Title: Inside Out

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 2010
Paperback: 384 pages

Stand alone or series: Book 1 in a planned series

Keep Your Head Down.

Don’t Get Noticed.

Or Else.

I’m Trella. I’m a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I’ve got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

How did I get this book: Bought (e-version)

Why did I read this book: I’ve read Maria Snyder’s Study books and enjoyed them (Ms. Snyder was one of the first authors we interviewed on The Book Smugglers, waaaay back in the day), so when I learned that she had tried her hand at dystopian YA, of COURSE I had to give it a go.

Review:

Trella is a Scrub – one of the thousands upon thousands of packed-in worker drones that spends the majority of her day – of her life – working in Inside’s great Lower underbelly, scrubbing pipes and airducts to make life comfortable for the Uppers. Trella hates her life and her fellow Scrubs – she hates their stink, their proximity and their teasing. To the rest of the Scrubs, Trella is known as the “Queen of the Pipes,” but that’s no compliment. So, when her only friend Cog drags her to meet the latest Prophet, named “the Broken Man” for his broken and useless legs, Trella grudgingly agrees. The Broken Man claims to know the truth of Gateway – the mythical portal through which Scrubs pass to get Outside after they die – and even more shockingly, he claims to have PROOF of its existence. Trella’s curiosity gets the better of her, and she decides to take the Broken Man up on his challenge and searches the prohibited Upper Levels for his supposed “proof” (in the form of data files on disks). When she does discover the discs, she unwittingly trips an alarm and sets all of Inside on edge. The Population Control Police (“Pop Cops” for short) come tearing after the mysterious Broken Man, and immediately suspect Cog and Trella for their involvement. Under threat of being fed to the Chomper and recycled, Trella decides to hide the Broken Man and get to the bottom of the mystery. For if it means so much to the Pop Cops, the Prophet really must know something about Gateway.

The unwitting leader of a (sort of) revolution, Trella and her world in Inside Out makes for an entertaining, fast-paced read (if a little light in terms of thematics, worldbuilding, or grittiness). There are some aspects of this book that I loved, and felt were accomplished beautifully – the realities of being a scrub and living with thousands of people in a small, enclosed space; the smells of being packed in with so many; the idea of pipes and shoots that need to be cleaned; the hours it takes to wait for food. The basic idea of Inside Out – in which our intrepid heroine looks for A Way Out – is a familiar one, done many times before in recent memory. As such, it’s a little hard for Ms. Snyder to really gain any originality or perspective in this novel – it reads a lot like a kiddie version mashup of Ark by Stephen Baxter, Alex Proyas’ masterful Dark City, and Jeanne DuPrau’s Books of Ember. The good news? I love all of these things. The bad news? Inside Out doesn’t quite pull off anything even nearly as memorable or spectacular as the aforementioned books and film.

As with Ms. Snyder’s Study novels, the writing in Inside Out moves quickly and assuredly – but by the same token, it’s also somewhat simplistic and sanitized. Though Trella’s world is supposed to be gritty and dark and there’s the fear of the Pop Cops and Torture and Being Recycled, these dangers have no urgency. Similar to Yelena in her role as a food taster, even though there’s this background presence of malevolence and danger, it never feels threatening because the characters are so darn nice (and the villains so predictably inept).

It’s like…dystopian scifi for the dieting reader. If Dark City is a hearty, double-cut filet mignon with potatoes and red wine, then Inside Out is a handful of salad with a spritz of (lite!) balsamic dressing. Good…but not exactly satisfying.

Take for example the Pop Cops – I can understand how over years power falls into the wrong hands or stories become corrupted (think City of Ember), but the nefarious Pop Cops seemed a bit too one-note-villainous for my tastes. If the EEEEVIL Captain suspected Trella of so much mischief-making and sheltering the Broken Man, why wouldn’t she either have someone shadow Trella or else detain her immediately? (As opposed to letting her run amok, falling asleep left and right, missing work shifts, etc) And for all that the EEEEVIL Pop Cops are, well, evil, the culmination and ending of Inside Out feels a little too kumbaya.

