logo

Book Bits: Pottermore, Karen Mahoney, SF/F poll, charity auction and Contest Roundup

logo

I traveled all last week, and didn’t get nearly enough reading done. I’m making up for this week, but next week your favorite vampire book blogger will be on the road again. I’m planning to crack Mira Grant’s Deadline on the plane next week. Any other travel reading suggestions? (Or just anything you really want me to review?)

You think on it. In the meantime, let’s get down to this week’s book-related news and, of course, Contest Roundup.

Pottermore to be an online game
I know we all hoped it would be a book when J.K. Rowling said to watch Pottermore.com for something new from the world of Harry Potter. (And I think we all knew we weren’t really going to get more of Harry out of her.) No, the word is out: Pottermore will be an online gaming site. We’re still waiting on full details, and you can view the YouTube page to try and get all excited about it. Me, though? I’m just going to re-watch the theatrical trailer for Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 and start counting down to July 15.

New Karen Mahoney series on the way
If you liked The Iron Witch (I did), you’ll be excited to know that Random House just signed Karen Mahoney to a three-book deal for a new YA series. The new series will be called Beautiful Ghosts, and here’s the word on what it’s about direct from the press release:

BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS
Being a vampire is for life – not just a lifestyle.
Reluctant teenage vampire Marie ‘Moth’ O’Neal infiltrates a group of Otherkin kids in Boston, teenagers who believe they are reincarnated vampires, in order to find out who or what is killing off the troubled teens… and then turning them into something truly undead with a taste for human flesh. All this while trying to stop sexy young hunter Jace Murdoch from shooting anything that doesn’t breathe – including her.

Charity auction for L.A. Banks
Convention trips, advertising, critiques from agents and editors, signed books (including the entire Black Dagger Brotherhood catalog from J.R. Ward), advanced copies of upcoming works from your favorite authors and just about every other book-related awesomeness are up for auction this week to help cover L.A. Banks medical bills. She is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy treatment, and our prayers are with her.

NPR wants to know your favorite SF/F books
Well, kind of. I’m a bit confused (and maybe miffed) by the rules on this one. NPR has asked readers to submit their five favorite science fiction/fantasy books of all time. But they have exclusions. I get that. But one line says no horror or paranormal romance, but then cites Charlaine Harris as an example of an exclusion. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Sookie Stackhouse books (it’s the group read!), the novels are supernatural, action-packed urban fantasy set in the vivid backdrop of Bon Temps, Louisiana. While there is a romantic subplot, it has never been the crux of the series. So, now I must wonder if Charlaine Harris is out, will they ignore my nomination of Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series?

I asked them on Twitter and here was the official response from @NPRBooks: “We are not taking paranormal romance, but if it is the paranormal bordering on sci-fi or fantasy, we will consider it.” I’m not sure if that means they’ll dismiss my Hollows recommendations or not, but certainly encourage everyone to go and leave your favorites (LOTR included). You can view the poll and it’s rules here.

Are you ready for Alien Proliferation?
While Gini Koch’s latest doesn’t hit shelves until December, you can now see the cover. Head over to the Alien Collective HQ to see the cover art for Alien Proliferation designed by Daniel Dos Santos.

Bloodrose cover reveal
Because you totally wanted to see the latest cover from Andrea Cremer’s Nightshade series. Look here.

Mercy Thompson gets a new look
Patricia Briggs’ publisher Orbit has redesigned the cover art for the Mercedes Thompson series. Take a look and report back with thoughts.

Another Barrons update
Because I know you want to know, Karen Marie Moning has had to delay writing the Barrons scene. She is in the midst of a big personal upheaval (you can read the specifics on her blog) and that means waiting a bit on writing this scene. She will still complete it, but currently we don’t have an ETA. As soon as we hear more from KMM’s camp, we’ll share.

CONTEST ROUNDUP

Have some book-related news (unless it is an established series, release dates aren’t considered news) or a contest you’d like to see included in Book Bits? Email us the details.

3 Responses to “Book Bits: Pottermore, Karen Mahoney, SF/F poll, charity auction and Contest Roundup”

  1. Melissa F says:

    Reg. New Mercy Thompson covers:

    I’m sure from a marketing standpoint this is a good choice, they will fit in and be recognizable as urban fantasy, etc, etc….. but I really will miss the unique Mercy covers that so represented her independent spirit. The native american element also seems to be a little lost with this choice, as well as the coyote/walker element (I’m sort of surprised they didn’t go for a coyote on the spines instead of a silhouette), but then again the original Moon Called cover has always been my favorite and it is how I picture that character, very independent, authentic, and her own person.

  2. I’ve heard the Sookie series referred to as “Southern Gothic” – I like that. It’s still Fantasy though. I feel myself starting to get ranty again. I agree with you, Sookie and Hollows and Mercy and Kate (etc) all deserve to be included.

    • Southern Gothic is certainly apt. I just hate this notion that a romantic subplot in a fantasy novel makes it paranormal romance. (Don’t get me started on how if a male author writes a romantic subplot in a paranormal setting he’s giving a realistic picture of character lives, but when a female author does the same it’s suddenly ‘vampire porn.’)

Leave a Reply to VampireBookClub Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo
logo
Powered by WordPress | Designed by Elegant Themes
Malcare WordPress Security