Archive for Orbit US

DEALS AND DELIVERIES: Gail Z. Martin– THE SWORN and THE DREAD

I’m pleased to announced that we will be publishing a new series from Gail Z. Martin! Set in the world of THE SUMMONER and THE BLOOD KING, this new series follows the fate of Summoner King Martris Drayke as he struggles to maintain the tenuous peace he has won for Margolan. Facing a new invasion from the north and tragedy at home, he must seek the aid of old friends and new allies, the guardians of an ancient power that watches the portals to the underworld, a nomadic fighting force known as The Sworn. Rumors have reached Tris’s ears that the dead The Sworn have vowed to protect are stirring uneasily in their burial mounds. The Dread are coming and Tris must do everything in his power to protect his home and his people.

We’re delighted to welcome Gail on board. THE CHRONICLES OF THE NECROMANCER has been a terrific series with the last installment coming out in December of this year—THE DARK LADY’S CHOSEN. Check it out at www.chroniclesofthenecromancer.com!

The Drowning City — Amanda Downum

Symir: The Drowning City. Home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government.

Amanda Downum’s fantasy adventure debut is out this week in both the US and the UK. Set in the dark alleyways of a port city on the edge of a corrupt empire, Isyllt Iskaldur must find and finance the rumored revolutionaries on behalf of her country. A necromancer and a spy, she must find a way to complete her mission, topple the palaces of Symir, and prove herself to the crown. But in a land where even the dead are plotting, she will be lucky to escape with her own life intact.

“THE DROWNING CITY is a compelling fantasy in a richly imagined setting dripping with visceral detail, building to a conclusion at once unexpected, appropriate and moving.”
— Jacqueline Carey

“If you read only one first novel this year, read this one. I promise it’s good.”
— Elizabeth Bear

“Lush, evocative. Amanda Downum creates a richly realized, refreshingly Eastern world full of charms and spirits, espionage and intrigue and the wars of great powers fought by proxy.”
— Brent Weeks

“Amanda Downum may just be a force to be reckoned with.”
—fantasyliterature.com

“[A] complex and striking debut”
— Publisher’s Weekly

Deals and Deliveries (9!!!)

Sadly, the summer is over, and with it, (hopefully) the rain, the rain, and the rain.  But not to worry, yours truly went to the Caribbean, and got a tan.  So not a total waste.  But on to the exciting news: (more…)

If Only More Contemporary Fiction Were Like It

Transition“Stunning”, “a book that makes you think”, “complex and wildly imaginative” “a corker of a thriller” — not many contemporary novelists get these many quotable lines in a single rave review, but when Iain M. Banks is the novelist in question, and his newest novel TRANSITION the book reviewed — in this case we think it safe to say, this in today’s Independent (UK) will only be the first of many.

Update: Listen in to Banks on BBC Radio 4 talking about Transition.

Bring Me My Brass Reading-Goggles!

io9.com has a nice overview of Steampunk, along with some recent offerings, including Gail Carriger’s forthcoming SOULLESS (Sept:US)

Gail Carriger has employed some very original thinking to the alternate-history-with-monsters game. She also lampoons the vicious world of Victorian society where an arch remark or fumbled introduction could reduce one to a state akin to walking death. Soulless is a character-driven romp with great worldbuilding and delicious rapier wit that recalls Austen and P.G. Wodehouse. Mystery and bloodshed abound, tea will be served,and there will be treacle tart!

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

That said, we couldn’t disagree more with the reviewer’s mild criticism of the cover: “her bumbershoot has arbitrary gears and a length of rubber hose attached to it for no discernible purpose.”

The purpose of the gears and hose are deliberately indiscernible – right up until the point when they deliver a steam-powered can of whoopass on Alexia’s foes.

But overall, it’s a lively, informative piece – and be sure to check out the comments for more recommendations.