by Kay | Apr 8, 2014 | News |
So, in case you’ve been hiding under a rock, let me share the news: the Morganville series by Rachel Caine is coming to the small screen! Can I get an amen?* This series was an awesome kickstarter project that made its money over the summer (yours truly forked over cash – and has the bunny slippers to prove it). Needless to say I get excited whenever I see updates from Rachel Caine in my inbox, explaining how the project is progressing. And at last, we have the cast list!
To be completely frank, I don’t really mind who plays any of the characters. I think this series is really execution-dependant. That being said, I took a nosey through the list to see what was up… Amber Bensen as Amelie is awesome, but kinda what I was expecting given her support of the project… but then I spotted….
Robert Picardo!
Robert will be playing Oliver and… OMG I CANNOT WAIT. He is just the most amazing actor and can deliver ANYTHING. Of course, I know him from his so-fantastic-I-can’t-even role in Star Trek: Voyager, where he played the Doctor. For those of you not born in the 80s, the series is a total must (if only just for him!). Only yesterday I was talking to someone about his awesome portrayal of that part, and low-and-behold he turns up in my inbox.
I really can’t wait to see this project come together. While I may not be the biggest fan of the later Morganville books, it still remains one of my favourite YA series… and I am now 1000% convinced that the live-action adaptation is going to be brilliant!
I leave you now with the Doctor. 😉
by Kay | Mar 26, 2014 | News |
The bookish world is always a buzz with news, but here are a few stories that have really caught my attention. Read on to find out more!
Sophia McDougall Signing
Sophia McDougall will be launching Mars Evacuees, at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Thursday 27 March from 6 – 7pm! The book is a Middle Grade novel published by Egmont – read Sophia’s Mars Evacuees FAQ on her blog for more info about the book.
ALWAYS CARRY DUCT TAPE
The fact that someone had decided I’d be safer on Mars, where you could still only SORT OF breathe the air and SORT OF not get sunburned to death, was a sign that the war with the aliens was not going fantastically well. I’d been worried that I was about to be told that my mother’s spacefighter had been shot down, so when I found out that I was being evacuated to Mars, I was pretty calm.
And, despite everything that happened afterwards, I’d do it all again. Because until you have been shot at, pursued by terrifying aliens, taught maths by a laser-shooting robot goldfish and tried to save the galaxy, I don’t think you can say that you’ve really lived. Sophia McDougall lives in London and is the bestselling adult author of the Romanitas trilogy. She was a panellist at the 2012 How The Light Gets In arts and philosophy festival at Hay. She also creates digital art and mentors aspiring writers.
New Editions of Harry Potter – with new content and covers!
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love my original Harry Potter editions and will never be able to imagine any other covers as “the covers”. That said, the Harry Potter world has morphed significantly since I started reading the books. There’s the movies, the Magical World of HP, Pottermore… I guess, the world has moved on.
As well as new covers, these editions are going to be incorporating the Pottermore world into the novel. As a non-Pottermore person, is going to be super useful for me. I never know where to “start” in Pottermore, so a bit of guidance will be welcome!
Here’s the official blurb from Bloomsbury:
Bloomsbury Children’s Books are to reinvent the children’s hardback and paperback editions of the phenomenally successful Harry Potter series. Redesigned inside and out, all seven books will feature covers by award-winning artist Jonny Duddle.
Along with the brand new artwork and an updated author biography, the editions will also be reset to create a child-friendly reading experience for a new generation of readers. The titles will also contain highlights from Pottermore, the digital platform for Harry Potter. All seven titles will be published on 1st September 2014. I am going to have to put aside some space on my shelves for these new editions!
Patricia Briggs’ new Alpha & Omega book
In the world of Briggs fans, any news is good news. I hoard her Mercy-verse novels, as I never know when I will be getting another. So, the news that the fourth Alpha & Omega novel will be out in Spring 2015 was a treat. And that it will be called Dead Heat? Even better news! At last I feel free to read the third book in the series!
by Kay | Jan 30, 2014 | News |
So, unless you’ve been in hiding these last 18 hours, you’ve probably seen the trailer for The Fault in Our Stars. Considering the overwhelming popularity of this book, the trailer has been met with equal enthusiasm. Here it is in case you haven’t seen it:
I know everyone is going to vehemently disagree but… I really did not like this trailer and suspect I will dislike the movie as well. I’m sorry, but there is just something so pretentious about it – it makes me want to gag. I love the book – y’all know I love the book – but I really, really found this trailer unpalatable. Augustus is not the charming-but-awkward boy he is in the book, and Hazel seems to do nothing but fawn over him in these two-and-a-half minutes. There was nothing charming, heart-wrenching or even vaguely endearing about either one of them. Which really, really shouldn’t be the case.
Here’s hoping for a complete 180 from the movie.
by Kay | Oct 17, 2013 | News |
When I heard Kelley Armstrong’s Bitten series was going to be turned into a TV series I was – I’ll admit – rather excited.
No longer.
Space Channel has just released its first promo for the series and it is horrendous. I mean, it is really, really bad. It lacks any and all depth, and has turned the book series into simple fodder for a soap opera. It has every clich̩ in the book: naked torture, crying with dramatic eye makeup, gratuitous shots of cleavage Рthe works. Take a look:
Cast: Laura Vandervoort (Smallville), Greyston Holt (Once Upon a Time), Greg Bryk (A History of Violence), Paul Greene (NCIS), Steve Lund (Haven)
Given the cast list, I really thought this show had potential. And maybe it still does… but the promo and the marketing are making me doubt it. I mean, the slogan they’re using is “Who’s afraid of the big, blonde wolf?” Which… seriously? Seriously?? We’re focussing on the fact Elena is a blonde? Have they met Elena? Because she would eat them for that comment. I can already feel this show veering away from the books.
