Posts Tagged ‘Sam Sykes’

TEN ARROWS OF IRON Cover Launch

Sal the Cacophony returns looking as badass as ever in the cover for TEN ARROWS OF IRON, the sequel to Sam Sykes’s widely acclaimed SEVEN BLADES IN BLACK. Check it out below! Sykes’s latest trilogy, The Grave of Empires, is an unforgettable epic fantasy that follows an outcast mage caught between two warring empires.

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Jeremy Wilson

Sal the Cacophony – outlaw, outcast, outnumbered – destroys all that she loves. Her lover lost and cities burned in her wake, all she has left is her magical gun and her all-consuming quest for revenge against those who stole her power and took the sky from her.

When the roguish agent of a mysterious patron offers her the chance to participate in a heist to steal an incredible power from the famed airship fleet, the Ten Arrows, she finds a new purpose. But a plot to save the world by bringing down empires swiftly escalates into a conspiracy of magic and vengeance that threatens to burn everything to ash, including herself.

Praise for SEVEN BLADES IN BLACK:

“Sykes is a master at taking familiar elements of fantasy and stirring them to a wicked, wholly original churn. In Sal the Cacophony, Sykes has crafted a protagonist for the ages. Ludicrous, wicked, delightful.”    — Pierce Brown, New York Times bestselling author

Seven Blades in Black offers villains that are as memorable and unique as the heroes. Action, magic, romance and humor mingle well in this mammoth tale. It’s an immersive read in a well realized world.”  — Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author

“Exciting and inventive. I never realized how much I needed wizard-hunting gunslingers in my life.”  — Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author

Seven Blades in Black is terrific. The tale of Sal the Cacophony is delightfully sarcastic and deeply sorrowful.”  — Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld 

“Gunslingers and mad mages and monsters, oh my. Sykes’ latest is a brutal and vulgar epic yet still fun enough that – and I say this as the highest of compliments – makes me wish like hell it ends up with an adaptation into a role-playing game.”  — Chuck Wendig, New York Timesbestselling author

“Sykes’ writing is full of heart, hilarity, and the frank understanding that as humans we are all disasters. Come for the adventures, stay for the weirdos.”  — R. F. Kuang, author of The Poppy War 

“By the end of the first page, you’ll know Sam is in love with his characters. By the end of the second, you’ll know you are too.”  — Myke Cole, author of The Armored Saint 

“A love letter to Final Fantasy and badass women, told with with an irresistible mix of passion and wit.”  — David Dalglish, author of Soulkeeper 

“With skillful worldbuilding, unexpected humor, and characters real enough to touch, this is easily Sykes’s best book to date.”  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Compulsive from start to finish.”  — Kirkus (starred review)

Cover Launch: SEVEN BLADES IN BLACK by Sam Sykes

We’re delighted to unveil the stunning cover for the new novel by Sam Sykes, SEVEN BLADES IN BLACK, an unforgettable epic fantasy that introduces an outcast magician caught between two warring empires.
Design by Lauren Panepinto
Illustration by Jeremy Wilson

 

Among humans, none have power like mages. And among mages, none have will like Sal the Cacophony. Once revered, now vagrant, she walks a wasteland scarred by generations of magical warfare.

 

The Scar, a land torn between powerful empires, is where rogue mages go to disappear, disgraced soldiers go to die and Sal went with a blade, a gun and a list of names she intended to use both on.

 

But vengeance is a flame swift extinguished. Betrayed by those she trusted most, her magic torn from her and awaiting execution, Sal the Cacophony has one last tale to tell before they take her head.

 

All she has left is her name, her story and the weapon she used to carved both.

 

Vengeance is its own reward.

 

Preorder Now!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks | Other retailers

 

Orbit at SDCC 2017!

For those of you attending San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, we hope you’ll swing by the booth (#1116) to say hello AND relieve us of some awesome con swag we’ve brought with us.

Here’s what we and our authors will be doing during Comic-Con.

