The Iron Thorn (Iron Codex #1) by Caitlin Kittredge

Title: The Iron Thorn (Iron Codex #1)
by Caitlin Kittredge

Hardcover, 512 pages

Published February 22nd 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (first published February 20th 2011)

Plot:

In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.


Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

My Thoughts:

I'm lovin' all these dystopian novels that are out right now. This was one was so dark and twisted, which to me, made it stand out among some of the others. There is some very dark imagery in his novel, but I kind of expected that going in because I have read Ms. Kittredge's adult series. I very much appreciate a dark story. They really pull me into the world.

The main character is very caring and somewhat brainwashed in this novel, but she a little snark in there and isn't afraid to turn it on when it comes to her family. The journey this story takes you on is awesome! It will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you root for Aoife to succeed.

Read this one if you like dytopian, steam punk novels! 

STARCROSSED by JOSEPHINE ANGELINI - Review

Title: STARCROSSED
Author: Josephine Angelini
Hardcover, 496 pages

Expected publication: May 31st 2011 by HarperTeen

Plot:

How do you defy destiny?


Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

My Thoughts:

Gah! I love, love stories. Especially when the two people in the relationship want to kill each other all the time! LOL

This one was so good. I loved the spin on Greek mythology--very original. The first couple chapters really just help the reader get to know the main character and build repore with her, but then once we meet Lucas I was absolutely hooked. Romance makes or breaks a story for me and it definitely made the story here for me.
Read this one if you are a romance junkie!

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

Lost Voices (Lost Voices #1)

by Sarah Porter

Hardcover, 304 pages
Expected publication: July 4th 2011 by Harcourt Children's Books

Plot:
Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder?

My Thoughts:

This book has some pretty dark themes. There's abuse and neglect and a near rape scene, so even though the the protagonist in this story in only fourteen don't expect a fluffy story. I read this novel in one sitting and while I found some slow parts in the novel the main plot kept pulling me through. I just had to see how Luce was going to deal with the struggle and choice she was faced with. I loved the spin on the mermaid tale in this one, but this one isn't the typical type of book I like to read.

Read this one if you like novels like SPEAK and WINTERGIRLS with a supernatural twist.

Midnight Sun: Edward Attacks Bella In Bio Scene

YouTube has opened my eyes to a few little informational nuggets this week. Today I want to share a YouTube I came across of Edward attacking Bella in Bio. I never knew this was ever shot for the film, but if you read Midnight Sun then you already know Edward thought intensely about killing Bella in this scene. I just love anything visual, so I'm glad I came across this because let's be honest, any new Twilight scenes are fun for us YA people.



What do you guys think? Was this one a keeper??

Musical Motivation: Evanescence VS We Are the Fallen

VS

Okay, so may I live under a rock and I totally didn't know there was a huge battle going one between Evanescence and their former band mates who have started We Are the Fallen. The fans are apparently very passionate about this subject. Like most YA writers, I love Evanescence. There's just something so inspiring about songs about dark, twisted love. After all, isn't that what the Young Adult genre is all about?

So when I was browsing youtube to watch some Evanescence for some writing motivation this popped up:



After I watched that, I immediately looked up the new band.





I mean, I love Amy Lee and her style, but great music is great music. As long as it sounds amazing and inspires me, I love it. I totally think there's room for both bands because there's been such a huge void in the female lead Gothic rock since Amy Lee's band Evanescence hasn't put out a full record since 2006. I wish I would've known about We Are the Fallen's album release back in 2010.

So here it is my fellow writers and Evanescence fans. What do you think? Do you rock out when you write?