Out Now: Lavie Tidhar’s JUDGE DEE AND THE EXECUTIONER OF EPINAL


Judge Dee is back on the case! JUDGE DEE AND THE EXECUTIONER OF EPINAL by Lavie Tidhar is out now! With another fantastic cover by the always-superb Red Nose Studio, it’s published by Reactor — on their website, and as an eBook — it is the seventh Judge Dee story. Here’s the synposis…

Unknown forces attempt to stop Judge Dee and Jonathan from transporting a mysterious and possibly dangerous prisoner, who holds a secret about the Judge, to an executioner in France…

The first six stories are still available, on Reactor’s website and also as eBooks (each with its own excellent Red Nose Studio cover!).

Out Now: Four New Zelazny Audiobook Editions!


Calling all classic SFF and audiobook fans: four more of Roger Zelazny‘s novels have new audiobook editions! Published by Tantor Media, the following are now available in audio:

  • DAMNATION ALLEY — read by Paul Bellantoni
  • DILVISH, THE DAMNED — read by Eric Michael Summerer
  • THE CHANGING LAND — read by Eric Michael Summerer
  • MY NAME IS LEGION — read by Adam Barr

Read on for some more details…

DAMNATION ALLEY (cover at top) was first published in 1968…

Hell Tanner isn’t the sort of guy you’d mistake for a hero: he’s a fast-driving car thief, a smuggler, and a stone-cold killer. Facing life in prison for his various crimes, he’s given a choice: Rot away his remaining years in a tiny jail cell or drive cross-country and deliver a case of antiserum to the plague-ridden people of Boston, Massachusetts. The chance of a full pardon does wonders for getting his attention. And don’t mistake this mission of mercy for any kind of normal road trip-not when there are radioactive storms, hordes of carnivorous beasts, and giant, mutated scorpions to be found along every deadly mile between Los Angeles and the East Coast. But then, this is no normal part of America, you see. This is Damnation Alley…

DILVISH, THE DAMNED, first published in 1982, collected together stories featuring Dilvish, which had originally been published in a variety of magazines and other publications. The collection came 5th in Locus Award voting (1983)…

Dilivish, a half elf-half man hybrid, failed in his attempt to rescue a young maiden being ritually sacrificed by the dark sorcerer Jelerak. In his anger at the attempt Jelerak kills the maiden and turns Dilvish’s body to stone and banished his soul to Hell.

It takes Dilvish two hundred years to escape Hell and reclaim his body. Dilvish does not leave hell unprepared. He returns with a number of very powerful spells and a faithful metal steed, Black who is far more than he seems. Together Black and Dilvish plan to hunt down Jelerak and make him pay. Heroic fantasy at its finest from a master storyteller.

THE CHANGING LAND is the second book in the Dilvish series — it was originally published in 1981, a year before Zelazny’s earlier Dilvish stories were collected into a single volume. The novel came 3rd in Locus Award voting (1982).

The Changing Land picks up shortly after the events chronicled in Dilvish, the Damned. Dilvish must gain entry to Castle Timeless if he is to destroy his nemeses Jelerak. Unbenounced to Dilvish, Jelerak is also seeking to gain entrance to his own castle as his apprentice has blocked him out while attempting to lean the castles secrets so that he may become lord of Castle Timeless.

The castle is protected by a lethal, chaotic, ever-changing land. In a race against time and reality itself both Dilvish and Jelerak must survive the maze-like changing lands and then somehow survive whatever traps await them and perhaps even the elder gods themselves may intervene if the whim strikes them. A breathtaking grand adventure!

Another of Zelazny’s short novels from the 1970s, MY NAME IS LEGION originally appeared in 1976.

He’d been an important part of the team putting together the International Data Bank, which would track every single move made by every single human being. As the project neared completion, he realized that no one would ever truly be free again. At the very last moment he blanked his file, changed his face, and created a back door into the system. Now he was nameless, had no past, left no traces, according to the IDB he no longer existed. But he could become anyone at any time for any reason. Not being in the system meant that he had to earn a living outside of the normal confines of human society. But there were people willing to pay cold, hard cash for a man who could be anyone and then disappear once the job was done.

Coming Soon: Jack Campbell’s IN OUR STARS!


IN OUR STARS by Jack Campbell is the first novel in the author’s new The Doomed Earth series — and it’s out in three weeks! Due to be published in the UK by Titan Books, on May 7th, here’s the synopsis…

When the destruction of Earth causes a time rift, one ship is thrust back in time to decades prior. The semi-disgraced naval officer Kayl Owen is sent from the Earth Guard ship Vigilant to investigate.  He finds one person alive, one person whose DNA analysis reveals to have some non-human DNA, a person who his superiors say isn’t human.

That’s not how Kayl Owen sees it. He thinks Lieutenant Genji of the near future Unified Fleet — the future successor of Earth Guard — is every bit a person. And more, the knowledge she brings from the future might hold the key to saving Earth from destruction.

Owen, Genji and everything they know is deeply threatening to a lot of people, and the two of them need to survive each day to get to the next and save the future for everyone.  But will changing Earth’s future erase Genji?

Titan Books has published a great range of Campbell’s novels, including his various best-selling Lost Fleet series.

Zeno represents Jack Campbell in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Lavie Tidhar’s MAROR Out Today in Germany!


Lavie Tidhar‘s acclaimed novel MAROR is out today in a new German edition! Published by Suhrkamp, it was translated by Conny Lösch. Here’s the synopsis…

Israel, 1974-2008. Zwei Polizisten führen uns durch fast vier Jahrzehnte israelischer Geschichte. Cohen, der Strippenzieher im Hintergrund, und Avi Sagi, der den korrumpierenden Versuchungen seines Jobs nicht widerstehen kann. Diese Geschichte ist die dunkle Geschichte Israels. Der Patriot Cohen kennt nur eine Aufgabe – seinen Staat zu beschützen, auch wenn er dafür die bittersten Realitäten akzeptieren muss und gnadenlos danach handelt. Cohen und Sagi haben es mit jüdischen, arabischen und türkischen Gangstern, mit der CIA und dem KGB, mit den Contras und den Kartellen, mit militanten Orthodoxen und anderen Playern mehr zu tun. Cohen versucht, »die Dinge in der Balance zu halten«, und kennt dabei keine Grenzen.

Tidhar entwirft ein gewaltiges, kaleidoskopisches Panorama aus politischen Skandalen, Korruption, Mord und Verbrechen auf staatlicher und privater Ebene, das sich auch auf die weltweiten Aktivitäten Israels bezieht. Ein Epos, das zu Recht mit Balzac und Dickens verglichen wurde. Ein Epos auch über Moral und Realpolitik, eine Art Chronique scandaleuse Israels und ein grimmiges, schwarz-humoriges Plädoyer für dessen Existenzrecht. Maroreben, wie die bitteren Kräuter auf dem Sederteller: »Mit bitteren Kräutern sollen sie es essen.« (Exodus, 12:8)

MAROR is the first novel in Tidhar’s Matter of Israel series, and is published in the UK by Head of Zeus/Apollo. The second novel, ADAMA, is also out now.

Here’s MAROR‘s English-language synopsis…

How do you build a nation?

It takes statesmen and soldiers, farmers and factory workers, of course. But it also takes thieves, prostitutes and policemen.

Nation-building demands sacrifice. And one man knows exactly where those bodies are buried: Cohen, a man who loves his country. A reasonable man for unreasonable times.

A car bomb in the back streets of Tel Aviv. A diamond robbery in Haifa. Civil war in Lebanon. Rebel fighters in the Colombian jungle. A double murder in Los Angeles.

How do they all connect? Only Cohen knows.

Maror is the story of a war for a country’s soul – a dazzling spread of narrative gunshots across four decades and three continents.

It is a true story. All of these things happened.

