Archive for Covers

Introducing QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED by Kacen Callender

We’re thrilled to announce Orbit’s acquisition of award-winning author Kacen Callender’s first novel for adults, QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED, from Beth Phelan at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency! It’s the first of two books set in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world embattled by colonial oppression, where an ambitious young woman with the power to control minds seeks vengeance against the royals who murdered her family.

If you’re a fan of V. E. Schwab, Kiersten White, or the latest Marlon James, you’ll love QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED. It drops this November, but to whet your appetite now, here is its stunning cover, designed by the fabulous Lisa Marie Pompilio.

Click here to find out more. 

Cover Launch: THE GAMESHOUSE by Claire North

A new Claire North novel is always a cause for excitement – and this year, we are publishing not one, but two books from the author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August! First up is THE GAMESHOUSE (UK|US|ANZ), which will hit shops in May. It’s a mesmerising tale of a mystical gambling house whose deadly games of chance and skill control the fate of empires.

The lovely people at Fantasy Hive revealed the stunning cover earlier this week. Click here to take a look, or  feast your eyes on it below.

 

Gameshouse

Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio 

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

Everyone has heard of the Gameshouse. But few know all its secrets . . .

It is the place where fortunes can be made and lost though chess, backgammon – every game under the sun.

But those whom fortune favours may be invited to compete in the higher league where the games played are of politics and nations, of economics and kings. It is a contest where Capture the Castle involves real castles and where hide and seek takes place on the scale of a continent.

Among those worthy of competing in the higher league, three unusually talented contestants play for the highest stakes of all . . .

 

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS THREE DIGITAL-ONLY INSTALMENTS: THE SERPENT, THE THIEF AND THE MASTER.

 

Praise for Claire North:

‘North’s talent shines out’  Sunday Times

‘Claire North goes from strength to strength’  Guardian

‘An original and even dazzling writer’  Kirkus

‘Claire North is a true original, a master of ingenious plotting and feats of imagination’  Alex Marwood

‘Claire North’s writing is terrific, smart and entertaining’  Patrick Ness

 

ICYMI: VELOCITY WEAPON by Megan E. O’Keefe

What makes space opera’s like ANCILLARY JUSTICE (US | UK), Old Man’s War, and LEVIATHAN WAKES (US | UK) so great? Is it the huge space battles and intricate planetary politics? Is it the breakneck pacing and bold plot twists? Or is it the incredible characters that you just can’t help but fall in love with?

Whatever is in that special space opera sauce, VELOCITY WEAPON (US | UK) has got it in spades!

The last thing Sanda remembers is her gunship breaking up around her as her preserving pod expanded, sealing herself away for salvage-medics to pick up. She expected to awaken in friendly hands, patched up and patched back into a new gunship. Instead, she awakens 230 years later upon an empty enemy smartship, The Light of Berossus or, as he prefers to be called, “Bero”. The war is lost. The star system is dead.

 However, Bero may not exactly be telling the whole truth.

This incredible space opera by Morningstar Award winning author Megan E. O’Keefe is coming out in the US and UK in June 2019. But people are already calling this “one of the best science fiction novels of 2019!” (K. B. Wagers)

And of course a great book needs a great cover. Check out the amazing art by Sparth and cover design by Lauren Panepinto or read the first chapter HERE.

 

Acquisition Announcement: Hostage of Empire trilogy by S. C. Emmett

We’re delighted to announce that Orbit has acquired a sweeping new fantasy trilogy by S. C. Emmett, Hostage of Empire, from Miriam Kriss at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency! In this epic story, the lady-in-waiting to the princess of a vanquished kingdom must survive the innumerable hidden agendas of their captors’ treacherous imperial court, where two queens, two concubines, and six princes vie for the throne of a vast empire.

Sound tempting? The first volume, THE THRONE OF THE FIVE WINDS, publishes this October. Meanwhile, we’re thrilled to present the gorgeous cover, illustrated by Miranda Meeks and designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio.

The Emperor’s palace—full of ambitious royals, sly gossip, and unforeseen perils—is perhaps the most dangerous place in Zhaon. The lady Komor Yala has only her wits and her hidden blade to protect herself and her princess Mahara, sacrificed in marriage to the enemy, a hostage for her conquered people’s good behavior, to secure a tenuous peace.

But the Emperor is aging, and the Khir princess and her lady-in-waiting soon find themselves pawns in the six princes’ deadly schemes for the throne—and a single spark could ignite fresh rebellion in Khir.

When the Emperor falls ill, a far bloodier game begins…

Cover Launch: THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T WITH HER MIND by Jackson Ford

Sh*t is about to hit the fan for Teagan Frost, AKA THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T WITH HER MIND (UK|US|ANZ), in Jackson Ford’s action-packed debut. Full of imagination, wit and random sh*t flying through the air, this insane adventure from an irreverent new voice will quite possibly blow your mind.

You can meet Teagan when books hit the shelves in June. But in the meantime, we’re thrilled to reveal the shiny new cover below designed by our very own Steve Panton!

 

Jackson Ford

 

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

Teagan Frost is having a hard time keeping it together. Sure, she’s got telekinetic powers – a skill that the government is all too happy to make use of, sending her on secret break-in missions that no ordinary human could carry out. But all she really wants to do is kick back, have a beer, and pretend she’s normal for once.

But then a body turns up at the site of her last job – murdered in a way that only someone like Teagan could have pulled off. She’s got 24 hours to clear her name – and it’s not just her life at stake. If she can’t unravel the conspiracy in time, her hometown of Los Angeles will be in the crosshairs of an underground battle that’s on the brink of exploding . . .

Cover Launch: FORTUNA by Kristyn Merbeth

Space is filled with smugglers. People who live on the fringes of civilized society, making their money by trading and selling items that are…less than legal. Except sometimes you make a back alley deal with a corrupt government, and all of a sudden you’re wrapped up in a web of conspiracies that might just ignite a war between every habitable planet in the galaxy.

That’s where Scorpia Kaiser finds herself in Kristyn Merbeth’s new space opera, FORTUNA. It’s epic in scope, and tells the story of a family of smugglers who are in way over their heads. If they can’t save the galaxy, (and how can they when they can barely get along?) then humanity may be headed for a war that will not end well.

Check out the striking cover below. The stars are her destination.

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Illustrations by Arcangel / Shutterstock

The first book in a fast-paced space opera trilogy where a young woman leads a family of smugglers who become unwittingly involved in a galactic war.

There’s only one thing Scorpia Kaiser wants in the whole galaxy: to finally own Fortuna, the ship she pilots and the only home she’s ever known. But when it becomes clear her predecessor – the family matriarch – has been secretly dealing with various planetary governments, Scorpia realizes that her own family may be the reason the system’s five planets are headed toward a devastating war.

Lies, manipulation, and profit are all she’s ever been taught, but as she ascends into her new position, Scorpia finds she has the chance to change everything. Yet even as she takes on more responsibility for the family’s fate, fortune and influence, she is not at all sure she’s ready for it –  even worse, she may not have the support of her crew, particularly her brother and rival, Corvus.

To stop the war, she’ll have to unite her family and unravel the chaos they’ve left in their wake.

Fortuna publishes in Fall 2019.

Check out the cover for THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY by Alix Harrow

Walk through the garden, turn left at the gate, and approach the half hidden door.  Be brave enough to turn the knob and your reward will be the cover reveal of Alix E. Harrow’s enchanting debut, THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY (US | UK).

A tale of lost homes, unforgettable love, inherited stories, and magical doors, The Ten Thousand Doors of January lands on shelves September 2019.  Are you excited? We are and we’re not the only ones! Check out the advance praise:

“Many worlds, vanishing doors, mind-cracking magic: I clung to each page, searching for answers. This is one of the most unique works of fiction I’ve ever read!” —Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author

“Each page dazzles with things to be discovered: a mansion of priceless artifacts, a secret journal, a tantalizing quest through strange and beautiful places, and a love story that spans time, worlds, and magic. I couldn’t put it down.”—Peng Shepherd, critically acclaimed author of The Book of M

“The Ten Thousand Doors of January healed hurts I didn’t even know I had. An unbearably beautiful story about growing up, and everything we fight to keep along the way.” —Amal El-Mohtar, Hugo Award-winning author

“A gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers and the doors they lead us through…absolutely enchanting.” —Christina Henry, national bestselling author of Lost Boys and Alice

“A gorgeously written story of love and longing, of what it means to lose your place in the world, and then have the courage to find it again. This book is a door I’m glad to have opened.” —Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians

“To open this book is to open a Door to a brand new world that you’ll never want to leave. With the masterful prose of a true Wordworker, Harrow has created a richly imagined, multi-layered narrative full of wonder, sorrow, and strength.” —Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of The Immortals

“All the magic you once knew but have almost forgotten waits in these pages for you to discover again. It’s a deeply satisfying pleasure to read, and lingers in your heart afterward. I loved it!” —Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage

While you wait impatiently for this spellbinding debut, go say hi to Alix on Twitter @AlixEHarrow or at her website.

Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio: Cover art from Shutterstock

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

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.