Marie Lu in Manila + Giveaway

marie lu in manila book signing tour

A little over a week ago, another wonderful author graced my hometown with her presence. I’m talking about Marie Lu, renown YA sci-fi/fantasy author. Exciting, right? 

When the fateful day came, however, I was totally unprepared- having been unable to read her books yet. Still, I was not going to miss the chance to get my books signed and meet Marie Lu face to face so I persisted.

marie lu manila book signing national book store

The bloggers forum event, which I was luckily invited to, turned out to be a wonderful experience- I learned so much about the talented, amazing author behind the best-selling series, Legend and The Young Elites.

marie lu bloggers forum

The Q&A easily kicked off soon after the introduction. Most of us bloggers took a turn asking our burning questions for Marie Lu and this was mine: From writing a dystopian series, you’ve transitioned into writing fantasy. What sparked your decision to switch things up?

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Marie Lu answered that she had read nothing but sci-fi and fantasy when she was growing up. So when she finally finished her sci-fi series with Champion, she knew she wanted to try her hand at writing fantasy. She even recounted how her editor rebuffed the first manuscript of The Young Elites, where her ability to write fantasy was pretty much questioned. Determinedly, she asked for a second chance saying, “I cannot live in world where I am not allowed to write a fantasy series.” It was a struggle but Marie Lu knew what she wanted to write.

For the full Q&A with Marie Lu listen to this audio recording or check out Kate of The Bookaholic Blurbs’ full transcription of the forum.

After the forum, we moved on to the most awaited part of the event- the book signing!

marie lu book signing

Marie Lu signing books! <3

day posters

She signed some posters too!

marie lu drawing adelina

And she also sketched her characters on hardcovers- Adelina specifically in this photo!

adelina the young elites marie lu

The beautiful finished product! Behold Jello of Teen Reader’s Diary/Marie Lu PH’s gorgeous copy!

chyna lite-rate-ture marie lu signing adelina and enzo kissing

More of Marie Lu’s awesome artwork on Chyna of Lite-Rate-Ture‘s copy (with Day & June) and also Celine of Two Ends of a Bookshelf‘s (with Adelina & Enzo kissing)

marie lu signed books

My signed books! <3333

with marie lu

Finally, me with Marie Lu!!!! (Excuse my weird face and crappy quality photo)

That’s pretty much it! Meeting Marie Lu was utterly wonderful and I’m even more excited to read her books now that I know the remarkably brilliant person behind the stories. Thank you, National Book Store, for this fantastic opportunity!

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For those who missed the signing, worry not- you can win a signed copy of The Young Elites! Just join my rafflecopter giveaway below. This is open internationally so everyone is welcome to join and enter. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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56 Responses

  1. I haven’t read any of her books yet but this one really got my attention. I hear it is twisty and dark so I am all in! Lol! Lucky you for getting to meet her!

  2. I love that she drew pictures on some of the books! That is really cool and so unique, I mean, how many people can say that not only is their book signed by the author, but it’s got an original, can’t be copied drawing on it, as well? That’s awesome! Thanks for the great giveaway!! :)

    1. Right? Marie Lu isn’t just a fantastic author but also a fantastic artist! Those who got their copies defaced are definitely lucky! You’re very much welcome, Sierra! Thanks for checking out the recap too!

  3. I love the doodles on those books! I am a huge Marie Lu fan, and I always love looking at the art for her characters before the book even comes out. I hope she comes to central California sometime because I must a doodled on book!

  4. I haven’t read any of Marie Lu’s books yet but I’ve been planning to… since forever ago. I think this will be my chance to read one of her books, hopefully. I;m crossing my fingers. Thanks for the giveaway, Hazel! :)

  5. I haven’t read any Marie Lu books, mainly because i’m not a big fan of dystopian, but after reading your post I might try it someday. The Young Elites sound interesting, but the reviews have been quite a mix, so I’m not so sure.

  6. I haven’t read her books but I was hoping I could go to the signing since I really wanna meet her. Her books are on my top to-read list. Unfortunately, I have something important stuff the same day so I wasn’t able to go. Thanks for this giveaway, anyway. I was hoping someone would throw one. My only chance. XD Great recap! Also love her sketches. Very talented woman. :)

  7. I haven’t read any of her books but it’s on my To-Buy / TBR List. I’m hearing a lot of good feedbacks about it and I envy you for meeting her in person.

  8. I havent yet read any of Marie lu s books, I have been putting it off for years but hopefully I will soon. So glad ypou had such a great time at the signing. Thanks for the giveaway :)

  9. I feel so bad and sad and so upset! I found “Legend” by Marie Lu in the library and read the blurb (I knew it was a book I had read reviews about, because the blurb sounded familiar and duh, Marie Lu!) but I put it back (I’m on a book ban until I finish my TBR) and then today I googled Legend and found out that it was in the famous series that EVERYONE and their mother has read (except for me!)…and the reason I didn’t recognise it was because it was an edition with a different cover! I’m so sad right now, I just want to keep it all to myself…but I have to wait until I finish my darn TBR pile.

