Archive for Orbit US

Cover Launch: HOW TO SUMMON A FAIRY GODMOTHER by Laura J. Mayo

Take your first look at the cover for How to Summon a Fairy Godmother (US), the debut fantasy novel by Laura J. Mayo, coming October 2024!
How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo

Cover Design by Alexia E. Pereira; Illustration by Zoë van Dijk

If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy…

Lady Theodosia Balfour has certainly gotten the short end of the stick—her stepsister, the newly crowned Princess Beatrice, is telling everyone in polite society that Theo, her sister, and their mother are evil, wicked, and horrid people who treated her like a slave. Though Theo knows this isn’t exactly true, it seems her life is thoroughly ruined by the rumor. With the Balfour family estate on the verge of bankruptcy, Theo’s only path forward is a forced betrothal to the Duke of Snowbell, a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare for spare heirs.  

Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother, one that supposedly helped her stepsister secure a prince. After discovering a way to summon a fairy in Beatrice’s old room, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn’t at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous, incredibly cunning, and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in gathering powerful favors and smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic for humans in a bind. 

Before she receives magical assistance, Cecily sets Theo to three tasks, seemingly to prove that Theo is a selfless and kind person. Helping her along the way are Cecily’s familiars, the flirty human-turned-mockingbird Phineas and the aloof Kasra, a fox shapeshifter who should not be as handsome as he is for someone with such cutting remarks. As Theo works on her tasks, she shockingly finds kinship with the magical creatures she’s helping, and starts to wonder if a continued life among her human peers is what she really wants after all. 

From debut author Laura J. Mayo comes a hilarious new spin on the Cinderella tale!

Cover Launch: THE THIRD RULE OF TIME TRAVEL by Philip Fracassi

Take your first look at the cover for The Third Rule of Time Travel (US | UK), the first science fiction novel by Philip Fracassi, coming March 2025!
The Third Rule of Time Travel by Philip Fracassi

Cover Design by Steph Hess

The third rule of time travel is this: The traveler has no ability to interact with the past, they can only observe. In this riveting science fiction novel from acclaimed author Philip Fracassi, a scientist has unlocked the secret of time travel, but there are rules, and you can never break them.

Scientist Beth Darlow has discovered the unimaginable. She’s built a machine that allows human consciousness to travel through time—to any point in the traveler’s lifetime—and relive moments of their life. An impossible breakthrough, but it’s not perfect: the traveler has no way to interact with the past. They can only observe.

After Beth’s husband, Colson, the co-creator of the machine, dies in a tragic car accident, Beth is left to raise Isabella—their only daughter—and continue the work they started. Mired in grief and threatened by her ruthless CEO, Beth pushes herself to the limit to prove the value of her technology.

Then the impossible happens. Simply viewing personal history should not alter the present, but with each new observation she makes, her own timeline begins to warp.

As her reality constantly shifts, Beth must solve the puzzles of her past, even if it means forsaking her future.

Also by Philip Fracassi
Boys in the Valley (UK)
Book cover for Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi. Image shows a small historical cabin surrounded by a snowy wilderness all in white, with the title in bold blood-red font in the centre.

Cover Launch: THE SCARLET THRONE by Amy Leow

Take your first look at the cover for The Scarlet Throne (US | UK), the debut fantasy novel by Amy Leow, coming September 2024!
The Scarlet Throne by Amy Leow

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Marcos Chin

A dark, heart-thumping political epic fantasy by debut author Amy Leow—full of scheming demons, morally grey heroines, talking cats, and cut-throat priests, this delicious tale of power and corruption will captivate from beginning to end.

Binsa is a “living goddess,” chosen by the gods to dispense both mercy and punishment from her place on the Scarlet Throne. But her reign hides a deadly secret. Rather than channeling the wisdom of an immortal deity, she harbors a demon.

Though, one cannot remain a living goddess forever. When her temple’s priests decide that Binsa’s time in power has come to an end, a new girl, Medha, is selected to take over her position as goddess. But Binsa refuses to be discarded into a life of uncertainty as a young woman, and she strikes a deal with her demon: She will sacrifice her people’s lives in order to magnify his power, and in return, he will help her seize control from the priests once and for all.

But how much of her humanity is she willing to trade for the sake of ambition? Deals with demons are rarely so simple.

Cover Launch: A CROWN SO SILVER by Lyra Selene

Take your first look at the cover for A Crown So Silver (UK | US), the second installment in the Fair Folk trilogy by Lyra Selene, coming January 2025!
A Crown So Silver by Lyra Selene

Cover Design by Tim Byrne (UK); Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio (US)

On a mysterious snowy island ruled by a trickster king where magic comes at a price, a deadly trial commences. The prize: a chance for vengeance.
 
