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Orbit signs up three new Expanse novels by James S.A. Corey!

Published in summer 2011, James S.A. Corey’s LEVIATHAN WAKES (US | UK)  was an instant favorite among space opera fans. Charles Stross deemed it “a slick, fast-paced, old-fashioned yarn,” and George R.R.  Martin called it his favorite science fiction novel of the year. The second volume in the Expanse series, CALIBAN’S WAR (US | UK), is due out this summer, and a third will follow a year after that.

This saga of interplanetary intrigue, adventure, and first contact will only get bigger—so we are thrilled to announce Orbit’s new deal with agent Danny Baror and author James S.A. Corey for three new Expanse novels, plus five new Expanse novellas.

We asked Corey (the formidable writing duo of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) for a hint of what’s in store:

“Brave new worlds and broken old ones, love and loss, noble deaths and stupid ones, unexpected threats and the dangers that we all carry in our back pockets all the time.  And an ending that pulls it all together.  The Expanse is a love letter to the science fiction we grew up with, and we’re grateful that we get to tell the story the way we’d hoped to.”

Read an excerpt from Leviathan Wakes Read an excerpt from Caliban's War

Cover launch: A brand new look for David Gemmell’s Drenai series

David Gemmell needs little introduction; widely regarded as Britain’s ‘king of heroic fantasy’, he wrote more than thirty novels in his lifetime and his books have sold millions of copies worldwide.

While he sadly passed away in 2006, Gemmell’s books remain hugely popular, with a new generation of readers discovering his grand tales of adventure, heroism and sacrifice.

To celebrate Gemmell’s legacy, we’ve reissued the classic Drenai novels that orginally earned him his reputation as a master storyteller. All six novels have gorgeous new covers courtesy of our designer Sean Garrehy and the talented illustrator Tim Byrne, who together have perfectly captured the grittiness of Gemmell’s books. In addition, two of the biggest names in modern fantasy – Brent Weeks and Joe Abercrombie – have given their seals of approval.

If you’ve not yet experienced the thrill of a David Gemmell novel, then now is the perfect time to find out what you’ve been missing. These reissues will be hitting bookstore shelves in May and June.

Heroism and heartbreak . . . Gemmell is adrenaline with soul” – Brent Weeks

“The hard-bitten champion of British heroic fantasy” – Joe Abercrombie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read an excerpt from VENGEANCE

Ten years ago, two children witnessed a murder that still haunts them as adults. Now a chance meeting brings these two strangers together to uncover the secrets of a kingdom and evil that will throw the land into chaos.

Vengeance by Ian IrvineVENGEANCE (US | UK | AUS)  is an epic tale of revenge and redemption from Ian Irvine, one of fantasy’s finest storytellers. Read an excerpt from the first book of The Tainted Realms series.

“Matriarch Ady, can I check the Solaces for you?” said Wil, staring at the locked basalt door behind her. “Can I, please?”

Ady frowned at the quivering, cross-eyed youth, then laid her scribing tool beside the partly engraved sheet of spelter and flexed her aching fingers. “The Solaces are for the matriarchs’ eyes only. Go and polish the clangours.”

Wil, who was neither handsome nor clever, knew that Ady only kept him around because he worked hard. And because, years ago, he had revealed a gift for shillilar, morrow-sight. Having been robbed of their past, the matriarchs used even their weakest tools to protect Cython’s future.

Though Wil was so lowly that he might never earn a tattoo, he desperately wanted to be special, to matter. But he had another reason for wanting to look at the Solaces, one he dared not mention to anyone. A later shillilar had told him that there was something wrong, something the matriarchs weren’t telling them. Perhaps—heretical thought—something they didn’t know.

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Get hooked on The Traitor Spy Trilogy

This week sees Trudi Canavan’s superb book THE ROGUE (US | UK | ANZ) come out in paperback. Some of us were lucky enough to meet Trudi during her European tour last year when the hardback came out (see her signing Kindles and all sorts in the London and Dublin highlights), but for those Canafans who missed her, do hop over to Trudi’s blog to catch up on the latest news and gossip from the Queen of Fantasy herself.

For those of you who haven’t read THE ROGUE yet – grab a copy quick and catch up before the final book comes out this summer! It’s another pageturning adventure in Kyralia, picking up where THE AMBASSADOR’S MISSION ended. Lorkin is living among the Sachakan rebels, the Traitors, doing his best to learn about them and their unique magic and trying not to give away all the Guild’s secrets in return. Meanwhile in Kyralia’s capital, Imardin, Sonea searches for the rogue who has been hunting her friend Cery – but the rogue’s influence over the city’s underworld is stronger than she feared. And in the University, two young novices remind the Guild that sometimes their greatest enemy is found within… It’s a cracking second book in the Traitor Spy trilogy, so if you enjoyed THE AMBASSADOR’S MISSION you’ll love this one!

