“On The Smugglers’ Radar” is a new feature for books that have caught our eye: books we heard of via other bloggers, directly from publishers, and/or from our regular incursions into the Amazon jungle. This is how the Smugglers’ Radar was born, and because there are far too many books that we want than we can possibly buy or review (what else is new?) we thought we could make it into a weekly feature – so YOU can tell us which books you have on your radar as well!

On Thea’s Radar:

*rubs hands together* I cannot freaking wait for this upcoming anthology, that includes the likes of Diana Peterfreund, and is edited by the formidable duo of Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier. Can we say, AWESOME?

Edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier, this teen anthology asks the question: which is better and badder, the zombie or the unicorn?

Saw this cover over at Aidan’s blog, A Dribble of Ink, and am intrigued. I have The Adamantine Palace on my TBR (and will be reviewing it in the next two weeks), so I’m excited to see more form Stephen Deas!

When Berren makes the mistake of stealing a purse from a thief-taker, it should have condemned him to a short and brutal life in the slave-mines. So when the thief-taker offers to train him as an apprentice instead, he can’t believe his luck. The thief-taker has secrets of his own, though, and Berren is soon sucked into a faraway war, filled with mercenary soldiers, necromancers who brew potions that can change your destiny, and a psychotic girl-princess with a penchant for cutting pieces out of her lovers’ souls.

It’s no secret that I am an unabashed Rachel Caine fangirl – her Weather Warden series is amongst my top 3 favorite currently running UF series’ PERIOD. New cover art is out, and I. Am. Stoked.

Did you know Dan Simmons has a new novel coming out this year? Hmm? I am a sucker for anything this man writes. He, like Neil Gaiman, is a Writing God in my mind. I cannot wait for Black Hills.

When Paha Sapa, a young Sioux warrior, “counts coup” on General George Armstrong Custer as Custer lies dying on the battlefield at the Little Bighorn, the legendary general’s ghost enters him – and his voice will speak to him for the rest of his event-filled life.

Seamlessly weaving together the stories of Paha Sapa, Custer, and the American West, Dan Simmons depicts a tumultuous time in the history of both Native and white Americans. Haunted by Custer’s ghost, and also by his ability to see into the memories and futures of legendary men like Sioux war-chief Crazy Horse, Paha Sapa’s long life is driven by a dramatic vision he experienced as a boy in his people’s sacred Black Hills. In August of 1936, a dynamite worker on the massive Mount Rushmore project, Paha Sapa plans to silence his ghost forever and reclaim his people’s legacy-on the very day FDR comes to Mount Rushmore to dedicate the Jefferson face.

Also, as the release date draws ever closer, I am really getting excited for the next installment in Claudia Gray’s Evermore books. And I really like this cover for Hourglass.

Bianca will risk everything to be with Lucas.

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas take refuge with Black Cross, a fanatical group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend—the vampire Balthazar—hiding is no longer an option.

Soon, Bianca and Lucas are on the run again, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they travel, Bianca can’t escape her destiny.

Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything . . . but can it survive what’s to come?

I just recently saw the formidable Danielle of Opinionated, Me? review this older YA book, and immediately thought: MUST HAVE.

Since the war and the bombs, Hatfork, Wyoming, is a broken-down, mutant-ridden town. Young Chaos lives in the projection booth of the abandoned multiplex, trying to blot out his present unable to remember his past. Then the local tyrant, Kellogg, reveals to him to over a can of dog food that the bombs never fell. The truth is a little more complicated. With a fur-covered girl and an automobile, Chaos sets out on journey, following the empty highway to the edge of the American nightmare, ins search of a missing identity and a stolen love. The truth he finds,is indeed a little more complicated. or a lot . . .

And finally, saw this over at Angie’s blog, Angieville. Now, I am a huge fan of Moira J. Moore’s Hero books. I *love* Taro and Lee. But seriously, these covers blow chunks. Instead, compare the lovely art from Chris McGrath and imagine if THIS was the art for Ms. Moore’s wonderful books.

On Ana’s Radar:

I am currently madly, unhealthly in love with Angry Robot’s entire catalogue. They have what appears to be, some crazy shiz coming out. Evidence #1:

On the streets of Indianapolis, the ancient Arthurian cycle is replaying in the lives of rival street gangs. Told through the eyes of King, as he gathers like-minded friends and warriors around him to venture into the fastness of Dred, the notorious crime lord, this is a stunning mix of myth and harsh reality. A truly remarkable novel.

Evidence #2:

There is a box. Inside that box is a door. And beyond that door is a whole world.

