Young Adult Fiction: Jagged Little Pill by Eric Smith

If I remember correctly, Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill was the first CD I ever bought. Not the first album I ever bought, mind you...that distinct honor goes to a cassette tape of Michael Jackson's Dangerous. When I saw that Morissette's musical of the same name had been adapted into a YA novel by Eric Smith, I figured what better way to close out this year's YA Fest.

The Situation: Frankie cannot help but stick out when she is with her family. Not only is she adopted, but she is black while her mother, father, and golden boy of an older brother are white and blonde. Nick is the perfect son, if you believe his and Frankie's mother's opinion on the matter. The woman cannot get enough of sharing with her uppity friends how he got into Harvard. And while Frankie may not feel like she exactly fits in with this family, she also may not want to. Her mother is less than interested in her extra-curricular activities, such as the social-justice focused club she started with her best friend, Jo. Frankie's mom also would not be too thrilled to learn that she and Jo are a little more than friends. Maybe a lot more...

The Problem: Frankie does not know Bella that well, she is more in Nick's circle of friends than her own. Even so, when Bella is sexually assaulted at a party, Frankie is eager to advocate for her. It is what her club with Jo is all about. Whatever is going on between the two of them takes a back seat, especially when Phoenix, the new kid at school, suddenly shows up and is clearly interested in Frankie...and she isn't exactly pushing him away. Everyone has their own personal struggles; some very public; some that are secrets threatening to come out; some that are easily understood and forgotten; and others that are often ignored. It takes a lot to stand up for yourself, and stand up for what's right. But it certainly helps if you have people who are willing to stand with you.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult novel adapted from the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Jagged Little Pill. Set in modern-day Connecticut, it follows five teens through a tumultuous few weeks in the middle of the school year. Frankie, Jo, Nick, Phoenix, and Bella all take turns telling their story and sharing what is happening, with the primary focus being mostly on Frankie and Nick, and the many dramas that are going on in their small family. The book tackles acceptance, sexual assault, justice, victim-shaming, guilt, and even addiction. And of course, fans of Morissette's music will recognize many of the artist's lyrics that are sprinkled throughout the story.

My Verdict: I always talk about how books that have different characters share the first-person narration often suffer from having one person's story be more interesting that the other. With five narrators, I wondered which ones would hold my interest, and what the ratio of 'interesting' to 'not interesting' would be. At the beginning, it was honestly hard for me to care that much for any of them, and then Phoenix and Bella became the clear winners (unfortunately, I do believe they are the two we hear from the least). I have never seen the musical or heard the score, so I probably have that working against me. But I will say, about the midway point of the book, things pick up quickly, and while the story is complex and the drama is high, Smith does not let any detail slip past him or the reader, with it all leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Favorite Moment: There are only a couple of moments when we get to see Phoenix with his sister Ruby while she is in the hospital. Their relationship is sweet, and comforting, and a nice change of pace amidst all of the chaos.

Favorite Character: Phoenix is a solid kid who is simply trying to support his mom and his sister, while also being the new kid at school who is missing his old crew back home. 

Recommended Reading: I have only ever read one other book adapted from a musical, and that is Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich. I also recommend Smith's previous book, Don't Read the Comments. 

Young Adult Fiction: The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta

Choosing The Lost Dreamer for the third week of YA Fest was easy once I saw that Lizz Huerta was going to be a part of the 10th Annual San Antonio Book Festival. Against the backdrop of a kingdom in the midst of change and chaos, one young woman will struggle to keep two secrets from a dangerous enemy, while another will attempt to discover who she really is.

The Situation: Indir is a Dreamer, and resides with her two sisters, her mother, and her two aunts in the temple, rarely leaving as the temple keeps Dreamers safe. With the death of King Anz, this means his son, Alcan is next to rule Alcanzeh. Saya may not be a Dreamer, but she does have power, and it is a power her mother has used for her own gain all of her life. According to Celay, Saya must not let anyone know what she can do, and she must tell her mother everything she sees when she sleeps. Saya cannot help but mistrust the only mother she has ever known, as she has an odd sense that she is hiding something, or at least from something.

