Doin' IT (Yes, IT) in YA

Katarinasmama and I were discussing a certain book via text and the LACK of sex in it. And how this vexed me. (Trust me. I was very vexed.) So I thought it'd be fun if we split up some of our favorite YA books into categories. I propose the following:


1. Needs Some Doin' It (e.g. Twilight)
2. Needs LESS Doin' It (e.g. Breaking Dawn *cough*Renesmee*cough*)
3. Did It JUST RIGHT (e.g. Shiver)


Did It Just Right: Well, besides Shiver, which defines JUST RIGHT, there is Lisa McMann's series, WAKE/FADE/GONE. The scene with Cabel and Janie in the shower?? Okay, yes, I'm laughing. And only because they referenced Judy Blume's Forever which is the ultimate Did It Just Right book. Who can ever forget the name "Ralph"?

So add to these some new stories where the focus isn't a Coming Of Age Theme but where there is a romantic subplot and the Doing It parts are written really well: Siren by Tricia Rayburn (out on July 13th) and the recently released Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready. They don't skirt around the issue. Yes, I enjoyed using that cliche. *skirts away*


Ah yes, Janie and Cabel. I would definitely add that to the Did It Just Right category. And Shiver! I just finished it (again) so that scene is fresh in my mind.... Yeah, Just Right.




Needs Some Doin' It: I'll say it...but JACE AND CLARY! Okay, well, there was this outtake from the Mansion Collapse Scene and that, you know, hinted at what could have happened, if only the world wasn't literally collapsing around them and well, the small matter of that they could be *coughs* siblings.

But, did anyone think that Jace and Clary were really brother and sister?? I mean, seriously? I know it's icky to even think about it. Who didn't nod their head and understand perfectly when Jace told Clary in City of Ashes (p. 182), "We could keep it a secret."

Yes, I just said it. Nodding along to Jace's request. I'll now retreat back to my lair.


Okay, CoA was a book that definitely needed SOME DOIN' IT!

I was TOTALLY with you in the whole "nudge nudge, wink wink" Jace and Clary wrongness. I actually rationalized to myself while reading that our feelings on incest come from the RELATIONSHIPS that we have with siblings, and if that you were raised separately, and had no idea, then how could you really be faulted? Especially if you were in love with Jace? *nodding no* I would not judge. Unless your kids had 10 thumbs and no nose. Then I'd judge. A little.

My favorite Jace description quote from CoA: " "Some guys look at you like they only want sex. Jace looks at you like you've had sex - it was great and now you're just friends."




Mmm... And then there's this new excerpt that Ms. Clare just released, as if she KNEW we were having this discussion, involving a bed. *grins evilly*

While this whole topic is an attempt to look humorously at the way sex is handled in YA lit, I feel like it is really important to recognize the books that get it right. It's not because I want to read about sex. (Well, not ENTIRELY. *winks*) It's because if I'm going to have a discussion with my children ABOUT sex, these are the types of encounters I want to discuss. Ones, like in Shiver, where it is portrayed as a natural progression of a loving relationship. It wasn't taken lightly, nor was it glorified. It just WAS.

I think the subject is out there, Leigh, and some books Do It, some just avoid it, and then some *smiles at Julie Kagawa* keep their characters too busy just trying to survive and leave no time for more than a really hot kiss and a declaration of "never again".

I've had THE TALK with my 11yo DS. It is important to present what should happen, i.e. "natural progression of a loving relationship" but also one must talk about the repercussions of unprotected sex, i.e. avoiding the half-vamp, half-human baby.

Which is also a great point. So I guess Renesmee serves a purpose after all.

All seriousness aside, just about any book with an "OMG we will all die in battle tomorrow" plot line NEEDS SOME DOIN' IT. *coughs and glares at Julie Kagawa* #TeamAsh

So, what do y'all think? What books would you put into the Needs More/Needs Less/Just Right categories? Let us know!

