Bookanistas: Sweet XVI...and Signed Book Giveaway

First order of business:

Congratulations, Beth Revis, Bookanista and newest New York Times Bestseller!!! ACROSS THE UNIVERSE debuts at NUMBER SEVEN!!!!




Read more about the wonder that is Beth and Across the Universe at Lisa and Laura's blog.

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Second order of Bookanista business:

WELCOME, Carrie Harris!! Our newest Bookanista! Glad to have you on board! 

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Also, make sure you enter the Giveaway to win a SIGNED COPY of XVI!! Info below!

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Be sure to check out what the other Bookanistas are recommending today!


Katie Anderson raves about THE LIAR SOCIETY
Christine Fonseca applauds Michelle McLean's HOMEWORK HELPERS: TERM PAPERS AND ESSAYS with Signed Book Giveaway
Carrie Harris celebrates THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE
Jen Hayley lauds DELIRIUM
Shelli Johannes-Wells  is IN LOVE WITH HARLEQUIN
Elana Johnson recommends Michelle McLean's HOMEWORK HELPERS: TERM PAPERS AND ESSAYS with Giveaway
Jessi Kirby admires MATCHED
Myra McEntire gives some cover love for THE LIAR SOCIETY
Shannon Messenger commends THE LIAR SOCIETY with an ARC Giveaway
Megan Miranda gives some love to ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Lisa and Laura Roecker happy dance for Beth Revis
Shana Silver cheers for HERE LIES BRIDGET
Scott Tracey acclaims DIVERGENT
Bethany Wiggins praises Michelle McLean's HOMEWORK HELPERS: TERM PAPERS AND ESSAYS

Now, my review of

XVI by Julia Karr

Goodreads summary: Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.


My Review

I don't think a review of XVI would be complete without at least addressing the cover--because it's so freaking fantastic. A little startling, almost disturbing in the way that girl, smeared mascara, peers into you through her age. Like her age is the slim wall between you--which is perfect because it represents so much of what this book deals with.

Sixteen. The age in this dystopian world when you become an adult--when you are legal to have sex, and if you aren't fully protected by cunning, planning, and economic status, also an age when you're likely to be preyed upon. Karr's world in XVI is futuristic, to be sure, with hovering trannies and PAVs, but it's not like Back to the Future, you know? It's gritty and pretty realistic, a distinct possibility given the right chain of events--wars, coups, rise to power, greed and corruption--perhaps even feminism gone awry, as the centralized government gets a hold of the movement, and with complete control of the media, convinces people that they are making the world a better place (such as for young girls, keeping them safe until they are sixteen). Except nothing is what it seems. Economic striations are blatant and government endorsed. And girls are brainwashed into feeling like they have power through sex, while in reality, they have very little volition. But I don't think this is necessarily an idea confined to Karr's futuristic world, as it seems to apply quite aptly to our own (think of every ad you've ever seen featuring some woman in skimpy clothes getting a man to do her bidding). Sex sells no matter what time you live in, but in 2149, the cost is free will. And Nina resists this brainwashing with all her might.

But there's also a great mystery in XVI as Nina and her friends try to solve the riddle of her mother's final words, all while trying to protect her little sister who's being threatened. Yet every step of the way, Nina finds herself falling for the mysterious Sal, undermining the walls of antipathy she'd put up against the government's manipulative pimping of sex. Because suddenly, she wants to do it. Suddenly there is no black and white. Oh, but if that isn't the bane of adolescence...except Nina has to deal with a fundamental rite of passage in a dark world with so much loss in her life. Yet it's not all gloom and doom. Karr does a great job adding moments of lightness and mirth, alleviating the tension for Nina and for the reader.

XVI is a thought-provoking, but entertaining read that tackles real issues pertinent to today's world and to contemporary teens: a dystopian, a mystery, and a love-story wrapped up into one.

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To Enter to win a Signed copy of XVI, please fill out the embedded form below which will be emailed to me (mainly so you don't have to expose your email in my comments section):




Thank You! XVI Giveaway ends January 27, 2011. Open Internationally!