Sally Green Knocks It Out Of The Park With 'Half Lost'

'Half Lost' by Sally Green

Review by Christopher Moore

Summary:

Nathan Byrn is running again. The Alliance of Free Witches has been all but destroyed. Scattered and demoralized, constantly pursued by the Council's Hunters, only a bold new strategy can save the rebels from total defeat. They need the missing half of Gabriel's amulet - an ancient artefact with the power to render its bearer invincible in battle. But the amulet's guardian - the reclusive and awesomely powerful witch Ledger - has her own agenda.

To win her trust, Nathan must travel to America and persuade her to give him the amulet. Combined with his own Gifts, the amulet might just be enough to turn the tide for the Alliance and end the bloody civil war between Black and White witches once and for all...


Review:

I have been a fan of Sally's work since I first read Half Bad. I love her characters and the way she gets inside Nathan's head and vividly portrays the traumas and tortures he endures and the impact it has on his fragile mental health. Not to mention, major props to the designer of some of the best YA covers to grace bookshelves in the last decade.

Half Lost is the final book in the Half Bad trilogy and culminates in a battle between Soul (and his Council) and the Hunters versus Nathan and the Alliance of Free Witches. Sally's writing is gritty and the subject matter continues to push the boundaries and really force a reaction out of the reader. In particular, I adored the dynamic between Nathan and Gabriel. The contrast between characters - Nathan who is fiery, violent and aggressive while Gabriel is calmer, more pensive and caring - makes their scenes come alive and more exciting to read than the in-the-moment, action scenes.

Each of the witches that Nathan encounters, whether Black or White, have their own agendas, their own individual abilities and their own personalities which really distinguish them from each other and lend the story additional levels of complexity. My favourite character has to be Gabriel but I'm very fond of Mercury and Van too. Sally's characters are flawless in the sense that while, yes, they are flawed people, Sally writes them into existence so they become something more than words on a page.

Nathan's journey takes him around the world and again, Sally captures the intricacies of the witch world while anchoring us in real places. My only criticism is that I wanted to see more of the witch world side of things. I feel like there's more there to be explored.

I have a feeling that the ending will divide readers so anyone that's read this review and has read or is reading Half Lost, tweet me your thoughts: YAblooker. Half Lost publishes on the 31st March 2016. Pre-order your copy now!

Rating: 4/5 Stars  ★ ★ ★ ★

Christopher Moore:

  

Christopher is a co-founder of the YAfictionados blog and is best known as the YAblooker. He is a twenty-five year old book blogger who has previously worked in marketing and consumer insight for various publishing houses and writes in his spare time. He loves to travel and will read anything YA-related and some general fiction and fantasy.

'A Fierce and Subtle Poison' by Samantha Mabry Review

'A Fierce and Subtle Poison' by Samantha Mabry

Review by Christopher Moore

Summary:
 

In this stunning debut, legends collide with reality when a boy is swept into the magical, dangerous world of a girl filled with poison. Everyone knows the legends about the cursed girl - Isabel, the one the senoras whisper about. They say she has green skin and grass for hair, and she feeds on the poisonous plants that fill her family's Caribbean island garden. Some say she can grant wishes; some say her touch can kill. Seventeen-year-old Lucas lives on the mainland most of the year but spends summers with his hotel-developer father in Puerto Rico. He s grown up hearing stories about the cursed girl, and he wants to believe in Isabel and her magic.

When letters from Isabel begin mysteriously appearing in his room the same day his new girlfriend disappears, Lucas turns to Isabel for answers - and finds himself lured into her strange and enchanted world. But time is running out for the girl filled with poison, and the more entangled Lucas becomes with Isabel, the less certain he is of escaping with his own life.


Review:

 

It was the combination of title and cover that brought A Fierce and Subtle Poison to my attention on Net Galley. I read the synopsis and seriously, how could I not read it? It took a single page to hook me on its lyrical, magical prose that delights and excites. Though dissimilar in theme to E. Lockhart's We Were Liars, I couldn't help but feel echoes of its style in Mabry's work. It's very readable with the words painting a visceral and vivid picture in the mind.

I adore the Puerto Rican setting; a breath of fresh air from the city settings of so many YA stories. I swear, either Mabry has lived a significant period of her life in Puerto Rico or she researched it thoroughly and infused it seamlessly into her plot and characters. The protagonist is likable though I don't think he's the most interesting part of the story. Isabel is an incredible character; she's dark and dangerous, the monster that haunts the island but is she really? There's so much more to her and her story than meets the eye that will have you tearing through the pages into the early hours of the morning.

