Posts Tagged ‘space opera’

Cover Launch: OUT PAST THE STARS by K. B. Wagers

It’s almost time for our favorite gunrunner empress, Hail Bristol, to go on her final adventure. Full of nonstop action and intrigue, intergalactic battles, and warring alien species, OUT PAST THE STARS is the dazzling conclusion to the Farian War.

While you have to wait until February 2021 to see how Hail’s journey ends, you can check out the spectacular cover now!

Art by Stephan Martiniere and designed by Lauren Panepinto

When Hail confronts the Farian gods, the last thing she expected was to discover they were part of an alien race called the Hiervet who’d attacked the galaxy long before humanity’s ancestors had crawled out of the sludge of Earth’s oceans.

The discovery carries with it dire news: The Hiervet are returning and this time they won’t stop until everyone bends to their will. Now the fate of the galaxy is on the line and Hail will have to make one final gamble to leverage chaos into peace. But success may cost her everything – including her life.

Haven’t picked up this action-packed space opera yet? Go check out THERE BEFORE THE CHAOS (US | UK) and DOWN AMONG THE DEAD (US | UK)!

Praise for the Farian War trilogy:

“Twisty and clever and magnificent, full of political maneuvers, space action, and genuine feeling.” –Beth Cato, author of The Clockwork Dagger

“An exciting dose of space opera and political intrigue peppered with hard choices. Highly recommended for fans of science fiction with assertive female characters.” –Booklist

“A perfect blend of political intrigue and realistically-conveyed action…. Kick-butt women, space battles, complex relationships, and fiendish plots abound.” – Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

“Action- and emotion-packed, folding political tension, personal relationships, and trauma into a vivid space opera that does not pull any punches.” –Library Journal (starred review)

Cover Launch: MEMORIA by Kristyn Merbeth

To welcome you back to the star-studded, action-packed world of the Nova Vita system, we’re launching the incredible new cover for MEMORIA, the sequel to Kristyn Merbeth’s FORTUNA. In book two of this space opera trilogy, the Kaisers find themselves stuck on a planet on the brink of war. Once again, humanity is forced to rely on our favorite family of space smugglers to ensure that the system is not destroyed by fighting – or by the ancient alien technology that continues to threaten their peace.

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

The Kaiser Family helped the Nova Vita system avoid a catastrophic multi-planet war, one that the Kaisers might have accidentally caused in the first place. In their wake, two planets have been left devastated by ancient alien technology.

Now, the Kaisers try to settle into their new lives as tenuous citizens of the serene water planet, Nibiru, but Scorpia Kaiser can never stay still. So, she takes another shady job. One that gives her a ship where spaceborn like her belong. 

But while Scorpia is always moving forward, Corvus can’t seem to leave his life as a soldier behind. Every planet in the system is vying to strip his razed home planet Titan of its remaining resources, and tensions are high. The Kaisers will need to discover the truth behind what happened on Gaia and Titan, or Corvus will be forced again to fight in an unwinnable war – and this time, all of Nova Vita is at stake.

Praise for FORTUNA:

“Kristyn Merbeth has created a desperate, gritty world in her newest book Fortuna, an epic space opera about the lengths a family will go to survive not only each other, but a world out to kill them . . . . Merbeth is a voice to watch in space opera!”  — K. B. Wagers, author of There Before the Chaos

“The narrative is powered by a cast of deeply developed characters. Scorpia, in particular, is impressively multidimensional . . . . The nonstop action and varying levels of tension make this an unarguable page-turner.”  — Kirkus

“Merbeth’s multiple narrators and plotlines converge beautifully into a suspenseful tale of family. The characters are distinct and grounded, and each interaction is filled with purpose and emotion that brings all of them, regardless of differences, into the fray together. SF fans who have been waiting for a crime family spin on space opera will find nothing but joy in this whirlwind story.”  — Publishers Weekly

“High energy, high stakes, and lots of high notes.”   — Library Journal

“Merbeth’s world building is fascinating-five human-settled planets, each distinct and littered with alien technology-but her multifaceted characters and their troubled relationships give this action-packed family drama its heart. A good readalike for Lois McMaster Bujold’s Miles Vorkosigan books, John Scalzi’s Collapsing Empire (2017), and for those who want a grittier version of Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series.”  — Booklist

“This is an engaging start to a series that blends crime family drama with the sort of character-focused sci-fi that made Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series an award-winning favorite.”   — B&N Reads

“It’s everything you could ask for in a space opera.”   — The Arcanist 

Cover Launch: NOPHEK GLOSS

Who likes spaceships? We do! Orbit is absolutely thrilled to be bringing you the space opera debut, Nophek Gloss in November 2020 in the US and UK. This is a book with fast-paced action and tech that will blow your mind. Think ships that generate their own universes, cyborgs that can change their form with a thought, and space stations the size of stars. And of course, we needed a cover that looked just as slick and sleek as the book.

