Archive for Contents

THE FOURTH WALL cover launch

The enigmatic Dagmar Shaw returns in Walter Jon Williams’ THE FOURTH WALL, an exhilarating near-future thriller due for release in February 2012.

This striking cover art visual, from our designer Sean Garrehy, perfectly encapsulates the tension and sense of paranoia that the novel invokes.

If you’ve not yet been exposed to the frenetic action of a Walter Jon Williams thriller, then you’ve got time to see what you’ve been missing before THE FOURTH WALL is released. THIS IS NOT A GAME (UK | US | ANZ) and DEEP STATE (UK | US | ANZ) are both available in paperback.

Walter Jon Williams is a New York Times bestselling author and has been nominated multiple times for the Hugo and Nebula awards.

Here’s some praise for his Dagmar Shaw novels:

Powerful ideas, brilliantly executed . . . you should take this as a recommendation” – Charles Stross

“An eerily prophetic thriller” – SFX

“With admirable topicality, DEEP STATE concerns the fomenting of revolution against an repressive regime using modern networked communications” – Telegraph

The Black Prism Book Trailer

THE BLACK PRISM by Brent Weeks is available now in paperback in the US (it will be out in the UK and AUS in September!) To celebrate, Orbit teamed up with up-and-coming filmmaker Leo Kei Angelos to create a book trailer that’s chock-full of wild stunts, explosive action, flintlock guns, and glowy magic. Enjoy the trailer below!

Nicole Peeler’s Jane True makes a splash in the UK

Released this month in the UK, Australia and NZ are Tempest Rising (UK│ANZ) and Tracking the Tempest (UK│ANZ) – with a spangly new cover style. They’re books one and two in Nicole Peeler‘s sexy storm of a series, the Jane True novels. Books three and four, Tempest’s Legacy (UK│ANZ) and Eye of the Tempest (UK│ANZ), will follow hot on their heels this September and October respectively. So not long to wait to get your urban-fantasy-grabbing mitts on them!

 

Two weeks ago we ran a Twitter competition for UK readers to vote for their favourite of the above four covers. The result was Tempest Rising – good news as it’s the perfect place to dive into the world of supernatural halfling Jane True. You’ll see her coming to grips with her new-found powers over water (not to mention coming to grips with the rather dashing members of the supernatural community she meets for the first time…). The winner of the competition was Julie Fallon – congrats! Copies of the first four books will be winging (or more appropriately: swimming?) their way to you soon.   

 

Cover Launch: THE KINGDOM OF GODS by N. K. Jemisin

Trilogies are a mainstay of science fiction and fantasy and that’s a challenge that comes up for us in the Orbit Art Department over and over again. The first cover is both the hardest (it has to be AWESOME and make a big splash, especially if it’s for a debut author) and the easiest (no preconceptions and rules dictated by previous covers). The second cover is important because you obviously want it to be as cool as the first, and not fall victim to any sequel-slacking. And the third? Well the third is kind of the best, because by the last book in a trilogy, you’ve already got a good feel for the world in question, and the tone of the author, and you usually get something good and dramatic to wrap up with. And while we’re talking about dramatic, I am happy to release the cover for the third book in N. K. Jemisin‘s Inheritance Trilogy: The Kingdom of Gods.

I have been thrilled at how well cover one was received across the fantasy community — it was accepted into the Spectrum annual, and was nominated for a Gemmell Legend Award. We were trying to do something pretty standard (fantasy city) and present it in a fresher way (through the style of Cliff Nielsen‘s awesome artwork), and it really resonated with a lot of people, which is great because the books just happen to be super-fantastic as well. And over the last two books the illustrations have been just as strong, while keeping to that pretty simple formula.

And now we have this illustration, which I don’t want to say too much about, because I wouldn’t want to give anything away about the story…obviously if you have been reading along, the god is Sieh (my favorite)…just trust me, if you have been enjoying The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and The Broken Kingdoms, well The Kingdom of Gods does not disappoint. After the jump, get a teaser, and the whole series of covers… (more…)

Kelley Armstrong’s SPELL BOUND is a Sunday Times bestseller!

We’re delighted to confirm that Kelley Armstrong’s latest novel,  SPELL BOUND (UK | ANZ), will be at #9 on the Sunday Times hardback fiction bestseller list this weekend!

Everyone at Orbit extends their congratulations to Kelley for this much-deserved success.

SPELL BOUND is the penultimate title in Kelley’s hugely popular Women of the Otherworld series. The final book will be called 13 and is due to be released in summer 2012.

Kelley recently spoke more about the series here.

Cover Launch: JOE ABERCROMBIE in Trade Paperback!

