Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Immortal Rules News

I love Julie Kagawa's iron fey series, as you know, and greedily gobbled up her new book, The Immortal Rules (thank you Pam), And yes, review to come soon. (I know, I've been sidetracked AGAIN)
But today Jule posted some great news.

Palomar Pictures Optioned The Immortal Rules and Blood of Eden Series

So cool!

Background: The Immortal Rules is set in a future world where humanity, decimated by a deadly virus, exists merely as a food source and slave class to an elite society of vampires. When a young woman, a survivor who dreams of the day humanity will rise up against their supernatural masters, is turned into a vampire, she is forced to choose between becoming what she despises or helping those who would destroy her.

From the press release: Julie Kagawa felt that Sighvatsson was the right producer to partner with because of his tremendous track record for getting his films made and his passion for her books. "Joni does not take on a project unless he really loves it," Kagawa said. "He's thoughtful and established, and I know he's going to make a great movie that respects my material."

So whereas they don't know when they are going to start filming, or even if they are going to start filming, it's an option and a first step and it's great, great news.

Now - if you've read this book who would you like to see as teh main characters?

Monday, April 16, 2012

Reminder: YA Extravaganza April 18th at 7.00

Just a reminder - if you are in the Bay Area you will not want to miss this wonderful event. Gayle Forman, Stephanie Perkins, Nina LaCour, and Jess Rothenberg will be at kepler's on April 18th at 7.00 to talk about their books. And the panel will be hosted by Heidi Kling. Doesn't get better than that.
Don't miss this evening full of fun, fashion, romance, road trips, and heartbreak with some of YA's most exciting writers of contemporary fiction.
We love all these books and we know you will too.
Join us.

Here's a little blurb about all the books. I've recently run reviews of Anna and the French Kiss, If I Stay, and The Catastrophic History of You and Me. And I'm reading the Disenchantments right now (SO good!)

Gayle Forman, Where She Went

It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life. Now Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York, chance brings the pair together for one last night when they revisit the past and open their hearts.

Nina Lacour, The Disenchantments

Colby's post-high school plans have long been that he and his best friend Bev would tour with her band, then spend a year in Europe. When Bev announces she will start college just after the tour, Colby struggles to understand why she changed her mind and what losing her means for his future.

Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door

Everything is pretty perfect in budding designer Lola Nolan's life until the Bell twins return to the neighborhood. When Cricket steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Jess Rothenberg, The Catastrophic History of You and Me

When Brie's boyfriend says he doesn't love her it breaks her heart--literally. But her family is unravelling, her best friend is keeping a secret about Jacob and his betrayal, and then there's Patrick, Brie's guide and resident Lost Soul, who just might hold the key to her forever after.


Also must include
Heidi Kling's Sea

Still haunted by nightmares of her mother's death, Sienna reluctantly travels to Indonesia with her father to help tsunami orphans with their post traumatic stress disorder. The last thing she expects is to fall for Deni, a brooding Indonesian boy who lives there. When Deni hears that his father may be alive, Sienna doesn't think twice about running away with him to the epicenter of the disaster. Unfortunately, what they find there could break both their hearts.

Can't wait!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Grave Mercy By Robin Lafevers - Review

Another of Marilyn's fabulous reviews - this one for Grave Mercy

A story of vengeance, assassins and high drama! Ismea's hard life becomes unbearable when she's thrown into a hasty marriage to Guille a brute with a nasty temper. Aided by the same priest who married her mere hours earlier, she escapes to the convent, St. Mortain - hoping to hide. St. Mortain abbey serves the saint of death, Mortain, where novices train to become assassins. Ismae's undeveloped talents and thirst to learn make her a perfect candidate. Here she learns the subtle arts of poisons and techniques to kill enemies in any situation.

Ismae's assignment is now at the royal court in Brittany. She will act as the mistress of Gavriel Duval, whom she dislikes on first meeting; the feeling is mutual. Her difficult start with Duval will make her time at court more perilous, as she must act as Duval's chatty new lover while stealthily searching and eliminating threats to Ann, young Duchess of Brittany. There are many enemies at court seeking to grab the power base of Brittany. Time is running out and it's Ismae's actions that can save the Duchess and hope to save Brittany from the hungry clutches of France. This gripping story has it all - royal intrigue, murder, spies and ruthless assassins and I love it!

Friday, April 6, 2012

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad - Review

here's Marilyn's review of 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad, which looks so good I think it has to be my next read. Have you read it?

"Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1st moon landing, NASA has announced it will be sending a new mission to the moon; and if you're a teenager, you could win a spot on this mission! Work alongside scientists and astronauts....." Billboards around the world play video ads day and night in every language: win a trip...172 hours on the moon...trip of a life time...be part of history.....

Of the three teens chosen, only Antoine is excited about the moon trip. Mia and Midori look at it as a way to jumpstart their lives in the U.S. where endless possibilities await when they return from space.

After months of rigorous training, conditioning and media interviews the launch is in countdown mode: it's go time. Of course there are great risks in space but they all feel excited and proud to be part of this moon mission as they land in the Sea of Tranquility. But within hours of landing, the power source fails abruptly, wiping out all communication. Very soon they all know Something or Someone does not want humans here...

Can they survive and get back to earth? Can they survive long enough for a possible rescue mission? The moon will never look the same to you after you finish reading this chilling story...

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

If I Stay, Gayle Forman - Review


Still talking about our YA Extravaganza (Gayle Forman, Stephanie Perkins, Nina LaCour, and Jess Rothenberg) on April 18th and this time focusing on Gayle Forman's wonderful book, If I Stay

Mia is happy: she is a talented cellist who has just auditioned for Julliard, she is dating Adam, the lead singer in an up and coming band, and has a happy home life with supportive parents and an adorable kid brother. The only thing bothering her is whether to follow her musical dreams or stay closer to home to be with Adam.

But an unforeseen snowstorm leads to a snow day, a family trip to see friends, and a terrible accident. And while in a coma, she watches herself and those who come to visit - her family and friends, and of course Adam who goes to desperate measures to get in to see her.

Events taking place in the hospital are juxtaposed with flashbacks of Mia's life as she thinks about all she's lost (can she go on without them?) and all she has left (and what her leaving will mean to them). This heart-wrenching story is romantic yet uplifting, poignant yet never maudlin. It's a book about love, friendship, family and the choices we make. It is beautifully written and lingers well past the last page.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins - Review


Because Stephanie Perkins is coming to Kepler's on April 18th as part of our YA Extravaganza I went looking for my review of the book and realized i haven't posted it. SO - better late than never! However, can we say EXCITED!



Paris is a magical city so who wouldn't be happy at the thought of spending a year abroad studying there? Well, it turns out that Anna would prefer to stay in Atlanta with her friends, her crush, her job, and her family. But Anna's father thinks this will be good for her so Anna finds herself in the American school in Paris, all alone, speaking no French, and homesick. Fortunately she meets some new people who force her to leave her room and discover the beauties of the city. The film buff in her is dazzled by how many cinemas there are in Paris - and then there is Etienne St Clair...

This is such a feel good book, soaked in the sights and smells of Paris and falling in love. It is light-hearted, joyous, and adorable.