Archive for Contents

Cover launch: The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

Can’t get enough of morally grey lesbians in possession of forbidden magic, who will stop at nothing to burn an empire to the ground but who secretly yearn for each other? Then we have a treat for you. Behold the gorgeous cover of THE OLEANDER SWORD, the sequel to Tasha Suri’s epic fantasy stunner THE JASMINE THRONE!

Coming in summer 2022, THE OLEANDER SWORD finds newly-crowned empress Malini and powerful priestess Priya grappling with their choice to remake an empire—and realizing that their love might not withstand the fight. You can add it on Goodreads here! And if you haven’t yet checked out THE JASMINE THRONE—named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2021 and hailed as a novel that will “reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come” (Booklist, starred review)—be sure to do so now (US | UK).

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Micah Epstein
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The prophecy of the nameless god—the words that declared her rightful empress of Parijatdvipa—has been Malini’s blessing and curse. She is determined to claim the crown that fate has offered. But even with the rage in her soul and a loyal army by her side, deposing her brother from the throne is going to be a brutal and bloody fight.

The power of the deathless waters flows through Priya’s blood. Thrice born priestess, Elder of Ahiranya, Priya’s dream is to see her country rid of the rot that plagues it: both Parijatdvipa’s poisonous rule, and the blooming sickness that is slowly spreading through all living things. But she doesn’t yet understand the truth of the magic she carries.

Their chosen paths once pulled them apart. But Malini and Priya’s hearts remain as entwined as their destinies. And they soon realize they must come together again if they wish to save their kingdom from those who would rather see it burn—no matter the cost.

Praise for The Jasmine Throne:

“Lush and stunning….Inspired by Indian epics, this sapphic fantasy will rip your heart out.” —BuzzFeed News

“A fierce, heart-wrenching exploration of the value and danger of love in a world of politics and power.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An intimate, complex, magical study of empire and the people caught in its bloody teeth. I loved it.” —Alix E. Harrow, Hugo award-winning author of The Once and Future Witches

Acquisition Announcement: EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES

We’re thrilled to announce the acquisition of EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES by Heather Fawcett, an utterly charming, cosy fairy tale with a heart-warming romance, set in a gorgeous, wintery Icelandic setting. Full of enchanting magic and mischievous faeries, this is The Ten Thousand Doors of January meets Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, with the whimsy of The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Nadia Saward acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a pre-empt from Rachel Clements at Abner Stein. Del Rey hold NA rights.

Photo of the author with light brunette hair, smiling at the camera

Professor Emily Wilde may not know how to make small talk at a dinner party—or be invited to one in the first place—but she’s managed to become one of the world’s most renowned dryadologists, a scholar of the Folk. Authoring the first comprehensive encyclopaedia of fairies will make her career, she needs only to complete the final chapter on the mysterious Hidden Ones who dwell in the arctic country of Ljosland.

But scholarly Emily is a fish out of water when she arrives in the beautiful, hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik. Almost entirely cut off from the outside world, the villagers rely on each other to survive, and Emily manages to offend half the village with her poor social skills. Things are further complicated by the arrival of Professor Wendell Bambleby, Emily’s academic rival, who is working on his own paper on the Hidden Ones. When the charismatic Bambleby offers a partnership, Emily is forced to agree or risk having him take credit for any discoveries—though Emily knows that Wendell is more than he appears, and not to be trusted.

To Emily’s astonishment, she finds herself not only observing the Folk of Ljosland from a scholarly distance, but caught up in their malevolent games. And if she and Wendell are to help the villagers, Emily may need to risk not only her cherished scientific objectivity, but her life.

We can’t wait to charm you with EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES in 2023, but in the meantime please join us in welcoming Heather Fawcett to Orbit! You can find Heather on Twitter @heathermfawcett.

 

 

Cover launch: The Martyr by Anthony Ryan

Cover launch for THE MARTYR! With thrilling battles, visceral action, and an indelible lead character, this is the epic sequel to THE PARIAH from New York Times bestseller Anthony Ryan. Out June 2022! Pre-order your copy: US | UK link coming soon. And if you haven’t started this epic fantasy series yet, pick up THE PARIAH (US | UK) now!

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Jaime Jones

 

“A gritty, heart-pounding tale of betrayal and bloody vengeance. I loved every single word.” —John Gwynne on The Pariah

The Martyr is the second novel in The Covenant of Steel, a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.

Times have changed for Alwyn Scribe. Once an outlaw, he’s now a spymaster and sworn protector of Lady Evadine Courlain, whose visions of a demonic apocalypse have earned her the fanatical devotion of the faithful.

Yet Evadine’s growing fame has put her at odds with both Crown and Covenant. As trouble brews in the kingdom, both seek to exploit her position for their own ends.

Sent to the Duchy of Alundia to put down a rebellion, Alwyn must rely on old instincts to fight for his new cause. Deadly feuds and ancient secrets are laid bare as war erupts, a war that will decide the fate of the Kingdom of Albermaine and, perhaps, prevent the coming of the prophesied Second Scourge.

“This makes a rich treat for George R.R. Martin fans.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Pariah

Cover launch: The Justice of Kings

Cover launch! THE JUSTICE OF KINGS is the first in an epic new fantasy trilogy by Richard Swan following the tale of Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice – a detective, judge and executioner all in one. On sale in February 2022! Learn more and pre-order your copy now: US | UK.

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Martina Fačková

Cover launch: The Wizard of Eventide

The gorgeous, pulse-pounding Goddess War Trilogy comes to its thrilling conclusion with THE WIZARD OF EVENTIDE! And this time, the titular wizard Sebastian is getting his own spotlight on this gorgeous cover! If you haven’t checked out the first two novels in this brilliant widescreen adventure, THE RANGER OF MARZANNA (US | UK), and THE QUEEN OF IZMOROZ (US | UK), make sure to do so before the final book comes out in July 2022! Pre-order your copy today: US | UK link coming soon.

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Illustration by Magali Villeneuve

 

As Vittorio’s empire enacts its bloody reign, the Uaine now behind him after a stunning betrayal, a reunited Sonya and Sebastian must embark on a journey to distant lands to amend past wrongs—and find unlikely allies along the way.
 
In far Raiz, Jorge has his hands full enough with the devastation the Empire left behind. But the battle isn’t over, and the sovereignty of his nation will depend on his ability to band together the ancient houses—and recruiting a figure straight out of legend.
 
Galina, now Queen of Izmoroz, rules her land with an iron fist in a velvet glove. But heavy is the crown, and enemies lie in wait both within and without her dominion. To realize her vision for a free Izmoroz at last, she’ll have to fight with much more than politics.

Acquisition Announcement: Hannah Whitten’s THE FOXGLOVE KING

Hannah Whitten’s debut novel FOR THE WOLF was a smash hit, instantly launching her onto the New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Her fans adore her lush writing, dark magic, smoldering love interests and indomitable heroines. And Orbit is thrilled to announce that we’ve just signed up a brand new series with her. This new epic fantasy trilogy, starting with THE FOXGLOVE KING, is a glittering, gothic tale of a young woman from the streets who suddenly finds herself swept up into a world of courtly intrigue, forbidden romance, and the dangerous death magic of Mortem. Get ready!!

When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.

Mortem, the magic born from death, is a high-priced and illicit commodity in Dellaire, and Lore’s job running poisons keeps her in food, shelter, and relative security. But when a run goes wrong and Lore’s power is revealed, she’s taken by the Presque Mort, a group of warrior-monks sanctioned to use Mortem working for the Sainted King. Lore fully expects a pyre, but King August has a different plan. Entire villages on the outskirts of the country have been dying overnight, seemingly at random. Lore can either use her magic to find out what’s happening and who in the King’s court is responsible, or die.

Lore is thrust into the Sainted King’s glittering court, where no one can be believed and even fewer can be trusted. Guarded by Gabriel, a duke-turned-monk, and continually running up against Bastian, August’s ne’er-do-well heir, Lore tangles in politics, religion, and forbidden romance as she attempts to navigate a debauched and opulent society.

But the life she left behind in the catacombs is catching up with her. And even as Lore makes her way through the Sainted court above, they might be drawing closer than she thinks.

 

If you haven’t checked out FOR THE WOLF yet, what are you waiting for?! Grab a copy today: US | UK

Acquisition Announcement: THE STARS UNDYING by Emery Robin

In the first year of the Thirty-Third Dynasty, when He came to the planet where I was born and made of it a wasteland for glory’s sake, my ten-times-great grandfather’s king and lover Alekso Undying built on the ruins of the gods who had lived before Him Alectelo, the City of Endless Pearl, the Bride of Szayet, the Star of the Swordbelt Arm, the Ever-Living God’s Empty Grave.

He caught fever and filled that grave, ten months later. You can’t believe in names.

 

Clear your schedules—THE STARS UNDYING is about to be your new obsession.

Orbit is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Emery Robin’s stunning space opera debut and its sequel, which recasts the fates of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony among the stars. Perfect for fans of Ancillary Justice and A Memory Called Empire, this is space opera by way of Madeline Miller—timeless, epic, and completely enthralling.

Set in a world of sunken cities and sweeping starscapes, THE STARS UNDYING tells the story of Altragracia Patramata, a usurped princess and prophet determined to reclaim her throne at any cost. But when her path collides with that of ambitious commander Matheus Ceilha (and his beautiful but volatile lieutenant, Anita), she’s quickly torn between an alliance that fast becomes more than political and the wishes of the god—or machine—that whispers in her ear. To save her world, and herself, she’ll have to become a queen as history has never seen before—even if it breaks an empire.

We can’t wait to bring you THE STARS UNDYING next year—in the meantime, please join us in welcoming Emery Robin to Orbit! Follow along for updates on Twitter at @emwrobin.

 

Angeline Rodriguez acquired World English rights at auction from Isabel Kaufman at Fox Literary. Orbit UK editor Jenni Hill has secured UK rights.

Cover Launch: A SH*TLOAD OF CRAZY POWERS by Jackson Ford

TEAGAN FROST IS BACK!

And so is Annie, and Reggie, and Tanner, and the Batmobile, and burgers, and fried chicken, and explosions, and swear words . . .

Yes that’s right! This is the latest instalment in Jackson Ford‘s insanely awesome Frost Files series, A SH*TLOAD OF CRAZY POWERS (May 2022) . And we sh*t you not, this is Teagan’s awesomest adventure yet.

The spectacular cover was designed by Sophie Harris, and you can read on to find out what’s in store for Teagan and the China Shop crew.

Teagan Frost has enough sh*t to deal with, between her job as a telekinetic government operative and a certain pair of siblings who have returned from the dead to wreak havoc with their powers. But little does she know, things are about to get even more crazy . . .

Teagan might have survived the flash flood of the century, but now she’s trapped in a hotel by a bunch of gun-toting maniacs. And to make matters worse, her powers have mysteriously disappeared. Faced with certain death at every turn, Teagan will need to use every resource she has to stop a plot that could destroy Los Angeles – maybe even the entire world.

A SH*TLOAD OF CRAZY POWERS publishes in May 2022. If you haven’t had the impeccable honour of meeting Teagan Frost yet, then you can remedy that right now. Find links to the first three books below and you can follow Jackson Ford on Twitter here.

Buy THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T WITH HER MIND (UK |US | ANZ)

Buy RANDOM SH*T FLYING THROUGH THE AIR (UK |US | ANZ)

Buy EYE OF THE SH*T STORM (UK |US | ANZ)

    

Praise for the Frost Files series:

‘Proceeds at breakneck speed through almost 500 pages of madcap adventure’ Guardian

‘Fast-paced and a lot of fun to read . . . a modern action movie that just happens to be in book form’ The Fantasy Inn

‘A drunken back-alley brawler of a book’ Robert Brockway, author of The Unnoticeables

‘Ford’s breakneck pace keeps the tension high, and the thrills coming the whole way through’ BookPage

‘A fast-paced, high-adrenaline tale’ Kirkus

Cover launch: The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings

Today, we’re so excited to reveal the cover of THE BALLAD OF PERILOUS GRAVES, a spectacular new debut fantasy by author Alex Jennings!

This imaginative novel is a love letter to New Orleans. It is a story of perseverance and survival, of love and joy after the darkest storms, highlighting African American music, folk magic, and history. We hope you’re ready to fall in love with New Orleans as you’ve never seen it before!

While you must wait until June 2022 for THE BALLAD OF PERILOUS GRAVES to land in bookstores, here is the stunning cover, designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio, to whet your appetite. You can preorder the book now, and don’t forget to say hi to author Alex Jennings on Twitter!

 

Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

 

Nola is a city full of wonders. A place of sky trolleys and dead cabs, where haints dance the night away and Wise Women keep the order, and where songs walk, talk and keep the spirit of the city alive. To those from Away, Nola might seem strange. To failed magician, Perilous Graves, it’s simply home. Then the rhythm stutters. 

 Nine songs of power have escaped from the magical piano that maintains the city’s beat, and without them, Nola will fail. Unexpectedly, Perry and his sister, Brendy, are tasked with saving the city. But a storm is brewing, and the Haint of All Haints is awake. Even if they capture the songs, Nola’s time might be coming to an end.

 

Alex Jennings is a teacher, author, and performer living in New Orleans. His debut collection, Here I Come and Other Stories published in 2012, and his writing has appeared in Strange Horizon, Obsidian Lit, and in numerous anthologies. He also serves as MC and co-producer of Dogfish, a monthly literary readings series.

Cover launch: FOR THE THRONE by Hannah Whitten

In case you missed it, readers were at the edge of their keyboards for Hannah Whitten’s cover reveal for FOR THE THRONE this past Wednesday on Twitter. FOR THE THRONE is the sequel to Hannah’s instant New York Times-bestselling debut For the Wolf. And, with the help of over 500 readers, we all got to witness the glory of her new cover! With design by Lisa Marie Pompilio, this cover is full of amazing details that hint at the story to come: twisting vines, a royal crown, and a deep sense of looming danger. We are so excited for you to read the book when it finally comes out in Summer 2022! In the meantime, you can pre-order your copy now: US | UK. And, if you haven’t had a chance to check out For the Wolf, order a copy here: US | UK!

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

 

The First Daughter is for the Throne
The Second Daughter is for the Wolf…

Red and the Wolf have finally contained the threat of the Old Kings but at a steep cost. Red’s beloved sister Neve, the First Daughter, is lost in the Shadowlands, an inverted kingdom where the vicious gods of legend have been trapped for centuries and the Old Kings have slowly been gaining control. But Neve has an ally–though it’s one she’d rather never have to speak to again–the rogue king Solmir. 

Solmir wants to bring an end to the Shadowlands and he believes helping Neve may be the key to its destruction. But to do that, they will both have to journey across a dangerous landscape in order to find a mysterious Heart Tree, and finally claim the gods’ dark, twisted powers for themselves.