Thank you to Walker Books Australia for sending me copies of these books in exchange for an honest review

What makes reading M.T. Anderson's work so refreshing in YA is that his books take a sharp-witted, satirical slant when gazing into just what our future may look like. Landscape with Invisible Hand may come in at less than 150 pages, but its darkly funny plot about an alien invasion is thought-provoking and uniquely envisioned. 'True love' as it was 'back in the day' during the 1950's is the ideal for the vuvv, who transform it into a marketable commodity. However, as Adam and Chloe soon discover, there are some emotions which can't be faked forever. You can't help wondering, is this a subtle dig at what could be seen as the technology-driven, narcissistic dating scene of today? What I like about Anderson's writing is that it can be interpreted in so many ways, from a straightforward narrative of survival in a new age of civilisation, to a scathing analysis of how we are living right now.

But when I glance at my fantasy paintings, they no longer look like any place I want to be. Or they are what I want, but I am already here in this word, wrapped up in the blighted towns and the peeling paint and the glow of the rendering sails at night and in the looted Stop & Shop at first light. That is where I really am. That is where my family is stuck. And that's what I have to deal with. Without flinching.

The contrast to all these facades the characters wear is the focus on art as a means of expression and escape. It was interesting to read about how Adam was torn between painting what was real, the 'classic' still-lifes the vuvv wanted, or the utopia he wished for. It just went to show that art, like literature, transcends time. It was a clever point for the author to include, and even for a short book, Landscape with Invisible Hand tackles some considerable issues about the impact of colonisation and class divisions, what characterises a true relationship, and creativity as a human trait that can never be stifled.

Forget trying to look for 'flowery' prose in Anderson's work - both this novel and Feed are dialogue driven, where the creation of his own lexicon takes some getting used to as a reader. In the end, it all adds to the world-building, which in Feed depicts a chilling society where consumerism rules and teens are constantly being bombarded with marketing messages through a brain implant.

Violet lay back down in the dark, her legs starting to sting. She called out loud after her dad. She was sobbing.
   Maybe, Violet, if we check out some of the great bargains available to you through the feednet over the next six months, we might be able to create a consumer portrait of you that would interest out investment team. How 'bout it, Violet Durn? Just us, you and me - girls together! Shop till you stop and drop!

When Violet comes along to challenge Titus and his friends' mindless hedonism with attempts to rebel against the feed, the story really begins to take shape. I can see where Landscape with Invisible Hand has taken on some similar ideas to this previous novel, but here there is some more raw emotion and terrifying insights into what happens to humanity when we no longer choose to think for ourselves. School and even the clouds are trademarked, and suddenly getting cosmetic lesions all over your body is the on-trend thing to do. It begs the question - at one point has it all gone too far? Honestly I went into this book not knowing how much I would like it, but the sheer depth of imagination Anderson has injected into the story made it one of my top reads of this year so far.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, Feed and Landscape with Invisible Hand are must-reads for fans of speculative fiction, blending the lines between satire and tragedy. Nobody can know for certain what the future holds, but one thing's for sure - you wouldn't want it to look like this.

Landscape with Invisible Hand by M.T. Anderson

Released: 12th September 2017

Published by: Walker Books (Candlewick Press)

Genre: YA Dystopian/Speculative Fiction

Source: Publisher

Pages: 149

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

National Book Award winner M. T. Anderson returns to future Earth in a sharply wrought satire of art and truth in the midst of colonization.

When the vuvv first landed, it came as a surprise to aspiring artist Adam and the rest of planet Earth - but not necessarily an unwelcome one. Can it really be called an invasion when the vuvv generously offered free advanced technology and cures for every illness imaginable? As it turns out, yes. With his parents' jobs replaced by alien tech and no money for food, clean water, or the vuvv's miraculous medicine, Adam and his girlfriend, Chloe, have to get creative to survive. And since the vuvv crave anything they deem "classic" Earth culture (doo-wop music, still-life paintings of fruit, true love), recording 1950s-style dates for the vuvv to watch in a pay-per-minute format seems like a brilliant idea.

But it's hard for Adam and Chloe to sell true love when they hate each other more with every passing episode. Soon enough, Adam must decide how far he's willing to go - and what he's willing to sacrifice - to give the vuvv what they want.

Feed by M.T. Anderson

Released: 7th July 2012 (First released in 2002)

Published by: Walker Books (Candlewick Press)

Genre: YA Dystopian

Source: Publisher

Pages: 300

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck. So says Titus, whose ability to read, write, and even think for himself has been almost completely obliterated by his feed, a transmitter implanted directly into his brain. Feeds are a crucial part of life for Titus and his friends. After all, how else would they know where to party on the moon, how to get bargains at Weatherbee & Crotch, or how to accessorize the mysterious lesions everyone s been getting? But then Titus meets Violet, a girl who cares about what's happening to the world and challenges everything Titus and his friends hold dear. A girl who decides to fight the feed.

Following in the footsteps of Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, and Kurt Vonnegut, M. T. Anderson has created a not-so-brave new world and a smart, savage satire about the nature of consumerism and what it means to be a teenager in America."

