Book Battle Round 1, Bracket 11: WE HAVE A WINNER!

As you know, Alyssa of The Shady Glade is hosting a YA Debut Book Battle, and my buddy Natalie and I are the judges for bracket 11 of Round 1: Before I Fall v. The Iron King.

After days of slaving away, discussing and debating and pulling our hair out (not really, it was an easy choice), Natalie and I have decided on a winner for you.

The fabulous, stunning, promising debut from a talented YA author is...

[drumroll]

BEFORE I FALL!!! 

So why did Before I Fall win this round?

Natalie said:

"It's a book that I think will stay with me for a long time. It's a story of love, of friendship, of tragedy and redemption. Sam, the main character, is one of the most alive characters I've ever read. She's realistic and has qualities and flaws that I think many teenagers (and even adults) can recognize in themselves. There are so many things that I loved about this book--the writing style, the characters, the plot, the way I felt while I was reading it--I could go on and on."

I said:

"...this book is a gem.... it will make you think, and it will make you uncomfortable in the best way, and it will leave it's mark for awhile to come, and that is the sign of a talent and a classic....There's good and bad and freak coincidence all mingled together in a believable way.  It's compulsively readable contemporary fiction with an interesting sci-fi slant that will draw in readers who don't generally read contemporary fiction."

So Before I Fall will be moving on to Round 2 to take on another great debut YA book.  I hope it comes out on top again, and think it very well could.  Stay tuned here or to The Shady Glade to find out which book takes the title of the best debut YA book!