Archive for Contents

Cover Launch: JADE LEGACY by Fonda Lee

After many entertaining guesses from fans of Fonda Lee’s Green Bone Saga, we’re thrilled to reveal the actual title and cover of the final volume of the series that began with the World Fantasy Award-winning JADE CITY (US | UK) and continues in the newly-published and much-anticipated JADE WAR (US | UK)…

Check out the gorgeous cover for JADE LEGACY, designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio:

To tell you a little more about the book:

Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now known and coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides, from traditional forces such as governments, mercenaries, and criminal kingpins, to modern players, including doctors, athletes, and movie studios. As the struggle over the control of jade grows ever larger and more deadly, the Kaul family, and the ancient ways of the Kekonese Green Bones, will never be the same.

The Kauls have been battered by war and tragedy. They are plagued by resentments and old wounds as their adversaries are on the ascent and their country is riven by dangerous factions and foreign interference that could destroy the Green Bone way of life altogether. As a new generation arises, the clan’s growing empire is in danger of coming apart.

The clan must discern allies from enemies, set aside aside bloody rivalries, and make terrible sacrifices… but even the unbreakable bonds of blood and loyalty may not be enough to ensure the survival of the Green Bone clans and the nation they are sworn to protect.

In the meantime, catch up on all the latest happenings in Kekon with Jade War, and go tell Fonda how much you love her new cover at her website and on Twitter @FondaJLee!

Cover Launch: THE OBSIDIAN TOWER by Melissa Caruso

Toll the bells! We’re thrilled to tell you more about the first book in Melissa Caruso’s brilliant new epic fantasy trilogy, which Orbit is publishing in Summer 2020!

THE OBSIDIAN TOWER features a mage with deadly, broken magic, and her disastrous encounter with a powerful artifact that could destroy the world. If you’re a fan of Robin Hobb or Victoria Aveyard, this will be your new favorite series.

It’s a long way to 2020, so in the meantime, we’re delighted to share a sneak peek at The Obsidian Tower’s beautiful cover, designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio, with art by Peter Bollinger.

The mage-marked granddaughter of a ruler of Vaskandar, Ryx was destined for power and prestige at the top of Vaskandran society. But her magic is broken; all she can do is uncontrollably drain the life from everything she touches, and Vaskandar has no place for a mage with unusable powers.

Then, one night, two terrible accidents befall her: Ryx accidentally kills a visiting dignitary in self-defense, activating a mysterious magical artifact sealed in an ancient tower in the heart of her family’s castle.

Ryx flees, seeking a solution to her deadly magic. She falls in with a group of unlikely magical experts investigating the disturbance in Vaskandar—and Ryx realizes that her family is in danger and her domain is at stake. She and her new colleagues must return to the family stronghold to take control of the artifact that everyone wants to claim—before it destroys the world.

Melissa Caruso is the Gemmell Award-nominated author of the Swords and Fire epic fantasy. You can find her on Twitter @melisscaru and at melissacaruso.net.

Cover Launch: THERE WILL COME A DARKNESS by Katy Rose Pool

THE AGE OF DARKNESS APPROACHES.

FIVE LIVES STAND IN ITS WAY.

WHO WILL STOP IT . . . OR UNLEASH IT?

 

We’re thrilled to reveal the Orbit cover for THERE WILL COME A DARKNESS (UK|ANZ) by Katy Rose Pool – an unmissable fantasy debut that weaves a captivating tale of prophecy and intrigue, packed with unforgettable characters.

 

Cover design by Duncan Spilling – LBBG

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

For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations – until they disappeared, one hundred years ago.

But they left behind one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction.

As a dark new power begins to make war on the magically gifted, five souls are set on a collision course that will determine the fate of their world:

An exiled prince
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand
A leader torn between his duty and his heart
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up

ONE OF THEM – OR ALL OF THEM – COULD BREAK THE WORLD. WILL THEY BE SAVIOUR OR DESTROYER?

