Archive for Contents

Acquisition Announcement: A WITCH IN TIME by Constance Sayers

Orbit’s sibling imprint, Redhook, has acquired World English rights to a beautiful debut novel by Atlantic Media executive Constance Sayers from Roz Foster at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. In A Witch in Time, a young woman in Belle Epoque France is cursed to relive a doomed love affair through many lifetimes, as both troubled muse and frustrated artist. If you loved A SECRET HISTORY OF WITCHES (US | UK), Outlander, and The Time Traveler’s Wife, this is your next magical read.

Look out for A Witch in Time in January 2020, and meanwhile, please give a warm welcome to Constance on Twitter @constancesayers and check out her website!

Cover Launch: FORTUNA by Kristyn Merbeth

Space is filled with smugglers. People who live on the fringes of civilized society, making their money by trading and selling items that are…less than legal. Except sometimes you make a back alley deal with a corrupt government, and all of a sudden you’re wrapped up in a web of conspiracies that might just ignite a war between every habitable planet in the galaxy.

That’s where Scorpia Kaiser finds herself in Kristyn Merbeth’s new space opera, FORTUNA. It’s epic in scope, and tells the story of a family of smugglers who are in way over their heads. If they can’t save the galaxy, (and how can they when they can barely get along?) then humanity may be headed for a war that will not end well.

Check out the striking cover below. The stars are her destination.

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Illustrations by Arcangel / Shutterstock

The first book in a fast-paced space opera trilogy where a young woman leads a family of smugglers who become unwittingly involved in a galactic war.

There’s only one thing Scorpia Kaiser wants in the whole galaxy: to finally own Fortuna, the ship she pilots and the only home she’s ever known. But when it becomes clear her predecessor – the family matriarch – has been secretly dealing with various planetary governments, Scorpia realizes that her own family may be the reason the system’s five planets are headed toward a devastating war.

Lies, manipulation, and profit are all she’s ever been taught, but as she ascends into her new position, Scorpia finds she has the chance to change everything. Yet even as she takes on more responsibility for the family’s fate, fortune and influence, she is not at all sure she’s ready for it –  even worse, she may not have the support of her crew, particularly her brother and rival, Corvus.

To stop the war, she’ll have to unite her family and unravel the chaos they’ve left in their wake.

Fortuna publishes in Fall 2019.

Check out the cover for THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY by Alix Harrow

Walk through the garden, turn left at the gate, and approach the half hidden door.  Be brave enough to turn the knob and your reward will be the cover reveal of Alix E. Harrow’s enchanting debut, THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY (US | UK).

A tale of lost homes, unforgettable love, inherited stories, and magical doors, The Ten Thousand Doors of January lands on shelves September 2019.  Are you excited? We are and we’re not the only ones! Check out the advance praise:

“Many worlds, vanishing doors, mind-cracking magic: I clung to each page, searching for answers. This is one of the most unique works of fiction I’ve ever read!” —Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author

“Each page dazzles with things to be discovered: a mansion of priceless artifacts, a secret journal, a tantalizing quest through strange and beautiful places, and a love story that spans time, worlds, and magic. I couldn’t put it down.”—Peng Shepherd, critically acclaimed author of The Book of M

“The Ten Thousand Doors of January healed hurts I didn’t even know I had. An unbearably beautiful story about growing up, and everything we fight to keep along the way.” —Amal El-Mohtar, Hugo Award-winning author

“A gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers and the doors they lead us through…absolutely enchanting.” —Christina Henry, national bestselling author of Lost Boys and Alice

“A gorgeously written story of love and longing, of what it means to lose your place in the world, and then have the courage to find it again. This book is a door I’m glad to have opened.” —Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians

“To open this book is to open a Door to a brand new world that you’ll never want to leave. With the masterful prose of a true Wordworker, Harrow has created a richly imagined, multi-layered narrative full of wonder, sorrow, and strength.” —Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of The Immortals

“All the magic you once knew but have almost forgotten waits in these pages for you to discover again. It’s a deeply satisfying pleasure to read, and lingers in your heart afterward. I loved it!” —Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage

While you wait impatiently for this spellbinding debut, go say hi to Alix on Twitter @AlixEHarrow or at her website.

Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio: Cover art from Shutterstock

Cover Launch: ONE OF US by Craig DiLouie

ONE OF US (US | UK) has a fresh new cover to compliment it’s upcoming US trade paperback release, which will be hitting shelves on February 26th, or you can start reading the ebook today! Don’t miss the book Claire North called THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS (US | UK) meets To Kill a Mockingbird.

