Archive for Contents

Read an Excerpt from EXOGENE

In GERMLINE journalist Oscar Wendell introduced us to a new breed of special forces and the surprising humanity these elite and deadly soldiers are capable of. Now read the first chapter of EXOGENE (US | UK| AZ) – a story of war from the perspective of one of these genetically engineered soldiers.

Live forever. The thought lingered like an annoying dog, to which I had handed a few scraps.

I felt Megan’s fingers against my skin, and smelled the paste—breathed the fumes gratefully for it reminded me that I wouldn’t have to wear my helmet. Soon, but not now. The lessons taught this, described the first symptom of spoiling: When the helmet no longer felt safe, a sign of claustrophobia. As my troop train rumbled northward, I couldn’t tell if I shook from eagerness or from the railcar’s jolting, and gave up trying to distinguish between the two possibilities. It was not an either‑or day; it was a day of simultaneity.

Deliver me from myself, I prayed, and help me to accept tomorrow’s end.

Click to read more

Also check out The Subterrene War Clips – an in-world introduction to the destruction and political intrigue tearing the front-lines apart. Welcome to hell. Welcome to Kazakhstan.

A Day With Nico

One of the best fantasy books around - The Legend of Eli Monpress by Rachel Aaron (an omnibus of The Spirit Thief, The Spirit Rebellion and The Spirit Eater)Author’s Note: If you haven’t read my books yet, you should totally try the new omnibus. For one, the price is fantastic, but also, the omnibus contains the first three Eli books, ending with The Spirit Eater. You can try the first few chapters of The Spirit Thief for free on my site.  And if you’ve already finished the first three, I’ve got a big chunk of the fourth book, The Spirit War, up on my site just for you, complete with more Nico!  There are, of course, spoilers for the first three, so read at your own peril.

One of the things I love as a writer is when people send me messages talking about their favorite characters. Eli is, of course, very popular (Eli: of course. Rachel: Shut up). Josef and Miranda are also up there, as is Slorn. But what never ceases to amaze me is how many people write to say how much they love Nico.

For those of you who haven’t read my books, Nico is the only girl in the Eli thief trio. She’s also a demonseed who is excessively dangerous and who has had a very hard life. She came in with Josef, my serious swordsman, and sticks by him though everything, an aspect which has always delighted me. Eli might be the leader, but Josef is the glue that holds the Monpress thieves together. Ahhh, group dynamics. Anyway, I’m always a bit surprised how many people really seem to like Nico. Not because she’s not worth liking, but because in the whole series, she was the hardest character for me to write. (more…)

Jayné is back, this time battling Darker Angels . . .

Cover for Darker Angels, featuring Jayné Heller in purple with cityscape of New OrleansNow available is DARKER ANGELS (UK | ANZ) – the second instalment in M. L. N. Hanover’s pacy, action-packed urban fantasy series The Black Sun’s Daughter.

After the dust had settled following the dramatic events in UNCLEAN SPIRITS (UK | ANZ), Jayné Heller was hoping for a bit of downtime to recover. As DARKER ANGELS  proves, her supernatural enemies have other plans . . .

Reining in demons and other supernatural foes is a formidable task, but thankfully Jayné has a team of loyal allies as well as seemingly limitless wealth. She’ll need both to tackle a bodyswitching serial killer who’s taken up residence in New Orleans, a city rich in voodoo lore and dark magic.

Working alongside ex-FBI agent Karen Black, Jayné races to track down the demon’s next intended host before they become yet another victim. But the closer she gets, the more convinced she becomes that nothing in this beautiful, wounded city is exactly as it seems . . .

