Posts Tagged ‘epic fantasy’

Cover Launch: CHAINS OF THE EARTH by David Mealing

David Mealing’s intricate and epic fantasy trilogy comes to a close with the highly anticipated finale: CHAINS OF THE EARTH. In a tale filled with epic scale battles and intricate magic systems, our heroes Sarine, Arak’Jur, and Erris d’Errant will break all the rules and fight the gods themselves in order to save their world from eternal darkness. Haven’t caught up yet? Check out the other books in The Ascension Cycle. And in the meantime, check out this gorgeous cover!

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio
Cover Images by Shutterstock

Praise for The Ascension Cycle trilogy:

“A great epic fantasy debut. Memorable characters, intriguing magic systems and a well-realised world”―James Islington

“Soul of the World is a magical book, almost overflowing with originality.”―The Quill to Live

“A riveting debut. It’s got everything I could possibly want in a fantasy book.”―Powder & Page Book Reviews

“The magic systems in this book are epic and the comparison to Sanderson and Rothfuss is quite deserved.”―On Starships and Dragonwings Book Reviews

Cover Launch: THE TROUBLE WITH PEACE Trade Paperback Edition by Joe Abercrombie

To pack a bigger punch, (and make sure the paperback editions match on your bookshelves!) we’ve slightly redesigned the cover for THE TROUBLE WITH PEACE for its paperback publication on July 27th, 2021. In this sequel to New York Times-bestselling A LITTLE HATRED, a fragile peace gives way to conspiracy, betrayal, and rebellion. But, If July is too long of a wait, the hardcover, eBook, and audio book editions are out now! You’ll want to be sure you’re caught up on this stunning sequel before the final book in The Age of Madness trilogy comes out from Joe Abercrombie, “a master of the genre” (Lev Grossman).

Art by Sam Weber. Design by Lauren Panepinto.

Praise for The Age of Madness Trilogy

“Abercrombie’s satisfying plotting and expert subversion of genre expectations are sure to please. Readers will be gripped.” — Publishers Weekly

“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

“Abercrombie continues to do what he does best . . . Buckle your seat belts for this one . . . . A vivid and jolting tale.” — Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author

“Highly recommended ‑ a funny, finely‑wrought, terrifically energetic work of high fantasy. Seek it out.” — Joe Hill

“Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say that he’s a master of his craft.” — Forbes 

“A Little Hatred is Abercrombie at his very best: witty, wise, and whip‑smart. Masterfully plotted . . . . I had high hopes for this book, and it exceed them all.” — Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

“Brutal, unforgiving, and terribly fun. Everything awesome readers have come to expect from Joe Abercrombie.” — Brian McClellan, author of Sins of Empire

“With expert craft, Abercrombie lays the groundwork for another thrilling trilogy.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)  

“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

“Abercrombie unerringly juggles a large cast of multifaceted, morally ambiguous characters, each embroiled in their own complicated story.” — Booklist (starred review) 

“A critical, compelling epic fantasy loaded with wonderfully drawn characters, the bloodletting tempered with sharp social commentary and a touch of satire . . . . It doesn’t feel like a stretch to say Abercrombie’s on his way to writing another masterpiece of epic fantasy.” — B&N Sci‑Fi & Fantasy Blog 

“A Little Hatred may be the most accomplished work from a writer who many already consider a master.” — SFF World 

“[Abercrombie] might have his most important series of novels yet.” — Locus

ICYMI: THE JASMINE THRONE by Tasha Suri

On the hunt for a gorgeous fantasy epic featuring powerful, morally grey lesbians; an intense, slow-burn romance; a wild and darkly magical forest; and a stunning exploration of the weight of inheritance and the cost of power? Look no further than THE JASMINE THRONE!

THE JASMINE THRONE is the first in the Burning Kingdoms trilogy by award-winning author Tasha Suri, and it is coming to your nearest bookstore in June 2021. Feast your eyes on the spectacular cover below, first revealed on SciFiNow–and be sure to say hi to Tasha on Twitter @tashadrinkstea after adding it to your preorder list!

Cover design by Lauren Panepinto, Illustration by Micah Epstein

A vengeful princess seeking to steal a throne.

A hidden priestess with ties to a mysterious forest.

Apart, they are dangerous. Together, they will set an empire ablaze.

ICYMI: SON OF THE STORM by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Feast your eyes on the stunning cover for SON OF THE STORM by Suyi Davies Okungbowa, the highly-anticipated first novel in the Nameless Republic trilogy. Inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa, this is an epic tale of violent conquest, buried histories, and forbidden magic. Make sure you head over to io9 to read the excerpt!

