Archive for Orbit UK

Orbit Pride Virtual Events

Join us for Orbit Pride from June 23rd-June 26th, presented with queer SFF bookstores Tubby & Coo’s and Portal Bookshop! We’ll have SIX virtual panels featuring twelve of our fantastic authors. Register for one (or all!) of our events coming later this month below!

 

Thursday, June 23, 8pm BST / 3pm EDT:
Tara Sim & M.A. Carrick 

Register here

 

Friday, June 24, 7pm BST / 2pm EDT:
Alex White & K.B. Wagers

Register here

 

Saturday, June 25, 12pm BST / 7am EDT:
Tasha Suri, Mike Brooks, & Davinia Evans

Register here

 

Saturday, June 25, 3pm BST / 10am EDT:
C.L. Clark & Francesca May

Register here

 

Sunday, June 26, 3pm BST / 10am EDT:
Everina Maxwell & Emery Robin

Register here

 

Sunday, June 26, 5pm BST / 12pm EDT:
S.T. Gibson

Register here

Acquisition Announcement: These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs

Bethany Jacobs
Photo: Mary Ganster

A dangerous cat-and-mouse quest for revenge. An empire that spans star systems, built on the bones of a genocide. A carefully hidden secret that could collapse worlds, hunted by three women with secrets of their own. Orbit is over the moon (and among the stars) excited to announce the acquisition of These Burning Stars, Bethany Jacobs’ twisty, explosive space opera debut! The first book in a trilogy that will grab you by the throat and invert your expectations, These Burning Stars is coming to shelves in Summer 2023.

Orbit US senior editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired World English rights from Bridget Smith at JABberwocky Literary Agency. Orbit UK commissioning editor Emily Byron has secured UK rights. Learn more about These Burning Stars below, and follow author Bethany Jacobs on Twitter for further updates: @BethanyGJacobs!

 

 Jun Ironway—hacker, con artist, and occasional thief—has gotten her hands on a piece of contraband that could set her up for life: a video that implicates the powerful Nightfoot family in a planet-wide genocide seventy-five years ago. The Nightfoots control the precious sevite that fuels interplanetary travel through three star systems. And someone is sure to pay handsomely for anything that could break their hold.

Of course, anything valuable is also dangerous. The Kindom, the ruling power of the star systems, is inextricably tied up in the Nightfoots’ monopoly—and they can’t afford to let Jun expose the truth. They task two of their most brutal clerics with hunting her down: preternaturally stoic Chono, and brilliant hothead Esek, who also happens to be the heir to the Nightfoot empire.

But Chono and Esek are haunted in turn by a figure from their shared past, known only as Six. What Six truly wants is anyone’s guess. And the closer they get to finding Jun, the surer Chono is that Six is manipulating them all—and that they are heading for a bloody confrontation that no one will survive unscathed. 

 

Bethany Jacobs is a former college instructor of writing and science fiction, who made the leap to education technology and now teaches tech heads how to write. She lives in Buffalo, New York with her wife and her dog and her books. These Burning Stars is her debut novel.

 

Cover launch: The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

In this lush, romantic new epic fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten, a young woman’s secret power to raise the dead plunges her into the dangerous and glamorous world of the Sainted King’s royal court.

The Foxglove King arrives next March and we are so excited to share the first look at the cover with you. Add it now on Goodreads!

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Illustration by Mike Heath

Cover launch: The Magician’s Daughter by H. G. Parry

A young woman raised on an isolated island by a magician discovers things aren’t as they seem and must venture into early 1900s England to return magic to the world in this lush and lyrical historical fantasy.

Take a first look at the cover for The Magician’s Daughter by H. G. Parry coming next February (US | UK)!

The Magician's Daughter by H. G. Parry

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

Acquisition Announcement: the Soulfire Saga by Matthew Ward

Orbit is delighted to announce the acquisition of a new epic fantasy series from Matthew Ward, author of LEGACY OF ASH and the wider Legacy Trilogy, which was described as ‘epic fantasy as it should be; big, bold and very addictive’ by Starburst magazine.