Check out this gorgeous spaceship! With art by Mike Heath and design by Lauren Panepinto, how can you resist? Pre-order Nophek Gloss, the first book in The Graven trilogy here! And make sure to say hello to the author on twitter @EssaHansen

When a young man’s planet is destroyed, he sets out on a single-minded quest for revenge across the galaxy in Nophek Gloss, the first book in this epic space opera trilogy by debut author Essa Hansen, for fans of Revenger and Velocity Weapon. 

Caiden’s planet is destroyed. His family gone. And, his only hope for survival is a crew of misfit aliens and a mysterious ship that seems to have a soul and a universe of its own. Together they will show him that the universe is much bigger, much more advanced, and much more mysterious than Caiden had ever imagined. But the universe hides dangers as well, and soon Caiden has his own plans.

He vows to do anything it takes to get revenge on the slavers who murdered his people and took away his home. To destroy their regime, he must infiltrate and dismantle them from the inside, or die trying.

Nophek Gloss will soon be available for pre-order in the UK, but US readers can pre-order it right away.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Books-A-Million | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

Acquisition News: Alex White’s New Space Opera Trilogy

Orbit US and Orbit UK are thrilled to have acquired a brand new space opera trilogy from Alex White. Alex’s first series The Salvagers, took us on a lightning-paced journey to the edge of the universe and back on the hunt for buried treasure, lost spaceships, and deadly artifacts. But, their newest trilogy promises to be even bigger! How big? Giant battling robots big!

In this new wide-screen space opera, humanity has met its match. An alien race of enormous robotic AI have destroyed most of humanity’s outposts. But, on the eve of the Earth’s destruction, a musician makes one last desperate attempt to reach out and convinces one of humanity’s enemies to switch sides. Now, earth just might have a chance to survive…

The first book in the trilogy will be publishing in 2021, but if you just can’t wait until then, make sure to check out The Salvagers series! You can also say “hi” to the author on twitter @alexrwhite.

Purchase the series today. (US | UK) 

 

Publication Announcement: CHILLING EFFECT by Valerie Valdes

At Orbit UK we’re thrilled to announce our publication of CHILLING EFFECT by Valerie Valdes! This debut novel is a hilarious, action-packed space opera that features an irresistible foul-mouthed captain and her misfit crew.

‘Hilarious and heartwarming . . . my shields are at full strength and my heart is ready for Eva’s next adventure’ Patrick Weekes, Lead writer at BioWare (Dragon Age, Mass Effect)

Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra cruise the galaxy delivering small cargo for even smaller profits. When her sister is kidnapped, Eva must undergo a series of dangerous missions to pay the ransom. But Eva may lose her mind before she can raise the money. The ship’s hold is full of psychic cats, an amorous fish-faced emperor wants her dead, and her engineer is giving her a pesky case of feelings. The worse things get, the more she lies, raising suspicions and testing her loyalty to her found family. To free her sister, Eva will risk everything: her crew, her ship, and the life she’s built on the ashes of her past misdeeds. But when the dominoes start to fall and she finds the real threat is greater than she imagined, she must decide whether to play it cool or burn it all down.

CHILLING EFFECT is now available in ebook, and the paperback will follow February 2020.
The psychic cats are waiting . . .

Valerie Valdes lives in ‘an elaborate meme palace’ with her husband and kids, where she writes, copyedits and moonlights as a muse. She enjoys crafting handmade bespoke artisanal curses and telling her friends how amazing they are. Join her in opining about books, video games and parenting on Twitter @valerievaldes.

 

‘Jam-packed with weird aliens, mysterious artefacts, and lovable characters… A tremendous good time and an impressive debut’
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

‘Mass Effect meets The Expanse in this energetic space opera adventure. Eva Innocente is an unforgettable starship captain and I love every member of her crew-slash-family. This book has enough twists to keep you up way past bedtime, and I can’t wait for the sequel’
Michael R. Underwood, host of The Skiffy and Fanty Show

‘This engaging space opera debut delivers a story that dances between hilarity and seriousness, with all the joy and frustration psychic cats can bring to the mix’
Library Journal (starred review)

‘Imagine if Firefly and Mass Effect got together and had a baby, and that baby were delivered by Guillermo del Toro. This book is that baby’
Curtis C. Chen

Cover Launch: FORTUNA by Kristyn Merbeth

Every so often, we look at a cover and say, “Wow, that’s awesome,” and then we think about it some more and realize we could make it even more awesome. Case in point below. Check out the terrific, neon-drenched, absolutely rad cover update for FORTUNA that reflects the characters, adventure, and high-octane energy of Kristyn Merbeth’s new space opera.

