Read Clean YA with CJ
Episode Forty-Eight
Welcome to another episode of Read Clean YA with CJ, where we explore clean, engaging books for teens and young adults. In this compelling episode of Read Clean YA with CJ, author Candace Kade discusses her Hybrid trilogy, the power of cultural authenticity in storytelling, and how brokenness can become beauty.
Episode Show Notes Below
Links to Things Discussed in this Episode:
Piecing Together the Broken: Candace Kade’s Augmented Finds Beauty in Brokenness
Episode Show Notes:
About Candace Kade
As a third culture kid who considers both Chengdu and Oklahoma City home, Candace Kade brings unique cultural perspectives to her writing. Beyond authoring the Hybrid series, she’s a certified Krav Maga assistant instructor who infuses authentic action into her stories.
The Hybrid Series: A World of Enhancement
Set in the Asian Federation of 2123, the series explores a world where:
- Genetic enhancements give the wealthy superhuman abilities
- The poor are born naturally, creating social division
- Technology and tradition blend in futuristic Asian cities
“Everyone has these amazing genetic enhancements sort of like superpowers… and then all the poor are born naturally and at a disadvantage,” Kade explains.
A Journey Across Future Asia
The trilogy spans multiple locations, each deeply personal to Kade:
- Book 1 (Enhanced): Set in futuristic Beijing
- Book 2 (Hybrid): Features dystopian Texas
- Book 3 (Augmented): Takes readers to new Chengdu
“I love getting to take readers there… For me, it was a way to get to go back even though physically I couldn’t.”
Weaving Themes Through the Trilogy
Kade develops three major themes throughout the series:
1. Belonging
- Urban’s struggle between enhanced and natural worlds
- The challenge of straddling different cultures
- Finding identity beyond genetic makeup
2. Family
- The importance of fighting for family
- Uncovering origins and truth
- Dealing with family secrets
3. Brokenness to Beauty
Kade introduces the Japanese art of Kintsugi as a powerful metaphor:
“They piece it back together with this gold sort of glue… It symbolizes so much what God does in our own lives. He takes the brokenness, the shattered pieces of our lives… and glues it back together into something that is so much more beautiful.”
Cultural Authenticity in Fiction
Kade emphasizes how cultural understanding shapes character development:
“In America so often we think about our culture is more of like a justice sort of culture versus an Asian society. A lot of times it’s more shame, honor. And if you have a character who’s from that culture versus the West, they’re gonna act very differently.”
A Message for Readers
Kade hopes readers take away three key messages:
- You’re not alone in feeling like you don’t belong. You are seen.
- Family is worth fighting for
- God can transform brokenness into beauty
Where to Find Candace Kade
Readers can connect with Kade through:
- Instagram: @CandaceKadeAuthor
- Website: CandaceKade.com
- Newsletter signup for YA book recommendations and giveaways
Augmented, the final book in the Hybrid trilogy, releases September 2025, completing Urban’s journey through belonging, family, and transformation.
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Candace Kade
Author
Candace Kade spends her time dreaming up stories typically involving tech, psychology, culture, and/or swords. She is the author to The Hybrid Series and a certified Krav Maga assistant instructor who loves writing action-packed martial art scenes. A third culture kid, she considers Chengdu and OKC to be her homes. When she’s not exploring new countries, she enjoys hiking in national parks, moving, teaching her husband Mandarin, and keeping two baby humans alive. She can be bribed with boba tea, fluffy puppies, and breakfast tacos.
About Your Host
Award-winning author CJ Milacci writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As the podcast host for Read Clean YA with CJ, she loves talking about books and the deeper themes woven into the pages of each novel. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Always willing to get real about hard issues, C.J. also enjoys the cheesiest of puns. She chats about writing, her faith, bubble tea, and other fun adventures online (@cjmilacci) and at cjmilacci.com.
CJ Milacci is the award-winning author of The Talionis Series, and she writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Recruit of Talionis, Book 1
A teen with a dark past. A secret military force that kidnaps new soldiers. Can she survive as a Recruit of Talionis?
Fugitive of Talionis, Book 2
They kidnapped her. Trained her. And now they’re hunting her.
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