Cover launch: SOMEONE LIKE ME by M. R. Carey

We’re very excited to reveal the cover for a new standalone novel coming from M. R. Carey, author of the million-copy bestselling THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS (UK|US|ANZ).

It’s called SOMEONE LIKE ME and it’s a heart-stopping high-concept thriller with a gripping supernatural twist . . .

SOMEONE LIKE ME book cover by M. R. Carey

SHE LOOKS LIKE ME. SHE SOUNDS LIKE ME.

AND NOW SHE’S TRYING TO TAKE MY PLACE . . .

Liz Kendall wouldn’t hurt a fly. She’s a gentle woman devoted to bringing up her kids in a loving home, no matter how hard times get.

But there’s another side to Liz, one that’s dark and malicious. A version of her that will do anything to get her way – no matter how extreme or violent.

And when this other side of her takes control, the consequences are devastating.

The only way Liz can save herself and her family is if she can find out where this new alter-ego has come from, and how she can stop it.

This book is unlike anything you will have read before . . . imagine Stephen King meets Gone Girl, but with that added touch of M. R. Carey genius and originality! Trust us – you won’t want to miss this. It’s due to be published in late 2018.

And don’t forget – THE BOY ON THE BRIDGE (UK|US|ANZ), the new novel set in the world of THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS releases in paperback next week!

The Girl With All the Gifts   The Boy on the Bridge book cover by M R Carey

Excerpt Reveal: THE DEFIANT HEIR by Melissa Caruso

Did you love THE TETHERED MAGE (US | UK | AUS)? Can’t wait dive back into Amalia and Zaira’s world?

I couldn’t either. So this winter, I traveled to Venice—which is almost as magical as Raverra—and brought along some props to help me truly enjoy the view.

 

As I explored the narrow, winding streets of the city, I could imagine stumbling upon Zaira bursting into flame or spotting Amalia floating past in a stately Cornaro gondola. Touring the Doge’s palace, I almost expected to overhear La Contessa negotiating consequential matters of state. The experience was a testament to both the enduring grandeur of Venice and the descriptive power of Melissa Caruso’s prose.

If you haven’t picked up THE TETHERED MAGE, what are you waiting for? And if you’re looking forward to returning to Raverra, THE DEFIANT HEIR is now available for preorder:

US: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Google Play | iBooks | Indiebound | Kobo | Chapters

UK: Amazon | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Waterstones | More Stores

To tide you over until your copy of THE DEFIANT HEIR arrives, here’s a sneak preview!

BLOOD OF ASSASSINS and a mystery worthy of Girton Club-Foot himself

RJ Barker’s Wounded Kingdom series begins with apprentice assassin Girton Club-Foot and his master attempting to discover the identity of a rival assassin.

BLOOD OF ASSASSINS, the second book in the trilogy, is out this week, and RJ has been investigating a mystery worthy of Girton himself – who IS that assassin on the cover? In the tweets below, RJ thinks he has the answer…

What do you think, has he solved it?

We hope you’re as excited for the release of BLOOD OF ASSASSINS as we are! And if you haven’t read AGE OF ASSASSINS yet, perhaps some of these lovely people can persuade you?

‘RJ Barker is a singular sensational new voice in epic fantasy’ Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

‘A breath of fresh air’ Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant

‘Outstanding’ James Islington

‘Simply unputdownable’ Fantasy Book Review

‘Hugely enjoyable’ Jen Williams

‘Addictive’ Bibliosanctum

‘As sharp as any blade’ Jon Skovron

‘Steel-sparking action’ Chris Brookmyre

‘I can’t wait for more!’ Melissa Caruso

Acquisition Announcement: Orbit announces the publication of original Culture drawings from the Estate of Iain M. Banks.

Original drawings by Iain M. Banks, author of the hugely popular Culture novels, will be included in a book that celebrates the author’s vision of the Culture universe. The previously unseen drawings, most of which are annotated by the author, and many of which predate the writing of the novels themselves, will be curated by the Estate of Iain M. Banks and Iain’s life-long friend and science fiction writer Ken MacLeod. With additional commentary by MacLeod, further notes on the Culture, and extracts from the Culture novels, the book will provide a unique insight into the Culture, including its history, language, technology, philosophy and values.

Orbit acquired world rights through literary agent Mic Cheetham and will publish in 2019 with simultaneous publication in the UK and US.

We’re thrilled that the Estate has given us permission to publish the collection, and that owing to special circumstances Ken MacLeod has agreed to join the team working on it.

Cover Launch: ANNEX by Rich Larson

ANNEX, the first book in Rich Larson’s debut series, is out July 24th. This stunning science fiction novel, about a young transgender girl who fights to take back her city from alien invaders, has an equally stunning cover.

Click here to see the full cover in B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog’s exclusive coverage—and watch a video of the cover being painted!

Artwork by Gregory Manchess; Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

Claire North’s 84K Optioned For Major International TV Series

Sound the ‘awesome news’ siren! We’re thrilled to confirm that Claire North’s astounding new novel 84K has been optioned for television by Tall Story Pictures.

The full press release is below. We publish 84K in hardback, trade format, ebook and audio on 24th May.

Rights for the award-winning Claire North’s new novel, 84K, have been optioned by Tall Story Pictures, an ITV Studios production company who plan to develop it as a major international television drama series.

Described by writer and activist Cory Doctorow as ‘an extraordinary novel that stands with the best of dystopian fiction, from 1984 to The Chrysalids, with dashes of The Handmaid’s Tale’, 84K [UK/US/ANZ] is a speculative fiction tale in which people’s lives are assigned a monetary value, based on how ‘useful’ they are deemed to society.

