Archive for Orbit Australia

Cover Launch: THE LAND YOU NEVER LEAVE by Angus Watson

We’re really excited about Angus Watson’s action-packed new series, which is set to explode onto the fantasy scene in June with YOU DIE WHEN YOU DIE. In fact, we’re so excited that we’ve gone and designed the cover for the second book before the first is even out! So here it is: the fantastic cover for THE LAND YOU NEVER LEAVE, courtesy of artist Larry Rostant and our in-house designer Ceara Elliott!

Angus’s new series follows the story of Finn, a young warrior whose settlement is razed by invaders. Cast adrift on a strange new continent, Finn must undertake a perilous journey, battling monsters and hostile clans while assassins snap at his heels. The good news is that he’s not alone on this adventure. The bad news is that some of his companions pose just as much danger to him as the unknown landscape . . .

Angus Watson is the author of the Iron Age trilogy (AGE OF IRON [UK/US/ANZ], CLASH OF IRON [UK/US/ANZ] and REIGN OF IRON [UK/US/ANZ]) and can be found online on Twitter and on his website.

Praise for Angus Watson:

‘Unflinchingly bloodthirsty and outrageously entertaining’ – Christopher Brookmyre

‘It simply grabbed me by the throat and wouldn’t let go’ – Bibliosanctum 

‘Would I read the next one? Yes, absolutely. Bring me my hammer, bring my beer, bring it on!’ – SF CROWSNEST

‘Watson’s tale is gore-soaked and profanity-laden – full of visceral combat and earthy humour, and laced with subtle magic’ – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

 

New series alert! THE ETERNITY WAR by Jamie Sawyer

Conspiracy, terrorism and traitors.

Humanity is facing its greatest threat.

This is THE ETERNITY WAR.

Pariah, book one of THE ETERNITY WAR by science fiction author Jamie Sawyer

Presenting a new series from the rising SF talent, Jamie Sawyer: this is THE ETERNITY WAR.

Jamie is coming to be known for his visceral action scenes and the relentless pace of his storytelling – and this series has more excitement that you can shake a very dangerous plasma weapon at.

Think brutal deep-space battles. Deadly alien biomechs. A conspiracy threatening humanity. And a team of elite super-soldiers who are no strangers to death. But Lieutenant Jenkins and her team still have a lot to learn . . .

Jamie’s previous series THE LAZARUS WAR has earned high praise from the likes of Michael Cobley, Neal Asher, Jack Campbell and many others – and fans of the series will be pleased to hear that this new trilogy is set in the same world.

THE ETERNITY WAR is also a great jumping-off point for brand new readers, so if you enjoy the space opera of James S. A. Corey and Peter F. Hamilton – or military science fiction of any kind – this is a series you should check out.

Check out the blurb below for book one, PARIAH (UK | US | ANZ), coming in September and available for pre-order now.

 

The soldiers of the Simulant Operations Programme are mankind’s elite warriors. Veterans of a thousand battles across a hundred worlds, they undertake suicidal missions to protect humanity from the insidious Krell Empire and the mysterious machine race known as the Shard.

Lieutenant Keira Jenkins is an experienced simulant operative and leader of the Jackals, a team of raw recruits keen to taste battle. They soon get their chance when the Black Spiral terrorist network seizes control of a space station.

Yet no amount of training could have prepared the Jackals for the deadly conspiracy they soon find themselves drawn into – a conspiracy that is set to spark a furious new war across the galaxy.

Visit Jamie Sawyer’s website: jamiesawyer.com . Follow Jamie Sawyer on Twitter: @JSawyerAuthor

Cover Launch: FORBIDDEN SUNS by D. Nolan Clark

Behold, the fantastic cover for FORBIDDEN SUNS by D. Nolan Clark, the explosive conclusion to the Silence trilogy, an epic space adventure tale of fighting against impossible odds – and the terror of realizing that we’re no longer alone in the unforgiving vastness of space.

