Harry Dresden is top of the charts!
We’ve just heard that Jim Butcher’s SKIN GAME is a NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, coming top of all the hardback fiction titles in the charts last week.
Huge congratulations to Jim from all at Orbit for this well-deserved success. Harry too, of course!
You can check out the first chapter of SKIN GAME or listen to an audio extract on the Orbit blog here.
“Combining an exploration of real human frailties with big sf ideas and exciting thriller action, Corey (pen name for authors Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham) cements the series as must-read space opera.” – Library Journal
We’re just two short weeks away from the release of CIBOLA BURN, the latest novel in James S.A. Corey’s Expanse series! Remember there is still time to pre-order your copy and claim your signed bookplate.
– See more at: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/james-sa-corey/cibola-burn/9781478900825/#sthash.r6GqV09H.dpuf
As we’ve done in the past, we’re getting ready for the big day with a set of desktop wallpapers featuring the breathtaking artwork of Daniel Dociu.
1024 x 768 |1134 x 680 | 1280 x 800 | 1440 x 900 | 1680 x 1050 | 1920 x 1200 | | 2048 x 1536 | Facebook
If you’d like to pick up the others, see the links below.
JUSTICE – the shattering finale to Ian Irvine’s fantasy epic, the Tainted Realm trilogy – has been released today in the UK and US. You can read the first chapter of JUSTICE on the Orbit website, or if you’re new to the series, go back and read the first chapter of the first volume, VENGEANCE.
THE FINAL BATTLE – THE ULTIMATE PRICE
The once beautiful land of Hightspall is being carved up by warring armies led by figures from out of legend. One army is headed by the charismatic brute, Axil Grandys, and the other by Lyf, resurrected sorcerer-king and Axil’s ancient nemesis.
Only the escaped slave Tali and her unreliable magic stand in their way – but Tali’s gift grows more painful every time she uses it. As the armies converge on the fateful peak of Touchstone, Tali and her ally Rix must find a way to overcome Lyf and prevent Axil from using the Three Spells that will destroy Hightspall for ever.
‘For sheer excitement, there’s just no one else like Irvine’
SFX
‘Great action set pieces . . . This is the sort of book you’d pick up if you were prepared to be late for your next appointment’
BOOKBAG on VENGEANCE
The Tainted Realm (comprising VENGEANCE, REBELLION and JUSTICE) is an epic fantasy trilogy perfect for fans of Ian Irvine’s Three Worlds series, as well as fans of authors such as Terry Brooks, Robin Hobb and Terry Goodkind.
Find out more about Ian at his website, or join the thousands of fans following his Facebook page, here.
In case you haven’t heard the exciting news, there’s a new Iron Druid Chronicles book from Kevin Hearne on the way! SHATTERED (UK | ANZ) is due for release next month on 17th June.
This seventh novel in the series is a real cracker! All the legions of Kevin Hearne fans are sure to love it. They’ll certainly all vouch that this is one of the best urban fantasy series you’ll ever read . . .
And this time Kevin’s running a special promotion: 3 Druids for the price of 1!
Our leading man is of course Atticus O’Sullivan – who was once the only Druid left walking the earth, with nothing but his trusty sword and sense of humour to protect him.
But now Atticus’s apprentice Granuaile is a fully-fledged Druid, and there’s yet another Druid on the scene . . . Owen Kennedy was frozen long ago, but he’s now been defrosted – and my goodness is he going to cause some trouble.
Pre-order now to make sure you get your Iron Druid hit as soon as it’s out.
And if you haven’t read the series yet but want to join in the fun, check out the first book HOUNDED (UK). While you’re at it, make sure to follow Kevin’s awesome Facebook page too.
We’re delighted to reveal a set of brand new covers for this landmark fantasy series, written by Robert Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson. The Wheel of Time has captivated millions of fans worldwide and we are proud to present these new editions for the next generation of readers.
These new paperback editions will be published by Orbit UK in September.
MIRA GRANT TO COMPLETE “PARASITOLOGY” SERIES AND RETURN TO “NEWSFLESH” SERIES IN NEW NOVELS AND NOVELLAS FROM ORBIT
Orbit announced today the acquisition of three new novels and four original novellas from multiple Hugo Award-nominated author Mira Grant. One of the novels will be a third book in the “Parasitology” series, following the Hugo Award-nominated PARASITE (US | UK | AUS) and SYMBIONT, and will conclude the trilogy, while the second novel and all four novellas will be set in the world of the “Newsflesh” series. The third novel will be a standalone.
Mira Grant is a pseudonym of Seanan McGuire, winner of the 2010 John W. Campbell Award for best new writer. Orbit published the first Mira Grant novel, FEED (US | UK | AUS), in 2010, and the following year it became her first Hugo Award-nominated novel. The sequels, DEADLINE (US | UK | AUS) and BLACKOUT (US | UK | AUS), were also nominated for the award. Seanan McGuire has also received two shared Hugo Awards for Best Fancast for her work on the SF Squeecast.
PARASITE is a finalist for the 2014 Hugo Award, the fourth Best Novel nomination for Mira Grant. Her science fiction writing has been praised as “Horrifying, riveting, and a bit too plausible” (Library Journal, starred review of PARASITE) and “exceptionally creepy” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram on PARASITE).
Editor Will Hinton said, “It’s a dream to work with an author like Seanan and it’s thrilling to have more Mira Grant books to look forward to. I know her readers will be as excited as I am to return to the Parasitology trilogy, the beloved Newflesh series, and explore entirely new territory in a standalone novel.”
SYMBIONT, book two in the “Parasitology” series, will be published in Fall 2014. The “Parasitology” series is set in a near-future world where parasites have nearly eliminated human disease, but dependence on them may prove to be disastrous.
Seanan McGuire said of the deal, “I am overjoyed to be able to continue to write in the Parasite universe, and more, I am so, so excited to return to the world of Kellis-Amberlee, the Rising, and my unique approach to future journalism. I hope that everyone else will be as excited as I am to go back there, and I promise I have some thrilling surprises in store for you. As for that stand-alone third novel, well… You’ll have to wait and see what that’s going to be about. I can tell you one thing for sure: it’s going to be an adventure.”
The newly-acquired book three in the “Parasitology” series is currently scheduled for Fall 2015, while the first two “Newsflesh” novellas are slated for release in Summer 2014 and Summer 2015.
Today marks the first print publication of the opening book in D.J. Molles’s beloved Remaining series, a story of one soldier’s mission in a ravaged world: SURVIVE, RESCUE, REBUILD. This paperback is a special edition, with an introductory price, featuring the bonus novella THE REMAINING: FAITH.
This series is a must-read for fans of The Walking Dead and World War Z:
In a steel-and-lead encased bunker a Special Forces soldier wait on his final orders.
On the surface a bacterium has turned 90% of the population into hyper-aggressive predators.
Now Captain Lee Harden must leave the bunker and venture into the wasteland to rekindle a shattered America.
Paperbacks of the the next books in the series will follow each of the next three months, here is the full release schedule:
Book 1: THE REMAINING, including The Remaining: Faith novella (May 27, 2014)
Book 2: THE REMAINING: AFTERMATH (June 24, 2014)
Book 3: THE REMAINING: REFUGEES (July 29, 2014)
Book 4: THE REMAINING: FRACTURED (August 25, 2014)
These two novellas, as well as the ebooks of the first four books in the series, are also on sale now in ebook editions:
Novella 1: THE REMAINING: TRUST
Novella 2: THE REMAINING: FAITH*
*Starting today the ebook edition of book 1, The Remaining, will also include the novella, The Remaining: Faith. If you’ve previously purchased the Orbit ebook edition of the first novel you can request an updated file of that book, which will include the Remaining: Faith novella, from most retailers.
The day that Dresden fans have been waiting for is finally here: SKIN GAME, the latest thrilling adventure starring Harry Dresden, comes out in hardback, ebook and audiobook today!
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, is about to have a very bad day. As Winter Knight to the Queen of Air and Darkness, Harry never knows what the scheming Mab might want him to do. Usually, it’s something awful.
This time, it’s worse than that. Mab’s involved Harry in a smash-and-grab heist run by one of his most despised enemies to recover the literal Holy Grail from the vaults of the greatest treasure horde in the world – which belongs to the one and only Hades, Lord of the Freaking Underworld.
Dresden’s always been tricky, but he’s going to have to up his backstabbing game to survive this mess – assuming his own allies don’t end up killing him before his enemies get the chance . . .