Claire North is a pseudonym for the author Catherine Webb, who wrote her first published novel when she was just fourteen years old. Her first book under the Claire North name was the word-of-mouth bestseller The First Fifteen lives of Harry August [UK/US/ANZ] – a Richard and Judy, Radio 2 and Waterstones book club title. Rights in Harry August are already under option with Blueprint pictures, the production team behind the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – winner of four Golden Globes and nominee in seven Oscar categories this year.

This rights deal news follows multiple accolades for Claire North over the past year, including her being shortlisted for the Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer of the Year Award for her novel The End of the Day [UK/US/ANZ], and winning the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel for The Sudden Appearance of Hope [UK/US/ANZ].

 

Cover Launch: THE GAME OF LUCK by Catherine Cerveny

Catherine Cerveny’s racy science fiction adventure series concludes with the third and final novel, THE GAME OF LUCK, this September. Here’s an early look at its gorgeous cover!

The Game of Luck, cover design: Lisa Marie Pompilio, artwork: Arcangel and Shutterstock

The perfect society One Gov engineered from Earth’s ashes is beginning to crumble. As social unrest and dissatisfaction spread throughout the tri-system, One Gov struggles to maintain order, and a single misstep could see civilization spiraling into chaos.

During this dark time, Felicia Sevigny is eager to use her card-reading ability and new position with One Gov to help restore peace. But she soon learns that the game of politics is a dangerous one, and being married to Alexei Petriv, head of the Tsarist Consortium and One Gov’s biggest rival, is not necessarily a hand in her favor.

When members of her family begin to disappear, the stakes skyrocket. There are those who would stop at nothing for the chance to exploit Felicia’s luck gene to seize power all over the tri-system. And as the threat of revolution seems imminent, it may be that this time, nothing will be enough to keep Felicia and everyone she loves safe-not even luck. 

Haven’t read this thrilling SF series yet? Go check out The Rule of Luck and The Chaos of Luck!

  

Praise for the Felicia Sevigny series:

“Fans of romance in science fiction are going to love this!” —Kim Harrison, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Nora Roberts meets Neal Stephenson—and is certain to satisfy audiences of both genres.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Cerveny’s debut blends steamy sci-fi with breathless intrigue and action, all set on a far-future Earth that’s equal parts fascinating and terrifying.” —Beth Cato, author of The Clockwork Dagger and Breath of Earth

“A compelling and intriguing read built on a fascinating premise. Cerveny’s future world is richly drawn, and Felicia’s and Alexei’s adventure is definitely an edge-of-your-seat ride.” —Linnea Sinclair, award-winning author of the Dock Five Universe series

“The perfect blend of futuristic intrigue, engrossing action, and passionate romance in a riveting adventure that will leave you hungry for more. Intensely absorbing. Emotionally satisfying.” —Amanda Bouchet, author of the Kingmaker Chronicles

“A fresh heroine pairs with a dangerous hero to confront nuanced and compelling ethical dilemmas… fast-paced, tightly plotted.” —RT Book Reviews 

“Sexy science fiction romance…. will entirely satisfy fans of pulpy SF.” —Publishers Weekly

Cover Launch: THERE BEFORE THE CHAOS by K. B. Wagers

THERE BEFORE THE CHAOS, the first installment of the Farian War trilogy by K. B. Wagers, will publish in October. In the meantime, here’s an early preview of the cover, designed by Lauren Panepinto, with amazing art by Stephan Martiniere!

A galactic conflict between two alien empires threatens to engulf all of humanity. What’s a newly-crowned empress to do? If you’re Hail Bristol—ex-gunrunner, current Empress of Indrana, perennial firebrand—you undertake that most sensitive of diplomatic interventions yourself. But in the depths of space, nothing goes according to plan…

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Art by Stephan Martiniere

2018 Audie Awards Finalists

We’re thrilled to announce three Orbit audio books made it to the finals of the 2018 Audie Awards!

Best Female Narrator
THE STONE SKY by N.K. Jemisin (US), Read by Robin Miles

Science Fiction
PROVENANCE by Ann Leckie (US | UK), Read by Adjoa Andoh
THE STONE SKY by N.K. Jemisin (US), Read by Robin Miles
NEW YORK 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson (US | UK), Read by Suzanne Toren, Robin Miles, Peter Ganim, Jay Snyder, Caitlin Kelly, Michael Crouch, Ryan Vincent Anderson, Christopher Ryan Grant, and Robert Blumenfeld

The winners will be announced at the Audie Awards Gala on May 31st.

Congratulations to our authors, Hachette Audio, and the rest of the nominees!

Listen to samples of our nominated audiobooks:

Listen to THE STONE SKY here.

Listen to NEW YORK 2140 here.

Listen to PROVENANCE here.

Cover Launch: The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides

When a master thief is the only option, the world has gone terribly awry…

Ardor Benn is no ordinary thief. Rakish, ambitious, and master of wildly complex heists, he styles himself a Ruse Artist Extraordinaire.

When he’s hired for his most daring ruse yet, Ardor knows he’ll need more than quick wit and sleight of hand. Assembling a team of forgers, disguisers, schemers, and thieves, he sets out to steal from the most powerful king the realm has ever known.

But it soon becomes clear there’s more at stake than fame and glory – Ard and his team might just be the last hope for human civilization.

If you’re a fan of upbeat, fun, action-packed fantasy then this is undoubtedly the book for you. Tyler Whitesides’ fantasy debut, THE THOUSAND DEATHS OF ARDOR BENN (US | UK | AU), is the first in a brand new series, and publishes May 15th.

We can’t wait to introduce you to Ardor Benn in May. But for now, check out Ard being appropriately roguish in the awesome cover below. Artwork by Tommy Arnold. Design by Lauren Panepinto.

The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn