Archive for All posts

The Witcher series is getting a stunning new look!

Witcher fans, we have exciting news! Introducing the stunning new look for the US trade paperback editions of The Witcher series, coming to stores July 5th!

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Wolf symbol courtesy of Netflix; other symbols by Magnus Creative

Andrzej Sapkowski’s New York Times bestselling fantasy series has inspired the hit Netflix show and multiple blockbuster video games, and has transported millions of readers to an epic, unforgettable world of magic and adventure. Now, The Witcher will be available in a sleek new design, complete with gorgeous matching spines.

The books are available for pre-order now, so claim yours today: The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, Blood of Elves, The Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of Swallows, The Lady of the Lake, Season of Storms. And for those wondering about the existing trade paperback editions—they will be discontinued but may be available from some retailers while stock lasts.

Cover launch: The Stars Undying by Emery Robin

We’re thrilled to reveal the stunning cover for The Stars Undying by Emery Robin, a spectacular space opera debut perfect for readers of Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice and Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire, inspired by the lives and loves of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Coming November 2022. Pre-order your copy now: US | UK link to come.

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Marc Simonetti

 

Princess Altagracia has lost everything. After a bloody civil war, her twin sister has claimed not just the crown of their planet Szayet but the Pearl of its prophecy, a computer that contains the immortal soul of Szayet’s god. Stripped of her birthright, Gracia flees the planet—just as Matheus Ceirran, Commander of the interstellar Empire of Ceiao, arrives in deadly pursuit with his volatile lieutenant, Anita. When Gracia and Ceirran’s paths collide, Gracia sees an opportunity to win back her planet, her god, and her throne…if she can win the Commander and his right-hand officer over first.

But talking her way into Ceirran’s good graces, and his bed, is only the beginning. Dealing with the most powerful man in the galaxy is almost as dangerous as war, and Gracia is quickly torn between an alliance that fast becomes more than political and the wishes of the god—or machine—that whispers in her ear. For Szayet’s sake, and her own, Gracia will need to become more than a princess with a silver tongue. She will have to become a queen as history has never seen before—even if it breaks an empire.

ICYMI Cover launch: Notorious Sorcerer

Check out the gorgeous cover for Notorious Sorcerer by Davinia Evans, as launched last week by Fantasy Cafe! In a city filled with dangerous yet heavily regulated alchemical magic, a man from the slums discovers he may be its only hope to survive certain destruction in this wickedly entertaining fantasy debut—out this September. Pre-order your copy today (US | UK) and head over to Fantasy Cafe to read a guest post by the author on the inspirations behind her debut.

Cover Silhouette Illustration by Andrew Broyzna; Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

 

Ever since the city of Bezim was shaken half into the sea by a magical earthquake, the Inquisitors have policed alchemy with brutal efficiency. Nothing too powerful, too complicated, too much like real magic is allowed–and the careful science that’s left is kept too expensive for any but the rich and indolent to tinker with. Siyon Velo, a glorified errand boy scraping together lesson money from a little inter-planar fetch and carry, doesn’t qualify.

But when Siyon accidentally commits a public act of impossible magic, he’s catapulted into the limelight. Except the limelight is a bad place to be when the planes themselves start lurching out of alignment, threatening to send the rest of the city into the sea.

Now Siyon, a dockside brat who clawed his way up and proved himself on rooftops with saber in hand, might be Bezim’s only hope. Because if they don’t fix the cascading failures of magic in their plane, the Powers and their armies in the other three will do it for them.

Acquisition announcement: Warmongers by C. L. Clark

Orbit is excited to announce that we’ve acquired a standalone fantasy novel from C. L. Clark, the author of Nebula-award finalist and breakout success, The Unbroken! If you love heart-stopping battles for the souls of nations, complicated queer romances, and bold, brilliant examinations of war, warriors, loyalty and vengeance, then Warmongers is for you.

In this heart-wrenching epic fantasy set in a kingdom in a cycle of eternal war, two women—once lovers and warriors at arms—are set on a collision course when years after their separation, one is crowned king and the other vows to kill her.

