Archive for Orbit UK

Cover Launch: THE LOST WAR by Justin Lee Anderson

Justin Lee Anderson’s sensational epic fantasy debut, The Lost War (US | UK), follows an emissary for the king as he gathers a group of strangers and embarks on a dangerous quest across a war-torn land. Take a look at the stunning cover below and pick up a copy in May 2023.

The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Jeremy Wilson

The war is over, but the beginnings of peace are delicate.

Demons continue to burn farmlands, violent mercenaries roam the wilds, and a plague is spreading. The country of Eidyn is on its knees.

In a society that fears and shuns him, Aranok is the first mage to be named King’s Envoy. And his latest task is to restore an exiled foreign queen to her throne.

The band of allies he assembles each have their own unique skills. But they are strangers to each other, and at every step across the ravaged land, a new threat emerges, lies are revealed, and distrust threatens to destroy everything they are working for. Somehow, Aranok must bring his companions together and uncover the conspiracy that threatens the kingdom—before war returns to the realms again.

 

We’re also excited to reveal the title of book two in The Eidyn Saga, The Bitter Crown coming October 2023!

The Bitter Crown by Justin Lee Anderson (Coming October 2023)

Acquisition Announcement: A LETTER TO THE LUMINOUS DEEP by Sylvie Cathrall

Dive into the curious correspondence of Sylvie Cathrall’s delightful debut novel, A Letter to the Luminous Deep. Perfect for fans of A Marvellous Light and TJ Klune, A Letter to the Luminous Deep is a whimsical epistolary fantasy set in a mystical underwater world with mystery and heart-warming romance.

Orbit UK Commissioning editor Nadia Saward acquired World rights in the Sunken Archive duology from Natasha Mihell at The Rights Factory, with Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan acquiring for Orbit US. Publication is planned for Spring 2024.

A red, white and black graphic that frames a portrait photo of debut author Sylvie Cathrall. The photo is in black and white, with Sylvie in profile. The text on the graphic reads: Acquisition Announcement, A Letter to the Luminous Deep, Sylvie Cathrall

A beautiful discovery outside the window of her underwater home prompts the reclusive E. to begin a correspondence with renowned scholar Henerey Clel. The letters they share are filled with passion, at first for their mutual interests, and then, inevitably, for each other.

Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.’s home, and she and Henerey vanish.

A year later, E.’s sister Sophy, and Henerey’s brother Vyerin, are left to solve the mystery of their siblings’ disappearances  with the letters, sketches and field notes left behind. As they uncover the wondrous love their siblings shared, Sophy and Vyerin learn the key to their disappearance – and what it could mean for life as they know it.

Acquiring editor Saward said: ‘I knew from the first paragraph I needed to acquire this book. The gorgeous underwater setting is unlike anything else I’ve seen in fantasy, and the epistolary romance between the two main characters, a brilliant but reclusive young woman and a renowned scholar, will break your heart and put it back together again.’

Author Sylvie Cathrall said: ‘Like a letter sent by chance to the perfect recipient, my epistolary fantasy found its ideal match in the Orbit team. I’m grateful for the opportunity to unlock the sunken archive that is A Letter to the Luminous Deep and share this curious correspondence with readers.’

Agent Natasha Mihell said: ‘The joy infusing A Letter to the Luminous Deep is sublime and propulsive, and the prose is handled with extraordinary grace. It is a story that will leave you with a deep trust in the beauty of life. Cathrall reminds us that, though we may sometimes feel disillusioned by our circumstances, we are all of us entitled to our own magical adventure. And we can own every aspect of ourselves, every step of the way.’

US editor Priyanka Krishnan said: ‘I want to say that reading this book felt like a breath of fresh air, but it doesn’t quite feel like the right analogy given the gorgeous underwater setting! However, it’s true—A Letter to the Luminous Deep is unlike anything I’ve read recently, and I adore it. It captured my attention with its unique world, its whimsical epistolary structure, and its charming letter banter (is there anything sexier than flirtation by post?) And it captured my heart with its emotional depth, the way it gently addresses trauma and mental health concerns, and its beautiful exploration of relationships (both romantic and familial). I love this book and am thrilled Orbit will be publishing it!’

About the author: Sylvie Cathrall writes stories of hope and healing with healthy doses of wonder and whimsy. She holds a graduate degree in odd Victorian art and has handled more than a few nineteenth-century letters (with great care). Sylvie married her former pen pal and lives in the mountains, where she dresses impractically and dreams of the sea.

You can find Sylvie on Instagram @sylviecathrall – go give her a follow!

