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Cover Launch: FRAY by Rowenna Miller

Did you love Rowenna Miller’s French Revolution-inspired epic fantasy debut, TORN? Can’t wait to dive back into her enchanting world of magical ballgowns, reluctant royals, and ardent revolutionaries? The sequel, FRAY, publishes this summer.

While you’re waiting, check out FRAY’s beautiful cover, with art by Peter Bollinger and design by Lisa Marie Pompilio.

What would you risk for love and for country?

Open revolt has been thwarted—for now—but unrest still simmers in the kingdom of Galitha. Sophie Balstrade, despite having built a thriving business on her skill at both dressmaking and magic, has not escaped unscathed from her misadventures in the workers’ rebellion that saw her brother exiled and her friends murdered. Her dangerous foray into curse casting has rendered her powers unpredictable, and her increasingly visible romantic entanglement with the Crown Prince makes her a convenient target for threatened nobles and malcontented commoners alike.

With domestic political reform and international alliances—and her own life—at stake, Sophie must discern friend from foe… before her magic grows too dark for her to wield.

Praise for Torn:

“One of the best novels I’ve read this year! Torn is masterfully written—full of fascinating politics and compelling characters in a vividly rendered, troubled city. Sophie is a believable, layered, and wonderful heroine. I absolutely loved this book!”
—Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Queen of Blood

“Miller places immigrant ambition and women’s lives at the heart of her magical tale of politics and revolution. I was utterly enchanted by this unique, clever and subtly fierce fantasy.”

—Tasha Suri, author of EMPIRE OF SAND (US | UK)

“A gorgeous weave of romantic fantasy and urgent politics.”
—Anna Smith Spark, author of THE COURT OF BROKEN KNIVES

Shortlist for the 2019 Philip K. Dick Award

The nominees for the 2019 Philip K. Dick Award have been announced! See the shortlist below:

  • 84K by Claire North 
  • AMBIGUITY MACHINES AND OTHER STORIES by Vandana Singh
  • TIME WAS by Ian McDonald
  • THE BODY LIBRARY by Jeff Noon
  • ALIEN VIRUS LOVE DISASTER: STORIES by Abbey Mei Otis
  • THEORY OF BASTARDS by Audrey Schulman

The winner will be announced on Friday 19th April at Norwescon 42 in SeaTac, Washington.

84k, a science fiction dystopian novel by Claire NorthCongratulations to all the authors shortlisted, and in particular to Orbit author Claire North! Find out more about her outstanding novel 84K (UK|US|ANZ) below:

‘An eerily plausible dystopian masterpiece’ Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven

‘An extraordinary novel that stands with the best of dystopian fiction, with echoes of The Handmaid’s Tale‘ Cory Doctorow

‘Absolutely breath-taking . . .  An early and compelling candidate for best novel of 2018. Read it’ Sci Fi Magazine

‘[A] gut-punch of a novel . . . a story that is rare – one of those that is so good I didn’t want it to end . . . Painted in shades of Fahrenheit 451, of Children of Men, Soylent Green and Brave New World‘ NPR

‘Absorbing and timely; a book to wrestle and argue with, but first and foremost, to read‘ New York Times

‘Claire North goes from strength to strength . . . A tense, moving story set in drawing from current political trends to present a draconian future similar to that of Nineteen Eighty-Four‘ Guardian

‘Another captivating novel from one of the most intriguing and genre-bending novelists’ Booklist

Read a sample of 84K here. Follow Claire North on Twitter here.

New Acquisition: LEGACY OF ASH by Matthew Ward

As announced in Bookbrunch, we’re thrilled to have acquired LEGACY OF ASH, a superb epic fantasy debut from British author Matthew Ward.

The deal for three books was concluded by Orbit UK editor James Long with literary agent John Jarrold. Orbit US editor Priyanka Krishnan has secured North American rights.

As the Tressian Republic crumbles, beset by enemies from without and within, its future rests on the shoulders of three heroes: Viktor, the Republic’s champion, who hides a terrible secret, and Calenne and Josiri Trelan, heirs to a tarnished legacy. Sworn enemies, they must unite if they hope to save their homeland and erase the mistakes of the past.

Yet bad blood is not easily washed away, and as the fires of war spread, they learn that the truth cuts deeper than any sword – and that the brightest light casts the darkest shadow. 

