Acquisition Announcement: David Dalglish’s the VAGRANT GODS trilogy

Fantasy readers rejoice! Orbit has just bought a new trilogy from one of its most prolific authors: David Dalglish. The deal marks Dalglish’s fifteenth book with Orbit. That’s fifteen books filled with action packed battles, palace intrigue, monsters, mayhem, and magic galore!

We are thrilled that this new series will introduce readers to a world unlike any they’ve ever seen before. Filled with otherworldly assassins, dying gods, and false emperors the VAGRANT GODS trilogy is sure to be a favorite with fans of Brent Weeks, RJ Barker, and Scott Lynch.

The Reborn Empire murdered Prince Cyrus’s family. They conquered his nation, killed his goddess, and swept through his kingdom, imprisoning and executing any dissidents. They even tried to kill him. 

 But after faking his death, young Cyrus is smuggled into the care of the crumbling resistance, and offered a chance at revenge. The people need to believe they can win against the overwhelming forces of the empire. Cyrus can be that hope. He can become an assassin and a symbol. Hiding his face behind a skull mask with a silver crown, he can become the vagrant prince unwilling to surrender even beyond death.

 Cyrus won’t fight alone though. Legends will fight at his side. Stasia, a dual-ax wielding berserker. Mari, a god-whisperer who can shapeshift into the form of slain deities. Rayan, loyal paladin and defender of the throne who blames himself for the death of Cyrus’s parents. Arn, a heretical knight betraying the empire to redeem his many sins committed in its name.

 Ax, Lioness, Paladin, Heretic, and Vagrant: these five will be the spark of a new resistance. A new war. One that will go beyond a small, conquered nation, break the hold of an empire, and threaten the eternal life of the God-Emperor himself.

ICYMI: THE JASMINE THRONE by Tasha Suri

On the hunt for a gorgeous fantasy epic featuring powerful, morally grey lesbians; an intense, slow-burn romance; a wild and darkly magical forest; and a stunning exploration of the weight of inheritance and the cost of power? Look no further than THE JASMINE THRONE!

THE JASMINE THRONE is the first in the Burning Kingdoms trilogy by award-winning author Tasha Suri, and it is coming to your nearest bookstore in June 2021. Feast your eyes on the spectacular cover below, first revealed on SciFiNow–and be sure to say hi to Tasha on Twitter @tashadrinkstea after adding it to your preorder list!

Cover design by Lauren Panepinto, Illustration by Micah Epstein

A vengeful princess seeking to steal a throne.

A hidden priestess with ties to a mysterious forest.

Apart, they are dangerous. Together, they will set an empire ablaze.

ICYMI: SON OF THE STORM by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Feast your eyes on the stunning cover for SON OF THE STORM by Suyi Davies Okungbowa, the highly-anticipated first novel in the Nameless Republic trilogy. Inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa, this is an epic tale of violent conquest, buried histories, and forbidden magic. Make sure you head over to io9 to read the excerpt!

Illustration by Dan dos Santos; Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto

In the thriving city of Bassa, Danso is a clever but disillusioned scholar who longs for a life beyond the rigid family and political obligations expected of the city’s elite. A way out presents itself when Lilong, a skin-changing warrior, shows up wounded in his barn. She comes from the Nameless Islands- which, according to Bassa lore, don’t exist- and neither should the mythical magic of ibor she wields.

Now swept into a conspiracy far beyond his understanding, Danso and Lilong will set out on a journey that reveals histories violently suppressed and magic only found in lore.

SON OF THE STORM is out in May 2021. In the meantime, you can connect with Suyi at https://suyidavies.com/ and on Twitter at @IAmSuyiDavies.

 

Acquisition Announcement: THE SUN AND THE VOID by Gabriela Romero Lacruz

We are delighted to have acquired a sweeping debut fantasy from Venezuelan-American writer Gabriela Romero Lacruz. Full of twisted family politics, dark magic, and fantastical beings, THE SUN AND THE VOID transports readers into a lush world inspired by the history and mythology of 1800s South America.

When Reina arrives at Aguila Manor, her heart stolen from her chest, she’s on the verge of death—until her estranged grandmother, a dark sorceress in the Don’s employ, intervenes.  Indebted to a woman she never knew—and smitten with the upper-caste daughter of the house, Celeste—Reina will do to earn – and keep – the family’s favor. Even the bidding of the ancient god who speaks to her from the Manor’s foundations.

With a brilliantly realized magic system, completely fresh world-building, and piercing insights on identity and colonialism, this incredible story is sure to captivate. We can’t wait to share THE SUN AND THE VOID with you—in the meantime, be sure to follow Gabriela on Twitter.

Orbit US Editor Angeline Rodriguez bought North American rights from Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary in a two-book deal.

 

Acquisition Announcement – the Empire of the Wolf trilogy by Richard Swan

As reported in the Bookseller, we are thrilled to announce the acquisition of the Empire of the Wolf trilogy – a superb debut epic fantasy series from British author Richard Swan.

The trilogy centres around Sir Konrad Vonvalt, who enforces the Empire’s laws through sword, spell and sheer force of personality – he’s Geralt of Rivia crossed with C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake. A medieval Judge Dredd, basically. If you think that sounds awesome, well . . . you’d be absolutely right!

