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2312: We have liftoff!

It is appropriate that on the launch day of 2312 (US | UK | AUS) by KIM STANLEY ROBINSON, we also celebrate the unmanned flight of SpaceX’s Dragon shuttle aboard the Falcon 9 rocket. But until room opens up on those shuttles for the rest of us, pick up 2312 and travel to the future today.

The response to this book has been wonderful, and there have been a few recent news items that were too good not to share. The Wall Street Journal reviewed 2312 over the weekend saying,

“2312” does what sci-fi is supposed to do: combine enthralling scientific sweep with envy-inducing human interest.

Kim Stanley Robinson also recently sat down with Space.com to dig down into the gritty details of terraforming planetary objects for space colonization in a special two part interview:

Part 1  |  Part 2

And if you thought that was interesting, just wait. Next you can walk-through the same steps and build your own “Terraria” from an asteroid – like those in 2312! Remember a home is what you make of it.

What is remarkable about 2312 is how topical this book is to the present day. It was a month ago that Planetary Resources announced their plans to mine near-earth objects to world-wide enthusiasm.   Over 2,000 engineers have already applied to work on the project. Working together like this, a future such as the one laid out by Kim Stanley Robinson in 2312 is more than possible.

BLACKOUT releases tomorrow

The world is preparing for Mira Grant’s BLACKOUT (US | UK | AUS), the final installment of the Newsflesh Trilogy that began with FEED (US | UK | AUS) and continues with the Hugo-shortlisted DEADLINE. (US | UK | AUS). We have seen signs and portents:

For those who can’t wait, io9.com has the first chapter.

For the adventurous reader, there’s a way to unlock chapter two.

And read an alternate ending to Feed on Facebook. Not on Facebook? Don’t worry.  Fed will be available to everyone this Wednesday.

BLACKOUT is right around the corner. This “high-energy tale of life and politics among the dead and not-so-dead” (Publishers Weekly) will be available beginning May 22, 2012.

Rise up while you can.

Cover Reveal: A Memory of Light, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Twenty years. Thirteen books. Forty million fans.

And now the final battle approaches.

In January 2013, we’re delighted to be publishing A MEMORY OF LIGHT – the final volume in Robert Jordan’s international bestselling Wheel of Times series.

Here is the finished cover, courtesy of our designer Peter Cotton and illustrator Lee Gibbons.

To stay up to date with all things Wheel of Time and celebrate the exciting countdown to publication, ‘like’ our Turn The Wheel of Time Facebook page.

‘And it came to pass in those days, as it had come before and would come again, that the Dark lay  heavy on the land and weighed down the hearts of men, and the green things failed, and hope died.’ – From Charal Drianaan te Calamon, The Cycle of the Dragon.

In the Field of Merrilor the rulers of the nations gather to join behind Rand al’Thor, or to stop him from his plan to break the seals on the Dark One’s prison – which may be a sign of his madness, or the last hope of humankind. Egwene, the Amyrlin Seat, leans toward the former.

In Andor, the Trollocs seize Caemlyn.

In the wolf dream, Perrin Aybara battles Slayer.

Approaching Ebou Dar, Mat Cauthon plans to visit his wife Tuon, now Fortuona, Empress of the Seanchan.

All humanity is in peril – and the outcome will be decided in Shayol Ghul itself. The Wheel is turning, and the Age is coming to its end. The Last Battle will determine the fate of the world . . .

For twenty years The Wheel of Time has enthralled more than forty million readers in over thirty-two languages. A MEMORY OF LIGHT brings this majestic fantasy creation to its richly satisfying conclusion.

Working from notes and partials left by Robert Jordan when he died in 2007, and consulting with Jordan’s widow, who edited all of Jordan’s books, established fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson has recreated the vision Jordan left behind.

A MEMORY OF LIGHT will be published on 8 January 2013.

Test Your Knowledge: The Gaming Quiz

a question markA bit of fun this Friday – can you beat our computer games quiz by naming the ten characters who uttered the quotes below, and the games they’re from?

You all enjoyed testing your geeky knowledge on the urban fantasy heroines quiz we created a few months ago, and as we released GEARS OF WAR: THE SLAB (UK | ANZ) this month as well as MASS EFFECT: DECEPTION (UK | ANZ) in February we thought we’d create another quiz, this time on the subject of computer games. Here come the quotes!