I don't want to spoilt the story for anyone so I'm going to park this review here. It's a sensational debut; a murder-mystery meets magical realism; a balance of light and dark. Not only is  it the best book I've read so far this year, it's one of the best I've read in the last twelve months. A must for fans of E. Lockhart's We Were Liars and Moira Fowley-Doyle's The Accident Season.

Rating: 5/5 Stars  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
 

Christopher Moore:

  

Christopher is a co-founder of the YAfictionados blog and is best known as the YAblooker. He is a twenty-five year old book blogger who has previously worked in marketing and consumer insight for various publishing houses and writes in his spare time. He loves to travel and will read anything YA-related and some general fiction and fantasy.

Connor Franta: Work in Progress

'Work in Progress' by Connor Franta

Review by Sarah Nuttall

Summary:

 

In this intimate memoir of life beyond the camera, Connor Franta shares the lessons he has learned on his journey from small-town boy to Internet sensation-so far. Here, Connor offers a look at his Midwestern upbringing as one of four children in the home and one of five in the classroom; his struggles with identity, body image, and sexuality in his teen years; and his decision to finally pursue his creative and artistic passions in his early twenties, setting up his thrilling career as a YouTube personality, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and tastemaker.

 

Exploring his past with insight and humour, his present with humility, and his future with hope, Connor reveals his private struggles while providing heartfelt words of wisdom for young adults. His words will resonate with anyone coming of age in the digital era, but at the core is a timeless message for people of all ages: don't be afraid to be yourself and to go after what you truly want. This full-colour collection includes photography and childhood clippings provided by Connor and is a must-have for anyone inspired by his journey. 


Review:

"I’m just a small-town kid. Trying to figure out my place in the big, wide world. I’ve only been around for twenty-two years, and there’s so much left for me to explore and learn."

Even those unfamiliar to vlogging or Youtube channels will have seen the rise in books written by internet personalities over the last year. From Zoella’s record-breaking debut novel Girl Online to Fleur De Force’s beauty book The Glam Guide, these diverse and exciting books are exceeding all expectations and appealing to a wide range of readers for different reasons. With loyal fan bases, some followings have their own language, nicknames and in-jokes with their respective vlogger, resulting in intense, pre-release speculation for cover reveals and a surge in pre-orders.

Connor Franta’s Work in Progress was no exception. As soon as the book was listed, there was immense interest; my small bookstore in a little northern town was receiving e-mails, phone calls and visits from customers eager to buy the book before it was out. Twitter enquiries came through at night when our store had closed. Unlike the other personalities that have released books so far, Connor’s is listed as a memoir and offers an insight into his extraordinary life. As vloggers are often criticised for portraying their lives through an adjusted lens, it was quite interesting that this was to be a more exploratory look at the phenomenon. As I was unfamiliar with Connor Franta's vlog, I wondered if I could engage with his book as a non-fan. I’m also lucky enough to work closely with my former branch, Waterstones Leeds, who were asked to host Connor’s UK tour. To say the staff were tremendously excited was an understatement; the event was hosted with the unadulterated joy of a child seeing fireworks for the first time. With six-hundred people in attendance, it was always going to be one of the most exciting events in the shop's history.

I arrived quite early to the event. I wasn’t surprised to see fans queuing outside; this happens on many occasions even if the celebrity isn’t going to be in the building for hours, however, never this many, so soon. The atmosphere was electric as fans jostled together to queue and see Connor when he arrived, pressed together so closely we would weave through them opening windows, offering water and sweets trying to make sure they were comfortable. I spoke to many of his fans on the day and the excitement and happiness was overwhelming. Fans screamed his name, some were unable to speak through tears of joys and others, so incredibly elated that they came back to thank the store for hosting the event. At one point, I opened a window to screams and cheers on the top floor upon sight of my arm. The day did leave one firm impression that this book had resonated with so many people for a reason and with my own signed copy, I went away and read the book that evening.

