Allen Zadoff's Blog, page 2
April 16, 2014
This is an interview I did.
Do you want to read
an interview
I did for the Pasadena Teen Book Festival? It's short and to the point. I talk about why it took me so long to start writing. The answer: because I was afraid. I also say I eat cronuts because it sounded like a funny thing to say, but it you know me or know my work (Hungry), you know I don't eat cronuts or anything like them. But if I go crazy some day and start eating desserts, I might eat one. If they still exist.The interview.
Pasadena Teen Book Festival April 26, 2014
This is going to be a crazy amount of fun. So come and join us in Pasadena, CA. I could tell you about all the panels and signings by more than two dozen authors--but instead I will release you on your own recognizance to go and
explore the website
.Okay, I'll tell you a few people. Andrew Smith is giving the keynote. You'll also meet and hear authors like Aaron Hartzler, Kristen Kittscher, Gretchen McNeil, Lissa Price, Amy Spalding, Margaret Stohl, Lisa Yee, and Allen Zadoff, et al.
April 15, 2014
I AM THE WEAPON Paperback coming May 13 in the U.S.
I AM THE WEAPON (formerly published as Boy Nobody) is coming in paperback May 13 in the U.S. It's book #1 in The Unknown Assassin Series. If you're new to the series, this is the place to start. And I'd be very grateful if you would consider pre-ordering it:In the U.S.
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
iTunes
Indiebound
March 3, 2014
Boy Nobody becomes The Unknown Assassin
Just as Boy Nobody changes identities with each mission, the series is changing identities as well. It will now be called THE UNKNOWN ASSASSIN. And the first book, originally published as Boy Nobody, will now be called I AM THE WEAPON.
Read more at my website .
Read more at my website .
January 7, 2014
Boy Nobody Top Ten List Roundup
I'm excited and proud to see Boy Nobody appear on so many year end lists. Check out the links below (with more to come). I guarantee you will discover many amazing blogs, authors, and books you might not have heard about.
Fantasy Book Critic
Boy Nobody is one of those rare YA books that was a thriller and a YA story. It managed to showcase themes of alienism, identity, and family in a compelling thrilling story. Allen Zadoff conveniently gives us an unnamed narrator who is re-discovering himself as the readers discover more about him as well. A highly addictive read and possibly one of the best series openers.
Bookworm Blues
This book hasn’t received the attention it deserves. This is a young adult book with very, very little speculative fiction in it, if any at all. However, the book itself is absolutely riveting. Boy Nobody tells the story of an anonymous young man who has been trained to be an assassin, and Zadoff really, really makes it real. In fact, most of the book is spent with the reader not knowing the protagonist’s name. He truly is anonymous, moving from one city to the next, contacting his “mother” and “father” though you never really see them as he gets his mission orders. If you are interested in the plight of the child soldier, and you want to think about some other deep things as well (like identity, independence, etc.) then you really need to pick this book up. It is young adult, but it was one of the most moving, thought provoking, deep, engrossing novels I’ve read all year.
60SecondRecap
Boy Nobody offers plenty of action and suspense—but also a surprisingly good dose of metaphor. Benjamin is a teen assassin—a product of The Program, which taught him to kill and disappear. No mess. No questions. Until now. Read this book for the fun and the thrills—or for the coming-of-age narrative, which really resonates. Bonus: The next book in the Boy Nobody franchise is due out in 2014!
Liza Weimer's WhoRUblog
Best YA Novel for Reluctant Readers: BOY NOBODY by Allen Zadoff
Oops I Read a Book Again
Seriously guys, this book is KICKASS. If you haven't read it, you are definitely missing out. The pure adrenaline this action-thriller gave me left me hounding Allen Zadoff repeatedly for the sequel. It is SOOOO good, guys. SOOOOO GOOOOOOD.
"Thrilling, gripping, compelling and at times heart-tugging, Boy Nobody is a book you won't be able to put down."
Swoony Boys Podcast
We have to start by saying that we had so much fun interviewing and meeting Allen Zadoff this year. He’s not just a great writer, he’s also a great (and hilarious!) person. We loved the characters (Ben ♥), the storyline, and the gadgets. This is one we are dying to see on the big screen. Until that happens, we’ll be not so patiently waiting for The Lost Mission (Boy Nobody #2).
George Lester Blog
One of my most talked about books of 2013 (that is to say, I wouldn’t shut up about it!). It is a must for fans of fast paced action books in YA, like Alex Rider, Robert Muchamore, Young Bond etc.
It follows the story of Boy Nobody, a young man whose job it is to infiltrate a particular place, kill someone and vanish without a trace. In this first book, the main character has to do this in New York finding a way into a New York school and into the pocket of the Mayor’s daughter so he can kill the Mayor. But things get in the way. His feelings for Sam (the girl) and his conscious, whether or not this is still the right thing to do.
Boy Nobody is one of those rare YA books that was a thriller and a YA story. It managed to showcase themes of alienism, identity, and family in a compelling thrilling story. Allen Zadoff conveniently gives us an unnamed narrator who is re-discovering himself as the readers discover more about him as well. A highly addictive read and possibly one of the best series openers.