You can follow the author on Twitter @C_L_Clark . And, if you just can’t wait to get your hands on C. L. Clark’s work, make sure to check out The Unbroken (US | UK) and get ready for the sequel The Faithless.

Acquisition announcement: The Combat Codes

We are ecstatic to announce that we’ve acquired debut author Alexander Darwin’s action-packed, science fiction trilogy, The Combat Codes. The first book in the trilogy, The Combat Codes, is set in a world where the fate of nations is determined by battle-hardened warriors who are trained to represent their nations’ interests in brutal hand-to-hand single combat.

 

Murray Pearson was once a famed warrior until he suffered a loss that crippled his nation — but now he’s on the hunt to find and train the next champion.

In underground and ruthless combat rings, an orphaned boy called Cego is making a name for himself. Murray believes Cego has what it takes to make it in the world’s most prestigious combat academy – but Cego must fight his way out of the underground first.

If you’re a fan of martial arts, school stories, redemption arcs, and incredibly immersive science fiction, we can promise that you’re going to find a lot to love in The Combat Codes.

 

Here are a few words from Alexander about what inspired him to write his debut trilogy:

I’ve practiced and taught martial arts for most of my life, and I’ve also always been a massive sci-fi / fantasy fan; I wrote the Combat Codes to blend these two passions. At its heart though, the Combat Codes is the story of finding one’s light and path in a world that can be bleak and brutal, the clash of new and old cultures, and how friends are a necessity even when standing alone in the ring. 

The Combat Codes certainly is centered around fighting, but not just the action itself. I wanted to create a world where the society and politics are organized around single combat, and the fighters are constantly caught between duty and honor. I’m so excited to get this story and its cast of characters out to readers around the world!

 

Look out for The Combat Codes in 2023. In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Alexander! You can find him on Twitter or Instagram as @combatcodes.

Alexander Darwin is a second generation Vietnamese-Jewish-American author living in Boston with his wife and three daughters. Outside of writing, he teaches and trains martial arts (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). He’s inspired by old-school Hong Kong action flicks, jRPGs, underdog stories and bibimbap bowls.

Assistant editor Hillary Sames acquired while at Orbit US, with Orbit US senior editor Bradley Englert editing, World English rights from Ed Wilson at Johnson and Alcock Literary Agency. Editorial Director Jenni Hill at Orbit UK has secured UK rights.

Cover Launch: The World We Make by N. K. Jemisin

We’re thrilled to reveal the cover for The World We Make by N. K. Jemisin, the second book in The Great Cities duology!

Cover design by Lauren Panepinto

Four-time Hugo Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author N.K. Jemisin crafts “a glorious fantasy” (Neil Gaiman) — a story of culture, identity, magic, and myths in contemporary New York City, that began with The City We Became. Pre-order your copy of The World We Make now (US | UK link to come!) and pick up The City We Became (US | UK) if you haven’t already!

Acquisition Announcement: HALF A SOUL by Olivia Atwater

We are thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired Olivia Atwater’s charming, whimsical and thoroughly romantic Regency Faerie Tales series, beginning with Half a Soul (UK|US), followed by Ten Thousand Stitches (UK|US) and Longshadow (UK|US).

If you ever thought Bridgerton would be perfect if only it had a dash of magic, or that Pride and Prejudice meets Howl’s Moving Castle is the ideal mash up. . . or, if you’re simply longing for your next read to be a warm, witty, delicious escape—these are the books for you. The eBook editions of these previously self-published novels are available from Orbit now, with brand new paperback editions coming this summer!

Check out the gorgeous trifecta designed by Matthew Burne below! Half a Soul hits shelves in June 2022, with the following books available in July and August.

an image with all three Regency Faerie Tales books

Read on for a taste of what’s in store in Half a Soul. . .

It’s difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you’re a young lady with only half a soul.

Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment – a condition which makes her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season – but when the strange, handsome and utterly uncouth Lord Sorcier discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into dangerous and peculiar faerie affairs.

