Archive for Covers

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).

Cover Launch: THE TYRANNY OF FAITH by Richard Swan

We’re delighted to reveal the cover for THE TYRANNY OF FAITH by Richard Swan, the sequel to his Sunday Times bestselling debut THE JUSTICE OF KINGS.

 

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Martina Fačková

 

A Justice’s work is never done.

The Battle of Galen’s Vale is over, but the war for the Empire’s future has just begun.

Concerned by rumours that the Magistratum’s authority is waning, Sir Konrad Vonvalt returns to Sova to find the capital city gripped by intrigue and whispers of rebellion. In the Senate, patricians speak openly against the Emperor, while fanatics preach holy vengeance on the streets.

Yet facing down these threats to the throne will have to wait, for the Emperor’s grandson has been kidnapped – and Vonvalt is charged with rescuing the missing prince.

His quest will lead Vonvalt – and his allies Helena, Bressinger and Sir Radomir – to the Empire’s southern frontier, where they will once again face the puritanical fury of Bartholomew Claver and his templar knights . . . and a dark power far more terrifying than they could have imagined.

 

THE TYRANNY OF FAITH will be published in February ’23. Pre-order UK / US

 

Praise for the Empire of the Wolf series:

 

‘Stunning’ RJ Barker

‘Utterly compelling’ Nicholas Eames

‘Fantastic’ Peter McLean

‘Standout of the year’ British Fantasy Society

‘Addictive’ SciFi Now

‘A brilliant debut’ James Islington

 

Acquisition announcement: INFINITY GATE by M. R. Carey

M. R. Carey is back! And in colossally epic style . . .

You might know M. R. Carey from his million-copy bestseller The Girl With All the Gifts, or perhaps his brilliant The Book of Koli, which received the special citation at the Philip K. Dick Awards.

He’s been said to heft ‘astonishing storytelling power’ by Locus and has been described as ‘one of the most inventive voices in contemporary fiction’ by i09.

Well now we’re excited to announce a brand new novel from Mike that’s going to knock your science fictional socks off.

Releasing in March 2023, Infinity Gate (UK|US) is a major new SF novel set in the multiverse. It’s the first book in a duology called the Pandominion, with the second book due to release in Spring 2024.

We’re excited to show you the cover for Infinity Gate below, from our very talented designer Nico Taylor.

Book cover for INFINITY GATE by M. R. Carey showing Earth from space, with different coloured sections to represent alternate versions of Earth in other dimensions

Infinity Gate is a thrilling tale set of humanity’s expansion across millions of alternate dimensions, and the AI technology that might see it all come to an end . . .

INFINITY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.

The Pandominion is a political and trading alliance of a million worlds – except that they’re really just the one world, Earth, in many different realities. And when an AI threat arises that could destroy everything the Pandominion has built, they’ll eradicate it by whatever means necessary, no matter the cost to human life.

Scientist Hadiz Tambuwal is looking for a solution to her own Earth’s environmental collapse when she stumbles across the secret of inter-dimensional travel. It could save everyone on her dying planet, but now she’s walked into the middle of a war on a scale she never dreamed of.

 

Here’s what the esteemed Tade Thompson has to say about it:

‘Infinity Gate is a powerful exploration of the near-future, skilfully and seamlessly weaving different realities and different iterations of AI . . . Carey has the experience, imagination and verve to pull it off. A compelling entry and a must-read!’ Tade Thompson, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of Rosewater

Infinity Gate is coming in March next year. It’s available for pre-order now (UK|US).

Cover launch: Wildwood Magic by Willa Reece

From the author of Wildwood Whispers comes a spellbinding novel of magic and self-discovery when a woman escapes her abusive husband and finds shelter in a magical orchard. Wildwood Magic (US) by Willa Reece is coming to shelves June 2023! Take a look at the stunning cover below.

Wildwood Magic by Willa Reece

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Illustration by Mike Heath

Virginia, 1969.

Rachel Smith has found peace in the Appalachian Mountains. Sequestered in Morgan’s Gap, an idyllic small town, her days are spent simply tending its lush apple orchard. She studiously avoids thinking about her past. If her dreams are haunted by memories of her violent husband and longing for the child she was forced to hide, that pain is borne away by fresh mountain air and apples that taste as sweet as honey.

But Rachel wasn’t meant to live in the shadows. When she dares to venture beyond the orchard, she discovers a tight-knit community of wisewomen who honor the old mountain traditions—those who stitch and stir, brew and tinker—where she learns to feel safe. A world of magic unfolds for her, a world filled with new friendships and possibly a new love.