In some rooms, forests grow. In others, animals and objects come to life. Elsewhere, secrets and treasures wait for the brave and foolhardy.

And at the very top of the house, a prisoner sits behind a locked door waiting for a key to turn. The day that happens, the world will end…

and I know that this is way more like Thea’s cup of tea, but I liking the sound it so..evidence # 3:

Botanica is an island, but almost all of the island is taken up by the Tree.

Little knowing how they came to be here, small communities live around the coast line. The Tree provides them shelter, kindling, medicine – and a place of legends, for there are ghosts within the trees who snatch children and the dying.

Lillah has come of age and is now ready to leave her community and walk the tree for five years, learning all Botanica has to teach her. Before setting off, Lillah is asked by the dying mother of a young boy to take him with her. In a country where a plague killed half the population, Morace will otherwise be killed in case he has the same disease. But can Lillah keep the boy’s secret, or will she have to resort to breaking the oldest taboo on Botanica?

I mean, don’t these sound fa-bu-lous?

Earlier this week, Thea sent me the link to this YA book. I have never read any of Carrie Vaughn’s books, but her new series may be a good place to start:

On one side of the border lies the modern world: the internet, homecoming dances, cell phones. On the other side dwell the ancient monsters who spark humanity’s deepest fears: dragons.

Seventeen-year-old Kay Wyatt knows she’s breaking the law by rock climbing near the border, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow the rules. When the dragon Artegal unexpectedly saves her life, a secret friendship grows between them—even though the fragile truce that has maintained peace between their two species is unraveling around them. As tensions mount and battles begin, Kay and Artegal are caught in the middle. Can their friendship change the course of a war?

In her young adult debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn presents a modern tale of myths and machines and an alliance that crosses a seemingly unbridgeable divide.

And finally, this one, by my new author crush, John Green. Apparently there is no blurb and all we know is: it’s out in April and it is about two guys named…Will Grayson.

What about you? Any books on your radar?

Claudia Gray is the author of the popular teen vampire Evernight series, so far comprised of two books (Evernight and Stargazer). I had the immense pleasure of reading her work for our Young Adult Appreciation Month, and I loved them both. Imagine my excitement when Claudia (actually a pen name) agreed to an interview about her books!

Please give it up for very talented new author, Claudia Gray!

The Book Smugglers: First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to chat with us about your writing. As a new fan to your Young Adult novels, we are thrilled to have you here on The Book Smugglers for our Young Adult Appreciation Month!

Claudia: Thanks so much!

The Book Smugglers: Your two young adult novels, Evernight and Stargazer, tap into the burgeoning teen vampire romance genre – but with a unique twist. What were some of your inspirations and influences in writing about vampires and love in what quite possibly is the spookiest prep school on the east coast?

Claudia: When I was a kid, I definitely romanticized the idea of boarding school — to me it seemed very exotic, and I think I imagined something very old-world and formal rather than modern reality. But then, Evernight Academy wouldn’t be that modern, would it? As for the vampires, I’ve been a vampire fan ever since I was very small. I loved the old Universal horror films of the ’30s and ’40s, Gothic fiction and DRACULA, all the way to the first few seasons of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel.” So I could never pick out just one influence — vampires have always been a part of my life.

The Book Smugglers: You knew it was coming: Balthazar or Lucas?

Claudia: Most readers I hear from have the same solution I personally prefer: “Lucas for Bianca; Balthazar for ME.”

The Book Smugglers: Bianca’s favorite painting is The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, which holds special meaning to her and in the context of the books. Is there any symbolic value to the painting in terms of your writing? Is it one of your favorites, too?

Claudia: Although “The Kiss” is not my very favorite work of his, I enjoy Klimt quite a lot. I don’t know that there’s a greater symbolic statement at work, but that kind of lush, sensual, gilded, romantic feeling the painting has is the tone I hoped to create in the books.

The Book Smugglers: In Evernight, we are introduced to the world of ancient vampires and a new take on vampire lore; in Stargazer, we learn that wraiths also inhabit the supernatural sphere. Will we learn of any further creatures in Bianca’s world?

Claudia: No further creatures — but we’ll see a lot more supernatural powers that both vampires and wraiths possess, and discover ways in which those powers can work against each other, or combine to even greater effect.

The Book Smugglers: After reading the adrenaline-rush that is the conclusion to Stargazer, I gotta ask what is next for young Bianca. Can you tell us a bit about what we might expect in the next Evernight book? Do you have any other writing projects in the works?

Claudia: Right now I am finishing up the fourth book in the EVERNIGHT series, AFTERLIFE. I should be done with that by the end of the summer (though I have had it plotted out for some time now.) As for future projects, HarperCollins has asked me to write a stand-alone book about Balthazar, and also a witchcraft-based trilogy, the SPELLCASTER series.