Still not convinced you need some more Harry Dresden in your life? Read the SFX Magazine review of SKIN GAME, listen to an audiobook sample read by James Marsters (yes, that James Marsters) or watch the amazing fan-made book trailer now!
SPEED OF DARK is a profound, powerful near-future novel by Elizabeth Moon, which tells the story of a young man with autism who is offered a possible ‘cure’ for his condition.
The book’s fans include Jo Walton, Greg Bear and the late, great Anne McCaffrey. It was the winner of the Nebula Award, was shortlisted for a Clarke and can truly be said to have achieved classic status since it was first published over a decade ago.
This is why we’re delighted to announce that SPEED OF DARK (UK|ANZ) has been chosen as the next Hodderscape Review Project pick. We can’t wait to find out what Hodderscape’s team of reviewers think of this novel, ten years on and ten years closer to the future which it described . . .
A previous Orbit title on the Hodderscape Review Project was Ursula Le Guin’s THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS (UK|ANZ): read the reviews here.
What happens when two writers from different genres come together to talk about science fiction, fantasy, and story crafting? Find out in part two of our SFF interview swap between Rachel Bach and Elizabeth Moon!
Elizabeth Moon has degrees in history and biology, and served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. CROWN OF RENEWAL (UK | AUS) is the final installment of her Paladin’s Legacy series. This gripping epic should be on every fantasy reader’s To Read List. Expect it to be hitting bookshelves on May 27th, or you can start at the beginning with OATH OF FEALTY.
Rachel Bach grew up wanting to be an author and a super villain. Unfortunately, super villainy proved surprisingly difficult to break into, so she stuck to writing and everything worked out great. Her current project, the Paradox series, is a high-octane SF adventure across many fascinating alien worlds. Look for the third novel, HEAVEN’S QUEEN (US | UK | AUS), online and in stores on April 22nd or start at the beginning with FORTUNE’S PAWN.
Rachel: First off, let me say what an amazing honor it is to get to do anything with Elizabeth Moon. I’ve been a fan of yours since my early teens when I took my mom’s DEED OF PAKSENARRION omnibus to school and nearly flunked out of 8th grade due to the constant class skipping reading sessions. In defense of my juvenile delinquency, I’d never encountered anything like Paks before. Her adventures, and the fact that she was the one having them, completely overturned my ideas of what was possible in Fantasy, and it’s hard for me to overstate the influence your books had on my writing. I can draw a straight line from my own stories, especially my Devi books, right back to Paks, and so my first question for you is, was that ever in your mind? While writing Paks, did you ever think ‘I’m writing a strong female character that young women will look up to,’ or was she just who she was?
Elizabeth: (First I dig my toe in the dirt, writhe a bit, and blush, muttering ‘Oh, shucks.’ Followed by ‘Wait – you skipped class in 8th grade? I never dared do that, and I hated most of 8th grade.’ OK, now that’s out of the way . . . )
The short answer is: ‘Not really.’ Like many first books, Paks was partly rebellion against books that didn’t give me what I wanted as a reader . . . including women who were more like real women I knew: women with agency, with intelligence and drive, with both physical and moral courage, and with interests beyond home and sex. And as someone who’d been fascinated with military history since childhood (legacy of WWII vets, including women vets) and a veteran myself, I wanted more realistic women in science fiction and fantasy military stories.
With the exception of Joe Haldeman’s THE FOREVER WAR, male writers who depicted female soldiers at all depicted them as cartoonish cigar-smoking butch lesbians with no military ability except looking butch and acting mean. (To be fair, a lot of the male soldier characters were equally cartoonish.) Female writers were writing women warriors by then, some of them with obvious knowledge of sword-fighting (for instance) but the female characters seemed always outsiders – not integrated into a military organization from recruit to commander, with characters of both sexes showing a range of skills. Yet in real history, some women had fought alongside men without being detected as women until badly wounded or dead. Others were known to be women and also fought well. I wanted to explore ‘the natural soldier’ as a woman. And it was mostly for my own satisfaction, though as my alpha-readers began to respond, it was also for them.
Paks cooperated by being who she was like a laser beam . . . through good times and bad, she was (and remains) one of the most purely focused characters I ever had to deal with, the easiest to write until the end of the book when she . . . rode away and hasn’t come back as a viewpoint character. It wasn’t until later, when I first got feedback from young women, that I realized what she might mean to them.