If Dora’s reputation can survive both her curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world. . . but the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love, even with only half a soul.

Praise for the Regency Faerie Tales:

‘Whimsical but never frivolous, sweet but not sugary, deeply kind rather than merely nice. I loved it’ Alix E. Harrow

‘A delightful, romantic romp. . . Half a Soul is the definition of a comfort read’ Hannah Whitten author of For the Wolf

‘Half a Soul is a perfect historical fantasy romance: warm, sparkling with magic, dangerous and delightful. I absolutely adored it.’ Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

‘A hugely enjoyable take on the Regency. . . I wolfed this down with great pleasure.’ KJ Charles

‘Smart and subversive, these charming romances will ignite your heart – and your hope’ Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun

‘Whimsical, witty, and brimming over with charm. . . Dora and the Lord Sorcier have a place amongst my favourite fantasy romance couples ever‘ India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

‘Half a Soul is exactly the comfort read we all need. . . it sweeps you off your feet in the swooniest way possible‘ Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

Christabel McKinley at David Higham Associates sold World English rights to Assistant Editor Nadia Saward at Orbit UK. Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan at Orbit US has secured North American rights.

We can’t wait to bring you the Regency Faerie Tales this summer, but in the meantime please join us in welcoming Olivia Atwater to Orbit! Follow for updates on Twitter at @OliviaAtwater2

ICYMI Cover Launch: August Kitko and the Mechas from Space

ICYMI: check out the loud, neon-drenched cover for August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White, as launched by Starburst Magazine! When an army of giant robot AIs threatens to devastate Earth, a virtuoso pianist becomes humanity’s last hope in this bold, lightning-paced, technicolor new space opera series from the author of A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe. Coming this July! Learn more and pre-order your copy now: US | UK

Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Illustration by Ben Zweifel

Press Release: Orbit and Riot Games announce first ever novel set in the League of Legends universe

Ruination: A League of Legends NovelNEW YORK (March 21, 2022) – Orbit and Riot Games, the leading video game developer and publisher best known for League of Legends, have signed a major licensing deal to publish the first ever novel set in the League of Legends universe.

The novel, Ruination, written by Anthony Reynolds, Principal Writer at Riot Games, tells the story of Kalista, military general to King Viego, as she searches for a legendary realm that may have access to ancient magic—the only way to cure the poisoned Queen Isolde.

Ruination will be published in English in September 2022 by Orbit teams in the US and UK in print, ebook, and audio editions, and distributed internationally. It is also expected to be translated for all major international markets, with publication dates to be announced in the future.

“Stories play such an important role in exploring our world and champions in deep and meaningful ways,” said Ashley Maidy, Head of Consumer Products for Riot Games. “This is a foundational story for Runeterra, and will shed new light on the events that shape some of its most pivotal characters. We are thrilled that Orbit will be bringing this to life for our fans.”

Senior Vice President and Publisher of Orbit US, Tim Holman, said of the deal, “We are thrilled to be publishing the first novel set in the League of Legends universe. Our goal is to publish stories that will excite not just the millions of League of Legends players but anyone who loves epic adventures set in fantastical worlds. Working with the Rioters has been an amazing experience, and I believe that together we can build a phenomenal publishing program.”

Orbit UK Publisher Anna Jackson said, “League of Legends has taken the world by storm, and we’re so excited to be working with the highly innovative team behind this global sensation. The universe they’ve created is so rich with detail, and we can’t wait to help bring it to life in new ways.”

Orbit US acquiring editor Bradley Englert said, “I’ve been playing League of Legends for more than ten years, and I’m beyond thrilled to be able to join Riot in publishing their first novel set within the League universe. The characters are unforgettable, and the depth of the world is immense. As an epic fantasy editor, it’s an absolute pleasure to be working with a team like Riot who have a real passion for telling remarkable stories.” 

About Riot Games

Riot Games was founded in 2006 to change the way video games are developed, published, and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title, League of Legends, to worldwide acclaim. League has gone on to be the most-played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports.

