Vengeance Road Giveaway - and the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Vengeance Road giveaway!

The winner is Land of Isolated Creatures, from my comments section. I'll be in touch with you shortly.

Please keep an eye on my blog and Twitter @yaundermyskin, as I'll be posting a giveaway about once a month. Next month's is particularly amazing, and may even be signed if I manage to pull it off!

Happy reading everyone. New review to follow shortly...

Vengeance Road Review and Giveaway by Amy at YA Under My Skin

Author: Erin Bowman

Publisher (hardback): Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Publication Date: 1st September 2015

Keep reading to find out how you can win a hardcover copy of this amazing book!

I love Westerns, so this was an easy sell for me. A kickass heroine on a journey of redemption? Gorgeous cowboys tagging along to hunt for gold? Yes please! I was really excited about this one, and it didn’t disappoint.

A main selling point of this is how original the premise is. I love the idea of a YA Western, and the historical aspects were handled really well. I’ve read quite widely around this time period, and this book seems incredibly authentic and well-researched.

The plot of this book is really gripping too. Although it’s based on the revenge story arc, there are diverting romances and conflicts with Native Americans that keep it feeling varied.

Another strength is that the minor characters feel like heroes of their own stories. The Colton boys have their own motivations driving them forward, and are well-developed characters as opposed to tag-alongs for Kate.  They also meet a native American girl called Liluye, who is really likeable at the same time as feeling authentic for the time.

Only one part of it took some getting used to for me. Sometimes, especially early on, I found the ‘Western speak’ a little jarring. Maybe this was because I couldn’t get the accent right in my head, which left it ringing false on occasion.

Aside from that, I can’t recommend this book strongly enough. It struck me as very well-researched and authentic, and is a welcome new branch for YA.

If you liked the sound of this now try:

Deadwood - an awesome TV series that was made between 2003 and 2006 (though if you really don't like swearing you should steer clear)

For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below or retweet my twitter link to this blog (which can be found @yaundermyskin). Give me your email address or twitter handle, so I can contact you if you win!

The winner will be notified by Sunday 20th September. Good luck!

An Ember in the Ashes Review by Amy at YA Under My Skin

Publisher: Razorbill

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Publisher’s synopsis:

‘LAIA is a Scholar living under the brutal rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who vow to save her brother from execution. ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor. When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they will find that their destinies are more intertwined that either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.’

This is another great dystopian debut, with an interesting world and a good balance of action and romance.

I loved the alternating first person narrative, as it gave an insight into the two very different sides of this society. Laia was a particularly interesting character, as she experienced a lot of self-doubt when it came to her brave, borderline foolhardy mission to infiltrate the empire’s military academy. This made her feel believable and relatable, as I find some self-sacrificing heroines too selfless to be true! She seemed like a ‘normal’ person without powers or superior ability and battle, and I liked that a lot. 

I also enjoyed Elias’ character arc. It was interesting that he’d been raised with a conformist, military background, and came to question it.

Another compelling aspect of this book was that the war and revolution were described in very real, brutal terms. In my opinion, a book about these violent subject matters should tackle them head-on, in a realistic way. Otherwise, what’s the point?

One thing I liked less was that I was confused by gender roles in the book. Women were considered to be massively inferior, and rape was a commonplace experience for female slaves (with very little being done about it). Yet the military commander and one of their best soldiers were women. This struck me as a bit contradictory. I also felt that this series covered little new ground when compared with similar books in the genre.

Even though the subject matter of this felt quite familiar, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I hope the sequel comes out soon!

If you liked the sound of this, now try:

-The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas

-The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen.

-The Divergent series by Veronica Roth

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys Review by Amy at YA Under My Skin

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys edited by April Genevieve Tucholke

Publisher: Dial Books

Kindle release date: Out now!

Hardcover: 13^th October (Just in time for Halloween...)

The fabulous authors included (in order): Nova Ren Suma, Carrie Ryan, Cat Winters, Leigh Bardugo, Megan Shepherd, Danielle Paige, April Genevieve Tucholke, Jonathan Maberry, Jay Kristoff, Stefan Bachmann, Marie Lu, A.G. Howard and Kendare Blake.

I started reading Point Horror books when I was 9 or 10 (which probably explains a lot). For me, this book felt like the best kind of childhood flashback.

I’m not usually a short story reader, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this collection. Part of it was to do with the amazing selection of authors (Marie Lu and Carrie Ryan – in the same book?!)

All of the stories left me at least unnerved, and at best were downright disturbing and terrifying. I felt like the authors pushed into some dark, twisted places, and I loved that! Only a couple of stories were less engaging, retreading familiar horror movie ground.  

I’ll give a quick rundown of my favourites, but I’d hate to ruin them by saying too much!

-My favourite by a long lead was Carrie Ryan’s story ‘In the Forest Dark and Deep’, based on elements of Alice in Wonderland. ‘The Forest of Hands and Teeth’ by Carrie Ryan is one of my favourite books, and I loved the dark depths that this story went to. Two trembling thumbs up!

-I also really enjoyed Marie Lu’s story ‘The Girl Without a Face’. It has an unusual narrative style, and a very unpredictable plot.