The novel, which was a Guardian and Economist Best Book of 2022, has received an incredible amount of praise since it was published. Here’s just a small selection…

‘Some write in ink, others in song, Tidhar writes in fire… MAROR is a kaleidoscopic masterpiece, immense in its sympathies, alarming in its irreverences and altogether exhilarating.’ — Junot Díaz

‘One of the boldest, most visionary writers I’ve ever read creates both a vivid political exploration and a riveting crime epic. It’s like the Jewish Godfather!’ — Silvia Moreno-Garcia

‘A masterpiece of the sacred and the profane … a literary triumph.’ — Guardian

‘Amos Oz’s A Tale of Love and Darkness… Fade[s] into oblivion compared with Lavie Tidhar’s magnificent novel MAROR, a panoramic look at four decades of the dark, despicable side of Israel, of death, corruption, violence and drugs… It’s a brilliant undertaking.’ — Jewish Chronicle

‘One of the sensational novels of 2022, a violent rollercoaster and drug-fuelled ride into Israel’s history’ — Jewish Chronicle (as part of ADAMA review)

MAROR blends the page-turning wit of a hard-boiled detective noir with the stirring intrigue of a multi-national political epic. An ambitious achievement that weaves a tapestry of both story and statement.’ — Kevin Jared Hosein

‘A bloody beast of a book… MAROR is to Israeli history what Tarantino is to American movie culture’ — Daily Mail

‘Comparisons to James Ellroy and Marlon James are valid… On every page we feel we’re among real, breathing people… [a] compelling, unflinching roman-fleuve.’ — Times Literary Supplement (joint review of ADAMA and MAROR)

‘Radiant with all the brutally elegant atmosphere of crime noir, and the richly nuanced complexity and style of Marlon James’ A Brief History of Seven Killings, it’s a genre-busting novel that will catch your breath … At once illuminating, thrilling and thought-provoking, this tale of corruption, killings, sacrifice and the souls that make up a nation is a symphonic feat of fiction.’ — LoveReading

THE BEST OF WORLD SF Volume 3 Paperback Out Now!


The new paperback edition of THE BEST OF WORLD SF, Volume 3 is out today! Curated and edited by Lavie Tidhar, it is published by AdAstra/Head of Zeus. Here’s the synopsis…

The Best of World SF series is a fixture on the global science fiction scene. If you want to find the most exciting SF authors writing today, look no further.

In this third instalment, you’ll discover alien artists, rioting dinosaurs, shape-shifting rabbits, heartbreak-harvesting cafes and one robot on a quest for meaning. You will be transported to the stars and back down to Earth and sideways, with the order of the world turned upside down.

Featuring authors from Austria, Bulgaria, China, Finland, Ghana, Greece, India, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore and South Africa, this collection’s stories have been selected by award-winning writer, editor and World SF expert Lavie Tidhar.

The most exciting science fiction on the planet comes from all corners of the globe. And it’s all in the Best of World SF series.

Here is the full table of contents for the anthology:

