Book Review: Across the Universe

Beth Revis

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 416 pages

Publisher: Razorbill; (January 11, 2011)

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.

　

This story was very different from most YA novels that I’ve been reading. First: it was set on a spaceship in the future. I don’t read much sci-fi so I was a bit skeptical about this book. But it actually turns out I kinda liked it. The story started slow and the main problem of the story- trying to figure out who is killing the frozens- is pushed to the back burner as the “dystopian” aspect of the story kicks in. The author sends a lot of messages about differences and individuality. God is a fictional character to those on the ship and Sol-Earth’s history is changed to feel like Hitler was a great leader, and that all differences are bad.

The characters weren’t flat, but they weren’t my favorite. Elder is madly in love with Amy, while Amy is stuck in the past. Eldest is an evil tyrant. The entire ship is loony, and the loony ones seem to be the only normal ones. The only character I really liked was Harley.

And, maybe this was just me, but I kind of figured out most of the lot twists before the author told us in the end. I can’t say it was completely obvious, but I guessed most it…

All in all this book was rather different and I like different. Ms. Revis did an amazing job of creating a sci-fi- dystopian world. I would have liked to see more action, but it was a great book altogether. Creative and entertaining, you may experience a few nightmares of being frozen alive…

Armor for Sleep- The Truth about Heaven

I just love Armor For Sleep!

I wish I were in heaven, though! It's so hot here!!!

A Young Writer’s Journey: Preparing for the Journey

In every novel ever written the main character has to take a journey. This can be a physical journey, a mental journey, whatever. Once they have accepted the challenge presented -or not- every character, fiction or otherwise, must prepare.
Any item with an asterisk (*) is optional.

So, I am preparing for my Journey: A Young Writer’s Journey. If your tagging along, here’s what you’ll need:

Supplies:

• Writing material- pens, pencils, sharpies, crayons*, colored pencils*, markers*
• Notebook (preferably anything to write in. A folder with paper is fine, but a good notebook is preferred.)
  
• Your imagination


• A critique partner* (Don’t worry if you don’t have one)
  
• A computer (to store work after planning in notebook, good for spell check)
  
• Nourishments- any types of foods and beverages that will sustain you for the torturous roads ahead. I like cream soda and butterscotch, myself.


• Your favorite teddy bear (for when you break down crying)


• And patience, because this road is going to be a long and hard one.

Hope to see you on the road

Critique Partners

Everyone needs a someone who will tell them what’s wrong with ________(enter problem here). Same is true when writing a novel! Now, I’m still just a writer. I haven’t actually finished a novel, least of all published one, but from some research I’ve done, here’s one thing I know to be true: Get A Critique Partner!

Critique partners are your best friend in writing. This might be someone who has a knowledge of writing or just someone who loves to read and can tell you what you might be doing right or wrong.

No matter what anyone tells you, your writing may be good or bad-people have different opinions. However a critique partner is that one person who can keep you on track.

It is a long and traitorous road ahead for young writers, so why not have someone to tag along?

I'm Really Going To Do It...

I’m really going to do it! I’ve been planning to write my novel for a while. And although I’ve had most of the details knocked out and I’ve been going on and on about my book as if its real, there was a part of me the was scared about the whole thing. I mean, it’s great to dream that some day… but to put it in motion is another thing. I’ve written pieces and I just love this story so much. It’s in my every thought and now I’m really going to do it!

                      

Dear [Blank],

For those who make characters like Bella Swan: stop! Why is every female character in YA fiction seem just like Bella Swan? There is always something wrong with their appearance, when really everyone thinks they’re super hot! Or they have some stupid flaw, or that no one likes them, or they are new to town, or thay have "old souls", or they make really stupid choices, or they are really, really annoying!

Like really? Come on! Not every pubescent teenager thinks like that. Some actually think the world revolve around them-trust me, I know a few kids!

I’m just saying that maybe a character who, I don’t know, actually have a personality would be a great change from the ones I’ve been reading.

So for all you young writers, try techniques that make your characters more 3-d, rather then the flat paper kind.

Amanda Hocking and Self Publishing

For those of you who have the words "Self-Publishing" on your mind or on your Google search history, here's a video of one author who has made it BIG in both YA fiction and the self publishing world. Amanda Hocking! Gives one a second opinion on the choice-but then every story is differnet. Check it out!

Book Review: Matched

Ally Condie 　
★★★★★

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher:Dutton Juvenile
　
　
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story that I think Ally did an amazing job of creating. I was a bit saddened by some of the characters at first. There seemed to be little character development throughout some of the book, but as the story finished off and Cassia, the heroine of the story, found her true path, the story really caught my attention.
I loved the idea of this dystopian world and the way that Cassia and Ky fell in love. It was gradual and as the story unfolds, you won’t want to put it down.

Winnie the Pooh

I remember the days, sitting in front of the TV. screen watching a silly old bear and his friends go off on adventures and wishing that I could be there, too. It has been some time since I’ve thought of these characters, and now that their back I fell like I’m six years old again. If you watch early morning Disney, you’ve probably seen the now adventures of Pooh and his friends, the computer animated one with the little girl and they act like investigators. Gosh, I hated to watch what Disney did to them. But now I’m so excited to see the movie in it’s original form, in a sense.

Pooh was actually the first drawing that I’ve ever done that was perfect, not the drawing of an average child, but one who could actually draw. So the characters hold a lot of old memories for me. I’m just dying to see this movie! While thousands of people will be waiting to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part2, expect to see me across the theater with a jar of honey- and possibly in a Winnie the Pooh costume- waiting to see that movie instead.

Hero

Skillet is the AMAZING band that, for today among many days, has once again become my favorite band. I just love this song. My sisters and I first heard of them a long time ago for a promo for WWE and since then we've loved to listen to their music.