urban fantasy Archives

Posts Tagged ‘urban fantasy’

Blue Blooded Vamp is out now!

The Orbit Team
May 23, 2012

BLUE-BLOODED VAMP (US | UK | AUS) is the final novel in the Jaye Wells series. It has everything you would want in a urban fantasy novel: vampires, blood, action – and a bit of romance thrown in. I can’t believe that I’ve worked on these novels for so long! Insane! But they’re one of the fastest and most fun UF that’s out there right now. A bit about the story:

Sabina Kane is on the hunt. Her prey: Cain, the father of the vampire race and the one who murdered her family and her friends. Unfortunately, Cain is hunting Sabina too.

The one man who holds the key to defeating Cain is, of course, Abel. A mage with secrets to spare and, hopefully, the power to match it. Unfortunately, for Sabina, he’s in Rome and may not want to be found.

Sabina sets out for Italy with her friends, Giguhl and Adam Lazarus, to track down the only man who can get her the revenge she hungers for. But will he help her or oppose her? And just who is Abel, really? Worst of all, when Sabina figures out the goddess Lilith has a plan for her-she realizes this trip is getting deadlier by the minute. As they say: when in Rome-SURVIVE.

But don’t listen to me:

“Jaye Wells is the next coming of Laurell K. Hamilton and Kim Harrison.”
— Paul Goat Allen, bn.com, on Green-Eyed Demon

But not to worry – even with the publication of the final book, which I know you guys are drooling to read, there is more exciting news! Jaye will be doing a new series – Dirty Magic (imagine The Wire with Wizards), coming soon…. More on that later.

Read a sample from BLUE-BLOODED VAMP

Laura Fitzgerald
May 9, 2012

In just a few short weeks BLUE-BLOODED VAMP (US | UK | AUS), the fifth and final volume of the Sabina Kane series, will be released!

Sabina and friends set off for Italy hunting for the means to defeat Cain, the father of all vampires and the man who murdered her family. Revenge may finally be within reach unless Cain finds her first. It all comes to a head in this dramatic series conclusion.

Check out this excerpt from BLUE-BLOODED VAMP or start the series from the beginning with RED-HEADED STEPCHILD (US | UK | AUS).

The St. Charles streetcar lumbered its way toward the Garden District like a mourner in a funeral procession. The rocking motion should have soothed me, but I was pretty sure I was beyond ever relaxing again.

Adam sat next me. His warm hand on my leg helped dispel some of the chill. He wore his trademark brown duster and heavy boots. The goatee and muscled frame added to his general air of menace, but the mage’s real danger lay in his ability to wield magical weapons.

In addition to being my partner, he was also my . . . boyfriend? No, too high school. Lover? Ugh. Consort? Meh.

I guess when it came down to it, he was just my mancy, plain and simple. And his presence had become as critical to my equilibrium as gravity or blood.

James Long
April 11, 2012

Whether it’s writing urban fantasy as M. L. N. Hanover, epic fantasy under his ‘real’ name, or space opera as one half of James S. A. Corey (the ‘James’ part, apparently), there’s no doubt that Daniel Abraham is a man of many talents – and many guises.

This invariably leads to two questions: why the various names, and where should you begin your Daniel Abraham experience?

We can help you with the second question, but first let’s have Daniel himself answer the first:

I recognize that my take on working with a different name for each different project is a little idiosyncratic, but it’s not exactly unprecedented. Richard Stark and Donald Westlake, for instance, were openly the same guy writing very different kinds of books. The name on the cover is one of the best ways to let people know what kind of ride they’re signing on for, and that can avoid a lot of disappointment later. There’s a price to pay in that folks who like the things I do under one name might have to dig a little to find all the other stuff, but in the age of the Internet, it’s a pretty low investigative bar to clear. I think the tradeoff’s worth it.

There are also writers I know, like, and admire who don’t like the idea of putting a name on their work that isn’t the one they go by in the world. Now, I know all writers are egoists, myself very much included, but that particular kink isn’t one I have. I don’t care what name we put on the cover as long as I can be proud the work that went into it.

There is another idea that if you know you like Stephen King (or Jeanette Winterson or Sebastian Junger — the model holds true for everyone), you’re already better primed to like one of their books when you pick them up. I think that if the name of the author is what makes a book good, it isn’t a good book.