Cover Launch: THE BONE SHARD WAR by Andrea Stewart

Andrea Stewart brings us the final book in her unmissable, action-packed, magic-laced epic fantasy trilogy, The Bone Shard War (US | UK). Take a look at the stunning cover below and pick up a copy when it arrives in bookstores April 2023.

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Sasha Vinogradova

With the help of the Shardless Few, Jovis and Lin have defeated the construct army and the treacherous Ragan. But not all alliances are easy. The leader of the Shardless Few has debts to pay and a world to make over. And this new world does not need or want an Emperor.

But this is not the only thing to threaten the fragile peace. Now that fewer people are undergoing the Tithing Festival, the Alanga are returning, and not all of them are peaceful. While Jovis and Lin find allies in unlikely places, other Alanga begin to choose sides–and many are none too happy with the current regime or with the commoners.

With enemies on all sides, Empress Lin must decide if she should follow in the destructive steps of her forebears to save the Empire’s citizens and bring peace.

Cover Launch: SOME DESPERATE GLORY by Emily Tesh

The book cover for Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh, showing a pastel scene of a planet, a moon and a spaceship in orbit

We’re delighted to share the cover for Emily’s Tesh’s debut novel, SOME DESPERATE GLORY.

While we live, the enemy shall fear us.

All her life Kyr has trained for the day she can avenge the destruction of planet Earth by an all-powerful, reality-shifting weapon known as the Wisdom. Raised in the bowels of Gaea Station alongside the last scraps of humanity, she is one of the best warriors of her generation, the sword of a dead planet.

Then Command assigns her brother to certain death and relegates her to the nursery to bear sons and she knows she must take humanity’s revenge into her own hands. But she soon learns that not everything she’s been raised to believe is true, and the Wisdom is far more complex and dangerous than she could ever have imagined.

Coming April 2023, SOME DESPERATE GLORY is a thrillingly told space opera about the wreckage of war, the family you find and who you must become when every choice is stripped from you.

 

Cover artwork by Tegnemaskin.no, Cover design by Duncan Spilling – LBBG

Cover Launch: THE COMBAT CODES by Alexander Darwin

The Combat Codes (US | UK) is the first book in a debut, action-packed and character-driven science fiction trilogy set in a far future world where the fate of nations is determined by battle-hardened warriors who are trained to compete in brutal single combat. Take a look at the stunning cover below and pick up a copy when it arrives in bookstores June 2023.

The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin

Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Peter Bollinger

Hundreds of years ago on a planet once ravaged by war, the nations swore an armistice never to use weapons of mass destruction again. Today, battle-hardened warriors known as Grievar Knights train to represent their nations’ interests in brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Murray Pearson was once a famed Knight until he suffered a loss that crippled his nation—but now he’s on the hunt to find and train the next champion.

In underground and ruthless combat rings, an orphaned boy called Cego is making a name for himself. Murray believes Cego has what it takes to make it in the world’s most prestigious combat academy—but Cego has to fight his way out of the underground first.

Cover Launch: BEYOND THE REACH OF EARTH

We’re thrilled to share the cover for BEYOND THE REACH OF EARTH (UK) by Ken MacLeod, the second book in the Lightspeed trilogy, a gripping tale of first contact and dark conspiracies set among the stars.

BEYOND THE REACH OF EARTH hits shelves in March 2023, and is available for pre-order now. You can check out the stunning cover, designed by Duncan Spilling L,BBG below and read on for a taste of what’s in store. . .

A book cover of Beyond the Reach of Earth by Ken MacLeod that shows a small spaceship flying at hyper-speed towards a large blue gas giant planet.

With the invention of faster-than-light travel there is nowhere that humanity cannot go. New worlds are discovered, but with them come new dangers.

At the heart of the discovery is the Fermi, mysterious beings that have survived on alien worlds for longer than humanity has existed. But now the Fermi are awakening, and they do not seem pleased to find humans in their midst.

But for Lakshmi Nayak and the crew of the Fighting Chance, danger is a lot closer to home. Their search for answers will take them to places, and worlds, they never expected.

Praise for Ken MacLeod:

‘An exceptional blend of international politics, hard science, and first contact’ Michael Mammay, author of the Planetside series on Beyond the Hallowed Sky

‘MacLeod is up there with Banks and Hamilton as one of the British sci-fi authors you absolutely have to read’ SFX

‘Prose as sleek and fast as the technology it describes. . . watch this man go global’ Peter F. Hamilton on Star Fraction

‘Ken MacLeod has an enviable track record of extrapolating from current trends to produce mind-bending novels of ideas’ Guardian

Acquisition Announcement: MISTRESS OF LIES

Orbit is delighted to announce we’ve acquired Kat Enright’s debut fantasy Mistress of Lies, the first in a dark romantic fantasy trilogy with a villainous, bloodthirsty heroine, perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Dowry of Blood.

Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency sold World English rights to Commissioning Editor Nadia Saward at Orbit UK. Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan has acquired for Orbit US and publication is planned for 2024.

a photo of Kat Enright

The daughter of a powerful but disgraced Blood Worker, Shan LeClaire has spent her entire life perfecting her blood magic, building her network of spies, and gathering every scrap of power she could. Now, to protect her brother, she assassinates their father and takes her place at the head of the family. And that is only the start of her revenge.

Samuel Hutchinson is a bastard with a terrible gift. When he stumbles upon the first victim of a magical serial killer, he’s drawn into the world of magic and intrigue he’s worked so hard to avoid – and is pulled deeply into the ravenous and bloodthirsty court of the vampire king.

Tasked by the Eternal King to discover the identity of the killer cutting a bloody swath through the city, Samuel, Shan and mysterious Royal Bloodworker Isaac find themselves growing ever closer to each other. But Shan’s plans are treacherous, and as she lures Samuel into her complicated web of desire, treason and vengeance, he must decide if the good of their nation is worth the cost of his soul.

You can find Kat on Twitter @katenright, go give them a follow!

About the author: Kat Enright is a Filipino-American writer of romantic fantasy for teens and adults. When not writing, Kat can be found playing too many video games, cooking, or listening to Broadway musicals. They currently live in New Jersey with their spouse and their black cat, Zuko.

Acquisition Announcement: A FEATHER SO BLACK by Lyra Selene

Lyra Selene

“Excited” does not begin to cover our feelings about Lyra Selene’s stunning adult fantasy debut, A Feather So Black!

This Celtic-inspired Swan Lake retelling is romantic fantasy at its finest. A magical tale of a changeling princess, her cursed sister, and the dangerous fae lord she must defeat to save her family, it’s perfect for readers of Holly Black, Sarah J. Maas, and Hannah Whitten. Once you enter its alluring world—a place where magic winds through the roots of the trees, forest creatures aren’t what they seem, and falling in love can be your undoing—you’ll never want to leave.

A Feather So Black is coming to shelves Spring 2024! Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired World English rights from Jessica Watterson at Sandra Dijkstra and Associates. Commissioning Editor Nadia Saward acquired for Orbit UK.

Says author Lyra Selene: “I’m beyond thrilled A Feather So Black has found a home with Orbit! I hope this dark dream of a story captures readers’ imaginations in the same way it captured mine, long ago. I can’t wait to share Fia’s seductive world of perilous magic, moonlit secrets, and forbidden romance with you!”

Adds editor Priyanka Krishnan: “I think Lyra must be part fae herself. She casts a spell with this story, making you forget the world around you as you keep turning pages. This book has everything I love: a complicated heroine, a delicious romance, a nuanced sister relationship, and exquisite atmosphere. You’ll feel you’ve stepped straight into a dark fairy tale, and it will leave you swooning.”

And agent Jessica Watterson: “I was put under a spell from the first gorgeous word of A Feather So Black and I’m thrilled it has found amazing champions at an amazing house. I can’t wait for this book to sweep everyone off their feet!”

A Feather So Black is the first in a planned trilogy. Read more about the book below and follow author Lyra Selene on Instagram @LyraSelene for updates!

 

In a realm without magic, Fia is a rare changeling, swapped for the Princess Eala by the wicked Fair Folk. Eala’s mother, the High Queen, has taken Fia in as an adoptive daughter and trained her as a warrior spy, while the true princess is a prisoner, cursed and bound to the realm of the fae.

When a forgotten gate to the Folk realm is discovered, Fia is tasked by the High Queen to break Ealas curse and retrieve her. But she doesn’t go alone: with her is prince Rogan, Eala’s betrothed—and the man Fia secretly loves. 

 As the two journey through the gate and into a world where magic runs deep and every step is dangerous, Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince… and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive.

With time running out to break the curse, Fia begins to question everything—the truth of her origins, the reality of her mission, and the “love” of her mother and High Queen. Ultimately, the key to unravelling truth from half-truth and saving the balance between the realms might just be… herself.

