Reading Rainbow: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I always love when Sophie gives me a book recommendation. I just know it's going to be a good one. She recommended Lauren Oliver's Delirium by saying, "Delirium is gorgeous." Um, okay - I'm in.







From Goodreads:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

May I just say that I am LOVING all of the new dystopian YA these days? And this book? Sophie was right, as usual; it is gorgeous. But it's also frightening, much in the way that The Handmaid's Tale (one of my favorite books ever) scares me to pieces every time I read it. A lot of dystopian fiction deal with the loss of freedom, but I've never read a book that so completely captures that loss as Delirium does. (Okay, maybe The Handmaid's Tale... which is why it is one of my favorites.)

Lauren Oliver does an excellent job of showing just how devastating life would be without love. And not just romantic love, but all forms of love. It's beautifully written, and I found myself letting out dreamy sighs throughout reading. But, along with those dreamy-sigh-moments is some serious, heart-pounding action. The action builds throughout the novel, right along-side the love story. Lena's worldview also goes through a complete transformation within this book, and I felt it along with her: the eye-opening, the realizations. It was very well done.

Honestly, during the first 200 pages, I liked this book, but the last 100 made me love it. And upon finishing the book, I thought my heart would explode. It was an extremely powerful ending that left me completely speechless. (Now, that is a sign of a good book.)

I think this book is best read without knowing too much, so I'll stop now, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on Delirium. (Because I just know you're going to read it right away! Right?!)

Reading Rainbow: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

I had been extremely excited about the release of Across the Universe by Beth Revis. Here at WhimFic, we love ourselves some sci-fi, so both Leigh and I were (not so) patiently waiting to read this book. Once again, I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed in the least about a highly-anticipated book!


From Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

You know when people say, "I didn't want this book to end!" and will read more slowly to make it last? Yeah, I've never truly understood that concept, until I read this book. I actually slowed myself down so I could take in everything about Across the Universe. (I'm usually racing to the end to see what happens.) The best thing about this book is the way it mixes science fiction with dystopian literature. It's like my book-dream-come-true! The story was new and different (for me), and I loved it.

This book also surprised me many times along the way. It has a bit of mystery and suspense mixed in, and I was completely caught up in the "whodunnit" part of the story. I also loved how the story was told through the alternating points of view of Elder and Amy. Sometimes that can make for a confusing read, but not at all in Across the Universe. The story flowed so easily between the two voices.

Upon reading, I had no idea whether this was a stand-alone book, or part of a series. It really could work as a single book, but I'm happy to say that we will get MORE books, as it is, indeed, part of a series. I can't wait to read more from Beth Revis! Are you planning on reading Across the Universe? Have you already read it?

Reading Rainbow: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer

I love when I come upon a great series after all of the books have been released. There is nothing like losing yourself in a story, and I loved losing myself in the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer.







Eighth Grade Bites from Goodreads:

Junior high really stinks for thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: His mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers and no one to teach him, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a strange substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he realizes he has a much bigger problem: He’s being hunted by a vampire killer who is closing in . . . fast!

I can't tell you how many times I picked up Eighth Grade Bites before finally taking the plunge and reading. I think I was a little bit afraid of a story about a boy in junior high (what? they're scary!). But, after reading Heather Brewer's tweets, and finding her to be smart and funny, I thought the books must be worth a read.

And, I was right. I adore Vlad. Not in the book-boyfriend way, mind you, but in a 'little brother' way. I really loved the way his character progressed over the series, and he has definitely become one of my favorites! I was impressed time and time again with his ability to step outside of the proverbial junior high (and then high school) boy box and be a real person. You all know I love seeing a character grow, and Vlad does that and more. He faces loss and heartbreak, and it was all done in a very real and believable way.

I also loved that I was continually surprised while reading these books. Although the basis of the series might sound formulaic (following Vlad through his school years), the story-lines often took major turns from I expected - and that makes for great reading. Heather Brewer never took the easy way out for her characters, and that gave the books an extra edge that was just perfect.

By the end of the series, I was proud of Vlad, sad to put him down, and already miss him since I've finished. If you haven't given in to these books, I highly recommend that you do so! Pick a time where you can sink into all of them at once because it's worth it. I hope you love Vlad as much as I do. In fact, I'm thinking I need one of these...


Have you read The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod? What did you think?

Reading Rainbow: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

We took a little unexpected blog-vacay last week, but we are back and very excited because Julie Kagawa's The Iron Queen is being released TOMORROW!! I barely need to rec this book for you all, because you know how much we love the Iron Fey series around here, but I do need to tell you how much I loved this book.


From Goodreads:

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

There were two major things that made me love this book. The first is Meghan's character. I remember reading The Iron Daughter and being unsure about Meghan at first. But then she grew on me. I mentioned in my first rec of TIK that Meghan could almost fit into the Chicks Who Can Kick Our Asses category. Well, I think she can go ahead and take her spot. And not just because she learns to fight in this book, but because of her emotional strength. She is tested in huge ways, and comes out a completely different person because of it. I love the way Meghan's character changes and grows in this book.

And secondly, the ending. Oh. My. Ending. You know I will not say too much about this, but when I finished the last page, I wanted to call Julie at home and tell her how much I loved it. And then I remembered that I do not have Julie Kagawa's phone number. Luckily for her. She would have had to listen to me gush in between tears, and it would not have been pretty. That being said, I do know that some people did not like the ending. I think they are insane. Oh, I'm kidding! (No, I'm not.) No really, everyone has the right to their own opinion! (And my opinion is that they are crazy.)

