YA Book Council discussion

So, this is an unofficial YABC selection since it is somewhat inappropriate for younger readers. I think mature 16+ readers may be able to stomach the violence. I'm waiting a while before posting my thoughts because some of you are still reading and I don't want to spoil it for you!

Click on this link for The Dragon Page podcast #314A, interview with Maria V. Snyder!

edited 9/11: Let the podcast load for a few seconds then drag the play bar to minute 13:00 or so--Maria comes on around there!

If you ask anyone who saw me during the week I read this brilliant series, they would’ve told you I looked feverish and crazed. It was so hard to peel my eyes away from the pages that I put off writing a paper and skipped classes until I read through to the end. The last book that had this spellbinding effect on me was Twilight (book 1) and before that, Harry Potter. Yelena is the most compelling female character and could probably give Aragorn a good fight...

I don't want to ruin it either, so I'll ask a question that's just general: what do you guys think of the new UK cover compared to the US one?

And if you have finished it, what did you think? Anyone else really wanting to see how Ixia or Sitia looks like?

I do like *parts* of the covers. I think the American covers look much more adult, the UK ones more YA. I like the fonts for both. Also, are we talking about the current paperback covers or the original red and green for Poison and Magic? I like the fonts for those too (in fact I went and splurged a few bucks to get Old Glory--that's the cursive on the original covers).

I don't like that they showed her face! on the UK ones, including the trailer (yes, there's a trailer), I think it's too much information. I like to imagine character appearances by the book's description, and having someone already on the cover disrupts my mental casting call. (exception: HP) I love the American covers where her back is turned, and you can imagine her countenance whatever you like!

I really like the glass animals on the Fire Study UK cover! I confess, I was having a hard time really picturing what they looked like. It's another example of having too much to refer to--when I was a kid in Manila, the Christmas market always had a stall with these intricate glass animals. I was picturing something a lot tinier, and breakable!

I downloaded the Ixia/Sitia map from Maria's website, but I do still find myself wondering what they *really* (and by "really" I mean "imaginarily") look like. Maybe I can make that one of my art projects this semester...

I think I'll read the book when I get a chance. You guys are crazy.

I loved the series. I don't remember reading a book that had such a powerful female character, full of strength, passion, and in Alethea's words, who "kick's ass."

I love the American covers compared to the UK covers. I wasn't able to find the Fire Study UK cover to see the animals. I think the American covers offers just enough to pull the readers in yet leave so much to the imagination.

The areas of Ixia and Sitia do seem to be complete contrast of each other in terms of weather, which is hard to imagine, with them being so close. Sitia does feel more rural and "Asian" while Ixia, has a lot of characteristics of Europe. It seems that of the two places, Sitia is so much more complex and I do wonder more about how Sitia actually looks like.

Are there any changes from the UK and US version, besides the covers?

Here you go:





UK Covers by Henry Steadman





US Covers by Erin Craig

I don't think there are differences between the US and UK versions besides the covers. I am wondering if the US YA editions (Poison & Magic are due out in December) will have different covers, or will be edited with slightly less violence. I guess I can ask Maria then next time I email her.

I mean, if it were my kid, I wouldn't mind, since I already plan to have them watch 300 over and over again from infancy so that they can learn to be Spartan warriors... (^_^) but I know there are much more conservative people out there who can't stand what I think is medium-to-mild graphic description on Maria Snyder's part.

This I say in comparison to adult fantasy romance, which tends to have not just graphic, gratuitous violence but also very graphic, gratuitous sex. I made the mistake of trying to read a random page of Jocelynn Drake's Nightwalker. (All I can say is, OMG. Not my type of reading material.)

Alfonso: Yeah, you better! I will hound you relentlessly until you do...

Suzy, are you sure you saw the UK covers? There's also older versions of Poison Study and Magic Study where Yelena's face is also shown--though those covers look like she's in a kitchen.

I hated that they showed her face, too. I also like to imagine the characters for myself. Plus the UK covers are rather dark and a tad generic looking because all three of them look very similar. I definitly like the American covers better. I don't think that there are any changes between the US to the UK versions. Maybe a few changes to the slang and typos (because there are a few in the books).

I didn't think about the weather contrast--but now that you mention it, it does seem odd. I imagine people wearing light layers and fanning themselves often in Sitia. Ixia feels more institutional whereas Sitia is country/jungle-like. What I also really like is the contrast between their politics.

I'm not sure if they need to change anything to tag it as YA. My mentee read it (she's 15) and the only thing that might have bothered her was the violence... but she still picked up Magic Study.

Good point. I think I'm going to revise my brochure I made for the other bookstores and instead of specifying an age just generalize it to "very young readers" may have problems with descriptions of violence. Or rather, their parents would probably have a problem with it. Heh.

You're right Jane, I did was looking at another set of covers that was wrongly labeled as the UK edition. I think the UK covers are a very good contrast in terms of the drama and intensity within the book while the US one seems to focus more on the fantasy and mysteries.

Wow I love the cover from the UK. The book was great it have little of everything from romance,adventure,heroic,friendship and it was a woman insted of a man hero. Its my next best series I enjoy to read cant but it down. :-)
Im enjoying the second book I like that the author puts good climax in the book it builts up ur excitment.

The fact that it WAS a woman is the reason why Yelena is so remarkable--especially when 90% of female protagonists are focused primarily on romantics (which I don't think is the central theme in the Study series regardless of what some reviews claim). Most female characters are rarely compelling.

I'm so glad you are enjoying it, Damaris (and pretty much everybody else, too--I knew you'd love it). I think you hit the nail right on the head--it has a little bit of everything for everybody and the girl-hero is great! Yelena is even more a hero for me than Valek--he's not always running to save her although he makes her feel safe. She tends to save herself!

That's right, Alethea! I love how she saves herself rather than have a man save her. I know that sounds a little feministic (--I think I just made up a new word), but I'm tired of the damsel in distress being saved by the guy she falls in love with. Sometimes it's okay, but too often it just makes the character annoying.

Alethea, have you listened to the Dragon Page podcast? I started listening to it, but they were talking about something else (Peanuts gang & Charles Shultz). Is this the right one?

Your right Alethea its so true I like that she saves her self and dosent need a man to help her. Its something diff. from a regular boy saves girl.

What did you think about Magic Study? Better? Or did you like Poison Study more?

Re: Dragon Page podcast: Yes, if you wait a little bit and let more than half of the podcast load first, you can drag the play bar to approximately minute 13 or so.

I think that the UK covers are a whole lot better than the US version. I will be reading the book soon and give it a try.

Are you serious Alfonso? Why do you like them better?

Yes, the art work is much better and it does not look like a romance novel. I did say that I will read it as soon as I am done with some of the other books that I am currently reading.

YA covers have been released!

It is *so* weird listening to Eragon right now, it's like a mix of Lord of the Rings + Dune + Poison Study. I feel like, overloaded with fantasy right now. It's not *bad* per se, just kind of unoriginal.

Last one for today, I promise.

I've created a Goodreads Group for Maria V. Snyder, so feel free to join!

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/8...

Eragon is SO unoriginal!

Anyways, good job on the Study Buddies group. Looks like there's a lot of excitement!

Isn't Yelena supposed to be medium to dark skinned though? America.... always trying to set its Nazi beliefs subliminally in media lol.

I know! I was picturing her as maybe bronze-skinned Italian, hot Latina tough chica, or possibly me ;)