I am so freaking excited to finally let these covers out into the world. Joe Abercrombie is one of Orbit’s most exciting authors (never mind the snarkiest) and I have been dying to take a fresh look at some of his covers. When I read his books I feel like I am watching a movie, and I just wanted to get across that sense of action and brutality and sheer bloodiness all into the cover at once. So, stealing some style markers from hi-action sports photography married to a lot of fantastic armament (some things you just can’t fake in photoshop), we present to you the most badass covers I have ever had a hand in. As you can see from the process shots after the jump, we got a lot of the shot done in the camera, thanks to the technical wizardry of photographer Michael Frost. Photo-illustrator Gene Mollica hunted down all the proper bits of armor and sharp pointy things (some of which he had custom made because he is such a perfectionist), and then when it was his turn to illustrate, he turned the already-fantastic photos into sheer magic in post-production. We also have to thank Adam Becker for the use of his great action pose ability, and Heather Ann Burton for her scowling personification of Monza.

I admit I was a bit terrified to show these to Joe…these covers have more in common with movie posters than most covers in the fantasy section…and Joe is a really savvy author on visuals — he’s had a lot of different styles, and he’s not afraid to give his opinion. And I was in love with these, which makes it even more stressful showing the author. So what did he say?

“It’s got attitude, it’s got individuality, it’s got big forearms.”

More from Joe (and big cover shots…and animated process covers! ) after the jump…

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Join the STORMLORD’S EXILE

Glenda Larke’s enthralling Stormlord trilogy began with THE LAST STORMLORD (UK | US) which introduced us to a desert world where water is sacred, and survival is entirely dependent on the one remaining Stormlord’s ability to summon the rains. Yet with the magic failing and the Stormlord’s students mysteriously disappearing, it seems that the desert is not the only threat to the citizens of the Quartern . . .

The tale continued in STORMLORD RISING (UK | US) which revealed a dangerous new power that could transform the world. Now, in STORMLORD’S EXILE (UK | US), the final reckoning has arrived: battlelines will be drawn, sacrifices will be made . . . but will the rains return?

Check out an excerpt of STORMLORD’S EXILE here.

Praise for STORMLORD’S EXILE:

Fast-paced read, full of action-adventure and danger. . . (The) characters, especially Shale and Terelle, shine brighter than the sun” – ROMANTIC TIMES

“Families are divided, heroes are made, and the fate of the world is decided in the exciting conclusion . . . Themes of family and identity dominate a story line that is both intimate and world-spanning . . . exciting action and well-developed characters” – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

And praise for the first two books in the Stormlord trilogy:

The major plot points are war, rebellion, death and strategy . . . Well-written and satisfying” – SFX

“Those looking for a “sense-of-wonder” fix need look no further” – STARBURST

“I spent almost a week inside the first volume of Glenda Larke’s new Stormlord series and I really feel like I’ve visited an arid and frightening and wholly convincing land . . . and I’ve loved very minute of it” – Paul Magrs

“Smooth, consistent storytelling that takes place in a beautifully realistic world. Larke’s on to a winner with the first of what promises to be an exciting new trilogy” – TOTAL SCIFI ONLINE

 

The Rise of LEVIATHAN WAKES

LEVIATHAN WAKES (UK | US | ANZ), the explosive space-opera from James S. A. Corey, received some huge praise before it was even released. In the words of genre heavyweight, George R. R. Martin:

It’s been too long since we’ve had a really kickass space opera. LEVIATHAN WAKES is interplanetary adventure the way it ought to be written, the kind of SF that made me fall in love with the genre way back when, seasoned with a dollop of horror and a dash of noir. Jimmy Corey writes with the energy of a brash newcomer and the polish of a seasoned pro.

High praise indeed, yet much more was to follow. The critical reaction to LEVIATHAN WAKES, two months on from release, has been stunning.

Here’s what readers have been saying about the first novel in a series that promises to become a classic of science fiction.

‘LEVIATHAN WAKES is an amazing book. In fact, there is not a single negative thing I can say about the novel, which delivers in all phases including setting, characterization, story, pacing, prose, and from a purely entertainment standpoint. Simply put, LEVIATHAN WAKES is the best novel I’ve read in 2011—so far—and arguably the best thing Daniel Abraham has ever written, while introducing a remarkable new talent in Ty Franck’ – FANTASY BOOK CRITIC

‘The world building, hands down, is some of the best that I’ve seen for a space opera novel, with a good cast of characters and story that go along with it . . . This novel feels like a breath of fresh air, trading in the galaxy for our solar system, but retaining an sense of the epic’ – SF SIGNAL

‘If you love tales packed with worldbuildy details like how humans cored asteroids, pumped them full of atmosphere, and spun them up for gravity’s sake, then you’ll love this novel to pieces’ – i09