In terms of descriptions and world-building, Ms. Snyder has clearly put a lot of thought and effort into mapping out the Inside and how such a world would work – as such, her descriptors are strong, and I love the concept of Scrubs and uppers, Trella’s grueling work schedule and the conditions of life for those both in the Upper and Lower levels. In practice, however, the execution of these elements were less compelling. I love the idea of the divide between the Uppers and Lowers, but the ease with which Trella manages to traverse the dividing levels makes it a bit hard to buy that NO ONE has ever done this before (I had the same issue in the study books with Ixia and Sitan being SO different and isolated, when geographically they are basically right next door). I guess the best way to describe my frustration with the plot was how every turning point seemed to develop as a matter of convenience. Trella can’t break into the technologically protected safe in Pop Cop headquarters? Technowizards appear out of nowhere offering Trella their services and unwavering loyalty. They happen to have magical machines that can break security measures without a trace. Even more infuriating was when anytime someone would try to explain the mechanics of these miracle devices, Trella would say “I don’t understand a word your saying” or something to that end, and conveniently leave it at that. I know Inside Out is not hard sci-fi, but passages like this are incredibly infuriating and read as technical shortcuts or cop-outs.

And then, there are the characters themselves. Trella, our heroine and narrator, is likable enough – she’s your classic loner, but with an inflective, sympathetic voice. Trella’s narration is honest and forthright, and readers get a great feel for who she is and can’t help but sympathize with her. But…where the other characters are concerned, no one else is as well fleshed-out as Trella. Each other character has a defining trait – Broken Man is zealous, Cog steadworthy and true, etc – but lack any true depth. And, frankly, the romance element of the novel is pathetic and has all the sexual charge of a tea light. Some of the scenes between Trella and her interest (I’ll keep from saying his name to avoid spoilers even though it’s painfully obvious from the get-go) are cringe-worthily bad. I can only imagine that this is because as a Harlequin Teen title, a romance is a prerequisite and so was sort of half-heartedly integrated into the novel. But, that’s just me – I felt similarly about Yelena and her romantic interest in the Study books, so perhaps it’s just a matter of personal taste.

Despite these sizable issues I had with the novel, I ended up finishing and liking Inside Out. It’s certainly worth checking out for those who aren’t into the heavy stuff and want a more fluffy, light on the facts and grit style SF dystopia. Definitely recommended for younger readers who aren’t perhaps as well-versed with the tropes in this book (or haven’t yet discovered Jeanne DuPrau).

Notable Quotes/Parts: From Chapter 1:

A VIBRATION RIPPLED through my body. I awoke in semi-darkness, unsure of my location. Reaching out with my hands, I felt smooth sides arching up and in. My fingers touched overhead. Pipe.

A distant roar caused unease, but with sleep fogging my mind, I couldn’t quite grasp its significance. The pipe’s vibrations increased as the thunder grew louder. Water. Coming toward me. Fast.

I scrambled in the narrow space. My bare feet slipped on the sleek surface of the pipe as I advanced toward a faint square of bluelight emanating from the open hatch. It seemed an impossible distance to reach.

Cogon’s voice in full lecture mode echoed in my mind as the water rushed closer. “Someday, Trella. You’ll screw up and there will be bits of you raining out of the showers.”

I reached the hatch and dove headfirst through the opening, convinced the water rushed at my heels. Landing on the hard floor, I shot to my feet and slammed the door shut. When I finished sealing the hatch, the whole pipe shuddered, then the vibrations calmed as the water returned to its normal flow . The metal cooled under my fingers, and I leaned my sweaty forehead against it, catching my breath.

That was close. Soft bluelight glowed all around the water-filtering machinery. Hour eighteen: I knew by the rush of water. The upper workers adhered to a strict schedule.

I checked my tool belt to make sure nothing was broken and my flashlight still worked. Then I climbed from the ductwork and made my way to level two by taking a shortcut through an air conduit. Traveling through the pipes and air shafts, I avoided seeing my fellow scrubs. But my peace and quiet ended too soon as I opened the vent, swung down and landed in the middle of a crowded corridor, scattering scrubs.

Someone knocked into me. “Watch it!”

“Come to mingle with the lowly scrubs, your highness?” A mocking bow.

Used to curses and hostile glares, I shrugged. The mass of people in the tight corridor jostled and pushed me along. Life in the lower two levels teamed with scrubs at all hours of the week. They moved from work to their barracks and back to work. We were called scrubs because rust and dust were the twin evils of Inside and must be kept at bay; however, scrubs also maintained the network of mechanical systems which kept both uppers and lowers alive.