-My next top pick was ‘Sleepless’ by Jay Kristoff. This was an inventive take on the potential for horror surrounding internet chatrooms.

-Another story that I really enjoyed was Stitches by A.G. Howard. I’m not going to say anything except how wonderfully strange it was!

This book is a must read for horror adrenaline junkies. You weren’t planning to sleep tonight, were you?

If you liked the sound of this, now try:

-Absolutely anything by Stephen King

-…or Neil Gaiman

-Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

-The Forbidden Game by LJ Smith (the author of ‘The Vampire Diaries’)

-Go old school and track down some Point Horrors

The Wrath and the Dawn Review by Amy at YA Under My Skin

Author: Renee Ahdieh

Publisher: Hardcover published by GP Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Inspired by 'A Thousand and One Nights', the story follows sixteen year old Shahrzad. She has agreed to marry Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan, who takes a new bride each night and executes her at sunrise. She crafts a plan to stay alive, so she can avenge the young girls who have died, including her best friend. Each night, she will tell Khalid a story so tantalising that he couldn't possibly kill her without knowing what happens next.

This is the best YA romance I've read since... well, I can't remember the last time I read one this good! A main part of this was because of Shahrzad: the fierce, intelligent and all around awesome heroine. She is so resourceful and brave in a spectacularly dire situation, that I was on her side straight away. Also, it goes without saying that we need more diversity in YA (and books in general), and the Middle Eastern setting and characters were so refreshing!

Now to my favourite part: the romance. It isn't often that I'm so completely invested in a relationship, and even though I could see where it was going I really, really enjoyed watching it unfold! The relationship between Shahrzad and Khalid was painful, complicated, and drawn out long enough that it was especially satisfying! 

I also loved Renee Ahdieh's writing style. The sumptuous descriptions evoked the exotic setting, and made for an immersive reading experience. Her metaphors felt fresh and boundary pushing, and devoid of eye-rolling cliches.

There were a couple of aspects that I would've liked more of, the first being the stories. I really enjoyed the tales that Shahrzad told Khalid early on, in her efforts to keep his interest and stay alive. As soon as their relationship developed, the stories disappeared and I wanted to see more of them. I was also really intrigued by the touches of magic, and wanted to know more about the developing powers of certain characters.

All I can say is that I want more of this world, and these characters. I need to know what happens next! I can't recommend this book highly enough, and I'm very excited about the sequel due out next year.

If you liked the sound of this, now try:

-An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

-The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

-Need by Carrie Jones

Silver in the Blood Book Review by Amy at YA Under My Skin

Author: Jessica Day George

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens’

Dacia and Lou Florescu are New York society girls in the 1890s. When they return to their Romanian homeland, they discover family secrets and prophecies involving their own identities.

This was one of those books that made me come over all obsessive, because I was intrigued to work out what was so special about the Florescu girls. At first I was a bit concerned that they'd be flighty, nineteenth century stereotypes. As the novel progressed, both characters grew and developed in a very believable way.

I loved the idea of putting a paranormal YA in a historical context. It felt really fresh, and created an appealing, Gothic Gossip Girl feel. Jessica Day George visited Romania to research this book, and her knowledge of the area definitely came through.

The novel’s descriptive style was beautiful, with enough nineteenth century language touches to make it feel authentic. There was an appealing feeling of decadence, with beautiful gowns and several gorgeous love interests!

In places I found the novel a little predictable, but I really enjoyed the journey with the characters. This is a great summer read, and delightfully indulgent escapism!

If you liked the sound of this, now try:

-The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

-A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas - Book Review by Amy McCaw at YA Under My Skin

Quick stats:

Author: Leah Thomas
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury

This book is made up of the letters sent back and forth between two boys, Ollie and Moritz. The two can never meet because Ollie has seizures when he's exposed to any electricity, and Moritz has a pacemaker. Even being in each other's company would kill them both.

I don't give praise lightly, and am more than happy to dole out constructive criticism. In this case, I would struggle to think of any! I absolutely. Adored. This. Book, so much that I'm apparently not thinking in complete sentences.

It's not often that I read a book and can genuinely suspend belief, almost convincing myself that the characters are real. The letters sent between Ollie and Moritz feel utterly believable, and it is their poignant, realistic voices that brought the book to life.

This is one of those rare books that is beautifully written throughout, and so honest that at times it was hard to read. I went through every range of emotions, from laughing aloud to quietly sobbing behind my paperback (and attracting some very strange looks – don't read it by the side of a pool!)

The only reason I can think that some people may not like this book is because it does unfold slowly, and there isn't a massive amount of 'action'. To me, that was the point, that real life can be captured so convincingly on a page, and that it can be beautiful.

One of my favourite lines from the book is when one character told the other that he wanted to know the books that made him. 'Because you'll never meet me' is one of the books that made me.

Gushing over – you can go and buy it now!

If you liked the sound of this, now try:

- We were liars by E. Lockhart

- The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

-Half Bad by Sally Green

Amy McCaw
YA Under My Skin
www.yaundermyskin.com
@yaundermyskin