In this exhilarating, moving new work, Guy Gavriel Kay casts brilliant light on the ways in which history—whether of a culture or a family—refuses to be buried.

Ned Marriner, fifteen years old, has accompanied his photographer father to Provence for a six-week “shoot” of images for a glossy coffee-table book. Gradually, Ned discovers a very old story playing itself out in this modern world of iPods, cellphones, and seven-seater vans whipping along roads walked by Celtic tribes and the Roman Legions.

On one holy, haunted night of the ancient year, when the borders between the living and the dead are down and fires are lit upon the hills, Ned, his family, and his friends, are shockingly drawn into this tale, as dangerous, mythic figures from conflicts of long ago erupt into the present, claiming and changing lives.

"Blending historical fantasy and psychological thriller with a paranormal-powered coming-of-age tale, Ysabel will not only appeal to adult fantasy readers but also to adolescents who have enjoyed authors that feature compelling teen protagonists—such as J. K. Rowling and Christopher Paolini."
—Barnesandnoble.com

"Ysabel has, by far, the most engaging dialogue I’ve ever come across. There’s wit and humor and honesty and emotion in it, each character acting their age and showing it by simply how they talk."
"...it could’ve been by Dan Brown (though written a lot better)..."
"...captivating, fun, intense, and all around a great and original adventure brimming with fun characters that come just as alive as the history they unravel does. Buy it the day it comes out. Really. I insist."
—www.fantasybookspot.com

"Ysabel brings a touch of the otherworldliness to present-day France."
"...a powerful, engrossing read, which will satisfy Kay’s many fans and newcomers alike."
—Quill and Quire

For Immediate Release

Online charity auction of new Guy Gavriel Kay novel amasses final bid of over $500

Toronto – February 05, 2007 To celebrate the launch of Ysabel, Guy Gavriel Kay's much anticipated new novel, Penguin Group (Canada) announced earlier this month that the first book off the press, autographed by the author, was up for bids on Ebay.com. Signed and verified by the publisher, it included a product identification slip and letter from the printing press identifying the book as the first copy printed in Canada. The auction wrapped up at a whopping CDN $571.91 (US $485.00), submitted by Neil Negandhi of Toronto.

In an unusual coincidence, Negandhi, a long time fan, had also previously won an auction of the first copy/first edition of Kay's Lord of Emperors in 2000. “GGK's lyrical prose immediately set him apart from other contemporary fantasy authors for me,” he raved.

Kay, Penguin Canada and Indigo will each match the winning bid for a final sum of CDN $2287.64 (US $1,932.45) and all proceeds from the auction will be donated to Indigo Books & Music, Inc.'s Love of Reading Fund. The fund directly supports high-needs elementary school literacy programs across Canada. “This is another great way to ensure the future of our country by enriching the grown-ups of tomorrow,” said Sorya Ingrid Gaulin, Vice President, Public Relations and Corporate Giving for Indigo.

In December, Penguin Group (Canada) launched www.ysabel.ca, a website dedicated entirely to Kay's new novel, and featuring an array of stunning photography as well as teaser excerpts, book synopsis, Canadian tour information, author interviews, a blog, and a feature page of Kay's bestselling past works. With a nod to his massive online fanbase, the site also invites readers to submit Ysabel-inspired art and other multimedia.

Ysabel is an exhilarating, moving work in which Kay casts brilliant light on the ways in which history – whether of a culture or a family – refuses to be buried. Ned Marriner, fifteen years old, has accompanied his photographer father to Provence for a six-week “shoot” of images for a glossy coffee-table book. On one holy, haunted night of the ancient year, when the borders between the living and the dead are down and fires are lit upon the hills, Ned, his family, and his friends, are shockingly drawn into this tale, as dangerous, mythic figures from conflicts of long ago erupt into the present, claiming and changing lives.Ysabel is currently available in Canada, and goes on-sale in the US on February 6, and in the UK on March 5.

