I can tell you right now that I'm not sure whether this is just the case of the pretty cover, but I'm all over science fiction…especially if it looks like this novel I've chosen today. I've said from day on on this blog though that sci-fi is my jam. Throw in a parallel universe, and you've got me hooked. Is it just me, or could this genre be the next big thing for YA?! 

Title: A Thousand Pieces of You
Author: Claudia Gray (Twitter)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: November 4, 2014
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 368

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

I think that the reason this science fiction novel, in particular, appeals to me is because of the underlying theme of humanity that spills over from the synopsis alone. So often, sci-fi relies on its mind-bending plot twists to keep readers entertained, while A Thousand Pieces of You asks readers to feel Marguerite's journey to avenge her father, as well as find herself. I'm really hoping that this one ends up breaking that unfortunate mold of pretty covers with flat middles…so, fingers crossed! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature from Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: Find Me
Author: Romily Bernard (Twitter)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: September 24, 2013
Genre: YA, Mystery
Pages: 307
Source: Publisher

"Find Me." These are the words written on Tessa Waye's diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa's just been found...dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target. Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick's deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare. But she's going to find this killer no matter what. Because it just got personal.

Wick's life hasn't been easy. She's bounced from foster home to foster home with her little sister, barely escaping the notoriety of her father's bad rep with the authorities and her hacking prowess which, for all intents and purposes, should and needs to remain hidden from the rest of the world. But someone knows what Wick does behind closed doors, and somebody is sending her on a wild goose chase to uncover exactly what happened to Tessa. But just in case she needed a little more motivation, this time, the creep is after Lily.

Many a reader will agree with me, I'm sure, when I state that there is nothing like a good mystery tale to keep you awake at night, guessing throughout and pondering the turnout long after you've closed the last page. Find Me is that tale; preparing to burst onto the market with a tense, atmospheric and, often times, terrifying guessing game. Romily Bernard carves a name for herself on the YA market with this fantastic and thrilling debut, offering readers a tangible tale, likable characters and a heroine worth believing in. 

I've been a bit let down by the mystery aspect of the YA genre as of late, so when I heard about Find Me, you'd better believe I was intrigued. When I read a mystery story, there are a few things that I absolutely must have. I want action, first and foremost. I want real, palpable tension that makes me cringe at times. And, above all else, I don't want the answers before I'm supposed to receive them. Find Me delivers all that and more. From page one, we are thrust into an early-hours game of cat-and-mouse which, in all honesty, left me on edge and had me double-checking the locks on my doors. And, from the start, we got to see Wick's personality. She's a bit edgy and rough, but we're privvied to just enough of her backstory to give us a glimpse as to why she strays from conformity and why she spends her private hours hacking. Although she seems a bit scrappy at times, there is a softer, more vulnerable side when it comes to Lily, her sister. Speaking of Lily, she was the perfect counterpart for her sister - just innocent enough to make it believable that Wick truly did have to play the role of heroine and caretaker for her little sister. In terms of the mystery, the author delivers pieces and tidbits of information just when we need it most, making certain not to let the foreshadowing and clues reach the limelight too soon, distracting us and making us lose interest. Plus, we're given a touch of a romance, which I am pleased to say was not heavy on the insta-love. Griff is an edgy, alternative hero that plays well into Wick's character, exposing more emotion than her desire to just find the culprit and the person after her sister. I will say that I wished we'd seen more of Griff, his background and how it played into Wick's present in Find Me, but I can only hope we're given a sequel. 

All in all, I was really pleased with Find Me. I think it's an excellent debut novel, and the writing has a distinct, memorable and appealing voice, which makes it all the more enjoyable to read. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers. 

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book. 

Title: What's Left of Me
Author: Kat Zhang
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Publish Date: September 18, 2012
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 343
Source: Publisher

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t...

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet...for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

In a world where children are born with two souls, Addie and Eva somehow still stand out. One is dominant, and one is recessive, but for most children, one eventually settles while the other thrives. But in their case, for some reason, Eva hasn't settled. She's still there...living, existing, but not really thriving as Addie, the dominant soul continues to breathe and live for the both of them. Eva's existence has to remain a secret because Hybrids are dangerous, feared and threaten the balance of society. Nevertheless, Eva wants to live, and Addie will do just about anything to help her move and exist on her own.

The young adult market is overrun with dystopian novels these days - books that broach the topic of science fiction a lot - but never actually delve into the depths of it. What's Left of Me, however, is not one of those novels. Pure, raw sci-fi, this novel is a new spin on dystopia with a searing plot full of loss,  companionship and the struggle to survive. Kat Zhang has a melodic writing voice, weaving a soulful story in a heartfelt and believable way for a host of incredibly deep characters. The prose is simple and beautiful, albeit a bit repetitive at times, but altogether meaningful and creates an intense, emotional and incredible journey within the pages of What's Left of Me.