The scrubs shoved. They frowned. They complained. I hated every one of them. Except Cog. No one hated Cog. He listened. Empathized with tales of misery. Made people smile. A rare occurrence—as rare as a person like Cogon.

You can read the full excerpt online HERE.

Additional Thoughts: So, you say you’ve read Inside Out and feel like you’re ready for the Major Leagues? (Or at least the minors?)

Give these a try:

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
The World Inside by Robert Silverberg
Dark City (film)
Ark by Stephen Baxter
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Rating: 6 – Good, Recommend With Reservations, although I was waffling between a 5 and 6, ultimately Inside Out is readable and likable enough to save it from “Meh” land.

Reading Next: The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice by Stephen Deas

Welcome to Smugglivus 2009 – Day 24!

Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.

Today’s Guest: Rhiannon Hart, blogger of Young Adult and Speculative Fiction, especially of the dystopian/apocalyptic and fantasy variety. Rhiannon’s awesome blog is one that we discovered this year and it has quickly become one of our very favorite go-to sites for book recommendations. Rhiannon also happens to be an aspiring author of YA fantasy, with her first novel, Lharmell on submission, circulating about Editors’ desks at numerous publishing houses thanks to her awesome new literary agent.

Please give it up for Rhiannon, and her top reads of 2009!

For me, 2009 has been a very good year for books. I went back to Narnia, as I like to put it. Or, rediscovered the joys of YA fiction. I picked Writing for Young Adults as my final unit for my diploma and started haunting the teen section at my library again. It started with a few Carolyn Macklers and a bit of Lisa McMann … and then I discovered The Hunger Games and it was like fireworks went off in my brain. Something had been missing from my reading, and by golly I wanted it back: the fun, the adventure, the endless possibilities that come with being on the cusp of adulthood.

Two books of 2009 that I can’t stop raving about (and they need little introduction on the Smugglers or anywhere else for that matter) are Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins and The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness. Both second-in-a-trilogy books, they have set the bar high for the slew of dystopian titles we’re going to see in 2010.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

We were in the square, in the square where I’d run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her – But there weren’t no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men…Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor’s new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode…”The Ask and the Answer” is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second title in the “Chaos Walking” trilogy.

Something happened to monsters in 2009. They were declawed, defanged. Zombies no longer wanted your brains, they wanted to be your boyfriend. In short, the world went mad! Luckily, one or two authors remembered that we need something that represents our greatest fears, the snappy, monstrous monsters who forge heroes and heroines and need some serious butt-kicking. One man who can pen a tale that could curl the toes of any Victorian horror novelist is Rick Yancey.

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me…and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a gruesome find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.

With the YA paranormal romance explosion still blasting delicious angst and endless love triangles all over the place, publishers are mining their backlists and re-releasing some old favourites. LJ Smith was my goddess in high school so I was thrilled to see a resurgence of interest in her books due to The Vampire Diaries TV series. One of my favourites is The Dark Visions trilogy. It’s the creepiest of her series and one that I hope captures the interest of a whole new generation of teens.

Kaitlyn Fairchild has always felt like an outsider in her small hometown. Her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings have earned her a reputation as a witch. But Kait’s not a witch: She’s a psychic. Tired of being shunned, Kait accepts an invitation to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can have a fresh start and study with other psychic teens.

Then one of the experiments traps the five teens in a psychic link. A link that threatens their sanity and their lives. And Kaitlyn must decide whom to trust…and whom to love.

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst was pure bliss. Paranormal romance at its best.

When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe.

That is the beginning of Cassie’s own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her — until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magical realm of Ice.

The best film of 2009 was undoubtedly District 9. Wikus Van De Merwe was one of the most unlikely heroes: nerdy, ignorant and despicable. His transformation (physically and emotionally) was astonishing to watch. This film also looks amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.

An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology.

Now for 2010!

What a year it’s going to be. Not only will The Hunger Games trilogy and Patrick Ness’s Chaos Walking books conclude with Collin’s as yet untitled third book (September) and Monsters of Men (May UK/Australia, September US), there are dozens of titles forthcoming for YA speculative fiction fans. Especially dystopian titles. In 2010, bleak is the new black.

