YA Book Chat

Join me today in a conversation with author Derek Alan Siddoway! I covered Derek's book Djinn Tamer: Starter in Season 1, and today I get to chat with Derek himself! Join us as we chat about Derek's books, our outdoor adventures, what it's like to be a rancher in Utah, and so much more! Check out Derek on his social media platforms, and be sure to check out all his fantastic books!...

Join my friend Amanda and me as we discuss the first book in Laura Sebastian's Ash Princess series.  Amanda and I delve into the world of magic and intrigue in this page-turning book. A little about Ash Princess : Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her...

I am so very thrilled to bring you this interview I did with NYT Bestselling author, Marissa Meyer! Join Marissa and me as we chat about her brand new book, Instant Karma.  We talk about where the idea for Instant Karma came from, why Marissa chose to write a romance, all about the main character, and different themes in the book, Marissa's writing process, and more! I'll also be asking...

Join me on a journey to 1872 New Orleans, a city ruled by the dead, as we dive into The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh. My guest today is the delightful Heather Berghaier. Come along as Heather and I explore this dark world of demons and other worldly creatures, hunting and skulking in the city of New Orleans. A little about The Beautiful:  In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seven...

Today I am diving into Pierce Brown's first book in the Red Rising saga. My special guest today is Amanda from Fictional Hangover podcast. Amanda and I had so much fun chatting about Darrow of Lykos, and his world on Mars. Join us! A bit about Red Rising: Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing t...

Join my friend Lauren Hennessy and me as we dive into Holly Black's Faerie fantasy world of The Cruel Prince! Holly Black's The Folk of the Air trilogy is one you don't want to miss! The first book, The Cruel Prince, will draw you in and keep you wanting more. About The Cruel Prince... Jude Duarte was seven years old when her parents were brutally murdered in front of her, and she a...

Welcome to Season 2 of YA Book Chat! I am excited to start my second season off with a bang by featuring the first book in the Ena of Ilbrea series, Ember and Stone by Megan O'Russell. Not only that, but I am joined by Megan herself on today's episode! Join Megan and me as we talk about her fantastic book, as well as Megan's writing process, how life as an actor sometimes bleeds int...

Join my guest Alice and me as we dive into Stephanie Garber's magical world of Caraval! Caraval is a magical world like none other! Scarlett Dragna and her sister Donatella have always dreamed of attending Caraval, but have never left the tiny island on which they live. But fortune finally smiles on them when Scarlett receives an invitation to Caraval from Caraval Master himself, Legend. But...

Join my guest and me as we discuss the first book in Sabaa Tahir's fascinating series, An Ember In The Ashes. Today I'm joined by Amanda Ellingson from the Adapted For Your Viewing Podcast. Amanda and I really dive in and hash out this amazing book! Take a listen as we discuss elements such as the world building, depth of characters, love triangles, magic, and more! As always, the first...

Join my friend Victoria and me as we discuss Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin! (As always, the first 10-15 minutes are spoiler FREE, and then I'll give you a warning before we jump into our spoiler section.) Serpent & Dove is the exciting story of Louise le Blanc, a witch who fled her coven two years ago, and Reid Diggory, a man who's sole purpose in life is to rid the world of w...

Join my friend Bethanie and me as we dive into the world of Little Women! If you love Little Women, you will adore Jo & Laurie! Our talented authors take us through Jo & Laurie's complicated relationship, and Jo's writing process, as she fumbles through writing her novels. Think you know the story of Little Women? Think again... 1869, Concord, Massachusetts: After the publication...

**Entire episode is SPOILER FREE** Join award winning author Sarah Henning and I as we discuss her brand new book, The Princess Will Save You. The Princess Will Save You is a fun story inspired by the hit movie, The Princess Bride, but with a twist ... What would have happened if Buttercup had saved Westley? When her father dies, Princess Amarande is given an ultimatum: marry the leader of a neigh...

Join my guest Lauren, from And Here's Why Pod, and me as we talk about Divergent, the first book in  Veronica Roth's best selling series! Make sure you listen to the end because I included a short bonus section where Lauren and I discuss the Divergent movies. You won't want to miss it! In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated...