Illustration by Dan dos Santos; Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto

In the thriving city of Bassa, Danso is a clever but disillusioned scholar who longs for a life beyond the rigid family and political obligations expected of the city’s elite. A way out presents itself when Lilong, a skin-changing warrior, shows up wounded in his barn. She comes from the Nameless Islands- which, according to Bassa lore, don’t exist- and neither should the mythical magic of ibor she wields.

Now swept into a conspiracy far beyond his understanding, Danso and Lilong will set out on a journey that reveals histories violently suppressed and magic only found in lore.

SON OF THE STORM is out in May 2021. In the meantime, you can connect with Suyi at https://suyidavies.com/ and on Twitter at @IAmSuyiDavies.

 

Cover Launch: VOIDBREAKER by David Dalglish

Your favorite monster-hunter is back and better than ever. Devin Eveson is the Soulkeeper, honor-bound to protect humanity from monsters once thought to be only legend. Devin’s saga began with  SOULKEEPER (US | UK) and its sequel RAVENCALLER (US | UK), and now finds its explosive conclusion in VOIDBREAKER (US | UK). In a world overrun by monsters, Devin will have to face his most dangerous enemy yet—his own sister. Their battle is front and center in VOIDBREAKER’S brilliant cover—check it out!

If you haven’t yet caught up on Devin’s adventures make sure to get in on the action and pick up Soulkeeper and Ravencaller!

When magical creatures storm the gates of Londheim and declare it for themselves, Devin, a warrior priest, must decide who the true monsters are in the final book of USA Today bestseller David Dalglish’s epic fantasy trilogy.

Monsters have retaken the capital city of Londheim and claimed it for themselves. Humanity, fearful of being pushed out for good, has reacted with violence and destruction, and peace between the two races seems all but impossible. Devin will need to bring all his skills to bear in order to find a solution. But the greatest threat to humanity’s safety may well be closer than he expects. Because his sister is the most powerful priestess the world has ever seen… and she’s fighting for the monsters.

The fate of all races, human and magical, rests in their hands, and the only person standing in their way is each other. (more…)

Cover Launch: THE QUEEN OF IZMOROZ by Jon Skovron

Orbit US and UK are thrilled to announce next installment in Jon Skovron’s epic fantasy trilogy, the Goddess War. Lushly built and thrillingly plotted, THE QUEEN OF IZMOROZ (US | UK) picks up where THE RANGER OF MARZANNA (US | UK) left off with an epic tale of a continent ruptured by opposite forces—and it’s got a fabulous cover to match!

Here’s a bit more about the must-read next book:

Sonya has brought a foreign army to free her country from imperial rule, but her allies may have other goals in the second book of this thrilling epic fantasy trilogy from Jon Skovron.

The first battle is over, but war yet looms on the horizon. Sonya and her allies–the foreign Uaine and their armies of the undead–have beaten back the imperial soldiers from the capital city. Now they have the rest of the country to free.

Meanwhile, her brother the famed wizard Sebastian has retreated with the imperial forces to regroup and lick his wounds. Betrayed by his sister and his wife, the beautiful noblewoman Galina, he will regain control of his life and his country at any cost.

Orbit US and UK will be publishing THE QUEEN OF IZMOROZ in April 2021. In the meantime make sure to say hello to Jon Skovron on twitter: @jonnyskov. And pick up the first book of the series, THE RANGER OF MARZANNA if you haven’t already!

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio Illustration by Magali Villeneuve (Website | Twitter | Instagram)

Read an excerpt from THE UNBROKEN by C. L. Clark

Orbit is so excited to share the cover and a short preview for C.L. Clark’s incredible debut fantasy, THE UNBROKEN.  In a crumbling kingdom inspired by the deserts of North Africa, two women’s lives will become irrevocably changed—one a solider haunted by the past, the other a dethroned princess who saves her from certain death.

Io9 unveiled the striking cover for The Unbroken, designed by Lauren Panepinto with stellar art by Tommy Arnold.

The Unbroken will be out in print, ebook, and audio on March 23, 2021. Read on for the description of this unmissable epic!

Touraine is a soldier. Stolen as a child and raised to kill and die for the empire, her only loyalty is to her fellow conscripts. But now, her company has been sent back to her homeland to stop a rebellion, and the ties of blood may be stronger than she thought.

Luca needs a turncoat. Someone desperate enough to tiptoe the bayonet’s edge between treason and orders. Someone who can sway the rebels toward peace, while Luca focuses on what really matters: getting her uncle off her throne.

Through assassinations and massacres, in bedrooms and war rooms, Touraine and Luca will haggle over the price of a nation. But some things aren’t for sale.

Read the first two chapters now!

Acquisition Announcement: Orbit has acquired a new trilogy from R. S. Ford!

