Posts Tagged ‘epic fantasy’

Acquisition Announcement: A SONG OF LEGENDS LOST

Colour photo of author M. H. Ayinde

Orbit UK are thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired a stunning epic fantasy trilogy from debut author M. H. Ayinde, winner of the 2021 Future Worlds Prize. The first book in the series, A SONG OF LEGENDS LOST, will be published in spring 2025 and launches a gripping tale of revenge and rebellion in a vividly drawn world inspired by multiple pre-colonial cultures.

We can’t wait to share A Song of Legends Lost with readers! With its large cast of complex, vibrant characters, rich worldbuilding and propulsive narrative, it’s perfect for fans of The Rage of Dragons, The Bone Shard Daughter and The Unbroken.

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

In the Nine Lands, only those of noble blood can summon the spirits of their ancestors to fight in battle. But when Temi, a commoner from the slums, accidentally invokes a powerful spirit, she finds it could hold the key to ending a centuries-long war. But not everything that can be invoked is an ancestor. And some of the spirits that can be drawn from the ancestral realm are more dangerous than anyone can imagine.

M. H. Ayinde was born in London’s East End. She was the 2021 winner of the Future Worlds Prize, which was created to discover new writers of science fiction and fantasy from ethnically diverse backgrounds. She lives in London with three generations of her family and their Studio Ghibli obsession.

Please join us in welcoming Modupe to Orbit. She can be found on X @MHAyinde or at her website  www.mhayinde.com.

Acquisition Announcement: THE BONE RAIDERS by Jackson Ford

Jackson Ford author photo - credit Brooke McAllister

Orbit is excited to announce that we have acquired The Bone Raiders, a fast-paced and highly entertaining new epic fantasy from Jackson Ford, author of The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind. We’ll be publishing it globally in Spring 2025.

This epic fantasy follows the story of the Rakada, a fearsome band known as the Bone Raiders, due to their charming habit of wearing the bones of those they kill on their armour. But being a raider is tough these days, especially when the High Chieftain is trying to wipe out you and your kind. When Sayana, a young Rakada scout, finds herself face-to-face with a fire-breathing lizard of legend during a raid-gone-wrong, she comes up with an audacious plan to save the Rakada and preserve their way of life. A plan that involves convincing the lizard to let her ride it . . .

We can’t wait to share The Bone Raiders with readers! With a fast pace, great sense of humour and a superb ensemble cast, it’s perfect for fans of lively epic fantasy with attitude such as Kings of the Wyld, The Grey Bastards, The Blacktongue Thief and The Blade Itself.

Author Jackson Ford said: ‘Bad guys are always the best fun to write – especially bad guys who have everything to lose. I fell hard for the Rakada, and especially for Sayana, who has no idea what she’s about to get into. I had a wild time creating the world of The Bone Raiders, and I can’t wait for readers to get their teeth into it.’

If you’re not already following Jackson, you can find him on Instagram as @realjacksonford, on X as @realjacksonford or at jacksonfordauthor.com.

Orbit UK Publisher Anna Jackson acquired World English language rights in two novels set in the world of the Bone Raiders from Ed Wilson @ Johnson & Alcock. Bradley Englert, Senior Editor at Orbit US, has acquired rights in US & Canada. Orbit will publish the book globally in May 2025.

Cover Launch: A CURSE OF KRAKENS by Kevin Hearne

Check out the cover for A CURSE OF KRAKENS by Kevin Hearne – the third and final book in the epic Seven Kennings trilogy, coming this November! See below for more info on what’s in store for you . . .

Cover for A CURSE OF KRAKENS by Kevin Hearne, featuring a wrecked ship in the sea, being attacked by kraken tentackles from all sides.
Cover design by Ben Prior @ Little, Brown Book Group

From the New York Times bestselling creator of The Iron Druid Chronicles comes the final book in the epic fantasy trilogy that began with A Plague of Giants, about a war that broke a continent – and opened the door to a new world.

