It’s that time of the year — good cheer, decorations, warm fires, and of course: Loot! We’ve traveled deep into the Orbit HQ dungeon and returned with a chest of magnificent offerings that we’ll be giving away over the next few weeks. So check back here (or follow us on twitter or facebook) for updates, and chances to win. Check out today’s loot after the jump!
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Greg Bear’s HULL ZERO THREE is the talk of the web this morning.
First off, Paul DiFilippo at The Speculator at the Barnes & Noble Review, discussing the types of science fiction represented in 2010, selects HULL as exemplary of Hardcore SF, noting that “Greg Bear is one contemporary master of the old ways, and in Hull Zero Three he gives the generation starship theme—crystallized beautifully by Robert Heinlein in 1941’s ‘Universe’—a vigorous makeover.”
At NPR.org, Glen Weldon picks HULL as one of 2010’s Most Transporting Books, noting that “Bear is a pro who knows his way around a starship’s bulkhead and keeps the narrative taut and suspenseful. Importantly, he leavens his hero’s grim steel-and-space ordeal with flashes of lyrical language and imagery.”
And last but far from least, iTunes/iBooks has chosen HULL as one of its Best Science Fiction & Fantasy titles of the year.
Congratulations Greg! And if you haven’t yet read HULL ZERO THREE (or given it as a Holiday gift), well…
Robert Jackson Bennett, who came onto the scene at the start of 2010 with his critically acclaimed debut MR. SHIVERS, and whose next novel THE COMPANY MAN will be published by Orbit in April 2011, has written a guest post at Inkpunks where he addresses every writer’s Greatest Unknown; what they can — and can’t — do in the face of that mystery; and how to accept the existence of that mystery and do the one thing doable: keep writing.
The performance of a book, that figure so desperately desired by so many terrified authors, is a constant moving target. It’s not unlike space travel: you are moving, and your target is moving, and by the time you’ve figured out where your target is then the distance between you has changed hugely.
Managing Death comes out in a few weeks, and it’s the perfect escape from a cold winter. I’ve never known an icy Christmas season, in Australia things are reversed, and heat is the order of the day.
As we head towards Christmas in Brisbane things start to heat up, the air shimmers with heat and humidity as though the sky itself is sweating. Dark clouds build on the horizon in the afternoon and tremendous storms strike the city, cooling everything down, but only briefly. (more…)
Now for the first time, we’ve collected the books in Pamela Freeman’s Castings Trilogy: Blood Ties, Deep Water, and Full Circle in one volume! Her follow up to the Castings Trilogy, Ash and Ember, will be published by Orbit in May 2011.
Here is a bit about the omnibus to whet your appetite!
A thousand years ago, the Eleven Domains were invaded and the original inhabitants were driven onto the road as Travelers, belonging nowhere, welcomed by no one.
Now the Domains are governed with an iron fist by the Warlords, but there are wilder elements in the landscape that cannot be controlled and that may prove the Warlords’ undoing. Some are spirits of place – of water and air and fire and earth. Some are greater than these. And some are human. (more…)
I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired the Dreamblood series from N.K. Jemisin. It will be a two-book series that we’re tentatively titling REAPER and CONQUEROR and publishing in consecutive months in July and August of 2012.
A bit about the story:
In the city-state of Gujaareh, peace is the only law. Along its ancient stone streets, where time is marked by the river’s floods, there is no crime or violence. Within the city’s colored shadows, priests of the dream-goddess harvest
the wild power of the sleeping mind as magic, using it to heal, soothe… and kill.
But when corruption blooms at the heart of Gujaareh’s great temple, Ehiru — most famous of the city’s Gatherers — cannot defeat it alone. With the aid of his cold-eyed apprentice and a beautiful foreign spy, he must thwart a conspiracy whose roots lie in his own past. And to prevent the unleashing of deadly forbidden magic, he must somehow defeat a Gatherer’s most terrifying nemesis: the Reaper.
N.K. Jemisin is the author of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, The Broken Kindoms and the upcoming, Kingdom of Gods (releasing in October 2011).
She’s over at Babel Clash (with Gail Carriger) today and tonight she’ll be on Hour of the Wolf at 1:30 a.m. WBAI 99.5 FM for NYCers, or listen online!
It’s that time of the year — good cheer, decorations, warm fires, and of course: Loot! We’ve traveled deep into the Orbit HQ dungeon and returned with a chest of magnificent offerings that we’ll be giving away over the next few weeks. So check back here (or follow us on twitter or facebook) for updates, and chances to win.
Epic Loot 1: Win The Griffin Mage Trilogy!
