Archive for Covers

Cover Launch: RULE by Rowenna Miller

If you’ve missed Rowenna Miller’s beguiling world of sartorial sorcery, court intrigue, and revolutionary royals, the wait is nearly over—the thrilling conclusion to her French Revolution-inspired epic fantasy, RULE, is hitting shelves in May 2020.  

In the meantime, check out the final book’s gorgeous cover, with art by Carrie Violet and design by Lisa Marie Pompilio.

 

The civil war that the charm caster Sophie and the Crown Prince Theodor tried so desperately to avert has come to Galitha.

While Theodor joins Sophie’s brother and his Reformist comrades in battle, hoping to turn the tide against the better-supplied and better-trained Royalist army, Sophie leverages the only weapon she has: charm and curse casting. She weaves her signature magic into uniforms and supplies, but soon discovers that the challenges of a full-scale war are far greater than the entrepreneurial concerns of her small Galithan dress shop.

The fractured leadership of the Reformist army must coalesce, the people of Galitha unite against enormous odds, and Sophie must create more than a little magical luck in order to have a chance of victory.

Praise for The Unraveled Kingdom:

“Fantasy fans, especially those who grew up reading Tamora Pierce’s Circle of Magic series, will adore Sophie and be riveted as she navigates her shop, her new place in society, her love life, and a potential war. Miller accomplishes the tricky task of keeping the action exciting and page-turning…Highly recommended.”

—Booklist (starred review) on Fray

“A tense plot and satisfying character development. This enjoyable installment maintains the innovative magic and well-handled conflict between the personal and the political that marked the series debut.”
—Kirkus on Fray

“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 on Torn

“Miller weaves a fresh, richly textured world full of magic-stitched ball gowns and revolutionary pamphlets. The vivid, complex setting and deeply human characters make for an absorbing read!”
—Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage on Torn

 

Cover Launch: A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MAGICIANS by H. G. Parry

If you loved Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell or Zen Cho’s Sorcerer to the Crown, we have great news! A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MAGICIANS, H.G. Parry’s Age of Enlightenment-set story of magic, war, and the struggle for freedom, is coming June 2020. In the meantime, you can behold its enchanting cover designed by Orbit’s own Lisa Marie Pompilio.

A sweeping tale of revolution and wonder in a world not quite like our own.

It is the Age of Enlightenment — of new and magical political movements, from the necromancer Robespierre calling for revolution in France to the weather mage Toussaint L’Ouverture leading the slaves of Haiti in their fight for freedom, to the bold new Prime Minister William Pitt weighing the legalization of magic amongst commoners in Britain and abolition throughout its colonies overseas. 

But amidst all of the upheaval of the early modern world, there is an unknown force inciting all of human civilization into violent conflict. And it will require the combined efforts of revolutionaries, magicians, and abolitionists to unmask this hidden enemy before the whole world falls to darkness and chaos.

Cover Launch: A BLIGHT OF BLACKWINGS by Kevin Hearne

An invasion of giants. A world-breaking war. 

And a revolution that will change everything. 

 

We’re thrilled to reveal the cover for A BLIGHT OF BLACKWINGS [UK/ANZ] – book two in Kevin Hearne’s Seven Kennings series, following on from the spectacular series opener A PLAGUE OF GIANTS [UK/ANZ], which began an epic tale of warring giants and elemental magic.

Here’s a taste of what to expect in this thrilling new adventure.

SOLDIER AND AVENGER
Daryck is from a city that was devastated by the war with the Bone Giants, and now he and a band of warriors seek revenge against the giants for the loved ones they’ve lost. But will vengeance be enough to salve their grief?

DREAMER AND LEADER
Hanima is part of a new generation with extraordinary magical talents: She can speak to fantastical animals. But when this gift becomes a threat to the powers-that-be, Hanima becomes the leader of a movement to use this magic to bring power to the people.

SISTER AND SEEKER
Koesha is the captain of an all-female crew on a perilous voyage to explore unknown waters. Though her crew is seeking a path around the globe, Koesha is also looking for her sister, lost at sea two years ago. But what lies beyond the edges of the map is far more dangerous than storms and sea monsters . . .

We publish A BLIGHT OF BLACKWINGS in February!

Praise for the Seven Kennings series:

‘Truly epic fantasy’ James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

‘This isn’t just a breath of fresh air for the genre, it’s a damned hurricane’ Jason M. Hough, New York Times bestselling author

‘A rare masterpiece that’s both current and timeless . . . merging the fantasy bones of Tolkien and Rothfuss with a wide cast of characters who’ll break your heart’
Delilah S. Dawson

 

 

Cover Launch: SMOKE BITTEN by Patricia Briggs

Exciting news for fans of Patricia Briggs: everyone’s favourite kick-ass shapeshifter, Mercy Thompson, will be back in action next year in SMOKE BITTEN (UK|ANZ).

We are thrilled to reveal the gorgeous cover below.

In the twelfth installment of this bestselling series, Mercy encounters a threat unlike any she has faced before. Read on for a taste of what’s in store:

 

I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman. My only ‘superpowers’ are that I turn into a thirty-five-pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I’m going to need them.

Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill. When they were cast out, they left behind their great castles, troves of magical artefacts . . . and their prisoners. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.

Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like any creature it chooses and if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction and can make you do anything – even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.

It won’t – can’t – remain. Not if I have anything to say about it . . .

 

SMOKE BITTEN will hit the shops in May 2020 and is available for pre-order now!

 

Praise for Patricia Briggs:

‘Patricia Briggs is an incredible writer . . . I love hanging out with the amazing characters in this series!’ Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author

‘It is always a joy to pick up a new Briggs novel’ RT Book Reviews

‘Patricia Briggs never fails to deliver an exciting, magic and fable filled suspense story’ Erin Watt, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Royals series.

‘I love these books’ Charlaine Harris, New York Times bestselling author

 

Publication Announcement: CHILLING EFFECT by Valerie Valdes

At Orbit UK we’re thrilled to announce our publication of CHILLING EFFECT by Valerie Valdes! This debut novel is a hilarious, action-packed space opera that features an irresistible foul-mouthed captain and her misfit crew.

‘Hilarious and heartwarming . . . my shields are at full strength and my heart is ready for Eva’s next adventure’ Patrick Weekes, Lead writer at BioWare (Dragon Age, Mass Effect)

Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra cruise the galaxy delivering small cargo for even smaller profits. When her sister is kidnapped, Eva must undergo a series of dangerous missions to pay the ransom. But Eva may lose her mind before she can raise the money. The ship’s hold is full of psychic cats, an amorous fish-faced emperor wants her dead, and her engineer is giving her a pesky case of feelings. The worse things get, the more she lies, raising suspicions and testing her loyalty to her found family. To free her sister, Eva will risk everything: her crew, her ship, and the life she’s built on the ashes of her past misdeeds. But when the dominoes start to fall and she finds the real threat is greater than she imagined, she must decide whether to play it cool or burn it all down.

CHILLING EFFECT is now available in ebook, and the paperback will follow February 2020.
The psychic cats are waiting . . .

Valerie Valdes lives in ‘an elaborate meme palace’ with her husband and kids, where she writes, copyedits and moonlights as a muse. She enjoys crafting handmade bespoke artisanal curses and telling her friends how amazing they are. Join her in opining about books, video games and parenting on Twitter @valerievaldes.

 

‘Jam-packed with weird aliens, mysterious artefacts, and lovable characters… A tremendous good time and an impressive debut’
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

‘Mass Effect meets The Expanse in this energetic space opera adventure. Eva Innocente is an unforgettable starship captain and I love every member of her crew-slash-family. This book has enough twists to keep you up way past bedtime, and I can’t wait for the sequel’
Michael R. Underwood, host of The Skiffy and Fanty Show

‘This engaging space opera debut delivers a story that dances between hilarity and seriousness, with all the joy and frustration psychic cats can bring to the mix’
Library Journal (starred review)

‘Imagine if Firefly and Mass Effect got together and had a baby, and that baby were delivered by Guillermo del Toro. This book is that baby’
Curtis C. Chen

Cover Launch: RANDOM SH*T FLYING THROUGH THE AIR by Jackson Ford

We’re thrilled to reveal the cover for RANDOM SH*T FLYING THROUGH THE AIR, the high-octane, razor-sharp sequel to THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T WITH HER MIND (UK / US / ANZ).

We’re publishing RANDOM SH*T FLYING THROUGH THE AIR in June 2020, but here’s a sneak peek of the brilliant cover, designed by Sophie Harris and Steve Panton. They have assured us that no goldfish were harmed in the making of this cover.

The new cover for RANDOM SH*T FLYING THROUGH THE AIR, containing images of various random items including a walkie talkie, a pair of sunglasses, a revolver and two eggs in a frying pan.

 

Curious about what’s next for Teagan Frost? Read on to find out:

Teagan Frost’s life is finally back on track. Her role working for the government as a psychokinetic operative is going well and she might even be on course for convincing her crush to go out with her. But, little does she know, that sh*t is about to hit the fan . . .

A young boy with the ability to cause earthquakes has come to Los Angeles – home to the San Andreas, one of the most lethal fault lines in the world. If Teagan can’t stop him, the entire city – and the rest of California – could be wiped off the map.

Praise for THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T WITH HER MIND:

‘Like Alias meets X-Men’ Maria Lewis

‘Madcap adventure, with some terrific jokes and plenty of tension’ Guardian

‘A fast-paced, high-adrenaline tale that manages to get into some dark themes without losing its sense of fun’ Kirkus

‘Taut action sequences and suspenseful pacing’ Publishers Weekly

Cover Launch: FORTUNA by Kristyn Merbeth

Every so often, we look at a cover and say, “Wow, that’s awesome,” and then we think about it some more and realize we could make it even more awesome. Case in point below. Check out the terrific, neon-drenched, absolutely rad cover update for FORTUNA that reflects the characters, adventure, and high-octane energy of Kristyn Merbeth’s new space opera.

