Hiya book lovers With Christmas being just around the corner, I thought I’d highlight some South African reads that should go on your TBR pile. We have so many phenomenal SA authors that deserve to be celebrated , and because this list will be an extensive one, I am splitting this post and making it a series. I know it won’t be possible to include every single South African author, but I am going to try to highlight books from every genre and make it as diverse as possible (so, with respect, please don’t ask me why so and so isn’t on the list – there’s more to come). First up: 1. Sing Down the Stars by Nerine Dorman A book I recently received for review ( thanks you NB publishers ) and am super excited about diving into is Sing Down the Stars. I was first introduced to Nerine’s writing years ago, when I read one of her first books, What Sweet Music They Make (Would 100% still love to see more of that). Over the years, I ’ve come to know Nerine as well and she’s not ...
I’d like to welcome the lovely Georgia Clark, author of YA contemporary novel She’s With the Band, and newly released dystopian novel Parched, to my blog today.
As someone with an invested interested in dystopian fiction, especially given the fact that most of them deal with highlighting socio-economic, political issues, violence, rebellion and revolution in a manner that’s a lot more magnified than in most genres , I was thrilled when Georgia graciously agreed to feature on my blog.
In her post today, she tells us about the 5 things she loves most about dystopian fiction; and, having read the post, I have to say that I couldn’t agree more with her points.
Without further ado, here within some information about the book, followed by her thoughts on dystopian literature.
As someone with an invested interested in dystopian fiction, especially given the fact that most of them deal with highlighting socio-economic, political issues, violence, rebellion and revolution in a manner that’s a lot more magnified than in most genres , I was thrilled when Georgia graciously agreed to feature on my blog.
In her post today, she tells us about the 5 things she loves most about dystopian fiction; and, having read the post, I have to say that I couldn’t agree more with her points.
Without further ado, here within some information about the book, followed by her thoughts on dystopian literature.
About Parched:
Parched is a riveting story about post-apocalyptic survival set in a time and place that pits the small number of haves against the have-nots.
After suffering the death of her scientist mother, sixteen-year-old Tessendra Rockwood leaves her life of privilege in Eden to join the resistance and the have-nots in the desertlike wasteland called the Badlands.
Together, in a fight against inequality, they uncover a shocking government plot to carry out genocide in the Badlands using artificial intelligence.
After witnessing devastation, sordid prisons, and corruption in the rebellion against tyranny, Tess must question her loyalties and risk her life to bring justice to Eden.
Add it to your TBR pile here.
Over to Georgia
Five Things I Love About Dystopian Fiction
The Social Commentary Factor
Like sci-fi, dystopian fiction is the bomb when it comes to casting a clear-eyed view on the problems of the present.
From the dangers of government control (Matched), the deadening effects of reality TV (Hunger Games), to the importance of love in our lives (Delirium), great dystopia is a cool insight into what your favorite author is critical of.
Thrills and Spills
Parched is a riveting story about post-apocalyptic survival set in a time and place that pits the small number of haves against the have-nots.
After suffering the death of her scientist mother, sixteen-year-old Tessendra Rockwood leaves her life of privilege in Eden to join the resistance and the have-nots in the desertlike wasteland called the Badlands.
Together, in a fight against inequality, they uncover a shocking government plot to carry out genocide in the Badlands using artificial intelligence.
After witnessing devastation, sordid prisons, and corruption in the rebellion against tyranny, Tess must question her loyalties and risk her life to bring justice to Eden.
Add it to your TBR pile here.
Over to Georgia
Five Things I Love About Dystopian Fiction
The Social Commentary Factor
Like sci-fi, dystopian fiction is the bomb when it comes to casting a clear-eyed view on the problems of the present.
From the dangers of government control (Matched), the deadening effects of reality TV (Hunger Games), to the importance of love in our lives (Delirium), great dystopia is a cool insight into what your favorite author is critical of.
Thrills and Spills
I love plot. I’m an action-adventure fan: take me on a journey, full of twists and turns; unexpected allies, terrifying villains, and true tests of courage and you’ve got me. I love dystopian fiction as it tends to be big, plot-based stories full of thrills and spills.
I was keen to give this a crack with my novel, something that would appeal to readers who enjoy rebellions in far-flung places both familiar and strange.
So naturally I was pretty chuffed when my School Library Journal review said, "readers who eagerly followed the rebellions against Panem’s Capitol and Divergent's Erudites will root for Tess and her Kudzu allies.” Mission accomplished.
The Dark Side
I was keen to give this a crack with my novel, something that would appeal to readers who enjoy rebellions in far-flung places both familiar and strange.
So naturally I was pretty chuffed when my School Library Journal review said, "readers who eagerly followed the rebellions against Panem’s Capitol and Divergent's Erudites will root for Tess and her Kudzu allies.” Mission accomplished.