SPARK TRILOGY GIVEAWAY! (AU/NZ) + Special Post by Rachael Craw

Graphic made by Eugenia @ Genie in a Book

With the holiday season approaching, we all know the feeling of glancing wistfully at our shelves...and making enormous lists of books we want to add to them for the new year. Thanks to Walker Books Australia and Rachael Craw, I'm giving away the whole SPARK trilogy to one lucky winner from Australia or New Zealand. 

Not to mention...yes - this series is one of my favourites of all time

BUT THEY ALSO LOOK AMAZING. 

You know, for that bookshelf aesthetic that's impossible to turn down.

Image provided by Walker Books Australia

You can also have a read of my thoughts on the series here:

Review: Spark by Rachael Craw
Stray by Rachael Craw Review and Author Interview
Review: Shield by Rachael Craw

Some of my favourite moments from the series

Special post from Rachael Craw

Merry Christmas, friends! A colossal thank you to Walker Books Australia and Spark Army General, Eugenia, for generously hosting week one of the Spark Trilogy Christmas Giveaway on her beautiful blog. And thank you everyone for taking the time to stop by be sure to enter to win a complete set. And if you’re not lucky this week, keep your eyes peeled for Kelly’s blog next week and my newsletter the week after! (Don’t forget to subscribe @ www.rachaelcraw.com)

Since the release of Shield, the final instalment in the Spark series, I have started work on a new novel which is both exciting and daunting. A whole new world to explore, new characters to fall in love with and new dangers and adventures to send me running for the heart medication. Y’all know me well enough by now to expect a story set in the real world with a fantastical/speculative twist. Well, at the moment the twists are giving me whiplash and making my head spin! So, this weekend I indulged in some quality procrastination to ease the agony of drafting my new WIP.

If you’ve been neglecting your nanowrimo or hiding from your TBR here are:

Rachael’s Top 5 No Regrets, Pre-Christmas, Procrastiwriting/Procrastireading Activities.

5. Put up the Christmas tree!

Traditionally, I am a December 1st girl but I have a busy week and no patience for a mid-week decoration project. Besides, our tree is a colossal 6 footer and it takes hours of sweaty, scratchy negotiation to get it up and looking pretty. I must confess to being a bit of a Christmas tree Sergeant Major. I like it, just right. Clearly, I have traumatised my children enough to follow in my footsteps and they all pulled together to produce a dazzler. Can you rope in a sibling or flatmate to get your tree up? Since it’s such a wholesome family activity – bonding over twinkle lights – guilt about avoiding your WIP or TBR recedes nicely.

4. Spring clean a bedroom!

In this case, my little girls’ room. How hard can it be, right? How long could it take? Brace yourselves. My children are chronic hoarders of crap. A dozen supermarket bags full of trash, broken plastic what-nots, bric-a-brac, and miscellanea later and that’s just what was under their beds and hiding in the toy box! I haven’t even started on their wardrobe. It took all of Saturday and Sunday afternoon but oh the glorious smugness of a clear floor. One can’t feel bad about a neglected first draft or review copies waiting to be read when you’re spring cleaning! What’s collecting dust under your bed? Behind your dresser?

3. Pausing over old treasures!

Memory-lane is a sweet place linger. A good tidy up unearths old treasures, photo-albums and journals. Some of my favourite things to keep are the kids’ old “Story Writing” books from school. Dragons, mermaids and talking animals feature a lot. The kids laugh at their handwriting and illustrations. It always warms my heart. See how writing/reading guilt can be smoothed away?

2. Setting aside items for Goodwill or the Salvation Army!

This weekend we culled soft-toys, dress-ups, dolls, tea-sets, books, games and clothes that the girls had grown out of. We put the teddies and costumes through the wash and wiped down the plastic toys. The girls loved choosing things to giveaway – great opportunity to be generous and help others. Have you got anything you could donate to help others have a great Christmas? You can’t feel bad about your draft or your TBR when you’re doing good deeds!

And the number one best way I procrastinated this weekend …

1. Binge watching Gilmore Girls!!!

ARGH!!! I have been binge re-watching the original series in preparation for the Gilmore Girls Revival over the last couple of months and it was AGONISING listening to my eldest daughter squealing and wailing in her bedroom as she watched the new episodes without me! I am halfway through season 6 and live in TERROR of spoilers!!! So, I squeezed in several episodes this weekend and I HAVE NO REGRETS!!! Any Gilmore fans out there?!

Well, I hope I’ve inspired you! Now … I better get back to my WIP!!!! ARGH!!!

Enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Watch out for more chances to win this series!

Kelly @ Diva Booknerd will be hosting her giveaway and with another special post from the author next week.

Rachael Craw herself will be hosting the final giveaway, keep an eye out for her newsletter for all the exciting details!

Review: Shield (Spark #3) by Rachael Craw

Shield by Rachael Craw

Released:1st September 2016

Published by: Walker Books Australia

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Source: Publisher

Pages: 429

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

Evie is out of options. She must comply with the Affinity Project – obey their rules, play their deadly games, give up Jamie. And her losses keep growing. When she decides to help a small group of Shields trying to affect change, Evie finds herself in the firing line.

