Some YA Recommendations

Exo by Fonda Lee

When you read a great deal of YA, you realize that two things are incredibly popular. Dystopian, where the world is a mess and the teens are the heroes, and WWII historical fiction. You also get a fair smattering of angsty, tragedy infused, coming of age stories.

I am not opposed to any of these plotlines. I feel that each has a place in the reading canon of the young adult. Honestly, I am a big believer in reading whatever motivates you. Hopefully a story enjoyed motivates a reader to read some more.

Having said all that, there can still be a very familiar quality to so many YA stories. They hit the same tropes. You read a slew of similar plots because that is what kids are reading and that is what is selling. I accept this as part of the genre but it is really, really a wonderful surprise when a YA novel deviates from the standard. And such is the case with Exo by Fonda Lee.

Exo is a straight up science fiction novel. Aliens, space ships, the works. But the story is very believable and the characters very engaging. Earth has been an occupied territory for more than 100 years. The invaders have brought technological advancements and after a period of rebellion have set up a beneficial working relationship. But “Sapiens” are humans who will do anything to drive out the aliens. Donovan Reyes is the son of the Prime Liason and an “exocel”. At age 5, he was biologically enhanced and is now a security soldier. When a routine search goes, horribly wrong, he is kidnapped and sees a whole different side to the resistance. His entire belief system is questioned and he struggles to understand right and wrong, and duty and dedication to a cause.

The story is fast moving and the characters very believable. There is some breathtaking suspense, difficult choices and heartbreak. The characters and the readers ask them self, who is right? What is the right thing to do? The story is a wild, engaging ride but even better, there is so much to think about and talk about.

I loved every minute of this story and highly recommend it. Of course, there is a sequel. I’ll probably read it but I am worried it won’t be able to maintain the energy and purpose of the first novel. 5 stars.

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

I like escapist literature and tend to gravitate towards romance and fantasy. Contemporary novels tend to annoy me. They are either too chirpy and unrealistic or unrelentingly depressing and choking on their own angst. Contemporary YA novels are especially mired in angst. Occasionally I’ll read one that touches me but most of them all blend together.

Eliza and Her Monsters is a stand out. It captures just the right tone with characters I could believe in. There is realistic tension and drama and a beautiful message about being good enough that I feel is so important for teens to hear.

Eliza Mirk is a geek. She is quiet, anti-social and has zero scholastic ambitions. She is invisible. But online, Eliza is Lady Constellation, the creator of the wildly popular web comic, The Monstrous Sea. And no one knows who she is. When forced by her homeroom teacher to mentor a new kid, a friendship blossoms and it changes Eliza’s entire life.

There is a lot here about family relationships, anxiety, depression, friendship, goals and finding yourself.  The story was very engaging and while it was pretty obvious where the action was going, the ride was well worth it. I enjoyed the story and felt a rush of sadness when it ended. This is another 2019 Beehive Book Award nominee and I highly recommend it. 5 stars.