Interview with DD Chant, Author of the Broken City Series!

Hi readers! Today I bring to you an interview with DD Chant, the fabulously skilled writer of the Broken City series. The second book, Broken Truce, came out very recently, so I interviewed her about it.

Life isn't turning out the way that Deeta thought it would. With the Lewises defeated and peace between the tribes, she'd believed that the dark times were in past.
However troubles between the tribes continue, and the Andak council has selected Tom as their ambassador and chief spokesman to the other tribes.
Deeta knows that there is still much resentment against the Andak, and that Tom is in danger every time he leaves the safety of Andak city.
Struggling with her own complicated feelings against the tribe that she is now a part of, Deeta tries to ignore the changing attitudes growing within her.
Then Tom is betrayed, and with the whole City thrown into great danger, Deeta finds that reality can't be ignored forever...

Broken Truce book trailer.

1. How long did it take you to write Broken Truce?

I challenged myself to complete the next books in all three of my series in 2013, so Broken Truce took me three and a half months to write. It was really great being able to go back to Deeta's world and expand upon the City and the different tribes. 

2. What is the biggest obstacle Deeta and Tom must overcome?

In this book? The Lewises. In Broken City you hear a lot about the Lewises, but you don't really get to *see* them. In Broken Truce the Lewises take centre stage and Tom and Deeta find themselves in the line of fire.

3. What is the biggest piece of advice you'd like to give aspiring writers?

Never stop trying to improve. Even when people tell you that they loved your book, that your writing style is great, there is ALWAYS room to hone your writing skills a little more.

Also it's really important to be polite to your readers, even if they didn't enjoy your work. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but writing a book DOES NOT mean you're entitled to brilliant reviews.

4. How did you get inspired to write Broken City and Broken Truce?

It all started with a dream, just a scene with Deeta and Tom talking about Dec being taken. (Before you ask: no, I wasn't in the dream myself!!!) I couldn't stop thinking about it. The dream left me with so many questions, so I started writing and Broken City was born!

Broken Truce came as a surprise to me. Broken City was intended as a stand alone book, but I received so much support from readers and requests for another book in Deeta's world that I decided I would write another. Broken City had an open end, so there was plenty of room for another book, but I didn't just want to write one for the sake of writing one. I wanted to wait for a really good story line. 

5. What is one thing you changed throughout the writing process of Broken Truce?

Broken City is narrated predominantly by Deeta, but only a third of Broken Truce is told from her perspective. You get to hear a lot more of Tom and his brothers in this book, particularly the twins, Cayden and Jayden.

6. What have you learned as a writer through this series?

Less is more. I like to explain how things are said when I'm writing dialogue, but those explanations get in the way and stop the writing from flowing. I'm slowly learning that good dialogue doesn't need any explanation. If your characters are well drawn and the reader will know how each character is feeling with out you having to tell them every five minutes!

7. Which character are you most like or would most like to be?

This is a hard one! My aunt tells me I'm a lot like Deeta, and my sister says I'm very like Jan...

Which I'm pretty sure means I have a split personality!!!

Thank you, DD for your inspiring answers to my questions. I truly enjoyed this!

Please buy her book here.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I honestly can not believe that I went for four years without even trying to read the Hunger Games. Oh well, at least I can finally say that I've read it while totally telling the truth. And I definitely am OBSESSING over it! 5+++ stars.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Published in 2008
5+++ stars
Summary from Goodreads: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

How can you review a book that is too good to be reviewed? I honestly have no idea. Well, to begin, The Hunger Games is an epic combination of a dystopian idea that turns out to be a deadly game, the perfect writing style that is more than addicting, unforgettable characters that give me the shivers and heartbreaking events that literally had me sobbing. If you don't at least love this book, then you will never love a book.

I don't know how Suzanne Collins does it. She finds this totally unique idea and turns it into something even more gasp-inducing. The whole idea of fighting to the death is already pretty unusual, but the author adds in an endless amount of extra twists to make the book even more awesome. A lot of the events had me reeling from the shock, and that's not even including the parts where I cried....

*POSSIBLE SPOILER*: The death of a certain person really had me depressed. I could not believe that the author could actually make The Hunger Games better by killing the person off, but it actually worked. I admire Suzanne Collin's to make controversial decisions when involving the fate of characters. *END SPOILER*

The writing.... wow, Katniss' voice is simply life changing. I could not put this book down. Actually, I could, but then I started hallucinating, so I had to pick it back up again. You see, there's something special about the writing that's super addicting. While there were a few lengthy descriptions, there was nothing to the point that I was flowered out or bored. Plus the writing made me cry. What else do I need to say?

