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This Week at Book Riot

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For readers who might not know, I’m now into my 18th week of pregnancy (almost half way there!). That means sometimes I simply forget to do things, like do these weekly roundups of my recent writing. Thus, this week’s roundup includes last week’s, too, so it’s a bit long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Awaited Sequels

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It’s always fun when an author surprises their readership with a new sequel (or prequel, or companion novel) in a series long thought finished. Here’s a list of some recent YA ones, including some series that began during my childhood – or before!

 

The Edge by Roland Smith – 8 years

Smith first published Peak, the first book in his Peak Marcello series, in 2007, then resumed the series in 2015 with The Edge, creating an 8 year gap. Since then, he’s published two more novels in the series, the latest of which, Descent, was released this year.

Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Peak Marcello hasn’t climbed since intentionally failing to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He’s been enjoying life at sea level, spending his time with the Two Peas—his younger twin sisters—and being a regular, law-abiding teenager. But then his old climbing buddies, JR, Will, and Jack, show up with an offer Peak may not be able to refuse: the International Peace Ascent. The billionaire Sebastian Plank is recruiting a global team of young climbers to make an inspiring, world-uniting documentary. Peak’s been chosen as the U.S. representative. A part of him wants to stay home and out of the spotlight. But another part is itching to get back out there. In the end, the itch has got to be scratched, and Peak, along with his mom, is helicoptered in to a remote base camp in the Hindu Kush Mountains.

But the trip quickly goes from good time to nightmare. Attacked by an unknown and unseen enemy, some of the climbers are kidnapped—including Peak’s mom. Peak has no choice but to go after them.

 

All the Days Past, All the Days to Come by Mildred D. Taylor – 19 years

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was first published in 1976, and Taylor periodically wrote others books in the Logan family series every few years through 2001 (The Land). Then came a 19 year break until we were fortunate enough to get the final book in the series this year.

Synopsis: In her tenth book, Mildred Taylor completes her sweeping saga about the Logan family of Mississippi, which is also the story of the civil rights movement in America of the 20th century. Cassie Logan, first met in Song of the Trees and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, is a young woman now, searching for her place in the world, a journey that takes her from Toledo to California, to law school in Boston, and, ultimately, in the 60s, home to Mississippi to participate in voter registration. She is witness to the now-historic events of the century: the Great Migration north, the rise of the civil rights movement, preceded and precipitated by the racist society of America, and the often violent confrontations that brought about change. Rich, compelling storytelling is Ms. Taylor’s hallmark, and she fulfills expectations as she brings to a close the stirring family story that has absorbed her for over forty years. It is a story she was born to tell.

 

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman – 17 years

I’ve been waiting for The Book of Dust since at least 2005, when Pullman began speaking about it publicly. The Amber Spyglass, the final book in the acclaimed His Dark Materials series, had been published in 2000, and I absolutely needed more. We finally got the first book in this new trilogy, which takes place when Lyra was a baby, in 2017.

Synopsis: Malcolm Polstead is the kind of boy who notices everything but is not much noticed himself. And so perhaps it was inevitable that he would become a spy…

Malcolm’s father runs an inn called the Trout, on the banks of the river Thames, and all of Oxford passes through its doors. Malcolm and his dæmon, Asta, routinely overhear news and gossip, and the occasional scandal, but during a winter of unceasing rain, Malcolm catches wind of something new: intrigue. He finds a secret message inquiring about a dangerous substance called Dust–and the spy it was intended for finds him.

When she asks Malcolm to keep his eyes open, Malcolm sees suspicious characters everywhere; Lord Asriel, clearly on the run; enforcement agents from the Magisterium; an Egyptian named Coram with warnings just for Malcolm; and a beautiful woman with an evil monkey for a dæmon. All are asking about the same thing: a girl–just a baby–named Lyra. Lyra is the kind of person who draws people in like magnets. And Malcolm will brave any danger, and make shocking sacrifices, to bring her safely through the storm.

 

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer – 12 years

Meyer’s last book in her Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, was released in 2008, creating a 12 year gap between that book and Midnight Sun, a retelling of Twilight from Edward’s point of view.

Synopsis: When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

 

 

Going Global: A Look at International Cover Designs

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Cover changes are one of my favorite things to look at since they’re not uncommon in YA books. Not only do I love analyzing why it is that a hardcover design changed when it went to paperback, I also love looking at how cover designs look different around the world. International editions of YA can take on entirely new identities for a number of reasons, including a market that gravitates toward very different design aesthetics in their books, rights acquisition for the design of US covers, or simply the preference of the publisher.

Let’s take a look at five YA books that have some significantly different looks in some of their international editions. These books published between 2019 and 2020. I’ve done the best I can to identify the country for the international edition, but know they might be incorrect, as seeking that information out is even more challenging than finding the US cover designer.

I’ve stuck to one changed design for each of the below, except for the final one, which I’ll showcase three international editions.

