Published by: HarperCollins
(Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers!)
Release Date: January 3, 2011

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART. DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim. Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild – a savage – but might be her best hope at staying alive. If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

Ten Likes/Dislikes


1. (+/-) Protagonists Aria & Peregrine - It took me a really long time to warm up to Aria, and even when I didn't dislike her anymore, I still felt distant from her. I think a good part of my reaction has to do with the society she lived in.... It was hard to identify with her when everything was just a dream to her - better than real - she seemed incredibly spoiled... But later I still didn't know that many concrete facts about her or know what she was really like. Also, she kept talking about her best friend, but honestly I didn't see their connection in the beginning either...  On the other hand, Peregrine was awesome. I felt his angst from the start and his family connection was heart-breaking. I wanted to root for him from the start. He pulled me out of my dislike of the beginning and into the story.
2. (+) World-building - Pretty much every review of Under the Never Sky I had read prior to reading it praised the world-building, and they were all right. At first I was a bit overwhelmed... but after a while, once I had adjusted, I could appreciate all the details and the careful planning that Veronica Rossi put into this world.  Cannibal tribes and superpowers and genetics and oh man!  I loved the science portion in this fantasy world (don't worry, it's not too hardcore). I won't spoil for it for you, but the world was so wonderful that I can't wait to delve back in it for the sequel.
3. (--) The Beginning - So Aria starts off the book, and since I was also a bit confused by all the details of the world being thrown at me, this book didn't grab me from the start. I would say that the beginning is its weakest point, but...
4. (+) But once it got going... - I couldn't let go of it. Took about 80/268 Galley pages for that to happen, but at least it did and when it did, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
5. (...) Depends on Every Reader - So I enjoyed reading this book... but I remembered a conversation with my critique partner - she had said that YA books nowadays seem to have plots that are dragged out over the series... And I thought about this book.  I think it may fall into this category.  Not all that much happens in this book - it's sort of like an exploration of the world (and the major revelation is made really late in the book) and the Aria and Perry fall in love in the meanwhile... But that's not to say that it wasn't fun. If you like the details and like your characters fleshed out, then you will enjoy reading this book. But if you are someone who looks for action, you may not.
6. (+) Character Cast - Most of the characters were really fleshed out. You could see their fears and strengths and identify with them.  One of the strongest points of this book.
7. (+) The Romance - A hate turned love relationship that plays out really well. They argue a lot in the beginning but gradually they learn to get over their prejudices and open up to each other... And when the romance really picked up, it was written sweetly. (Though I'm still a little uncertain about the turning point in their hate/loveness - about why Peregrine finally started to see Aria as a girl. I mean, yes, she had her first bleeding, but they had had an argument and still didn't really like each other.)
8. (+) The Writing - For the most part, excellent. There were a bunch of times when I noticed that the author had used the same sentence construction at the start of several consecutive paragraphs (which distracted me / pulled me out a bit)... Me noticing that though may be because I read it on a computer.  But that's a really nitpicky detail -- the descriptions are vivid and work well in this story.
9. (+) Alternating Perspectives - I was really pleased with the way the alternating perspectives worked in this book. They seemed to be chosen with purpose and they always offered something different in terms of looking out at their world. Both character voices were well developed.
10. (+/-) The Cover - The Kindle cover is WAY better than the US hardcover one (it tells you something about the book!). I like the blues like the Aether and the Still Blue for the US - think that's great, but I hate the girl walking forward like that. There's nothing more unoriginal than yet another girl doing that for a YA cover.

Great characters, great romance, great world-building. Stick with it and you'll see Under the Never Sky for what it is: an enchanting debut.

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at www.parajunkee.com and Alison at www.alisoncanread.com.
If you had to spend eternity inside the pages of a book, which book would you choose and why?