So, a little history about Connor Franta: as I mentioned above, he’s an internet personality, best known for his Youtube channel where he discusses and reflects on issues and thoughts on the world. Connor started posting videos in his teens and has grown up on camera with the videos representing his growth from a boy into a young man, from puberty to adulthood. Connor’s videos vary from nipple piercings to living alone and sexual comments from fans to coming-out; quite a broad range of topics varying from the mundane to the heartfelt. This is the tone of the book that details his entire childhood up until now and gives you a fascinating insight into his world. As a non-fan, I found the earlier part of his memoir (focusing on his childhood) particularly sweet but it was similar to looking through a friend’s baby album. The hospital pictures are cute; you find out their first word, you laugh at them screaming whilst having their first bath but then, it’s a chorus of first-day-of-term school pictures and annual nativity scenes. To a fan though, I think it is incredibly exciting to read about the personal moments and memories of someone you aspire to. Fortunately, we soon arrive at Connor's high school years and the memoir switches gear. Suddenly it’s incredibly moving, interesting, honest and relatable. The Connor personality from the videos shines through and I was eager to learn more about him and the life lessons he’s learned.

Although Youtubing may seem like an easy way to success there are hundreds of Youtube channels, personalities and videos and its Connor’s personality and engaging force that has made him stand out from the crowd. In his memoir Connor encourages his fans to learn, understand and accept themselves. To embrace new experiences as opportunities and grow: it’s a powerful message and to the majority of his fans are in an age bracket where this is a struggle as they mature and strive for independence. It is a message that will hopefully resonate and inspire. For those who don’t read ‘celebrity’ memoirs, you may not be fully convinced to pick up Work in Progress, however, it touches upon subjects that many YA fans will appreciate like learning to accept yourself, diversity and honesty. I really enjoyed getting to know Connor and I’d be interested to see if he puts pen to paper again as I think he might be a good story-teller as well as his many vlogging and non-vlogging-related ventures..

Rating: 5/5 Stars  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sarah Nuttall
Sarah is an active contributor for the YAfictionados blog site. She has written posts for the Waterstones blog and has worked as a bookseller (for 9 years), a Children's bookseller (for 6 years) and is now a manager at her local bookstore. Needless to say, Sarah is a valued member of the YAfictionados team - a true Children's and YA literature expert. Follow on Sarah on Twitter: @CapturingSarah.

 

      

'How Not to Disappear' Sets the Bar for YA in 2016

'How Not to Disappear' by Clare Furniss

Review by Chris

Summary:

Our memories are what make us who we are. Some are real. Some are made up. But they are the stories that tell us who we are. Without them we are nobody.

 

Hattie's summer isn't going as planned. Her two best friends have abandoned her: Reuben has run off to Europe to 'find himself' and Kat is in Edinburgh with her new girlfriend. Meanwhile Hattie is stuck babysitting her twin siblings and dealing with endless drama around her mum's wedding. Oh, and she's also just discovered that she's pregnant with Reuben's baby.

 

Then Gloria, Hattie's great-aunt who no one even knew existed, comes crashing into her life. Gloria's fiercely independent, rather too fond of a gin sling and is in the early stages of dementia. Together the two of them set out on a road trip of self-discovery - Gloria to finally confront the secrets of her past before they are erased from her memory forever and Hattie to face the hard choices that will determine her future.

 

Non Pratt's Trouble meets Thelma and Louise with a touch of Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey. Clare Furniss' remarkable How Not To Disappear is an emotional rollercoaster of a novel that will make you laugh and break your heart.

 

Review:

There is so much to love about this story: the relationship between Hattie and her great-aunt, the exploration of her rollercoaster relationship with her best friend Reuben, how she grows, develops and deals with her pregnancy, the physical journey (echoed in the mental and emotional journeys Hattie and Gloria undergo) and Hattie's twin siblings. And Gloria - let's not forget Gloria and her gin slings.

 

At first, I found the story to be a little bit slow but once it gets going, once Hattie meets Gloria, the story really begins and the characters jump off the page with so much life and warmth. I don't want to divulge too much but there's plenty in here with the pregnancy, Gloria's story and Hattie's only family. If you're going to pick up one YA book this Spring, make it How Not to Disappear.

 

Furniss played my heartstrings; at times, with a bow but more often, with a hacksaw. I'll never be the same again. I can't recommend this story enough. Comfortably falling into the category of #diverseYA (for its exploration of mental health and the often under-represented third generation-first generation relationship among other issues), this story will emotionally sucker-punch you over and over again and it's chock full of compelling characters. If Furniss was worried about one-off success (with The Year of the Rat), she need not fear; How Not to Disappear is, without doubt, a 2016 YA highlight.

 

 

Rating: 5/5 Stars  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

 

Christopher Moore:

  

Christopher is a co-founder of the YAfictionados blog and is best known as the YAblooker. He is a twenty-five year old book blogger who has previously worked in marketing and consumer insight for various publishing houses and writes in his spare time. He loves to travel and will read anything YA-related and some general fiction and fantasy.