The Problem: It appears that the next king of Alcanzeh does not hold the same respect for Dreamers as his father did. Before he has even officially taken the throne, Alcan has brought previously exiled people back to the land, and is bringing back old traditions that have not been practiced for some time, and for good reason. Indir fears that if Alcan learns her secrets - secrets she has not even told her family - his obvious thirst for power will reign unchecked. Meanwhile, Saya is learning more about herself and her own story, but this knowledge comes with a power and responsibility that she is not sure she wants. Her search for the truth may cost her what she knows, but may also be what saves everything she loves.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fantasy novel set in a time and place where people can be Dreamers, Healers, and even Fire Warriors with the gift to conjure flame with their hands. In alternating chapters, readers are given first-person accounts of the story as told by Indir, a Dreamer, and Saya, a young girl who is not sure what she is, but knows she has power. While Indir is attempting to save the world she knows from a new threat, Saya only wants to know more about herself and her own story, as well as what she wants that story to be. At the core of the novel is the power of family (sisterhood and motherhood), history, and tradition, as well as how quickly and easily outside forces and interests can threaten a close community. Many elements are inspired by ancient Mesoamerica, and the majority of the characters, including many of the warriors, are female.

My Verdict: I found myself much more drawn to Saya's story than I did to Indir's almost from the very beginning. If Alcan had more of a presence in Saya's story than he already did, then I would have been even more eager to move quickly through her chapters. There is something about Saya's search for truth and knowledge about what she can do (and what she should do) that was not only interesting, but also incredibly relatable and absorbing. And there was nothing about her journey that was predictable or boring, leaving me always eager to return to her story after each chapter. Those craving fantasy elements, as well as a story of adventure and self-discovery, will enjoy the world Huerta has built.

Favorite Moment: There is a moment when Alcan is put in his place with only a few words from a brave elder.

Favorite Character: Dua is a temple worker who is helpful, though a bit of a mystery. Indir trusts her, though she is not sure why, until her instincts are proven to be correct at possibly the best moment. 

Recommended Reading: I have certainly read a good deal of YA fantasy this year, and 2022 is not even halfway done (it is only the end of April as I am writing this). A recent discovery was last week's A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin, and the follow-up will be published later this year in late August. 

Young Adult Fiction: A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

Yes, yes, yes...today's book has a gorgeous cover. This is at least the third time I have said that this year for a book on this blog. For the second week of YA fest, we will look at A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin, a ya fantasy novel filled with all of the elements that make for a great adventure: magic, intrigue, skilled warriors, a mysterious boy, betrayal, and a thirst for vengeance. 

The Situation: Ning is desperate, but the only thing worse than the ache of being in an impossible situation is knowing that she is the cause of it. When her mother died as a result of poison, it was Ning's own tea that was the source. And now, it seems her younger sister Shu will suffer the same fate. The answer may be in an upcoming competition to find the kingdom's greatest master of the ancient and magical art of tea-making. If Ning were to win, she would receive a favor from the princess, and if the rumors are true, the princess will have the one thing that can save Shu's life. Attending the competition means Ning must leave her home (against her father's wishes), and her sister's side, but it is her only option.

The Problem: It is clear to Ning, as well as a few others in and around the imperial city, that Ning does not belong. In the first round of the competition, she manages to make a grievous error that draws the attention and the ire of one of the presiding officials. As she continues to make one blunder after another, Ning begins to doubt if she has what it takes. It does not help that a few competitors seem to have an unfair advantage, and then there are the added distractions of a mysterious but handsome stranger; the many attempts on the Princess' life; and the rumor that the emperor is fighting for his life after also ingesting the same poison as Ning's mother. The competition has higher stakes than even Ning thought it would, and it may be her own life that hangs in the balance.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fantasy novel that follows Ning from her humble home with her father and younger sister, to the imperial city where she will compete to be named the greatest shennong-shi in the kingdom. These competitors are able to brew a cup of tea that can cause a man to only tell the truth; give him enough strength and endurance to survive even the most grueling fight; make his facial features look different to an observer; and of course, poison or even heal him. This novel is rich in lore, and history, and with it being The Book of Tea #1, there will be at least one more book to continue the story. 