Katniss was a phenomenal character. She was incredibly strong, super smart and quite clever. She really loved her sister Primrose to the point of willing to die for her. Not only that, but she did that on national television- doesn't that kind of impress you? I also could not believe her obstinacy; she didn't back down from what she thought was right. While I was a little surprised that she didn't feel too sorry for killing someone, I still liked her a lot overall.
Why? Well, Katniss is a heroine. While she's not perfect, she still is worthy of that title.

Katniss, the girl who was on fire. The Hunger Games, a book with a fire. You need to get your hands on the fire!

Crossed by Allie Condie

I was so scared to read this book. Not that Matched was a bad book or anything, but I got kind of scared. I was so scared that Crossed was going to be worse than Matched. I was so wrong. 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Crossed by Allie Condie
4.5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Don't you hate it when you love a book and everyone else hates it? I do. That's the case with Crossed. It has a 3.51 average rating on Goodreads, which is pretty bad. The reviews are mostly mean, and I hate that they are ripping an author's work! I honestly loved this book, but I guess you might not.

Now for the actual review without ranting. I honestly can not review this book. The words, they were so strong and powerful. They flew off the page like poetry. Every phrase had a certain rhythm that you could feel. I loved the beauty of it. Allie Condie knows how to word things. That's the truth of it all. Every word was perfect.

The plot was definitely a lot better than the plot of Matched. The plot of Matched was kind of boring, no offense, and wasted on the love life of Cassia. (Okay, so I'm exaggerating a little...) Meanwhile, Crossed was a lot more fast-paced. It focused on more important things like the Society and its problems, the Rebellion and actually interesting ideas. Allie Condie brought in a few new characters that all had a huge part in the story. They were pretty awesome! Anyways, I could not believe all the twists in the story. You learn about Ky's secret, Xander's secret, the truth of the blue tablets and about the Rebellion. I felt like I was punched when I reading the twists; they were that effective!

What's different about Crossed is that it's also in Ky's POV (point of view). While that was definitely risky, it really paid off. I can now officially say that I am TEAM KY!!!!!!!!!!! He was really amazingly awesome! Being in his POV really made me understand and kind of fall in love with him, at the least! Having his story really filled in a lot of the gaps I would have had with only Cassia's narrating. KY I LOVE YOU!!!!

I can not believe the Society. It's cruel, heartless, cold, mean and plain terrible. I could not believe the extent the Society went to, all to create a utopia that wasn't even close to perfect. I was horrified, apalled and scared. I honestly wanted to stop reading it, but I couldn't. Instead I read even more quickly!
Wow I loved this book! *Insert swooning here*

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Put simply, Inside Out is a story about a girl. If you go in depth, it's the story of a girl who changes her society and challenges the status quo. If you ask any reader, it's a story that inspires the reader to go out and change the world. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
3.5 out of 5 stars
Published 3.24.10
Summary from Goodreads:
Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

Trella was the most hard to understand character in the story. Even as the protagonist, I found her to be unreachable, unrelatable, haughty and a little mean. It was a little unsettling that Trella herself knew she was, but I suppose it turns out to be okay in the end. You see, she ends up developing into a more caring, thoughtful person while keeping a bit of her snark. Not too bad for a main character.

Inside Out had a unique plot, if anything. It's not common to read a book involving the questioning of social classes in a dystopian setting with an old man being a prophet. Yes, an old man. Maria Snyder wove in an old man, an execution, rebellion and cruelty into a novel that challenges the status quo. There was plenty of action and suspense, but I felt as if I didn't understand enough of the shafts and pipes to fully enjoy it.

I really liked the guy in the story, Riley. He was smart, thoughtful, interesting and not boring. I hate it when a male character who is meant to be swoon-inducing is boring. Luckily, Riley was not! He seemed real, not just like a some guy from a book. Plus, he had an awesome taste in stuffed animals! (Baa.... I like sheep too...)

This wasn't just Trella's story, though. It was the story of Trella's friends too, new and old. I loved how every supporting character was unique and well-developed. They all had their individual personality, just like in real life. Every individual was individual.

All in all, Outside In was a nice read with a lot of heart. It was pretty relatable (for the most part) for a dystopian novel. The characters were all mostly pretty well thought out. Definitely worth the read!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I'm astonished. Shatter Me has rendered me speechless. It has broken the boundaries of what I thought a book could do to the reader. It has driven me crazy for more of Tahereh Mafi's writing. 5 HUNDRED MILLION STARS!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Published 11.15.11
5 HUNDRED MILLION STARS!
Summary from Goodreads: Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Juliette is a heroine. There's no better way to say it. She's the perfect example of a character worth talking about. She can be feisty, brave and stubborn. But most of the time she's nice. She's always thinking about others and trying to help out. She takes their insults with grace, even though she's hurting inside. In the beginning, Juliette feels like she's a monster. She hates herself. Though throughout the story, she develops. She starts respecting herself.