I'm betting that Harry Potter will be listed a bunch of times and I don't disagree with that choice, but for the sake of originality, I'll say Incarnate by Jodi Meadows. It's my favorite book (so far) that's being published in 2012 and most of the characters (except the MC) live for eternity already. I wouldn't be alone and I could pursue whatever craft I wanted. Of course I'd have to watch out for the dragons and sylphs and creepy temple, but it seems worth it :P.

 What about you?

Top Ten Books of 2011 You Should Read:

1. Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• Expands on the fascinating world she built in Nightshade + introduces awesome new characters + heart-breaking romance

2. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• Like nothing else you've ever read.

3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• Strong heroine, wonderful, wonderful writing, imaginative world.  And recently optioned for film by Universal! [Can't WAIT to see that happen!]

4. Divergent by Veronica Roth - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• Dystopian thriller with a kickass heroine that made me question my own beliefs about bravery and the things I do daily.

5. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• Best YA writer out there for YA Contemporary Romance.  Loved Cricket so much more than Etienne (from Anna and the French Kiss).

6. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• Unreliable narrator and hot boy and craziness abound!

7. Hourglass by Myra McEntire - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• Spunky heroine with a dark past battling time with an awesome supporting cast.

8. The Pledge by Kimberly Derting - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• Blends fantasy and romance in a dystopian society centered around languages and includes familial relationships at the heart of the novel

9. Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare - Amazon | Goodreads

• No one writes romance scenes better than she does for YA.  Holy shizwhiz, those were some steaming scenes. [Though the book also of course exacerbated my hatred of love triangles].

10. Witchlanders by Lena Coakley - My Review | Amazon | Goodreads

• First YA non-romance book I couldn't put down because of how FANTASTIC the world-building and writing were.

*Note: some of these are my early reviews (aka not that long & extensive), but I'd still recommend the books with all my heart.

Top Book of 2012:

So I actually haven't read 10 books releasing in 2012... I've only read Incarnate, Everneath, Slide, Hallowed, and Jessica Rules the Dark Side, but my ultimate recommendation for 2012 goes to Incarnate. Awesome, awesome book - Review here.


Top Ten Favorite YA Heroines - This list only refers to the heroines who had been nominated in the contest running at YA Sisterhood.  These are characters I'd like to win / be in the top ten :).

1. Rose from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
2. Tessa from Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
3. Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore
4. Fire from Fire by Kristin Cashore
5. Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
6. Mara from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
7. Calla from Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
8. Cat from Heist Society by Ally Carter
9. Sophie from Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
10. Hermione from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

:( I know some of these girls were already eliminated... 'tis a shame.

So what were your favorite books from 2011?  Which heroines do you want to win?  Do you have any suggestions for how I can improve my blog?  Are there certain posts you'd like to see more of?

Release Date: 01/31/2012
(Thanks to ATWT for allowing me to participate in this tour!)
Published by: Katherine Tegen

Incarnate (Newsoul #1) by Jodi Meadows

NEWSOUL 
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why. 

NOSOUL 
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame? 

HEART 
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? 

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:


This is the best book written by a debut author that I've read so far for 2012 publication.