‘LEVIATHAN WAKES is space opera for the masses—it asks for little from its readers other than that they show up and enjoy the ride, no doctorate in quantum mechanics necessary. The classic juxtaposition of Miller’s hard-edged noir narrative and Holden’s idealistic adventure are perfectly suited for one another and together they form the most enjoyable novel I’ve read so far in 2011. It’s fast, it’s fun and it’s escapist science fiction in the purest sense of the term. One can only hope that The Expanse is expansive, indeed’ – A DRIBBLE OF INK

‘One of the best opening volumes to an SF series in recent memory, one of the most entertaining novels I’ve read in 2011 and a novel that only has me hungry for more in the series. This is a Space Opera I want to see more of on the shelves’ – SFF WORLD

‘A ridiculously entertaining space opera . . . A relentless, page-turning novel with some great character-building’ – THE WERTZONE

‘So far as cinematic sci-fi goes, LEVIATHAN WAKES is as entertaining and summer-blockbuster as you can get with a 600 page book’ – BOOK SMUGGLERS

‘LEVIATHAN WAKES has it all and I defy you to come away from this book empty handed when I’m talking about things like the death of a battle cruiser, alien infestations on a space station and gunfights in seedy space port hotels . . . If you read one science fiction novel this year I’d seriously consider making it this one. Essential space opera reading that bodes very well for future books in the series’ – GRAEME’S FANTASY BOOK REVIEW

‘This new science fiction series begins with an incredible story, complex and well-executed. With an intriguing storyline, vivid characters, and even vomiting zombies, this was highly enjoyable from start to finish. Blending suspense, horror, space opera, and mystery – this first installment is one no science fiction fan will want to miss’ – SCIFI CHICK

‘If you’re looking for some Space Opera Noir SF goodness, then read this one, people. It’s sure to please. It certainly did good things for me’ – ELITIST BOOK REVIEWS

‘LEVIATHAN WAKES is a big novel full of movie worthy space battles, hand-to-hand combat, near death experiences, a couple of love stories, and a big bad evil to be fought and conquered . . . Approachable, easy-to-read, and entertaining’ – GRASPING FOR THE WIND

If you’re still somehow unconvinced, you can check out a free excerpt here. There are also wallpapers of the fabulous artwork available  here. Finally, author James S. A. Corey talks about some of the ideas behind LEVIATHAN WAKES here.

The second book in the Expanse series, CALIBAN’S WAR, is due for release in June 2012.

THE EDINBURGH DEAD: Murder, body-snatching and black magic

Every August the city of Edinburgh is put in the spotlight due to the festival of comedy, music and theatre that’s held there. But lurking beneath this surface of joviality and hedonism, there is a much darker, more disturbing side to this city that most festival-goers don’t see. It’s a sinister and murky history littered with murder, grave robbing, executions and witchery . . . and it happens to be a wickedly exhilarating backdrop for an exceptional book we have out this month.  

From Brian Ruckley, author of the critically acclaimed Godless World trilogy, comes The Edinburgh Dead  (UK | US | ANZ), a darkly thrilling tale of murder, body-snatching and black magic. And it’s woven throughout with real-life characters and happenings from the shocking, all-too real history of the city.

The book is set in a period when medical scientists were experimenting the gruesome practice of dissection for the first time. In the operating theatres of Edinburgh, corpses were being sliced apart in front of the eyes of horrified and entranced spectators. The bodies used were supposedly obtained by honourable means. But those who know their Scottish history know that a certain pair called William Burke and William Hare were looking to make a tidy profit off these recent advancements in anatomical science. They realised how much a corpse could fetch on the black market at the time. However, they weren’t quite prepared to wait for their victims to die of natural causes before selling on their bodies . . .  

When Brian turned his eternally eloquent hand to this dark episode from history, and elaborated the facts with a gripping fantastical twist, I was amazed at the results. Drenched in atmosphere, heart-stoppingly suspenseful and thoroughly transfixing – I urge you to read this excerpt to see just what’s in store for you.

The Edinburgh Dead  (UK | US | ANZ) is out now worldwide. Read on for the blurb… (more…)

Orbit Summer Signing Photos

Last Saturday dozens of fans descended on London’s Forbidden Planet to meet Tim Lebbon, Nicole Peeler, Simon Morden and Philip Palmer at our Orbit Summer Signing. For an hour the authors chatted with fans, signed books and – in Nicole Peeler’s case – received rather fancy gifts from generous readers.

At the after-show party (it was as glamorous as it sounds, honest) the beer and conversation flowed, and a fine time was had by the authors, editors and bloggers who attended.

Here are some photos of the day – if you missed it, don’t worry: there will a bigger, even better event next year!

  So awesome was this haul of books that it had to have two guards protecting it at all times. The copies of EQUATIONS OF LIFE (UK | US | ANZ) were deliberately placed at the front to lure people in with their hypnotic covers. Dastardly, we know.

The fantastic four, bracing themselves for the coming signing. (more…)