The Dark Side
By their very definition, dystopias delve into the dark side. People are oppressed, governments have too much control, life is rough and tough.
My life is not rough and tough: clean water flows from my taps and the most difficult thing about finding fresh food is the lines at Union Square’s Trader Joes. Dystopians let me live in a world where I can see people be tested.
They let you wonder ‘what if?’. What if I was in the Hunger Games? (I would last approximately 3.5 minutes, so I’m really glad that I’m not).
Kickass Heroines
My life is not rough and tough: clean water flows from my taps and the most difficult thing about finding fresh food is the lines at Union Square’s Trader Joes. Dystopians let me live in a world where I can see people be tested.
They let you wonder ‘what if?’. What if I was in the Hunger Games? (I would last approximately 3.5 minutes, so I’m really glad that I’m not).
Kickass Heroines
In YA dystopias we find an abundance of strong, powerful, believable young women, who are not overly sexualized or defined by their relationship to men.
From Karou to Katsa, Clary to Lena, dystopia is a place we can find kickass girls on a journey, not just supportive girlfriends or one-note sexpots. I had fun creating the character of Tess for Parched, a 16-year-old heroine who stands up for what she believes in, despite the odds.
It’s A Wild and Wacky Place
My fifth reason for loving dystopia is simply this: it’s a wild and wacky place. From 1984 to Never Let Me Go to Margaret Atwood’s MacAddams trilogy, the genre is full of insanely imaginative tales that have what I think of as a literary ‘It’ factor.
Good dystopia feels fresh, exciting, and different. What are your favorite dystopias?
Let me know in the comments!
From Karou to Katsa, Clary to Lena, dystopia is a place we can find kickass girls on a journey, not just supportive girlfriends or one-note sexpots. I had fun creating the character of Tess for Parched, a 16-year-old heroine who stands up for what she believes in, despite the odds.
It’s A Wild and Wacky Place
My fifth reason for loving dystopia is simply this: it’s a wild and wacky place. From 1984 to Never Let Me Go to Margaret Atwood’s MacAddams trilogy, the genre is full of insanely imaginative tales that have what I think of as a literary ‘It’ factor.
Good dystopia feels fresh, exciting, and different. What are your favorite dystopias?
Let me know in the comments!
About Georgia:
Georgia Clark grew up in Sydney, Australia. She received a BA in Communications: Media Arts and Production from the University of Technology, Sydney.
After graduating, Georgia worked as editor of The Brag, a weekly music street press magazine.
She then became an online producer for an Australian soap opera called Home & Away and an online writer for Fremantle Media Australia.
Georgia moved to New York City in 2009 to pursue a career in teen and lifestyle journalism.
Her articles have been featured in various publications, including Cosmo, CLEO, Daily Life, Sunday Life, Girlfriend, and more. Georgia currently works as the senior digital creative at Showtime Networks, where she produces the award-winning SHO Sync app.
Despite refusing to own a smart phone, Georgia crafts a thrilling story of robots, renewable resources, and romance in her new futuristic fantasy novel Parched. After the death of her scientist mother, sixteen-year-old Tessendra decides to join a rebel group and risk her life to bring justice to the people living outside the utopian city of Eden.
In addition to her love for writing, Georgia is a travel enthusiast and has visited fourteen countries. She also enjoys improv, studies comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and hosts a monthly show in the East Village with a team called Dreamboat.
For more information about Georgia, visit www.georgiaclark.com and follow her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
Where you can find her online:
Website
Twitter: @georgialouclark
Facebook:
Goodreads:
Amazon
Georgia Clark grew up in Sydney, Australia. She received a BA in Communications: Media Arts and Production from the University of Technology, Sydney.
After graduating, Georgia worked as editor of The Brag, a weekly music street press magazine.
She then became an online producer for an Australian soap opera called Home & Away and an online writer for Fremantle Media Australia.
Georgia moved to New York City in 2009 to pursue a career in teen and lifestyle journalism.
Her articles have been featured in various publications, including Cosmo, CLEO, Daily Life, Sunday Life, Girlfriend, and more. Georgia currently works as the senior digital creative at Showtime Networks, where she produces the award-winning SHO Sync app.
Despite refusing to own a smart phone, Georgia crafts a thrilling story of robots, renewable resources, and romance in her new futuristic fantasy novel Parched. After the death of her scientist mother, sixteen-year-old Tessendra decides to join a rebel group and risk her life to bring justice to the people living outside the utopian city of Eden.
In addition to her love for writing, Georgia is a travel enthusiast and has visited fourteen countries. She also enjoys improv, studies comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and hosts a monthly show in the East Village with a team called Dreamboat.
For more information about Georgia, visit www.georgiaclark.com and follow her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
Where you can find her online:
Website
Twitter: @georgialouclark
Facebook:
Goodreads:
Amazon
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