LEGACY OF ASH is epic in every sense of the word, with a large cast of brilliant characters, dangerous intrigue and bone-crunching battles. From magic-fuelled mechanical lions to the sinister Parliament of Crows, there’s just so much to love about the world Matthew has created, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

LEGACY OF ASH will be published in November 2019.

Cover Launch: CHILDREN OF RUIN by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Orbit is proud to be the US home for Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Arthur C. Clarke’s award-winning novel CHILDREN OF TIME and its sequel CHILDREN OF RUIN. Ambitious, thought provoking, and immersive, it’s a modern classic perfect for fans of SF giants like Iain M. Banks, Peter F. Hamilton and Alastair Reynolds.

Everyone from author/screenwriter Peter Ness to actor James McAvoy has praised this epic story of humanity’s battle for survival on a terraformed planet. And Lionsgate has optioned it for film adaptation.

The US edition of Children of Time just came out this week, and Children of Ruin will be on US bookshelves in May 2019.

 

“Children of Time is a joy from start to finish. Entertaining, smart, surprising and unexpectedly human.”—Patrick Ness

“Brilliant science fiction and far out world building.” — James McAvoy

“The smartest evolutionary worldbuilding you’ll ever read.” —Peter F Hamilton

“This is superior stuff, tackling big themes – gods, messiahs, artificial intelligence, alienness – with brio.” —Financial Times

“Packed with ingenious ideas … classic widescreen space opera.”—New Scientist

*Children of Time and Children of Ruin are published by Pan Macmillan in the UK.

Images by Shutterstock

Cover Launch: THE HOUSE OF SACRIFICE by Anna Smith Spark

Anna Smith Spark’s blockbuster grimdark trilogy has been garnering praise from across the fantasy community, with fans like Mark Lawrence and Scott Lynch. It was shortlisted for both the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel and the Gemmell Morningstar award. And, to top it all off, we think Gene Mollica and Lauren Panepinto designed us some really incredible covers.

In fact, we just got a look at the cover for the third book in the trilogy. Check it out below, and then make sure to pick up the bloody, brilliant final installment in the Empires of Dust trilogy when it publishes in August next year.

Marith’s power is growing. His empire stretches across half the world, and allies are flocking to his banner to share the spoils of war. With Thalia ruling at his side they are unstoppable.

But Marith is become increasingly mentally unstable and their victories cannot continue forever.

Read the final book in this “gritty and glorious!” (Miles Cameron) epic fantasy series reminiscent of Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence where the exiled son of a king fights to reclaim his throne no matter the cost. 

   

Acquisition Announcement: new Melissa Caruso series

We’re thrilled to announce that we have acquired a new trilogy by Melissa Caruso from Naomi Davis of BookEnds Literary! Melissa returns to Raverra and Vaskandar with the story of Ryx, the granddaughter of a Vaskandran Witch Lord, who is born with magic so lethal as to be unusable. She seeks help in Raverra, only to become embroiled in an international magical conflict that threatens to call up destruction from the very depths of Hell. The first book in this series will be published in 2020.

Did you love THE TETHERED MAGE (US | UK)? Bereft at the thought of leaving Raverra at the end of THE UNBOUND EMPIRE? Melissa has you covered with her new series. If you haven’t read her work and you’re hungry for gorgeous epic fantasy full of deadly magic, twisty intrigue, and dangerously complicated families—pick up the Swords and Fire trilogy now, starting with THE TETHERED MAGE and THE DEFIANT HEIR (US | UK).

  

Don’t forget to pre-order the final book of the Swords and Fire trilogy, THE UNBOUND EMPIRE, now!

Pre-order in the US: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo | Chapters

Pre-order in the UK: Amazon | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Waterstones | More Stores

Melissa Caruso is the Gemmell Award-nominated author of the Swords and Fire epic fantasy trilogy. Follow her on Twitter @melisscaru and find out more at melissacaruso.net.

Design credit: Lisa Marie Pompilio; Art credit: Crystal Ben & Arcangel

Introducing OUR WAR by Craig DiLouie

OUR WAR by Craig DiLouie is a powerful novel about the next American civil war, and the children forced to fight in the conflict. Taking a look at all sides, the novel is a prescient and gripping view on a war where not even the youngest among us are exempt.

Below is the striking cover designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio, featuring one of the protagonists, 10-year-old Hannah Miller.

Our children are our soldiers.

After his impeachment, the president of the United States refuses to leave office, and the country erupts into a fractured and violent war. Orphaned by the fighting and looking for a home, 10-year-old Hannah Miller joins a citizen militia in a besieged Indianapolis.