Are you looking for the next big epic fantasy series? Orbit is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a brand-new trilogy from author R. S. Ford. With a unique magic system inspired by inventors and artificers, and a compelling cast of characters, this new series follows one family as they struggle to stop a dark revolution from tearing their country – and their family – apart.

The nation of Torwyn is ruled by the Guilds – a powerful group of families who control the country’s varying magical and mechanical industries. Over centuries the influence of the Guilds has grown, and now the people of Torwyn revere these idols of industry more than their history. But the once powerful Draconate Ministry has a new leader, and he is determined to restore the power of his faith. When a foreign emissary travels to Torwyn to broker peace, Lady Rosomon, matriarch of the Hawkspur Guild, is summoned to the capital with her children. Before she knows it, her heirs – an artificer, a mage-turned-diplomat, and a military captain – are sent to the far reaches of the nation, each with their own personal quest to defend Torwyn from those who would see it burn. 

This trilogy is truly epic in scale, engineering a brilliant tale of impending revolution, prophesied draconic gods, magical artifice creations, loyalty, family, and more—a real doorstopper. You don’t want to miss out on this one, publishing in early 2022. Follow the author on Twitter to learn more about the lore.

Orbit US editor Bradley Englert acquired the trilogy for World rights from John Jarrold.

 

Cover Launch: THE IKESSAR FALCON by K. S. Villoso

Queen Talyien is back and looking more badass than ever in this stunning cover for THE IKESSAR FALCON (US | UK), the sequel to the critically acclaimed THE WOLF OF OREN-YARO (US | UK), which Library Journal gave a starred review and called “a new fantasy epic that readers will clamor for.”

In book two of The Chronicles of the Bitch Queen, Talyien discovers a dark conspiracy that would wrest the throne away from her and see her son dead. With the few allies she has left, Talyien must race back to Jin-Sayeng and confront the warlords, dark magic, and mad dragons who threaten her country’s fragile peace.

Art by Simon Goinard. Design by Lauren Panepinto.

The spiral to madness begins with a single push.

 Abandoned by her people, Queen Talyien’s quest takes a turn for the worst as she stumbles upon a plot deeper and more sinister than she could have ever imagined, one that will displace her king and see her son dead. The road home beckons, strewn with a tangled web of deceit and impossible horrors that unearth the nation’s true troubles – creatures from the dark, mad dragons, and men with hearts hungry for power.

To save her land, Talyien must confront the myth others have built around her: Warlord Yeshin’s daughter, symbol of peace, warrior and queen, and everything she could never be.

The price of failure is steep. Her friends are few. And a nation carved by a murderer can only be destined for war.

Praise for THE WOLF OF OREN-YARO:

“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

“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, author of The Light Brigade

“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

“Delivers complex and intriguing characters, and an action-packed plot full of surprising twists and deep, vivid world building.”    — Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage

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

“Readers will be swept in by this strong protagonist and stunning worldbuilding, with a plot full of questions and surprises. Villoso’s cunning, exciting debut is a new fantasy epic that readers will clamor for.”   — Library Journal (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’s The Wolf of Oren-yaro is a fascinating read, driven by a well-drawn cast of characters in a beautifully imagined world.”   — Book Page

“The Wolf of Oren-yaro is a high-fantasy thrill ride that fans of the genre will appreciate, particularly those thirsting for a strong female main character.”   — Ars Technica

“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

ICYMI: We Lie With Death by Devin Madson

Devin Madson’s propulsive epic fantasy, WE RIDE THE STORM (US |UK), is out next month. And hot on its heels is the equally captivating sequel, WE LIE WITH DEATH  in January 2021. Eager to learn more about it? Check out the stunning cover with art by Nico Delort and designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio and hop over to The Fantasy Inn to read the synopsis (mind the spoilers!).


We’re also thrilled to present the covers for Devin’s Vengeance Trilogy, a bold, fast-paced epic fantasy series that tells the story of Kisia, an empire on the edge of war. If you’ve raced through We Ride the Storm and would love to know more about Emperor Kin and Hana Otako these are the books for you!

They call him the Usurper.

Once the Kisian empire was ruled by gods. Now Kin Ts’ai, a man of common blood, sits on the Crimson Throne. At his command, the last Otako emperor was executed and a new era began. But claiming an empire is easier than holding it.

In the north where loyalty to the Otako name runs deep, a rebellion grows. And Emperor Kin will learn that killing one Otako, doesn’t mean you’ve killed them all.

Vengeance is coming.

The Blood of Whisperers (US | UK), The Gods of Vice (US | UK), and The Grave at Storm’s End (US | UK) publish in August and are available for preorder.