Guy Gavriel Kay is the author of nine previous novels and an acclaimed collection of poetry, Beyond This Dark House. His work has been translated into twenty-two languages and has sold over two million copies worldwide. Kay has twice won the Aurora Award, is a three-time World Fantasy Award nominee, and is the recipient of the International Goliardos Award for his contributions to the literature of the fantastic. He is currently writing the screenplay for the second of his novels in development for film. Last Light of the Sun has been optioned by Chartoff Productions and Ravinett Productions.

Founded in 1974 as a distribution company for Penguin books from all over the world, Penguin Group (Canada) began publishing Canadian and international titles in 1977, and quickly became known as one of Canada's pre-eminent publishers of literary, thought-provoking fiction, and non-fiction.

– 30 –

For further information or to arrange an interview: Tina Sequeira, Web & Marketing Associate, or Lia Lyons, Publicist, at Penguin Group (Canada), Tel: (416) 925-2249, Email: tina.sequeira@ca.penguingroup.com/lia.lyons@ca.penguingroup.com

Online Charity Auction of autographed first copy of new Guy Gavriel Kay novel

Toronto – January 8, 2007 To celebrate the launch of Ysabel, Guy Gavriel Kay's much anticipated new novel, Penguin Group (Canada) announced today that the first book off the press, autographed by the author, will be auctioned on Ebay.com. Signed and verified by the publisher, this first copy includes a product identification slip and letter from the printing press identifying the book as the first copy printed in Canada.

Ysabel will go on-sale in Canada on January 10, in the US on February 6, and in the UK on March 5. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Indigo Books & Music, Inc.'s Love of Reading Fund. The fund directly supports high-needs elementary school literacy programs across Canada. “This is another great way to ensure the future of our country by enriching the grown-ups of tomorrow.” said Sorya Ingrid Gaulin, Vice President, Public Relations and Corporate Giving for Indigo. The auction starts on Monday, January 8, running for ten days (until Wednesday, January 17) and is accessible at http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290069862340.

In December, Penguin Group (Canada) launched www.ysabel.ca, a website dedicated entirely to Kay's new novel, and featuring an array of stunning photography as well as teaser excerpts, book synopsis, Canadian tour information, author interviews, a blog, and a feature page of Kay's bestselling past works. With a nod to his massive online fanbase, the site also invites readers to submit Ysabel-inspired art and other multimedia.

Guy Gavriel Kay is the author of nine previous novels and an acclaimed collection of poetry, Beyond This Dark House. His work has been translated into twenty-two languages and has sold over two million copies worldwide. Kay has twice won the Aurora Award, is a three-time World Fantasy Award nominee, and is the recipient of the International Goliardos Award for his contributions to the literature of the fantastic. He is currently writing the screenplay for the second of his novels in development for film. Last Light of the Sun has been optioned by Chartoff Productions and Ravinett Productions.

Ysabel is an exhilarating, moving work in which Kay casts brilliant light on the ways in which history – whether of a culture or a family – refuses to be buried. Ned Marriner, fifteen years old, has accompanied his photographer father to Provence for a six-week “shoot” of images for a glossy coffee-table book. On one holy, haunted night of the ancient year, when the borders between the living and the dead are down and fires are lit upon the hills, Ned, his family, and his friends, are shockingly drawn into this tale, as dangerous, mythic figures from conflicts of long ago erupt into the present, claiming and changing lives.

Founded in 1974 as a distribution company for Penguin books from all over the world, Penguin Group (Canada) began publishing Canadian and international titles in 1977, and quickly became known as one of Canada's pre-eminent publishers of literary, thought-provoking fiction, and non-fiction.

– 30 –

For further information or to arrange an interview: Tina Sequeira or Lia Lyons at Penguin Group (Canada), Tel: (416) 925-2249, Email: tina.sequeira@ca.penguingroup.com/lia.lyons@ca.penguingroup.com