'Movers' by Meaghan McIsaac Review

'Movers' by Meaghan McIsaac

Review by Chris

Summary:

Set in a futuristic world where some are born with the power to move people from another time, this is a thrilling new science fiction series with an original time travel twist from the author of Urgle.

The world is dying, overcrowded and polluted. Storms rage over the immensely tall tower blocks, attracted to Movers.

Movers are connected to people in the future, their Shadows. And moving your Shadow is highly illegal.

Patrick knows all too well what happens if you break the law: his father has been in the Shelves ever since he moved his Shadow. And now Patrick and his family are in danger again.

Following a catastrophic event at their school, Patrick must go on the run. Through filthy, teeming markets, forebrawler matches, a labyrinth of underground tunnels and beyond, he’ll need his wits and courage to escape the forces that want to take everything he loves.

 

Review:

Before I start this review, I should say, I tend to avoid sci-fi when I read. It's nothing against the genre but I find some of the books to be a bit lazy; they rely on elements of the genre without breaking any new ground. Time travel. Cloning. Outer space. Aliens. It's a non-exhaustive list but you get the point. Often, I find the novelty becomes the focus of the story when I want it to be a tool that accelerates the characterisation and the plot development.

 

Movers has converted me though; it's an exciting page-turner that juggles world-building with concept, characterisation with mystery, and compromises nothing. In the future, there are Movers; people who are connected to someone they can move to their time (i.e. a Shadow). It takes a bit of time to get your head  around it but you get there eventually. McIsaac doesn't spoon-feed you. She leaves a breadcrumb trail for you to follow and forces you to actively engage with her world and her characters. The concept of 'Movers' accelerates the character developments of Patrick and Gabriela. It becomes something much more than a novelty. The tension and discrimination between Movers and non-Movers too, is something worth noting. It echoes the racial inequalities of our past and the general fear and panic that sparked ensuing violence.

 

If you're looking for something a bit different for your next read, this might be the book for you. A captivating world, fresh characters and a time twist - this is perfect for male and female readers. A cross between dystopia and sci-fi, Movers has cinematic appeal that fans of Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave and Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games will adore.

 

Rating: 4/5 Stars  ★ ★ ★ ★

 

Christopher Moore:

 

 

Christopher is a co-founder of the YAfictionados blog and is best known as the YAblooker. He is a twenty-five year old book blogger who has previously worked in marketing and consumer insight for various publishing houses and writes in his spare time. He loves to travel and will read anything YA-related and some general fiction and fantasy.
 

Rachel McIntyre Exclsuive Interview

Rachel McIntyre is the author of Me and Mr J and her upcoming book, The #1 Rule for Girls which publishes on the 25th February 2016. Both are published my Egmont's Electric Monkey imprint.



What have you been working on?

Well, I’ve finished my next book, it’s called The #1 Rule for Girls and it’s out on February 25th next year. Very exciting! And I’m currently writing the third, which is as yet untitled.


What’s The #1 Rule for Girls about?
The main character is a girl called Daisy who has split up from The Love of Her Life and rebounds unwisely into the arms of a good-looking bad boy. Along the way, she makes a few mistakes before finally realising she needs to follow The #1 Rule for Girls.


Which is…?

Not telling. You’ll have to read the book!


What inspired you to write The #1 Rule for Girls?

Oooh, quite a few ideas whirling around my head suddenly merged into one idea. First, I’d read a certain immensely popular series featuring a very bad boy protagonist and a young submissive girl. (You know the one I mean). Women’s reactions to this character interested me (I thought he was repulsive, many, many readers didn’t) and it got me thinking about the gap between fiction and reality. Maybe I’m a bitch, but I’ll take kindness and a sense of humour over a six pack and narcissistic introspection any day of the week. So, yes, first thing I was thinking was the perennial appeal of bad boys in fiction.

Second, I once overheard a former student of mine (a rugby player) shouting “Oy, get here” at his girlfriend, who then did as she was told to a sexist chorus from his team-mates. (I’ve met some lovely rugby players in my time, but the ones in my book aren’t based on them. It’s nothing personal: I chose rugby players because of that one incident I witnessed. If they’d been members of a string quartet, I’d have used that.) It struck a chord with me; about what we put up with when we think we’re in love.