Seeker and Sower
Pen Yas ben Min’s cousin was one of the legendary heroes of the wars against the giants until her untimely death. Pen has grown up in her famous cousin’s shadow, but when she’s given a quest to plant the seed of the magical Fourth Tree, she has a chance to step into the light – and usher in a new age for her country.

Fighter and Friend
Abhi’s life – and the world – changed when he discovered a lost magic: the power to speak to animals. After fighting so many battles, he’s weary and longs for home and his love, Tamhan. But before he can return, there is one last mission that only Abhi can complete: to speak to the colossal creatures who wait beneath the waves – the krakens.

Sailor and Explorer
Koesha and her shipmates have already made an impossible journey by navigating the Northern Yawn, at the end of which she secured an unusual cloak. But when that cloak turns out to be the key to unlocking the mystery of the Seventh Kenning, Koesha has to risk everything on another life-threatening journey and hope that she can steer her crew to safety.

Don’t miss any of Kevin Hearne’s action-packed Seven Kennings series:
A Plague of Giants
A Blight of Blackwings
A Curse of Krakens

Praise for the Seven Kennings series:

‘Truly epic fantasy’ James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

‘This isn’t just a breath of fresh air for the genre, it’s a damned hurricane’
Jason M. Hough, New York Times bestselling author

‘A rare masterpiece that’s both current and timeless . . . merging the fantasy bones of Tolkien and Rothfuss with a wide cast of characters who’ll break your heart’
Delilah S. Dawson

Acquisition Announcement: THE SWORD DEFIANT by Gareth Hanrahan

Orbit is thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired a brand new series from Gareth Hanrahan, author of the critically acclaimed The Gutter Prayer. The first book in Gareth’s new trilogy, titled The Sword Defiant will be publishing in May 2023, and is now available to pre-order.

Orbit UK Commissioning editor Emily Byron acquired World Rights to the Lands of the Firstborn trilogy from John Jarrold, with Senior editor Bradley Englert acquiring for Orbit US. Check out the stunning cover below, designed by Sophie Harris at Little, Brown Book Group with art by Thea Dumitriu.

An image of the book cover of The Sword Defiant, which shows an ominous and moody illustration of an armoured man brandishing a glowing red sword

Many years ago, Sir Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world, seizing the Dark Lord’s cursed weapons, along with his dread city of Necrad. That was the easy part.

Now, when Aelfric – keeper of the cursed sword Spellbreaker – learns of a new and terrifying threat, he seeks the nine heroes once again. But they are wandering adventurers no longer. Yesterday’s eager heroes are today’s weary leaders – and some have turned to the darkness, becoming monsters themselves.

If there’s one thing Aelfric knows, it’s slaying monsters. Even if they used to be his friends.

Set in a world of dark myth and dangerous prophecy, The Sword Defiant launches an epic tale of daring warriors, living weapons and bloodthirsty vengeance.

You can follow Gareth on Twitter @mytholder!

Cover Launch: THE BONE SHARD EMPEROR by Andrea Stewart

Andrea Stewart’s THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER (US | UK) was one of the biggest fantasy debuts of 2020, and her next novel is looking to be another smash hit. With her brilliantly realized magic systems, inventive world-building, and captivating characters Stewart has made the stakes in Bone Shard Emperor higher and the adventure even more exciting. So of course we needed another incredible cover designed by Lauren Panepinto and illustrated by Sasha Vinogradova to match! Check it out below and in the meantime, make sure to pre-order THE BONE SHARD EMPEROR (US | UK)!

The Emperor is Dead. Long live the Emperor.

Lin Sukai finally sits on the throne she won at so much cost, but her struggles are only just beginning. Her people don’t trust her. Her political alliances are weak. And in the north-east of the Empire, a rebel army of constructs is gathering, its leader determined to take the throne by force.

Yet an even greater threat is on the horizon, for the Alanga – the powerful magicians of legend – have returned to the Empire. They claim they come in peace, and Lin will need their help in order to defeat the rebels and restore peace.

But can she trust them?