Many thanks to Daniel for the explanation! Now to the second question: which Daniel Abraham book is best for you? Read on and find out. (more…)

FAIR GAME by Patricia Briggs

Anna Jackson
March 31, 2012

Fair Game, an urban fantasy title in the Alpha Omega series from bestselling author Patricia Briggs Patricia Brigg‘s Fair Game (UK / ANZ) was released this month and has got off to a storming start. With a current average of 5 stars on the UK Amazon site, and a positive plethora of great reviews plastering the web (including this fantastic top 10 of why you should read Fair Game from Paranormal Romance Fanatic), make sure you check out this third instalment in the Alpha and Omega series if you haven’t done so already. Here’s why:

‘[Patricia Briggs] spins tales of werewolves, coyote shifters and magic and, my, does she do it well’ USA Today

‘I freaking loved this book! I loved the mystery, I loved Charles and Anna! I loved the glimpses of Adam and the Mercy Thompson world’ BadassBookReviews.com

‘Best book I ever read!’ Paranormal Romance Fanatic

‘I LOVE how Briggs writes her wolves . . . I seriously can’t get enough of this world. So well built’ Smexybooks.com

‘This is a very hard book for me to review simply because I loved it. I don’t want to come across as a babbling fan girl but I’m afraid I might’ 104 Reviews

‘Double bonus points for a spectacular ending . . . I can’t wait to see what happens next’ RedHotBooks.com

Announcing Gail Carriger’s Grand UK Tour (…and a terribly delightful competition)

The Orbit Team
March 27, 2012

Great Britain is honoured and privileged to announce that Gail Carriger shall be setting foot on our shores this April – for a gloriously grand UK tour. Orbit Books shall also be launching a frightfully wonderful competition to celebrate – where you can win this enchanting teapot. Read on for more . . .

For years Ms Carriger has resided in the colonies, supping on the finest of infusions imported from London, wearing the tiniest of hats and penning the novels which have brought her fame and fortune throughout the Empire: the Parasol Protectorate novels – most recently Timeless (UK | US | ANZ).

Yet now the time has come for this illustrious lady to return to the British Isles – and to greet the legions of fans waiting to pay tribute to her magnificent work.

You are all cordially invited to attend several splendid events taking place over the course of a week in April:

Sunday 8 April: Eastercon, Heathrow, London

Those of you attending this year’s convention will be delighted to hear that Gail shall be appearing on the following charming panels:

‘Meet the new king (same as the old king)’ – 11am, Room 12

‘You got your robot elf sex in my SF’ – 3pm, Commonwealth

‘Multicultural steampunk’ – 9pm, Room 38

Monday 9 April: Foyles, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, 6.30pm

In coordination with the most honourable chaps over at Pornokitsch, Gail shall be hosting an exclusive steampunk soirée at Foyles bookshop in Central London. Climb into that corset, pull out your pocket watch and buff up your brass goggles – and pop along for a tipple or two and to get your book signed by her fair hand. This event is free but ticketed, so please send an email as soon as possible to events@foyles.co.uk to obtain a cherished spot on this exclusive guest list.

Friday 13 April: Waterstones, Nottingham, Bridle Gate, 6.30pm

Gail shall be speaking to a thoroughly privileged throng for another steampunk extravaganza at the Waterstones in Nottingham. Special guest Jema Hewitt (author of Steampunk Emporium) and friends will also be frequenting the event in full costume. The evening shall commence – as is only right – with Pimm’s & cake at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. This event is ticketed and costs £5, or £3 if you hold a Waterstones card, so please purchase them here in advance.

***

Now on to the competition. We are delighted to announce that whilst on her Grand UK Tour, Gail shall be signing three very special items for us to give away as prizes. The first prize is this darling teapot, and the two runner-up prizes are these twee tea strainers – all from the lovely shop Oliver Bonas.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning these prizes is send us a photo of yourself with a parasol or umbrella in a darling pose and send it to orbit@littlebrown.co.uk. This is an Orbit worldwide competition, and we shall be posting the entries on the site. Ms Carriger herself will choose the winner and runners-up at the end of her Grand UK Tour on 13 April. See terms and conditions here.