Counsellor Knox is intent on revealing her secrets and shackling her to the Affinity Project for life. To protect her family, Evie must betray those closest to her.

The odds of success – let alone survival – are slim. The final thrilling conclusion to the Spark series.

Thank you to Walker Books Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

Rachael Craw sure knows how to end a series with a bang! There's a bittersweet feeling which came with turning the final pages of this book, but I was left as impressed as I have been since the trilogy began.

In this high-octane page-turner, Evie is once again up against the Affinity Project, and in closer proximity than ever before. With the introduction of some new faces, and the duplicitous nature of some characters becoming known, a twist is never too far away. She once again demonstrates a strength and ability to seriously kick-butt, but a sensitivity to the delicate, and seemingly futile situation of her fate. There are moral dilemmas to face, more lives at stake, and of course - opportunities to blow things up. Action, emotions and family loyalty are all on the line, executed on a knife-edge with the skill one has come to expect from Rachael Craw.

When it comes to Evie's issues with Affinity, Jamie isn't too far behind. The pair in this installment have more tension between them than ever before. Their bond is clearly electric, modeled into their DNA. Yet of course, nothing is that easy to attain in this world where your destiny is instilled in your blood, with the constant threat of exploitation. If you want to see more of Jamie, it definitely helped to read the novella 'Scar Tissue' before reading this book. Family ties are also tested, with an even greater intensity. How far would you go to save the people you love? What is the ultimate sacrifice? Craw explores these themes in ways which make your heart race, always in anticipation for the next bombshell to hit. Top tip: Have tissues ready.

FINAL THOUGHTS

What a journey it's been! I still remember first receiving SPARK in the mail 2 years ago, and though it definitely had the potential to be a great read just from looking at the blurb, little did I know how much I would come to love the series and want to support it so much. 

As an author, Rachael Craw is a class act; creating storylines with immense suspense, action-packed scenes and sentences which evoke every human emotion. Her characters have so much depth, and you can't help but be drawn into their complex web of dilemmas, following their paths with bated breath. It's the end of an era for the #SparkArmy, but I can't wait to read what she has in store for us next!

Shadowhunters TV Tie-In Giveaway! (AU)

Hi booklovers! With the release of the Netflix Shadowhunters television series and the tie-in book covers hitting shelves, the wonderful Walker Books Australia are offering two copies up for grabs in my giveaway

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Review: The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

Released: 8th September 2015

Published by: Candlewick Press

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher 

Pages: 400

My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Book Depository

Today Miss Chandler gave me this beautiful book. I vow that I will never forget her kindness to me, and I will use this book as she told me to—that I will write in it with truth and refinement…

But who could be refined living at Steeple Farm? Fourteen-year-old Joan Skraggs, just like the heroines in her beloved novels, yearns for real life and true love. But what hope is there for adventure, beauty, or art on a hardscrabble farm in Pennsylvania where the work never ends?

Over the summer of 1911, Joan pours her heart out into her diary as she seeks a new, better life for herself—because maybe, just maybe, a hired girl cleaning and cooking for six dollars a week can become what a farm girl could only dream of—a woman with a future. Inspired by her grandmother’s journal, Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz brings her sharp wit and keen eye to early twentieth-century America in a comedic tour de force destined to become a modern classic.

Joan’s journey from the muck of the chicken coop to the comforts of a society household in Baltimore (Electricity! Carpet sweepers! Sending out the laundry!) takes its reader on an exploration of feminism and housework, religion and literature, love and loyalty, cats, hats, bunions, and burns.

Thank you to Walker Books Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

My books promised me that life wasn't just made up of workaday tasks and prosaic things. The world is bigger and more colorful and more important than that. Maybe not here at Steeple Farm, but somewhere. It has to be.

The Hired Girl is a delightful piece of YA historical fiction; a story of one girl's quest for a better life outside the confines of her prior existence, and learning more about herself and others along the way. Told in an epistolary form, this book takes us right into the heart of our protagonist Joan's mind as she eventually finds a home with the Rosenbach's as their new maid. In this new setting she discovers what it's like to live with people from another cultural/religious background, as well as adjust to the new way of living this means for her without compromising her own identity. 

This is the type of historical fiction novel which does a really good job of mimicking the style of other works from the time, in that it reads like a classic. Joan (or 'Janet' as she comes to call herself) is a teenage girl who longs for an education which a hard life on a struggling farm with her father and brothers could not provide. Even if you don't typically read books in this style, the first person diary entries were endearing, and I'm sure we can all appreciate her love for books and reading which we share too!

In her new workplace with the Rosenbach's, a Jewish family, 'Janet' must prove herself with hard work and following rules surrounding kosher and such. It's not often that you see YA books which really provide insight into Judaism and what it means on a daily basis. This made for an interesting read, since I learned a few things about it myself, and it's clear that the author had done research to be as accurate as possible. Getting to know the family, from David the handsome son to Malka the original maid, led to a few interesting twists in between. Though for the most part this is very much a character driven novel and Joan's prose was at times longwinded, the characters all developed well and Janet finally realised what she really wanted out of her life. 