After her sacrifice on the Ember Moon, Fia is flush with powerful magic and eager to rush into battle against her murderous sister, Eala. However, Fia’s new husband Irian suggests they bide their time and retreat to the Silver Isle, a snowy island at the edge of the fae world.
 
Ruled by the cunning smith-king, the Silver Isle proves far from a safe haven. Fia and Irian become embroiled in the Tournament of Kings competing for a magical forging of immense power. Their relationship will be put to the test as they navigate their conflicting motivations, shifting allegiances, and ancient magic.  
 
With the end of the tournament looming and Eala’s threat growing, Fia must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to defeat her sister.

Also by Lyra Selene
Fair Folk
A Feather So Black (UK | US)
A Feather So Black by Lyra SeleneA Feather So Black by Lyra Selene

Cover Launch: ALIEN CLAY by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Take your first look at the Orbit US cover for Alien Clay (US) by Adrian Tchaikovsky, coming September 2024!
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Yuko Shimizu

From Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky comes a far-future epic that confirms his place as a modern master of science fiction, in which a political prisoner must unlock the secrets of a strange and dangerous planet.

The planet of Kiln is where the tyrannical Mandate keeps its prison colony, and for inmates, the journey there is always a one-way trip. One such prisoner is Professor Arton Daghdev, xeno-ecologist and political dissident. Soon after arrival, he discovers that Kiln has a secret. Humanity is not the first intelligent life to set foot there.

In the midst of a ravenous, chaotic ecosystem are the ruins of a civilization, but who were the vanished builders and where did they go? If he can survive both the harsh rule of the camp commandant and the alien horrors of the world around him, then Arton has a chance at making a discovery that might just transform not only Kiln, but distant Earth as well.

Also by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Final Architecture
Shards of Earth (US)
Eyes of the Void (US)
Lords of Uncreation (US)
Shards of Earth by Adrian TchaikovskyEyes of the Void by Adrian TchaikovskyLords of Uncreation by Adrian Tchaikovsky










Children of Time
Children of Time (US)
Children of Ruin (US)
Children of Memory (US)
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Acquisition Announcement: THE RAVEN SCHOLAR by Antonia Hodgson

Antonia Hogdson

Orbit is delighted to announce we’ve acquired The Raven Scholar, the first book in a new epic fantasy trilogy by award-winning author Antonia Hodgson. This is a masterfully woven tale of imperial deceit, cutthroat competition, and one scholar’s quest to uncover the truth—even if it changes her world forever, perfect for fans of Robin Hobb, Samantha Shannon, and readers who want a fresh take on classic fantasy.

 

She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.

After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him. Trained in secret at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal—Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth warrior—the Dragon proxy—will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists—the best of the best.

Then one of them is murdered.

It falls to the emperor’s High Scholar, the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa, to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, even darker forces are gathering. If Neema succeeds in her task, she could win the throne—whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death—and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the entire empire.

 

The Raven Scholar will publish in April 2025. In the meantime, you can find Antonia on X @AntoniaHodgson.

Antonia Hodgson is a freelance editor, and author of the bestselling Thomas Hawkins historical crime series. Her first novel, The Devil in the Marshalsea, won the CWA Historical Dagger Award and was shortlisted for the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year. She lives in Kent, England, where she has been visited by a fox and a raven, and a tiger in the form of her neighbour’s ginger cat. No dragons as yet. The photo of the author was provided by Rebecca Douglas.

Hodder publisher Nick Sayers acquired World rights, with Hodderscape publishing director Molly Powell editing, from Clare Conville at C&W. North American rights were sold to senior editor Nivia Evans, while at Orbit US, with associate editor Angelica Chong editing.

Cover Launch: ARDENT VIOLET AND THE INFINITE EYE by Alex White

Take your first look at the cover for Ardent Violet and the Infinite Eye (US | UK), the second installment in the Starmetal Symphony trilogy by Alex White, coming December 2024!
Ardent Violet and the Infinite Eye by Alex White

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Illustration by Mike Heath/Magnus Creative

A ragtag band of musicians is all that stands in the way between an army of giant mechas and humanity’s total destruction in the second book of this big-hearted, technicolor space opera trilogy by one of the most exciting voices in science fiction, Alex White.

Ultra-glam enby pop star Ardent Violet thought they could catch a break and enjoy some time with their new boyfriend August Kitko after defeating the giant mechas hellbent on humanity’s destruction. However, Ardent didn’t count on their mecha allies summoning a host of extraterrestrials to defend Earth.

Between the diplomatic entanglements of the newly-arrived alien Coalition, and a mysterious all-powerful AI establishing a base within their solar system, there’s no rest for the wicked.

When August makes a discovery that could turn the tide of the war, Ardent Violet finds themself back in the spotlight for an encore!

