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Cover Launch: THE WISDOM OF CROWDS by Joe Abercrombie

Last week we revealed the stunning cover for the final book in The Age of Madness trilogy, THE WISDOM OF CROWDS. You can rewatch the cover reveal here, where author Joe Abercrombie was joined by cover artist Sam Weber and Orbit’s Creative Director, Lauren Panepinto, to chat about the trilogy and answer fan questions! The Wisdom of Crowds comes to bookshelves near you this September.

Chaos. Fury. Destruction.
 
The Great Change is upon us . . .

Some say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of power, the smoke of riots has replaced the smog of industry, and all must submit to the wisdom of crowds.

With nothing left to lose, Citizen Brock is determined to become a new hero for the new age, while Citizeness Savine must turn her talents from profit to survival before she can claw her way to redemption. Orso will find that when the world is turned upside down, no one is lower than a monarch. And in the bloody North, Rikke and her fragile Protectorate are running out of allies . . . while Black Calder gathers his forces and plots his vengeance.

The banks have fallen, the sun of the Union has been torn down, and in the darkness behind the scenes, the threads of the Weaver’s ruthless plan are slowly being drawn together . . .

Praise for The Age of Madness:

“A master of the genre.” — Lev Grossman, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Abercrombie squeezes your heart till it matches his beat. No one writes with the seismic scope or primal intensity of Joe Abercrombie.” — Pierce Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say that he’s a master of his craft.” —Forbes

“Abercrombie continues to do what he does best . . . Buckle your seat belts for this one . . . . A vivid and jolting tale.” — Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author

“Abercrombie’s satisfying plotting and expert subversion of genre expectations are sure to please. Readers will be gripped.” —Publishers Weekly

 

Cover Launch: A MASTER OF DJINN by P. Djèlí Clark

With less than a week to go until the release of the ebook of P. Djèlí Clark’s debut novel, A MASTER OF DJINN (UK|ANZ), we’re thrilled to share the final cover. Anyone wanting to get their hands on a physical copy will have to wait a little longer, as the paperback won’t be hitting the shops until August. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the beautiful design created by Little, Brown’s very own Matthew Burne.

 

Read on for a taste of what’s in store:

Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer.

So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, Al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world fifty years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be Al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over onto the global stage.

Alongside her Ministry colleagues and a familiar person from her past, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter to restore peace to the city – or face the possibility he could be exactly who he seems . . .

‘Clever, wickedly fun . . . with an excellent balance of humour and heart. I loved it’
S. A. Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass

‘A Master of Djinn has all the tricky twists I want in a police procedural and all the djinns, magic and wonder I want from fantasy’
Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of The Calculating Stars

‘An epic tale of magic and mystery, this is sure to wow’
Publishers Weekly

‘A Master of Djinn is everything you might expect from Clark: cinematic action, a radical reimagining of real history, and magic on every page. I loved it’
Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January

‘The kind of book you don’t want to put down’
Marie Brennan, World Fantasy and Hugo Award-nominated author

 

Acquisition Announcement: WILD AND WICKED THINGS by Francesca May

Something gothic this way comes! We’re delighted to announce Orbit’s sister imprint, Redhook, has acquired Francesca May’s lush historical fantasy debut, WILD AND WICKED THINGS.

Set in an atmospheric reimagining of 1920s England, Wild and Wicked Things follows a young woman’s journey into a glittering world filled with illicit magic, romance, blood debts, and murder. Perfect for readers of Mexican Gothic and The Year of the Witching, this enthralling debut will entice you into a world of dark witchcraft and folklore.

…

On Crow Island, people whispered, real magic lurked just below the surface, but Annie Mason never expected her enigmatic new neighbor to be a witch. When she witnesses a confrontation between her best friend Bea and the infamous Emmeline Delacroix at one of Emmeline’s extravagantly illicit parties, she is drawn into a glittering, haunted world. A world where magic can buy what money can not; a world where the consequence of a forbidden blood bargain might be death.