Cover Launch: AGE OF ASH by Daniel Abraham

We couldn’t be more excited to reveal the cover for AGE OF ASH, the start to a new epic fantasy series from New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed author Daniel Abraham, co-author of The Expanse. George R. R. Martin described Daniel’s previous series, The Dagger and the Coin, as “everything I look for in a fantasy.” Brandon Sanderson said the second book in Daniel’s The Long Price Quartet series, A Betrayal in Winter, was “exactly the kind of book I love.”

So you can understand why we’re thrilled to launch Daniel’s monumental new trilogy. Each book in the trilogy unfolds within the walls of a single great city, over the course of one tumultuous year, where every story matters, and the fate of the city is woven from them all. AGE OF ASH is coming to shelves near you in February 2022.

Design by Lauren Panepinto. Illustration by Daniel Dociu.

Kithamar is a center of trade and wealth, an ancient city with a long, bloody history where countless thousands live and their stories unfold.

This is Alys’s.

Alys is simply a petty thief from the slums of Longhill, but when her brother is murdered, she sets out to discover who killed him and why. But the more she discovers about him, the more she learns about herself, and the truths she finds are more dangerous than knives.

Swept up in an intrigue as deep as the roots of Kithamar, where the secrets of the lowest born can sometimes topple thrones, the story Alys chooses will have the power to change everything.

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: 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

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.

Cover Launch: THE DRAGON OF JIN-SAYENG by K. S. Villoso

In this incredible finale to the critically acclaimed Chronicles of the Bitch Queen series, Queen Talyien finally takes back her throne – and what a sight it is to behold. Feast your eyes on this glorious cover, depicting Talyien at the peak of her power, determined to unite her people against the enemies who threaten to tear her country apart. #HailTheBitchQueen indeed!

Art by Simon Goinard. Design by Lauren Panepinto

THE DRAGON OF JIN-SAYENG  (US | UK) releases in May.

Queen Talyien is finally home, but dangers she never imagined await her in the shadowed halls of her father’s castle.

War is on the horizon. Her son has been stolen from her, her warlords despise her, and across the sea, a cursed prince threatens her nation with invasion in order to win her hand. 

Worse yet, her father’s ancient secrets are dangerous enough to bring Jin-Sayeng to ruin. Dark magic tears rifts in the sky, preparing to rain down madness, chaos, and the possibility of setting her nation aflame.

Bearing the brunt of the past and uncertain about her future, Talyien will need to decide between fleeing her shadows or embracing them before the whole world becomes an inferno.

Praise for The Chronicles of the Bitch Queen

“The power plays are woven tightly into the action, as Villoso broadens her worldbuilding and adds some surprising twists … A must for epic fantasy readers.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“Villoso crafts believable, complex characters and spices up the politics with dragons and magic. Fantasy readers will enjoy this intricate epic and be pleased by the broadening scope of the series.” —Publishers Weekly 

“The Wolf of Oren-yaro is intricate, intimate, and intensely plotted. Full of subtle poignancy and remarkably genuine characters-even the rotten ones. I loved this book.”   —Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

“Intimate and epic. It compels you to read on, because it’s a story about people not characters, civilizations not settings, and deadly power plays not sanitized throne-room politics.”   —Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

“Deeply compelling and wonderfully entertaining, The Wolf of Oren-yaro feels at once timely and timeless. K. S. Villoso’s lush and finely crafted world envelops readers from the first page, as she takes us on an adventure full of heartache, hope, and triumph. It’s a fabulous read!”   —Josiah Bancroft, author of Senlin Ascends

“A tale balanced on the blade’s-edge between intrigue and action – and then Villoso twists the knife.”   —Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Gutter Prayer

“[A] remarkable tale of nonstop tension, action, and betrayal . . . This excellent work will appeal to all readers of epic fantasy.”   —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Villoso’s debut draws on Filipino culture and myths to create a detailed fantasy world and uses the first person narrative of a beleaguered queen to explore a tale of secrets, lies, betrayal, and treason.”   —Booklist

“K.S. Villoso dismantled the heavily stereotyped strong female character within epic fantasy and built it anew. Queen Talyien is flawed, beautifully so, making her one of the more realistic female characters I’ve read to date.”    —Hypable

Art by Simon Goinard. Design by Lauren Panepinto