1. “You had a cat named Ser-Pounce-a-lot?”

2. “Oh, right. I know a lot about lifting curses. That’s why I’m a disembodied talking skull sitting on top of a spike in the middle of a swamp.”

covers for the five Gears of War novels released by Orbit so far

3. “I am the very model of a scientist Salarian! I’ve studied species Turian, Asari and Batarian . . .” [sung to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Major-General’s Song]

4. “I am sworn to carry your burdens.”

5. “The Enrichment Centre is required to remind you that the Weighted Companion Cube cannot talk. In the event that it does talk The Enrichment Centre asks you to ignore its advice.”

6. “When’s the last time the wind said ‘Hoosssttiiileesss’ to you?”

7. “Watching you guys is like a night in, watching my favourite movie. What was the name of that movie again? Oh, yes. Attack of the stupid bungling idiots who can’t find an even bigger idiot running around dressed like a bat!”

the covers for the four mass effect novels released by Orbit so far

8. “Somebody set up us the bomb.”

9. “Well, I see that the President has equipped his daughter with ballistics too!”

10. “What are you, Desmond, a vegan? You’d be the first vegan assassin in history.”

When you find the answers, comment with the number of the quote, and the character and game that the quote came from – will you be the first to answer correctly?

Answers will be posted on the blog next Friday. Would you kindly try not to use Google to find these quotes, because, well, it’ll just spoil the fun, really! Super sneaky bonus points if you can identify the source of the hidden gaming quote in this paragraph.

Edit as of Friday 25th May: A week has passed and we’re posting the answers, so here they are, under the cut!

(more…)

Elizabeth Moon on the BBC

The BBC World Service logo in blueThis weekend our very own Elizabeth Moon will be appearing on the BBC World Service to take part in a discussion about Future Wars.

Elizabeth is a much-loved author of fantasy and science fiction, and during the writing of classic SF series such as The Serrano Legacy and Vatta’s War she’s done a lot of thinking about the way that future wars might be fought. She’s also seen active service in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of First lieutenant.

The Forum will be broadcast at these times: Sat 19 May 2012 23:05 BST, Sun 20 May 2012 02:05 BST and Sun 20 May 2012 12:05 BST. It will also be available as a podcast, on the BBC World Service website.

the covers for science fiction epic: the Serrano Legacy

The Forum goes out on the BBC World Service which reaches 166 million listeners worldwide each week. It is broadcast on the weekend for forty minutes and the discussions are generally chaired by Bridget Kendall, the BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent. More information is available at bbcworldservice.com/forum.

Cool science in the year 2312

In advance of the release of Kim Stanley Robinson’s 2312 (US | UK  | AUS) we’ve launched a website that walks you through the process of terraforming an asteroid. Build an asteroid terrarium like those in 2312, with any possible landscape – above or below water; one that preserves an existing Earth species or creates new hybrids in never-before-seen environments.

The website gives you a peek inside the ambitious new novel Publishers Weekly called “a challenging, compelling masterpiece of science fiction” and Locus called “as flat-out a celebration of the possibilities of SF as I’ve seen in years.”

Look for 2312’s release on May 22nd!

Iain M. Banks and Kim Stanley Robinson event

Iain Banks

Orbit are SO excited to announce that we are teaming up with Forbidden Planet, in association with the British Library, to present a unique opportunity to hear two giants of SF in conversation about their work.

Saturday 9th June 2012

Doors 3pm for a 3.30pm start, followed by a signing at 5pm

Conference Centre, British Library

Tickets £7.50, concessions £5 – available here

Iain M. Banks is this year celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Culture.  Kim Stanley Robinson is visiting the UK to promote his new SF novel 2312.  Stay tuned for more tour details!

Kim Stanley Robinson

Forbidden Planet rocket logo

Epic Fantasy Revitalised: The King’s Blood by Daniel Abraham

An axe against a blood-red sky‘I’m trying to write a series that does what epic fantasy does best,’ Daniel Abraham explained in January 2011. ‘I want to play to the genre’s strengths. And that means I want that sense of fantasy. I want the reader to come into this magical goblin market full of grotesques and exotics.’