…

We can’t wait to share WILD AND WICKED THINGS with you next year! And, in the meantime, please join us in welcoming Francesca to Orbit/Redhook. You can find her on Twitter @franwritesstuff and at https://franwritesstuff.com/.

Orbit US senior editor Nivia Evans acquired World English rights from Diana Beaumont at Marjacq. Orbit UK editor Emily Byron has secured UK rights.

Cover Launch: THE FALL OF BABEL by Josiah Bancroft

THE FALL OF BABEL is the incredible final book in the word of mouth phenomenon fantasy series that began with Senlin Ascends. “The “Books of Babel” are something you hope to see perhaps once a decade — future classics, which may be remembered long after the series concludes.” (Los Angeles Times)

The final book in the Books of Babel series is nearly here, and the good folks over at The Fantasy Inn launched the cover last week. For those who pre-order the book, keep your receipts! There’s a special digital surprise coming soon for those who order early. Follow the author on Twitter at @BancroftJosiah and @orbitbooks for more info.

Book cover for The Fall of Babel by Josiah Bancroft. A golden figure emerges from the a shattering city. Mechanical legs are visible beneath the figure's armor.

Credits: Illustration by Ian Leino, design by Lauren Panepinto

As Marat’s siege engine bores through the Tower, erupting inside ringdoms and leaving chaos in its wake, Senlin can do nothing but observe the mayhem from inside the belly of the beast. Caught in a charade, Senlin desperately tries to sabotage the rampaging Hod King, even as Marat’s objective grows increasingly clear. The leader of the zealots is bound for the Sphinx’s lair and the unimaginable power it contains.

In the city under glass at the Tower’s summit, Adam discovers a utopia where everyone inexplicably knows the details of his past. As Adam unravels the mystery of his fame, he soon discovers the crowning ringdom conceals a much darker secret.

Aboard the State of Art, Edith and her crew adjust to the reality that Voleta has awoken from death changed. She seems to share more in common with the Red Hand now than her former self. While Edith wars for the soul of the young woman, a greater crisis looms: They will have to face Marat on unequal footing and with Senlin caught in the crossfire.

And when the Bridge of Babel is finally opened, and the Brick Layer’s true ambition revealed, neither they nor the Tower will ever be the same again.

Book jacket for Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft. The cover shows a man scaling the rings of a tiered city as clouds drift by. Book jacket for The Arm of the Sphinx by Josiah Bancroft. A blue mechanical arm reaches up through the rings of a many tiered city. Book jacket for The Hod King by Josiah Bancroft. A woman falls through the rings of a many tiered city. Cracks in the city walls are visible.

Praise for The Books of Babel

“Josiah Bancroft is a magician. His books are that rare alchemy: gracefully written, deliriously imaginative, action‑packed, warm, witty, and thought‑provoking. I can’t wait for more.” — Madeline Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Circe

“It’s rare to find a modern book that feels like a timeless classic. I’m wildly in love with this book.” — Pierce Brown, author of Red Rising

“Senlin Ascends is one of the best reads I’ve had in ages . . . I was dragged in and didn’t escape until I’d finished two or three days later.” — Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns

“Deeply compelling . . . A classic in the making.” — B&N Sci‑Fi & Fantasy Blog

“Wonderfully unique and superbly well written. I loved every page.” — Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

“Senlin is a man worth rooting for, and his strengthening resolve and character is as marvelous and sprawling as the tower he climbs.” — The Washington Post

“I loved it, and grabbed the next one as soon as I turned the last page.” — Django Wexler, author of The Thousand Names

“Brilliant debut fantasy . . . This novel goes off like a firework and suggests even greater things in the author’s future.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Acquisition Announcement: THE FAIRY BARGAINS OF PROSPECT HILL by Rowenna Miller

Author photo of Rowenna Miller.