N.K. Jemisin and Gail Carriger are chatting away over at Babel Clash as Gail starts off with “Lonely Writer Seeks Supportive Technology.”
Souls are at stake, demons are about to escape, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance in the third riproaring adventure, The Spirit Eater, in the Eli Monpress series.
The fourth book, The Spirit War, will be out in September 2011.
With the pressure on after his success in Gaol, Eli Monpress, professional thief and degenerate, decides it’s time to lie low for a bit. Taking up residence in a tiny seaside village, Eli and his companions seize the chance for some fun and relaxation.
Nico, however, is finding it a bit hard. Plagued by a demon’s voice in her head and feeling powerless, she only sees herself as a burden. Everyone’s holiday comes to an untimely close, though, when Pele arrives to beg Eli’s help for finding her missing father.
But there are larger plans afoot than even Eli can see, and the real danger, and the solution, may lie with one of his own and her forgotten past.
If only Nico could remember whose side she’s on.
If you would like to read the first chapter, find it here!
A romp of a lighthearted fantasy starring an absolutely delightful rogue…Aaron’s breezy style at times tends toward the farcical and absurd, which may not be what she intended but will keep humor-loving readers looking out for subsequent volumes in the planned trilogy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLYA charming and fast-paced caper with intriguing worldbuilding and interesting characters. Eli and Miranda have palpable chemistry. The supporting characters are complex, complete with their own motivations, which is always a bonus, and the villain of the piece is delightfully nasty.
ROMANTIC TIMES (4 stars)The first wizard thief fantasy is an amusing tongue in cheek thriller. The story line is fast-paced as readers will be mesmerized by Eli as he and Miranda play a satirical game of cat and mouse. Lighthearted throughout, fans who appreciate a jocular satire loaded with charm and irony will want read The Spirit Thief and look forward to more capers by Eli with the serious Miranda in pursuit.
ALTERNATIVE WORLDS
I’m not sure there are words to describe how much this book delighted me. I’ll try very hard, however.
BSC REVIEW
My only disappointment in the story is that it ended, and now I find myself having wait for the next part of the series to be published (such a bummer), thank god it comes out next week.
THE CAJUN BOOK LADYWith wry humour, interesting characters, realistic dialogue and a fast-moving and fun plot, The Spirit Thief was exactly what I needed, and I recommend it to all fans of fantasy who’d like something a little lighter.
CIVILIAN BOOK READER
The Spirit Thief was a great page turner and the characterization was well done, though a bit predictable. Rachel Aaron’s greatest strength is that she has written a very engaging tale and the world scenario seems to have more surprises in store for the readers as the storyline will be unraveled in the future books. This book was a nice surprise and a complete winner for me. Rachel Aaron has written a fun story which can be best described as “Terry Brooks Meets Scott Lynch” in a lighter vein.
FANTASY BOOK CRITIC
I actually had a great time reading ‘The Spirit Thief’ and am looking forward to picking up it’s sequel (‘The Spirit Rebellion’) as soon as I can. ‘The Spirit Thief’ is one mad roller coaster ride of a book that flies along almost faster than you can read it.
GRAEME’S FANTASY BOOK REVIEWRachel Aaron’s debut novel, The Spirit Thief is fun fantasy. She has a lighthearted, fanciful storytelling style that will likely get her labeled as an “escapist” writer, but that this reviewer found to be reminiscent of the tales of David Eddings. Aaron wants to entertain the reader with a delightful romp of a tale, providing comfortable tropes, wry humor, and a fast pace that have you finishing the book before you even realize it.
GRASPING FOR THE WIND
Full of humor and suspense, this action-packed fantasy adventure is highly enjoyable. If anything, this fast-paced novel was too short, having read it in just a few short hours. Fantasy fans will love this extraordinary new series. The sequel, The Spirit Rebellion, is slated to release later this year.
SCIFICHICK.COM
Jesse Petersen is the author of MARRIED WITH ZOMBIES and the forthcoming FLIP THIS ZOMBIE. Like many of us here at Orbit HQ, she’s also a fan of The Walking Dead on AMC. She’ll be offering recaps of each week’s episode here every Monday. This post will contain SPOILERS (also zombies). For previous recaps see 1.01 , 1.02, , 1.03, 1.04, and 1.05.
Wow, I can’t believe how fast these six episodes have flown by, yet here we are at the finale for the first fantabulous season of “The Walking Dead” on AMC. I’d love to hear what you zombiephiles thought of it and how excited you are for Season 2 (even thought we have to wait until NEXT OCTOBER to see the second 13 episodes, dab nabbit!). (more…)