The result of Daniel’s endeavours was THE DRAGON’S PATH [UK | US | ANZ] – the first book in The Dagger and the Coin series. It’s a novel that veers away from many of the stale tropes of the genre – there are no farmboys destined for greatness, no dark lords or flashy magic. Yet at the same time it’s an epic fantasy in every sense of the term, full of deadly politics, battles and ancient secrets – all delivered with Daniel’s accomplished characterisation and subtle worldbuilding.

The critics more than agreed; there were many glowing reviews, but perhaps the one that offers the best summary is Aidan’s from A Dribble of Ink.  ‘A tremendous novel,’ Aidan announced, going on to say, ‘Abraham deftly mixes the classic foundations of the genre with a sophistication expected of him and rarely found in the work of his compatriots.’

The story that began in THE DRAGON’S PATH is now continued in THE KING’S BLOOD [UK | US | ANZ], out now in trade paperback – and the great news for fans is that you’ve seen nothing yet. In this second book of The Dagger and the Coin series, Daniel wastes no time in cranking up the tension and suspense. The result is an exciting, unpredictable tale of a kingdom in crisis. The power games still continue, but players who thought they were safe now find themselves in trouble. Enemies become friends and friends become enemies. Battles are fought, blood is spilled, and heads roll.

Yet at the same time we’re allowed a deeper look at this fascinating world that Daniel has created: a world where the jade roads of the long-gone Dragon Empire still crisscross the land, where the thirteen races of humanity share a common history but remain divided, and where economics can be just as effective as warfare. A world where something that has been forgotten won’t remain hidden for much longer.

As before, the critical reaction has been hugely positive.

The King’s Blood is the real deal, and cements The Dagger and the Coin as one of the best new Fantasy series in recent years. If you’re looking for something to read while you wait for the next George R. R. Martin book, Abraham’s series is sure to satisfy” – A Dribble of Ink

A very fine epic fantasy novel . . . a fast, addictive read that elevates The Dagger and the Coin into the position of one of the finest in-progress fantasy series around at the moment” – The Wertzone (5* review)

I would happily read a couple of dozen volumes of this one if Abraham keeps the quality as phenomenally high as he has done so far. Absolutely massive recommendation as my favourite adult book of the year so far, my favourite fantasy book for many years, and the best adult series I’m currently reading by a long way” – The Bookbag (5* review)

You can find an excerpt of THE KING’S BLOOD here. For a look behind the scenes at the cover design process – warning: involves an exciting amount of weaponry – check out our recent video.

Daniel Abraham is the author of the critically-acclaimed Long Price Quartet. He also writes urban fantasy under the guise of M. L. N. Hanover, and is the James half of James S. A. Corey, author of the Hugo-nominated LEVIATHAN WAKES [UK | US | ANZ]. He can be found online both at his website and on Twitter.

New Short Fiction: FORBIDDEN BLOOD

Blood. Passion. Service…

FORBIDDEN BLOOD by Kristen Painter is available now from the Orbit Short Fiction program!

The comarré were created for only one reason – to give blood – and whatever else their vampire patron requires.  But one comarré will risk all – including her life – to win her freedom.

Meet Maris – in the prequel to Kristen Painter’s gothic vampire series, which began with BLOOD RIGHTS (US | UK | AUS).

Purchase FORBIDDEN BLOOD for only $2.99

Helen Lowe and Robin Hobb on Reddit

the logo for Reddit forum r/Fantasy showing the Reddit logo dressed up as Gandalf!Fantasy author Helen Lowe will join Robin Hobb in an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on Reddit today, Wednesday 16th May, at 8pm CST.

The chat will be found on Reddit’s Fantasy forum, r/Fantasy, at http://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/.

Don’t forget that Helen, with her epic fantasy novel THE HEIR OF NIGHT, is one of five authors shortlisted for the David Gemmell Morning Star Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer and that you can still get your votes in here until 12 Noon GMT 31st May.

Orbit authors N. K. Jemisin and Brent Weeks have also taken part in Reddit AMAs recently, and it looks like they had a great time of it!