Finally, whenever I’ve taught Wuthering Heights, opinion has been divided on the Heathcliff question. I.e. Does his devotion to Catherine outweigh the fact his utter hideousness towards the other women in the book? Cathy? Isabella (he hangs her dog!)? Again, it’s the idea that one reader’s Tortured Romantic Soul is another’s Total Nightmare.


Bad real life boyfriends. Any anecdotes?

Oh yes. I played Snog the Frog for much of my adolescence and, unfortunately, for a few years after that. Take the one who bought me a mop for Christmas. Not even a steam mop, just a plain Vileda, no bucket or anything. We didn’t last long after that. Then there was the one who didn’t get me a Valentine’s card because “Valentine’s Day is for people who are in love.” I think that was the final nail in the coffin for that relationship too. And when I was in the first year at uni, my then-boyfriend from home came to stay….and snogged my flat-mate. I forgave her (it was the cider-goggles) and carried on seeing him. (Why, younger self? WHY?)

I eventually found the right one for me and, many years of loveliness later, I can confirm he was definitely worth the wait!

Me & Mr J was a hard-hitting book about a very controversial subject. Is The #1 Rule for Girls similar?

Me & Mr J was a difficult book to write because of the subject matter (terrible bullying, family breakdown and a forbidden relationship). There’s a lot of comedy woven in it, but the themes are so dark that, at times, it’s a very sad book. Although #1 Rule deals with some serious issues, there’s less shade and the overall tone is much lighter.


Is The #1 Rule for Girls written as a diary, like Me & Mr J?

No, it’s first person narrative. Me & Mr J worked as a diary because it’s such a claustrophobic form and it reflected Lara’s isolation and desperation: she has no-one she can confide in. One of the underpinning themes of the book is keeping things hidden: the bullying because she doesn’t want to jeopardise her family’s financial stability (her mum works for the family of the bully); and also her illegal relationship with Mr J.

Wow, Rachel! Thanks for this scoop. I can't wait to read The #1 Rule for Girls out the 25th February. Pre-order it here.

Thank you for having me on the YA Takeover and wishing you a spectacularly Happy New Year!


Anytime! It's our pleasure

The #YAtakeover Schedule

8th January 2016
 

Twitter Chat: Best Reads of 2015

 

Time: 7.00pm-7.45pm

 

Readers, bloggers, authors and booksellers chat about their favourite reads of 2015. Looking for book recommendations? This could be just the chat for you!

 

Prizes in YA

 

Time: 8.00pm-8.50pm

Interview Panel: Charlotte Eyre, Jake Hope and Katie Webber

Host: @Joyisreading

Join us as some of the book industry's finest talent talk us through YA prizes and why they are so important to the genre.



Libraries and Reading in the Digital Age

 

Time: 09.00pm-09.40pm

Interview Panel: Alexia Casale and E. R. Murray

Host: @helloiammariam

Alexia and Elizabeth discuss the importance of libraries, reaching readers in the digital age and the future of YA literature.

 

 

Art in YA

 

Time: 9.50pm-10.30pm

Interview Panel: Jenn Bennett and Melissa Keil

Host: @Jenny_books_art

Jenny discusses representations of art in YA literature and more closely in their respective works.

 

 

'It's All in Your Head': Suicide and Depression in YA Literature

Time: 10.40pm-11.30pm

Interview Panel: Jasmine Warga and Jennifer Niven

Host: @ChelleToy

Michelle is joined by Jennifer and Jasmine who will chat about the stigmas of depression and the consequences of suicide in their work.

 

 

 

 

9th January 2016

 

 

The Bizarre and the Brilliant

 

Time: 12.00am-12.45am

Interview Panel: Andrew Smith

Host: @Lottie_LovesB

Andrew Smith discusses his unique writing style, what inspires him and teenage literacy.

'LGBT: You Be Who You Want To Be'

Time: 02.00am-02.50am
Interview Panel: Becky Albertalli & I. W. Gregorio
Host: @YAblooker

Becky and Ilene discuss sexual identity and being true to yourself.

Angels and Demons

Time: 03.15am-04.00am

Interview Panel: Jana Oliver and Lauren Kate
Host: @City_Of_YA

Jana and Lauren chat about representations of angels and demons in YA literature and more closely in their own stories.
   

No Frills Fiction

Time: 04.15am-5.00am
Interview Panel: Lynn Weingarten and Ryan Graudin
Host: @YAblooker

 
Lynn and Ryan discuss the grittier side to fiction.