Another interesting note to make is of the pieces of artwork acting as designs to mark each 'part' of the book. These were wonderful in adding to that historic feel and set the scene well. At the back of the book is a list of their details so if you want to see them in colour you can check that out too. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I really enjoyed The Hired Girl. On an unrelated point, It seemed somewhat appropriate that after I finished it I went to go and see Fiddler on the Roof! This is a story about religion and culture, accepting the kindness of others, and making the most of life's opportunities. 

Shadowhunters Series Giveaway! (AU)

With the exciting screening of Cassandra Clare's 'Shadowhunters' series on Netflix, there are also new editions of the books in the series (and they look pretty amazing).

Thanks to the lovely people at Walker Books Australia, I'm giving away one full set of the books to a lucky Australian winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you think of these new covers, and cover re-designs of popular series in general? 

Review: The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Released: 27th August 2015

Published by: Walker Books

Genre: YA Contemporary/Paranormal

Source: Publisher

Pages: 282

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

What if you aren’t the Chosen One? The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death? What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Even if your best friend is worshipped by mountain lions.

Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.

Thank you to Walker Books Australia  for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The idea of 'the chosen one' is one that permeates YA and seems to follow a similar pattern: certain seemingly average teenager is suddenly in the midst of some sort of crisis or revolution which they must find the solution to. What Patrick Ness has artfully done in The Rest of Us Just Live Here is turn this common trope on its head. Dealing with the struggles of ordinary adolescent life in a world where the extraordinary lies on the outskirts of  normal existence, this is a story that is subtly told and more engrossing than I first thought it to be. 

What's the point of lying about anything? We could keep being too afraid to say we don't know stuff and then the future will come and eat us anyway and we'll regret not doing all those things we wished we did. You know?

Mikey isn't trying to be a hero, and instead of having the responsibility of trying to save the world, he's just trying to focus on getting through high school and manage his OCD. That's not to say that he isn't special. In a society where the times of zombies and vampires have been more than just tropes in fiction, Mikey and his friends have more challenges than your typical teen today. There are weird creatures about and things happening in the city which simply can't be explained. I really found it fascinating to see how the author blended both elements of a contemporary and a touch of the paranormal, all while making everything seem almost normal.

We share our craziness, our neuroses, our little bit of screwed-up-ness that comes from our family. We share it. And it feels like love. 

Whenever I've picked up a Patrick Ness novel, I've learnt to expect something surreal - a reality that is in many ways similar to our own and yet at the same time utterly different. With a hint at the supernatural and creative prose, this ended up being a truly unique read. At first I have to admit I wasn't totally convinced I would enjoy this one, but the more I read and got to know what was happening on the sidelines from the main plot I became inadvertently hooked. This is a story in a story, an inception-like creation that divulges only a small part of the real action at the beginning of each chapter. The 'indie kids' are the characters who we don't get to know in great detail, and yet their tribulations are so central to the plot. This really is a reversal of what you would expect from a traditional novel, and I applaud it for its unflinching divergence from the trend. 

Not everyone has to be the Chosen One. Not everyone has to be the guy who saves the world. Most people just have to live their lives the best they can, doing the things that are great for them, having great friends, trying to make their lives better, loving people properly. All the while knowing the world makes no sense but trying to find a way to be happy anyway. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

In all, The Rest of Us Just Lives Here will definitely appeal to existing Ness fans who are used to his unique way of storytelling, and could undoubtedly win him some new fans as well. It's a novel which teaches us that no, you don't have to be the 'chosen one', but that doesn't ever mean you're insignificant because everybody has their purpose.

{Blog Tour} The Next Together by Lauren James: Review & Author Interview

The Next Together by Lauren James
Series: The Next Together #2
Released: 3rd September 2015
Published by: Walker Books Australia
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Time 
Source: Publisher
Pages: 356
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

How many times can you lose the person you love? Katherine and Matthew are destined to be born again and again, century after century. Each time, their presence changes history for the better, and each time, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated.

Spanning the Crimean War, the Siege of Carlisle and the near-future of 2019 and 2039 they find themselves sacrificing their lives to save the world. But why do they keep coming back? What else must they achieve before they can be left to live and love in peace? Maybe the next together will be different...

A powerful and epic debut novel for teenagers about time-travel, fate and the timelessness of first love. The Next Together is told through a mixture of regular prose, diary entries, letters, "original" historical documents, news reports and internet articles.

Thank you to Walker Books Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Nothing is more romantic than a great love which spans the ages - and that's just what The Next Together delivers. In this YA novel which encapsulates a range of genres and styles, Lauren James has created something which is equally entertaining and suspenseful. Through creatively weaving different time periods and settings with Kate and Matt as the common denominator throughout, this story is one that stands out as not just a romance, but something that is so much more. 