Sir Konrad Vonvalt is an Emperor’s Justice – a detective, judge and executioner all in one, tasked with upholding the law. To this end, Vonvalt travels the hinterlands of the Empire of the Wolf, investigating crimes and dispensing justice.

But these are dangerous times for the Empire and the Order of Justices. Heresy is widespread, and a cabal of Imperial politicians is challenging the Order’s authority, desperate to claim its arcane secrets for their own. When Vonvalt investigates the murder of a noblewoman, he finds his authority being challenged like never before. And as he unravels a web of secrets and lies, Vonvalt discovers a plot that might destroy his order once and for all – and bring down the entire Empire. 

We can’t wait for you all to meet Vonvalt and join him on this thrilling adventure, which is full of intrigue, action and magic. The first book in the Empire of the Wolf series will publish in Spring 2022. In the meantime, say hello to Richard on Twitter.

Orbit UK editor James Long pre-emptively acquired world rights from Harry Illingworth at the D H H Literary Agency in a six-figure deal. German rights have already sold to Piper.

 

 

Cover Launch: WILDWOOD WHISPERS by Willa Reece

Discover your next magical read! Willa Reece’s lush debut novel, WILDWOOD WHISPERS, is a beautifully-crafted tale of hope after traumatic loss, folk magic, and the strong, and often healing, bonds between women. Landing at your nearest bookstore in August 2021, check out the gorgeous cover below and make sure to say hi to Willa on Twitter @ReeceWilla.

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover photographs by Mike Heath, Arcangel, Getty Images and Shutterstock

A heartwarming novel of hope, fate, and folk magic unfolds when a young woman travels to a sleepy southern town in the Appalachian Mountains to bury her best friend. 

Mel Smith has always known life isn’t easy. After all, she was abandoned as an infant and raised in foster care. But still, when the only bright spot in her life, her best friend Sarah Ross, unexpectedly dies, it’s a heartbreak unlike any other.

A final promise to lay Sarah to rest in the Ross wildwood garden draws Mel to Morgan’s Gap, a small town nestled in the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains. Yet Morgan’s Gap is more than a land of morning mists and deep forest shadows.

There are secrets that call to Mel, in the gaze of the gnarled and knowing woman everyone calls “Granny,” who seems to have expected her; in a salvaged remedy book filled with healing tinctures and salves; in the strange connection she feels to the Ross homestead and the wilderness around it. In fulfilling her promise, Mel might end up finding home—and remain connected to Sarah—in a way she least expected.

The wildwood is whispering. It has secrets to reveal—if you’re willing to listen…

 

 

 

Cover Launch: FOR THE WOLF by Hannah Whitten

If you’ve been looking for your next lush, folklore-inspired fantasy, look no further—debut author Hannah Whitten has arrived with your new favorite read, FOR THE WOLF, Book One of the Wilderwood. Full of forbidden forests, dark magic, and a mysterious figure more monster than man, For the Wolf will hit shelves in June 2021. Lay eyes on the gorgeously dreamy cover below, and read on for more about the book!

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Illustrations by Arcangel and Shutterstock

The first daughter is for the Throne.

The second daughter is for the Wolf.

As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose- to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he’ll return the world’s captured gods.

Red is almost relieved to go. Plagued by a dangerous power she can’t control, at least she knows that in the Wilderwood, she can’t hurt those she loves. Again.

But the legends lie. The Wolf is a man, not a monster. Her magic is a calling, not a curse. And if she doesn’t learn how to use it, the monsters the gods have become will swallow the Wilderwood -and her world- whole.

For more information watch the replay of the live cover reveal on our Crowdcast channel. 

Cover Launch: THE LIGHT OF THE MIDNIGHT STARS by Rena Rossner

Looking for an immersive fairytale-inspired novel to sweep you off of your feet? Rena Rossner, author of THE SISTERS OF THE WINTER WOOD (US | UK) , returns with a dazzling new book full of magic, history, and Jewish folklore: THE LIGHT OF THE MIDNIGHT STARS. Hitting shelves in April 2021, behold the gorgeous cover and then head over to Hypable to read an excerpt!

Cover Illustration by Tran Nguyen and Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto

Deep in the Hungarian woods, the sacred magic of King Solomon lives on in his descendants. Gathering under the midnight stars, they pray, sing and perform small miracles – and none are more gifted than the great Rabbi Isaac and his three daughters. Each one is blessed with a unique talent – whether it be coaxing plants to grow, or predicting the future by reading the path of the stars.

When a fateful decision to help an outsider ends in an accusation of witchcraft, fire blazes through their village. Rabbi Isaac and his family are forced to flee, to abandon their magic and settle into a new way of life. But a dark fog is making its way across Europe and will, in the end, reach even those who thought they could run from it. Each of the sisters will have to make a choice – and change the future of their family forever.

Previous praise for Rena Rossner

“With luscious and hypnotic prose, Rena Rossner tells a gripping, powerful story of family, sisterhood, and two young women trying to find their way in the world. I gulped it down!”
— Madeline Miller, author of The Song of Achilles and Circe

“Intricately crafted, gorgeously rendered…full of heart, history, and enchantment.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The Sisters of the Winter Wood is a graceful, poetic, deeply moving novel. A simply gorgeous book in every sense.”
— Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

“Rossner’s debut weaves a richly detailed story of Jewish identity and sisterhood… emotionally charged, full of sharp historical detail and well-deployed Yiddish phrases…Ambitious and surprising.”
— Kirkus