Across the Universe by Beth Revis

As the spaceship Godspeed travels toward a new earth, the lives of 100 cryogenically frozen settlers hang in the balance after someone endeavors to quietly murder them. The other passengers aboard the ship have never known life outside its walls and are enslaved by the machinations of Eldest, their tyrannical leader, who divides them into three distinct classes. When Amy, a frozen settler from earth, survives being thawed in a murder attempt, she immediately bonds with Elder, Godspeed's lone teen and future leader. Amy’s individuality, her rebellion, and her fierce desire for freedom, inspire Elder to act on his own doubts and defy Eldest--his mentor and keeper--with shocking results. Eldest’s methods of twisting history and altering the lives of this captive community are a frightening echo of tyrants in our own history, and Across the Universe challenges readers to consider the impact of unchecked power, blind trust, and the ability of one dissenting voice to make a difference.


I am not into science fiction at all, fantasy is still new to me, but science fiction holds no appeal at all. So needless to say this book was not on my list of YA Debut books. But while browsing at the library it started calling my name. What is a reader to do when a book starts calling to you? So home it came (not by itself mind you, had to bring some fiends with it too).

So I read and read and read some more, and I have to say I quite enjoyed this book. Took only 4 days and I am done. The first chapters grabbed me and it didn't let go. I felt Amy's emotion at watching her mother frozen, the decision she had to make and then when she was awoken 50 years too soon.

I loved how the ship worked and the twists that happened. I even liked the ending. Will definitely read more by this author.

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

I love fairy tales, I love reading books that are based on fairy tales and that is what this book reminded me of. I enjoyed reading this book, the story line was original, it had twists and turns that I didn't see coming. However, I would have liked it to have a little more depth, maybe a more dialogue.

One thing about a debut novel is that they (the author) gets better with each consecutive book, I would love to see a sequel, but if not I will keep an eye out for more by Eilis O'Neal

the demon trapper's daughter by jana oliver

Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?

The debut for Jana Oliver, I have been wanting to read this book since it came out. I found the story line interesting, set in Atlanta, Georgia in the year 2018. I wasn't disappointed with the book on the whole, what happens to society was an interesting turn. How to do this review without an spoilers is hard. Riley has a hard life, but she isn't the only one, throughout the whole book she just seems to be in a bad mood, for the most part you can't blame her, with the things that happen to her. She reminds me of Bella from the Twilight series, (I even picture them looking the same) not happy and I don't get the impression she ever has been. I found her treatment of Beck throughout the book was constant and that got to be a bite much. Beck I liked, I found he to be well developed. Simon on the other hand wasn't. He just sorta appears and next thing Riley is in love. Ori was an interesting character and hopefully we will see more of him in the next book.

The storyline was good and original, Lucifer letting his demons loose on the world, the mystery of why the demons know Riley by name and who is the mysterious Ori. Looking forward to the next book.

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Dogsled Dreams by Terry Lynn Johnson

Twelve-year-old Rebecca dreams of becoming a famous sled dog racer. She's an inventive but self-doubting musher who tackles blinding blizzards, wild animal attacks, puppy training, and flying poo missiles. All of her challenges though, seem easier than living up to the dogs' trust in her abilities.

Rebecca runs her huskies along the crisp trails near Thunder Bay, Ontario, where northern lights flare and dangerous beavers lurk. Through the bond she shares with the dogs, Rebecca learns that hard work, dedication and living in the moment bring their own rewards.

Another book that is part of the 2011 YA Debut Authors Challenge, I am really glad that I joined this challenge. I just love debut authors (maybe because I wish it was my debut).

I was drawn to this book because it takes place in Northern Ontario and that is hard to find. I so loved this book. It was a great coming of age story, the hopes and dreams of 12 year old Rebecca. I had a hard time putting this book down, it was funny, emotional (yes I almost shed a tear or two) and it was exciting. It was hard to believe that this was a debut novel, the author wrote a story that progressed smoothly right to the end. Highly recommend.

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

I was doing the happy dance out of Coles Book Store last week when I found this book. Today is the release date, it was my first pick for the 2011 YA Debut Author Challenge. I was good though and waited until Jan 1st to begin reading it and I promptly finished on Jan 2nd.

I did not read the inside cover, so I had no clue what this book was about, other than what I read

What if the only friend you could trust turned out to be dangerous?

That's it, all I had to go on for this book. I loved the cover too.

I so enjoyed this book, I was trying to figure out what was happening and I do admit that one of my thoughts was correct (no worries, no spoilers here), but the author kept me guessing right till the end. The character of Cara developed nicely, I felt for her, she was believable as were the other characters. The writing flowed nicely, grabbed me and I just had to finish it.

To me a sign of a good book is grabbing my attention early on, keeping it and being forced to forget to do things (like make the bed, start dinner on time), generally have a hard time putting the book down.

Being a debut book I do see room for improvement. Cara's parents could have been developed more, some of the other teens also (but then again not too much to keep that mystery there).

I will be on the lookout for future books by Elizabeth Woods.