In the Free Women militia, Hannah finds a makeshift family. They’ll teach her how to survive. They’ll give her hope. And they’ll show her how to use a gun.

Hannah’s older brother, Alex, is a soldier too. But he’s loyal to other side, and has found his place in a militant group of fighters who see themselves as the last bastion of their America. By following their orders, Alex will soon make the ultimate decision behind the trigger.

On the battlefields of America, Hannah and Alex will risk everything for their country, but in the end they’ll fight for the only cause that truly matters — each other.

Praise for Craig DiLouie and ONE OF US (US | UK):

Praise for Craig DiLouie and One of Us:

“DiLouie continues to be the master of writing the human heart and all the terrors it contains.” — Peter Clines

“Craig DiLouie is fearless as he explores the dark territory of the human heart.” — Jonathan Maberry

“Its portrayal of hatred feels all too real — and will stay with you long after the book is done.” — The Washing Post

“One of Us is a stunning achievement in speculative fiction.” — Shelf Awareness

Joe Abercrombie is back with A LITTLE HATRED!

Orbit is delighted to announce that we will be publishing a phenomenal new trilogy from the New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie in the US, at the same time that it will be published in the UK by Gollancz. The first book in the trilogy, A LITTLE HATRED, publishes in September 2019.

A Little Hatred marks Abercrombie’s much anticipated return to the world of the First Law. The novel features exciting new characters, along with the return of some memorable faces for longtime Abercrombie fans.  Written and told in a way that only Abercrombie can, the new trilogy is a visceral story of bloody revolution.

If you’re a fan of the First Law, then we can promise that you’re going to love it. If you’ve yet to read Abercrombie (and how could this be true?), A Little Hatred is your time to rectify that mistake.

Joe Abercrombie is the author of the First Law Trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings). His standalone novels (Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country) are also set in the First Law world.

Follow @LordGrimdark on Twitter for more information, or visit www.joeabercrombie.com.

Cover Reveal: MAGEBANE by Stephen Aryan

Only magic can defeat a god . . .

 

Design by Nico Taylor, cover images by Arcangel and Shutterstock

 

MAGEBANE is the action-packed conclusion to Stephen Aryan’s Age of Dread series – publishing June 2019.

A plague rages in the streets of Perizzi. City guards rally to deal with riots while the young magicians of the Tower pool their healing powers to find a cure.

Elsewhere, new alliances are formed to stem the rising darkness strengthening a deity who feeds on pestilence and decay. Gods, Sorcerers and Battlemages must set aside the past and their vendettas to work together or risk unleashing greater suffering than they can possibly imagine . . . 

Praise for Stephen Aryan

‘A vivid and rousing adventure with the kind of magic that punches you right in the face’ – Jen Williams

‘Epic fantasy for readers who appreciate extra helpings of carnage with their backstabbing’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Stephen Aryan puts the epic into Epic Fantasy. This is a ground-shaking debut, full of fiery promise’ – Den Patrick

‘Aryan’s battle scenes are visceral masterpieces that transport the reader deep into the mêleé’ – Taran Matharu

Cover Launch – THE FIFTH WARD: GOOD COMPANY by Dale Lucas

Fantasy cities are sprawling, dirty places. Filled to bursting with heroes questing, mages testing out spells, thieves around every corner, elves judging everyone, dwarves hating everyone, orcs fighting everyone, and humans being typical humans. You get the idea, there’s a lot going on! Enter Rem and Torval: one a human, the other a dwarf, and both working as Watchwardens.

They’re the city of Yenara’s thin blue line. They keep the peace as best they can. But that’s no small task. And now, in their third adventure together, THE FIFTH WARD: GOOD COMPANY they’re heading out of the city on their first road trip. And the journey will be more perilous than they could ever expect.

Cover art by Sammy Yuen; Design by Lauren Panepinto

Humans, orcs, mages, elves, and dwarves all jostle for success and survival in the cramped quarters of Yenara, while understaffed Watch Wardens struggle to keep its citizens in line.

Now, Rem and Torval must escort a notorious thief through a dangerous forest to the nearby city from where he escaped. But the thief’s companions are waiting, and the soldiers Rem and Torval journey with might not be so honorable.

The Fifth Ward: Good Company publishes July 9th, 2019, but be sure to check out the first two books featuring Rem and Torval’s adventures in fantasy’s seediest city.

First Watch