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Illustrations by Arcangel / Shutterstock

Fortuna publishes on November 05, 2019. We can’t wait for you to meet Scorpia, Corvus, and the rest of the Kaiser family in this new trilogy that will hook you from the first crash landing.

Scorpia Kaiser has always stood in Corvus’s shadow until the day her older brother abandons their family to participate in a profitless war. However, becoming the heir to her mother’s smuggling operation is not an easy transition for the always rebellious, usually reckless, and occasionally drunk pilot of the Fortuna, an aging cargo ship and the only home Scorpia has ever known.

But when a deal turns deadly and Corvus returns from the war, Scorpia’s plans to take over the family business are interrupted, and the Kaiser siblings are forced to make a choice: take responsibility for their family’s involvement in a devastating massacre or lay low and hope it blows over.

Too bad Scorpia was never any good at staying out of a fight.

Perfect for fans of Becky Chambers and Catherynne M. Valente, Fortuna introduces a dazzling new voice in science fiction.

PRAISE:

“A voice to watch in space opera!” — K. B. Wagers, author of There Before the Chaos

“The narrative is powered by a cast of deeply developed characters . . . . The nonstop action and varying levels of tension make this an unarguable page-turner.” — Kirkus

Cover Launch: DOWN AMONG THE DEAD by K. B. Wagers

Can’t wait to return to the adventures of Hail Bristol, gunrunner empress, as she navigates tricky alien politics and deadly plots? Waiting to see if this time, the galaxy will implode in interspecies war?

DOWN AMONG THE DEAD, the second book of K. B. Wagers’s Farian War trilogy and sequel to THERE BEFORE THE CHAOS (US | UK), arrives this winter—but meanwhile, check out this gorgeous cover designed by Lauren Panepinto, with art by Stephan Martiniere!

In a surprise attack that killed many of her dearest subjects, Hail Bristol, empress of Indrana, has been captured by the Shen—the most ruthless and fearsome aliens humanity has ever encountered. As she plots her escape, the centuries-long war between her captors and the Farians, their mortal enemies and Indrana’s oldest allies, finally comes to a head.

When her captors reveal a shocking vision of the future, Hail must make the unexpectedly difficult decision she’s been avoiding: whether to back the Shen or the Farians.

Staying neutral is no longer an option. Will Hail fight? Or will she fall?

Cover Launch: JADE LEGACY by Fonda Lee

After many entertaining guesses from fans of Fonda Lee’s Green Bone Saga, we’re thrilled to reveal the actual title and cover of the final volume of the series that began with the World Fantasy Award-winning JADE CITY (US | UK) and continues in the newly-published and much-anticipated JADE WAR (US | UK)…

Check out the gorgeous cover for JADE LEGACY, designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio:

To tell you a little more about the book:

Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now known and coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides, from traditional forces such as governments, mercenaries, and criminal kingpins, to modern players, including doctors, athletes, and movie studios. As the struggle over the control of jade grows ever larger and more deadly, the Kaul family, and the ancient ways of the Kekonese Green Bones, will never be the same.

The Kauls have been battered by war and tragedy. They are plagued by resentments and old wounds as their adversaries are on the ascent and their country is riven by dangerous factions and foreign interference that could destroy the Green Bone way of life altogether. As a new generation arises, the clan’s growing empire is in danger of coming apart.

The clan must discern allies from enemies, set aside aside bloody rivalries, and make terrible sacrifices… but even the unbreakable bonds of blood and loyalty may not be enough to ensure the survival of the Green Bone clans and the nation they are sworn to protect.

In the meantime, catch up on all the latest happenings in Kekon with Jade War, and go tell Fonda how much you love her new cover at her website and on Twitter @FondaJLee!

Cover Launch: THE OBSIDIAN TOWER by Melissa Caruso

Toll the bells! We’re thrilled to tell you more about the first book in Melissa Caruso’s brilliant new epic fantasy trilogy, which Orbit is publishing in Summer 2020!

THE OBSIDIAN TOWER features a mage with deadly, broken magic, and her disastrous encounter with a powerful artifact that could destroy the world. If you’re a fan of Robin Hobb or Victoria Aveyard, this will be your new favorite series.

It’s a long way to 2020, so in the meantime, we’re delighted to share a sneak peek at The Obsidian Tower’s beautiful cover, designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio, with art by Peter Bollinger.

The mage-marked granddaughter of a ruler of Vaskandar, Ryx was destined for power and prestige at the top of Vaskandran society. But her magic is broken; all she can do is uncontrollably drain the life from everything she touches, and Vaskandar has no place for a mage with unusable powers.

Then, one night, two terrible accidents befall her: Ryx accidentally kills a visiting dignitary in self-defense, activating a mysterious magical artifact sealed in an ancient tower in the heart of her family’s castle.

Ryx flees, seeking a solution to her deadly magic. She falls in with a group of unlikely magical experts investigating the disturbance in Vaskandar—and Ryx realizes that her family is in danger and her domain is at stake. She and her new colleagues must return to the family stronghold to take control of the artifact that everyone wants to claim—before it destroys the world.

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