If you're like me and love both sci-fi/time travel and historical fiction, combined with a romantic element executed well, then The Next Together will work for you. While the futuristic settings of 2019 and 2039 are not too different from our own, the historical settings of 1745 during the Siege of Carlisle and 1856 in the Crimean War added  whole new levels of drama and complexities to their relationship. It was interesting to see how the social norms of the times had an impact on the dynamic of their bond, be it forbidden love or a passionate affair because life could end at any moment. I loved getting to know these different versions of Kate and Matt that were similar to their future selves and still had their own unique nuances which fit with the times. While these historical setting weren't described in as rich a detail as you would find in a historical fiction novel specifically, it was relatively easy to visualise the settings which the author was trying to convey.

Unique formatting is becoming more prevalent in recent YA releases, and I'm so glad to see it in this book. There are excerpts from emails, maps, computer coding and letters all woven throughout the story, to make it seem more real. It does add that added level of personalisation and authenticity to a text which is at its heart fictional, and kept me attentive as well. I think it's these little additions which can make a reading experience all the more special because it does stand out from say, other romance or time travel novels I may have come across. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Next Together is a romantic read which also deals with some of the 'wibbly wobbly timey whimey' stuff which is unique to Matt and Kate's relationship. There is definitely room for a sequel, and so I can't wait for The Last Beginning!

Author QnA with Lauren James!

What was your main inspiration for this book?

It was inspired by time travel romances like Outlander and The Time Traveler’s Wife. I really wanted to write a book which combine my love for Jane Austen with my equal enjoyment of Doctor Who. I started writing by making a huge list of all the things I love reading most, and tried to combine them all into one storyline. It was quite challenging, but very satisfying!

The concept of Nature versus Nurture – seeing how someone with unchanging personality traits can change just because of their upbringing – has always interested me. I was drawn to the idea of reincarnation because I thought it would be a really interesting plot device to use to explore this kind of characterisation, as I could write about the same people in different lives.

Fanfiction AUs were also a big inspiration for the multiple timelines of The Next Together – I love reading about my favourite characters in different situations, and seeing how the same core relationships play out in a variety of ways because of their environment. I wanted to explore that in a novel.

I love how there were so many settings and times throughout history explored in this book. What sort of research did you do to make this book believable and the different settings pop?

In hindsight, choosing a storyline with multiple historical time periods might have been a bad idea for my first ever novel, which was hard enough to write without the research!

I was a student when I started writing as a hobby, so I didn’t want to spend any money on history textbooks. I actually chose the timelines in the book based on which I could research for free, mainly using my university library and primary sources available to access on Google Books. It seemed to work out quite well!

If there was anything I couldn’t find out through research (even when I caved and bought textbooks, after I realised I wanted to make the story into a proper novel!) I used my imagination, and a bit of dramatic licence.

This isn't just a romance and encapsulates a few different genres which is really interesting. However what do you think makes people fall in love with a good romance story? 

I think when the characters feel real, and you can really feel the connection between them, people will be hooked. If there’s an interesting, unique pairing, I’ll follow them through any storyline imaginable just to spend more time with them. A good romance is some that’s hard to pinpoint, but you know if when you read it.

The extra notes, letters, maps and other files interspersed within the writing made for some intriguing additions to the story - how did they end up becoming part of the book?

I wanted to keep an element of continuity throughout the book, so that the book felt like it all tied together, rather than being a collection of stories about separate people. The documents and letters were my way of doing that.

I designed crude versions of the maps and notes in Microsoft Word (originally just as a way to procrastinate from writing!). Then the Walker designer Jack Noel took all my notes and made them into professional graphics. He did an excellent job, and I absolutely adore the finished book. There are so many little details, like the timelines across the tops of the pages which match up with the time period in the chapter. It’s so rewarding to read!

What was your biggest challenge in writing 'The Next Together'?

The historical research! The book includes two storylines set in the past, one in 1745 and one in 1854. I was very naïve when I started writing, and definitely didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I was a very frequent visitor of Wikipedia. I spent a lot of time reading old books and diaries and making endless notes. It was definitely worth it though – I hope it adds more realism to the time periods.

The various plot threads and time periods were also a little complicated to keep track of, I admit! Especially during editing, when I struggled to remember which plotlines I had written, which I had removed from an earlier draft, or had yet to write! As the plot involves time travel elements, this made is especially confusing, both for myself and my editor. I had to make a lot of posters keeping track of plots.

Do you have any advice for other aspiring authors out there? 

Find out what makes your writing unique and own it. Be completely shameless about it in your query letter. If you love the zombie cats in your novel, make sure they are front and centre in your query. You need to find an agent who loves your book as much as you do, and spending months crafting the perfectly written query letter isn’t going to do that – but maybe persuading them to read the book with the promise of zombie cats might.

Can you give us any little hints about what to expect in the next book?

The Last Beginning continues the story of Kate and Matt, as well as introducing some new characters, Clove and Ella. I’m not sure what I can share about it yet, except to say that it’s just as timey wimey and romantic as the first book, although this time it has a LGBT romance. I like to think of the series as Jane Austen meets Doctor Who, and that is even more appropriate for the sequel than for The Next Together.