Inside Out, Maria V. Snyder (April)

I’m Trella. I’m a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I’ve got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? Not like it’s all that dangerous – the only neck I risk is my own. Until I accidently start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution. I should have just said no…

The Line, Teri Hall (March)

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

Birthmarked, Caragh M. O’Brien (March)

After climate change, on the north shore of Unlake Superior, a dystopian world is divided between those who live inside the wall, and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside. It’s Gaia’s job to “advance” a quota of infants from poverty into the walled Enclave, until the night one agonized mother objects, and Gaia’s parents are arrested.

Fraught with difficult moral choices and rich with intricate layers of codes, BIRTHMARKED explores a colorful, cruel, eerily familiar world where one girl can make all the difference, and a real hero makes her own moral code.

Restoring Harmony, Joëlle Anthony (May)

The year is 2041, and Molly McClure was only six when the Collapse of ’31 happened, ending life as the world’s population knew it. When she is forced to leave the comfort of her small B.C. island to travel down to Oregon, Molly discovers how hard the Collapse has been on the rest of the world. What starts out as a quick trip to the U.S. to convince her grandfather to return to Canada and be the island’s doctor, becomes a rescue mission. How much will she have to compromise to succeed in getting back home?

The Strange Power, LJ Smith (April)

A decade after books 1–9 of the Night World series were released, the final title is almost here. I am still weeping over the fact that the original cover has been scrapped in favour of this insipid one. If it’s not outrageously tacky, it’s just not Smith in my opinion.

Spells, Aprilynne Pike (May)

Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger–and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.

When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

Return to Labyrinth volume four, Jake T Forbes (August)

The concluding volume of Return to Labyrinth! Is Jareth good or evil? Is Toby about to embark on an incestuous relationship with Moppet? Will Jareth and Sarah ever frigging kiss?! I’ve been waiting more than two decades for this kiss. It better happen or I may just do myself (and the author) a mischief.

Jekel Loves Hyde, Beth Fantaskey (May)

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she’s tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

The Sending, Isobelle Carmody (February? July? The Australian release date is still in the rumour mill.)

The conclusion to the Obernewtyn series, more than 20 years after book one was released. In the US it will be broken into two novels, The Sending and The Red Queen (July).

Finally, a couple of book-to-film adaptations I just can’t wait for.

The Road (January in Australia)

Tomorrow, When the War Began (TBA)

“Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted.”

World War Z (TBA/rumoured)

Thanks Rhiannon!

Next on Smugglivus: Angie of Angieville

We leave week 1 (which we hope you enjoyed as much as we did) behind us and kick off week 2 of our Young Adult Appreciation Month as of now. But first, we have a few winners to announce.

Giveaway winners:

Random.org (which we fondly refer to as our “Smugglers’ Sorting Hat” ) hath spoken and the winners are:

Kelley Armstrong’s The Summoning (book 1) - Jenny N (comment number 26)
Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely – Raelena (comment number 63)
Aprilynne Pike’s Wings – Brooke Reviews
Claudia Gray’s Stargazer – Kimberly B (comment number 12)
Kim Harrison’s Once Dead Twice Shy – Sandy

Congratulations! Please send your snail mail addresses to contact AT booksmugglers DOT com and we will send the books to you ASAP.

This Week on The Book Smugglers

Monday: the wonderful Angie, from Angieville is our special guest, talking on reading and blogging about YA.

We follow her post with Ana’s review of Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson, a book that comes highly recommended by Angie.

Tuesday: Ana writes a “I Love This Series” post with an overview of the FABULOUS Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner.

And Thea writes a review for Kiss of Life, book 2 in Daniel Waters’s awesome Generation Dead series.

Wednesday: Ana reviews the Anthology Eternal Kiss…

…followed by a guest post by debut author Karen Mahoney who has a story, Falling to Ash, in the anthology.

Thursday: It is Juliet Marillier Day when Thea reviews Wildwood Dancing and Cybele’s Secret.

Friday: Thea reviews Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater…

…followed by a guest post by author Lisa Mantchev (Eyes Like Stars) with a conversation about Young Adult novels between the author and some very special guests.

