New Release Tuesday...The Ones I'm Psyched For! [4]

Vitro by Jessica Khoury

Summary

On Skin Island, even the laws of creation can be broken.

On a remote island in the Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings—the Vitros—have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they also have one enormous flaw.

Sophie Crue is determined to get to Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. With the help of Jim Julien, a young charter pilot, she arrives--and discovers a terrifying secret she never imagined: she has a Vitro twin, Lux, who is the culmination of Corpus's dangerous research.

Now Sophie is torn between reuniting with the mother who betrayed her and protecting the genetically enhanced twin she never knew existed. But untangling the twisted strands of these relationships will have to wait, for Sophie and Jim are about to find out what happens when science stretches too far beyond its reach.

I first mentioned Vitro by Jessica Khoury on my "Waiting on" Wednesday post and I'm still just as excited to read it. I won a advanced readers copy last week but unfortunately still haven't been able to start it. I have a plane ride coming up and I'm excited to use the time to get back into the world of Origin.

Check it out on Goodreads.
Check out author Jesssica Khoury's website.

Hollow City (Miss Peregrine #2) by Ransom Riggs

Summary

In 1940 after the first book ends, Jacob and his new Welsh island friends flee to London, the Peculiar capital of the world. Caul, a dangerous madman, is Miss Peregrine’s brother, and can steal Peculiar abilities for himself. The Peculiars must fight for survival, again.

I read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs this past summer and loved it. So different from the YA literature out there, it stands out among it's peers. When I first read Miss Peregrine I didn't realize it was a series, so I was happily surprised to find out that Hollow City was being released shortly. Ransom Riggs' latest novel is definitely high up on my TBR pile.

Check it out on Goodreads.
Check out author Ransom Riggs' website.

"Waiting on" Wednesday [4]

Vitro by Jessica Khoury

Publication Date: January 14, 2014

Publisher: Razorbill

Synopsis 

On a remote island in the Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings—the Vitros—have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they also have one enormous flaw. 

Sophie Crue is determined to get to Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. She enlists hunky charter pilot Jim Julien to take her there. But once on the island, Sophie and Jim encounter more than they bargained for, including a charming, brilliant Vitro named Nicholas and an innocent, newly awoken one named Lux. 

In a race for their lives, Sophie and Jim are about to discover what happens when science stretches too far beyond its reach.

Set in the world of Origin, Jessica Khoury's second book looks to be just as thrilling as her debut. While not a sequel, it will be nice to return to a world that we all fell in love with in Origin. As a science nerd, I find myself drawn to science fiction books but it's not always easy to find them in the YA section. I'm excited Vitro and more from author Jessica Khoury.

Boston Book Festival 2013

Last weekend I went to the Boston Book Festival and got to seem some great authors. I couldn’t possibly describe how awesome it was so I’ll let the pictures do the talking along with some highlights.

• I got to listen to a great panel entitles YA: Legends Revisited with Maggie Steifvater, Nancy Werlin, Shelly Dickson Carr, and Marissa Meyer. They talked about their favorite fairy tales and legends when they were kids and how they incorporated old fairy tales in their own worlds.

• I got my copy of Scarlet signed by Marissa Meyer. We talked a bit about NaNoWriMo and how she will be holding a contest for anyone who can write more words than she can. She was nice enough to take a picture with me.

• I also got my copy of The Scorpio Races signed by Maggie Steifvater. I haven't read anything by her yet, but from the description, I'm really excited to get started on The Scorpio Races. It sounds like an amazing book. If I like it I'll pick up her many other books, such as Shiver and The Raven Boys. Her line was super long so I just took a picture while she was signing

• I also went to to a panel YA: Other Worlds with Alexandra Coutts, Lissa Price, and Jessica Khoury. It was amazing to hear these women talk about writing, science fiction and YA literature. I haven't read any of their books yet but after hearing them speak I will definitely be picking them up.

• Finally, I went to a panel with Newbery Medalists Jack Gantos, Rebecca Stead, and Kate DiCamillo. They each talked a bit about their writing and their books. I had only read (and heard of) Kate DiCamillo before so it was interesting to hear from some newer middle grade books. I've been away from the genre for a while to it's great to hear what's popular these days.

I also got books signed by Kate DiCamillo, Rebecca Stead, and Jessica Khoury but I was so star-struck that I forgot to take pictures.

Overall, it was a great experience. Not only did I get to meet some amazing authors but I got to talk to other people who love books just as much as I do. I had lots of fun and I hope to go again next year!