 

The UK paperback will hit the shops early next year and the incredible reviews are already pouring in:

 

‘A masterful fantasy debut. Katy Rose Pool is a writer to watch’  Sebastien de Castell, author of Traitor’s Blade

‘A beautiful woven fantasy of prophecy, intrigue and unforgettable characters. There Will Come a Darkness feels both utterly original and like the best of classic fantasy’  Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand

‘This epic fantasy novel revels in rich worldbuilding [and] deftly plays with genre expectations . . . A well-crafted, surprising and gripping start to a new trilogy’  Kirkus (starred review)

‘A brilliantly woven story with compelling characters, surprising twists and a prophecy driven not by distant fate but by hard, human choices. There Will Come a Darkness was a pleasure to read and left me eager for more!’  Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage

‘Even in a world filled with graces and prophets, the real magic of There Will Come a Darkness is in how Pool has crafted her heroes―messy, flawed, and so beguilingly human. I dare you not to fall madly in love with all of them’  Laura Sebastian, New York Times bestselling author of Ash Princess

‘A sweeping, ambitious fantasy that pulled me into a world of corruption, dark prophecy and, ultimately, hope. The breathlessly paced story gripped me until the very last pages’  Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

‘Katy Rose Pool combines lovable characters, a gorgeously tangible world and an intricate puzzle-box plot to create a story that will pull you inexorably toward the explosive end’  Sarah Holland, New York Times bestselling author of Everless

 

Katy Rose Pool was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in history, Katy spent a few years building websites by day and dreaming up prophecies by night. Currently, she resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she can be found eating breakfast sandwiches, rooting for the Golden State Warriors and reading books that set her on fire. There Will Come a Darkness is her first novel.

Follow Katy on Twitter: @KatyPool.

Cover Launch: THE AGE OF WITCHES by Louisa Morgan

Did you adore A SECRET HISTORY OF WITCHES (US | UK) or THE WITCH’S KIND (US | UK)? Are you ready for Louisa Morgan’s most romantic tale of witchcraft and wonder yet? Her next book, THE AGE OF WITCHES, is another riveting tale of family, magic, and love that spans generations—this time set in Gilded Age New York and London.

We are publishing The Age of Witches in Spring 2020, but here’s an early peek at the beautiful cover, designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio:

Harriet Bishop, descended from a long line of witches, uses magic to help women in need—not only ordinary women, but also those with powers of their own. She must intervene when a distant cousin wields dangerous magic to change the lives of two unsuspecting young people… one of whom might just be a witch herself.

Frances Allington has used her wiles and witchcraft to claw her way out of poverty and into a spectacular marriage with one of New York’s wealthiest new tycoons. She is determined to secure the Allingtons’ position amongst the city’s elite Four Hundred families by any means necessary—including a scheme to make a glorious aristocratic match for her headstrong and reluctant step-daughter, Annis, using the same strange power with which she ensnared Annis’s father.

To save Annis from this dark magic, Harriet reveals to her Frances’ misuse of their shared birthright and kindles in Annis her own nascent powers. Together, Harriet and Annis must resist her stepmother’s agenda, lest she— and the dashing young lord she suspects she could come to love—lose their freedom, and possibly their lives.

New Acquisition: the Bloodsworn epic fantasy series from John Gwynne

As announced in both the Bookseller and Bookbrunch this morning, we’re delighted to have acquired an exciting new epic fantasy series from British author John Gwynne.

The deal for three books was concluded by Orbit UK editor James Long with literary agent Julie Crisp. Orbit US editor Priyanka Krishnan has secured North American rights. The first book will be launched in Spring 2021.

The Bloodsworn series (working title!) is set in a brand-new world inspired by Norse myths and Sagas. It is a fractured, war-torn land of feuding kingdoms and vicious rivalries, where the gods are dead but their bones and relics hold great power for those brave – or desperate – enough to seek them out. Mercenary bands compete for the best spoils, but power often carries a deadly price . . .

Here’s a few words from the man himself:

“I’m deeply excited about writing this new series. 

My first inspiration for this story is Beowulf; a band of Norse monster-hunting mercenaries – though the bands of warriors in this tale will be grittier and less heroic than Beowulf and his heroes, because the greatest monsters do not always fight with claw and fang. 

I’ve delved deep into Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore to build this new world; a world of ice-blue fjords, of snow-peaked mountains and dark, mist-shrouded forests, a world where Dragon-ships prowl the seas and creatures walk the land.

But most of all this tale is built around the characters. I hope that they will be the heart of the story, and that they will carry the reader into a world of danger, into a world of oaths and betrayal, of love and friendship. Into the world of the Bloodsworn.”