So perhaps if I hadn’t read any of the books I would be excited about this TV show… though I doubt it. Can non-series fans chip in their two cents here?
by Kay | Jul 15, 2013 | News |
Earlier this summer, the fan-favourite series Oksa Pollock arrived in the UK. Although not well know to a lot of us English-language natives, the series has a huge group of fans abroad. Some of these fans (a.k.a. “Pollockmaniacs”) answer the question:
“Why should UK children read Oksa Pollock?”
Marie Julien
Why read Oksa? The world created by the authors is really well imagined, gripping, and quite simply magical (in the real as well as figurative sense of the word). It’s really easy to identify with Oksa as well as with the other characters, each of whom is unique and mysterious (and no, I’m not just talking about the tall, dark and handsome one!) And also the creatures – how could you not fall in love with the Lunatrixes or the Incompetent? Oksa Pollock’s world contains a whole flock of funny and charming animals, and the rest of the characters would not disagree! To read Oksa Pollock is to go from laughter to tears (even crying with laughter), to self-discovery, to be surprised and to travel in time… because once you’ve dived into Oksa’s world it’s very difficult to climb back out! It’s the sort of book you start reading just to see what it’s like, but then can’t bear to tear yourself away from before you’re finished! You don’t need to be a big fan of fantasy to appreciate the plot and the setting, it’s so well written that it has you gripped from the very beginning. This book, this series, turns you into a total addict. You only want one thing: to read it, reread it and find out what happens next!
Carole Zheng
Why read Oksa Pollock? It’s just a fantastic, magical story, with fascinating, unique and unforgettable characters! Cendrine Wolf and Anne Plichota have managed to create a completely captivating world! Moving scenes, full of action, of romance… If you have to read one series, I would totally recommend Oksa Pollock! Happiness guaranteed!
Adeline Didine
They should read Oksa Pollock because it takes place in a really original universe which is stunning because it’s so magical, and because of its colourful characters to which you become attached so quickly. It’s a unique style of writing because the two authors each bring a bit of themselves to the book. Oksa is young and readers will either be able to remember their teenage years through her, or gain a new friend who is going through the same things as them.
Emma SalleyÂ
You must read Oksa because it’s the best fantasy book in the world. You really identify with the characters, and everything you need for a good novel is there: suspense, adventure, emotions, romance, friendship… It’s also really funny, thanks to the Oksa–Tugdual–Gus triangle. From the first line you’re hooked!
Eliott Conway-Duby
Why read Oksa Pollock? It’s simple—it’s gripping, funny, so well written you feel like you’re part of the adventure yourself. A must-read!
Roseanne Rees
You should read Oksa Pollock because it’s an amazing book. You feel all the emotions that the Runaways are feeling. You feel so much like one of the Runaways that you can lose yourself in the book and forget everything. Also, what’s brilliant is that this book contains everything you can feel, from love and joy to sadness and despair, the full range! It’s more than a brilliant book, it’s magical.
Maxime Baumann
To have fun, and to have a good time, I have one solution… read the Oksa Pollock books. It’s a fascinating and interesting story. The best I ever read! If you like fantasy, magic or even a beautiful story about love and a friendship… the story is for you! The first time I read the first volume, I was surprised to find myself liking this kind of book. I normally hate love stories, but this mix between magic and love is fantastic! If you loved Harry Potter, you just can’t help but love Oksa Pollock!
Sara Parrenin
Oksa Pollock transports us from a sometimes sad, real world to an incredible, enchanted place. It’s non-stop emotion! To read this book is to become a Pollock fan, from the first line, to the point that it is hard to stop reading. This book is magical, and not to read it would mean missing out on an incredible story, which can re-energise you and make you laugh, even when you’re feeling sad.
This post’s content was provided by the UK publishers. Thank you to them and to the Pollockmaniacs for sharing their thoughts!
by Kay | Jun 11, 2013 | News |
Myrnin’s Famous Vampire Bunny Slippers are SIGNED by the author for Pledges over $65! Go get some!!
As anyone who reads this blog will know, I am a big fan of the Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine. It is absolutely, positively brilliant and is 1000% worth your time and energy. It has teenagers that actually think things out, properly terrifying adults, and cliffhangers that make you want to KILL for the next book.
Over on Kickstarter, the author and a bunch of other amazing human beings are trying to make the series into a web-tv series!! It is going to be stellar. Amber Benson (yes, from Buffy, but also a great author in her own right) has signed on to  play the leading vampire Amelie in the series and, just, GUH. IT WILL BE AWESOME.
Here, let’s let Rachel Caine pitch it to you herself:
Problem:Â they need is $75,000 to get it done and they only have 5 days left to get to that number. And for some reason that is completely and utterly BEYOND ME, they aren’t there yet.
It will be a TRAGEDY OF EPIC PROPORTIONS if this series isn’t made. I’ve made my pledge (which comes with signed vampire bunny slippers, top that!) and you need to make yours!! Go. Now.Â
I mean it.
Shoo!
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