Here’s what reviewers have been saying about DARKER ANGELS:

DARKER ANGELS  is an enjoyable second novel that’s even stronger than its predecessor . . . Recommended, especially for fans looking for a different type of Urban Fantasy” – THE BOOK SMUGGLERS

“So I guess I read Urban Fantasy after all. At least, I read it when it’s written by M. L. N. Hanover. This is great stuff” – READING THE LEAVES

“I’m hooked on this series . . . As a first foray into Urban Fantasy, I’m glad I chose M. L. N. Hanover to take me on a wild ride. If you enjoy fast paced stories brimming with demons, twists, and turns, you’ll love DARKER ANGELS. I highly suggest you get started!” – HOPELESS BIBLIOPHILE

There’s further good news for Jayné Heller fans – the third instalment of her adventures, VICIOUS GRACE, will be released in March, and the fourth title, KILLING RITES, will follow in April.

M. L. N. Hanover’s website is here, and he can be found on Twitter here.

The Final Alexia Tarabotti Adventure!

Sadly, it is that time. It is Alexia’s last—and latest—madcap adventure. Alexia began her adventures with SOULLESS (US/UK/ANZ) and now finishes her adventures with TIMELESS (US/UK/ANZ). More about her adventure below.

Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire’s second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell’s acting troupe’s latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia’s enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

If you want more of Alexia — please do check out SOULLESS, THE MANGA, VOL 1 (US/UK/ANZ), which is also out now!

Check out the whole series of novels below:

 

The cover for the steampunk romance urban fantasy, SOULLESS by Gail CarrigerThe cover for the steampunk romance urban fantasy Changeless by Gail Carriger

The cover for the steampunk urban fantasy romance BLAMELESS by Gail Carriger

Epic fantasy fans rejoice – more Terry Brooks ebooks now available!

The classic epic fantasy title The Sword of Shannara by bestselling author Terry Brooks - now available as an ebook
The Sword of Shannara - ebook now available

Great news for all Terry Brooks and fantasy fans! We had previously already released a whole host of Terry Brooks titles as ebooks . . . but this week Orbit UK has released even more, meaning that all of the books listed below are now available to download for your digital pleasure.

And we’re sure that many people will be interested to hear that featuring among their ranks is Terry’s classic The Sword of Shannara (UK | ANZ) – this year celebrating its 35th anniversary of publication.

Devices at the ready! Feast your eyes on the list of digital delights that are available below . . .

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N.K. Jemisin’s third Nebula nomination

N.K. Jemisin’s The Kingdom of Gods (US | UK | ANZ) has been nominated for the 2011 Nebula Award!

Last year, her The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (US | UK | ANZ) was nominated for the same award, as well as the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. Jemisin has one other Nebula nomination under her belt, for her short story “Non-Zero Probabilities.”

Jemisin’s new novel, The Killing Moon (US | UK | ANZ) will be out in May, followed by its sequel The Shadowed Sun in June.

Elizabeth Moon’s new fantasy novel ECHOES OF BETRAYAL – published today!

the cover of Elizabeth Moon's fantasy novel Echoes of Betrayal. Shows a man holding a crossbow

We’re excited to announce that the third epic fantasy novel in Elizabeth Moon’s stunning Paladin’s Legacy series, ECHOES OF BETRAYAL (UK | ANZ), is published today in the UK!

Here are just a few of the good things people have been saying about the series!

“What sheer delight . . . an engrossing new adventure.” – Anne McCaffrey

“I am looking forward to reading the next book . . .  The Paladin’s Legacy has its goal in sight, and I for one will be interested to read how it all ends.” – Strange Horizons

Really had me hooked . . . an engrossing read.” – SFFWorld.com

As threats build abroad, treachery strikes at home.

While King Kieri struggles to end the war that plagues his borders, his new subjects are becoming restless. His people include both humans and elves, and their uneasy accord is cracking under the demands of war.

the three covers for the Paladin's Legacy epic fantasy series by Elizabeth Moon

Kieri doesn’t fully appreciate the danger until someone close to him is found slain in the woods, and his beloved new wife also finds her life in danger. Kieri must seek out the corruption within his grandmother’s elvish court, or all he’s achieved will turn to nothing.

