Dystopian Hits!

Okay, so today's post is all about the love for Ally Condie's CROSSED and Tahereh Mafi's SHATTER ME. These are both dystopian novels, and while they're very different, they're both awesome.

Now, CROSSED is a sequel to MATCHED, which if you haven't read it, you should, and I normally don't talk about sequels all that much. Why?

Because I'm sort of what you'd call spoiled. I read a lot of books, and I usually don't have the time or patience to spend with the same characters. I mean, there's SO MANY new friends to meet, you know?

But I spent some more time with Cassia and Ky, because well, they're people I wanted to know more about.

First, a little about CROSSED if you haven't heard of it.

About CROSSED: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

What I liked about it:
1. The writing. It's emotional and moving, and forces you to turn the page to not only see what will happen next, but to feel it too. Gorgeously done.

2. Ky narrates. I hope that's not too much of a spoiler, but I loved that he was a narrator. He's so mysterious in MATCHED, and we finally get to see and learn more about him. He's a little explosive, a lot sensitive, and all around headstrong. I really liked him, and learning more about the Society through him.

3. The romance. Ky and Cassia don't spend a lot of time together in the book, but that's okay with me. Sometimes I think relationships are better when the person is alone, and has time to think about the other person in fond ways.

And when they do get together, it's magical, and the reader rejoices along with them.

4. The dystopian elements. So I write dystopian societies, and let me tell you, they're not the easiest thing on the planet. You basically have to tell the reader about the entire world without overloading them or seeming like the MC doesn't know what kind of world they live in.

The Society in CROSSED is further explored, and it's not overtly evil, yet utterly terrifying. And I like that.

So, put CROSSED on your list! And since she lives near me, and I can go to one of her signings, I will be giving away a signed, finished hardcover copy! All you need to do is comment to enter.

About SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi: No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.

But Juliette has plans of her own.

What I liked about it:
1. The page-turning aspect. This is a really fast read, and you feel caught in the middle of the action, even if there is no action. I realize that probably doesn't make sense, but it's true. Sometimes there is emotional action, and when it's paired with plot action? Brilliant.

2. The world. I liked imagining the world Tahereh created in SHATTER ME. It feels real and scary and that's exactly what I want to feel in a dystopian novel.

3. The romance. There's really only one word for it: sizzling. And you know me, I like kissing in books. If you do too, you'll like SHATTER ME.

This novel comes out November 15, so be sure to get your copy then!

Which dystopian novels have you enjoyed?

Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week at the Reading Room.

Or on their blogs:

• LiLa Roecker swoons for Sirenz
• Christine Fonseca interviews Kids Inventing! author Susan Casey
• Shelli Johannes-Wells dishes on Become (Desolation Book #1)
• Beth Revis celebrates books for which she’s grateful – with gigantic signed book giveaway
• Megan Miranda marvels at How to Save a Life
• Rosemary Clement Moore is wild for The Iron Witch
• Veronica Rossi is amazed by Shatter Me

Standing In The Rain

Okay, so I went to the Salt Lake City stop on the Breathless Tour. It was amazing. First, I was innocently tweeting in the elevator on the way down to the parking garage to drop off my jacket.

The doors opened, and this big group of people were standing there. I go, "I'm totally going to make you wait for me to get off," and stepped right through them. I'm pretty much still checking my phone to see if my tweet went through.

Someone goes, "Elana Johnson?"

And I look up and she goes, "I'm Beth Revis."

*cue the screaming and jumping up and down and hugging and other things I'm really glad no one with a video camera was around to capture*

So I met Beth in this dingy parking garage! It was, in a word, frawesome.

And Andrea Cremer was with her, and I hugged her too. And Kirsten Miller was there, but we didn't hug. And Brenna Yovanoff was there too, and again, no huggage. I think they were both mildly terrified because of all the above screaming and whatnot. They went up; I went to drop off my coat.

Amazing. The event was fabulous times ten. My favorite part was when someone asked if it was hard to get a book published. Beth laughed. Kirsten talked about living in New York and luck, Andrea said you have to get the right book to the right person at the right time, and Brenna said it has to be your best work every time.

But Ally Condie said my favorite thing (which apparently other people have said too. She's just the smartest person I know *wink*). She said that yes, you have to have luck and a good product, but you have to be standing out in the rain so that when the lightning strikes, you'll be there.

Lightning = luck, opportunity, whatever.

And I loved that, because it's so true. You really do have to be out there, getting soaking wet, before the lightning will strike.

What do you think? Are you out in the rain?

And here's some blurry pics I took with my phone.

Oh, and I'm under a strict deadline, and will only be blogging on M/W/F this week. xoxoxoxox until then.

MATCHED by Ally Condie

Okay, so I was lucky enough to get an ARC of MATCHED.

Dude.

I don't even have words for how this book made me feel. You know how you read something and you can just feel the power? And all these chills are racing down your arms because you know you're in the hands of someone who knows how to use words to spark something? And you know you're never going to go gently because the story has gripped you that much?

Yeah, reading MATCHED is like that.

I could go on and on about the story, but you should just buy and read it. I found it pretty amazing in a "quiet" way. That is in no way a slam--in fact, I wish I could write quietly and have the impact MATCHED has. Sadly, I cannot.

I thought the writing was brilliant. It was the actual way Ally spun the words to create an emotional web that captured me most about MATCHED.

So yeah. Buy it. Read it. Love it. It's out now, and you can get it pretty much anywhere--so go!!

And hey! You could WIN IT right here! Ally lives just a few minutes from me, and I'm attending her book launch on Saturday. So leave a comment here, and you just might get a signed copy you can call your own!

Will you go gently??

Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to:
Christine Fonseca recommends JOEY FLY, PRIVATE EYE in BIG HAIRY DRAMA
Shannon Messenger loves on ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS and offers a Giveaway
Megan Miranda celebrates DESIRES OF THE DEAD
Lisa and Laura Roecker salute REVOLUTION
Suzette Saxton cheers for THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO PSYCHOLOGY