Posts Tagged ‘fantasy’

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 SHADOW SAINT by Gareth Hanrahan

Earlier this year, Gareth Hanrahan’s highly anticipated debut, THE GUTTER PRAYER took the fantasy world by storm, introducing a world of sorcerers and thieves, broken gods and dangerous magic.

The epic tale will continue in THE SHADOW SAINT, the gripping second novel in the Black Iron Legacy and we’re thrilled to reveal the stunning cover below:

 

Shadow Saint

Illustration by Richard Anderson
Design by Steve Panton

 

AS THE GODSWAR DRAWS EVER CLOSER AND TENSIONS WITHIN THE CITY ESCALATE, HOW LONG WILL THE PEOPLE OF GUERDON BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR ENEMIES AT BAY?

The Shadow Saint will hit the shops in January, so if you haven’t discovered the magic of The Gutter Prayer yet there’s still plenty of time to dive in! It’s available in paperback, ebook and audio, read by the wonderful John Banks.

Praise for The Gutter Prayer:

‘Ground breaking and extraordinary’ Peter McLean
‘Captivating’ Nicholas Eames
‘Mind-blowingly stellar in every respect’ Novel Notions
‘Absolutely stunning’ Michael R. Fletcher
‘We can’t wait to dive in to book two’ SciFiNow
‘A gripping, darkly inventive tale’ James Islington
‘Masterful drama, expert dialogue, brilliant characters’ Fantasy Book Review
‘I await the sequel with the keenest anticipation’ Anthony Ryan
‘A mercurial masterpiece . . . Astounding’ Fantasy Hive
‘Put simply, you need to read this’ The Fantasy Inn
‘A brilliant, imaginative debut’ Fantasy Book Critic
‘Undoubtedly, the debut of the year’ Booknest

 

Gareth Hanrahan’s three-month break from computer programming to concentrate on writing has now lasted fifteen years and counting. He’s written more gaming books than he can readily recall, by virtue of the alchemical transmutation of tea and guilt into words. He lives in Ireland with his wife and twin sons.

Follow him on Twitter at @mytholder.

Introducing QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED by Kacen Callender

We’re thrilled to announce Orbit’s acquisition of award-winning author Kacen Callender’s first novel for adults, QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED, from Beth Phelan at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency! It’s the first of two books set in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world embattled by colonial oppression, where an ambitious young woman with the power to control minds seeks vengeance against the royals who murdered her family.

If you’re a fan of V. E. Schwab, Kiersten White, or the latest Marlon James, you’ll love QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED. It drops this November, but to whet your appetite now, here is its stunning cover, designed by the fabulous Lisa Marie Pompilio.

Click here to find out more. 

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

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

JADE CITY Wins the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel!

The winners of the 2018 World Fantasy Awards were announced this weekend and we’re happy to announce JADE CITY by Fonda Lee (US | UK | ANZ) has won the award for Best Novel!

The Best Novel award this year was a tie—JADE CITY shared the accolade with THE CHANGELING, by Victor LaValle. You can view the full list of awards and nominations on the World Fantasy Convention website.

Congratulations to Fonda Lee and the rest of the nominees and winners!

Cover Launch: THE GUTTER PRAYER by Gareth Hanrahan

Set in a world of dark gods and dangerous magic, Gareth Hanrahan’s remarkable debut, THE GUTTER PRAYER (UK|US|ANZ), is set to be a must-read for fantasy fans in 2019. It will hit the shops early next year, and we’re thrilled to reveal the striking cover below.

 

Illustration by Richard Anderson
Design by Steve Panton

 

This thrilling and visceral debut is already generating some brilliant early buzz:

‘A gripping tale that meshes beautifully with its fascinating, darkly inventive setting’
James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

‘A ground-breaking and extraordinary novel . . . Hanrahan has an astonishing imagination’
Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

‘Laced with the blackest of humour and packed with magic and mayhem, this is fantasy turned up to 11’
Anna Stephens, author of Godblind

‘An absolutely stunning debut . . . I loved it! Highly recommended ’
Michael R. Fletcher, author of Beyond Redemption

‘Beautifully written. Gripping. Guerdon is the city of my dreams’
Anna Smith Spark, author of The Court of Broken Knives

 

READ ON FOR A TASTE OF WHAT’S IN STORE:

In the ancient city of Guerdon, three thieves – an orphan, a ghoul and a cursed man – are accused of a crime they didn’t commit. Their quest for revenge exposes a perilous conspiracy, the seeds of which were sown long before they were born.

A centuries-old magical war is on the verge of reigniting and in the tunnels deep below the city, a malevolent power stirs. Only by standing together can the three friends prevent a conflict that would bring total devastation to their city – and the world beyond.

2018 World Fantasy Award Finalists

The 2018 World Fantasy Award finalists have been announced, and we’re excited to report that JADE CITY by Fonda Lee (US | UK | ANZ) is one of the nominees for Best Novel!

The World Fantasy Award is nominated by members of the World Fantasy Convention, and by a panel of judges. Winners will be announced at the World Fantasy Convention in Baltimore, MD this November. Congratulations to Fonda Lee and the rest of the nominees! You can view the full list of awards and nominations on the World Fantasy Convention website.

New Acquisition: THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY by Alix E. Harrow

Alix E. Harrow cr Sam WilliamsonDoors are special things in fantasy. You open a wardrobe or a cupboard or a gate and it can lead to the most wonderful place: one of enchantment, adventure, and most of all, escape. So it’s no wonder I’m so excited I’m practically in orbit about announcing the acquisition of Alix E. Harrow’s debut novel.

Mesmerizing and affecting, THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY follows a young woman’s search for her missing father, her place in the world, and the mystery behind an unexpected door.

Here’s a quick teaser of what you can expect:

When I was seven, I found a door. I suspect I should capitalize that word, so you understand I’m not talking about your garden or common variety door that leads reliably to a white-tiled kitchen or a bedroom closet.

When I was seven, I found a Door. There–look how tall and proud the word stands on the page now, the belly of that D like a black archway leading into white nothing. When you see that word, I imagine a little prickle of familiarity makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. You don’t know a thing about me; you can’t see me sitting at this yellowwood desk, the salt-sweet breeze riffling these pages like a reader looking for her bookmark. You can’t see the scars that twist and knot across my skin. You don’t even know my name (it’s January Scaller; so now I suppose you do know a little something about me and I’ve ruined my point).

But you know what it means when you see the word Door. Maybe you’ve even seen one for yourself, standing half-ajar and rotted in an old church, or oiled and shining in a brick wall. Maybe, if you’re one of those fanciful persons who find their feet running towards unexpected places, you’ve even walked through one and found yourself in a very unexpected place indeed.

Or maybe you’ve never so much as glimpsed a Door in your life. There aren’t as many of them as there used to be.

But you still know about Doors, don’t you? Because there are ten thousand stories about ten thousand Doors, and we know them as well as we know our names. They lead to Faerie, to Valhalla, Atlantis and Lemuria, Heaven and Hell, to all the directions a compass could never take you, to elsewhere. My father–who is a true scholar and not just a young lady with an ink pen and a series of things she has to say–puts it much better: “If we address stories as archaeological sites, and dust through their layers with meticulous care, we find at some level there is always a doorway. A dividing point between here and there, us and them, mundane and magical. It is at the moments when the doors open, when things flow between the worlds, that stories happen.”

THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY will be on shelves Fall 2019, but in the meantime please join us in welcoming Alix! You can find her on Twitter at @AlixEHarrow.