Monday, November 9, Genie in a Book
Tuesday, November 10, Dymocks Bookmarked
Wednesday, November 11, Nicole Has Read
Thursday, November 12, Cassie the Weird
Friday, November 13, Imaginary Misadventure
Saturday, November 14, The Book Addict

twitter.com/Lauren_E_James • lauren-e-james.tumblr.com • laurenejames.wordpress.com

{Blog Tour} Atmospheric by Carole Wilkinson: Review & Guest Post

Atmospheric: The Burning Story of Climate Change by Carole Wilkinson
Released: 1st October 2015
Published by: Black Dog Books
Genre: YA Environmental Non-Fiction
Source: Publisher
Pages: 251
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Booktopia

Talking about the weather used to be small talk, now it's the hottest topic on Earth. For billions of years our atmosphere has supported life on Earth, from primitive algae to the human race. But something is happening. Slowly but surely, what we are doing to our atmosphere is changing Earth's climate.

Atmospheric cuts through the many voices raised around climate change to tell the story of our atmosphere, what is putting our climate at risk and what we can do about it. This could be the most important book you read in your life.

Thank you to Walker Books Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Atmospheric is an insightful piece of multimodal non-fiction which really makes you think twice about the environment around us and how we care for it. This is a book which is both easy to read and yet deeply informative about not only the history and science of our atmosphere, but the far reaching effects of climate change and how it may impact on us further in the future. 

With a mixture of personal anecdotes, tables, diagrams, photographs, spotlight biographies and references to contemporary environmental issues, Atmospheric may sound like your average textbook. But it certainly is not. No, this is not a book you're going to get bored of reading facts and a whole bunch of information overload. Instead it's cleverly set out to both pack a punch and explain how the earth and its climate has has changed from millions of years ago to now, in a simplistic way which anyone could understand. This is something which would definitely be relatable to teens and adults alike, as there are sections from young adults' perspective alongside the facts. 

The many headings throughout and short sections give a useful snapshot into the world both past and present, with references to scientists like James Hansen to your normal student Vincent Dwyer. It's this range of diverse perspectives and historical accounts which provide a dynamic depiction of how the issue of climate change has been perceived through the years, Plus, even if you get a little stuck on some of the more technical scientific terms, there's a handy glossary at the back to revamp your vocabulary.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I can definitely say I learnt a lot of new things from reading this book, and am now more aware of how what I do impacts on the environment. We can all take something from Atmospheric, especially in today's situation where climate change and global warming don't just exist as the features of a dystopian novel - they are making an impact right now.

*Guest Post by Carole Wilkinson*

The S-word. What does sustainability have to do with you?

                                                        

Sustainability is a word that we hear all the time, and yet it’s hard to find a clear definition.

This is what I’ve come up with:

Sustainability is living in a way that doesn’t damage the planet and its atmosphere, now or in the future.

If you think sustainability has nothing to do with you because you’re too young, too poor or it’s someone else’s problem, think again.

You may not be in a position to put solar panels on your roof or change your light globes to LEDs, but you can definitely do something.

The truth is, we can all live in a sustainable way. 

And the bonus? It will save you or your family money.

Here are my top five tips for making your life sustainable.

1.       Turn things off

91% of electricity in Australia is made by burning coal and gas, producing millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases.

Turn off lights when you leave a room. Don’t leave appliances on stand-by 24/7. One of my pet hates? Leaving the TV on when no one’s watching it.

2.      Don’t use the clothes dryer

It is a criminal waste of electricity to throw things into the dryer when the sun is shining outside. The ultraviolet in sunlight also kills bacteria that make your clothes and sheets smelly even after you’ve washed them.

Don’t have space for a clothesline? Dry things inside. A spare room or a bedroom during the day is a great place for a clothes drying rack.

3.      Buy less stuff

All manufacturing uses up energy (electricity, gas) and produces greenhouse gases. Recycling is great, but it’s better if we buy less stuff in the first place. Check out secondhand shops and garage sales for clothes etc. Repair and mend things, don’t just throw them out. Don’t buy anything that is disposable after one use, or things with three layers of packaging.

4.      Food waste

Up to half of what we put in our rubbish bins is food waste. Not only is it a waste of resources and your money, when it goes to the rubbish dump, it decomposes in a way that produces methane (a greenhouse gas with 28 times the global warming ability of carbon dioxide.) 

Compost your food waste or make a worm farm. Don’t buy large amounts of fruit and veg so that it goes limp and rotten before you use it. If you make too much spaghetti sauce don’t leave it at the back of the fridge until it goes mouldy. Freeze it for another day.

5.      Use the car less

Every time you get in the car, you’re producing greenhouse gases and dangerous pollutants. Think about each trip you make. Could you cycle, walk, or use public transport instead? You’ll be healthier too.

You might think that the reduction in greenhouse gases from one person doing these things is too small to worry about. It isn’t. When we all do it together it has an impact.

PS And don’t buy bottled water! Not only is it 2000 times more expensive than tap water, it results in millions of plastic bottles ending up in landfill.

{Blog Tour} The Tribe Series by Ambelin Kwaymullina - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway

Monday, 21st September The Loony Literate.