Also by Alex White
The Starmetal Symphony
August Kitko and the Mechas from Space (US | UK)
August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White

The Salvagers
A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe (US | UK)
A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy (US | UK)
The Worst of All Possible Worlds (US | UK)
 A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy by Alex White The Worst of All Possible Worlds by Alex White

Cover Launch: THE GODS BELOW by Andrea Stewart

Take your first look at the cover for The Gods Below (US | UK), the first in a new epic fantasy trilogy from Andrea Stewart, coming September 2024!The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Sasha Vinogradova

The Gods Below begins a sweeping epic from fantasy’s newest master world-smith Andrea Stewart, a story of magic, betrayal, love, and loyalty, where two sisters will clash on opposite sides of a war against the gods.

A divine war shattered the world leaving humanity in ruins. Desperate for hope, they struck a deal with the devious god Kluehnn: He would restore the world to its former glory, but at a price so steep it would keep the mortals indebted to him for eternity. And, as each land was transformed, so too were its people changed into strange new forms – if they survived at all.

Hakara is not willing to pay such a price. Desperate to protect herself, and her sister Rasha, she flees her homeland for the safety of a neighboring kingdom. But when tragedy separates them, Hakara is forced to abandon her beloved sister to an unknown fate.

Alone and desperate for answers on the wrong side of the world, Hakara discovers she can channel the magic from the mysterious gems they are forced to mine for Kluehnn. With that discovery comes another: her sister is alive, and only the rebels plotting to destroy the God Pact can help rescue her.

But only if Hakara goes to war against a god. 

Also by Andrea Stewart
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Drowning Empire
The Bone Shard Daughter (US | UK)
The Bone Shard Emperor (US | UK)
The Bone Shard War (US | UK)

Cover Launch: BITTER WATERS by Vivian Shaw

Take your first look at the cover for Bitter Waters (US | UK), a new novella in the Dr. Greta Helsing series by Vivian Shaw, coming June 2024!

Bitter Waters by Vivian Shaw

Cover Design by Alexia E. Pereira & Will Staehle

A witty, charming standalone novella starring Greta Helsing, doctor to the undead, who must get to the bottom of a mystery involving a newly turned child vampire. 

A barrow-wight shows up on Greta and Varney’s doorstep one night with 11-year-old Lucy Ashton who’s been newly—and forcefully—bitten and turned. Who did this to her, and why? With the help of her vampiric friends, Greta is determined to find out.

The Dr. Greta Helsing Novels
Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw Dreadful Company by Vivian Shaw Grave Importance by Vivian Shaw
Strange Practice (US | UK)
Dreadful Company (US | UK)
Grave Importance (US | UK)

Acquisition Announcement: RED RABBIT GHOST by Jen Julian

Jen Julian

Orbit is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Red Rabbit Ghost by debut author Jen Julian, a haunting, luminous Southern Gothic novel following a young man returning to his hometown to finally solve the mystery of his mother’s death. With confident, assured prose, a lived-in southern setting, and a weird fiction edge, this is perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Jeff VanderMeer. We’re so excited to welcome Jen to our Redhook list in Summer 2025–read on for a peek at what’s in store!

 

Jesse Calloway hadn’t planned to return to his repressive, backwoods hometown of Blacknot, North Carolina, after only one year away at college, but an anonymous messenger has lured him home. Eighteen years ago, his mother died under unexplained circumstances. Every story he has heard is incomplete. Now, the messenger claims to have the answers. But Jesse will have to hunt for them.

Alice Catherine, the daughter of a local pork manufacturer, obsesses over Jesse in turn. To her, he is a key player in unearthing the dark family history she’s convinced her father is concealing. Alice knows Jesse must find the answers himself, with the hope that once he does, he’ll help her change both their futures. 

But Jesse’s path to Alice isn’t a straight line, and his questions are stirring up issues with locals, including his much older and well-armed ex-boyfriend, Harlan. When an old fling of Jesse’s goes missing and Alice’s plans start to unravel, it’s clear there’s more at stake than either of them could imagine. On a collision course littered with psychotropic fungi, time-warping magic, and far too many alligators, Jesse and Alice will need to determine how far they are willing to go for the truth, and whether they can trust each other enough to get there…

 

Jen Julian’s previous publications include a short story collection, Earthly Delights and Other Apocalypses (Press 53, 2018), which was the winner of Press 53’s Short Fiction Prize, as well as work in numerous literary journals, most recently a story in Third Coast Magazine, which received distinction in Best American Short Stories 2023. Jen holds a PhD in English from the University of Missouri and an MFA in Fiction from UNC Greensboro. A 2016 Clarion Alumna, she has contributed fiction both to the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and the Texas Book Festival. These days, Jen lives in the mountains of North Georgia with her enormous ginger cat and teaches creative writing at Young Harris College.

You can find Jen at @jennicjul on X, @screaminglemur on Instagram, or at her website https://jenjulian.com/.

Orbit US Executive Editor Bradley Englert acquired North American rights from Jessica Felleman at Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency.