Book Talk: Where did all these spaceships come from (and how can I make them leave)?

by | Nov 26, 2013 | Book Talk | 6 comments

Book Talk: Sci-fi YA

At BEA, it was clear that YA sci-fi was definitely an up-and-coming genre. Entangled by Amy Rose Capetta was featured in the YA Author focus panel, The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey was all the rage and ARCs of Rush by Eve Silver (review) and These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner were making the rounds. But taking a look at YA releases for 2014, I can’t help but notice an overwhelming amount of intergalactic travel.

And it makes me nervous.

Some 2013 Sci-Fi YA novels that got a lot of buzz at BEA. 

See, while I’ve had great success reading apocalyptic YA, vampire YA, zombie YA, you-hadn’t-even-heard-of-this-monster YA… I haven’t had too much success with Sci-Fi YA. Let me clarify: it’s spaceship Sci-Fi YA is what I’ve had trouble with. I tried reading Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan and Across the Universe by Beth Revis and couldn’t stand either of them. Both seemed like bad action/romance novels that just happen to be set in space.

No, really. They sucked.

Upcoming 2014 Sci-fi YA releases.

On the other hand, I’ve got my overwhelming desire to love anything with a big ol’ spaceship in it. I’m a big trekkie and browncoat, and really really want to see what I love brought out in YA. But most of the time, the books turn out to be like Star Trek: Into Darkness: complete fiascos that miss the entire point of science fiction.

That said, maybe things are turning around? I recently completed The 5th Wave and Rush – and while I found neither to be absolutely spectacular, they were certainly enjoyable. I’m also a few dozen pages into the sci-fi YA novel, These Broken Stars, and while it is still too early to say for sure, I am really enjoying it. The writing is surprisingly solid and I have a feeling the characters will be too. So… maybe things are looking up?

Out of the 2014 books, there are a couple that look of interest (I’m talking about Salvage by Alexandra Duncan)… but I have to say that Alienated by Melissa Landers sounds like it will either be an epic fail or an epic win. That one will really depend on execution.

So, what do we think of this new trend? Will more books mean more good books… or do I have a lot of mediocre to look forward to?

Waiting on Wednesday: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

by | Apr 24, 2013 | Weekly Feature | 1 comment

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.

The 5th Wave by Rick YanceyThe 5th Wave (The Fifth Wave #1) by Rick Yancey

Goodreads – Dystopian/Sci-Fi YA – May 7th 2013 by Penguin

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

If you haven’t heard about The 5th Wave yet, you’ve been missing out. This novel has generated a tonne of buzz, and for good reason. By the author of the acclaimed Monstrumologist series, The 5th Wave ties together all the dystopian goodness with a healthy dose of Sci-Fi. A lot of people have compared it to The Hunger Games but – while I see what they mean – I am getting Walking Dead feelings from it. (If there is one thing I love more than The Hunger Games, it’s The Walking Dead!)

If you’re looking for more to sink your teeth into than just the blurb, check out the official sampler of the novel on the book’s site – it will have you hooked!