And to show you just how easy it is, here are Orbiteers Anna Gregson, Emily Rowland and Rose Tremlett with a shining example (and no fear, they have honourably excluded themselves from winning):

Best of British, and the Empire salutes you!

Urban fantasy unleashed: Kate Griffin’s The Minority Council out now in the UK

James Long
March 6, 2012

Everyone’s favourite resurrected sorceror, Matthew Swift, is back in Kate Griffin’s latest tale of urban magic, THE MINORITY COUNCIL [UK | US | ANZ] — out now in the UK and in the US on May 1. As usual, London is in dire need of his help.

Matthew Swift, the Midnight Mayor, is in charge. He hopes. And London is having some issues.

The new drug on the market is fairy dust and it turns humans into walking drug labs. Teenage vandals are being hunted by a mystical creature and ordinary criminals are dying by magical means.

If Swift is going to save London from a rising tide of blood, he will have to learn – and fast – what it really means to be Midnight Mayor.

Check out a sample of THE MINORITY COUNCIL!

Praise for Kate’s Matthew Swift series:

A fascinating sojourn into the mind of a thoroughly unique protagonist, written in an evocative, searingly poetic style . . . We aren’t just reading about the city and its magic – we hear it, we smell it, we taste it” – ROB WILL REVIEW

“Neverwhere for the digital age . . . The best novelists transcend genre and Griffin’s excellent Matthew Swift sequence , which tells of an eldritch and fantastical London, proves this point” – SFX

“Few can claim to share the same level of creativity and individual style as Griffin” – SCIFI NOW

For more on Kate Griffin and her Matthew Swift series, be sure to stop by her website. Kate is an active blogger and regularly writes on a variety of topics, from real-life London to the changing nature of superhero powers , via the dangers of martial arts . . .

Meet Jim Butcher’s new friends Benedict Jacka and Alex Verus

The Orbit Team
March 2, 2012

The first Alex Verus novel It’s been a long time coming, but the wait is finally over! Orbit UK published FATED (UK | ANZ) yesterday in the UK and our international markets. FATED is the first book in Benedict Jacka’s superb urban fantasy series starring probability mage Alex Verus. FATED and the series are already off to a running start, with an enthusiastic Jim Butcher giving it the thumbs up in this online conversation with Benedict Jacka, as well as Patricia Briggs saying that FATED is ‘a deft, thrill-ride of an urban fantasy – a stay-up-all-night read. Alex Verus is a very smart man surviving in a very dangerous world.’

I’m very proud and happy to be Benedict Jacka’s UK editor, and although it’s felt like a very long time to wait to bring you this book, I hope you enjoy it too. If you are a fan of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series or Ben Aaronovitch’s RIVERS OF LONDON, I think you’re going to love Alex Verus and FATED. You can read the first chapter here.

Jayné is back, this time battling Darker Angels . . .

James Long
February 28, 2012

Now available is DARKER ANGELS (UK | ANZ) – the second instalment in M. L. N. Hanover’s pacy, action-packed urban fantasy series The Black Sun’s Daughter.

After the dust had settled following the dramatic events in UNCLEAN SPIRITS (UK | ANZ), Jayné Heller was hoping for a bit of downtime to recover. As DARKER ANGELS proves, her supernatural enemies have other plans . . .

Reining in demons and other supernatural foes is a formidable task, but thankfully Jayné has a team of loyal allies as well as seemingly limitless wealth. She’ll need both to tackle a bodyswitching serial killer who’s taken up residence in New Orleans, a city rich in voodoo lore and dark magic.

Working alongside ex-FBI agent Karen Black, Jayné races to track down the demon’s next intended host before they become yet another victim. But the closer she gets, the more convinced she becomes that nothing in this beautiful, wounded city is exactly as it seems . . .