Gothic Fiction:

 

Time: 05.10am-05.50am

Interview Panel: Kendare Blake

Host: @YAblooker 

Kendare chats to us about everything from ghosts to gods. Not to be missed!

Crossover Fiction

 

Time: 06.00am-06.40am

Interview Panel: Christi J. Whitney

Host: @YAblooker

Christopher questions Christi on YA literature's increasing popularity and it's crossover appeal to both adults and teens. 

Supernatural Seduction

Time: 09.00am-09.45am
Interview Panel: Anna McKerrow, C. J. Daugherty and Lu Hersey
Host: @maximumpopbooks

The supernatural has always been a strong trope in YA literature. Anna, C. J. and Lu discuss the supernatural in their work.

 

 Mental Health is Not a Spectator Sport

Time: 09.55am-10.40am

Interview Panel: Brian Conaghan, Eve Ainsworth, Siobhan Curham and Tabitha Suzuma

Host: @helloiammariam

 Four of YA's most talented authors come together to chat to Mariam about the representation of mental health in YA literature and the portrayals in their respective books.

 Keep Your Friends Close

Time: 10.50am-11.30ampm

Interview Panel: Jess Vallance and Marcus Sedgwick

Host: @ChelleToy

 

Our panel discuss the representation of friendship in YA literature.

Fantastic Fantasy

Time: 11.40am-12.25pm
Interview Panel: Melinda Salisbury and Samantha Shannon
Host: @AssassinGrisha

Our panel consists of two of 2015's most successful Fantasy writers.

 

If You Can't Love Yourself, How in the Hell Are You Going to Love Someone Else?

 

Time: 12.35pm-1.15pm

Interview Panel: Abbie Rushton, Lisa Williamson and Liz Kessler,

Host: @JoshuaJAuthor

Joshua looks at love and sexual identity in YA literature.

The End of the World

 

Time: 1.25pm-2.05pm

Interview Panel: Teri Terry and Virginia Bergin

Host: @ChelleToy

Teri And Virginia discuss their latest books and dystopia in their work.

Everybody Say Love!

Time: 2.10pm-2.55pm

Interview Panel: C. J. Skuse, Cat Clark, Keren David, L. A. Weatherly and Laura Jarratt

Host: @ChouettBlog

Our panel discusses love in all its forms.

 It's Behind You!

Time: 3.00pm-3.45pm

Interview Panel: Darren Shan and Matt Whyman

Host: @MyBookishLife

Our panel discuss horror in their writing.

Crime and Mystery

Time: 4.00pm-4.40pm

Interview Panel: Lauren Oliver and Robin Stevens

Host: @ChelleToy

Lauren and Robin discuss two very diverse representations of crime and mystery.

Rude, Crude and Uncouth: The Shouldn'ts, Couldn'ts and Wouldn'ts of YA Lit

Time: 4.55pm-5.40pm

Interview Panel: Louise O'Neill, Non Pratt and Sally Green

Host: @EmilyDrabs

Our panel discuss taboo in their work and the need to represent taboo in YA lit.

Playing the Victim

Time: 5.50pm-6.30pm

Interview Panel: Holly Smale and Sarah Mussi

Host: @YAblooker

Our panel discuss representations of female characters that refuse to be victims of circumstance.

 

 

Blood is Thicker Than Water

Time: 6.45pm-7.30pm

Interview Panel: Clare Furniss, Lisa Heathfield and Sarah Crossan

Host: @ChelleToy 

Our panel discuss three very different portraits of familial relations. 

Alternate Reader Channels

Time: 7.40pm-8.20pm

Interview Panel: Alice Oseman and Taran Matharu

Host: @Lottie_LovesB

Our panel discuss different ways of reaching readers and why this is so important in a digital age.

Fact or Fiction

Time: 8.30pm-9.10pm

Interview Panel: Frances Hardinge and M. G. Harris

Host: @YAblooker

Our panel talk about deception and secrets as they discuss the multi-faceted characters and intricate plots they have created.

Twitter Chat: Most Anticipated 2016 Reads

Time: 9.30pm-10.00pm

We take a look at some of the most hyped and sought-after books in 2016. Have a pen ready because your TBR pile is about to get a whole lot bigger!

 

 

There will be tons of giveaways throughout the event across Twitter and Instagram. To be in with a chance of winning, follow us on Twitter @YAfictionados and on Instagram yafictionados. We will feature blog posts, giveaways, Twitter chats and interviews so be sure to mark this event in your calenders!

 

Please note that all times are GMT. The schedule is subject to change.