Tuesday, 22nd September Cassie the Weird

Wednesday, 23rd September Diva Book Nerd

Thursday, 24th September Inside My Worlds

Friday, 25th September Genie in a Book

THEFIRSTWOOD.COM.AU | AMBELIN-KWAYMULLINA.COM.AU

Series Review

This is a series which takes the typical dystopian novel to a new level with an original slant. Ambelin Kwaymullina has not just written a trilogy which is refreshingly original, but also incorporates the unique elements of Aboriginal mythology in the Indigenous Futurisms genre. I would call these books 'speculative thrillers', as they're set a few hundred years into the future and provide a glimpse into how the world, and people within it who hold special abilities could be. As each book progresses and there is more information revealed, it all gets all the more intense and vividly told.

Admittedly, at the beginning of The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf I wasn't completely convinced that I would enjoy it. I felt thrown into this situation where there was a lot going on and obviously some big drama over her capture, but no idea how or why she got there. Though her narrative voice wasn't always fluent and the flashbacks could seem longwinded, I did appreciate the amount of worldbuilding and detail that went into creating this book. The descriptions of each of the young adults in detention and those who had rebelled, as well as how they connected to their animal abilities was fascinating to read about. I could see how the Dreamtime plays a big role in providing a rich symbolic backdrop to the action which takes place.

Following on, in The Disappearance of Ember Crow The Tribe is thrown into a whole new set of issues. The Reckoning may have had lasting effects before, and they still linger now. It was great to see more of Ashala's character development here, as well as the perspective of Ember which added extra depth. For Ashala especially it was lovely to see her act as a strong leader who yes, still had her faults but continued to be gallant and look out for her people. This is about restoring balance to the world, saving a friend, and even finding room for some romance on the side. Once again, like the first novel this is a gripping read with a creativity that is impossible to ignore.

And finally - The Foretelling of Georgie Spider. In this installment, Ashala, Ember and Georgie act as three equally valiant leads who are determined to set things right in their society and make a change. Ashala's voice still comes through as it has since the beginning of the trilogy, though Georgie's is also equally evocative. Building on the abilities of the Illegals and raising some harrowing questions about Australia's history is interestingly done, with a sensitive probing that leaves room for thought. There is enough danger, twists and turns in this book to keep fans of the series entertained, and everything comes together in a satisfying ending.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

This is a series that gets better as it goes - each idea is developed and the world-building is ON POINT. It's so nice to see Australian YA making a hit with novels like this, especially ones that connect with Indigenous heritage as well. If you want a post-apocalyptic trilogy with a unique twist unlike anything else out there, then this is for you.

Guest Post by Ambelin Kwaymullina - Speculative Fiction and Indigenous Futurism

I am a writer of Indigenous Futurisms, which is to say, I am one of the many Indigenous peoples worldwide who use the speculative fiction genre to challenge colonialism and to imagine Indigenous futures. And in so doing I am conscious of both the failings and the promise of speculative fiction. 

Speculative fiction, like all Western literary genres, is guilty of the unthinking reproduction of colonial stereotypes. Indigenous peoples have appeared in spec fic narratives as the ‘primitives’ to be conquered; the spiritual but child-like natives who require a white savior to deliverm them from themselves; and the ‘savages’ who lurk beyond the boundaries of what is said to be ‘civilisation’. But if the failing of speculative fiction is continue colonial story-cycles, its promise is to overcome them. For in imagining new worlds it is possible to discard old ideas and to confront the evils of colonialism in new contexts, free of the preconceptions that hinder understanding.

My ancestors taught me to look to the future. They always spoke hopefully of a better world in the worst of times and circumstances, gazing through time to the point when the injustices that dominated so much of their existence were a thing of the past. We do not yet live in that world - as was reported by the UN’s State of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples report, Indigenous peoples across the globe continue to be subjected to discrimination and live in conditions of extreme disadvantage. But my ancestors never did lay down their hope; they passed it on to be carried by those of us who came after them.

I am a writer of Indigenous Futurisms, which is to say, I am one of the many Indigenous peoples worldwide who hopes for a just world.

Giveaway - 2 sets of the trilogy (AU only)

And now thanks to Walker Books Australia, I'm giving away two sets of the trilogy with all three books to a couple of lucky Australian winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mini Reviews: Crazy Guys and Artists in Cherry Blossom Dreams

The Guy, The Girl, The Artist and His Ex by Gabrielle Williams
Released: 1st April 2015
Published by: Allen and Unwin
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 256
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Dymocks | Bookworld

A rock chick.

An artist with attitude.

A girl with a past.

A party animal.

Four lives collide when one of the world's most famous paintings is stolen. It's a mystery that has the nation talking, but while Picasso's Weeping Woman might be absent from the walls of the National Gallery, in other parts of Melbourne the controversial painting's presence is being felt by Guy, Rafi, Luke and Penny for four very different reasons. Life, love, art and one giant party intersect in this offbeat comedy about good intentions, unexpected consequences and the irresistible force of true love.