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Illustrations by Arcangel / Shutterstock

Fortuna publishes on November 05, 2019. We can’t wait for you to meet Scorpia, Corvus, and the rest of the Kaiser family in this new trilogy that will hook you from the first crash landing.

Scorpia Kaiser has always stood in Corvus’s shadow until the day her older brother abandons their family to participate in a profitless war. However, becoming the heir to her mother’s smuggling operation is not an easy transition for the always rebellious, usually reckless, and occasionally drunk pilot of the Fortuna, an aging cargo ship and the only home Scorpia has ever known.

But when a deal turns deadly and Corvus returns from the war, Scorpia’s plans to take over the family business are interrupted, and the Kaiser siblings are forced to make a choice: take responsibility for their family’s involvement in a devastating massacre or lay low and hope it blows over.

Too bad Scorpia was never any good at staying out of a fight.

Perfect for fans of Becky Chambers and Catherynne M. Valente, Fortuna introduces a dazzling new voice in science fiction.

PRAISE:

“A voice to watch in space opera!” — K. B. Wagers, author of There Before the Chaos

“The narrative is powered by a cast of deeply developed characters . . . . The nonstop action and varying levels of tension make this an unarguable page-turner.” — Kirkus

Cover Launch: DOWN AMONG THE DEAD by K. B. Wagers

Can’t wait to return to the adventures of Hail Bristol, gunrunner empress, as she navigates tricky alien politics and deadly plots? Waiting to see if this time, the galaxy will implode in interspecies war?

DOWN AMONG THE DEAD, the second book of K. B. Wagers’s Farian War trilogy and sequel to THERE BEFORE THE CHAOS (US | UK), arrives this winter—but meanwhile, check out this gorgeous cover designed by Lauren Panepinto, with art by Stephan Martiniere!

In a surprise attack that killed many of her dearest subjects, Hail Bristol, empress of Indrana, has been captured by the Shen—the most ruthless and fearsome aliens humanity has ever encountered. As she plots her escape, the centuries-long war between her captors and the Farians, their mortal enemies and Indrana’s oldest allies, finally comes to a head.

When her captors reveal a shocking vision of the future, Hail must make the unexpectedly difficult decision she’s been avoiding: whether to back the Shen or the Farians.

Staying neutral is no longer an option. Will Hail fight? Or will she fall?

ICYMI: VELOCITY WEAPON by Megan E. O’Keefe

What makes space opera’s like ANCILLARY JUSTICE (US | UK), Old Man’s War, and LEVIATHAN WAKES (US | UK) so great? Is it the huge space battles and intricate planetary politics? Is it the breakneck pacing and bold plot twists? Or is it the incredible characters that you just can’t help but fall in love with?

Whatever is in that special space opera sauce, VELOCITY WEAPON (US | UK) has got it in spades!

The last thing Sanda remembers is her gunship breaking up around her as her preserving pod expanded, sealing herself away for salvage-medics to pick up. She expected to awaken in friendly hands, patched up and patched back into a new gunship. Instead, she awakens 230 years later upon an empty enemy smartship, The Light of Berossus or, as he prefers to be called, “Bero”. The war is lost. The star system is dead.

 However, Bero may not exactly be telling the whole truth.

This incredible space opera by Morningstar Award winning author Megan E. O’Keefe is coming out in the US and UK in June 2019. But people are already calling this “one of the best science fiction novels of 2019!” (K. B. Wagers)

And of course a great book needs a great cover. Check out the amazing art by Sparth and cover design by Lauren Panepinto or read the first chapter HERE.

 

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.

TIAMAT’S WRATH Coming in Spring 2019!

Fans of The Expanse: We know that you have been looking forward to TIAMAT’S WRATH this December. But because we are now entering the home stretch of this amazing series and we all want to make sure we get it right, we have asked the authors to give our editorial and sales teams some extra time to prepare for the launch.  

 The new publication date will be in March 2019. We know you’re going to love this next chapter, and thank you for your patience.