Ward’s upcoming Soulfire Saga introduces us to a brand-new world ruled by an immortal king, where souls fuel magic, and a supernatural mist known as the Veil threatens to engulf the land.

Here’s a little taste of what to expect . . .

 

These are dark times for the Kingdom of Khalad. As the magical mists of the Veil devour the land, the populace struggles beneath the rule of ruthless noble houses and their uncaring immortal king.

Kat doesn’t care about any of that. A talented thief, she’s pursuing one big score that will settle the debt that destroyed her family. No easy feat in a realm where indentured spirits hold vigil over every vault and treasure room. However, Kat has a unique gift: she can speak to those spirits, and even command them. She’ll need every advantage she can get.

Kat’s not a hero. She just wants to be free. To have her old life back. But as rebellion rekindles and the war for Khalad’s future begins, everyone – Kat included – will have to pick a side.

 

The first book in the Soulfire Saga will be published in August ‘23. Orbit UK Commissioning Editor James Long acquired World rights from John Jarrold at the John Jarrold Literary Agency. Orbit US Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan has secured US rights.

 

Praise for Matthew Ward:

‘Hugely entertaining’ John Gwynne

‘Epic fantasy as it should be; big, bold and very addictive’ Starburst

‘Expertly wrought . . . a vigorous, bravura saga’ Publishers Weekly (starred review)

‘A brilliantly realised setting’ SFFWorld

‘Incredible action scenes’ Fantasy Hive

‘Magnificent and epic’ Grimdark magazine

 

Cover launch: The Ivory Tomb by Melissa Caruso

By blood the Door was opened and only by blood will the Dark Days end. 

Melissa Caruso’s wildly original fantasy series, Rooks and Ruin, comes to an epic conclusion in The Ivory Tomb, out this December (US | UK link to come)! Check out its sleek cover below, and pick up book one, The Obsidian Tower (US | UK), and book two, The Quicksilver Court (US | UK) if you haven’t already.

Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Illustration by Peter Bollinger

 

Cover launch: The Stars Undying by Emery Robin

We’re thrilled to reveal the stunning cover for The Stars Undying by Emery Robin, a spectacular space opera debut perfect for readers of Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice and Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire, inspired by the lives and loves of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Coming November 2022. Pre-order your copy now: US | UK link to come.

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Marc Simonetti

 

Princess Altagracia has lost everything. After a bloody civil war, her twin sister has claimed not just the crown of their planet Szayet but the Pearl of its prophecy, a computer that contains the immortal soul of Szayet’s god. Stripped of her birthright, Gracia flees the planet—just as Matheus Ceirran, Commander of the interstellar Empire of Ceiao, arrives in deadly pursuit with his volatile lieutenant, Anita. When Gracia and Ceirran’s paths collide, Gracia sees an opportunity to win back her planet, her god, and her throne…if she can win the Commander and his right-hand officer over first.

But talking her way into Ceirran’s good graces, and his bed, is only the beginning. Dealing with the most powerful man in the galaxy is almost as dangerous as war, and Gracia is quickly torn between an alliance that fast becomes more than political and the wishes of the god—or machine—that whispers in her ear. For Szayet’s sake, and her own, Gracia will need to become more than a princess with a silver tongue. She will have to become a queen as history has never seen before—even if it breaks an empire.

ICYMI Cover launch: Notorious Sorcerer

Check out the gorgeous cover for Notorious Sorcerer by Davinia Evans, as launched last week by Fantasy Cafe! In a city filled with dangerous yet heavily regulated alchemical magic, a man from the slums discovers he may be its only hope to survive certain destruction in this wickedly entertaining fantasy debut—out this September. Pre-order your copy today (US | UK) and head over to Fantasy Cafe to read a guest post by the author on the inspirations behind her debut.