  1. “A Minor Kalahari” by Diana Rahim (Singapore)
  2. “Behind Her, Trailing Like Butterfly Wings” by Daniela Tomova (Bulgaria)
  3. “Cloudgazer” by Timi Odueso (Nigeria)
  4. “The EMO Hunter” by Mandisi Nkomo (South Africa)
  5. “Tloque Nahuaque” by Nelly Geraldine García-Rosas (Mexico) — translated by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  6. “The Walls of Benin City” by M.H. Ayinde (UK)
  7. “The Foodie Federation’s Dinosaur Farm” by Luo Longxiang (China) — translated by Andy Dudak
  8. “The Day The World Turned Upside Down” by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (The Netherlands) — translated by Lia Belt
  9. “The Worldless” by Indrapramit Das (India)
  10. “Now You Feel It” by Andrea Chapela (Mexico) — translated by Emma Törzs
  11. “Act of Faith” by Fadzlishah Johanabas (Malaysia)
  12. “Godmother” by Cheryl S. Ntumy (Ghana)
  13. “I Call Upon the Night as Witness” by Zahra Mukhi (Pakistan)
  14. “Sulfur” by Dmitry Glukhovsky (Russia) — translated by Marian Schwartz
  15. “Proposition 23” by Efe Okogu (Nigeria)
  16. “Root Rot” by Fargo Tbakhi (US)
  17. “Catching the K-Beast” by Chen Qian (China) — translated by Carmen Yiling Yan
  18. “Two Moons” by Elena Pavlova (Bulgaria) — translated by Kalin M. Nenov and Elena Pavlova
  19. “Symbiosis Theory” by Choyeop Kim (Korea) — translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort
  20. “My Country is a Ghost” by Eugenia Triantafyllou (Greece)
  21. “Old People’s Folly” by Nora Schinnerl (Austria)
  22. “Echoes of a Broken Mind” by Christine Lucas (Greece)
  23. “Have Your #Hugot Harvested at This Diwata-Owned Café” by Vida Cruz (Philippines)
  24. “Order C345” by Sheikha Helawy (Palestine) — translated by Raphael Cohen
  25. “Dark Star” by Vraiux Dorós (Mexico) — translated by Toshiya Kamei
  26. “An excerpt from ‘A Door Opens: The Beginning of the Fall of the Ispancialo-in-Hinirang (Emprensa Press: 2007)’ by Salahuddin Alonto, Annotated by Omar Jamad Maududi, MLS, HOL, JMS.” by Dean Francis Alfar (Philippines)
  27. “Ootheca” by Mário de Seabra Coelho (Portugal)
  28. “Where The Trains Turn” by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen (Finland) — translated by Liisa Rantalaiho

The first two volumes in the series are also published by AdAstra/Head of Zeus, available now in paperback.

Here are just a few of the many great reviews the series has received so far…

There is not a poor story here… nice balance between light and harder stories… IMMERSION by Aliette de Bodard reads like hard Sci Fi but digs a little deeper… As a group, the stories on offer within THE BEST OF WORLD SF Volume 1 are so strong… This is a great introduction to what the rest of the world has to offer.’ — SF Book Reviews

‘Rare and wonderful’ — The Times (UK)

‘In addition to being an award-winning sci-fi writer, Israeli-born UK-based Lavie Tidhar is also a tireless champion of international sci-fi… an excellent, lovingly curated collection that is also uniformly well translated.’ — Financial Times

‘Tidhar has assembled a weighty and impressive collection of 26 stories by authors from around the world, several of them appearing in English for the first time. The variety and diversity of the material on offer is refreshing, the quality does not waver, and the translations are top-notch.’ — Financial Times (Summer Books of 2021: Science Fiction)

‘Stories like these are the ones you sometimes want to foist upon readers who claim not to like SF, and The Best of World SF: Volume 1 reminds us that such stories can come from anywhere these days, if only we get to see them. I look forward to future volumes.’ — Locus (Gary K. Wolfe)

‘Now this book exists, it feels absurd it didn’t exist sooner… hefty, beautifully presented collection… an excellent samples and delight in itself… fizzes with great ideas and wonderful writing.’ — SFX (5*)

‘[Tidhar] is really a pioneer… He was looking at writers from Malaysia, from Africa, from China, from Japan when no one was really doing that. You might get some stories here and there from other parts of the world. But the way that he constructed this global structure of science fiction and looked at science fiction not as a monoculture but as a vibrant sphere for people to speak from all over the world, and the promotion he gave that over the long term and pushing it on and on in an independent space, is exciting to see and inspiring.’ — Silvia Moreno-Garcia

‘… offers robots, spaceships, time travel, and a few weird stories, showcasing authors from five continents and over twenty countries. On top of that is plenty of optimism, plenty of stories that start as one thing and then become something completely different, and plenty of envelope pushing… Once you read one story by some of these folks, you’ll be itching for more. A truly enjoyable anthology with something for everyone…’ — Apex Magazine

‘Tidhar brings together another outstanding assortment of international sci-fi shorts, showcasing 29 thought-provoking stories… This sweeping survey rewards the time it demands of its readers with a bold and powerful argument for non-Anglophone SF’s potential to push the genre’s boundaries.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘“Fresh” is an overused word in book reviews, but Lavie Tidhar’s second trawl of recent science fiction from around the world earns the compliment… For my money, this volume is stronger than the last. It is certainly creepier… The few comic tales here sparkle against a dark ground… We need this anthology, and we need editors like Tidhar.’ — The Times (Book of the Month, November 2022)

Three Weeks: Travis Baldree’s LEGENDES & LATTES Out in the Netherlands!