I’m so glad you enjoyed the end of STARGAZER! (Though, I fear, the big cliffhanger comes at the end of HOURGLASS, book three.) Bianca’s immediate concerns are about staying alive — and keeping her secret — within Black Cross. Lucas is doing everything he can to help her, but Black Cross is more like a military unit than a family, and neither of them is truly free. HOURGLASS is really about the fundamental question for both Bianca and Lucas right now: If they’re not going to be a vampire and a vampire hunter, then what do they become? They definitely face their biggest crisis yet.

The Book Smugglers: *wipes drool from chin* I cannot WAIT for Hourglass! As an author, why did you decide to write young adult novels?

Claudia: Honestly? My agent suggested it. However, once I started exploring the idea, I realized that I LOVED it.

The Book Smugglers: Are you a reader of Young Adult fiction? What are some of your favorite YA titles?

Claudia: I have become a very avid YA reader. Some of my favorite reads in the last year or so include GRACELING by Kristin Cashore, STEALING HEAVEN by Elizabeth Scott, FLYGIRL by Sherri Smith and THE SUMMONING by Kelley Armstrong.

The Book Smugglers: The blood thirsty vampires/single-minded Black Cross Hunters are coming for you! Aaaargh! You can save ONE book, ONE movie, and ONE television show. QUICK! Name them:

Claudia: Oh no! Well, the TV show is easy — I have to choose “Alias,” my all-time favorite. But only one book? Probably I’d have to pick GONE WITH THE WIND, as flawed as it is. If I can pick only one movie, that’s probably “Casablanca,” even though it leaves my poor Cary Grant to the vampire hunters. I’m sure he can fend them off with a smile and a dry martini.

The Book Smugglers: We Book Smugglers are faced with constant threats and criticisms from our significant others concerning the sheer volume of books we purchase and read—hence, we have resorted to ‘smuggling books’ home to escape scrutinizing eyes. Have you ever had to smuggle books?

Claudia: I live alone, so NO ONE CAN STOP ME. Bwah hah hah.

Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of New York-based writer Amy Vincent. She has worked as a lawyer, a journalist, a disc jockey, and an extremely poor waitress. Her lifelong interests in old houses, classic movies, vintage style, and history all played a part in creating the world of Evernight.

A huge THANK YOU to Claudia for the interview! You can read more about Claudia online at her website HERE, or blog HERE.

Giveaway Details:

We are giving away one copy of Stargazer to a lucky reader! The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, and will run until Sunday July 26 at midnight (PST). In order to enter, leave a comment here – and for the heck of it, if you have an opinion let us know if you’re a Lucas or Balthazar kind of supporter. Good Luck!

Title: Evernight and Stargazer

Author: Claudia Gray

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Harper TEEN
Publication Dates: Evernight – May 2008, Stargazer – March 2009
Hardcover: Evernight – 336 pages, Stargazer – 336 pages

Stand alone or series: Books 1 and 2 in the ongoing Evernight series by Claudia Gray.

Why did I read these books: I had been eying these beguiling covers in my local bookstore for a while, and with our Young Adult month I finally decided to take the plunge and pick up the series.

Summary: (from HarperTeen.com)

Evernight:
Bianca wants to escape.

Yet Bianca isn’t the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning. . . .

Evernight and Stargazer are the third and fourth titles in our SUPERNATURAL SUMMER book feature from Harper Teen. This week we will bring you five different books by five different authors, including interviews, articles and giveaways.

Review:

EVERNIGHT:

Bianca hates her new school. As the daughter of two teacher parents who have just accepted posting at Evernight Academy, a highly exclusive boarding school, Bianca can hardly demand to be transferred – so instead, she decides on a misguided escape attempt. She doesn’t get far, however, before she stumbles across a teenage boy in the woods surrounding the campus – whom she irrationally fears is chasing her, especially when he starts running in her direction. After their awkward first encounter, the boy from the woods, Lucas, and Bianca become gradual friends.

Once classes formally begin at Evernight Academy, Bianca feels incredibly out of place, uncomfortable with her beautiful roommate and all the glamorous, very rich students at the school. Though Bianca feels like Lucas should easily fit in with his good looks and charm, she soon learns that Lucas is different – he refuses to become friends with anyone save the few new students (Bianca included), and he openly antagonizes any of the popular cool kids. As Bianca and Lucas’s friendship evolves into something more, their relationship grows strained – Lucas has a temper as he gets into fights, antagonizing even Bianca’s parents, all in the mysterious claim that he is trying to protect her. But Lucas does not know that Bianca herself is a little different, nor does he realize just how strained their relationship is going to get.