Orbit is delighted to announce the acquisition of Rowenna Miller’s enchanting new historical fantasy novel, THE FAIRY BARGAINS OF PROSPECT HILL.

Set in the waning years of the Gilded Age, THE FAIRY BARGAINS OF PROSPECT HILL follows two sisters, one managing the family farm and the other a rising socialite, as they make increasingly treacherous bargains with the Fae to help one sister escape her abusive marriage. With its charming and lush writing, rich historical details, and a delightful cast of characters, The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill is sure to sweep you off your feet. We can’t wait for you to read it!

…

On Prospect Hill, you can get nearly anything you want from the Fae—if you know how to ask and if you can pay the price.

There is no magic on Prospect Hill—or anywhere else, for that matter. But just on the other side of the veil is the world of the Fae, and all their magic. Generations ago, the first farmers on Prospect Hill learned to bargain small trades to make their lives a little easier—a bit of glass to find something lost, a cup of milk for better layers in the chicken coop.

Much of that old wisdom has been lost as the riverboats gave way to the rail lines and the farmers took work at the copper works and the cotton mill. Alaine Fairborn’s family, however, was always superstitious, and she still hums the rhymes to find her lost shoe and ensure dry weather on her sister Delphine’s wedding day.

But when Delphine confides her new husband is not the man she thought he was, Alaine will stop at nothing to help her sister escape his abuse. Small bargains buy them time, but the progress of locomotives and factories hasn’t given way to equitable laws for women. A major bargain is needed, but the price for sweeping change may be more than they’re willing to pay.

…

While you wait patiently, you can read Rowenna’s debut fantasy series, The Unraveled Kingdom, consisting of TORN, FRAY, and RULE. Follow her on Twitter @RowennaM and find out more at rowennamiller.com.

Book cover for Torn by Rowenna Miller. A line of needles are strung together with a red thread to form the silhouette of a city skyline. Book cover for Fray by Rowenna Miller. The silhouette of a castle is cut from a pool of red cloth.  Book cover of Rule by Rowenna Miller. Cover shows embroidery of a silver crown wreathed in fire.

Orbit US senior editor Nivia Evans acquired World rights from Jessica Sinsheimer at Context Literary.

 

Cover Launch: INTO THE DYING LIGHT by Katy Rose Pool

Hearts will shatter, cities will fall, and a god will rise in INTO THE DYING LIGHT (UK|ANZ),  the spectacular conclusion to Katy Rose Pool’s Age of Darkness trilogy.

You’ll have to wait until September to get your hands on this YA fantasy blockbuster packed with magic, prophecy and adventure, but, in the meantime, feast your eyes on the stunning cover below.

 

Katy Rose Pool

 

Praise for the the Age of Darkness:

‘Masterful . . . Katy Rose Pool is a writer to watch’ Sebastien De Castell, author of Traitor’s Blade

‘Adventurous relic-hunting, mind-blowing twists, budding love and terrible betrayals feature in this multiple-narrator, character-driven study of power, agency and identity’ Kirkus (starred review)

‘Unforgettable . . . feels both utterly original and like the best of classic fantasy’ Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand

‘Solidifies Katy Rose Pool’s status as one of the best fantasy writers of the 21st century’ Popsugar

‘Katy Rose Pool combines lovable characters, a gorgeously tangible world and an intricate puzzle-box plot to create a story that will pull you inexorably toward the explosive end’ Sarah Holland, New York Times bestselling author of Everless

If you haven’t discovered this remarkable series yet, there’s still time to dive in before book three arrives!

Katy Rose Pool

 

Cover Launch: FAR FROM THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN by Tade Thompson

We’re thrilled to announce that Arthur C. Clarke winner Tade Thompson is making a triumphant return to science fiction with FAR FROM THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN (US | UK: link coming soon), an unforgettable vision of humanity’s future among the stars. If you can’t wait until October 2021, head on over to io9 to see the spectacular cover and read an exclusive excerpt.