I think Adam redefines the meaning of broken bad boy. Not only does he meet my expectations, he surpasses them! He is so loyal and caring. I was literally swooning throughout Shatter Me. He really loves Juliette and his brother. Plus he's broken. Adam has gone through so much throughout his life. It's not even funny how many deaths he's witnessed and how many bad memories he's had. Adam Kent is so on my crush list....

I really can't stop thinking about the villain, Warner. I am so horrified at his behavior and him in general. He's the type of guy everyone wants to know more about simply because he's the bad guy. He's a really sick, messed up, smart, shrewd type of guy. I am so flabbergasted (yes!) at how much he thinks he love Juliette. It is so sad....

This plot is more character-driven than action-driven, but it makes the book even better. I was so caught up in the story that I stayed up very late reading it. It has the perfect pace and layout. I would have never guessed that it was a debut! What a perfect plot!

Juliette has perfect prose. It's half poetic, half not and altogether a beautiful style of writing. It emotional, lush and totally addicting. It's definitely mind blowing and astounding. I'm half ready to reread it.

So in conclusion, Tahereh Mafi owns writing. There's no better way to state it.

Legend by Marie Lu

Saying that I love Legend is a huge understatement. Saying that I'm carrying it around with me and saying quotes from it is more like it, even if it does make me seem a little obsessed...
5 MILLION STARS!

Legend by Marie Lu
5 Million Stars
Published 11.29.11
Summary from Goodreads: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

I LOVE DAY! He is definitely on my crush list! I love how he's kind of like the Robin Hood in the story, a very good-looking one. He's so caring and he puts his family first, even though it gets him in trouble. He's trusting and kind, even though he's a criminal. You'd think having a criminal image would make him soulless, but for Day it made him unforgettable.

But thats only half of it. The other half involves a very awesome prodigy. Her name is June. I love her determination to avenge her brother's death. It shows she really cares. Not only that, but she's smart and hardworking. She's a true heroine! It's so mindblowing how much she does, and all for her brother. We need more protagonists like june.

I loved how flawless Marie's writing was. You would never know it's a debut. It's so wise and new and sharp and soft. The simple truth is that you will never read anything like it, no matter how hard you search. Her writing is a rare treasure that must be shared. A treasure that makes you crazy for more of it...

This plot is epic. What starts off as one twist is actually many, but somehow they weave together by the end of the book. The plot is so unpredictable that I guarantee you will not guess it. It will blow you away. This is not your classic dystopian novel. This is a novel that has a plot with no equal. It will blow you away.

I love the relationship between Day and June. While I can't say much, I will say that it's certainly not your average relationship. It's better. Marie Lu somehow managed to avoid instalove, while still not falling victim to a slow romance. In other words, it's timed perfectly and it's pure perfection. Besides, Day and June are such a cute couple!

Legend is lengendary. There's no better way of putting it. And that's why I'm urging you to buy this book now. Don't put it back. You will regret it.

So... do you have Legend yet?

Beyond Terrific Book Trailers (btbt)

I have this huge love for book trailers. And usually if the trailer is good, I will automatically read the book. That's just the way it is with me. So these are some of the book trailers I love, even if I've already read the book. They're all so amazing! :)

Everneath by Brodi Ashton


Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi


Divergent by Veronica Roth


Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare


Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready


And to end this, I need 5 words: Only 3 days till Clockwork Prince!!! (3 isn't a word; it's a number)
So this is what I need to do: BREATHE! And maybe the time will come...

Waiting on Wednesday: Article 5

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Article 5 by Kristen Simmons!

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
Publishing 2.14.12
Publisher: Tor Teen
Summary from Goodreads: New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Did I mention that I love dystopian? I did? Oh well, I say it again. I love dystopian! Especially when it involves romance, a hopefully strong heroine, a rebellious mother, and a guy! And daring to challenge what is fact and daring to be. Yup, just be.

I have this book on pre-order, and I absolutely can not wait! Why can't February come along already?

Matched by Ally Condie

Normally my friends never read the style of books I read. My books are slightly different, a little more girly. So I was really surprised when they all wanted to read this book, my book. Not only that, but they actually begged me for it and tried to steal it from me. Yup, Matched is just that good. 4 out of 5 matching stars.