I have to admit that though the covers for these books kept catching my eye, I was wary of reading this series. I’ve never been huge on vampires, especially now since they are practically everywhere following the advent of Edward Cullen. Also, I’m a huge fan of Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series (it’s probably my favorite ongoing young adult urban fantasy series at the moment!), and Evernight sounded very similar.

All I can say is, thank goodness I gave Ms. Gray’s books a try.

Plot-wise, Evernight might sound like a Twilight/Vampire Academy hybrid – but that does the novel a grave injustice. Ms. Gray’s debut effort is a tightly plotted yarn, and stands on its own in the ever-growing teen vampire romance genre.

Though I refuse to spoil, I will say that about halfway through Evernight there’s a very interesting twist to the story – though it doesn’t quite add up with the beginning of the novel, it’s still a noble effort (if clumsily and not entirely adroitly executed). This alone sets Evernight apart from other teen vamp romances like the aforementioned Twilight or Vampire Academy, in a marked deviation from the normal gender roles and conventions. I liked it (even though Ms. Gray wasn’t quite able to pull off), as I liked the rest of this tightly-plotted novel.

Narrated in the first person by heroine Bianca, Evernnight is a star-crossed romance, and a book about self-discovery – with a vampiric twist. Both Bianca and Lucas are flawed characters and they are tested, individually and in terms of their burgeoning relationship. Bianca is shy, uncertain and awkwardly going through puberty – she feels like she doesn’t have anything in common with her peers, which is very true in many ways. Still, despite her self-doubt, Bianca has her heart in the right place and is a dedicated friend. One particular thing I loved about Bianca’s character was her no-nonsense attitude. For example, when Lucas is, frankly, a temperamental jerk, picking fights with locals and telling Bianca not to trust her parents, Bianca is able to step back from his machismo. Instead of passively accepting his erratic, creepy behavior, Bianca distances herself from Lucas until he understands that kind of attitude won’t fly with her. That’s pretty cool to see, especially in a teen heroine. That’s not to say that Bianca blindly follows what her parents say is best for her, however – I loved that this heroine has a head on her shoulders and thinks for herself in all instances, which is admirable. These traits made Bianca completely appealing to me, as a smart, real character who is just beginning to understand herself.

As for Lucas, his character is a bit of a mystery early on – he’s untrusting, abrasive, hot-tempered and stubborn (and Bianca calls him out on these behaviors) – but he also has a raw charm, and is fiercely loyal. As the novel unfolds, we begin to understand why he is so abrasive and contradictory – and, in all honesty, I love Ms. Gray’s choice to make Lucas a flawed, angry teen. Edward Cullen-esque “perfection” can be so very tedious. Lucas isn’t the ideal boyfriend, but he’s tantalizingly vulnerable in a heart-achingly real teen way. What’s more, the relationship between Bianca and Lucas just works. Their attraction feels natural, and wholly believable (although another love interest, Balthazar is a delectable alternative – though not necessarily for Bianca!).

The bevy of secondary characters are similarly well-written – from Bianca’s loving, protective parents, to her self-absorbed roommate, to her other peers like the charming but serious Balthazar, to even the creepy headmistress of Evernight. This is a novel with many layers and interwoven storythreads, all leading up to an action-filled last act and a dramatic finish.

By the last chapter of Evernight I was completely enthralled. Good thing I had book 2 handy…

STARGAZER:

**CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS FOR EVERNIGHT – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!**

After the dramatic conclusion of Evernight, separated from Lucas for an indeterminate amount of time, Bianca returns to Evernight Academy for her next year of school. Though she cannot possibly see Lucas or contact him because of his standing as a Black Cross hunter, Bianca misses him something terrible. And, she takes at least some of his warnings to heart – she realizes that headmistress Miss Bethany’s decision to admit a handful of human students after hundreds of years of Evernight being a vampire-only haven is suspicious. So, Bianca breaks into the Miss Bethany’s home while she’s out “recruiting” and attempts to break into her files, trying to look more into what Lucas was trying to discover the prior year. Instead of finding any answers, however, Bianca is confronted by a chilling, ghostly presence – a presence that continues to make itself known to Bianca in terrifying ways with a specific message: “Stop.”