They’ve called him a monster from the day he was born.

Abandoned by his family, Enoch Bryant now lives in a rundown orphanage with other teenagers just like him. He loves his friends, even if the teachers are terrified of them. They’re members of the rising plague generation. Each bearing their own extreme genetic mutation.

The people in the nearby town hate Enoch, but he doesn’t know why. He’s never harmed anyone. Works hard and doesn’t make trouble. He believes one day he’ll be a respected man.

But hatred dies hard. The tension between Enoch’s world and those of the “normal” townspeople is ready to burst. And when a body is found, it may be the spark that ignites a horrifying revolution.

“A powerhouse of a novel.” — Peter Clines

“It will change you.” — Seanan McGuire

“Powerful.” — Jonathan Maberry

“Heartbreaking.” — Megan Hart

“Will stay with you.” — Washington Post

“A stunning achievement.” — Shelf Awareness 

“The Girl With All the Gifts meets To Kill a Mockingbird.” — Claire North

One of Us is out in trade paperback on February 26th.

EMPIRE OF SAND optioned for TV

As announced exclusively in Variety, Tasha Suri’s debut novel, the Mughal India-inspired fantasy Empire of Sand, has been optioned for TV by production companies Kronicle Media, Amyale and Rebel Maverick, with Sadia Ash to write the pilot.

Haven’t read Empire of Sand yet? Now’s the perfect time to start.

Purchase in the US:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Google Play | iBooks | Indiebound | Kobo | Chapters

Purchase in the UK: Amazon | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Waterstones | More Stores

A nobleman’s daughter with magic in her blood. An empire built on the dreams of enslaved gods.

The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amrithi mother she can barely remember, but whose face and magic she has inherited.

When Mehr’s power comes to the attention of the Emperor’s most feared mystics, she must use every ounce of will, subtlety, and power she possesses to resist their cruel agenda.

Should she fail, the gods themselves may awaken seeking vengeance…

Tasha Suri was born in London to Punjabi parents. She studied English and Creative Writing at Warwick University, and is now a cat-owning librarian in London. A love of period Bollywood films, history, and mythology led her to write South Asian-influenced fantasy. Visit her on Twitter @tashadrinkstea and on her website at https://tashasuri.com/.

 

 

Cover Launch: FRAY by Rowenna Miller

Did you love Rowenna Miller’s French Revolution-inspired epic fantasy debut, TORN? Can’t wait to dive back into her enchanting world of magical ballgowns, reluctant royals, and ardent revolutionaries? The sequel, FRAY, publishes this summer.

While you’re waiting, check out FRAY’s beautiful cover, with art by Peter Bollinger and design by Lisa Marie Pompilio.

What would you risk for love and for country?

Open revolt has been thwarted—for now—but unrest still simmers in the kingdom of Galitha. Sophie Balstrade, despite having built a thriving business on her skill at both dressmaking and magic, has not escaped unscathed from her misadventures in the workers’ rebellion that saw her brother exiled and her friends murdered. Her dangerous foray into curse casting has rendered her powers unpredictable, and her increasingly visible romantic entanglement with the Crown Prince makes her a convenient target for threatened nobles and malcontented commoners alike.

With domestic political reform and international alliances—and her own life—at stake, Sophie must discern friend from foe… before her magic grows too dark for her to wield.

Praise for Torn:

“One of the best novels I’ve read this year! Torn is masterfully written—full of fascinating politics and compelling characters in a vividly rendered, troubled city. Sophie is a believable, layered, and wonderful heroine. I absolutely loved this book!”
—Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Queen of Blood

“Miller places immigrant ambition and women’s lives at the heart of her magical tale of politics and revolution. I was utterly enchanted by this unique, clever and subtly fierce fantasy.”

—Tasha Suri, author of EMPIRE OF SAND (US | UK)

“A gorgeous weave of romantic fantasy and urgent politics.”
—Anna Smith Spark, author of THE COURT OF BROKEN KNIVES

Shortlist for the 2019 Philip K. Dick Award

The nominees for the 2019 Philip K. Dick Award have been announced! See the shortlist below:

  • 84K by Claire North 
  • AMBIGUITY MACHINES AND OTHER STORIES by Vandana Singh
  • TIME WAS by Ian McDonald
  • THE BODY LIBRARY by Jeff Noon
  • ALIEN VIRUS LOVE DISASTER: STORIES by Abbey Mei Otis
  • THEORY OF BASTARDS by Audrey Schulman

The winner will be announced on Friday 19th April at Norwescon 42 in SeaTac, Washington.