I’d love to hear what you think and which is your favorite. I’ve put the US edition on the left, with the alternate cover on the right.

YA International Cover Designs

 

 

Diana Urban’s All Your Twisted Secrets takes its cue from the other thrillers on the US YA market, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’ll immediately tell readers whether or not the story i for them. Like so many covers, too, it’s illustrated, with a large, centered title. The cover was illustrated by Evgeni Koroliov, and design direction was by Corina Lupp and Alison Klapthor.

The French edition of this book cover is SO great. It feels absolutely like a twisted mystery, and it mirrors so much of the design of J-Horror films and books, with a hint of old school Lois Duncan books. The title was slightly altered, too, to Who Should Die? I really dig this look.

 

Both of these covers are so lovely, and they play against each other perfectly. I hadn’t looked at the smaller details of the US version of Kristina Forest’s I Wanna Be Where You Are as closely as I did when I looked at the Indonesian edition — I was going to note that it’s interesting the female lead is driving in that edition, but it looks like she’s in the driver’s seat of the US version, too. I love the two color palates, and I love the clever green-blue color car in both. Even though the way they evoke a dreamy look differs, both succeed in showcasing how this is a story about a girl chasing her dreams.

Cassie Gonzales designed the US cover and worked with artist Alex Cabel. If cover nerdery is your jam, this look behind the process is awesome. I especially love how one of the rejected designs really looks like the Indonesian edition.

 

There is no question that Abdi Nazemian’s Like a Love Story is set in the city, is there? In the US edition, we have the tall buildings that comprise an urban landscape, while in the French edition, we have the inside of a graffiti-covered subway. Both covers are bright, and both feature three teenagers who are clearly close with one another. More, the story is set in the 1980s and both absolutely reflect that. They’re gritty and showcase the fashion choices of that time and yet, they also feel contemporary.

The US jacket art is by Dave Homer and the design is by Michelle Taormina.

 

 

On The Come Up, Angie Thomas’s sophomore YA novel, has such an iconic design on the US cover, and it pairs so well with The Hate U Give. But how striking is the Swedish cover? It’s electric, and even though we don’t have a great view of the model’s body language, her expression and the neon color way is so expressive. This book is electric and propulsive, and the look in that girl’s eyes doesn’t shy away from that.

Cover art for the US edition is by Anjola Coker.

 

 

David Yoon’s debut Frankly In Love has so many different international editions and what’s interesting is how they can all both look so different and yet clearly also look like the same book. The US edition in hardcover — which got a new look in paperback — is really simple and eye-catching. It’s all font work. There’s a huge sense of this particular cover looking like adult book covers, suggesting that while the book is YA, the visual marketing of the hardcover angled for those adult readers who like YA, as well as those who might be skeptical of it. I think the paperback is much more teen friendly, but both designs capture a solid feel for the story.

The Italian cover on the right features a teen boy, holding a bouquet of flowers, waiting on a park bench. There’s clearly a romantic angle at play here, though the title font stands out as well. BUT the real reason I wanted to include this cover design is the bit at the bottom which I can’t say I’ve seen before: I don’t read Italian but know enough to translate the words that this book is by the husband of bestseller Nicola Yoon. That’s wild, seeing a male author referred to as the partner of a bestselling female author.

 

The cover on the left is the Portuguese cover, and I love that it uses such a romantic color selection, as well as a clear indication that romance is a big theme in the story — we see the male lead appearing to look at the person with him adoringly. Finally, the Swedish edition of Frankly In Love is interesting to think about because it carries the same emphasis on being font driven, without any standout images of people on it, but the font work looks nothing like the US edition (Note: I believe this is the Swedish edition, but the title itself appears to be in Danish). And the title? It’s Planet Frank. I love the use of the planet to capture that shift in name.

The US cover artist is Owen Gildersleeve, and you should definitely read this interview about how he created the design. You’ll see how it was replicated on a couple other international editions as well.

This Week at Book Riot

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I’ve kept busy at Book Riot this week since it’s helped with the doom scrolling. . .

 

  • Three recent incidents of vandalism at libraries that host voting or ballot boxes points to voter intimidation.

 

 

 

Kimberly’s Third Quarter of 2020 (a bit belated)

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In the first part of this year, I made the decision to write about each quarter of my reading here on the blog, which I succeeded with for the first half of the year. And then October happened, and it seemed like everything was both frenzied and dull at the same time. I read very little and wrote even less, so my third quarter post never happened. But I still find the tracking useful, so here I am, a month late, with the summary of my reading life from July – September, wherein I read a total of 15 books.

 

Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters

This was the first book in the Amelia Peabody series that I ever read, many years ago when I was a child on a family road trip. It was the book that made me fall in love with both the Peabody Emerson family as well as Barbara Rosenblat’s audiobook narration. I still love this book. It introduces two interesting characters who become part of the ensemble cast for nearly all future books, and it introduces Ramses’ own POV narration, which adds a newness to the long-running series that I think it needed. It’s funny and absurd and everything works out mostly for the best at the end – just the ticket for this sad and strained time.