Here’s what reviewers have been saying about DARKER ANGELS:

DARKER ANGELS is an enjoyable second novel that’s even stronger than its predecessor . . . Recommended, especially for fans looking for a different type of Urban Fantasy” – THE BOOK SMUGGLERS

“So I guess I read Urban Fantasy after all. At least, I read it when it’s written by M. L. N. Hanover. This is great stuff” – READING THE LEAVES

“I’m hooked on this series . . . As a first foray into Urban Fantasy, I’m glad I chose M. L. N. Hanover to take me on a wild ride. If you enjoy fast paced stories brimming with demons, twists, and turns, you’ll love DARKER ANGELS. I highly suggest you get started!” – HOPELESS BIBLIOPHILE

There’s further good news for Jayné Heller fans – the third instalment of her adventures, VICIOUS GRACE, will be released in March, and the fourth title, KILLING RITES, will follow in April.

M. L. N. Hanover’s website is here, and he can be found on Twitter here.

The Final Alexia Tarabotti Adventure!

The Orbit Team
February 27, 2012

Sadly, it is that time. It is Alexia’s last—and latest—madcap adventure. Alexia began her adventures with SOULLESS (US/UK/ANZ) and now finishes her adventures with TIMELESS (US/UK/ANZ). More about her adventure below.

Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire’s second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell’s acting troupe’s latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia’s enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

If you want more of Alexia — please do check out SOULLESS, THE MANGA, VOL 1 (US/UK/ANZ), which is also out now!

Check out the whole series of novels below:

The cover for the steampunk romance urban fantasy, SOULLESS by Gail Carriger

The cover for the steampunk urban fantasy romance BLAMELESS by Gail Carriger

Kate Griffin and Benedict Jacka signing at Forbidden Planet London this Thursday!

James Long
February 21, 2012

There is a hidden, magical London that is all around, yet often remains unseen . . . and for good reason, since it’s a dangerous place. This Thursday, Forbidden Planet are celebrating this other London, by hosting a signing session with urban fantasists Kate Griffin and Benedict Jacka. The signing will take place at Forbidden Planet’s London store on Shaftesbury Avenue from 6 – 7 pm.

Kate Griffin will be signing her new novel THE MINORITY COUNCIL (UK | US | ANZ), the fourth book in her urban fantasy series featuring resurrected sorcerer Matthew Swift.

Matthew Swift, the Midnight Mayor, is in charge. He hopes. And London is having some issues. The new drug on the market is fairy dust and it turns humans into walking drug labs. Teenage vandals are being hunted by a mystical creature and ordinary criminals are dying by magical means. If Swift is going to save London from a rising tide of blood, he will have to learn – and fast – what it really means to be Midnight Mayor.

Kate has swiftly (bad pun fully intended) built a dedicated fanbase with her tales of a hidden London forged from urban myths, legends and magic. The critical acclaim has been equally impressive:

NEVERWHERE for the digital age . . . The best novelists transcend genre and Griffin’s excellent Matthew Swift sequence, which tells of an eldritch and fantastical London, proves this point” SFX

“Few can claim to share the same level of creativity and individual style as Griffin” SCIFI NOW

Benedict Jacka will be a new name to many of you, but it won’t stay that way for long. Fresh from his panel appearance at the SFX Weekender, he will be signing copies of FATED – a debut novel that reveals him to be a major new talent in urban fantasy, and a book perfect for fans of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Ben Aaronovitch’s RIVERS OF LONDON.

Camden, North London. A tangled, mangled junction of train lines, roads and waterways. Where minor celebrities hang out with minor criminals and where tourists and moody teenagers mingle. In the heart of Camden, where rail meets road meets leyline, you might find the Arcana Emporium, run by one Alex Verus. He won’t sell you a wand or mix you a potion, but if you know what you’re looking for, he might just be able to help. That’s if he’s not too busy avoiding his would-be apprentice, foiling the Dark, outwitting the Light and investigating a mysterious relic that has just turned up at the British Museum.

Sunday Times bestselling author, Jim Butcher, is already a dedicated fan:

Harry Dresden would like Alex Verus tremendously – and be a little nervous around him. I just added Benedict Jacka to my must-read list. FATED is an excellent novel, a gorgeously realized world with a uniquely powerful, vulnerable protagonist. Books this good remind me why I got into the storytelling business in the first place”

FATED (UK | ANZ) will be followed by CURSED (June 2012) and TAKEN (September 2012). Be sure to get in on the ground floor of what promises to be the next huge urban fantasy series.

Both Kate Griffin and Benedict Jacka can be found online; Kate’s website is here, and Benedict’s smart new web presence is here.

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