Archive for Orbit US

Acquisition Announcement: THESE DEATHLESS SHORES by P. H. Low

All children, except one, grow up. But what happens when you leave Neverland behind?

Orbit is delighted to announce we’ve acquired a gorgeous, devastating Peter Pan-inspired fantasy from debut author P. H. Low! These Deathless Shores is a richly imagined, gender-bent retelling of Captain Hook’s origin story set in a world reminiscent of Southeast Asia, perfect for fans of Jade City and dark fairytales. In this propulsive and twisty debut, the Lost Boys are all grown up, and they want revenge.

 

Jordan was once a Lost Boy, convinced she would never grow up. Now, she’s twenty-two and exiled to the real world, still suffering withdrawal from the addictive magic Dust of her childhood. With nothing left to lose, Jordan returns to the Island and its stories—of pirates and war and the cruelty of youth—intent on facing Peter one last time, on her own terms.

If that makes her the villain… so be it.

 

These Deathless Shores will be landing on bookshelves in 2024. Meanwhile, say hi to P. H. on Twitter @_lowpH and Instagram @_lowph. Find out more on their website.

Orbit US executive editor Brit Hvide acquired North American rights from Savannah Brooks at KT Literary.

Cover Launch: LABYRINTH’S HEART by M.A. Carrick

Take your first look at the cover of Labyrinth’s Heart (US | UK) by M.A. Carrick and pick up your copy in August 2023! Catch the synopsis below.

Labyrinth's Heart by M.A. Carrick

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Nekro

“Lush, engrossing and full of mystery and dark magic” (BookPage), Labyrinth’s Heart (US | UK) is the thrilling conclusion to M. A. Carrick’s Rook & Rose trilogy, in which a con artist, a vigilante, and a crime lord become reluctant allies in the quest to save their city from a dangerous ancient magic.

May you see the face and not the mask.

Ren came to Nadežra with a plan. She would pose as the long-lost daughter of the noble house Traementis. She would secure a fortune for herself and her sister. And she would vanish without a backward glance. She ought to have known that in the city of dreams, nothing is ever so simple.

Now, she is Ren, con-artist and thief. But she is also Renata, the celebrated Traementis heir. She is Arenza, the mysterious pattern-reader and political rebel. And she is the Black Rose, a vigilante who fights alongside the legendary Rook.

Even with the help of Grey Serrado and Derossi Vargo, it is too many masks for one person to wear. And as the dark magic the three of them helped unleash builds to storm that could tear the very fabric of the city apart, it’s only a matter of time before one of the masks slips—and everything comes crashing down around them.

The Rook & Rose trilogy
The Mask of Mirrors (US | UK)
The Liar’s Knot (US | UK)
Labyrinth’s Heart (US | UK)

Acquisition Announcement: THE LAST CONTRACT OF ISAKO by Fonda Lee

Fonda Lee
Photo Credit: Elena Rose Photography

More Fonda Lee is coming your way! Orbit is delighted to announce that we have acquired a stunning new science fiction duology from the World Fantasy Award-winning author of Jade City!

Inspired by samurai movies and Fonda’s former business career, The Last Contract of Isako is a searing space opera like no other that takes aim squarely at late-stage capitalism. Get ready to meet an aging contractor, Ithmus Isako, whose final mission thrusts her deep into a world of espionage and sword fights on an isolated colony planet.

Are you excited? I hope so! Here are a few words from Fonda to further whet your appetite: “The Last Contract of Isako is the cyberpunk samurai space opera that’s been percolating in my brain for years. It’s a science fiction mystery chanbara story set on a harsh Arrakis-style tundra planet but blend in Blade Runner vibes and a touch of John Wick. I’m very much looking forward to introducing readers to Isako.”

The Last Contract of Isako lands in bookstores in Winter 2025. In the meantime, you can follow Fonda on Twitter @FondaJLee and learn more about her and her work at www.fondalee.com. And, while you wait, don’t forget to check out The Green Bone Saga, now complete!

Jade City TP by Fonda Lee Jade War TP by Fonda Lee Jade Legacy TP by Fonda Lee

Orbit US senior editor Nivia Evans acquired World rights from Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret, LLC. Orbit UK Editorial Director Jenni Hill has secured UK rights.

Acquisition Announcement: THE LAST HOUR BETWEEN WORLDS by Melissa Caruso

Melissa Caruso
Photo Credit: Erin Re Anderson

Orbit is delighted to announce we’ve acquired a brand-new fantasy series from Melissa Caruso, the critically acclaimed author of the Swords and Fire trilogy and the Rooks and Ruin trilogy!

Perfect for fans of Vivian Shaw and Genevieve Cogman, this action-packed series kicks off with The Last Hour Between Worlds. Follow a star investigator and her rival as they journey through layers of reality to save the world as they know it in this exciting adventure fantasy about rival guilds, reality-bending magic, and unexpected mystery.

