Magic, mystery, and revolution collide in this fantasy epic where an unlikely team of mages, scribes, and archivists must band together to unearth a conspiracy that might topple their empire.
Empire of Exiles by Erin M. Evans is the first installment in the Books of the Usurper series coming to bookstores this November (US)! Take a look at the stunning cover below.
Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto & Lisa Marie Pompilio; Map Illustration by Francesca Baerald
A usurped prince must master the magic of shadows in order to reclaim his kingdom, his people in the blockbuster second novel in USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish’s latest epic fantasy trilogy.
The Sapphire Altar by David Dalglish is coming to bookstores next January (US | UK)! Take a look at the stunning cover below.
Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Chase Stone
Calling all Witcher fans! We previously announced the release of the complete Witcher series in hardcover this fall, marking the first time that Andrzej Sapkowski’s New York Times bestselling series will be available in hardback! Now, we’re thrilled to share the stunning new covers for Baptism of Fire and The Tower of Swallows, both coming in October.
Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Scott M. Fischer
Finally, keep your eyes peeled for our final reveal post which will feature the covers for The Lady of the Lake and Season of Storms, both coming in November! And UK fans, don’t despair—all of these hardbacks will be available in the UK from Gollancz in 2023.
Ready for your next epic fantasy obsession? Orbit is thrilled to announce the acquisition ofThe Phoenix King by debut author Aparna Verma! The first in a trilogy blazing with mystic fire, political intrigue, and forbidden romance, The Phoenix Kingfollows an assassin who is more than what he seems and a princess with everything to lose as they contend with a prophecy that could remake the world. Set in a kingdom where ancient sands hold ancient secrets and cities are built by flame and blood, full of characters who struggle to find their power even as the burdens of inheritance and legacy become too much to bear, this series is not to be missed!
The Phoenix King was previously self-published as The Boy with Fire in August 2021. Orbit’s newly revised and edited edition—complete with its new title!—will be coming to shelves in summer 2023. Orbit US senior editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired world English rights from Lucienne Diver at The Knight Agency. Orbit UK editorial director Jenni Hill secured UK rights.
Read on for a few words from author Aparna Verma about what inspired this incredible story:
“When writing The Phoenix King, I drew inspiration from the grand Hindu epics—particularly the stories of the goddess Kali Ma. She has often been misconstrued as a vengeful, bloodthirsty deity by Western storytellers and media. But she is so much more than that. Kali Ma does not fit in the simple boxes of good and evil; in fact, she transcends both. Her multidimensionality inspired the female characters in the book, and the reigning goddess in my story.
I also drew inspiration from my lovely home state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan has a long history as a seat of Indian royalty, including the Rajput kings. Said to be made of earth and fire, the Rajputs were fiercely proud and loyal, a quality that’s shared among the nobility of The Phoenix King—for better and for worse.
But most of all, I found inspiration in the Rajasthani desert. I’ve always felt a deep connection to the desert and all of its mysterious secrets. It’s hard not to be awed by, and afraid of, the power of the sands.
Altogether, The Phoenix Kingis a homage to my Indian roots, but it is also an examination of faith and fate: the invisible forces that have dictated our gods and ourselves.”
We’re so excited to be publishing The Phoenix King! And while you wait for it to hit the shelves, be sure to follow Aparna on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok for news and updates!
Aparna Verma was born in India and immigrated with her family to the United States when she was two years old. She graduated from Stanford University with Honors in the Arts and a B.A. in English. The Phoenix King is her first novel. When she is not writing, Aparna likes to ride horses, dance to Bollywood music, and find old cafes in which to read myths about forgotten worlds.
Orbit UK is thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired Boys in the Valley, a chilling folk horror set in a remote orphanage in turn of the century Pennsylvania, that reads like The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, from award-winning and Bram Stoker award-nominated author Philip Fracassi.
Orbit UK Commissioning editor Nadia Saward won UK and Commonwealth rights at auction from Chris Scheina at Macmillan US, with Tor Nightfire holding NA rights. Boys in the Valley will be publishing in July 2023, but you can read on for a taste of what’s in store, and don’t forget to follow Philip Fracassi on Twitter @PhilipFracassi.
St. Vincent’s Orphanage for Boys. Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.
Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future. . . a family.
Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent’s and the children within.
Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides. Others turn up dead. Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives – and perhaps their eternal souls – are at risk.