The Dutch edition of Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed and bestselling debut novel, LEGENDS & LATTES is due out in just three weeks! To be published by Z&K as LEGENDES & LATTES, it will be out on May 1st, 2024. Translated by Erica Disco, here’s the synopsis…

De avontuurlijke ork Viv is toe aan iets nieuws. Na een leven als huurling vol gevechten en bloedvergieten, besluit ze haar zwaard in te ruilen voor een koffiebar in een klein dorpje. Maar dat is een flinke uitdaging… Rivalen proberen haar plannen te dwarsbomen en dan is er ook nog het kleine detail dat niemand in het dorp ooit van koffie heeft gehoord. Gelukkig staat Viv er niet alleen voor. Met nieuwe vrienden, vertrouwen en geluk lijkt haar niets meer in de weg te staan. Of is ze zelf haar grootste vijand?

‘Legendes & lattes’ van Travis Baldree is een heerlijk avontuurlijk cozy fantasyboek, voor zowel de fantasy- als de feelgoodlezers!

LEGENDS & LATTES is out now in the UK and North America, published by Tor Books. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

Legends & Lattes from Hugo Award-winning Travis Baldree is a cosy, heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy about found families and fresh starts…

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee.

After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can’t go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters. Yet old rivals and new stand in the way of success. And Thune’s shady underbelly could make it all too easy for Viv to take up the blade once more.

But the true reward of the uncharted path is the travellers you meet along the way. Whether bound by ancient magic, delicious pastries or a freshly brewed cup, they may become something deeper than Viv ever could have imagined…

The New York Times #1 bestselling prequel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, is also available in the UK and North America, published by Tor Books.

Andrew Cartmel’s NOISE FLOOR Out Now in North America!


After just a short delay, NOISE FLOOR — the seventh Vinyl Detective mystery by Andrew Cartmel — is out today in North America! Published by Titan Books, who publish the book in the UK (released on March 19th), here’s the synopsis…

The Vinyl Detective enters the fraught and frenzied realm of electronic dance music.

Lambert Ramkin aka Imperium Dart, techno trickster and ambient music wizard of the 1990s, has gone walkabout, disappearing from his palatial home in Kent. This isn’t the first time he’s pulled a vanishing act, but he’s never been gone so long before and his wife — wives, actually; it’s complicated — are worried and hire the Vinyl Detective to find the old rascal.

But does Lambert, a man known for his love of outlandish and elaborate pranks, really want to be found? And are the increasingly strange scenarios that the Vinyl Detective and his friends keep finding themselves in due to his trickery or something far more sinister?

All of the Vinyl Detective novels to date have been published by Titan Books, in the UK and North America: WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, VICTORY DISC, FLIP BACK, LOW ACTION, and ATTACK AND DECAY.

Here are just a few of the many great reviews the series has received so far…

‘This charming mystery feels as companionable as a leisurely afternoon trawling the vintage shops with a good friend.’ — Kirkus on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘… fast-paced, lighthearted adventure… marvelously inventive and endlessly fascinating…’ — Publishers Weekly on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘Author Cartmel has combined the tropes of the several genres into a surprising, refreshing story centered around old-fashioned records… the story delivers multiple chuckles per chapter… Based on this volume, the series will be a hit.’ — New York Journal of Books on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘Polished, fast-paced and a ton of fun, this is a fantastic read that is easy to get lost in… more polished… keeps the story rolling forward at an incredible speed – and also makes it very hard to put down… Cartmel has created an intoxicating mix of adventure, humour and mystery to lose yourself in… a truly engaging and enjoyable read. THE RUN-OUT GROOVE surpasses even the opening novel in the series for polish and fun.’ — The Crime Review