**Please note: This episode was recorded before I changed my format. Therefore, it is a bit longer than my last few episodes. But, it's packed full of goodness! So be sure to take a listen!** Join my guest Christi and I as we embark on a journey of adventure and intrigue. The Queen's Assassin is the story of Caledon Holt and Shadow of the Honey Glade. Caledon is the Hearthstone Guild&apo...

Today I am sharing with you one of my all-time favorite YA books. StepSister, by Jennifer Donnelly, is a fairytale retelling like none other! Isabelle is Cinderella's ugly stepsister. Her jealousy of Cinderella has made her mean and hollow. But now Isabelle has the chance to change her fate and chose her own destiny. She will prove "it takes more than heartache to break a girl." Ste...

If you are a fan of Pokemon, Digimon, and Monster Rancher, then this is the book for you! Come along with my guest David and me as we dive into the world of monster taming and battling! Young Jackson Hunt wants nothing more than to be a professional Djinn Tamer. However, due to circumstances at home, he is forced to spend his days working in order to help his grandmother make ends meet. But one da...

We've reached the final book in Kendare Blakes' Three Dark Crowns series! Join my guest Rachel Carpenter and I as we hash out the final battle. Jules's legion curse has been unbound, leaving her out of her mind and unfit to rule as legion queen. Arsinoe desperately searches for a cure and feels it's her responsibility to save Jules and stop Katherine. Mirabella arrives to fight...

NOTE: Today I begin a slightly different format for my podcast. I feel it will lead to shorter, more enjoyable episodes for you, my wonderful listeners. Instead of doing a full-on plot dive into all the details, my guests and I will more casually discuss what we liked/didn't like, our favorite moments/quotes, the characters, and the plotline in general. So this does mean that the entire episo...

Join Christine and me for the second book in the Three Dark Crowns series by Kendare Blake. One Dark Throne is the continuing story of Arsinoe, Katherine, and Mirabella. The Ascension Year has begun, and with it, the battle for the crown. Who will prevail? Katherine is now stronger than ever before, guided by a force within. Arsinoe, now aware of her real powers, must figure out a way to use them...

Today I have the privilege of interviewing NY Times #1 Best Selling Author Melissa de la Cruz! Join Melissa de la Cruz and me as we chat about her brand new YA Graphic Novel, Gotham High , from DC Comics. Melissa de la Cruz is the author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for readers of all ages, including Alex and Eliza , The Descendants, The Witches of East End , Blue Bloods ,...

Join me for this special BONUS episode as I dive into a brand new YA Graphic Novel by DC Comics! From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Alex and Eliza and The Witches of East End comes a reimagining of Gotham for a new generation of readers. Before they became Batman, Catwoman and the Joker, Bruce, Selina, and Jack were high schoolers who would do whatever it took—even destroy the ones t...

Today we dive into the Three Dark Crowns series by NY Times Best Selling Author, Kendare Blake. Each generation three triplet queens are born on the island of Fennbirn; each an equal heir to the throne. But when they turn 16, the battle for the crown begins. Who will be victorious? Will it be the elemental queen, Mirabella, who can control the wind and fire? Maybe it will be the naturalist queen,...

Courage is the first book in the exciting Amity Chronicles series by Sarah Toribio. "Amity is a race of enlightened people connected to the elements of nature. They live in total tranquility, being the last of humankind. Or are they? Chaos reigns on Lumina's sheltered world driving her to smuggle herself through enemy territory with her sworn foe in order to rescue her beloved family and...

Join Victoria and me as we discuss the final book in Neal Shusterman's Arc of A Scythe trilogy. In The Toll, we find out what happens with all of our favorite characters, and those we don't like so much; Rowan/Citra, Faraday/Munira, Goddard/Rand, and Grayson. We are also introduced to some new characters. Unlike the first two books, Victoria and I had many elements of The Toll we did not...

Join Victoria and me as we dive in for a fun discussion on book two in the Arc of a Scythe trilogy, Thunderhead. In this book, we join Citra and Rowan as they continue on their separate paths. Citra is now Scythe Anastasia, a Junior Scythe who's youth and new ideas are shaking up the Scythedom. Rowan is on the run as Scythe Lucifer and taking matters into his own hands by gleaning unethical S...