 

The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters

This book was notable for me in that it’s really the first time that Amelia’s prejudice toward Egyptians is acknowledged openly as being prejudice. Certainly she was better than most of her time (and better than many today), but when a young Egyptian man whom they had taken in as a member of their extended family falls in love with her British niece and the two wish to be married, Amelia’s first instinct is to object – and she holds to this view for some time. Her husband (who is irritated by everyone equally but does seem to be genuinely free of racial prejudice) brings her round eventually, and Amelia learns of and is ashamed by this unsavory facet of herself. It’s the first time since Book 1 that Amelia’s character grows in any real sense, and it was nice to see.

 

The Falcon at the Portal by Elizabeth Peters

Well, this book is engaging but extremely sad. If you make it this far in reading the series, I suggest you have the next book, He Shall Thunder in the Sky, close at hand.

 

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

This is one of those books that I can’t stop talking about (probably to the mild aggravation of friends and family). Harari has written an ambitious book about the history of humankind, from 100,000 years ago to the present. Among the most interesting things for me personally were these two bits: there were half a dozen or more different human species that lived at the same time as homo sapiens (not just the Neanderthals as most of us think); and the agricultural revolution may have been ultimately good for 21st century humans, but for most of its duration it actually caused a decrease in the quality of life for most people (not to mention animals). The way Harari frames certain concepts was also fascinating. For example, he writes that what enabled humans to bind together in large groups necessary for modern civilization was our shared belief in myths, and by myths he basically means anything that is not physical. This could be religion, but it’s also abstract ideas like liberalism, democracy, economic systems, and human rights. Without these shared myths, large groups of humans cannot work together across distance and time. I’m excited to read the graphic adaptation that was just published October 27.

 

Half Way Home by Hugh Howey

I’ve not read anything else by Hugh Howey and I wasn’t particularly impressed by this one. I’m having a hard time even recalling the concept, and I ended up skimming the last third.

 

He Shall Thunder in the Sky be Elizabeth Peters

This volume concludes the events that began in Falcon at the Portal (albeit three years later for our characters) and sees the villains brought to justice. Satisfying and cathartic.

 

 

Cursed: An Anthology of Dark Fairy Tales edited by Marie O’Regan

I enjoyed this short story collection, though I’d be hard pressed to tell you what any of the stories were about. I’m going to blame pandemic brain.

 

The Companion by Katie Alender

I really enjoyed this gothic-esque YA thriller and wrote a full review of it here.

 

Heist Society & Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

These were just what I needed in a book for this time: fun, fluffy heist stories of a found family with plenty of banter and love. And of course, happy endings. I own these two and was glad I could re-read them when I needed them.

 

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger

Junger’s short book provides his explanation for why so many white colonists in America willingly abandoned their Western society and culture and went to live with Native American tribes – but there are no records of the reverse ever happening. He weaves this question together with the fact that many American soldiers returning from war have PTSD not only because of the extreme violence they witnessed and participated in, but because of the struggle of leaving behind a communal society (soldiers in war) and trying to reintegrate into an extreme individualist one (modern American society at peace). Certainly he is not arguing that war is good – but the more communal cultures of both the armed forces and Native American tribes exert an inexorable pull on humans. It’s a fascinating book that provides a lot to discuss.

 

Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters

Another solid entry in this reliably good series.

 

The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly by Meredith Tate

Autumn Casterly has disappeared, and the only person who believes she hasn’t just run off is her younger sister Ivy. Trapped on the brink of death somewhere, Autumn’s consciousness follows Ivy as she tries to find Autumn. Seasoned readers will know what happened to Autumn years ago that started her down a spiral of dangerous behavior – drug use and dealing, violence – but most of them will still be surprised by the culprits responsible for her kidnapping in the present. This is a thoughtful, often painful read that shines a light on complex sister relationships.

 

The Fortress by S. A. Jones

Jonathon Bridge offers himself as a supplicant to the Fortress, a protected society of women that exists alongside our modern day world. His wife is requiring this of him in order to remain married after learning of the sexual violence in his workplace and the ways Jonathon was complicit in it (including multiple infidelities). The Fortress has three rules for supplicants: They are forbidden to ask questions, to raise a hand in anger, and to refuse sex. This was a buzzy title at PLA in February, and I picked up it partly because I’ve always been intrigued by matriarchal societies and partly because I wanted to see how it would resolve the issues of consent that its premise raises. It doesn’t. This is a book full of rape that the author and her characters refuse to name as such. The book is interesting to talk about, I suppose, but it’s a really distasteful read without anything meaningful to say.

 

The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson

I was really irritated after reading the first book in this trilogy, which contains two mysteries – neither of which are resolved in that first volume. Thankfully, this third and final volume wraps everything up nicely. I think I actually enjoyed the second book most, but this is a solid series for mystery readers – one I recommend reading now, when you don’t have to wait a year to learn whodunnit.