The Reader (Book One of Sea of Ink and Gold) (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016) by Traci Chee is a compelling fantasy told in multiple viewpoints and with stories within the story.
And isn’t that a lovely cover?
Here’s a brief overview:
Sefia has a precious item that someone is trying to find. She and Auntie Nin have been on the run for six years after Sefia’s father was murdered and now Nin has been taken. Sefia is determined to find her. On her own she risks looking at the rectangular object she carries and is disappointed to see that is only paper with scribbles. Through hard study she finally deciphers a line of the squiggles: “This is a book.” After she realizes book is the name of the rectangle object, it hits her that everything she sees might have a sign too. Knowing the book has answers to the death of her father and where Nin is, Sefia teaches herself to read it. The cover of the book has a symbol which Sefia uses as a map on her dangerous journey.
We have glimpses into other viewpoints, Lon and Tanin, but it takes a while before we understand how they are connected to Sefia.
I feel inadequate describing the magic of this story. It’s unusual, mysterious, heartbreaking, wonderful.
I’m really looking forward to The Speaker, book 2.
The Reader is author Traci Chee’s debut book and has become a NY Times bestseller. You can read all the starred reviews here and see the covers of the five translations.
Traci’s bio is here with links to a number of interviews.
Category: YA Novels
young adult novels (for 13+ yo)
Heartless
Heartless (Feiwel and Friends Book, 2016) by Marissa Meyer is quite the interesting look at Wonderland. Meet Catherine who has caught the eye of the unmarried King of Hearts, but would rather be a baker, plus she’s rather too fascinated by the king’s new joker. Cath’s parents, of course, want her to marry the king. But Cath knows she’s the best baker in the realm. What’s a girl to do?
There’s also the familiar character of the Cheshire Cat and the White Rabbit and the Jabberwocky, but not like you’ve ever seen before. I loved this story and had difficulty putting it down. I think Lewis Carroll would have approved. And I’d love to see it made into a movie.
Marissa Meyer is also the New York Times bestselling author of the amazing Lunar Chronicles. Read about them and the author here. Marissa’s newest book, Renegades, comes out in November.
Just a Normal Tuesday
Just a Normal Tuesday (KCP Loft, 2017) by Kim Turrisi is a powerful book with an inside look at grief.
It’s just a normal Tuesday until sixteen-year-old Kai finds a suicide letter from her older sister Jen. She tries to save her sister, but it is too late and Kai’s stuck letting their parents know. Jen meant everything to Kai. How could Jen do this? Kai saw nothing to warn her of Jen’s unhappiness. To deal with the loss, Kai self-medicates with alcohol and the same drugs Jen used to kill herself, until she inevitably crashes. To save her, Kai’s parents send her away to grief camp. There she can begin healing.
Warning: the book does have language that may be offensive.
This is author Kim Turrisi’s debut novel. Although not an autobiography, she’s not a stranger to this kind of grief. She wishes grief camp had been something available to her. Read more about Kim on her website.
Defy the Stars
Defy the Stars (Little, Brown and Company, 2017) by Claudia Gray is a fascinating book. I want to say it’s about artificial intelligence, but it is so much more.
Seventeen-year-old Noemi knows she’ll die in three weeks. One of the teen and young adult soldiers ready to go on a suicide mission, her sacrifice will help give the planet Genesis time. And at least she can save her best friend/almost sister Esther. Their enemy has better ships and a robot army. The mechs aren’t afraid to die. Noemi wonders, “How evil do you have to be to kill another world’s people and risk none of your own?”
Abel is a mech (robot model) trapped in a marooned enemy ship on Genesis for almost thirty years. His one overriding desire is to get back to his creator, his father. But he’s also tired of being alone.
These two enemies meet and end up having to work together.
I enjoyed all the twists and turns in the story. This book is the first in the Constellation series. I look forward to more.
Author Claudia Gray has written many more books including some Star Wars novels! Here’s her website where you can see her other titles, find out that she chose her name, and more.
Given to the Sea
I’ve been on a YA novel binge lately.
Given to the Sea (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2017) by Mindy McGinnis is a disturbing story of how people will sacrifice others for their own safety. In that way it reminds me of the Newbery winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhilll. It’s also told in multiple viewpoints.
Khosa will be given to the sea–after she has a child. It’s her destiny and the only way to save the people of the Kingdom of Stille from the rising sea. In Khosa’s words, “One day my body will betray me, dancing into the sea, my mind a passenger only. The water will close over my head and I will drown, my death bringing a reprieve for those who are not me.” But there’s a complication. Khosa can’t bear the touch of another.
Seventeen-year-old Vincent is royal, but doesn’t like being called Prince, since he’s in line for the throne after his aging father, after his grandfather the present king.
Twins Dara and Donil are the last of the Indiri, and friends of Vincent. Both have magic.
Witt is the leader of the Pietra, enemies of Stille who plan to attack.
All of these people’s lives collide in this story. Given to the Sea is the author’s fourth book and will have a follow up book, which I’ll be anxiously awaiting.
Mindy McGinnis is an Edgar Award-winning author and librarian. On her blog, Mindy has a section of books she recommends here plus much much more such as query critiques and author interviews. Check it out.