Trouble also finds Dorrin Verrakai on the road, riding to command her kingdom’s defences in the war-torn provinces. Her family’s dark power is rising again and it’s down to her to root out the devastating influence of their illicit blood magic. Then her investigations reveal magery in the last place anyone expected . . .

The Troupe Released Today!

Releasing today is Robert J. Bennett’s third novel, THE TROUPE (US | UK | ANZ), set during the Vaudeville era –  a surreal and defining period in the history of American entertainment.

Sixteen-year-old pianist George Carole has joined vaudeville for one reason only: to find the man he suspects to be his father, the great Heironomo Silenus. Yet as he chases down his father’s troupe, he begins to understand that their performances are strange even for vaudeville: for wherever they happen to tour, the very nature of the world seems to change.

Already THE TROUPE has received wonderful support from reviewers and bloggers.

“Narrated perfectly by a baffled young man whose zealous pursuit of a father’s love is often outpaced by his alternately endearing and dangerous vanity, Bennett’s finely crafted novel rises on a wave of suspense to a place of beauty and hope.” – Publishers Weekly

“The Troupe is a fairytale for grown-ups about love and betrayal and redemption…” (starred) – Booklist

“Haunting, terrifying, and achingly beautiful, The Troupe is a book to be savored, and it will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. Very highly recommended.” – My Bookish Ways

“A beautiful novel that resonates as a mystery, historical look-in, thriller, and family drama. … Like a sepia photograph manipulated in photoshop, Bennett adds his dashes of color, bringing things to the foreground for brilliant moments all the more intense for the contrasted palette behind it.” – Staffers Musings

Read an excerpt from THE TROUPE here or find out more about the book and the Vaudeville era at www.silenustroupe.com.

Recently we were also pleased to announce that Robert’s second novel, THE COMPANY MAN, was nominated for an Edgar Award.

 

 

The Subterrene War Clips

In March we’re launching EXOGENE (US | UK| AZ)  the new book in T.C. McCarthy’s thrilling Subterrene War series. To introduce readers to the world, T.C. scripted a video short story featuring in-world interviews from the front-lines. Visit  www.subterrenewar.com to view the clips.

About the Videos:

The Subterrene War is a war fought in the future, in cen­tral Asia, between the U.S. and Russia over min­eral rights for some very rare earth met­als that are cru­cial to the build­ing of high-​​powered technology.

We have a new weapon in this war, often fought under­ground and in mines (hence the name): germline units. Amer­i­can cit­i­zens know very lit­tle about these weapons–only that they are being used. The gov­ern­ment assures us they are not “peo­ple.” But germline units have all the appear­ances of young girls, and are raised into their teens in vats, then sent forth onto the bat­tle­field with pre­pro­grammed notions of death and honor.

In the Subterrene War Clips, a small doc­u­men­tary crew was able to gain access to indi­vid­ual inter­views to the rear-​​area. The gov­ern­ment sub­se­quently heav­ily cen­sored their work, and lit­tle of it was seen; until now.

A small group of activists were able to recover four clips from these inter­views, and they reveal some star­tling truths about the state of the War.

Watch the clips at www.subterrenewar.com

Praise for EXOGENE:
“… a rumination on identity and faith, anchored by a protagonist who brings surprising and moving depths to familiar science-fiction concepts.”
— Kirkus (starred review)

“… a stark and wrenching sequel to Germline… the conclusion is simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant, and utterly appropriate for the brutal, bloody, and magnificent story.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

 

Writing Big & Bloody

Helen Lowe, award-winning author of THE HEIR OF NIGHT and the upcoming THE GATHERING OF THE LOST, interviews John R. Fultz about his recent fantasy debut, SEVEN PRINCES. According to John, “This is one of those author-to-author interviews where we really get into writing techniques, philosophies, etc. It’s way cool…”

Click here to read the full interview.