The colony ship Ragtime docks in the Lagos system, having travelled light years from home to bring one thousand sleeping souls to safety among the stars.

Some of the sleepers, however, will never wake – and a profound and sinister mystery unfolds aboard the gigantic vessel. Its skeleton crew are forced to make decisions that will have repercussions for all of humanity’s settlements – from the scheming politicians of Lagos station, to the colony planet of Bloodroot, to other far flung systems and indeed Earth itself.

Praise for Tade Thompson:

‘Tade Thompson is a writer of enormous heart and talent. Just brilliant’ Dave Hutchinson

‘Smart. Gripping. Fabulous!’ Ann Leckie on Rosewater

‘A magnificent tour de force, skilfully written and full of original and disturbing ideas’ Adrian Tchaikovsky on Rosewater

‘Mind-expanding and utterly addictive’ Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, on Rosewater

You can find Tade Thompson on Twitter @tadethompson.

Cover Launch: BLOOD OF THE CHOSEN by Django Wexler

Set in the ruins of an ancient, technologically advanced civilization, Django Wexler’s epic fantasy about two siblings on opposite sides of a magical civil war is bursting with imagination, magic, and mystery. Book one, ASHES OF THE SUN garnered praise from authors like Anthony Ryan who called it “A fast-paced and highly entertaining ride through a compelling and original world” and Nicholas Eames who said it was “Fantasy at its finest”.

Book two won’t be out until October 2021, but in the meantime, you can pre-order and get a load of this epic cover for BLOOD OF THE CHOSEN!

Art by Scott M. Fischer and cover design by Lauren Panepinto

In the second book of Django Wexler’s epic fantasy trilogy about two siblings divided by magic and revolution, Gyre must travel across the Splinter Kingdoms to rally the rebels to his side, while his sister Maya uncovers the secrets of a powerful artifact that could change everything.

Gyre finally sees a way to overthrow the all-powerful Twilight Order. But he’ll have to gain the alliance of both the ghouls and the human rebels to the south to even stand a chance. And uniting them won’t be so simple.

His sister Maya is still a soldier of the Order. But after clashing with her brother, she isn’t so certain where her loyalties lie. Chasing the origins of a mysterious artifact to a long-lost library, she just might find the answers she’s looking for.

Praise for Ashes of the Sun:

“Ashes of the Sun is fantasy at its finest: deliciously inventive, brimming with ancient evils, fallen empires, mysterious technology, and devastating magic. Best of all, however, are its characters, each one crafted with deliberate care and developed in meaningful ways as their story unfolds.”―Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

“Magic, mutants, and mayhem abound in Django Wexler’s Ashes of the Sun, but there’s also plenty of brain food to be had in this tale of a post-catastrophe world suffering under the yoke of unbending authoritarian rule. A fast-paced and highly entertaining ride through a compelling and original world”―Anthony Ryan, NYT bestselling author of Blood Song

“Reminiscent of Final Fantasy, Masters of the Universe, and Moorcock’s The Jewel in the Skull, ASHES OF THE SUN is a science-fantasy adventure brimming with everything that is weird and wonderful about a world where magic and technology have fused in the fires of a fallen civilization.”―Jonathan French, author of The Grey Bastards

“Ashes of the Sun shows that Wexler is a master of high fantasy. His plotting and this post-apocalyptic setting will warp your mind!”―S. M. Stirling, NYT bestselling author

“Gorgeous writing, powerfully-drawn characters, and an exciting storyline!”―K.D. Edwards, Author of The Last Sun and The Hanged Man

“Exciting. Immersive. Epic. A perfect page turner and a phenomenal start to a new series.”―Peter Clines, author of The Fold and Ex-Heroes

“This is a book whose characters and world will stay with you well after the last page. Do yourself a favor and read it. Now.”―Douglas Hulick, author of Among Thieves and Sworn in Steel