  10. This sounds like such a fun event–and how cool that you and all the other bloggers got to ask Marie Lu questions before the signing! I haven’t read any of her work yet, but I’ve heard wonderful things about her Legend trilogy and I’m looking forward to trying it. I also think it’s awesome that she doodled on the hardcovers–so fantastic, I love artsy authors. ;) Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway, Hazel!

  11. Hazel, this is so cool! You always seem to be going to book signings :P I haven’t read anything she’s written yet, but I’ve been meaning to start Legend soon.

  12. I haven’t read any of her books yet, but they have been on my TBR list for the longest time!!! Your recap was great! Usually recaps can be a bit too long, but this was really good :) Your photos are also super nice! And Marie Lu seems like such a nice person! You’re so lucky you met her and got goodies! :)

  13. I’ve read the Legend trilogy, and loved it :) The signing looks like it was such fun, and it’s wonderful that she cares so much for her fans

  14. Too bad I wasn’t able to go. Again. :( Glad you had a great time, though, Hazel! Your blog has been really successful in a span of a year!!! Keep it up! So much love and support for you! :)

  15. Marie Lu’s Legend trilogy is on my top list dystopian series. Totally loved it. I quite expect TYE will be as good as Legend. I was just so unlucky I wasn’t able to go to her book signing event. Life.
    Please read her books ASAP :D You won’t regret! :) Thank you for this giveaway. :)

  16. She instantly became one of my all time fave authors after reading her Legend trilogy, and it is currently my top 1 dystopian series! I’m really keen to read TYE! Thanks for the giveaway.

  17. No. But I heard awesome reviews about them, I just hate how Marie Lu didn’t give her books and visit me. Haha, I actually was interested more in reading once she went here and saw the reactions of people on her. She is also an awesome person! I hope I could dive into her prominent series though.

  18. You guys in Manila are so lucky! It seems like all the cool authors go there! But you’re sweet enough to share it with us so it’s okay! I’ve read Legend but haven’t had a chance to continue the trilogy yet. The Young Elites sounds even better though! Thanks for the opportunity! :)

  19. I loved the Legend series and want to ready this one too! Haven’t had a chance to pick it up yet. Would love to meet her, looks like you had a great time!

  20. I haven’t read anything by Marie Lu yet but The Young Elites is on my winter to read list, and I’m excited to try it! Your photos are really nice, glad you had fun!

  21. I loved Maire Lu’s Legend trilogy so I’m super excited about this book! and she drew her characters on the books of those at this meet up???? thats so cool!!

  22. Wow, great shots and fantastic recap!
    I really enjoyed the Legend trilogy even more cause I was in a dystopia kick when I read it, and now I am in a fantasy kick so this one would be perfect to read!

    Thank you for making the giveaway international!!

  23. I haven’t read any of her books yet, but I really want to. It sounds like the audience asked some really thought-provoking questions. I love signings :)

  24. I haven’t read any books from Marie Lu. But I heard so many good things about this author. I’m really anticipating her dystopian trilogy, Legend. And that signing recap, well you’re so lucky to meet her and have signed your books. And thank you for this giveaway :)

  25. In truth, I haven’t read Marie Lu’s books yet but I really want to if given the chance. Wishin’ I will win your rafflecopter giveaway. Congrats, you’ve personally met Marie Lu :)

  26. I love the plot and characters of Marie Lu’s Legend trilogy. One of my favorite series. I really enjoyed reading this post :D

  27. I loved the Legend series but haven’t been able to pick up The Young Elites yet. So cool that you got to meet her.

  28. You’re so lucky. I never get to meet famous book authors :(
    I haven’t read neither The Young Elites nor the Legend Trilogy but I’ve been eyeing those books. I heard Marie Lu is a great author and I’d love to read her works. :D

  29. I sadly have not yet. I’m hoping the Young Elites will be my first. It sounds like such an interesting read – I love that the main character apparently might be a villain (at least from what I’ve heard about the book!)

  30. I have read her Legend series! OH MY GOSH it’s absolutely one of my favorite series of all times! I love her writing and so when I heard to The Young Elites, I got so excited because I knew it was going to be another good story. Thank you so much for this amazing chance! You are so lucky to have met Marie Lu! I wish she had a signing near me so I can meet her myself as well! :)

  31. I haven’t read any of her books yet but I’m really thinking I am going to need to! Thanks for the great giveaway! :)

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