There are people out there who think it's childish for grown-ups to enjoy YA novels. Sometimes they even write to advice columnists about it. I started reading YA as a child, true. When I was ten or so, I still loved Nancy Drew and Animorphs. But each book took me maybe twenty, twenty-five minutes to read. I needed something more substantial, for the sake of my attention span and my parents' wallets. My dad tried by giving me novels such as Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, but she had this terrible habit of interrupting the awesome vampire action with boring sex. Then I discovered the YA section of the library, starting with WILD MAGIC by Tamora Pierce. I've never outgrown it because there's nothing to outgrow.
I like books about teenagers. No, I'm not a teenager. But I like books about gay Chinese dragon tamers*, and I am not gay, nor Chinese, nor a dragon tamer. If the only books I could read were about lower middle class, white, twentysomething technical writers from Texas I would be very bored. YA is just another type of book. Yeah, it's marketed mostly to teens. I love science fiction and that's marketed mostly to men. About the only genre I read actually marketed to me is romance. I can deal. If the person observing me read can't, why should I care?
My policy: read what you like. Read how you like. No shame.
If you like YA, MG, children's books . . . the only childish person is the one concerned about someone else's reading habits.
*I am sadly not referring to an actual book. But I would read that book in a hot minute.
Book Three of the Elemental series
Includes short story "Breathless"
By Brigid Kemmerer
Available now from K-Teen (Kensington)
Review copy
I am happy to be a part of the blog tour for SPIRIT, hosted by The Midnight Garden. Be sure to check out the tour page for a chance to win the series. I thought STORM, the first book in the Elemental series was fantastic. It had danger, magic, and some serious swoon. The same is true of SPIRIT. Male protagonist aren't as rare in YA as some people like to think, but they are rare in books this intensely romantic. But it's not all romance, and Kemmerer has a talent for taking the story unexpected places.
No one trusts Hunter Garrity. He's one of the Fifth, and expected to hunt down other Elementals. He's still grieving for his father and processing the secrets revealed to him by his father's dying words. His family isn't much comfort and he hasn't made any friends. Then new girl Kate comes to town. She could be his chance to make a real, human connection. Or she could be a Guide sent to kill the Merrick brothers, like Hunter's father.
I liked that Kate had her own agenda. She's a terrific foil to Hunter. They have similar issues, and reacted to their upbringing in similar ways, but at the same time they don't have entirely the same goals. They do have chemistry in spades. SPIRIT was the first thing I read on my new toy (more about that later), and I kept showing people a shiny feature I discovered only to have them go, "She's not wearing any pants?!" Yes, you should always check that it isn't a steamy scene before thrusting your book into someone's hands. (There is an instance of tame, tasteful sex; these scenes are just awesome makeouts.)
The Elemental series does not shy away from moral ambiguity. Some of the worst atrocities in the series are committed by kids - thirteen or younger. How far should our protagonists go to stop them? How responsible are children for their actions? Hunter knows moral ambiguity. He thought he knew black and white, but lately all he's been seeing are shades of grey. He doesn't know who to trust himself.
I also like that the books stand decently on their own, each providing a full character arc for the protagonist, but that they're tightly tied together. In SPIRIT, Hunter is still reaping what he sowed in STORM. Becca cares about him, but keeps her distance because she got played. It's good turnabout that Hunter is at risk of getting played himself.
SPIRIT is heart wrenching, more so than the first two. The emotions and stakes of the series just keep rising. I cannot wait for the fourth book, tentatively titled SECRET. Nick is probably my favorite of the Merrick brothers - levelheaded but dangerous. "Breathless" is a good lead in to his story. I'm excited that the Elemental series is going to have a gay protagonist, but even more excited to see what happens next to the Merrick brothers and their allies.
I've got two goodies for ya'll. The first is a code to download "Elemental" for free. This short story gives the background of Michael Merrick, before he had to become a parent to his brothers and shoulder the guilt of several senseless deaths. Just follow this link and use the code VCARD. Be quick - the code expires May 31st! The second goodie is the first chapter of SPIRIT! Just follow this link to download it or read it online.
If you're a fan of the Elemental series, I highly recommend voting in the poll below. Kemmerer is going to write a short story featuring the guy who gets the most votes!
First in a series
By Dan Krokos
Available now from Starscape (Tor-Forge/Macmillan)
Review copy
I have to thank Cecelia and Charlotte for reigniting my interest in middle grade fiction. It's led to me finding some real gems. THE PLANET THIEVES is something I don't think I've encountered in middle grade before - military sci-fi. The closest I can think of are the later Alien Adventures books by Bruce Coville. I loved those books, and I enjoyed THE PLANET THIEVES quite a bit. The genre isn't the only unexpected thing.
THE PLANET THIEVES was darker than I expected. I was expecting a bit of a madcap adventure based on the cover and tagline ("Two civilizations. One planet. And a race to see who steals it first!"). But those two civilizations are at war, and neither side has behaved their best. Dan Krokos does a good job of describing war, and the actions that are acceptable and unacceptable during wartime, in a way that's suitable for children but not didactic. (There's also a subtle environmental moral, since both races want a new planet after using their own up.)
Mason Stark is a thirteen-year-old cadet on a diplomatic mission. He and seventeen other cadets are just supposed to be along for the ride, but when their ship is attacked by the Tremist, the crew is killed or taken hostage. The cadets have to take charge and Mason become acting captain almost by accident. His two greatest allies are Tom, a former rival who likes to play by the rules, and Merrin, his best friend who he has a bit of a crush on.