Thursday, July 20

1:30 PM: “Sixty Seconds with SFF Authors,” Horton Grand Theatre (Gail Carriger, Mira Grant, and Sam Sykes)

8:30 PM: “SF and Fantasy Book Trivia with Orbit,” Room 4: That’s right! Join the Orbit Team for a night of fun, games, AND FREE BOOKS if you get a trivia question right!

Friday, July 21

7:30 PM: “Alien Civilizations,” Room 8 (Gail Carriger)

Saturday, July 22

10:00 AM: “Space… the Final Escape,” Room 7AB (James S. A. Corey)

12:00 PM James S.A. Corey Autographing, AA05

3:o0 PM: James S.A. Corey in Conversation with Mythbusters’s Adam Savage, at The Expanse Escape the Room (450 2nd Avenue)

Sunday, July 23

10:00 AM: “Spotlight on Gail Carriger,” Room 4

12:30 PM: “Fantasy Literature,” Room 8 (Gail Carriger and Mira Grant)

AN AFFINITY FOR STEEL: The Aeon’s Gate Omnibus

Sam Sykes is in the middle of his brilliant new Bring Down Heaven trilogy, which began with THE CITY STAINED RED and continues with THE MORTAL TALLY (coming March 29th!). For those who’d like to go back to the beginning, Orbit has just released AN AFFINITY FOR STEEL, an omnibus of his first trilogy, The Aeons’ Gate, available in ebook now with a paperback edition to follow on June 7th.

There are only a few productive things a man can do once he picks up a sword.

And the very lowest of these is to become an adventurer, like Lenk and his companions.

For the right price, no deed is too dirty, no task is too dangerous, no foe too ferocious. Not even a demon.

From wars ancient and terrible, wounds are bleeding. From seas deep and fathomless, demons are rising. From the mouth of hell, the Kraken Queen is calling. And all that stands between the damned and the mortal world are a pack of degenerates and the steel they carry.

Seas will rise. Heaven will fall.

And if you won’t take my word for it, listen to what these masters of fantasy have to say about Sam Sykes:

“Action fantasy with soul — albeit a small, dirty, funny soul.”―Brent Weeks on The City Stained Red

“Insouciant, unrepentant and irrepressible adventures in a powder keg of a city. And that’s just how the story begins.”―Robin Hobb on The City Stained Red

“Sam Sykes continues to reinvent the fantasy adventuring party in a vibrant world of rude magic and good intentions gone bad. Bold and exuberant, never cynical, Sykes fights the good fight on behalf of rich fantasy that nonetheless refuses to apologize for being kick-ass fun.”―Scott Lynch on The City Stained Red

“Sykes has put the fun back in fantasy with fantastic creatures and a lovable crew of malcontents. The City Stained Red is like David Eddings meets Conan the Barbarian.”―Brian McClellan on The City Stained Red

Cover Design by Kirk Benshoff; Photo-Illustration by Gene Mollica and Michael Frost

Fall 2015 – Winter 2016 US Cover Launch

Screen Shot 2015-02-19 at 3.31.39 PM

Mondays can be pretty dull sometimes. The weekend is over and everything seems a little grey and colorless…but not this Monday! To brighten your day with a splash of color and a full serving of awesomeness, here is a collection of our upcoming Fall 2015 and Winter 2016 titles.

Click on the images below to see a larger version and appreciate each cover in its full glory. Pin, tweet, and comment away with reckless abandon! We’d love to hear which books have already piqued your interest!

