Happy first day of February! I’m excited to share the two February 2013 Anticipated YA Debuts I’ll be featuring here on distraction no. 99 this month…
Coming February 5…
PANTOMIME
The story:
R.H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilization long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimeras is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.
Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star. But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.
The opening lines:
“Well, boy,” the ringmaster said. “What can you do?”
I swallowed. The clown who had found me eavesdropping tightened his grip on my shirt.
“Pardon?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re simple. What can you do? Are you a fire-eater? An acrobat? A freak?”
I was a freak, but I could not tell him so. I took a breath, smelling hay and sand. “I…I’m good at climbing, sir. Like a squirrel.”
What people are saying:
“Set in a vividly imagined world with wonderful steampunk touches, Pantomime is a fable-like story as beautifully unique as its main character.”—Malinda Lo
“Welcome to a world of shills and showmen, fading tech and circus freaks, where nothing and no-one is what it appears. An absorbing, accomplished debut.”—Elspeth Cooper
“A lyrical, stunningly written debut novel, which set my heart racing with every lift of the trapeze. In Micah we have one of the most original—and likeable—protagonists I’ve read in a long time. An author to watch, without a doubt.”—Amy McCulloch
The author:
Laura Lam @LR_Lam
Visit her online at www.lauralam.co.uk.
Pantomime comes out on February 5 from Strange Chemistry! Pre-order or add to your shelf on Goodreads.
Coming February 5…
THE REECE MALCOLM LIST
The story:
Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.
L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.
But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything?
The opening lines:
Things I know about Reece Malcolm:
- She graduated from New York University.
- She lives in or near Los Angeles.
- Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
- She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
- She’s my mother.
What people are saying:
“Moving and funny—a terrifically satisfying read.”—Sara Zarr
“Charming, heart-warming, and thoughtful…The Reece Malcolm List sings!”—Courtney Summers
“Just the right mix of humor and emotion…heartbreaking in the best way, The Reece Malcolm List is excellent YA contemporary.”—Miranda Kenneally
The author:
Amy Spalding @theames
Visit her online at www.theamyspalding.com.
The Reece Malcolm List comes out on February 5 from Entangled Teen! Pre-order or add to your shelf on Goodreads.
distraction no.99 