Read on for a bit more on what you can expect!

 

Kembral Thorne is spending a few hours away from her newborn, and she’s determined to enjoy herself at this party no matter what. But when the guests start dropping dead, Kem has no choice but to get to work. She is a Hound, after all, and she can’t help picking up the scent of trouble.

She’s not the only one. Her professional and personal nemesis, notorious burglar Rika Nonesuch, is on the prowl. They quickly identify what’s causing the mayhem: a mysterious grandfather clock that sends them down an Echo every time it chimes. In each strange new layer of reality, time resets and a sinister figure appears to perform a blood-soaked ritual.

As Kem and Rika fall into increasingly macabre versions of their city, they’ll need to rely on their wits—and each other—to unravel the secret of the clock and save their home.

 

You don’t want to miss The Last Hour Between Worlds when it lands in bookstores in Winter 2024. In the meantime, follow Melissa on Twitter @melisscaru and find out more at melissacaruso.net.

Orbit US senior editor Nivia Evans acquired World rights from Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary. Orbit UK Commissioning Editor Emily Byron has secured UK rights.

Cover Launch: RELICS OF RUIN by Erin M. Evans

Take your first look at the cover of Relics of Ruin (US) by Erin M. Evans and pick up your copy in December 2023! Catch the synopsis below.

Relics of Ruin by Erin M. Evans

Cover Design by Alexia Mazis; Map Illustration by Francesca Baerald

From a rising star in epic fantasy comes the captivating second novel in a trilogy featuring an unlikely team who must find a way to work together and solve an empire-spanning mystery to defend the last place they call home.

The conspiracy at the heart of the empire has been revealed. The Archivists played a key role in solving a brutal murder and uncovering one of the empire’s longest kept secrets. Now, what’s left in its wake are a series of unearthed artifacts, one shaken city, and the shocking truth not dared spoken aloud.

Just as the empire has begun to regain normalcy, another mystery unveils itself when a stolen ancient relic is found. Only no one knew that it was missing from its sacred vault in the first place. And now that the real one has been recovered, who replaced it with a fake?

With Quill and Amadea at the heart of another mystery, they will need to quickly follow the clues that all lead back to this new relic.

Because all the while, an old enemy is gathering strength beyond the Salt Wall and the Archivists might come to find there’s nowhere left for them to go but over.

“Detailed and mysterious, a place to explore and relish. Highly recommended!” ―R. A. Salvatore, author of “The Legends of Drizzt”

For more from Erin M. Evans, check out:

Empire of Exiles (US)

Cover Launch: THE GHOSTS OF BEATRICE BIRD by Louisa Morgan

Take your first look at the cover of The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird (US | UK) by Louisa Morgan and pick up your copy in November 2023! Catch the synopsis below.

The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird by Louisa Morgan

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Photographs by Trevillion and Shutterstock

 A woman’s ability to see ghosts draws her into a journey of redemption and unexpected friendship in this unforgettable story from the acclaimed author of A Secret History of Witches.

Beatrice Bird is plagued by ghosts. It’s a gift she’s had since she was a small child. Unfortunately, it’s a gift that has grown more intense, shifting from flashes and feelings to physical manifestations she can’t escape.

In a desperate attempt for relief, Beatrice flees her home, her partner, and a psychology practice in San Francisco for a remote island with only nuns and a few cows for company. She sees as few people as she possibly can. She doesn’t call home. Then she meets Anne Iredale, a timid woman who has lost everything that matters to her.

For the first time in a long time, Beatrice’s gift will be called on to help someone in need. The path to healing awaits both of them—if Beatrice can find the courage to take the first step.

Cover Launch: THE STAR AND THE STRANGE MOON by Constance Sayers

Take your first look at the cover of The Star and the Strange Moon (US) by Constance Sayers and pick up your copy in November 2023! Catch the synopsis below.

The Star and the Strange Moon by Constance Sayers

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Photographs by Trevillion and Shutterstock

From the author of A Witch in Time comes a haunting tale of ambition, obsession, and the eternal mystery and magic of film.  

1968: Actress Gemma Turner once dreamed of stardom. Unfortunately, she’s on the cusp of slipping into obscurity. When she’s offered the lead in a radical new horror film, Gemma believes her luck has finally changed. But L’Etrange Lune’s set is not what she expected. The director is eccentric, and the script doesn’t make sense.

Gemma is determined to make this work. It’s her last chance to achieve her dream—but that dream is about to derail her life. One night, between the shadows of an alleyway, Gemma disappears on set and is never seen again. Yet, Gemma is still alive. She’s been transported into the film and the script—and the monsters within it—are coming to life. She must play her role perfectly if she hopes to survive.

2015: Gemma Turner’s disappearance is one of film history’s greatest mysteries—one that’s haunted film student Christopher Kent ever since he saw his first screening of L’Etrange Lune. The screenings only happen once a decade and each time there is new, impossible footage of Gemma long after she vanished. Desperate to discover the truth, Christopher risks losing himself. He’ll have to outrun the cursed legacy of the film—or become trapped by it forever.