We’re thrilled to be publishing John’s new series – roll on 2021!

Cover Reveal: THE WOLF OF OREN-YARO by K. S. Villoso

When you describe your main character as both a “wolf” and a “bitch queen,” we sit up and take notice. And then, in the first sentence, that same character exiles her king and kills a man who’s wronged her . . . well, all aboard the hype train. Next stop, badass fantasy book.

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce our acquisition of K. S. Villoso’s THE WOLF OF OREN-YARO. Originally a self-published title, it gathered strong word-of-mouth online, and after reading the novel, it was obvious that we needed to publish this book.

Queen Talyien is a take-no-prisoners, rough-and-tumble, certifiably awesome character. Villoso has imbued Talyien with a voice that grabs you from word one. She drags you into her story and world, and you’re going to be very glad she did.

“A powerful new voice in epic fantasy. Villoso deftly creates an intricate and compelling world of high fantasy intrigue and adventure dominated by a crafty, whip-smart heroine determined to unite her kingdom at any cost.” — Kameron Hurley

The eBook is out now, and the paperback will hit shelves in February 2020. Check out the cover below with Talyien looking appropriately epic. Art by Simon Goinard. Design by Lauren Panepinto.

“They called me the Bitch Queen, the she-wolf, because I murdered a man and exiled my king the night before they crowned me.”

Born under the crumbling towers of Oren-yaro, Queen Talyien was the shining jewel and legacy of the bloody War of the Wolves that nearly tore her nation apart. But her upcoming marriage to the son of her father’s rival heralds peaceful days to come.

His sudden departure before their reign begins puts a quick end to those dreams, and the kingdom is fractured beyond repair.

Years later, Talyien receives a message, one that will send her across the sea. What’s meant to be an effort at reconciling the past spirals into an assassination attempt. Stranded in a land she doesn’t know, with no idea who she can trust, Talyien will have to embrace her namesake.

A Wolf of Oren-yaro is not tamed.

Orbit has acquired World rights for three books in the Chronicles of the Bitch Queen trilogy from Hannah Bowman of Liza Dawson Associates. Follow K. S. Villoso on Twitter.

Cover Launch: LEGACY OF ASH by Matthew Ward

Glory in victory. Fortitude in defeat.

Honour always.

We’re delighted to reveal the amazing cover for LEGACY OF ASH by Matthew Ward – an unmissable epic fantasy debut of war and revolution, packed with vicious intrigue, ancient magic and a host of memorable characters.

Illustration by Larry Rostant, design by Charlotte Stroomer

 

A shadow has fallen over the Tressian Republic.

Ruling families – once protectors of justice and democracy – now plot against one another with sharp words and sharper knives. Blinded by ambition, they remain heedless of the threat posed by the invading armies of the Hadari Empire.

Yet as Tressia falls, heroes rise.

Viktor Akadra is the Republic’s champion. A warrior without equal, he hides a secret that would see him burned as a heretic.

Josiri Trelan is Viktor’s sworn enemy. A political prisoner, he dreams of reigniting his mother’s failed rebellion.

And yet Calenne, Josiri’s sister, seeks only to break free of their tarnished legacy; to escape the expectation and prejudice that haunts the Trelan name.

As war spreads across the Republic, these three must set aside their differences in order to save their homeland. However, decades of bad blood are not easily set aside – victory will demand a darker price than any of them could have imagined.

 

We launch LEGACY OF ASH (UK/US/ANZ) in November with a signed limited edition hardback in the UK, and in ebook and audio worldwide.

 

Matthew Ward has frequently been accused of living in worlds of his own imagination, though really he lives near Nottingham with his extremely patient wife and several attention-seeking cats.

Follow Matthew Ward on Twitter and Facebook.

Cover Launch: REALM OF ASH by Tasha Suri

REALM OF ASH (US | UK) is a spellbinding fantasy novel set in the Mughal India-inspired world of Tasha Suri’s award-winning EMPIRE OF SAND (US | UK), in which a young widow with hidden powers and an illegitimate prince dabbling in forbidden magic must save the realm—and each other—from darkness. If you loved City of Brass, The Wrath & the Dawn, or Red Queen, this is your next unmissable read!