84k, a science fiction dystopian novel by Claire NorthCongratulations to all the authors shortlisted, and in particular to Orbit author Claire North! Find out more about her outstanding novel 84K (UK|US|ANZ) below:

‘An eerily plausible dystopian masterpiece’ Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven

‘An extraordinary novel that stands with the best of dystopian fiction, with echoes of The Handmaid’s Tale‘ Cory Doctorow

‘Absolutely breath-taking . . .  An early and compelling candidate for best novel of 2018. Read it’ Sci Fi Magazine

‘[A] gut-punch of a novel . . . a story that is rare – one of those that is so good I didn’t want it to end . . . Painted in shades of Fahrenheit 451, of Children of Men, Soylent Green and Brave New World‘ NPR

‘Absorbing and timely; a book to wrestle and argue with, but first and foremost, to read‘ New York Times

‘Claire North goes from strength to strength . . . A tense, moving story set in drawing from current political trends to present a draconian future similar to that of Nineteen Eighty-Four‘ Guardian

‘Another captivating novel from one of the most intriguing and genre-bending novelists’ Booklist

Read a sample of 84K here. Follow Claire North on Twitter here.

New Acquisition: LEGACY OF ASH by Matthew Ward

As announced in Bookbrunch, we’re thrilled to have acquired LEGACY OF ASH, a superb epic fantasy debut from British author Matthew Ward.

The deal for three books was concluded by Orbit UK editor James Long with literary agent John Jarrold. Orbit US editor Priyanka Krishnan has secured North American rights.

As the Tressian Republic crumbles, beset by enemies from without and within, its future rests on the shoulders of three heroes: Viktor, the Republic’s champion, who hides a terrible secret, and Calenne and Josiri Trelan, heirs to a tarnished legacy. Sworn enemies, they must unite if they hope to save their homeland and erase the mistakes of the past.

Yet bad blood is not easily washed away, and as the fires of war spread, they learn that the truth cuts deeper than any sword – and that the brightest light casts the darkest shadow. 

LEGACY OF ASH is epic in every sense of the word, with a large cast of brilliant characters, dangerous intrigue and bone-crunching battles. From magic-fuelled mechanical lions to the sinister Parliament of Crows, there’s just so much to love about the world Matthew has created, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

LEGACY OF ASH will be published in November 2019.

Cover Launch: CHILDREN OF RUIN by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Orbit is proud to be the US home for Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Arthur C. Clarke’s award-winning novel CHILDREN OF TIME and its sequel CHILDREN OF RUIN. Ambitious, thought provoking, and immersive, it’s a modern classic perfect for fans of SF giants like Iain M. Banks, Peter F. Hamilton and Alastair Reynolds.

Everyone from author/screenwriter Peter Ness to actor James McAvoy has praised this epic story of humanity’s battle for survival on a terraformed planet. And Lionsgate has optioned it for film adaptation.

The US edition of Children of Time just came out this week, and Children of Ruin will be on US bookshelves in May 2019.

 

“Children of Time is a joy from start to finish. Entertaining, smart, surprising and unexpectedly human.”—Patrick Ness

“Brilliant science fiction and far out world building.” — James McAvoy

“The smartest evolutionary worldbuilding you’ll ever read.” —Peter F Hamilton

“This is superior stuff, tackling big themes – gods, messiahs, artificial intelligence, alienness – with brio.” —Financial Times

“Packed with ingenious ideas … classic widescreen space opera.”—New Scientist

*Children of Time and Children of Ruin are published by Pan Macmillan in the UK.

Images by Shutterstock

Cover Launch: THE HOUSE OF SACRIFICE by Anna Smith Spark

Anna Smith Spark’s blockbuster grimdark trilogy has been garnering praise from across the fantasy community, with fans like Mark Lawrence and Scott Lynch. It was shortlisted for both the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel and the Gemmell Morningstar award. And, to top it all off, we think Gene Mollica and Lauren Panepinto designed us some really incredible covers.

In fact, we just got a look at the cover for the third book in the trilogy. Check it out below, and then make sure to pick up the bloody, brilliant final installment in the Empires of Dust trilogy when it publishes in August next year.

Marith’s power is growing. His empire stretches across half the world, and allies are flocking to his banner to share the spoils of war. With Thalia ruling at his side they are unstoppable.

But Marith is become increasingly mentally unstable and their victories cannot continue forever.

Read the final book in this “gritty and glorious!” (Miles Cameron) epic fantasy series reminiscent of Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence where the exiled son of a king fights to reclaim his throne no matter the cost.