Can I add a third reason? Um, ASH. I seriously thought about switching from Team Puck. Almost did. Might have. I guess I'll just have to wait for The Iron Knight to see if I have solidly switched teams. *does a little happy dance in anticipation of The Iron Knight*

I am totally not doing an I-Told-You-So dance over here about the Team Ash addition. NOT AT ALL. *whistles innocently*

I don't want to be redundant and copy everything that Stacie said (all of which I agree with), but I will add that I enjoyed the darkness in this book. I feel like the fae, and the version of them that Julie has given us, are a dark lot. The books have gotten progressively darker as Meghan has grown and realized what she's facing. I think knowing that helps her to find her resolve and become the Kick-Ass Heroine that we grew to love.

Also, in anticipation of the launch, there is a fun "Iron Court" blog tour going on now! Different blogs will be hosting "guests" and prizes, and some of them are really awesome! Check out Julie's blog to see where all the stops will be: http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/2011/01/iron-queen-court-blog-tour-intro.html

I have not yet completely jumped the Team Puck ship! I'm kind of leaning over the edge towards Team Ash, that's all. So, save your I-Told-You-So dance, Leigh!

As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to stop by after you've read The Iron Queen and let us know what you think!

XVI by Julia Karr

It's been a while since I've posted any recommendations, mostly because Stacie is a MUCH more prolific reader than I am and she normally gets through a book first. (I am ashamed to say that I have still not read one of her favorite books of 2010. No, I won't tell you which one. Just trust that it's on my shelf and will be picked up... soon. Yes, soon.)

I finally got to one before her, though, and I'm so glad I did! I can't say enough good things about XVI by Julia Karr.

Here's the description from Goodreads:

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

Now, I don't know about you, but this book had me at, "Governing Council-ordered tattoo". The world Nina lives in is a lot like our world, but amplified. Set in Chicago, some 200+ years in the future, it's a completely believable universe that Karr has created. The technology she uses is familiar but just foreign enough to be futuristic. People are ordered by social status into "tiers" and lower tier girls, like Nina, have little hope of escape from poverty. Either they are smart enough to get scholarships or they find a way to make an upper-tier guy notice them. Nina is not interested in rising using her sexuality, and it's not until after her mother's death that she truly begins to realize the ways that the government and the media have controlled every aspect of her life.

The conflict of the story is not just over the murder, but also over Nina's growing social unrest. What can she, a teenager, truly do about her lot in life? As the reader we can understand her desire to cling to what she's known, and it makes her growing yearning for change all the more realistic. Add to this her confusion over her budding romantic feelings, and you have all the makings for an excellent novel.

XVI is dystopian fiction at its best. It is frightening, realistic, and yet underscored with a feeling of hope. I can't wait to see what Julia Karr has for us next.

Blogaversary Winner!

And, we have a winner!! But, first, we want to thank you all for playing along, and for making our first year so much fun! We have the best readers! (Not that I'm biased or anything.) You all make this worth it for us, and we've loved sharing books with you over the past year. We're looking forward to another lazy, er, whimsical year!

Okay, now to the good stuff! The winner of our first blogaversary giveaway was chosen randomly....

And the 15th commenter was BRODIE! Congratulations Brodie! Send us an email with your contact information and the book you'd like and we'll get it right out to you!

Thanks everyone!!

First Blogoversary Giveaway!

Huzzah! Today Whim-Fic is ONE!! To pay homage to how we began, we thought we'd give you all a look at what went into creating today's post. (Kinda like we did in our FIRST post, which you can see here. Get it?)

**Here we are discussing the picture, which Stacie made for the post**

Let's say something funny with this picture. Like "And we're more excited about it than we look!"





Yes, definitely. I know - our pictures leave much to be desired.






But they are OUR pictures. We slaved over them! I had to balance a camera on my TOWEL RACK in my bathroom! I love them!





I mean in the way of expressions of happiness. We look surly. Or drunk.






No! We are serious. These aren't the faces of women who constantly ponder which YA couples should be doin' it. Nope. WE ARE SERIOUS REVIEWERS.





Yes. Serious. Very serious.






*whispers* Serious about which YA couples should be doin' it. *giggles*

*****

So, as you can see, not much has changed for us. Except, you know, our names (we came out!) and our list of MUST-HAVE books.


Which we want to share with you!






That's right, we're going to give one lucky commenter their choice of one of our top 9 books of 2010, in honor of our blogoversary. Just leave a comment with your favorite book from the past year, and you're entered!

Gee Stacie, why isn't it a top 10?


*glares at Leigh* Um... because we're whimsical? That works for everything, right? And technically, there are 10 books on the list, but we combined The Iron King and The Iron Daughter. SO THERE. TOP 10!

Okay, so here is our list (with links to our rec's) in order of their release dates (because we couldn't possibly pick any one over another).

The Iron King and The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Matched by Ally Condie

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

So, there you have it! We joined the Top 10 club! Don't forget to comment with your favorite (or favorites, if picking one is too much pressure) so you'll be entered in the giveaway. We'll announce the winner Friday, January 7th. Good luck!