Saturday: Finally (phew), on Saturday, a joint review of Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Other YA News:

- There is a huge controversy surrounding the release of a book called Liar by Justine Larbalestier . The book will be released in September but the release of the cover art is causing a major wave of distress.

It is a most beautiful cover indeed BUT the protagonist of the book is, according to the author: “black with nappy hair which she wears natural and short.” Accusations of racism and whitewashing are flying all over the place and you can check the author’s post about it, as well as an article from Publishers Weekly.

This is quite apropos since I (Ana) read a (wonderful, by the way) book this week called Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell, which has another undeniably beautiful cover:

The problem is, you see: the protagonist of Everything Beautiful is self-proclaimed as fat. She weighs 82 kilos, has huge boobs and a wobbly belly.

So what is up with these covers? Are these cases of Marketing!Fail? Do publishers have problems with non-white, non-skinny people on their covers?

I also wonder about how much information the art departments receive when a cover is commissioned. Maybe the problem could be easily solved if there were more communication between all the parties?

- We read a wonderful article by Diana Wynne Jones, author of several YA novels (including Howl’s Moving Castle) about writing YA vs. writing Adult books, about the assumptions made about both genres and a myriad of other interesting stuff about genre boundaries. It is a very interesting article and well worth the read. Thanks to reader MaryK for bringing this to our attention!

- The blog Ink and Paper is having a special throughout the month of July on Sex on Teen Lit. . There are some pretty good articles and interviews with authors. Also well worth a visit.

Two Books on Our YA Radar

Maria Snyder has a new YA series coming out in 2010 and the cover has been unveiled this week:

When we interviewed Maria last year, she told us a bit about the book:

I’m Trella and I’m a scrub living in the lower two levels of Inside with all the other scrubs. We’re the ones who clean the pipes and air ducts that crisscross our world and keep us all alive.

Scrubbing is mindless busy work to prevent us from rioting or revolting or something. The uppers don’t want that. The Trava family who rule our world from their spacious upper levels also send the Pop Cops to recycle the dissenters and police the scrubs. I guess I should call them by their official name, the Population Control Police, but no one does that. And it’s a lie. They don’t control the population – just the opposite. The Pop Cops want us to breed until we’ve filled every square inch of the lower levels. And no one knows why.

I hate them all. Pop Cops, scrubs, and uppers. I prefer to sleep in the pipes and avoid contact with everyone. But that’s how I got myself into trouble. Since I know every single duct, pipe, corridor, shortcut, hole and ladder of Inside, the latest prophet wants to recruit me to his cause.

Every fifty weeks or so, the Pop Cops send a prophet down to spout some nonsense about Gateway to Outside. Gives all the scrubs some hope that someone is trying to figure a way out so they don’t have to.

And how about this new title? Pastworld by Ian Beck:

What if all of London were really an amusement park—a whole city returned to Victorian times to entertain visitors from the twenty-first century? That’s the wildly original premise of Ian Beck’s Pastworld, a high-stakes mystery set in a simulated past.Eve is a lifelong resident of Pastworld who doesn’t know she’s living in a theme park until a mysterious threat forces her to leave home. Caleb is a visiting tourist who finds the lawlessness of the past thrilling—until he suddenly becomes a fugitive from an antiquated justice system. And in the midst of it all, in the thick London fog a dark and deadly figure prowls, claiming victim after victim. He’s the Fantom, a creature both of the past and of the present, in whose dark purpose Caleb and Eve will find their destinies combined.

There is even a special website created for the book which is coming out in September 29.

So, that’s it from us today. Hope you have a good week!

~ Your Friendly Neighborhood Book Smugglers

Day 2 (24 Days to Smugglivus and counting)

Who: Maria V. Snyder, author of the bestselling Study series. Maria exploded on the scene in 2005 with her debut novel, Poison Study, and has since gained a huge following of fans (we smugglers included). Maria has graciously offered a giveaway with her Smugglivus post–details follow at the end!

Recent Work: Earlier this year, the third book in Maria’s Study series, Fire Study was released (check out our review HERE). Following the book release, Maria was one of our first interviews here at The Book Smugglers.

