Category: New Titles
- The Orbit Team - February 16th, 2011
Recently, on Andrew Breitbart’s Big Hollywood, an intriguing essay by Leo Grin entitled “The Bankrupt Nihilism of Our Fallen Fantasists” appeared, finding Joe Abercrombie’s latest novel, THE HEROES,(as well as the work of a number of other contemporary fantasy writers) to be a bit lacking — allusions to “Abercrombie’s jaded literary sewer” and a “small, pathetic chapter in the decades-long slide of Western civilization into suicidal self-loathing” rather clearly convey the author’s position.
Joe has written a very effective response on his website, among other things noting that he simply hadn’t realized he was recognized as such a threat to fantasy in general, and Western civilization in particular. Especially, as observed in both sites’ comment threads, by those who haven’t gone so far as actually reading Joe Abercrombie’s more recent work in order to comprehend its dangers.
by The Orbit Team • 2 Comments • Posted in: Commentary, New Titles, Orbit US
- The Orbit Team - February 10th, 2011
Jesse Bullington, well regarded for his debut novel The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart (and who soon will become even more highly regarded when his next novel, THE ENTERPRISE OF DEATH, goes on sale March 25), has quite a remarkable short story up at Beneath Ceaseless Skies entitled “The Adventures of Ernst, Who Began a Man, Became a Cyclops, and Finished a Hero.”
If you’re already familiar with Jesse’s work, you’ll already have some idea as to what to expect.
If you aren’t yet familiar, this is the perfect introduction.
(And visit his website, if you want to know more.)
by The Orbit Team • Post a Comment • Posted in: Fiction, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US
- The Orbit Team - February 4th, 2011
The general public often thinks science fiction writers are supposed to predict the future.
Science fiction writers, of course, know better.
Sometimes, all the same, fiction and reality unexpectedly — and uncannily — overlap.
The narrative of Walter Jon Williams’ new novel DEEP STATE, correlates in any number of ways with the ongoing situation in Egypt. He writes about how he came about he did this, and what he thinks about it, both as the latest Big Idea at John Scalzi’s Whatever, and on io9.com today.
Check out what he has to say — then go read the book, to see for yourself.
by The Orbit Team • Post a Comment • Posted in: Fiction, New Titles, News, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US
- Rose Tremlett - February 3rd, 2011
Jon Courtenay Grimwood‘s latest novel hits the shelves today, and marks a major change of genre for the critically acclaimed science fiction author. The Fallen Blade is a meticulously researched and extremely compelling fantasy thriller, set in an alternate 15th century Venice – a city in the grip of corrupt politics, a decadent age, and under threat from a mysterious assassin…
So far the consensus is that Jon definitely hasn’t lost his touch, and that this is not your average vampire novel!
‘A fantastic evocation of Renaissance Venice, both the atmosphere and architecture of the city, the beauty of the culture it gave birth to and the merciless, brutally violent and Machiavellian politics that ran alongside it … Grimwood has made [a] fusion of genre energy and literary depth his calling card.’ – Damien G. Walter, Guardian Online
‘Conjures up Venice so vividly you can almost smell it… Impressive, but not nearly so impressive as the way Grimwood draws Tycho, essentially a vampire teenager subject to fierce emotion because he doesn’t even realise yet that he craves blood. He’s a figure both frightening and yet also, at different moments, pitiable and even downright noble… Reinventing the Vampire myth. Never, ever let it be said that Jon Courtenay Grimwood lacks for ambition.’ - Jonathan Wright, SFX
‘Sick to death of vampires? Take heed, because Grimwood’s take on the subject is leagues away from your average fangbanger… The writing is elegant, the dialogue is sharp, the characters economically but well drawn, the action unrelenting, and the story moves – to pardon a phrase – like shit off a shovel… Hits all the right notes.’ - Alastair Reynolds, SciFi Now
‘It’s too early to start dealing in hyperbole about fantasy books of the year, so let’s just say this one is a very good start. It’s a novel you can gorge yourself on; a fast-paced, swashbuckling adventure of the old school, full of fire and brimstone thrills and rich flavours. Yet, unlike many such page-turners, it doesn’t leave a bad aftertaste. Rather, it leaves plenty to ponder… I’d recommend this book to anyone.’ - Sam Jordison, Salon Futura
Events
Signing at Forbidden Planet, London this evening (Thurs 3rd Feb) with Kate Griffin, 6pm
SFX Weekender – various panels and signing, Sat 5th Feb
Discussion event at the London School of Economics with Ken MacLeod, Thurs Sat 17th Feb
by Rose Tremlett • Post a Comment • Posted in: New Titles, Orbit UK, Reviews, Signings and Events, Uncategorized
- Anna Gregson - February 1st, 2011
With just 2 days to go until the official release date of Shadowheart (UK / ANZ), the final book in Tad Williams’ captivating Shadowmarch series, we thought we’d give you a little preview to whet your tastebuds. Read the prologue here!
Barrick Eddon, prince of Southmarch, is no longer entirely human. He has vowed to safeguard the legacy of the dark Qar race, and must now decide where his loyalties lie.
His twin sister Briony has a difficult choice of her own. Her father, King Olin, is held captive by the Autarch, a mad god-king who plans to use Olin’s blood to gain unlimited power. And the castle of Southmarch still remains in the possession of Hendon Tolly, Briony’s murderous relative. As time runs out, will Briony decide to save her father’s kingdom . . . or her father?
As the foretold Great Defeat draws near, history is stripped of its costume of lies. Poets and players, mortals and fairies, warriors and gods, all will have their roles to play as the fate of the known world hangs in the balance.
And don’t forget that Shadowrise (UK / ANZ) is also out now in paperback . . .
by Anna Gregson • Post a Comment • Posted in: Extracts, New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK
- Rose Tremlett - January 31st, 2011
Kate Griffin and Jon Courtenay Grimwood will both be signing at Forbidden Planet London on Thursday 3rd Feb to launch their new books: The Neon Court and The Fallen Blade. Shaftesbury Avenue, 6-7pm.
They will also both be at the SFX Weekender in Camber Sands for panels on Saturday 5th Feb. Here’s their schedule:
11am: Main Void - Essential SF, fantasy and horror classics - with Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Joe Abercrombie, David Wingrove, Peter F Hamilton, Adrian Tchaicovsky and Kevin J Anderson.
11.45: Screening Zone - Dual Brittania: creating alternate Englands - with Kate Griffin, China Mieville, Al Ewing and Stephen Baxter.
12.30: Main Void - What’s next for TV vampires? Pitching a new vampire show - with Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Toby Whithouse and Sarah Pinborough.
(Exact schedule and line-ups all subject to possible change)
by Rose Tremlett • Post a Comment • Posted in: Conventions, New Titles, Orbit UK, Signings and Events, Uncategorized
- The Orbit Team - January 27th, 2011
Hot news – Orbit has acquired three new Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher! This means we’ll be able to bring you even more of the 
inimitable Harry Dresden P.I., the only wizard in the Chicago phonebook.
The ever-popular Dresden Files are getting even better with every new adventure. So if you love urban fantasy or crime noir, and haven’t tried these yet, what are you waiting for?!
The first of the new books will be published in Summer 2012, but in the meantime we have a bumper crop of Dresden Files coming up. We start with Changes in paperback in March, beautifully arrayed in our brand new Dresden Files cover style. This combines Chris McGrath’s great illustration with designer Peter Cotton’s design and layout. Then in April we have Side Jobs (Dresden Files short stories), followed in May by our fabulous-looking Dresden Files reissues with new cover designs. Then to really add to the treat pile, we have Ghost Story in hardback in the summer.
Hope you’ve got some reading time set aside, you know it’s worth it!
by The Orbit Team • 42 Comments • Posted in: Art, Deals and Deliveries, New Titles, Orbit UK
- The Orbit Team - January 26th, 2011
Now up at A Dribble of Ink — the prologue from what we are sure will be one of the major fantasy titles of the year, Daniel Abraham’s THE DRAGON’S PATH. The book itself will be on-sale April 7 but in the meantime, whet your appetite for the rest of this epic, unforgettable narrative. And don’t just take our word for it:
“Daniel Abraham gets better with every book” — George R.R.Martin
“Intricate, elegant, and almost hypnotically told — to call Daniel Abraham an exciting new author is to wildly understate the case” — Connie Willis
“Welcome to Daniel Abraham. If you are meeting him for the first time, I envy you: you are in for a remarkable journey” — Junot Diaz
by The Orbit Team • Post a Comment • Posted in: New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US
- The Orbit Team - December 13th, 2010
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…
by The Orbit Team • 1 Comment • Posted in: New Titles, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US, Reviews
- The Orbit Team - December 2nd, 2010
Amanda Downum’s debut novel, The Drowning City, came out last fall to stellar reviews. The blend of investigation, intrigue, and magic– all in a distinctly exotic fantasy setting really set it apart from the field and got people’s attention.
“THE DROWNING CITY is a compelling fantasy in a richly imagined setting dripping with visceral detail, building to a conclusion at once unexpected, appropriate and moving.” — Jacqueline Carey
“Like the worlds she imagines, the words of Amanda Downum are lyrical, persuasive, and evocative. If you read only one first novel this year, read this one. I promise it’s good.” — Elizabeth Bear
“Lush, evocative. Amanda Downum creates a richly realized, refreshingly Eastern world full of charms and spirits, espionage and intrigue and the wars of great powers fought by proxy.” — Brent Weeks
“Downum effectively combines action, magic, police procedure and political intrigue in this complex and striking debut.” — Publishers Weekly
Now, Amanda has outdone herself with the stunning sequel The Bone Palace. Isyllt Iskaldur returns home and must investigate a royal conspiracy. Read the rest of this entry »
by The Orbit Team • 1 Comment • Posted in: New Titles, Orbit UK, Orbit US
Recently, on Andrew Breitbart’s Big Hollywood, an intriguing essay by Leo Grin entitled “The Bankrupt Nihilism of Our Fallen Fantasists” appeared, finding Joe Abercrombie’s latest novel, THE HEROES,(as well as the work of a number of other contemporary fantasy writers) to be a bit lacking — allusions to “Abercrombie’s jaded literary sewer” and a “small, pathetic chapter in the decades-long slide of Western civilization into suicidal self-loathing” rather clearly convey the author’s position.