Cover Silhouette Illustration by Andrew Broyzna; Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

 

Ever since the city of Bezim was shaken half into the sea by a magical earthquake, the Inquisitors have policed alchemy with brutal efficiency. Nothing too powerful, too complicated, too much like real magic is allowed–and the careful science that’s left is kept too expensive for any but the rich and indolent to tinker with. Siyon Velo, a glorified errand boy scraping together lesson money from a little inter-planar fetch and carry, doesn’t qualify.

But when Siyon accidentally commits a public act of impossible magic, he’s catapulted into the limelight. Except the limelight is a bad place to be when the planes themselves start lurching out of alignment, threatening to send the rest of the city into the sea.

Now Siyon, a dockside brat who clawed his way up and proved himself on rooftops with saber in hand, might be Bezim’s only hope. Because if they don’t fix the cascading failures of magic in their plane, the Powers and their armies in the other three will do it for them.

Acquisition announcement: Warmongers by C. L. Clark

Orbit is excited to announce that we’ve acquired a standalone fantasy novel from C. L. Clark, the author of Nebula-award finalist and breakout success, The Unbroken! If you love heart-stopping battles for the souls of nations, complicated queer romances, and bold, brilliant examinations of war, warriors, loyalty and vengeance, then Warmongers is for you.

In this heart-wrenching epic fantasy set in a kingdom in a cycle of eternal war, two women—once lovers and warriors at arms—are set on a collision course when years after their separation, one is crowned king and the other vows to kill her.

You can follow the author on Twitter @C_L_Clark . And, if you just can’t wait to get your hands on C. L. Clark’s work, make sure to check out The Unbroken (US | UK) and get ready for the sequel The Faithless.

Acquisition announcement: The Combat Codes

We are ecstatic to announce that we’ve acquired debut author Alexander Darwin’s action-packed, science fiction trilogy, The Combat Codes. The first book in the trilogy, The Combat Codes, is set in a world where the fate of nations is determined by battle-hardened warriors who are trained to represent their nations’ interests in brutal hand-to-hand single combat.

 

Murray Pearson was once a famed warrior until he suffered a loss that crippled his nation — but now he’s on the hunt to find and train the next champion.

In underground and ruthless combat rings, an orphaned boy called Cego is making a name for himself. Murray believes Cego has what it takes to make it in the world’s most prestigious combat academy – but Cego must fight his way out of the underground first.

If you’re a fan of martial arts, school stories, redemption arcs, and incredibly immersive science fiction, we can promise that you’re going to find a lot to love in The Combat Codes.

 

Here are a few words from Alexander about what inspired him to write his debut trilogy:

I’ve practiced and taught martial arts for most of my life, and I’ve also always been a massive sci-fi / fantasy fan; I wrote the Combat Codes to blend these two passions. At its heart though, the Combat Codes is the story of finding one’s light and path in a world that can be bleak and brutal, the clash of new and old cultures, and how friends are a necessity even when standing alone in the ring. 

The Combat Codes certainly is centered around fighting, but not just the action itself. I wanted to create a world where the society and politics are organized around single combat, and the fighters are constantly caught between duty and honor. I’m so excited to get this story and its cast of characters out to readers around the world!

 

Look out for The Combat Codes in 2023. In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Alexander! You can find him on Twitter or Instagram as @combatcodes.

Alexander Darwin is a second generation Vietnamese-Jewish-American author living in Boston with his wife and three daughters. Outside of writing, he teaches and trains martial arts (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). He’s inspired by old-school Hong Kong action flicks, jRPGs, underdog stories and bibimbap bowls.

Assistant editor Hillary Sames acquired while at Orbit US, with Orbit US senior editor Bradley Englert editing, World English rights from Ed Wilson at Johnson and Alcock Literary Agency. Editorial Director Jenni Hill at Orbit UK has secured UK rights.