1. (+) Ana, the protagonist - Ana could detract some readers, could seem a bit whiny and cliche, but it takes the skill of a writer like Jodi Meadows to overcome both issues. Ana has been abused by her mother Li and this comes out in her voice -- it comes out in the way she is cynical, defensive, and unwilling to trust others easily (though when she does, she trusts them wholeheartedly, given how passionate she is). But it also comes out in her strength. The way she is self-reliant and breaks away from her past. The way she doesn't complain but moves on and forges her own life, separate from her mother, and learns more about herself. The way she stands up to Sam and others. Ana was easy to empathize with, and I rooted for her the whole way through. (Watch out for her in the next YA Sisterhood Winter Strong Heroine contest ;P).
2. (+) The World-building - I loved the fantasy world so, so much. I love how this book stands out with its utopian society and how that actually makes sense for the story. I loved the creepiness and the mystery behind the Temple and the heartbeat of Heart's walls. I loved the role that a superpower plays and the range of opinions people have about their own society--it made it feel real. I loved the history behind Heart and how Ana changes the stakes for everyone... I loved everything and cannot wait to learn more.
3. (+) The Romance - It's not an easy task to make a 5,000 year old teenager seem appealing, but Jodi Meadows succeeds. I think a great deal of the success is because Jodi Meadows has the characters talk about their age difference-- so many authors leave that alone and just assume that such a relationship is normal or that the characters wouldn't feel the gap between them... but Ms. Meadows addresses this head on, and in fact, I think the age difference even adds to the romance. Ana is new, fierce, passionate--in a society where Sam has known everyone for 5,000 years, of course he'd fall for Ana... and of course Ana would fall for Sam-- he takes care of her, listens to her, teaches her (and in a way is her mentor and idol), and accepts her in a society that damns her for what she is. They have fights and there is a lot of tension, but all that adds to the complexity and sweetness when it gets resolved. I loved the romance so much that I couldn't get the masquerade scene out of my head for days.
4. (+) Character & Plot Book - In my other reviews, I've been ranting about how some books have too much inner character conflict while still trying to advance the plot--- and how that often makes both lacking (in my opinion)... but Incarnate is not one of those books. It has the perfect balance. Sam helps Ana accept herself and her place in their society while still investigating what brought her to them. And the book would not be as enjoyable without one or the other.
5. (+) Masquerade Scene - Did I mention how sexy and seductive the masquerade scene is?  Yeah?  Well, I'm mentioning it again because it is THAT good.
6. (+) Unpredictability - There are obvious villains, and then not so obvious ones.... and boy was I surprised by the explanation of Ana's existence (though note: not disappointed; it was appropriate for the novel). Certain details about the world will come back in unexpected ways. (It's too bad the book hasn't been released yet 'cause then I could say that I'm counting down the days for sequel...)
7. (+/-) The Beginning - Though I really loved this book, I did think it started a tad slow. The synopsis seems to hint that a good deal of the action will occur in Heart, and that is true, but it takes Ana a while to get there. Of course the time spent outside of Heart is essential, but those looking for a quick start to the story should be wary.
8. (+) The Writing - Strong and sensual. In that way, it sort of reminds me of Andrea Cremer's writing--neither are what you'd typically call poetic but they suck you in and leave you reeling for more. I loved all of the descriptions of music and could picture the way Heart looked.
9. (+) Pacing - I think the pacing worked for me because I was so far gone with this book that I didn't really care if I thought something was slow... but I will say, as I somewhat mentioned earlier, that Incarnate is not something you should read quickly; it is meant to be savored. It's not as slow as something like The Scorpio Races but it's not as fast as say, Hex Hall or one of the many paranormal romance books.
10. (+) The Cover - Not only is it beautiful but it also is greatly symbolic of Ana's struggles throughout the book. The image of the butterfly is repeatedly mentioned and it decorates the beginning of each chapter.

Beautiful, beautiful book. This is definitely going on my favorites list for 2012, and you should definitely mark your calendar for the 31st. I wholly recommend Incarnate.

Release Date: November 15, 2011
(Thanks to ATWT for letting me participate in this tour!)
Published by: Harper Teen

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. 

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. 

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. 

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:


1. (--) Juliette, the protagonist - Oh wow. I didn't like her. I get that she craves love and understanding and friends, but she whines so much. You'd think that after so many years, she might've become a bit more cynical or hardened to the world, but she stays the same girl who almost seems like a child in some regards.  After some pages, we get the point. If there was a tad less on it, I think it would've been okay. And then, she becomes the person who others rely on.  Her transformation from girl who only takes care of herself re: showers and food to someone who drives a car, doesn't freak out at the sight of blood, shoots a gun!, etc. was so unbelievable that I almost put the book down. There were no comments on how this happened, just sort of an acceptance as something she had to do... which is weird because she didn't have to accept being locked up or bullied by Warner, but she does... until someone else "rescues" her. Juliette was definitely the low point of this book for me.
2. (+) The world-building - I liked the hints of how the world seemed destroyed and how maybe it wasn't, maybe it was just another lie told by the Reesablishment. I can definitely see some society rising to power and hoarding all the supplies and the military holding the reigns... all in all, I definitely would've enjoyed knowing more about how the world came to be this way, but it was out of the scope of Juliette's perspective.... but maybe in later books, we'll find out more.
3. (+/-) The Romance - On one hand, it was written BEAUTIFULLY.  "His nose is touching my nose, his lips one breath away, his eyes devouring me already and I'm a puddle with no arms and no legs.... his frame built by bricks of desire. The taste of his words lingers on my lips... He breaks for air only to bury his lips in my neck, along my collarbone, up my chin and cheeks and I'm gasping for oxygen and he's destroying me with his hands and we're drenched in water and beauty and the exhilaration of a moment I never knew was possible."  On the other hand... I didn't believe in Adam and Juliette's love.  I find it hard to believe that Adam, who had only "seen" Juliette's goodness, fell in love with her after their few short encounters; it felt more like a schoolboy crush and they had had a few times together, desperate but not enough to convince me. It might have been okay if he had said he was falling for her, but given the content of their interactions from the beginning of the book to the middle, when he declares himself, I find it very, very hard to believe.
4. (+) Warner, the antagonist - Warner, on the other hand--holy shit, I want to see more of him.  He is one of the best written villains I've ever read. Dark and light, cynical and gah, he was a better romantic interest for me than Adam was--he was just so much more interesting!  He had PERSONALITY.  I want to know more about his past and how he became this way and why he fixated on Juliette.
5. (+) Side characters - James, Kenji, Castle--there are few side characters, but those who are there are wonderful additions.  James was absolutely adorable, and I look forward to seeing how these characters developed in the next books.
6. (--) Too Many Genres All at Once - Shatter Me has paranormal, dystopian, romance, and contemporary elements to it.  The "contemporary" aspect was Juliette's need for love and how her paranormal ability has separated her from the rest of the world (to me, that kind of character struggle is the type that defines contemporary: isolated and having one person change your entire perspective on the world)--think it might've been nice to look at that and the paranormal part in depth rather than adding in dystopian stuff too.  It just felt like the book rushed through all these elements, and that each one needed to be developed more thoroughly, like each one could have been its own book. And that didn't work for me.
7. (+) The Moral Dilemma - For what it's worth, I did like the moral dilemma of how Juliette enjoyed using her power, how it made her feel strong though she wouldn't enjoy harming someone else.  I don't like love triangles, but I do like how that was reflected in Warner and Adam.  I wish we could've seen more demonstrations of Juliette's power, but I guess we'll find out more in later books.
8. (+) The Writing - Even though I did not enjoy some parts of this book, the writing is so beautiful that when Tahereh Mafi writes something else, I will probably be looking into it, regardless of the genre.  Numbers, strike-outs, and vivid imagery define Juliette's perspective. What's funny is that I saw a couple of people complain about the strike-outs but there weren't that many.  Only in the beginning and I really, really enjoyed the imagery and even the numbers part--that made her time in the asylum seem more real.
9. (--) Pacing - This book goes by really slowly, and in some ways, that's good for savoring the writing, but in other ways, all I could think was, okay so when does she escape? A part of my problem with the pacing I think also has to do with the fact that little actually happens in the book. Along with the genre problem was the problem of it trying to be both a character and a plot book but never fully attaining or the other. And that, I think, was reflected in the pacing.
10. (--) The Cover - The model's expression seriously bothers me. And that floofy dress?  If they wanted to portray Juliette as overcoming her struggles or whatnot, they could have chosen the "superhero" suit she later wears.  But instead, I think this all looks a tad ridiculous in combination with each other--I mean the lighting and the dark and light sides are nice, but the rest does not match the book.

I think that a lot of my dislikes of this book also stem from the fact that it got so much hype. It was beautifully written, but in the end, I'm not sure it lived up to its praise.