Bookworm Blues
This book hasn’t received the attention it deserves. This is a young adult book with very, very little speculative fiction in it, if any at all. However, the book itself is absolutely riveting. Boy Nobody tells the story of an anonymous young man who has been trained to be an assassin, and Zadoff really, really makes it real. In fact, most of the book is spent with the reader not knowing the protagonist’s name. He truly is anonymous, moving from one city to the next, contacting his “mother” and “father” though you never really see them as he gets his mission orders. If you are interested in the plight of the child soldier, and you want to think about some other deep things as well (like identity, independence, etc.) then you really need to pick this book up. It is young adult, but it was one of the most moving, thought provoking, deep, engrossing novels I’ve read all year.
60SecondRecap
Boy Nobody offers plenty of action and suspense—but also a surprisingly good dose of metaphor. Benjamin is a teen assassin—a product of The Program, which taught him to kill and disappear. No mess. No questions. Until now. Read this book for the fun and the thrills—or for the coming-of-age narrative, which really resonates. Bonus: The next book in the Boy Nobody franchise is due out in 2014!
Liza Weimer's WhoRUblog
Best YA Novel for Reluctant Readers: BOY NOBODY by Allen Zadoff
Oops I Read a Book Again
Seriously guys, this book is KICKASS. If you haven't read it, you are definitely missing out. The pure adrenaline this action-thriller gave me left me hounding Allen Zadoff repeatedly for the sequel. It is SOOOO good, guys. SOOOOO GOOOOOOD.
"Thrilling, gripping, compelling and at times heart-tugging, Boy Nobody is a book you won't be able to put down."
Swoony Boys Podcast
We have to start by saying that we had so much fun interviewing and meeting Allen Zadoff this year. He’s not just a great writer, he’s also a great (and hilarious!) person. We loved the characters (Ben ♥), the storyline, and the gadgets. This is one we are dying to see on the big screen. Until that happens, we’ll be not so patiently waiting for The Lost Mission (Boy Nobody #2).
George Lester Blog
One of my most talked about books of 2013 (that is to say, I wouldn’t shut up about it!). It is a must for fans of fast paced action books in YA, like Alex Rider, Robert Muchamore, Young Bond etc.
It follows the story of Boy Nobody, a young man whose job it is to infiltrate a particular place, kill someone and vanish without a trace. In this first book, the main character has to do this in New York finding a way into a New York school and into the pocket of the Mayor’s daughter so he can kill the Mayor. But things get in the way. His feelings for Sam (the girl) and his conscious, whether or not this is still the right thing to do.
December 17, 2013
#BoyNobody Holiday Sale: e-Book is $3.99 or less!
If you've been waiting to pull the trigger (pun intended) on my thriller Boy Nobody, I have great news. The e-book is on sale in the U.S. for a few weeks--a gift for the holidays. So go and grab one and let me know what you think when you're done.Amazon Kindle Book - $3.79
B&N Nook Book -3.99
Indiebound (Find your local indie store) Kobo Book - $3.99
-Other links added as they become available-
October 31, 2013
#BoyNobody at the Vegas Valley Book Festival
Come and meet Boy Nobody at the Vegas Valley Book Festival on Saturday, Nov. 2!SECRETS, SERIAL KILLERS AND SURPRISE ENDINGS
with Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Kate Brian, Debra Driza, Michelle Gagnon, Jessie Humphries, J.R. Johansson, Gretchen McNeil, Allen Zadoff and Brei Wilson
Time
Saturday Nov. 2
11:15am
Event Address
Fifth Street School, YA Tent Two
401 S. Fourth St. Las Vegas, NV 89101
September 23, 2013
Boy Nobody Back to School Blog TOur Begins!
From the blog:"Today marks the first day of the Back to School Blog Tour for Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff. I read Boy Nobody last month, and I was blown away by this story of a teenage assassin. The story took so many twists and turns, and the ending left me completely shocked. You can check out my review here. I had some burning questions I wanted Allen to answer, and you can see that interview below, along with an excerpt of Boy Nobody. And the best part? Allen is giving away 3 copies of Boy Nobody to U.S. readers."
Read more at the Inspiring Insomnia Blog.
September 10, 2013
#BoyNobody in The Netherlands
[AZ on the big screen in Amsterdam.] Clavis publishing has released the
Dutch version
of Boy Nobody, and I was there. Sort of. I was actually at home sitting in my office at 8am in the morning, but through the magic of Skype, I was also appearing at a
livestream launch event
in a theater in Amsterdam with reporters, photographers, and some lucky teens who won a contest to attend the event with their parents. I got to answer questions and meet people for over an hour. It was a lot of fun. Thank you, Clavis Uitgeverij!
September 8, 2013
#BoyNobody debuts in Germany
I'm pleased to announce that "Boy Nobody: Ich bin dein Freund. Ich bin dien Mörder." is now available in Germany from my friends at bloomoon, and imprint of publisher arsEdition.Check out the cool German site (and Boy Nobody challenge) at www.boynobody.de.