About Orbit US

Orbit in the US is a division of Hachette Book Group, comprising the Orbit and Redhook imprints. Launched in 2007, the Orbit imprint has established itself as one of the market-leading SFF imprints in the US, and the fastest-growing imprint in the field. Orbit US authors include New York Times bestsellers Joe Abercrombie, Iain M. Banks, James S.A. Corey, Alix E. Harrow, N.K. Jemisin, Ann Leckie, Kim Stanley Robinson, Andrzej Sapkowski, Brent Weeks, and Hannah Whitten.

About Orbit UK

Orbit in the UK is the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Little, Brown Book Group. Launched in 1974, it is one of the leading SFF imprints in the UK. Orbit UK authors include Sunday Times and international bestsellers Iain M. Banks, Terry Brooks, Jim Butcher, Trudi Canavan, M.R. Carey, James S.A. Corey, N.K. Jemisin, Robert Jordan, Ann Leckie, Kim Stanley Robinson, Anthony Ryan and Brent Weeks.

About Hachette Book Group

Hachette Book Group is a leading trade publisher based in New York and a division of Hachette Livre (a Lagardère company), the third-largest trade and educational publisher in the world. HBG is made up of eight publishing groups: Grand Central Publishing; Hachette Audio; Little, Brown and Company; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Orbit; Perseus Books; and Workman Publishing.

About Hachette UK

Hachette UK is the UK’s second largest publishing group, with 10 autonomous publishing divisions and over 50 imprints with a rich and diverse history. We are also the market leader in e-books and publish a range of bestsellers in audio format, the fastest growing part of our business. Our award-winning adult publishing divisions are Orion, Little, Brown, John Murray Press, Hodder & Stoughton, Headline, Quercus, Bookouture and Octopus. Hachette Children’s Group publishes a diverse range of books for children of all ages and Hodder Education is a market leader in resources for both primary and secondary schools.

 

Acquisition Announcement: The Jasad Heir

Orbit is excited to announce the acquisition of THE JASAD HEIR, an Egyptian-inspired political fantasy from debut author, Sara Hashem.

The Jasad Heir is an epic tale of scorched kingdoms, forbidden magic, and cunning royals. Sylvia is the heir of the shattered kingdom, Jasad. Forced into hiding after her family is massacred, she knows to keep her head down, remain alone, and never use her magic. But one act of kindness changes everything and Sylvia is thrust into a game with her fallen kingdom’s greatest enemy—a game that could resurrect her kingdom or leave it in ashes forever.

Intrigued? I hope so! Here are a few words from Sara about what inspired her to write her debut:

Two years after my family moved from California to Egypt, Arab Spring struck. The country I had just started getting to know was immediately turned on its head. Students marched in the streets. The elderly slept in freezing tents in the middle of Tahrir Square. Families spent weeks clustered together, glued to their TVs or radios.

The decision to return to California was not easy. Wracked with guilt, I asked my father, “Do you think people know what happened? What’s still happening?” With complete certainty, he used a common Egyptian saying that translates to, “They will know even the movements of the ants in Egypt.”

But when I returned, people had no idea lives had been lost and they assumed I would be relieved to be away from a country in the midst of chaos and change.

Nearly a decade later, I started writing The Jasad Heir to answer a central question: what do you owe to a place and a people you’ve barely known but without whom you wouldn’t exist? Sylvia’s story helped me to find those answers, and I hope readers enjoy the journey as much as I did.

Look out for The Jasad Heir in 2023 and, in the meantime, please join us in welcoming Sara! You can find her on Twitter and TikTok as @SHashemWrites

Sara Hashem is an American-Egyptian writer from Southern California, where she spent many sunny days holed up indoors with a book. Sara’s love for fantasy and magical realms emerged during the two years her family lived in Egypt. When she isn’t busy naming stray cats in her neighborhood after her favorite authors, Sara can be found buried under coffee-ringed notebooks. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor degree as well as the perfect banana bread recipe.

Orbit US editor Nivia Evans acquired World English rights from Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency