Archive for Contents

Cover Launch: FAR FROM THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN by Tade Thompson

We’re thrilled to announce that Arthur C. Clarke winner Tade Thompson is making a triumphant return to science fiction with FAR FROM THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN (US | UK: link coming soon), an unforgettable vision of humanity’s future among the stars. If you can’t wait until October 2021, head on over to io9 to see the spectacular cover and read an exclusive excerpt.

The colony ship Ragtime docks in the Lagos system, having travelled light years from home to bring one thousand sleeping souls to safety among the stars.

Some of the sleepers, however, will never wake – and a profound and sinister mystery unfolds aboard the gigantic vessel. Its skeleton crew are forced to make decisions that will have repercussions for all of humanity’s settlements – from the scheming politicians of Lagos station, to the colony planet of Bloodroot, to other far flung systems and indeed Earth itself.

Praise for Tade Thompson:

‘Tade Thompson is a writer of enormous heart and talent. Just brilliant’ Dave Hutchinson

‘Smart. Gripping. Fabulous!’ Ann Leckie on Rosewater

‘A magnificent tour de force, skilfully written and full of original and disturbing ideas’ Adrian Tchaikovsky on Rosewater

‘Mind-expanding and utterly addictive’ Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, on Rosewater

You can find Tade Thompson on Twitter @tadethompson.

Cover Launch: BLOOD OF THE CHOSEN by Django Wexler

Set in the ruins of an ancient, technologically advanced civilization, Django Wexler’s epic fantasy about two siblings on opposite sides of a magical civil war is bursting with imagination, magic, and mystery. Book one, ASHES OF THE SUN garnered praise from authors like Anthony Ryan who called it “A fast-paced and highly entertaining ride through a compelling and original world” and Nicholas Eames who said it was “Fantasy at its finest”.

Book two won’t be out until October 2021, but in the meantime, you can pre-order and get a load of this epic cover for BLOOD OF THE CHOSEN!

Art by Scott M. Fischer and cover design by Lauren Panepinto

In the second book of Django Wexler’s epic fantasy trilogy about two siblings divided by magic and revolution, Gyre must travel across the Splinter Kingdoms to rally the rebels to his side, while his sister Maya uncovers the secrets of a powerful artifact that could change everything.

Gyre finally sees a way to overthrow the all-powerful Twilight Order. But he’ll have to gain the alliance of both the ghouls and the human rebels to the south to even stand a chance. And uniting them won’t be so simple.

His sister Maya is still a soldier of the Order. But after clashing with her brother, she isn’t so certain where her loyalties lie. Chasing the origins of a mysterious artifact to a long-lost library, she just might find the answers she’s looking for.

Praise for Ashes of the Sun:

“Ashes of the Sun is fantasy at its finest: deliciously inventive, brimming with ancient evils, fallen empires, mysterious technology, and devastating magic. Best of all, however, are its characters, each one crafted with deliberate care and developed in meaningful ways as their story unfolds.”―Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

“Magic, mutants, and mayhem abound in Django Wexler’s Ashes of the Sun, but there’s also plenty of brain food to be had in this tale of a post-catastrophe world suffering under the yoke of unbending authoritarian rule. A fast-paced and highly entertaining ride through a compelling and original world”―Anthony Ryan, NYT bestselling author of Blood Song

“Reminiscent of Final Fantasy, Masters of the Universe, and Moorcock’s The Jewel in the Skull, ASHES OF THE SUN is a science-fantasy adventure brimming with everything that is weird and wonderful about a world where magic and technology have fused in the fires of a fallen civilization.”―Jonathan French, author of The Grey Bastards

“Ashes of the Sun shows that Wexler is a master of high fantasy. His plotting and this post-apocalyptic setting will warp your mind!”―S. M. Stirling, NYT bestselling author

“Gorgeous writing, powerfully-drawn characters, and an exciting storyline!”―K.D. Edwards, Author of The Last Sun and The Hanged Man

“Exciting. Immersive. Epic. A perfect page turner and a phenomenal start to a new series.”―Peter Clines, author of The Fold and Ex-Heroes

“This is a book whose characters and world will stay with you well after the last page. Do yourself a favor and read it. Now.”―Douglas Hulick, author of Among Thieves and Sworn in Steel

“Ashes of the Sun uses awesome worldbuilding and complex, diverse characters to fuse the aesthetics of Star Wars with the brainfeel of Fullmetal Alchemist. Ancient secrets! Queer ladies! Snark! I demand a TV adaptation ASAP!”―Foz Meadows

“Ashes of the Sun is the best sort of fantasy. With fascinating characters, a richly realized world, and romances both steamy and adorable, Gyre and Maya are epic heroes you’ll want to know.”―Robyn Bennis, author of The Guns Above

“Ashes of the Sun brings to life an ancient world of magic broken by war. It’s a simmering post-apocalyptic fantasy that feels like the literary equivalent of a ticking time bomb. The book lights a fuse in its first few pages, slowly setting up stakes and a conflict big enough to break the bonds of love, loyalty, duty, and even family, all before the full burn of its last few chapters and the finale’s thunderous explosion.”―Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

Cover Launch: CATALYST GATE by Megan E. O’Keefe

VELOCITY WEAPON (US | UK)  and CHAOS VECTOR (US | UK)  hooked readers with its huge space battles, intricate planetary politics, breakneck pacing, and bold plot twists. Now, with the third book on the horizon and the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, you can finally feast your eyes on the gorgeous cover for the final book in the trilogy:

With art by Sparth and design by Lauren Panepinto, this cover promises more heart-stopping action, more adventure, and more loveable AI from a master of modern science fiction. Pre-order it now (US |UK) Or start with the first book in the series (US | UK).

The universe is under threat and an ancient alien intelligence threatens to bring humanity down unless Major Sanda Greeve and her crew can stop it in the final book of this explosive Philip K. Dick award-nominated space opera.

The code has been cracked. The secrets of the Casimir gates have been revealed. But humanity still isn’t safe. The alien intelligence known as Rainier and her clones are still out there, hell-bent on its destruction. And only Sanda can stop them.

With the universe’s most powerful ship under her command and some of the most skilled hackers, fighters, and spies on her team, it will still take everything she has to find the key to taking down an immortal enemy with seemingly limitless bodies, resources, and power.

Acquisition Announcement: A MASTER OF DJINN by P. Djèlí Clark

Our friends at the Fantasy Inn shared the exciting news  that Orbit UK has acquired P. Djèlí Clark’s phenomenal debut novel, A MASTER OF DJINN (UK|ANZ).

Set in an alternate version of Cairo, where djinn live and work alongside people, A MASTER OF DJINN follows special investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi, as she tries to get to the bottom of a mysterious case involving magic and murder.

The good news is there’s not long to wait! A MASTER OF DJINN is set to publish in the UK this summer, with an early ebook in May followed by a paperback release in August. And if that isn’t enough to get you excited, here’s a few more reasons:

‘Clever, wickedly fun . . . with an excellent balance of humour and heart. I loved it’
S. A. Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass

‘A Master of Djinn has all the tricky twists I want in a police procedural and all the djinns, magic and wonder I want from fantasy’
Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of The Calculating Stars

‘An epic tale of magic and mystery, this is sure to wow’
Publishers Weekly

‘A Master of Djinn is everything you might expect from Clark: cinematic action, a radical reimagining of real history, and magic on every page. I loved it’
Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January

‘The kind of book you don’t want to put down’
Marie Brennan, World Fantasy and Hugo Award-nominated author

 

About the author:

Born in New York and raised mostly in Houston, P. Djèlí Clark spent the formative years of his life in the homeland of his parents, Trinidad and Tobago. He is the author of the novellas The Black God’s Drums; The Haunting of Tram Car 015 and A Dead Djinn in Cairo. His short story ‘The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington’ has earned him both a Nebula and Locus award. He currently resides in New England and ruminates on issues of diversity in speculative fiction. A Master of Djinn is his debut novel.

Follw P. Djeli Clark on Twitter at @pdjeliclark

Author photo by Le Image Inc., Brooklyn, NY

Cover Launch: SISTERSONG by Lucy Holland

Redhook is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Lucy Holland’s gorgeous and haunting historical fantasy SISTERSONG.

Inspired by the traditional murder ballad “The Twa Sisters”, set against the rich backdrop of ancient Britian, Sistersong is a dark and lyrical tale of siblings and sorcery from a spellbinding new voice. And if that description isn’t enough to fully captivate you, check out the beautiful cover, designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio.

 

Sistersong will release in the US in October and is available for pre-order now (US). Read more about the book below, and don’t forget to share your cover love with Lucy on Twitter, @silvanhistorian!

In the ancient kingdom of Dumnonia, there is old magic to be found in the whisper of the wind, the roots of the trees, the curl of the grass. King Cador knew this once, but now the land has turned from him, calling instead to his three children. Riva can cure others but can’t seem to heal her own deep scars. Keyne battles to be seen for who he truly is—the king’s son. And Sinne dreams of seeing the world, of finding love and adventure.

All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold, their people’s last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons. However, change comes on the day ash falls from the sky. It brings with it Myrdhin, meddler and magician. And Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart.

Riva, Keyne and Sinne—three siblings entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak, who must fight to forge their own paths.

Their story will shape the destiny of Britain.

 

Cover Launch: THE QUICKSILVER COURT by Melissa Caruso

Bursting with intrigue and ambition, questioned loyalties, and broken magic, Melissa Caruso’s wildly original fantasy series, Rooks and Ruin, continues with THE QUICKSILVER COURT.

You’ll have to wait until October 2021 to get your hands on this one, but, in the meantime, feast your eyes on The Quicksilver Court’s stunning cover.

Designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Art by Mike Heath/Magnus Creative

Ryxander, Warden of Gloamingard, has failed. Unsealed by her blood, the Door hidden within the black tower has opened. Now, for the first time since the age of the Graces, demons walk the world.

As tensions grow between nations, all eyes—and daggers—are set on Morgrain, which has fallen under the Demon of Discord’s control. When an artifact with the power to wipe out all life in a domain is stolen, Ryx will do whatever it takes to save her home from destruction. But success may demand a larger sacrifice from Ryx than she could have imagined.

Praise for Rooks and Ruin

“Populated by a vibrant cast of characters and an intricate setting that’s practically a character itself, The Obsidian Tower deftly balances two of my favorite things: razor-sharp politics and characters investigating weird, dark magic. A must-read for all fantasy fans.”―Emily A. Duncan, author of New York Times bestseller Wicked Saints

“Block out time to binge this can’t-stop story filled with danger and unexpected disaster. From the fresh take on time-honored tropes to a crunchy, intrigue-filled story, The Obsidian Tower is a must-read for lovers of high fantasy.”―C. L. Polk, World Fantasy award-winning author of Witchmark

“With The Obsidian Tower, [Melissa Caruso] hits another level in terms of prose and tension. This is a truly excellent fantasy, and an epic beginning for a new trilogy.”―Locus

“A classic, breathtaking adventure brimful of dangerous magic and clever politics. This is a book that will thrill and delight any fantasy fan.”―Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand

“Brimming with delights: gripping suspense, bombastic magic, political scheming, fascinating creatures, and ill-advised romance. Yet what I love most is that at its heart, it is simply the story of a young woman opening herself up to the world and embracing her own potential.”―Jon Skovron, author of The Ranger of Marzanna

Cover Launch: NOTES FROM THE BURNING AGE by Claire North

We’re thrilled to unveil the cover for a phenomenal new novel from Claire North. Presenting the stunning look for Notes from the Burning Age (UK | US | ANZ), illustrated by Leo Nickolls and designed by Siobhan Hooper at Little, Brown Book Group.

Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North book cover

Notes from the Burning Age will release worldwide this July and is available for pre-order now (UK | US | ANZ). You can also read a press release about the acquisition below!

Orbit acquires award-winning North’s Notes from the Burning Age

Orbit UK has acquired a new novel from the multi-award winning Claire North entitled Notes from the Burning Age, described by the publisher as ‘a spellbinding speculative fiction novel set in a future utopian society that is thrilling, moving and thought-provoking in equal measure’.

Meg Davis at the Ki Agency sold World Rights to Publisher Anna Jackson at Orbit UK, who will publish alongside sister imprint Orbit US in a co-ordinated global release this July.

Claire North is a pseudonym for the author Catherine Webb. Her first book under the Claire North name was the word-of-mouth bestseller The First Fifteen lives of Harry August, which is currently being adapted as movie by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners and will be directed by ‘Maze Runner’ director Wes Ball.

North has since published several critically acclaimed novels and won the World Fantasy Award and the John W. Campbell Award, and has been shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, the Locus Award and the Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer of the Year Award. Her novels have sold over 750,000 copies in the English language and have been sold in translation in over 20 territories.

Acquiring editor Jackson says ‘Claire continues to amaze me with the scope of her imagination, and Notes from the Burning Age really wowed me with its sheer brilliance and originality. Set in an age after the world has burned, it’s a visionary tale that asks whether humankind can change the paths we seem fated to follow. Claire has already achieved so much in her writing career to date, and this book is going to take her to new heights.’

Cover Launch: THE SEVEN VISITATIONS OF SYDNEY BURGESS by Andy Marino

Possession is an addiction.