  

Lyra Selene was born under a full moon and has never quite managed to wipe the moonlight out of her eyes. She grew up on a steady diet of mythology, folklore, and fantasy, and now writes tall tales of twisted magic, forbidden love, and brooding landscapes. She lives in New England with her husband and daughter, in an antique farmhouse that probably isn’t haunted. She is the author of the young adult duology Amber & Dusk. A Feather So Black is her adult debut.

Acquisition Announcement: TRANSLATION STATE by Ann Leckie

Ann Leckie
Photo Credit: MissionPhoto.org

ANN LECKIE RETURNS!

After winning the trifecta of the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke awards for her groundbreaking debut Ancillary Justice, Ann Leckie has gone on to sell millions of copies worldwide, becoming a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and firmly establishing herself as one of the most lauded, inventive, and powerful voices of modern SFF. As John Scalzi so aptly put it, “There are few who write science fiction like Ann Leckie can. There are few who ever could.”

2023 will mark ten years since Ancillary Justice published and changed the sci-fi landscape. It will also be the year that Leckie’s brand-new novel, Translation State, hits shelves. That’s right! In summer 2023, Ann Leckie returns…

Set in the celebrated world of the Imperial Radch novels, Translation State follows an entirely new cast of characters, masterfully merging space adventure, mystery, and a poignant exploration about relationships and belonging. We cannot wait for current fans and new readers to fall in love with this sensational standalone. And the great news is, it’s available for pre-order now (US)!

Says Leckie: “These are characters I’ve lived with a long time, and it’s been so wonderful to finally put them down on the page. It’s been a pleasure to return to the world of the Imperial Radch, and I’m excited and hopeful that readers will have as much fun with Translation State as I have.”

Orbit US Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired World English Rights to Translation State and a second standalone novel from Seth Fishman at The Gernert Company. Orbit UK Editorial Director Jenni Hill acquired UK rights.

 

The mystery of a missing translator sets three lives on a collision course that will have a ripple effect across the stars in this powerful new novel by award-winning author Ann Leckie.

Qven was created to be a Presger translator. The pride of their Clade, they always had a clear path before them: learn human ways, and eventually, make a match and serve as an intermediary between the dangerous alien Presger and the human worlds. The realization that they might want something else isn’t “optimal behavior”—it’s the type of behavior that results in elimination.

But Qven rebels. And in doing so, their path collides with that of two others. Enae, a reluctant diplomat whose dead grandmaman has left hir an impossible task as an inheritance: hunting down a fugitive who has been missing for over 200 years. And Reet, an adopted mechanic who is increasingly desperate to learn about his genetic roots—or anything that might explain why he operates so differently from those around him.

As a Conclave of the various species approaches—and the long-standing treaty between the humans and the Presger is on the line—the decisions of all three will have ripple effects across the stars.

Cover Launch: HOUSE OF ODYSSEUS by Claire North

We’re proud to present the stunning cover for HOUSE OF ODYSSEUS (UK|US), the new novel in the Songs of Penelope trilogy by Claire North, coming August 2023.

Book cover for HOUSE OF ODYSSEUS by Claire North, featuring three Greek women in white robes on a blue background
Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

Following the critically acclaimed Ithaca comes House of Odysseus, the second novel in Claire North’s Songs of Penelope trilogy – an exquisite, gripping tale that breathes life into ancient myth. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.

On the island of Ithaca, queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband Odysseus sailed to war with Troy and never returned. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace – but this is shattered with the arrival of Orestes, King of Mycenae.  

Orestes, son of Agamemnon, is mad. Wracked with guilt for putting his own mother to death, he grows ever more unhinged. But a king cannot be seen to be weak. To keep him safe from the ambitious men of Mycenae, his sister Elektra brings him to Ithaca to recover under the protection of Penelope. But no sooner has Orestes arrived then his uncle Menelaus, the blood-soaked king of Sparta, comes looking for him. Menelaus hungers for Orestes’ throne – and if he can seize it, no one will be safe from his violent whims.

Caught between Sparta and Mycenae, Penelope must protect Ithaca from two mad kings on the edge of war. Her only allies are Elektra, desperate to protect her brother, and Helen of Troy, Menelaus’ wife. Each woman has a secret, and their secrets will shape the world . . .

Praise for the Songs of Penelope series:

‘Darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking’ Jennifer Saint, author of Sunday Times bestseller Ariadne

‘Richly poetic . . . This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history’ Booklist

‘Everything I’ve wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice – this is an absolute masterpiece’ Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin

‘Conjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies‘ The Times

‘Claire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime’ Hannah Lynn, author of Athena’s Child

HOUSE OF ODYSSEUS by Claire North is available for pre-order now (UK|US).