 

In the cold of space, the fire of revenge still burns.

Aleister Lanoe has been on a mission since before he can remember. Honing his skills as a fighter pilot and commander through three centuries of constant warfare, he has never met a foe he cannot best.

But now he faces a mission which may be his last: take vengeance on the alien race who has coldly and systematically erased all the sentient life in its path.

In all his years at war, the stakes have never been higher…

Praise for the Silence trilogy:

“No less intriguing and action-packed than its predecessor. Here, sci-fi tropes such as AI and space aliens are turned into something entirely thoughtful and original.”— RT Book Reviews on Forgotten Worlds

“Unforgettable characters and is jam-packed with action [and] adventure… one readers will not want to miss.” —Booklist on Forsaken Skies

“About as exciting an action story set in space as any this reviewer has seen in print in quite some time. It is worth the read… a terrific and thrilling novel.” —SciFi Magazine on Forsaken Skies

“Gripping writing, a brilliantly realized future culture and sympathetic characters… an entertaining and compelling read.” —SFX Magazine on Forsaken Skies

Design by Lauren Panepinto
Illustration by Victor Mosquera

 

Cover launch: SUCCESSOR’S PROMISE by Trudi Canavan

If you’re already a fan of Trudi Canavan, then you’ll know what kind of a thrill ride you can expect from her latest series, Millennium’s Rule. Judging from the awesome reader reviews, fantasy fans around the world have been enthralled by the first two books in the series THIEF’S MAGIC and ANGEL OF STORMS.

And now the time is here to unveil the cover for the third book, SUCCESSOR’S PROMISE.

Successor's promise by Trudi Canavan, book 3 of Millennium's Rule

This dramatic third novel is set in a time of chaos. Worlds are at war, torn apart by deadly machines and power-hungry sorcerers. And the loyalties of Rielle and Tyen will be tested to their limits. Trust us fantasy fans – you do not want to miss this one. Look out for this thrilling new novel in September 2017.

Pre-order SUCCESSOR’S PROMISE now

Cover Launch: THE LEGION OF FLAME by Anthony Ryan

As you may have guessed from our recent ‘Guide to Making an Awesome Dragon Cover’, we love a good dragon here at Orbit. So we’re especially delighted to present the dragon-tastic cover for Anthony Ryan’s THE LEGION OF FLAME [UK/ANZ], designed by our in-house designer Nico Taylor with art by Christian Bravery.

 

THE LEGION OF FLAME, book two of Draconis Memoria, is the thrilling follow-up to THE WAKING FIRE [UK/ANZ] and continues this epic tale of exploration and adventure, spies and assassins, explosive magic and the furious battle to forge an empire. We publish in hardback, trade format, ebook and audio in July.

Praise for Draconis Memoria:

‘Fabulous . . . Sure to be another fantasy classic’ Huffington Post UK

‘The world Ryan has created for his new dragon adventure is a joy to visualise’ SciFiNow

‘A fascinating world packed with dragons, pirates, political machinations and an interesting magic system to boot’ Fantasy Faction

‘A marvellous piece of imagination with plenty of twists, a refreshingly different setting, and excellent world-building’ Mark Lawrence

‘Memorable characters and great action’ Django Wexler

‘Excellent epic fantasy’ BookBag

Find Anthony Ryan online at his website or on Twitter.

Cover Launch: Age of Assassins by RJ Barker

It’s a game of
ASSASSIN VERSUS ASSASSIN
when Girton Club-Foot and his master are hired by a queen to catch the killer who’s coming for her son.

Set in a world ravaged by magic and the ambition of noblemen, this debut epic fantasy features a cast of assassins, knights and fools which will delight any fan of Brent Weeks, Robin Hobb or Assassin’s Creed. AGE OF ASSASSINS is coming to Orbit this August.

Our fantastic cover has been designed by Tom Sanderson, at the-parish.com.

If you’d like to know more about RJ Barker, watch our 2017 debut author video  (skip to 1:17 for RJ’s section) or follow him on twitter at @dedbutdrmng.

THE FIFTH WARD: FIRST WATCH by Dale Lucas

LIVE BY THE LAW OR DIE BY THE SWORD.

The Fifth Ward series by Dale Lucas gives us a rare glimpse into a fantasy city at a time when a hero isn’t on a journey and a dark lord isn’t threatening to destroy the world. Instead, we meet two reluctant partners on the Wardwatch – Rem, a human trying to escape his past, and Torval, a dwarf with a maul who hits first and asks questions later.

As members of the Wardwatch, they’re responsible for keeping the peace in a city teeming with drug dealing orcs, mind-controlling elves, uncooperative mages, and humans being typical humans.

The Fifth Ward is every buddy cop movie you’ve ever loved mixed with your favorite fantasy setting. I promise, you are not too old for this sh*t.

First Watch

 

Cover by Sammy Yuen

Last Chance to Vote in the 2017 Gemmell Awards!

Voting for the 2017 Gemmell Awards longlists closes this Friday at midnight (GMT), so now is your last chance to vote for the Legend (best novel), Morningstar (best debut) and Ravenheart (best cover art) awards.

Orbit is very well represented with books across all three categories, so be sure to vote for your favourite titles!

 

Legend Award 

DAUGHTER OF BLOOD by Helen Lowe

THE SPIDER’S WAR by Daniel Abraham

SHADOW AND FLAME by Gail Z. Martin

BLOODMAGE by Stephen Aryan

THE FALL OF THE DAGGER by Glenda Larke

THE SUMMON STONE by Ian Irvine

THE SORCERER’S DAUGHTER by Terry Brooks

A BLADE OF BLACK STEEL by Alex Marshall

THE WAKING FIRE by Anthony Ryan

THE OBELISK GATE by N. K. Jemisin

THE PATH OF THE HAWK by Ian Graham

THE GREAT ORDEAL by R. Scott Bakker

THE BLOOD MIRROR by Brent Weeks

FIREBORN by David Dalglish

A PLAGUE OF SWORDS by Miles Cameron

WRATH by John Gwynn

THE TOWER OF THE SWALLOW by Andrzej Sapkowski

THE MORTAL TALLY by Sam Sykes

THE DRAGON LORDS: FOOL’S GOLD by Jon Hollins

 

Morningstar Award

SNAKEWOOD by Adrian Selby

HOPE AND RED by Jon Skovron

 

Ravenstar Award

All of the above, plus CHAOSMAGE by Stephen Aryan!

 

Once voting on the longlists has closed, the resulting shortlists will be announced and voting opened at midday (GMT) on Friday 21st April. The presentation ceremony will take place on the evening of Saturday 15th July as part of Edge-Lit 6 at The Quad, Derby, UK.

Cover Launch: THE TETHERED MAGE by Melissa Caruso

THE TETHERED MAGE is a spellbinding fantasy debut from Melissa Caruso, set in a world where people born with magic are mortally bound to and controlled by non-magical people.

Our heroines, Zaira and Amalia, are bound together in this way, for better or worse, in this first book in an epic new series. If you loved The Queen of the Tearling or Red Queen, make sure to grab your copy in October 2017. Meanwhile, have a peek at this gorgeous cover!

 

CONTROL THE MAGIC, CONTROL THE WORLD

In the Raverran Empire, magic is scarce and those born with power are strictly controlled—taken as children and conscripted into the Falcon Army. Zaira has lived her life on the streets to avoid this fate, hiding her mage-mark and thieving to survive. But hers is a rare and dangerous magic, one that threatens the entire empire.

Lady Amalia Cornaro was never meant to be a Falconer. Heiress and scholar, she was born into a treacherous world of political machinations. But fate has bound the heir and the mage.

And as war looms on the horizon, a single spark could turn their city into a pyre.

Design credit: Lisa Marie Pompilio

Art credit: Crystal Ben & Arcangel