My Verdict: If you love a fantasy novel with a great deal of world building, with all of the details and history a reader could ask for, then this book is for you. And yet, with as much as there is, it never felt overwhelming or that the story was sacrificed as a result. Every detail has a purpose and only adds to the experience. Even with such a fantastic environment, I think what I am most impressed with is the book's overall pace. Given how many shifting alliances Ning must keep track of, as well as the potential dangers, plus the actual competition, I am amazed at how smoothly everything moved along, bringing the story to an ending appropriate for the first book of an at least two-book series.

Favorite Moment: Ning manages to make one friend during the competition named Lian. There are certain points in the story where it is not clear how much Lian can be trusted, if at all. Lin manages to keep that tension for a large portion of the novel.

Favorite Character: I wish we could have seen more of Steward Yang. She is an earnest and hard-working woman who is devoted to her family and her job.

Recommended Reading: I keep recommending Traci Chee's Sea of Ink and Gold series, but I will also mention the Legacy of Orisha series by Tomi Adeyemi. 

Young Adult Fiction: Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

Yes, it has once again come time for the annual DSN YA Fest! I am so excited to spend the month of June talking only about YA books of all kinds, and first up is Family of Liars by E. Lockhart. Many will remember, and may even have read, 2014's We Were Liars, where we were first introduced to the Sinclair family, and their time at their summer island.

The Situation: It is summertime, which means the Sinclair family has once again gathered at Beechwood Island, just off the coast of Massachusetts. While Carrie is in her kitchen, the ghost of her dead son, Johnny, decides to visit, as he has done before. He insists on Carrie telling him the story of the worst thing she has ever done. She has never told this story to anyone, but believes it is one Johnny really needs to hear. So Carrie goes back to the summer of 1987, when Beechwood Island looked different; when Carrie's mother was still alive; when Carrie was haunted by a different ghost; and when the boys came to visit.

The Problem: Seventeen year-old Carrie Sinclair was the older sister that took care of the younger two. Even when she felt cast aside by her younger sisters, or was sick of their selfishness, she showed up when they needed her. And they were each always ready to remind the others to "be a credit to the family," like their father wanted. But when three boys show up at the island as guests of her cousin, Carrie's already delicate world is thrown off balance. Her cousin Yardley warns her about Pfeff, the charmer with the dark hair, but Carrie almost cannot help looking at him, and wanting him to look at her. This desire only grows until jealousy takes hold, and things take a turn. Twenty-seven years before the summer that would claim her son's life, Carrie and her sisters buried a secret that will haunt her for decades.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel that precedes the events in We Were Liars by nearly three decades. Just like in the previous book, this one opens up with the Sinclair Family Tree, and a map of Beechwood Island. Readers of the previous book will note the differences, most notable of which is the inclusion of Carrie's Uncle Dean and his family, both in the family tree and on the map. Carrie then tells the story of a summer that was carefully planned by her mother, who is the consummate hostess, and how that order was disrupted by the appearance of three boys. And while the Sinclair family is clearly close, there are secrets and grievances that threaten to push them apart. The Sinclairs are proof that looks can be deceiving, and also, there is nothing like having a family that will do anything for you.

My Verdict: Much like with the first book, reviews have been mixed, and I can certainly see why. One issue is that the Sinclairs are as privileged as they come, so any sort of complaining that comes from them can easily be met with an eye-roll. And when the justifications start coming in for their actions, reader sympathy may be hard to come by. But perhaps an even greater issue with the book is how hard it is to even be interested in what is happening. It is a gloriously lazy summer on a rich family's private island, filled with family events like a lemon hunt, and dramatic teenagers. The promise of a terrible secret is what keeps the pages turning, as well as a slight hope something more will happen once that secret is revealed. The extra insight may be worth it for those who read the previous book, but it may be best to not expect anything too earth-shattering.

Favorite Moment: I enjoyed any moment when Carrie stood up for herself, which, in my opinion, did not happen nearly enough.

Favorite Character: Carrie's cousin Yardley is more self-assured and resolute than most girls her age. She is even willing to stand up to her own father at the potential cost of her future. 

Recommended Reading: I do wonder if there is anyone out there who will read this book first, and then read We Were Liars second. I am curious to know what that experience is like.