling. I read nearly the entire book in one sitting. I couldn't stop reading about Colt and what he was going through. How do you handle grief when you can't show it?

The Secret Year is a book to make you think. I'm glad I read it, and I recommend you do so too.  

You Recommend Wednesday

Happy Wednesday lovely readers! So what's everyone reading this week? I, as usual, am reading multiple books at once, but I'm always up for more recommendations.

So come on, what have you got for me this week?

Eyecatcher: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

The Replacement

by Brenna Yovanoff

Razorbill (Penguin)

http://www.brennayovanoff.com

ISBN: 9781595143372

Release Date: September 21, 2010

from the author's site: 

Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement—left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world. 

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with an oddly intriguing girl named Tate. But when Tate’s baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs. 

why it caught my eye: 

How does a cover like that NOT catch your eye? I've been seeing The Replacement over and over again on peoples' GoodReads shelves, so I was really excited when an advanced copy of it came in at work. I can't wait to check it out.

Eyecatcher: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

Wicked Girls 

by Stephanie Hemphill

HarperTeen

ISBN: 9780061853289

Release Date: June 29, 2010

from the publisher's site: 

What started out as girls' games became a witch hunt. Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials told from the perspectives of three of the real young women living in Salem in 1692. 

Ann Putnam Jr. plays the queen bee. When her father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann grasps her opportunity. She puts in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of the people around her forever. 

Mercy Lewis, the beautiful servant in Ann's house, inspires adulation in some and envy in others. With a troubled past, she seizes her only chance at safety. 

Margaret Walcott, Ann's cousin, is desperately in love and consumed with fiery jealousy. She is torn between staying loyal to her friends and pursuing the life she dreams of with her betrothed. 

With new accusations mounting daily against the men and women of the community, the girls will have to decide: Is it too late to tell the truth? 

A Printz Honor winner for Your Own, sylvia, Stephanie Hemphill uses evocative verse to weave a nuanced portrait of one of the most chilling and fascinating times in our nation's history. 

why it caught my eye: 

This one was sent to me in HarperTeen's HipLit newsletter. As soon as I saw that it dealt with the Salem Witch Trials I knew I had to check it out. I've always been fascinated by that whole event. It's a sad, disturbing time in our history. I'm really curious to see how Stephanie Hemphill handles this story.

Author Interview: Shari Maurer

Another Monday, another author interview. :) This week our guest is Shari Maurer, author of Change of Heart.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in the suburbs of NYC with my husband and three kids. There's a lot of laughing in our house. My favorite TV shows are The Gilmore Girls and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Travel is a big part of my life--I've been to France, The Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Israel, England, Indonesia, Mexico, several Caribbean islands, many of our 50 states and a few provinces in Canada. I drink far more coffee than I should and my ultimate luxury is staying in bed in the morning and reading.

2. What got you started writing? What brought you to YA?

I've been writing in one form or another my whole life. Senior year of college, on a whim, I had applied to NYU film school to study dramatic writing. Even then, when given the choice I chose to write for children. I think I wound up writing YA in part because I wanted to write something my daughter would want to read and partially because it's what I like reading. What a great excuse I have to read all the wonderful YA books that are out there.

3. Tell us about your most recent/ upcoming release?

Change of Heart is about Emmi, a sixteen year old soccer player who struggles to maintain a normal life, while waiting for a heart transplant, and learns about life, loss and the meaning of true friendship in the process.

4. Do you plot out in advance, or just start writing and see where things go from there?

For Change of Heart, I kind of knew where I wanted to go and started writing. So I don't have an official outline, but definitely a sense of where I'm heading.

5. Many authors have told me their characters talk to them, and sometimes even have different ideas of where the story should go than the author. Do you hear your characters?

My characters often talk to each other while I'm driving or in the shower. I'm not sure they address me directly, but they certainly chat amongst themselves plenty.

6. Who is your favorite character (of your own)?

Emmi. It's her story and her journey.

7. What hobbies do you have when you're not writing?

Reading, playing tennis, rollerblading, watching Duke basketball and driving my kids around.

8. If you had not become a writer what would you have done instead?

Before my kids were born, I worked for the Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) on international productions of Sesame Street and other children's programming. When I was home with my kids, I became the PTA guru (I even have a PTA Lifetime Membership) , Girl Scout Leader and charity event planner (my family has coordinated events benefiting the American Heart Association and Hoops 4 Hope). Somewhere in the middle of television production and all the volunteer work lies the perfect job for me--perhaps Event Planner of some sort?

9. Where can readers find you online?

My website: www.sharimaurer.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/sharimaurer Facebook: www.facebook.com/shari.b.maurer

10. Your turn. What question do you have for readers of Want My YA?

I'm curious about what attracts you to a book. Do you browse the bookstore or head in knowing what you want to read?

Thanks so much Shari! Your book sounds great, looks like another one to add to my ever expanding wishlist. :) I had to laugh when I read that your characters talk in the car and the shower, that's exactly when mine start talking too. My problem is I can't remember their conversations very well after...lol.

Personally I do a fair amount of browsing, but I also have my list that I buy from. I try to stick to the list so I don't accidentally double buy. I own so many books that sometimes it's difficult to remember if I've already bought something.