Must-read YA romances: 'A Thousand Pieces of You,' 'Forbidden,' 'Empire of Shadows'
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
What it's about (courtesy of Harper Teen):
Marguerite Caine's physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite's father is murdered, the killer—her parents' handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.
Marguerite can't let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul's guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father's death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.
Why you should read it: This was an interesting book and concept. Marguerite is also a really cool heroine. She is surrounded by scientists, and she's the lone creative artist. While this makes her feel unimportant and different, it allows her to see things from varying angles and grow in ways readers will enjoy. I've read a few parallel worlds in the YA genre lately, but I have to say I've enjoyed all the different twists on them, and Claudia's is just as engrossing. I didn't really like or feel the love triangle (as it was) and it felt almost unnecessary. I guessed right away who Marguerite liked more and who she should be with. I also feel that since that gorgeous cover features Russia, there should have been more happening in Russia or the story should have been at least more Russian-esque. It's such a gorgeous cover, though! All in all, it's a fun read. The guys are a bit older than our heroine, but jumping through the worlds is fun, and I liked Maguerite's spirit.
What Claudia Gray has to say …
What type of parallel universe do you wish you could jump to?
Claudia: Well, I've always been fascinated by Ancient Rome, so I'd be curious to visit a dimension where the Empire never fell. Sure, 2,000 years will have passed, and the culture would have evolved — but into what? They were very resistant to change, so the Roman way of life might have altered less over the past two millennia than you'd assume at first. (I mean, they didn't change clothing styles for almost 500 years.) Parts of that world would horrify me, such as the gladiatorial games, if they were still going on, or slavery. But as long as I'm only visiting, I'd take in some chariot races, visit the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, and spend a long morning in one of the luxurious baths. Drink some honeyed wine. Eat a few grapes.
What are you currently working on?
Claudia: I actually can't talk about either of the two projects on my plate just yet! But I can reveal that I just finished the second book in the Firebird trilogy, so I've spent the past few months coming up with even more universes for Marguerite to explore.
Epic one-liner from A Thousand Pieces of You?
Claudia: Hmm, the best ones are too spoilery, I think. But I love the message Marguerite writes to herself in Chapter One, because that was one of the first lines I thought of when brainstorming the book, and one that got me amped up to write it: "KILL PAUL MARKOV."
Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little
What it's about (courtesy of HarperCollins):
In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden's tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden's turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe's leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family's position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden's heart.
Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden's heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb's increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden's every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying.
With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family's survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself.
Why you should read it: The best part of this book has to be the setting. Kimberley really grabbed me, and I "saw" everything. I loved that it was set in a desert. I will warn readers, though, that this book is not for the faint of heart. There is tragedy, there's heartache and Jayden must rise above everything, and you will hate the ending — the second book can't come fast enough! It's also one of the longer YAs. One of my favorite parts is the dancing. It's like a prayer, like they use it to commune with each other and for their beliefs. And the romance … so steamy. There are a lot of innuendos, so I'd definitely say this is for older YA readers. That said, I really loved watching Jayden and Kadesh — loved it! I would recommend this for anyone looking for a deeper, slightly darker emotional pull. I still can't stop thinking about it.
What Kimberley Griffiths Little has to say ...
What attracts you to love that is forbidden?
Kimberley: There's something very delicious, sexy — and highly romantic — about a boy you can't have for one reason or another; whether he's the hot bad guy, or your family disapproves of him, or he belongs to someone else.
What are you currently working on?
Kimberley: I'm currently revising book two of the Forbidden trilogy with my editor. We have a title! Banished. The cliffhanger will be resolved from Forbidden, major new twists and turns, and a brewing, epic war. I'm also having fun drafting a Victorian Gothic steampunk ...
Epic one-liner from Forbidden?
Kimberley: "He reached up to touch my face and I shook my head, knowing that if I let him do that, I might let him do so much more."
Empire of Shadows by Miriam Forster
What it's about (courtesy of Harper Teen):
Cast out of her family three years ago, Mara turned to the only place that would take her—a school where students train to protect others. But Mara is stunned when guarding a noble girl in the Empire's capital turns out to be more dangerous than she could've imagined. More shocking still, she finds the boy she thought she had lost forever outside the gates of her new home.
Mara knew her life in the dizzying Imperial city would hold dangers. How could she have known that her heart, as well as her life, would be at stake?
Empire of Shadows will take readers on a spellbinding journey into the world Miriam Forster first introduced in City of a Thousand Dolls—a world with a divided society, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and deeply laid conspiracies.
Why you should read it: I liked this first book in this series and had this on my TBR since I found out there was a sequel. I will say, though, that this is more of a companion/prequel. I felt like the writing in Empire of Shadows is even stronger than in City of a Thousand Dolls. The only thing that bothered me was that Mara and Emil fall into love/lust too quickly for me. That said, I did like Emil and enjoyed every scene with him in it. Since the romance is a bit too insta, the plot is weighted heavily in politics, intrigue and a lot of action. The secondary characters are also well developed, and I just adore Revathi and the interaction/reactions between Mara and Revathi. You don't have to read A City of a Thousand Dolls to enjoy this, but for those of you who did … just wait for the third book — it's going to be about Nisha's parents!
What Miriam Forster has to say …
Which skill would you apprentice for and why?
Miriam: I'd love to learn combat skills and be more of a badass. But to be honest I'd probably end up a scribe, holed up in my room and researching historical songs or stories or something.
What are you working on now?
Miriam: I'm currently exploring a historical fantasy with sea monsters. After Empire of Shadows, my brain needed a break from high fantasy and that kind of intensive world building. Can't give too many details, but the story's been really fun to research and write and I'm excited about it.
Epic one-liner from Empire of Shadows?
Miriam: "Men always underestimate silly women."
Jessie Potts, also known as Book Taster, adores books in all forms. She also does reviews for RT Book Reviews magazine and works in the submissions department at Dreamspinner Press. You can follow her on Twitter (@BookTaster).