Cover Launch: SHIELD MAIDEN by Sharon Emmerichs

Both epic and intimate, Shield Maiden (US) by Sharon Emmerichs is the brilliantly imagined retelling of Beowulf from the perspective of a fierce young woman reclaiming her power. Take your first look at the cover and pick up your copy in October 2023! Catch the synopsis below.

Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs

Cover Design by Stephanie Hess

Fryda has grown up hearing tales of her uncle, King Beowulf, and his spectacular defeat of the monstrous Grendel. Her one desire is to become a shield maiden in her own right, but a terrible accident during her childhood has thwarted this dream. Yet still, somehow, she feels an uncontrollable power begin to rise within herself.

The last thing Fryda wants is to be forced into a political marriage, especially as her heart belongs to her lifelong friend, Theow. However, as foreign kings and chieftains descend upon her home to celebrate Beowulf’s fifty years as the king of Geatland, the partnership begins to seem inevitable.

That is, until, amidst the lavish gifts and drunken revelry, a discovery is made that threatens the safety of Fryda’s entire clan—and her own life. Incensed by this betrayal, Fryda resolves to fight for her people no matter the cost. As a queen should. As a shield maiden would.

And as the perilous situation worsens, Fryda’s powers seem only to grow stronger. But she is not the only one to feel the effects of her new-found battle-magic. For, buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon is drawn to Fryda’s untamed power, and is slowly awakening from a long, cursed sleep…

Cover Launch: THE BOOK OF GOTHEL by Mary McMyne in paperback

Take a look at the stunning new paperback cover for The Book of Gothel (US) by Mary McMyne. Catch the synopsis below and pick up your copy in September 2023!

The Book of Gothel TP by Mary McMyne

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

Everyone knows the story of Rapunzel in her tower, but do you know the story of the witch who put her there? Mary McMyne’s spellbinding debut reveals the truth behind the fairy tale—the truth they never wanted you to know, as only a witch might tell it.

Germany, 1156. With her strange black eyes and even stranger fainting spells, young Haelewise has never quite fit in. Shunned by her village, her only solace lies in the stories her mother tells of child-stealing witches, of princes in wolf-skins, and of an ancient tower cloaked in mist, where women will find shelter if they are brave enough to seek it.

When her mother dies, Haelewise is left unmoored. With nothing left for her in her village, she sets out to find the legendary tower her mother spoke of—a place called Gothel, where she meets a wise woman willing to take Haelewise under her wing. There, she discovers that magic is found not only in the realm of fairy tales.

But Haelewise is not the only woman to seek refuge at Gothel. It’s also a haven for a girl named Rika, who carries with her a secret the church strives to keep hidden. A secret that reveals a dark world of ancient spells and murderous nobles, behind the world Haelewise has always known.

Told from the witch’s own perspective, The Book of Gothel is a lush, historical retelling filled with dark magic, crumbling towers, mysterious woods, and evil princes. This is the truth no one ever wanted you to know, as only a witch might tell it.

Cover Launch: TRANSLATION STATE by Ann Leckie, plus new editions of The Imperial Radch trilogy and PROVENANCE

2023 will mark ten years since Ancillary Justice published and changed the sci-fi landscape. It will also be the year that Ann Leckie’s brand-new novel, Translation State (US | UK), hits shelves in June 2023.

Take a look at the stunning cover for Translation State, catch the synopsis down below, and take a peek at our new editions of Ancillary Justice (US | UK), Ancillary Sword (US | UK), Ancillary Mercy (US | UK), and Provenance (US | UK), coming May 2023! You can also check out an exclusive first chapter excerpt of Translation State over at io9.

Translation State by Ann Leckie

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto

The mystery of a missing translator sets three lives on a collision course that will have a ripple effect across the stars in this powerful new novel by award-winning author Ann Leckie. 

Qven was created to be a Presger translator. The pride of their Clade, they always had a clear path before them: learn human ways, and eventually, make a match and serve as an intermediary between the dangerous alien Presger and the human worlds. The realization that they might want something else isn’t “optimal behavior.” I’s the type of behavior that results in elimination.

But Qven rebels. And in doing so, their path collides with those of two others. Enae, a reluctant diplomat whose dead grandmaman has left hir an impossible task as an inheritance: hunting down a fugitive who has been missing for over 200 years. And Reet, an adopted mechanic who is increasingly desperate to learn about his genetic roots—or anything that might explain why he operates so differently from those around him.

As a Conclave of the various species approaches—and the long-standing treaty between the humans and the Presger is on the line—the decisions of all three will have ripple effects across the stars.

Masterfully merging space adventure and mystery, and a poignant exploration about relationships and belonging, Translation State is a triumphant new standalone story set in Leckie’s celebrated Imperial Radch universe.

 

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto