Category: New Titles
- The Orbit Team - March 30th, 2010
Last weekend I attended the fabulous World Horror Convention in Brighton, a celebration of horror fiction from the Victorian age to the 
present, and the first time this event has been held outside North America.
Horror is a fascinating area and, as with SF and fantasy fiction, the definition seems interestingly fluid and has the capacity to evolve in new and exciting ways with each new generation of writers. We have the legacy of 19th century gothic horror (Mary Shelley, Edgar Allen Poe and Bram Stoker). This was followed by Lovecraftian horror, and more recently we have seen contemporary horror wordsmiths such as Stephen King, James Herbert and Ramsey Campbell.
One of the highlights of the convention was watching Neil Gaiman interview grand master of modern horror James Herbert (while I sat next to the agent who discovered him). Neil Gaiman appeared unannounced as a surprise guest interviewer, and it was as if Elvis had entered the building as news of his arrival rippled tantalisingly through the convention … James Herbert focused on his epic career and on his underprivileged East End origins which inspired him to write. It’s interesting to think how the supernatural thriller/disaster fiction of the 1970s and 80s, turbulent decades of wealth and deprivation lived under the shadow of the bomb, might differ to what is being produced today.
We now have an explosion of new vampire fiction, as Kelley Armstrong discussed with other Read the rest of this entry »
by The Orbit Team • 2 Comments • Posted in: Awards, Commentary, Conventions, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US
- Lauren Panepinto - March 22nd, 2010
Mr. Shivers, the debut novel by Robert Jackson Bennett, has been getting some fantastic praise around the review circuit, with a lot of comparisons to Stephen King + John Steinbeck, which is pretty awesome in my book. The Company Man is not a sequel, but if you liked Mr. Shivers, you will definitely like this one. It also takes place in an alternate history of America, and I would say this one, to me, feels like H.P. Lovecraft + Chinatown (the movie) happening in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. If that doesn’t sound cool to you, well, then, I don’t know what else to say. Haha.
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by Lauren Panepinto • 3 Comments • Posted in: Art, Covers, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US, Uncategorized
- The Orbit Team - March 15th, 2010
Elizabeth Moon’s writing has enriched the genre for many years and in her latest book, Oath of Fealty, her 
magic is clearly alive and well. I’ve read many of her books, and amongst them I’ve particularly enjoyed her Vatta’s War military SF adventures, as did the Guardian). And I still recommend the extraordinary and thought-provoking Speed of Dark to anyone who thinks SF isn’t for them (Nebular Award winner, critially lauded plus shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke award: think Flowers for Algernon or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time).
But with Oath of Fealty we also have something very special. A return to the world of the classic Paksenarrion books, as Elizabeth writes fantasy for the first time in ten years. And so no one misses out on the earlier books, we’ve also reissued the original backlist trilogy in super-giant omnibus form as The Deed of Paksenarrion. Elizabeth recently posted for us on how she found out what subgenres suited her (and which didn’t!) but she is rare in her ability to easily swing from SF to fantasy and back again.
Please see here for a bit of background on how Elizabeth made her way back to fantasy, with an extract from Oath of Fealty. And here’s what others have thought of this return so far, with some early praise for Oath of Fealty, book 1 of Paladin’s Legacy:
‘What sheer delight! Oath of Fealty is an engrossing new adventure returning old friends to us in the first of three more books in the Paksenarrion universe. It’s quite simply a smashing story, and I am panting to read the next instalment from this consummate storyteller. Hurry up, Elizabeth!’ Anne McCaffrey
‘I found the book hard to put down because of Elizabeth Moon’s ability to make the story flow’
SFSite.com
‘A must-read … thoroughly entertaining’
Romantic Times (4 1/2* Top Pick)
‘A stirring start to a new story arc … I can’t wait for more episodes’
BookLoons
by The Orbit Team • 3 Comments • Posted in: Extracts, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Reviews
- Anna Gregson - March 8th, 2010
Following Celine Kiernan’s post below on translation into the German language, it seems appropriate to make a quick mention about one of our own titles in translation released this month: The War of the Dwarves (UK/ US/ ANZ), from international bestseller Markus Heitz.
Translated from the original German by the very talented Sally-Ann Spencer, this is the eagerly anticipated sequel to The Dwarves (UK/ US/ ANZ), described by SFRevu as: ‘The kind of solid fantasy that the market thrives upon’, and by The Bookbag as ‘A fabulous addition to the fantasy genre’. Read an extract here!
by Anna Gregson • 9 Comments • Posted in: Commentary, Extracts, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US
- Anna Gregson - March 4th, 2010
Desktop looking drab? iPhone lacking flair? What your gadgets need is a full-on fantasy makeover. And it just so happens that to celebrate today’s release of Shadowrise (UK/ANZ), the highly anticipated third volume in Tad Williams‘ Shadowmarch quartet, we’re giving away free wallpaper downloads based on the striking cover art. Just click on the links below to instantly spruce up your screen – all sizes catered for!
1024×768 1152×864 1280×800
1280 x 960 1280 x 1024 1440 x 900
1600 x 1200 1680 x 1050 1920 x 1200
1920 x 1440 2560 x 1600 iPhone
by Anna Gregson • Post a Comment • Posted in: All posts, Art, Covers, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Special Offers
- Devi Pillai - February 25th, 2010
I first heard about this novel in May 2008, when N.K. Jemisin’s agent called me to tell me she had found someone that she knew I would love and who reminded her of all my favorite authors. (I think she keeps a list of editors with their favorite authors next to them — so she knew how to hit all my buttons.)
Two years later it’s a thrill to be able to present The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms! The book has been getting wonderful praise across the web, but I wanted to point to this review just in from Bookpage that sums up my feelings nicely:
Many books are good, some are great, but few are truly important. Add to this last category The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, N.K. Jemisin’s debut novel…In this reviewer’s opinion, this is the must-read fantasy of the year.”
I’m over the moon with the attention Nora (a Nebula nomination!!) and the novel are getting! Now in printed (and e-book) glory — and at a bookstore (virtual and otherwise) near you. And if you haven’t yet, be sure to read the first three chapters at Nora’s site.
by Devi Pillai • 3 Comments • Posted in: All posts, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US, Uncategorized
- Lauren Panepinto - February 18th, 2010
Sabina Kane is back in a new urban fantasy, and this time she’s going to the Big Easy. (But you knew that by the ornamental ironwork balcony behind her, right?) Half mage/ half vampire and all kick-ass, I think this cover continues Craig White‘s great illustrations for the series. I’ve already read all three Sabina Kane books (aren’t you jealous?) and I have to say, if you liked Red-Headed Stepchild then definitely stick around for Mage in Black and Green-Eyed Demon, they just get better.
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by Lauren Panepinto • 6 Comments • Posted in: Art, Covers, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US
- Lauren Panepinto - February 15th, 2010
Are you reading the Jane True series yet? Because you really should be. Nicole Peeler is one of my favorite Orbit authors and Tempest Rising was such a great debut novel from a great new voice in urban fantasy. And I know I’ve said it before, but I think the covers Sharon Tancredi has been illustrating are just perfect for this series. Quirky, unique, cool in a slightly odd way…just like Jane True.
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by Lauren Panepinto • 8 Comments • Posted in: Art, Covers, New Titles, Orbit US
- Lauren Panepinto - February 11th, 2010
And along with the covers for the Zombie Therapy series, I’ve whipped up some zombie valentines to send to your tasty best sweetheart. Go to jessepetersen.net and you can automatically share them on facebook.
by Lauren Panepinto • Post a Comment • Posted in: Art, Covers, New Titles, Orbit US, Uncategorized
- Lauren Panepinto - February 11th, 2010
Cover design for the Fall 2010 – Winter 2011 is progressing feverishly, but I have an early launch for you guys. Well, actually, editor Devi kind of already leaked the first Zombie Therapy book by Jesse Petersen, but here I have the first TWO covers in the series for you to feast your eyes on! (Get it, “feast”? I know, Groan. Sorry.)
As usual I read a bunch of the first book before I started designing, and Married With Zombies is hilarious. Think Shaun of the Dead for zombie humor, plus a really good snarky madcap romantic comedy. I’m not a big chick lit/romantic comedy gal myself, and I still thought the story was great fun and very fast moving – both in adventure and sarcastic comebacks. So don’t let the pink scare you away, trust me. Read the rest of this entry »
by Lauren Panepinto • 1 Comment • Posted in: Art, Covers, New Titles, Orbit US, Uncategorized
present, and the first time this event has been held outside North America.