I have to say that the true beauty of What's Left of Me lies within the depth of the characters. I'm usually not too much of a fan of prologues because I feel like there is too much foreshadowing, but I actually liked this one. Eva's voice is so tragic, but rather than being cloying or overwhelming, I was actually heartbroken for her. She desperately wanted to live. She wanted to speak, and to feel, and to be able to simply do the little things that we, ourselves take for granted. But, despite her grave situation, she never wallowed. I pitied her, but not because she was pathetic. I pitied her because she had such an immense strength that emanated from her being, and I wanted to see that thrive. Likewise, Addie was such a beautiful character. Flawed but powerful and strong in her convictions, I felt like I knew her throughout, and as the story progressed, I became more and more invested in their journey together. I have to say, on the downside, I was a bit frustrated with not truly understanding why Hybrids were considered dangerous, and I think that would have heightened the intensity of the drama. Finally the ending was a bit of a letdown for me, considering the whole story had me reeling, and I guess I'd expected a more poignant conclusion to What's Left of Me.

Overall, however, I really enjoyed reading What's Left of Me. I thought it was refreshing, thorough and beautifully-done, and it was definitely a book I'll recommend to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy science fiction and dystopian novels. I give it a very solid 4 out of 5.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: So Close to You
Author: Rachel Carter
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: July 10, 2012
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 313
Source: Publisher

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices--and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them . . . and herself.

Lydia grew up hearing the stories. However, they were always just that...stories, until one day the stories became a reality. When Lydia accidentally finds her way into a portal that transports her to a place and time where she learns the Montauk Project was actually true, her reality is turned upside down. But there's more to the Montauk Project than she could have ever imagined. Danger lurks in every corner Lydia turns, and she must be willing to risk it all to save her family - at all costs.

There's something so very different about So Close to You that sparked my interest in the story right from the start. Frankly, I think that the YA sci-fi genre is sadly lacking, though the stories that do fit the bill quite often far exceed my expectations. Rachel Carter took a decidedly brazen approach to the genre with a twisting and time-traveling storyline that is every bit the adventure as it is a mystery. With secrets lurking everywhere, darkness tinging every inch of the storyline and a mesmerizing journey for not one, but two characters, So Close to You is both action and adventure, as well as heartwarming.

Ok, reality time. Guys, I didn't know what the Montauk Project was before I Googled it upon reading the synopsis way back when. If you're like me, then you're a wee bit in the dark. So, allow me to elaborate. Apparently, it was a series of alleged government experiments in which scientists explored psychological warfare and research capabilities like time travel. Hence, the time-traveling phenomenon in So Close to You. Lydia is a fantastic character. She was a skeptic, but watching everything she'd heard of throughout her life come true in front of her really transformed her entire persona, which in turn transformed her character arc. Adding Wes, the potential love interest allowed us to see a beautiful, tender side to Lydia, as well, giving us greater insight into her character. With touches of romance that slowly bleeds into the story and merges their characters into a powerful and soaring storyline, we get to see the two explore a time that would otherwise be totally foreign to us. Yet, in the pages of So Close to You, the world comes alive and invites us into a twisting, churning and tumultuous journey. My only problem is petty, and some people will love it; I'm just not a fan of cliffhangers.

I'm all for a good science fiction book, and So Close to You certainly didn't disappoint me in the slightest. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy romance and science-fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Deadly Cool
Author: Gemma Halliday
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: October 11, 2011
Genre: YA, Mystery
Pages: 272

Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he's pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren't enough, now he's depending on Hartley to clear his name. Seriously? Not cool.

But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim.

You know, normally I would skate right on over a book like this, but let's be honest. The cover alone of Deadly Cool is awesome. Then, there's a premise that promises a whole mess of dark humour, which is totally my thing in a nutshell. Do I think there will be a lot of depth to this one? Heck no, but I sure as heck think I'm in for some rip-roaring entertainment! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW

Never Have I Ever (The Lying Game #2) by Sara Shepard - (ARC - Thank you, HarperTeen)

Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer - (ARC - Thank you, Harcourt)

The Name of the Star (Shades of London #1) by Maureen Johnson - (ARC - Thank you, HarperTeen)

BOUGHT

The Iron King (Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

As we all know, the book market (and the YA market in particular) is fast-becoming dominated by killer covers that rival the content of the books. I'm a self-professed cover slut, and I'm completely okay with that, but I think it's time we pay a little tribute to the fantastic covers on the market today. So, welcome to a brand new Friday feature at i swim for oceans!

Each week, I will feature a book with a cover that just blew my mind with its amazingness, and I invite you to join in. Simply post the cover, the author/publisher, the release date, why you love it and any other pertinent details you'd love to share with other cover-lovers out there. Want to join in? Simply link up and join the fun!

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi (Twitter...Facebook)

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publish Date: November 15, 2011

Genre: YA, Dystopian

Fun Fact: The "shatter" effect on the cover behind the model is not computer-generated, but rather a unique photography method called light painting by Aurora Crowley. Needless to say, it's gorgeous.

Why I Have Cover Lust: The contrast between dark and light + the fierce model + the unique font and the awesome title = perfection. Want.

What do you think? Are you dying of cover lust over a certain book? Link up and share the love with the rest of us!