This captivating book publishes in November 2019 but—as announced on Book Riot—here is an early preview of its beautiful cover, designed by Lauren Panepinto, to tide you over!

Some believe the Ambhan Empire is cursed. But Arwa doesn’t simply believe it—she knows it’s true.

Arwa is the sole survivor of the infamous, unnatural massacre at Darez Fort—saved only by the strangeness of her blood, which she had been taught all her life to suppress. She makes common cause with a disgraced, illegitimate prince who has turned to forbidden occult arts to find a cure to the darkness hanging over the Empire. Using the power in Arwa’s blood, they seek answers in the realm of ash: where mortals can find the ghostly echoes of their ancestors’ dreams. But the Emperor’s health is failing, and a terrible war of succession hovers on the horizon—not just for the throne, but for the magic underpinning the Empire itself.

Cover Launch: THE PURSUIT OF WILLIAM ABBEY by Claire North

We’re thrilled to reveal the stunning cover for THE PURSUIT OF WILLIAM ABBEY (UK|US|ANZ) by Claire North, the award-winning and bestselling author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and 84K.

 

William Abbey

Design by Steve Panton

 

Coming this autumn, THE PURSUIT OF WILLIAM ABBEY is a hauntingly powerful novel about how the choices we make can stay with us forever.

Read on to find out more:

South Africa, 1884. A young and naive English doctor by the name of William Abbey witnesses the lynching of a local boy by white colonists. He’s guilt-struck, but too cowardly to stand up against this horrific act. And as the child dies, his mother curses William.

William begins to understand when what the curse means when the shadow of the dead boy starts following him across the world. It never stops, never rests. It can cross oceans and mountains. And if it catches him, the person he loves most in the world will die . . .

Moving, thought-provoking and utterly gripping, Claire North’s stunning new novel proves again that she is one of the most original and innovative voices in modern fiction.

 

And if you can’t wait until November for your next Claire North fix, never fear! Her latest book has just hit the shops: THE GAMESHOUSE is a mesmerising tale of a mystical gambling house whose deadly games of chance and skill control the fate of empires.

Gameshouse

 

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

‘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

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF HOPE cover

84k, a science fiction dystopian novel by Claire North

Cover Launch: A LITTLE HATRED by Joe Abercrombie

The world is about to feel A LITTLE HATRED. And we’re thrilled to be able to show you its newest face. Check out the gorgeous (and just a bit menacing) cover for Joe Abercrombie’s eagerly anticipated epic fantasy A Little Hatred.

Art by Sam Weber. Design by Lauren Panepinto.

If you’ve never read Abercrombie (and how could this be true…), A Little Hatred will be a fantastic starting point. For the rest of us who already know that a new Abercrombie book means shifting all priorities to the wayside, all we can say is that you’re going to love this one, and you’ll be able to get your hands on it on September 17th.

The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.

On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal’s son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments.

Savine dan Glokta – socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union – plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control.

The age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. With the help of the mad hillwoman Isern-i-Phail, Rikke struggles to control the blessing, or the curse, of the Long Eye. Glimpsing the future is one thing, but with the guiding hand of the First of the Magi still pulling the strings, changing it will be quite another…

“Abercrombie continues to do what he does best . . . Buckle your seat belts.” — Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author.

“Abercrombie squeezes your heart till it matches his beat. No one writes with the seismic scope or primal intensity of Joe Abercrombie.” — Pierce Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A Little Hatred is Abercrombie at his very best: witty, wise, whip-smart. Masterfully plotted . . . . I had high hopes for this book, and it exceeded them all.” — Nicholas Eames, author of KINGS OF THE WYLD (US | UK)

“Brutal, unforgiving, and terribly fun. Everything awesome readers have come to expect from Joe Abercrombie.” — Brian McClellan, author of SINS OF EMPIRE (US | UK)

“Rife with emotion with wit to spare, both honed to an effortlessly fine edge. A Little Hatred is the joy of watching a master of the craft with his tools at their sharpest.” — Sam Sykes, author of SEVEN BLADES IN BLACK 

“Joe Abercrombie’s powerful voice raises the bar in any literary genre. Fantasy fans are beyond fortunate he chose this one.” — Myke Cole, author of The Armored Saint