If you haven’t yet read the previous book, there is no better time to start reading this wonderful fantasy series. Read on for an excerpt from the first novel, THE AMBASSADOR’S MISSION. (US | UK | ANZ)

The most successful and quoted piece by the poet Rewin, greatest of the rabble to come out of the New City, was called Citysong. It captured what was heard at night in Imardin, if you took the time to stop and listen: an unending muffled and distant combination of sounds. Voices. Singing. A laugh. A groan. A gasp. A scream.
In the darkness of Imardin’s new Quarter a man remembered the poem. He stopped to listen, but instead of absorbing the city’s song he concentrated on one discordant echo. A sound that didn’t belong. A sound that didn’t repeat. He snorted quietly and continued on.

A few steps later a figure emerged from the shadows before him. The figure was male and loomed over him menacingly. Light caught the edge of a blade.

“Yer money,” a rough voice said, hard with determination.

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Announcing Gail Carriger’s Grand UK Tour (…and a terribly delightful competition)

Gail Carriger, author of the steampunk urban fantasy romance books the Parasol Protectorate series

Great Britain is honoured and privileged to announce that Gail Carriger shall be setting foot on our shores this April – for a gloriously grand UK tour. Orbit Books shall also be launching a frightfully wonderful competition to celebrate – where you can win this enchanting teapot. Read on for more . . .

 

For years Ms Carriger has resided in the colonies, supping on the finest of infusions imported from London, wearing the tiniest of hats and penning the novels which have brought her fame and fortune throughout the Empire: the Parasol Protectorate novels – most recently Timeless (UK | US | ANZ).

Yet now the time has come for this illustrious lady to return to the British Isles – and to greet the legions of fans waiting to pay tribute to her magnificent work.

You are all cordially invited to attend several splendid events taking place over the course of a week in April:

Sunday 8 April: Eastercon, Heathrow, London

Those of you attending this year’s convention will be delighted to hear that Gail shall be appearing on the following charming panels:

‘Meet the new king (same as the old king)’ – 11am, Room 12

‘You got your robot elf sex in my SF’ – 3pm, Commonwealth

‘Multicultural steampunk’ – 9pm, Room 38

Monday 9 April: Foyles, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, 6.30pm

Steampunk soiree event at Foyles in London for Gail Carriger, urban fantasy romance author of the novel TimelessIn coordination with the most honourable chaps over at Pornokitsch, Gail shall be hosting an exclusive steampunk soirée at Foyles bookshop in Central London. Climb into that corset, pull out your pocket watch and buff up your brass goggles – and pop along for a tipple or two and to get your book signed by her fair hand. This event is free but ticketed, so please send an email as soon as possible to events@foyles.co.uk to obtain a cherished spot on this exclusive guest list.

Friday 13 April: Waterstones, Nottingham, Bridle Gate, 6.30pm

Gail shall be speaking to a thoroughly privileged throng for another steampunk extravaganza at the Waterstones in Nottingham. Special guest Jema Hewitt (author of Steampunk Emporium) and friends will also be frequenting the event in full costume. The evening shall commence – as is only right – with Pimm’s & cake at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. This event is ticketed and costs £5, or £3 if you hold a Waterstones card, so please purchase them here in advance.

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Now on to the competition. We are delighted to announce that whilst on her Grand UK Tour, Gail shall be signing three very special items for us to give away as prizes. The first prize is this darling teapot, and the two runner-up prizes are these twee tea strainers – all from the lovely shop Oliver Bonas.

Tea for One set from Oliver BonasTea Strainer from Oliver Bonas

 

 

 

 

 

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning these prizes is send us a photo of yourself with a parasol or umbrella in a darling pose and send it to orbit@littlebrown.co.uk. This is an Orbit worldwide competition, and we shall be posting the entries on the site. Ms Carriger herself will choose the winner and runners-up at the end of her Grand UK Tour on 13 April. See terms and conditions here.

And to show you just how easy it is, here are Orbiteers Anna Gregson, Emily Rowland and Rose Tremlett with a shining example (and no fear, they have honourably excluded themselves from winning):

Members of the Orbit Books tema posing with parasols to promote the author Gail Carriger's UK tour (author of TIMELESS from The Parasol Protectorate series)

Best of British, and the Empire salutes you!

Celebrating “The Gathering of the Lost” & The Power of Environment

Having a new book come out is a hugely exciting time and the moment, with a continuing series, where I really have a sense of standing poised between the past and future of the story. Part of that process involves reflecting on the influences that shaped the just-finished book, and whether they will hold the same sway over the next-in-series.