THE PLANET THIEVES weakest aspect is that it's rather boy heavy. Tom's mother and Mason's older sister are both competent, in-charge women who get sidelined early in the novel. Willa is the only named female cadet aside from Merrin, and she only plays a part for a split second - fake crying to act as bait. Several of the male cadets get to take turns as leader. Merrin, meanwhile, has to be rescued at least twice. Tom and Mason at least trade off rescuing each other. When Merrin does get a chance to save Mason, it's Tom who saves him instead. In the end, Merrin only gets to keep her agency by the skin of her teeth. She's not weak. But she is relegated to the damsel-in-distress and love interest roles despite the fact we're told she's a fierce fighter and good with a computer.
The strongest aspect is the plot. THE PLANET THIEVES is fast and furious, keeping Mason constantly on the move. They're doing anything they can think of to save the day, but what the day needs saving from keeps changing. I also liked that Mason rarely comes out ahead. He and his allies are clever, but they're thirteen and still training. They lose in physical contests against adults. They're out thought by high-ranking officers. But they keep trying, because they want to do what's right and Mason has the courage and charisma to keep them coordinated and motivated.
THE PLANET THIEVES is a terrific choice for sci-fi fans looking for culture clashes and unexpected revelations. (I'm definitely giving the nod to Doctor Who fans.) It ends with quite the hook for the sequel, and I know I'll be back for more. Be sure to read my interview with Dan Krokos.
Today's Armchair BEA topics are blogger development and genre fiction. Despite the fact I've been blogging for five years, I don't think I have much to say about blogger development that hasn't already been said. I gave a little advice last year, as well as some thoughts on monetization.
But I can say a few things about genre fiction! I've you can't tell by the fact I'm featuring a science fiction writer (interview with Dan Krokos) today, I enjoy a good genre story. I love vampires and time travel and mad scientists and girls with mysterious abilities. Bring it on. Here are a few of my favorites in various (general) genres:
Fantasy
I am really loving several urban fantasy series now. Karen Chance's stuff, Cassie Alexander's, Stacia Kane's, Diana Rowland's . . . urban fantasy is a great genre for anyone looking for fantasy catering to women. (Not that guy-centric stuff like Jim Butcher's novels aren't great fun.) If I'm in a more epic mood, I like INDA by Sherwood Smith. Or perhaps ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE by Robin Hobb. I could go on.
Science fiction
I think TUNNEL IN THE SKY by Robert Heinlein started my YA obsession. I adore FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS by Diana Peterfreund - also known as Persuasion in space! And talking about "in space," I love John Barnes's LOSERS IN SPACE.
Romance
Don't force me to choose! Let's spread it out a bit with a historical, a contemporary, and a paranormal. THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME by Julia Quinn was my first romance and still a highlight. I love her light, humorous romances. BLUE-EYED DEVIL by Lisa Kleypas is set in Houston, where I live now, and just as hot as the summer temperatures. Kleypas's historicals aren't to be missed either. DARK NEEDS BY NIGHT'S EDGE by Kresley Cole is the best in a terrific series, full of heroines who are all fierce in their own right. Who can resist a ghost ballerina in love with a crazy vampire?
Horror
'SALEM'S LOT by Stephen King
You never forget your first book by the King. He has, of course, written a ton I could list here, but I'll stick to this one.
Dan Krokos is the author of the False Memory series (FALSE MEMORY, FALSE SIGHT) and THE PLANET THIEVES, the first in a middle grade series. Released May 21, THE PLANET THIEVES is the story of a Mason Stark and his fellow cadets aboard the Egypt, forced to take control of the spaceship when the crew is captured.
Dan's official bio notes that "[h]e enjoys watching TV, playing MMORPGs, and drinking coffee."
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1. What was the biggest difference between writing for a young adult audience and writing for a middle grade audience?
I think they’re very similar, but the biggest difference is probably the way the story unfolds. For YA, I’ve found most of the books are very personal, with the protagonist changing over the course of the story. It’s very internalized. For middle grade, I think there is more emphasis on the adventure. Also most YA have a very pronounced romance aspect. Middle grade might have a little something (PLANET THIEVES does), but nothing like YA.
2. I don't think I've ever read middle grade military sci-fi before. What were some of your inspirations?
Star Trek is the obvious inspiration, but for the military aspect, I can probably thank Battlestar Galactica. In that show, everyone is on one ship for most of the series, and the ranks really come into play. Not everyone is on equal footing. I found that a lot of fun to play around with. The cadets start out at the lowest level possible, so it’s cool to see them rise.
3. If you ever encountered an alien race, what do you think would be the best case scenario?
That we wouldn’t attack them out of fear, and that they wouldn’t attack us. It would be great if they really came in peace, but I don’t trust humans. We’d go nuts. Religions would think this was some kind of sign. I don’t think a best case scenario is really possible, but it would be great if we could somehow learn from each other. They could teach us the science of clean energy, and we could give them burritos!
4. What is the coolest thing that's happened to you as a result of becoming a published author?
Going to festivals and meeting readers face to face is beyond cool. Visiting studio lots is super cool. Hanging out with other writers I look up to is the coolest.
5. What books are you currently reading?
N0S4A2 by Joe Hill. RUNNER by Patrick Lee. THE LOST PLANET by Rachel Searles.
There are people out there who think it's childish for grown-ups to enjoy YA novels. Sometimes they even write to advice columnists about it. I started reading YA as a child, true. When I was ten or so, I still loved Nancy Drew and Animorphs. But each book took me maybe twenty, twenty-five minutes to read. I needed something more substantial, for the sake of my attention span and my parents' wallets. My dad tried by giving me novels such as Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, but she had this terrible habit of interrupting the awesome vampire action with boring sex. Then I discovered the YA section of the library, starting with WILD MAGIC by Tamora Pierce. I've never outgrown it because there's nothing to outgrow.