Grant_Chimera-HC Elliott_BlackWolves-TP Leckie_AncillaryMercy-TP

Carriger_Imprudence-HC Watson_ReignofIron-TP  Sykes_MortalTally-TP

Abraham_SpidersWar_TP Carriger_Prudence-TP Grant_Symbiont-TP 

Marshall_CrownColdSilver-TP McClellan_AutumnRepublic-TP McClellan_AutumnRepublic-TP

CHIMERA: Design by Lauren Panepinto; ANCILLARY MERCY: Art by John Harris, Design by Kirk Benshoff; BLACK WOLVES: Art by Larry Rostant, Tattoo Design by Stephanie Tamez, Design by Lauren Panepinto; IMPRUDENCE:Photo by Shirley Green, Illustration by Don Sipley, Type by Chad Roberts, Design by Lauren Panepinto; REIGN OF IRON: Art by Larry Rostant, Design by Ceara Elliot; THE MORTAL TALLY: Design by Lauren Panepinto, Images Arcangel; THE SPIDER’S WAR: Design by Kirk Benshoff; PRUDENCE: Photo by Shirley Green, Illustration by Don Sipley, Type by Chad Roberts, Design by Lauren Panepinto; SYMBIONT: Design by Lauren Panepinto A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER: Design by Lauren Panepinto, Map by Tim Paul; THE AUTUMN REPUBLIC: Art by Gene Mollica and Michael Frost, Design by Lauren Panepinto; RADIANT STATE: Design by Lauren Panepinto, Images Trevillion

THE CITY STAINED RED — available now!

How many adventurers to does it take to bring a corrupt city to its knees? Read THE CITY STAINED RED by Sam Sykes and you’ll find out!  This action-packed adventure fantasy is the kind of story that once you start, it’s impossible to put down. So whether you’re buried under a few feet of snow right now or just craving a new book to sink your teeth into, check it out in print and e-book!

More about the story: 

After years in the wilds, Lenk and his companions have come to the city that serves as the world’s beating heart.

The great charnel house where men die surer than any wilderness.

They’ve come to claim payment for creatures slain, blood spilled at the behest of a powerful holy man.

And Lenk has come to lay down his sword for good.

But this is no place to escape demons.

Praise for THE CITY STAINED RED: 

“Action fantasy with soul-albeit a small, dirty, funny soul.”—Brent Weeks

“Insouciant, unrepentant and irrepressible adventurers in a powder keg of a city. And that’s just how the story begins.”—Robin Hobb

“Sykes has put the fun back in fantasy with fantastical creatures and a lovable crew of malcontents. The City Stained Red is like David Eddings meets Conan the Barbarian.”—Brian McClellan, author of Promise of Blood

“Sam Sykes continues to reinvent the fantasy adventuring party in a vibrant world of rude magic and good intentions gone bad. Bold and exuberant, never cynical, Sykes fights the good fight on behalf of rich fantasy that nonetheless refuses to apologize for being kick-ass fun.”—Scott Lynch

“Excitement, vivacity, and sly wit… simply impossible not to enjoy.”—RT Book Reviews (4.5 Stars)

Orbit at SDCC!

SDCC 2012Going to San Diego Comic-Con next week? Here are some things you should definitely put on your schedule.

THURSDAY, JULY 24
11:00 AM: Mira Grant signing in the Orbit booth (#1116)
3:00 PM: Seanan McGuire (a.k.a. Mira Grant) on the “When Magic & Myth Meet Main Street” panel, Room 25ABC
4:00 PM: Brent Weeks, Joe Abercrombie, and Sam Sykes on the “Putting the Epic in Epic Fantasy” panel, Room 25ABC

SATURDAY, JULY 26
11:00 AM: Joe Abercrombie signing in the Orbit booth (#1116)
2:00 PM: Brent Weeks signing in the Orbit booth (#1116)
2:30 PM: Mira Grant on the “The Art of Fear” panel, Room 8
4:15 PM: Joe Abercrombie on the “Rules of the Realm” panel, Room 6A

We’ll have giveaways and books for sale in the booth (#1116) all weekend! Stop by and say hi.

First Look: Fall 2014 to Winter 2015 US Covers

Screen Shot 2014-02-27 at 5.09.41 PM

Are you sitting down? If not, then you should be because these covers are going to knock you off your feet. The Orbit Art Department has again delivered some positively breathtaking jackets. Enjoy this preview of our Fall and Winter line-up with more to follow over the next few months.

Click on the images below to see a larger version and appreciate each cover in its full glory.  Let us know which books are headed to your wish list!

(more…)