Known for her bold plot twists, break-neck pacing, and heart-breaking characters, Megan E. O’Keefe is an incredible and undeniable new voice in space opera! Orbit is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Megan E. O’Keefe’s next big thing: a glorious new space opera trilogy that follows two enemies stranded on a dead planet. If you love wide-screen epics about secret identities, space empires and their revolutionaries, alien intelligences, and forbidden love, then The Devoured Worlds trilogy is for you.
When a spy is stranded on a dead planet with her mortal enemy, she must first figure out how to survive before she can uncover the conspiracy that landed them both there in the first place.
She’s a revolutionary. Humanity is running out of options. Habitable planets are being destroyed as quickly as they’re found and Naira Sharp knows the reason why. The all-powerful Mercator family has been controlling the exploration of the universe for decades, and exploiting any materials they find along the way under the guise of helping humanity’s expansion. But Naira knows the truth, and she plans to bring the whole family down from the inside.
He’s the heir to the dynasty. Tarquin Mercator never wanted to run a galaxy-spanning business empire. He just wanted to study rocks and read books. But Tarquin’s father has tasked him with monitoring the mining of a new planet, and he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter.
Disguised as Tarquin’s new bodyguard, Naira plans to destroy his ship before it lands. But neither of them expects to end up stranded on a dead planet. To survive and keep her secret, Naira will have to join forces with the man she’s sworn to hate. And together they will uncover a plot that’s bigger than both of them.
Make sure to snag the first book The Blighted Stars (US | UK) when it publishes in May 2023! And, in the meantime, say hi to the author on Twitter @MeganEOKeefe, and check out her phenomenal debut space opera series The Protectorate Trilogy!
From an unmissable voice in epic fantasy comes the second novel in a trilogy where guilds clash, magic fuels machines, and an empire begins a revolution.
Engines of Chaos by R. S. Ford is coming to bookstores next April! Take a look at the stunning cover below.
Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Magnus Creative
In the final book of this dark, dangerous, roller coaster of a space opera trilogy, bold new voice Essa Hansen will stretch the limits of your imagination in this mind bending adventure perfect for fans of The Expanse and A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet.
Take a first look at the cover of Ethera Grave by Essa Hansen coming next April!
Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Magnus Creative
Witcher fans rejoice! This fall Orbit will release the complete Witcher series in hardcover for the first time. Each edition will feature cover art from a different artist, showcasing a range of stunning visions of the Witcher universe. These editions will be available in the UK from @gollancz in 2023.
And this December look out for the illustrated edition of Sword of Destiny. This gorgeous deluxe hardcover will include six brand-new, full-page interior illustrations (one for each story) and is the perfect companion to the hardcover illustrated edition of The Last Wish.
Illustration by Martina Fačková
Preorder Sword of Destiny Hardcover Illustrated Edition (US | UK)
The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny Illustrated Editions.
Preorder Sword of Destiny Hardcover Illustrated Edition (US | UK)
Orbit UK is delighted to announce that we’ve acquired The Daughters of Izdihar by debut author Hadeer Elsbai, a powerful feminist fantasy set in an Egyptian-inspired world with breathtaking elemental magic and Sapphic romance, perfect for fans of The Jasmine Throne and The Once and Future Witches.
The Daughters of Izdihar hits shelves in January 2023, with the second book in the Alamaxa duology coming the following year!
Orbit UK assistant editor Nadia Saward acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Caspian Dennis at Abner Stein on behalf of DongWon Song at the Howard Morhaim Literary agency, Harper Voyager will be publishing in the US. Find out more about The Daughters of Izdihar below and make sure to follow Hadeer Elsbai on Twitter for updates: @HadeerElsbai!
Trapped in an arranged marriage to a man she does not love, Nehal dreams of attending the Weaving Academy. There, she can take control of her powers, bending any water to her will, and pursue a glorious future on the battlefield with the first all-female military regiment. Her husband, indifferent and secretive, is in love with another woman, a poor bookseller named Giorgina.
Giorgina has her own secret. She is an earthweaver with dangerously uncontrollable powers. Her only solace comes from meetings with the Daughters of Izdihar, a women’s rights group fighting for freedom. They come from very different means, yet Nehal and Giorgina have more in common than they think.
Enticed by the group’s enigmatic leader Malak Mamdouh, the two women are drawn into a web of politics, violence and threats of war as they find themselves fighting to earn – and keep – a lasting freedom.
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