Archive for Covers

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.

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

Cover Launch: CONTACT by Carl Sagan

We’re thrilled to reveal the cover for our upcoming reissue of CONTACT, Carl Sagan’s internationally bestselling novel of first contact.

Design by Emily Shields

 

For this new edition we challenged a number of design students to create and pitch design concepts. The winning entry – as seen above – was created by Emily Shields. We had a tough time choosing a winner as there were so many strong designs and we will showcase some of them nearer the book’s publication.

An instant bestseller upon its original publication in 1985, CONTACT has gone on to sell millions of copies worldwide and is a classic of science fiction.

 

We are not alone . . .

At first it seemed impossible – a radio signal that came not from Earth but from far beyond the nearest stars. But then the signal was translated, and what had been impossible became terrifying.

For the signal contains the information to build a Machine that can travel to the stars. A Machine that can take a human to meet those that sent the message.

They are eager to meet us: they have been watching and waiting for a long time.

And now they will judge.

 

‘Stunning and satisfying’ Los Angeles Times

‘An astonishingly exciting, precise and involved book’ Sydney Sunday Telegraph

‘The range and depth of ideas is quite uncommon’ New York Times Book Review

‘Sagan’s informed and dramatically enacted speculations into the mysteries of the universe . . . make Contact an exciting adventure’ Publishers Weekly

‘Imaginative flair’ Wall Street Journal 

 

We publish this new edition of CONTACT in April. Pre-order now: UK/ANZ

Cover launch: ITHACA by Claire North

Following our exciting acquisition news about ITHACA by Claire North, we’re now thrilled to reveal the stunning cover, designed by the hugely talented Lisa Marie Pompilio at Orbit US.

Book cover for ITHACA by Claire North, featuring a contemplative woman in a Greek robe pulling loom threads through her fingers

Claire North is renowned for being one of the most original and innovative voices in modern fiction, and now she has turned her hand to the classical age with incredible results . . .

ITHACA is a powerful retelling of the Greek myth of Penelope from the Odyssey. It is perfect for anyone who has enjoyed Circe by Madeline Miller or Ariadne by Jennifer Saint—but it also has its own completely unique flavour, told through the eyes of the goddess Hera. It’s poetic, thrilling, and heartbreaking all at once, and it’s already receiving superb praise:

‘Claire North brings a powerful, fresh and unflinching voice to ancient myth – darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking’ Jennifer Saint, author of Sunday Times bestseller Ariadne

ITHACA is out this September and it’s available for pre-order now (UK | US) . Read on to hear more about it:

This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Beyond Ithaca’s shores, the whims of gods dictate the wars of men. But on the isle, it is the choices of the abandoned women – and their goddesses – that will change the course of the world.

Seventeen years ago, king Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the island of Ithaca. None of them have returned, and the women have been left behind to run the kingdom.

Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. Whilst he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that husband is dead, and suitors are starting to knock at her door . . .

But no one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus’ empty throne – not yet. Between Penelope’s many suitors, a cold war of dubious alliances and hidden knives reigns, as everyone waits for the balance of power to tip one way or another. If Penelope chooses one from amongst them, it will plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war. Only through cunning and her spy network of maids can she maintain the delicate balance of power needed for the kingdom to survive.

On Ithaca, everyone watches everyone else, and there is no corner of the palace where intrigue does not reign . . .

From the multi award-winning Claire North comes a daring, exquisite and moving tale that breathes life into ancient myth, and tells of the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men. It’s time for the women of Ithaca to tell their tale . . .

‘Like Penelope at her loom North both weaves and unweaves, teasing out the threads of Homeric myth to recombine them into something unique, wonderful and urgently contemporary’ M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts

Pre-order ITHACA by Claire North now (UK | US).

Acquisition Announcement: A DOWRY OF BLOOD by S. T. Gibson

We are delighted to announce that we’ve acquired S. T. Gibson’s A Dowry of Blood, a deliciously dark retelling of Dracula; a story of desire, obsession and the lengths to which we’ll go to protect the ones we love. It was previously published by independent press Nyx Publishing and has already established a dedicated fan base; Orbit plans to build on the novel’s cult success and break it out to a wide commercial fiction readership.

Orbit UK and US will publish simultaneously in October 2022, with a further book from S. T. Gibson set in the same world as A Dowry of Blood following in 2023. This stunning cover was designed by Duncan Spilling.

A book cover with a dark background and a woman with a smear of blood across her eyes

This is my last love letter to you, though some would call it a confession. . .

Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things.

Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband’s dark secrets. With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.

S. T. Gibson said: ‘I’m absolutely elated to be working with the talented team at Orbit to bring A Dowry of Blood to life on a grand scale. From the first editorial call, I knew that this book had found its perfect home. A Dowry of Blood was my refuge and comfort during a tough period in my life, and Constanta’s story is near and dear to my heart. By writing this book I was able to dive headfirst into themes of love and marriage, abuse and tenderness, and life and death. I hope readers enjoy the chills and thrills of this dark, dramatic story of obsession.’

Praise for A Dowry of Blood:

‘Dark, lush and heartrendingly romantic’ Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge

‘A dizzying nightmare of a romance that will leave you aching, angry and ultimately hopeful’ Hannah Whitten, author of For the Wolf

‘Atmospheric and lush. . . it will haunt you in the best possible way’ Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart

Tara Gilbert at the Jennifer De Chiara Agency sold World English rights in a two-book deal to Assistant Editor Nadia Saward at Orbit UK. Associate Editor Angeline Rodriguez at Orbit US has secured North American rights.

We can’t wait to make this the next big obsession in October, but in the meantime please join us in welcoming S. T. Gibson to Orbit! Follow for updates on Twitter at @s_t_gibson, Instagram at @stgibsonauthor and TikTok at @saint.machina

 

 

 

 

Cover launch: We Dream of Gods by Devin Madson

Devin Madson’s bold and bloody Reborn Empire series comes to an electrifying conclusion in WE DREAM OF GODS, out this December! The fate of the world will be decided when heroes and gods march into battle one last time…

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Illustration by Nico Delort

 

While you wait, catch up on the first three books in the Reborn Empire series (We Ride the Storm US | UK, We Lie With Death US | UK, and We Cry for Blood US | UK), and find Devin at their website and on Twitter.

Cover launch: The World Gives Way by Marissa Levien

THE WORLD GIVES WAY by Marissa Levien is getting a refresh for its paperback release on May 3rd! Check out the new stunning cover that perfectly captures this portrait of a world in freefall, and the fierce drive to live even at the end of it all.

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

 

A New York Times Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novel of 2021
A Fortune Magazine Best Book of 2021

“A staggering marvel.”—The New York Times

“The World Gives Way has a sweeping world rich in lore and an electric plot.”—Brandon Taylor, Booker Prize-nominated author of Real Life

In a near-future world on the brink of collapse, a young woman born into servitude must seize her own freedom in this glittering debut with a brilliant twist.

In fifty years, Myrra will be free.

Until then, she’s a contract worker. Ever since she was five, her life and labor have belonged to the highest bidder on her contract—butchers, laundries, and now the powerful, secretive Carlyles.

But when one night finds the Carlyles dead, Myrra is suddenly free a lot sooner than she anticipated—and at a cost she never could have imagined. Burdened with the Carlyles’ orphaned daughter and the terrible secret they died to escape, she runs. With time running out, Myrra must come face to face with the truth about her world—and embrace what’s left before it’s too late.

A sweeping novel with a darkly glimmering heart, The World Gives Way is an unforgettable portrait of a world in freefall, and the fierce drive to live even at the end of it all.