Yet, Rachel’s past is creeping in. She must learn to harness the strength of the wildwood—and herself—to protect her newfound future and community before its torn apart.

For more from Willa Reece, check out Wildwood Whispers

Cover launch: The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz

The Sun and the Void (US) by Gabriela Romero Lacruz is coming to shelves July 2023! Take a look at the stunning cover below.

The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

Set in a lush world inspired by the history and folklore of South America, discover this sweeping epic fantasy of colonialism and country, ancient magic, and a young woman’s quest for belonging. 

When Reina arrives at Aguila Manor, her heart stolen from her chest, she’s on the verge of death—until her estranged grandmother, a dark sorceress in the Don’s employ, intervenes.  Indebted to a woman she never knew, and smitten with the upper-caste daughter of the house, Celeste, Reina will do anything to earn–and keep–the family’s favor. Even the bidding of the ancient god who speaks to her from the Manor’s foundations. To save the woman she loves, Reina will have to defy the gods themselves, and become something she never could have imagined.

Acquisition Announcement: THE SWORD DEFIANT by Gareth Hanrahan

Orbit is thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired a brand new series from Gareth Hanrahan, author of the critically acclaimed The Gutter Prayer. The first book in Gareth’s new trilogy, titled The Sword Defiant will be publishing in May 2023, and is now available to pre-order.

Orbit UK Commissioning editor Emily Byron acquired World Rights to the Lands of the Firstborn trilogy from John Jarrold, with Senior editor Bradley Englert acquiring for Orbit US. Check out the stunning cover below, designed by Sophie Harris at Little, Brown Book Group with art by Thea Dumitriu.

An image of the book cover of The Sword Defiant, which shows an ominous and moody illustration of an armoured man brandishing a glowing red sword

Many years ago, Sir Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world, seizing the Dark Lord’s cursed weapons, along with his dread city of Necrad. That was the easy part.

Now, when Aelfric – keeper of the cursed sword Spellbreaker – learns of a new and terrifying threat, he seeks the nine heroes once again. But they are wandering adventurers no longer. Yesterday’s eager heroes are today’s weary leaders – and some have turned to the darkness, becoming monsters themselves.

If there’s one thing Aelfric knows, it’s slaying monsters. Even if they used to be his friends.

Set in a world of dark myth and dangerous prophecy, The Sword Defiant launches an epic tale of daring warriors, living weapons and bloodthirsty vengeance.

You can follow Gareth on Twitter @mytholder!

Cover launch: The Stardust Thief TP by Chelsea Abdullah

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah arrived in hardcover earlier this year and now you’ll be able to pick up the paperback in December 2022! Take a look at the stunning cover below.

The Stardust Thief TP by Chelsea Abdullah

Cover Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio; Cover Illustration by Mike Heath

Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, this book weaves together the gripping tale of a legendary smuggler, a cowardly prince, and a dangerous quest across the desert to find a legendary, magical lamp.

Neither here nor there, but long ago…

Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that has the power to revive the barren land—at the cost of sacrificing all jinn.

With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan’s oldest son to find the artifact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen, and confront a malicious killer from Loulie’s past. And, in a world where story is reality and illusion is truth, Loulie will discover that everything—her enemy, her magic, even her own past—is not what it seems, and she must decide who she will become in this new reality.

Cover launch: PARADISE-1 by David Wellington

We’re thrilled to reveal the brilliant cover for PARADISE-1 by David Wellington, due to be published in April ’23.

Design by Sean Garrehy

 

WELCOME TO PARADISE

Paradise-1. Earth’s first deep space colony. For thousands of colonists, it was an opportunity for a new life.

Until it went dark. No communication has been received from the colony for months.

It falls to Firewatch Agent Alexandra Petrova and the crew of the Artemis to investigate.

What they find is more horrifying than they could have imagined.

PARADISE-1 is the first book in a terrifying tale of exploration and survival in the deepest reaches of space, by Clarke Award-nominated author David Wellington.

 

Praise for David Wellington:

‘An edge-of-your-seat tale of first contact’
Gareth L. Powell

‘A terrifying tour de force . . . Gripping authenticity and an uncompromising white-knuckled pace’ James Rollins

‘Timely and terrifying, The Last Astronaut propels us deep into the mysteries of space . . . breathless, compulsive reading’ Christopher Golden