Today’s YA recommendation is a departure for me. While I LOVE science fiction films and TV shows, I’ve never been one to read in this genre. Seems like when I tried in the past, I would get mired in the technical details, not to mention what I perceived as a preference for plot over characterization. So . . . I generally avoided Scifi novels like the plague.

But when I first heard of fellow Elevensie Beth Revis’s new Scifi dystopian Across the Universe (already a NYT Bestseller), I had to give it a try. Fans of wildly varying genres were all raving about it! Seemed like a good time to give Scifi fiction another chance.

The story alternates between two narrators, Amy and Elder. Amy’s story begins with her being cryogenically frozen for a 300+ year journey to a new planet. The cryogenic process is harrowing enough, but things take an even more dangerous turn when Amy is unfrozen in the middle of the journey. Who tried to kill her? Who is continuing to “unplug” members of the frozen cargo of scientists and military tacticians? And since she can’t be refrozen, how will Amy ever fit into the eerily submissive society on the spaceship Godspeed?

Elder, on the other hand, has only ever known life on Godspeed. He is being groomed as its next leader . . . only he’s not completely engaged by his training. In particular he resents that Eldest, the current leader, seems to be keeping secrets from him. When Elder encounters Amy and learns of the danger posed to the ship’s frozen cargo, he decides it’s time to uncover Godspeed‘s hidden secrets once and for all. Soon he will learn that murder attempts on the cryo level are only the tip of the iceberg (if you’ll forgive the strained pun).

The novel is beautifully written and extremely suspenseful, with elements reminiscent of Brave New World and other classic dystopian tales. I have to say that one of the things I admire most is that the central conflict or problem — the reason why everything “went wrong” in Godspeed‘s society – is something I never would have predicted. Across the Universe is engaging, clever, and nearly impossible to put down.

One last note — you gotta go play on the interactive Across the Universe website. SO COOL!

I reviewed several YA novels last year, but there were plenty more I read — and loved — that deserve a mention.  Obviously I am just one gal and couldn’t read ALL the great new stuff, but here’s a list of recent YA books (with a couple of MGs) that really knocked my socks off, including the ones I reviewed here (which are starred and linked to my review).

Marcelo in the Real World, by Francisco X. Stork.

Harmonic Feedback, by Tara Kelly.

*Catching Fire and Mockingbird, by Suzanne Collins.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, by Maryrose Wood. (Technically this is a Middle Grade title, but it’s sure to delight teens and adults, too!)

Charles and Emma: the Darwins’ Leap of Faith, by Deborah Heiligman. (Non-fiction!)

Fire, by Kristin Cashore.  (If you like this one, be sure to read Graceling, too.)

Incarceron, by Catherine Fisher.

The Sky is Everywhere, by Jandy Nelson.

*The Agency: A Spy in the House and The Body at the Tower, by Y.S. Lee.

Sea, by Heidi Kling.

*The Bride’s Farewell, by Meg Rosoff.

*Beating Heart, by  A.M. Jenkins.

*The Mermaid’s Mirror, by L.K. Madigan.

*Hex Hall, by Rachel Hawkins.

The House of Dead Maids, by Clare Dunkle.

Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins.

BONUS: my first read of 2011 was yet another 5-star doozy — Plain Kate, by Erin Bow.  If you’re in the mood for a darker sort of fairy tale that’s impossible to put down, try this.  But please keep the tissues handy!  (Oh, how I longed for a huge box of Puffs when I was blubbering my brains out in Panera. *sniffle*)

Rachel Hawkins’ Hex Hall may have a familiar premise — a magical child goes to a magical school and discovers dark truths and a powerful force of evil — but trust me, the execution is fresh and highly entertaining.

Sophie Mercer has known since she was twelve that she is a witch. Unfortunately for her, she’s not a very good one. When a poorly-fashioned spell gets her expelled once again, she is sent to Hecate Hall, a reform school for unruly witches, shapeshifters and faeries.

Sophie’s assimilation into “Hex” Hall is not an easy one. First of all, her roommate is a vampire whom many blame for a girl’s violent death the previous year. Before Sophie can fully absorb this news, a trio of powerful (& very cliquish) dark witches demand she join their coven to strengthen their power — when she refuses, they turn vicious in classic “mean girl” style. And if that wasn’t enough, she is hopelessly attracted to the handsome but sarcastic boyfriend of the coven’s leader. All of this spells trouble (heh), and Sophie knows it. She soon learns, however, that darker troubles await her.

There’s a lot to love about Hex Hall, particularly if you need a break from dark and gloomy paranormals. Sophie Mercer is an engaging, unpretentious heroine with a hilarious outlook on the perils of teenhood — I related to her instantly. There’s also a fair bit of swoony sexual tension in the form of Archer Cross, the boyfriend of Sophie’s nemesis with whom she is forced to do detention three nights a week. (Who knew a dank cellar could be such a perfect setting for blossoming romance? Well, if you’re a fan of My So-Called Life, you know all about the romantic potential of boiler rooms, but that’s another story…) When you combine the aforementioned humor and sexual tension with great pacing and a solid mystery, you have a book that’s incredibly hard to put down. It’s a great read for the holidays!

Best of all, the sequel, Demonglass, is due out February 15, 2011. Not a long wait, thank goodness — I’m eager to see what direction Sophie’s story takes next!