'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' film rights aquired by Universal Pictures

Will Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor become the next huge books-to-movies franchise? It took a huge step toward that rarefied status today when Universal Pictures announced that it has acquired worldwide rights to the young adult fantasy novel, EW has learned exclusively.

Taylor’s thrilling, fresh novel — the first in a trilogy — centers on a young blue-haired girl named Karou who encounters unusual creatures and dangerous angels as she travels the world to carry out mysterious errands. EW’s Sara Vilkomerson wrote, “This smartly plotted, surprising, and fiercely compelling read will hook you from its opening pages. … Seriously, cancel all plans once you begin; you won’t want to put it down.” Daughter has made several major year-end lists: It was the sole young adult title in Amazon’s top 10 best books of 2011, and the New York Times named it one of five notable young adult books of the year.

“My goal is always to write stories that readers will want to climb inside of and live in, and which – I hope – will allow them to just lose themselves in the page,” said Taylor in reaction to the acquisition. “It is a hugely thrilling prospect to think about Universal and filmmakers translating my world onscreen and giving it a second life in such a grand way. I’m over the moon.”

The second book in the trilogy is slated for Sept. 2012.

Are you “over the moon” about this news as well? Do you think it’ll make a good movie? I guess it’s not too early to speculate on casting: Who could pull off Karou’s blue hair? Who’s angelic enough to play Akiva? How will they bring the odder-looking characters (like Brimstone) to life?

Follow Stephan on Twitter.