“Ashes of the Sun uses awesome worldbuilding and complex, diverse characters to fuse the aesthetics of Star Wars with the brainfeel of Fullmetal Alchemist. Ancient secrets! Queer ladies! Snark! I demand a TV adaptation ASAP!”―Foz Meadows

“Ashes of the Sun is the best sort of fantasy. With fascinating characters, a richly realized world, and romances both steamy and adorable, Gyre and Maya are epic heroes you’ll want to know.”―Robyn Bennis, author of The Guns Above

“Ashes of the Sun brings to life an ancient world of magic broken by war. It’s a simmering post-apocalyptic fantasy that feels like the literary equivalent of a ticking time bomb. The book lights a fuse in its first few pages, slowly setting up stakes and a conflict big enough to break the bonds of love, loyalty, duty, and even family, all before the full burn of its last few chapters and the finale’s thunderous explosion.”―Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

Cover Launch: CATALYST GATE by Megan E. O’Keefe

VELOCITY WEAPON (US | UK)  and CHAOS VECTOR (US | UK)  hooked readers with its huge space battles, intricate planetary politics, breakneck pacing, and bold plot twists. Now, with the third book on the horizon and the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, you can finally feast your eyes on the gorgeous cover for the final book in the trilogy:

With art by Sparth and design by Lauren Panepinto, this cover promises more heart-stopping action, more adventure, and more loveable AI from a master of modern science fiction. Pre-order it now (US |UK) Or start with the first book in the series (US | UK).

The universe is under threat and an ancient alien intelligence threatens to bring humanity down unless Major Sanda Greeve and her crew can stop it in the final book of this explosive Philip K. Dick award-nominated space opera.

The code has been cracked. The secrets of the Casimir gates have been revealed. But humanity still isn’t safe. The alien intelligence known as Rainier and her clones are still out there, hell-bent on its destruction. And only Sanda can stop them.

With the universe’s most powerful ship under her command and some of the most skilled hackers, fighters, and spies on her team, it will still take everything she has to find the key to taking down an immortal enemy with seemingly limitless bodies, resources, and power.

Acquisition Announcement: A MASTER OF DJINN by P. Djèlí Clark

Our friends at the Fantasy Inn shared the exciting news  that Orbit UK has acquired P. Djèlí Clark’s phenomenal debut novel, A MASTER OF DJINN (UK|ANZ).

Set in an alternate version of Cairo, where djinn live and work alongside people, A MASTER OF DJINN follows special investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi, as she tries to get to the bottom of a mysterious case involving magic and murder.

The good news is there’s not long to wait! A MASTER OF DJINN is set to publish in the UK this summer, with an early ebook in May followed by a paperback release in August. And if that isn’t enough to get you excited, here’s a few more reasons:

‘Clever, wickedly fun . . . with an excellent balance of humour and heart. I loved it’
S. A. Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass

‘A Master of Djinn has all the tricky twists I want in a police procedural and all the djinns, magic and wonder I want from fantasy’
Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of The Calculating Stars

‘An epic tale of magic and mystery, this is sure to wow’
Publishers Weekly

‘A Master of Djinn is everything you might expect from Clark: cinematic action, a radical reimagining of real history, and magic on every page. I loved it’
Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January

‘The kind of book you don’t want to put down’
Marie Brennan, World Fantasy and Hugo Award-nominated author

 

About the author:

Born in New York and raised mostly in Houston, P. Djèlí Clark spent the formative years of his life in the homeland of his parents, Trinidad and Tobago. He is the author of the novellas The Black God’s Drums; The Haunting of Tram Car 015 and A Dead Djinn in Cairo. His short story ‘The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington’ has earned him both a Nebula and Locus award. He currently resides in New England and ruminates on issues of diversity in speculative fiction. A Master of Djinn is his debut novel.

Follw P. Djeli Clark on Twitter at @pdjeliclark

Author photo by Le Image Inc., Brooklyn, NY