But that’s enough from us–please give it up for the fabulous Maria V. Snyder!
__________

Maria:

First off, I’d like to thank the Book Smugglers for inviting me to their Smugglivus! Thank You! And I want to wish them a Happy Holidays and an early Happy Anniversary, too

As part of the Smugglivus celebration, I’m giving away a free signed copy of the new YA edition of Poison Study to one lucky commenter to this blog (randomly drawn of course!).

2008 was a wonderful book year for me as an author. My third Study book, Fire Study came out in March and spent two weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers List!! I was rather surprised, and thrilled. Making the NYT list is one of those career highlights and milestones for an author. Publishers are in the business to sell books, and being on the list helps them.

This month my other two Study books, Poison Study and Magic Study are being re-released as Young Adult (YA) books. They have new cover art (see below) and are cheaper. Plus they have the map of the world for those readers who like maps

The Study series has always had YA readers. Many of the emails I receive are from readers ages 12 to 18 who enjoyed the books. Obviously, YAs are finding books they enjoy in the adult section. But I’m seeing a trend the past couple of years of more YA titles by adult authors. I think the publishers have finally figured out that, yes – YAs read books. And not only are the YAs reading them, but their parent’s are, too. Harry Potter anyone? The Twilight series?

When I joined the SF Novelist group (www.sfnovelist.com), the number of adult science fiction and fantasy writers outnumbered the few YA writers. In 2006, I had just sold a YA SF, and it was an unusual thing for our group. Now, a bunch of them have YA proposals out to their agents and editors.

I’m curious what other readers think about all these new YA books. Is it a trend or just a fad?

I enjoy reading books marketed to young adults for many reasons. First, my children are reading them. If I read the book, we have something besides school to talk about. I’m going to admit this in public… *looks over shoulder* …my son doesn’t like to read! He has read all my books, but when I try to get him interested in anything else, he says, “I only like your books, Mom. You need to write faster.” Smooth – isn’t he? Well, he finally got excited about a book – The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan. He loved the series and I did, too. It was a fun book, perfect for a reluctant 13 year old reader – not overly complex or horrific.

This brings me to the other reason I read YA books. They tend to be more straight forward with the plot and not have as many complicated subplots. My life is complicated enough, I want a book I can read and enjoy in a few days. I’m a slow reader. Also I read them because I’m writing books marketed to young adults, and want to see why certain YA books are popular.

As a writer, I’m not changing my writing style or “dumbing down” my word choice because a book of mine is going to be categorize as “YA.” Not at all. But I’m making sure the issues my characters face are similar to what young adults are facing today. And my dialogue is realistic!

Since I write down all the books I read each year, I can look back through 2008 and see I read 10 YA books, 7 fantasy books, 5 mystery novels, 2 non-fiction books, 1 romance, 1 science fiction, and 1 horror anthology. Total of 27 books – not bad for me. When my kids were little, I only read an average of 14 books a year. My best year was 52 books ;> that was when I was in high school!

For 2009, my next book, Storm Glass is being released as an adult title on April 28, 2009 and Sea Glass is being released in September 2009. Two books from me in one year is unprecedented I also have another book, Storm Watchers coming out in the fall of 2009 – this book is aimed at middle grade readers ages 8-12.

Here’s the cover copy for Storm Glass:

“As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it’s time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan’s glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal’s unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she never knew she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she’s ever known.”

And the first chapter is up at www.mariavsnyder.com/books

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season! Thanks again for inviting me to Smugglivus!

Maria
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Thank you Maria! Now for the Giveaway:

As mentioned in her post, Maria is offering ONE SIGNED COPY of the new YA edition of POISON STUDY. To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment here! The contest closes on Saturday, December 6 at midnight (Pacific Standard Time). Good luck!

Time for another Chat, this time with the talented, up-and-coming author Maria V. Snyder.

After recently reading and reviewing her newest release, Fire Study (book 3 of the Study series), I contacted Maria with fangirlish hopes of getting her to have a chat with us here at the Book Smugglers…and was ecstatic when Maria replied and agreed to answer our questions!

We invite you to pull up a chair, and enjoy.

The Book Smugglers: First and foremost, thanks for taking the time to “chat” with us! And a big congratulations on the recent release of Fire Study, which has just broken the top 50 of the NY Times Best Sellers list!

Maria: Thanks for the congrats and thanks for this opportunity to chat with your readers!

The Book Smugglers: Your biography says that you actually began your career as an aspiring meteorologist! What made you change your mind and decide to become a full time writer?

Maria: Can you keep a secret? I changed my mind because of boredom! My first job after college was as a Meteorologist for an environmental consulting firm. The amount of work came in waves, and we were either extremely busy or very bored. During the slow times, I started writing a short story. Ideas were always floating around in my mind, but that was when I began using them. I submitted my first short story for critique at a writing conference in Philadelphia, and when the workshop leader gave me 7 out of 10, I thought that was pretty good for a first effort and decided to stick with writing for a while. After my son was born and I only had about one hour a day to myself, I had to decide what was important enough to spend that precious time on. Most days writing won.

The Book Smugglers: You also attended Seton Hill University and earned a Master’s degree in Writing Popular Fiction. Did you find the program encouraged your efforts as an author? Would you recommend formal programs like this for aspiring writers?

Maria: The program at Seton Hill was excellent. I learned so much in the two years I was in the program and would definitely recommend it to aspiring writers.

The Book Smugglers: What sort of research did you undertake while writing the Study books? Do you prefer a more hands-on physical approach, or more book-based approach?

Maria: I prefer a more hands-on approach if possible. My research for the Study books ranged from learning how to taste food the scientific way for Poison Study to learning how to ride a horse for Magic Study. I also signed up for a couple of courses on glass blowing for writing Fire Study.

For the glass blowing classes, the teacher made it look so easy to gather a slug of glass. But when it was my turn – yikes! It was HOT! I learned that working with glass required deft coordination, arm strength, tons of patience, and a good partner—it’s a good thing I have a day job!

The Book Smugglers: Yelena is a wonderful heroine and makes quite a journey of growth over the course of these books. What was your inspiration for this character? We haven’t seen the last of her…have we?

Maria: I don’t think you’ve seen the last of her. The inspiration for Yelena came from a variety of sources. I always enjoyed books, movies, and TV shows with strong female protagonists. I would say the biggest influence on her character was Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show. She’s smart and has a sarcastic sense of humor. I did mix a little of myself in her. Yelena’s persistence despite the odds is direct from me. Without persistence, Poison Study wouldn’t have been published.

The Book Smugglers: Did you begin Poison Study planning on making this a series? As the fantasy genre is notorious for its series’ spanning many, many books, what made you decide to write Yelena’s story as a trilogy?

Maria: I didn’t plan for Poison Study to expand into two more books. When I wrote the first draft, I had planned for one book. But after I finished, I thought I could continue her adventures. After Magic Study, Fire Study was a given to show Yelena’s character arc.

It’s interesting how Yelena’s story ended up being told through three books. I don’t like trilogies as that middle book is all middle—nothing is resolved. I tried very hard to make each of the Study books a stand alone story with a beginning, middle, and end.

I think fantasy series are popular because the author sets up this wonderful and unique world and readers get drawn in and enjoy “living” there. Readers like to read about familiar characters in these settings. Even you asked me if there were more books planned for Yelena ;>

The Book Smugglers: What are your writing plans for the future? Any upcoming releases we should be on the lookout for?

Maria: My next book will be Storm Glass – Yelena and Leif and a few familiar characters are all in it – it’s just Opal is the main character so I thought I would change the title a bit and do a Glass series with Opal. It’s supposed to be out in April 2009, but the publisher MAY change the date.

Here’s the cover copy:

“As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it’s time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan’s glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal’s unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she never knew she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she’s ever known.”

And the first chapter is up at http://www.mariavsnyder.com/books/ I also have a map of the STUDY World on my website – go here to see: www.mariavsnyder.com/map.php

The Book Smugglers: So far, your books have carved out a niche in the Fantasy genre. Do you have any plans to write in other genres (science fiction, romance, young adult)?

Maria: Actually, the Study and Glass fantasy series can be read by young adults, but Inside Out, my science fiction novel is going to be marketed as a young adult novel (although I didn’t write it any different than I did the Study books). It’s due out sometime in 2009.

Inside Out is about Trella. She lives in Inside – a metal cube of a world with lots of pipes. She hates her life – she’s a scrub and she is one of many. Overcrowding is an issue and Trella gets sucked into a quest for Gateway – a possible doorway to Outside. She’s a hard character at first – bitter, stubborn, nasty – but she grows on you Here’s the beginning of the synopsis I submitted for approval of the book:

I’m Trella and I’m a scrub living in the lower two levels of Inside with all the other scrubs. We’re the ones who clean the pipes and air ducts that crisscross our world and keep us all alive.

Scrubbing is mindless busy work to prevent us from rioting or revolting or something. The uppers don’t want that. The Trava family who rule our world from their spacious upper levels also send the Pop Cops to recycle the dissenters and police the scrubs. I guess I should call them by their official name, the Population Control Police, but no one does that. And it’s a lie. They don’t control the population – just the opposite. The Pop Cops want us to breed until we’ve filled every square inch of the lower levels. And no one knows why.

I hate them all. Pop Cops, scrubs, and uppers. I prefer to sleep in the pipes and avoid contact with everyone. But that’s how I got myself into trouble. Since I know every single duct, pipe, corridor, shortcut, hole and ladder of Inside, the latest prophet wants to recruit me to his cause.

Every fifty weeks or so, the Pop Cops send a prophet down to spout some nonsense about Gateway to Outside. Gives all the scrubs some hope that someone is trying to figure a way out so they don’t have to.

The Book Smugglers: Who (or what) are some of your influences? Do you have a favorite book or a favorite author?

Maria: I read a ton of mystery novels growing up. My favorite mystery author is Dick Francis and his books have influenced my writing style. I also use first person point of view and try to keep the story’s pace moving. My cliff hanger endings are a direct result from his books; I can never stop reading one of his books at a chapter break. My favorite fantasy writers all have strong female protagonists and interesting characters in common. Barbara Hambly’s books have a nice mix of action, character and humor – all essential elements to what I consider good fiction.

Currently my favorite authors all have humor in their books. Since my life is so stress-filled and complicated, I’ve been enjoying light and fluffy reading with Mary Janice Davidson’s vampire series and her new mermaid series, Connie Willis is another favorite of mine, and I’ve recently discover the mystery/suspense thrillers of Harlan Coben.

The Book Smugglers: Being a full-time author writing and promoting your books, as well as being a mom and wife is quite the balancing act! Was it hard to find and maintain a balance? What do you do in your down time for fun?

Maria: I haven’t discovered the perfect balance, yet. My life is rather unbalanced and I perform triage as needed to keep from tipping over! When a writing deadline looms, the family is ignored and the household chores are left undone until I meet my deadline. If one of my kids needs me, then the writing isn’t done that day and the laundry piles up. Funny how the household chores are never the priority. Without my husband’s support and help, the whole enterprise would have crashed a long time ago!

As for fun, I love to travel with my family. Exploring new places and meeting new people and experiencing other cultures are wonderful for the writer’s soul I also enjoy playing volleyball, reading, and I dabble with photography.

Maria V. Snyder changed careers in 1995 from being a Meteorologist to a Novelist when she began working on her first novel, Poison Study. Published in October 2005, Poison Study won the 2006 Compton Crook Award, was a 2005 Booksense pick, and received a Starred Review from Publisher’s Weekly.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from the Pennsylvania State University. Much to Maria’s chagrin, forecasting the weather wasn’t one of her skills. Writing, however, proved to be more enjoyable and she has earned a Master of Arts degree in Writing from Seton Hill University. Since becoming a writer, Maria has been busy attending conferences, teaching writing classes, and doing book events.

Maria’s second book, Magic Study was a 2006 Book Sense pick and a RITA Award Finalist. Her latest release Fire Study made the New York Times Bestsellers list! While doing research for Fire Study, Maria learned that working with glass requires deft coordination, arm strength, tons of patience, and a good partner—she now has an extensive collection of misshapened paperweights, tumblers, and bowls.

Traveling with her family is a wonderful distraction from writing; Maria loves cruising in general and the Caribbean in particular, and is planning a trip to Bermuda in May.

Maria lives with her family in Pennsylvania where she is at work on her fourth “Study” novel, Storm Glass which is due out in 2009.

You can read up more on Maria and keep up with news and new releases over at her website: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/ and make sure to check out her blog: http://blog.myspace.com/mariavsnyder

Thank you once again Maria for the Q&A, and we eagerly await the release of Storm Glass and Inside Out!