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I'm usually quite the fan of these charming YA novels with an almost eclectic mix of characters, and The Guy The Girl The Artist and His Ex definitely delivers on creativity. This is a book which takes the mystery surrounding a stolen artwork, and uses it to showcase how different people can be affected by one event in a myriad of ways. Guy, Rafi, Luke and Penny all have their own struggles to bear in their flawed selves, though ultimately develop as people throughout the story.

The only other book I can recall that deals with an art-focus and its power is I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson which I really loved. Though in the case of this book I couldn't engage with it as well in the beginning, I did find that in the end I warmed up to these kindred spirits. The comedy in throughout and lighthearted tone interspersed with an exploration of the self added an extra dimension which added some depth. Each character has their own perspectives, though when they come together it really is quite clever. So in the end, while they were somewhat stereotypical archetypes, this cleverly crafted book did for the most part win me over.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While not as moving as I'd hoped, The Guy The Girl The Artist and His Ex is a book that will make you think, and is satisfying when it all comes together. 

Me Being Me is Exactly as Insane as You Being You by Todd Hasak-Lowy

Released: 23rd April 2015

Published by: Simon and Schuster

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: Publisher

Pages: 656

My Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | Book Depository | Bookworld

A heartfelt, humorous story of a teen boy’s impulsive road trip after the shock of his lifetime—told entirely in lists! Darren hasn't had an easy year. There was his parents’ divorce, which just so happened to come at the same time his older brother Nate left for college and his longtime best friend moved away. And of course there’s the whole not having a girlfriend thing. Then one Thursday morning Darren's dad shows up at his house at 6 a.m. with a glazed chocolate doughnut and a revelation that turns Darren’s world inside out. In full freakout mode, Darren, in a totally un-Darren move, ditches school to go visit Nate. Barely twenty-four hours at Nate’s school makes everything much better or much worse—Darren has no idea. It might somehow be both. All he knows for sure is that in addition to trying to figure out why none of his family members are who they used to be, he’s now obsessed with a strangely amazing girl who showed up out of nowhere but then totally disappeared.

Told entirely in lists, Todd Hasak-Lowy's debut YA novel perfectly captures why having anything to do with anyone, including yourself, is: 1. painful 2. unavoidable 3. ridiculously complicated 4. possibly, hopefully the right thing after all.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This year seems to have heralded the age of YA with unique formatting coming through - telling stories in ways which pushes the envelope and is unconventional. Me Being Me (as the book will be referred to in this review since the whole title is a mouthful) is told entirely in lists and provides insight into the life of Darren - a fifteen year old teenage boy dealing with the bumps in the road which life offers. His teenage drama is outlined within the 600+ pages of this book, though there are some more serious issues of acceptance and finding your way which come through as well.

I can't say I've ever read anything told like this before, and it was refreshing at the start to have a novel told so uniquely. Lists are something which don't mess about and tell it like it is, getting to the point. Or so you would think. Okay, so most of the book has lists which yes, give insight into how Darren is feeling when the big 'bombshell' is dropped and his world is seemingly falling apart. However, there did come a point where I did long for an opportunity to really delve into his character further and find him more likable. 

His general attitude and passive-agressiveness, and tendency to just have an instant attraction to one girl before falling for another was a bit of a turn off, and there were some explanations lacking as to some of the secondary characters and his choices which I wanted. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is a YA contemporary told unlike many others which was a big plus, and the concise writing style makes for a relatively quick read when you take out some of the boring bits in the middle. 

Cherry Blossom Dreams by Gwyneth Rees
Released: 4th June 2015
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: MG Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 272
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Dymocks | Bookworld

Sometimes, something happens in your life that changes everything. When Sasha was six, her dad died suddenly and the world changed forever. Now she's twelve, it feels like things are changing all the time: her twin brother hardly talks to her any more, her mum's dating a teacher from school, her best friend Lily keeps going on about boys ... and Sasha doesn't feel ready for any of it. Why can't things just stay the same?

The one place she can escape is Blossom House, her secret place – an old, echoey, overgrown, beautiful, empty mansion, where the only thing that changes is the weather and the flowers in the garden. There's just one problem: it isn't hers. And even a house can have secrets ...

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Cherry Blossom Dreams is a light and fun read, which middle graders should enjoy. This is a book that for older readers, is easy to skim read - though there are still some lessons which everyone can take out. Sasha is dealing with the tween issues of family situation changes, friendships shifting and of course, crushes coming into the picture. Told from the perspective of a twelve year old girl, be prepared for things that may seem melodramatic, but in the end there is a good message at heart. 

If you've read books like Flirty Dancing by Jenny McLachlan, you'll get to see how the style is quite similar - light, simple prose with a few big events, and denouement where supposedly everything works out. In this case, the plot was admittedly predictable, but even so - the fact that there were some moral lessons did save it for me. This is about the mushy, 'cheesy stuff' like mending friendships, finding your own identity, accepting change and adapting to new situations with an open mind. Sasha was for the most part a character who thought things through and saw things with her own eyes - not just those of the people around her. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Cherry Blossom Dreams is a delightful story of one girl's coming of age as she straddles the line between childhood and the whole new experience of being a teenager. While I'm not the target audience, I can see the appeal to those who are - and I think there are many younger readers out there who will relate to and enjoy this.