One of the strongest influences on my writing has always been environment – my appreciation of the natural, technological and cultural elements of the surrounding world, with a flow-on to the creation of milieus within my works. This is particularly true of The Gathering of the Lost, where readers will encounter new lands within THE WALL OF NIGHT world, such as the River, Emer, and Aralorn. Imagination certainly counts in fantastic world building, but when writing a great river, for example, it helps to have experienced big river systems, whether the Waikato and Clutha, in my own New Zealand, the Murray in Australia, or the Mississippi in the US. The River in The Gathering of the Lost is not any of those waterways, but I suspect that growing up with the Waikato and the Clutha has helped give it authenticity. I lived close to the Waikato for a considerable period, but did not get to know the Clutha until I was an adult. Yet by then it was already entrenched in the landscape of my imagination—because of family stories and its place in New Zealand’s colonial history of gold mining, as well as its prevalence in photographic and painting art. My own view is that it is not possible to live with a landscape that resonates so powerfully in culture and history and not be influenced by it. After all, even a conscious decision to fight against its sway is still an influence.

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Read an excerpt from CALIBAN’S WAR

Return to the Expanse with James S. A. Corey and read an excerpt from CALIBAN’S WAR (US | UK), the follow up to the critically acclaimed LEVIATHAN WAKES (US | UK) which The Wall Street Journal called “…the future the way it was supposed to be.”

“Snoopy’s out again,” Private Hillman said. “I think his CO must be pissed at him.”

Gunnery Sergeant Roberta Draper of the Martian Marine Corps upped the magnification on her armor’s heads‑up display and looked in the direction Hillman was pointing. Twenty-five hundred meters away, a squad of four United Nations Marines were tromping around their outpost, backlit by the giant greenhouse dome they were guarding. A greenhouse dome identical in nearly all respects to the dome her own squad was currently guarding.

One of the four UN Marines had black smudges on the sides of his helmet that looked like beagle ears.

“Yep, that’s Snoopy,” Bobbie said. “Been on every patrol detail so far today. Wonder what he did.”

Guard duty around the greenhouses on Ganymede meant doing what you could to keep your mind occupied. Including speculating on the lives of the Marines on the other side.

Click to read more

Charles Stross and Greg Bear on the Arthur C. Clarke Award shortlist!

 Congratulations from Orbit to Charles Stross and Greg Bear, as they’ve both been shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award!

Charles Stross’s futuristic crime novel RULE 34 was shortlisted today, as was Greg Bear’s mind-bending science fiction thriller –  HULL ZERO THREE.

The Arthur C. Clarke Award is a prize for the best science fiction novel published in the UK in the previous year. It’s been running for over twenty-five years now, and previous winners include Orbit author Tricia Sullivan, as well as China Miéville and Lauren Beukes.

The covers for Charles Stross's RULE 34 and Greg Bear's HULL ZERO THREE, both shortlisted for the Clarke Awards 2012

RULE 34 is available from Orbit UK in C-format paperback and as an ebook, and the B-format paperback will be published in July.

HULL ZERO THREE is published by Orbit in the US, and by Gollancz in the UK.

BRIN IS BACK. And with an exclusive 3D cover.

Orbit UK is proud to announce the release in June of a spectacular new novel from a grand master of science fiction – with a very special limited edition cover.

Over 20 years ago, David Brin began the Uplift series – a set of novels that would sweep the board for science fiction awards year after year. David would go on to create a vast range of fiction, computer game storylines and graphic novels – as well as having his novel The Postman turned into a major motion picture.

Now, 10 years after his last book, David Brin returns in epic style with Existence (UK | ANZ), an all-encompassing novel of the near future. Both brilliant and terrifying, the book portrays mankind facing a crisis and potentially its imminent demise.

We are also thrilled to unveil the news that the first edition of Existence, released on 21st June 2012, will feature a cover with a unique 3D “lenticular” effect. The cover gives an impression of floating in space miles above Earth, and its distinctive nature means this book is likely to fast become a collectors’ item. There will be just one print run of this edition – and it will only be available until stocks last.

See the video below for a preview of what’s to come:

And see below for some of the exceptional praise the book has already received.

 ‘David Brin takes on one of the fundamental themes in science fiction – and one of the fundamental questions humanity faces in this century. Since Brin is both a great storyteller and one of the most imaginative writers around, Existence is not to be missed’ Vernor Vinge, Hugo award-winning author of Fire Upon the Deep

‘Take a world soaked in near-future strangeness and complexity . . . Hotwire with wisdom and wonder  . . . Brin is back.’ Stephen Baxter, bestselling author of Ark

 

Introducing THE RED KNIGHT …

THE RED KNIGHT is a book that any hot-blooded fantasy fan will find pretty hard to resist. You’ll be hearing a lot more about Miles Cameron’s amazing debut over the coming months, but to whet your appetite here’s a little something about the story and an exclusive – yes, exclusive – first look at the US cover.  Read on for all the gritty details.

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