As Bianca grows and becomes more of a vampire, her hunger for blood – especially human blood, after having two tastes of Lucas – increases. Her love for Lucas is still as strong as ever, but she doesn’t know when the next time they’ll be able to meet (if ever), and Bianca turns to vampire Balthazar for friendship and advice about her relationship, the ghostly presence that increases in its strength and severity, and her suspicions about Evernight Academy and Miss Bethany’s motives. Then, a seemingly young, confused vampire girl appears to Bianca, chased by someone in the small town near the school – and at the same time, a string of violent murders have occurred near the Evernight campus. As the revelations and complications mount, Bianca must make a decision that will change her forever.

Stargazer is another second novel that fits a trend in my reading – just as earlier this week with Kelley Armstrong’s The Awakening, this second entry in the Evernight series is significantly better than its predecessor! (And considering that Evernight was pretty good, this is saying a lot.)

All the issues I had with Evernight – the awkwardness of the “twist,” primarily – are dismissed in Stargazer. Now that it has been established that Bianca is a living vampire, one of a handful that have ever existed, and that Lucas is the Black Cross hunter, things flow much more smoothly in this installment. Ms. Gray’s world grows in this novel, encompassing not only vampires and vampire hunter humans, but expanding to include wraiths – diametrically opposed to vampires in a particularly appealing twist to the usual lore. Bianca’s heritage and the story of her birth, coupled with the increasing wraith presence is fascinating and expertly written – Ms. Gray’s hand at plotting is far more deft here as a number of shocking new developments occur. We get a much closer look at Black Cross and the other side of vampires – the not so kind and pretty version that Bianca has been raised to believe in – in Stargazer as well.

As for the characters, Bianca and Lucas’s love story undergoes some strain here through their separation, and a character from Evernight comes up in a big way: Balthazar, Balthazar, Balthazar. At first Bianca and Balthazar are friends (though Bianca does realize that he likes her for some reason) – but as the strain between her and Lucas increases, Balthazar is there for her. They initially feign a relationship so Bianca can sneak off campus with Balthazar’s help, which backfires as Bianca’s vampire parents are ecstatic with her new choice in boyfriend. The relationship between these two is thoroughly explored in Stargazer – and it becomes clear who Bianca picks in this sort-of triangle by the end of this book.

As with Evernight, secondary characters are well-developed in this second novel as well – not only do we learn more about Bianca, Lucas and Balthazar, but we also get a better look at Bianca’s parents, the creepy but strong Miss Bethany, a few other vampire students, and a few of the human students as well. Stargazer ends with a bang – there’s a battle, and Bianca makes a huge decision that I’m not sure I like…basically, I cannot wait for the next book in the series. NOW, please!

Notable Quotes/Parts: Take a look with Harper Teen’s Browse Inside feature for a closer look at Evernight and Stargazer by Claudia Gray:

Additional Thoughts: Make sure to stick around, as we have an interview with author Claudia Gray later today, along with a giveaway of Stargazer!

Verdict: Though I was hesitant to pick up this series (another teen vampire romance), I am so very glad I did. Evernight and Stargazer are engaging, wonderful novels – Ms. Gray adds her own unique voice to the growing YA vampire lit niche, and this strong new series stands proud on its own merit. Highly recommended.

Rating:

Reading Next: Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

Howdy folks! Young Adult Appreciation Month is officially on (check here for our review of Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince movie)! Here’s what you can expect this coming week:

Harper Teen has a fabulous Supernatural Summer promotion, for five titles from five authors. This week, we will be reviewing each of these titles and will have interviews and posts from each of the authors, and even a few giveaways.

Monday: Kelley Armstrong Day

Thea reviews The Awakening and later in the day, interviews Kelley Armstrong about her Darkest Powers series, and on writing Young Adult novels.

Tuesday – Melissa Marr Day

Ana reviews the Wicked Lovely Manga, followed by an exclusive insight from the author about writing the Manga.

Wednesday – Aprilynne Pike Day

Thea reviews the stunning Wings, and Aprilynne Pike talks a bit about her debut novel.

Thursday – Claudia Gray Day

Thea has a double review of books 1 & 2 in the Evernight series, Evernight and Stargazer. Also, we have an interview with the author.

Friday – Kim Harrison Day

Thea reviews favorite author Kim Harrison’s first Young Adult novel Once Dead Twice Shy, followed by a post by Kim Harrison on writing Young Adult novels.

Saturday – A Chat With An Editor

Farrin Jacobs, Executive Editor of HarperCollins Children’s Books talks to us about being a Young Adult editor, and what to expect from Harper Teen in the future.

And that’s it for the first week of our Young Adult Appreciation Month! Don’t forget you can take part in the celebration of all things Young Adult by joining us on a collective festival across blogland – read the details here.

Until tomorrow…

~ Your Friendly Neighborhood Book Smugglers