From an electrifying new voice in horror, Andy Marino, comes the haunting tale of a woman whose life begins to unravel after a home invasion — and then an unnatural voice begins to whisper. With a brand-new spin on the possession story featuring a whip-smart, but potentially unreliable narrator you can’t help but root for, this terrifying novel is certain to keep you up late at night, stringing you along page after page. And we’ve got the perfect cover to match, giving you your first peek into Sydney’s shattered mind. Luckily you won’t have to wait long: THE SEVEN VISITATIONS OF SYDNEY BURGESS hits shelves this September. Read more about the book below!


Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

Sydney’s spent years burying her past and building a better life for herself and her young son. A respectable marketing job, a house with reclaimed and sustainable furniture, and a boyfriend who loves her son and accepts her, flaws and all.

But when she opens her front door, and a masked intruder knocks her briefly unconscious, everything begins to unravel.

She wakes in the hospital and tells a harrowing story of escape. Of dashing out a window. Of running into her neighbors’ yard and calling for help.

The cops tell her a different story. Because the intruder is now lying dead in her guest room—murdered in a way that looks intimately personal.

Sydney can’t remember killing the man. No one believes her.

Back home, as horrific memories surface, an unnatural darkness begins whispering in her ear. Urging her back to old addictions and a past she’d hoped had burned away.

As Sydney searches for the truth among the wreckage of a past that won’t stay buried for long, the unquiet darkness begins to grow. To change into something unimaginable.

To reveal terrible cravings of its own.

Cover Launch: THE FIRST OMEGA by Megan E. O’Keefe

Megan E. O’Keefe proved she’s a science fiction master with her debut trilogy The Protectorate and now she’s bringing her prodigious talents to bear in this razor-sharp, action-packed new dystopian novella: The First Omega. Get excited to meet Riley—a hunter of men, a protector of the wasteland, and a goddamn force of nature—on March 30th.

Cover design by Lauren Panepinto and Lisa Marie Pompilio
Cover images by Shutterstock

Mad Max meets X-Men in this high-octane new dystopian novella by the Philip K Dick award-nominated author of Velocity Weapon.

It doesn’t matter what you call her. Riley. Burner. She forgot her name long ago. But if you steal from the supply lines crossing the wasteland, her face is the last one you’ll see. She is the force of nature that keeps the balance in the hot arid desert. Keep to yourself and she’ll leave you well enough alone. But it’s when you try to take more than you can chew that her employers notice and send her off to restore the balance. Then she gets the latest call. A supply truck knocked over too cleanly. Too precise. And the bodies scattering the wreckage weren’t killed by her normal prey of scavengers. These bodies are already rotting hours after the attack. Cowering in the corner of the wreckage is a young girl. A girl that shouldn’t be there. A girl with violently blue eyes. Just like hers.

Want to read more from the author? Check out VELOCITY WEAPON (US | UK) book one of The Protectorate.

Acquisition Announcement: THE CITY OF DUSK by Tara Sim

It’s a great day for fantasy fans! Orbit is delighted to announce the acquisition of Tara Sim’s sweeping adult epic fantasy trilogy, the Dark Gods, beginning with THE CITY OF DUSK.

Set in a gorgeous world of bone and shadow magic, of vengeful gods and defiant chosen ones, THE CITY OF DUSK follows the four heirs of four noble houses—each gifted with a divine power—as they form a tenuous alliance to keep their kingdom from descending into a realm-shattering war. If you like your fantasy packed with demons and danger, family rivalries and forbidden romance, this is the series for you.

Orbit US senior editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired world rights from Victoria Marini at the Irene Goodman Agency. You can read more about the book below, and while you wait for it to hit the shelves in spring 2022, follow Tara Sim on twitter @EachStarAWorld, and check out her YA novels (the Scavenge the Stars duology and the Timekeeper trilogy) at www.tarasim.com!

The Four Realms—Life, Death, Light, and Darkness—all converge on the city of dusk. For each realm there is a god, and for each god there is an heir.

But the gods have withdrawn their favor from the once vibrant and thriving city. And without it, all the realms are dying.

Unwilling to stand by and watch the destruction, the four heirs—Risha, a necromancer struggling to keep the peace; Angelica, an elementalist with her eyes set on the throne; Taesia, a shadow-wielding rogue with rebellion in her heart; and Nik, a soldier who struggles to see the light— will sacrifice everything to save the city.

But their defiance will cost them dearly.