Lazy Book Club Discussion: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

*waving* Hi everyone! I hope you’re ready for a spirited discussion this week regarding our new favorite Faery Story, The Iron King.

If you have not read this book, DO NOT CLICK THE LINK BELOW. There are giant spoilery spoilers of spoilerdom ahead! I'm talking to YOU! DON'T DO IT!

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Lazy Book Club for June: The Iron King UPDATE

I really hope you've all had a chance to read The Iron King and loved it as much as we did. However, since this is a holiday weekend for us here in the US (and since Rain has had her hands full at home lately *waving to the new baby*) we've decided to extend the commenting deadline to midnight tomorrow, July 3rd.

So, if you haven't finished yet, SPEED READ! (Just kidding.) Take it slowly and enjoy it! If you have finished but haven't had a chance to comment yet, fill out the form NOW! And don't forget, by filling out the form you're entered to win a Whimsical Fic-ery mug of your choice! C'mon! DEW EET!!! I've made it easy and put the link below:





Happy 4th of July to our American Readers! Enjoy the holiday and read a good book or two! See ya next week!

Lazy Book Club for June: The Iron King

Hello everyone! We had a really great time with our first Lazy Book Club and are excited to announce that June's LBC pick is: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa!

We both absolutely fell in love with this book, and are in the midst of reading the free ebook titled Winter's Passage that bridges the gap between The Iron King and the sequel. The Iron Daughter, which will be released on August 1st, is on our To Be Reviewed list.

For links and other neat info, visit Julie Kagawa's website here.

Also, to celebrate our excitement, we're having a giveaway at the end of the month! Comment on the LBC comment form (the handy little box on the sidebar) and you'll be entered to win a mug of your choice from the Whimsical Fic-ery Zazzle store. (US and Canadian residents only. Sorry, we are losers in the shipping department. Don't think it means we don't love our international readers.)

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of The Iron King, run over to Harlequin Teen to download Winter's Passage, and join the discussion!

Reading Rain-bow: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

So you all know I love fairie stories, yes? So, of course I knew I was going to like The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, but it was even better than that - I loved it! And, I've broken down my reasons for loving into four categories. (I'm feeling over-ambitious in the organizing department lately. Blame the fact that I'm packing and nesting.)

1. Our Heroine: Meghan Chase
2. Hot Boy with Sword: Ash
3. One of my favorite literary characters EVER: Puck
4. A very innovative story - not the same old fairie tale

We'll start with Meghan. When I first started this book, I wasn't sure about her. We weren't really 'clicking' if you know what I mean. But then she started to come into her own, her self. And that was very fun to read. And I started to love her. Suddenly, she was smart and extremely courageous and could almost fit into the Chicks Who Can Kick Our Asses category. (I have a feeling she will fit into this category by the end of the next book.) One of the things I liked best about Meghan is that it didn't take her forever to figure things out. As I would come to a realization as a reader, so would Meghan as the main character. I'm a big fan of writers who allow characters to realize things quickly, instead of dragging it out forever while it's quite obvious to readers.

Next, Ash and Puck. While Puck probably doesn't fit into the Hot Boys with Sword file folder, I do adore him in this book. But, Ash? Ash is definitely a HBWS. I don't even want to say too much about him. You have to read to find out. And I have it on good authority (@katarinasmama) that Ash only gets better in The Iron Daughter, which comes out August 1, 2010.

And the story itself. This isn't a pretty fairie tale. Nope. It's real (as real as a fairie story can be) and gritty. I usually like things all pretty with a bow on top, but in this book, I really loved the way nothing came easy for Meghan. And, I was impressed with the way the story came together. It wasn't a new concept (you'll see), but the way it was written was definitely new. It made perfect sense, even in Nevernever.

If you've read The Iron King, are you Team Puck or Team Ash? If not, do you plan on reading it? We are considering it for our Lazy Book Club for June - what do you think?

The Iron King reviewed at Mundie Moms