Matched by Ally Condie
Out and out and out
4 out of 5 stars
Summary from Goodreads: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

First off. Just look at the cover. Yup, just look at it. Don't you love it and absolutely want to gush over it? Don't you just want to cut it out and take it for yourself? I do. It's so amazing and heartstopping and pretty and unique. Yet it's still so much more. I absolutely will die if they get a different cover.

Anyways, aside from the cover, I loved a lot more than just that. There was the whole plot that needs to be gushed over. Ally really knows her plots. The surprises and twists had me flipping through the book and all. I loved how it began as a simple love story and expanded into a lot more. Something deeper, like with the Society. I like how the events weaved into eachother so it eventually made sense. I didn't have to wait for the next book to at least get some of the puzzle.
Then the twists. I was so surprised by them that I had to tell one of my friends. Of course, that kind of ruined the book for her, but it was just so unexpected! (Sorry, friend.)

I absolutely loved the love triangle. It was choosing between someone who loved you and someone you loved. Not to mention you knew who you wanted to choose, but you still couldn't bring yourself to say no. Cassia chooses in the first book, but still, I absolutely love this love triangle! Who cares if it's an underdog kind of triangle? It still needs to be gushed and swooned over!

Then there was Cassia. I really liked the development of her. Throughout the book you watch her become stronger and stronger. You watch her question the Society, her life and the rules. You watched her eventually form her own opinion and challenge the odds. I absolutely loved it! Plus, she liked poetry and running, so it kind of made me bond with her. She's really relatable because everyone faces the whole conflict between what you should do and what you want to do.

I absolutely loved Xander! He was so loyal to Cassia, and even to the end, he loved her. He loved her even when she made mistakes and all. He was so nice and charming too. I loved him even more than I loved Ky. Ky may be Ky, but Xander is one of a kind. (Of course there's the whole blond hair and blue eyes thing too, but not as much.) I will love him to the end as he has loved Cassia.

Of course there was the whole dystopian aspect to it. I have this obsession with all things dystopian, so I really enjoyed this book. There's this part about the author creating a whole world that I really, really love. This was no exception. As much as I hated the Society, I couldn't help but realize how well Ally crafted it. She really put her time into the dystopia, and it really paid off.

Overall: Loved the book, cover, and I really need to read Crossed.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

I have to say, the book is a bloody awesome book (pun may or may not be intended). By bloody, I mean it's just a bloody good book AND that there's a lot of blood. Still, I had one problem that kinda brings it down a little. Overall a 4.75 out of 5 stars.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young
4.75 out of 5 stars
Out and out
Summary from Goodreads: Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.


Let me first say this: I LOVE Saba. She's so warrior-like. Some people would call that jaded and a murderer, but still, she's such a warrior. She stubborn! I love my stubborn girls! Not only that, but she speaks her mind. Sometimes that kind of hurts her, but that's what I absolutely love about her. She's bold, blunt and just plain cool! My. Favorite. Protagonist. Ever!!! I absolutely love her! If you need some references, she's like Rose from the Vampire Academy or Sophie from Hex Hall. Snarky. Sarcastic. Stubborn. Super. In other words, Saba! Yeah, I could rant and rant about how much I love her, but I think I should stop.

Then there's Jack. He's pretty... well... hot. That's not a word I use much. But notice, he's not that hot. There's a difference between hot and Hot. And Jack, I'm sorry but you're just hot. But hey, you look good, so all is well! Brown hair and silver eyes that shimmer in the moonlight. Yup, that's called good-looking. Love it.

And it wasn't an insta-love! I hate insta-loves. They're kinda cheesy. So I was glad this was more, well, regular. It was slower and more believable. In fact, they started out hating each other! I absolutely love their romance! I love how they kinda hated each other but still couldn't stop thinking about eachother! Yeah, that's enough each others'. Next topic, here I come.

Did I mention there's action? Like a ton of it? No? Well now I did. It's absolutely amazing how much action there is. I love it! I dig it! Tons of fighting, shooting, and everything. Then there's this whole thing with the hellwurms. You read about them later, and they are LEGENDARY. I absolutely loved that part. Such a part that needs to be read.

I like the plot. It shows the progression of Saba, how she grows to love not only Jack, but her sister. It shows how much of a good person she is. And fine, what a good warrior/fighter too. Yeah, this was a nice plot. You need to read it to find out just how many surprises there were with the Pinches, the King, the Tonton and everything else. You absolutely need to read this book!

Just one thing: this book has terrible grammar. And it's intentional. Now, I'm not a sucker for grammar, but Blood Red Road went overboard with the bad grammar. There's only so many ain'ts and cain'ts and I says and other things. And the dialogue's grammar was really hard to get. You'll see what I mean when you READ the book. But you get used to it. So all's good.

What are you waiting for? Just read the bloody book!