‘Part of the fun of the series is the obsessiveness of record collectors, the contradictions between the mundane places in which they hunt their treasures — charity shops, church bazaars — and the sophisticated sound systems they have set up to play what they find… the Vinyl Detective is proving to be a very amenable companion to have on a treasure hunt. This is one vinyl nerd you won’t mind spending time with.’ — Kirkus on THE RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘… entertaining second record-spinning mystery… Cartmel treats music and records seriously, plays his strange characters for laughs, and provides a bit of danger and some unexpected twists in this affectionate nod to the vagaries of rock stardom.’ — Publishers Weekly on THE RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘Cartmel at his best… an exciting and atmospheric mystery and a good addition to the Vinyl Detective’s casebook.’ — Blue Book Balloon on VICTORY DISC

‘… an assured, highly readable and fun story that builds on Cartmel’s well-realised characters… I hope this series will run and run.’ — Blue Book Ballon on LOW ACTION

‘This book was such a blast! It was a great addition to this hilarious series and I’m so impressed at how entertaining these books are.’ — Divine World of Books on VICTORY DISC

DEATH IN FINE CONDITION, the first novel in Andrew’s other crime/mystery series, the Paperback Sleuth, is also published by Titan Books (out now). The second book — ASHRAM ASSASSIN — is due out later this year.

Travis Baldree’s LEGENDOJA JA LATTEJA out Tomorrow in Audiobook!


The Finnish audiobook edition of Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed, best-selling LEGENDS & LATTES is out tomorrow! It is published by Otava’s Karisto imprint, as LEGENDOJA JA LATTEJA, and was translated by Jade Haapasalo. The audiobook is narrated by Kati Tammensola. Here’s the synopsis…

Lämminhenkinen fantasia-bestseller on kuin halaus kansien välissä.

Barbaarielämän uuvuttama Viv päättää muuttaa elämänsä kertaheitolla. Legenda mystisestä taikaesineestä saa hänet tavoittelemaan liki mahdotonta haavetta: hän aikoo perustaa vilkkaaseen Thuneen kaupungin ensimmäisen kahvilan.

Uusi alku on kuitenkin huteralla pohjalla. Entisen elämän ryökäleet ja Thunen alamaailman hiipparit laittavat kapuloita rattaisiin — eikä kukaan tunnu edes tietävän, mitä kahvi on! Viv tarvitseekin uusia kumppaneita ja rautaisen luottamuksen suunnitelmansa onnistumiseen.

Muinainen magia, kuohkeat leivonnaiset ja kuumat kupposet — siinäkö on avain ystävyyteen tai kenties johonkin sitäkin syvempään?

The novel is published by Tor Books in the UK and North America, as well as a considerable, growing number of translated editions around the world. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee.

After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can’t go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters. Yet old rivals and new stand in the way of success. And Thune’s shady underbelly could make it all too easy for Viv to take up the blade once more.

But the true reward of the uncharted path is the travellers you meet along the way. Whether bound by ancient magic, delicious pastries or a freshly brewed cup, they may become something deeper than Viv ever could have imagined…

In addition to landing on many Best Of lists, the novel received a great number of excellent reviews. Here are just a few of them…

‘This is a story about following your dreams, even when they take you away from who you thought you had to be. It’s sweet, beautiful and, most of all, kind. I hugely recommend this book.’ — Seanan McGuireNew York Times bestselling author of Every Heart A Doorway

‘The most fun I’ve ever had in a coffee shop.’ — Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London

‘A gentle little cozy set against an epic fantasy backdrop… This charming outing will please anyone who’s ever wished to spend time in a fantasy world without all the quests and battles.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘This slice-of-life cozy fantasy novel has everything you’ve been searching for.’ — Buzzfeed

‘With its mysterious encounters, summer flings and a growing number of skeletons, Baldree’s fantastical novel is the perfect winter indulgence.’ — HuffPost Books (“Best Books We Read in 2023)

‘An orc retires from adventuring to start a fantasy city’s very first coffee shop. This setup combined with the positive messages of defying societal stereotypes, letting go of violence to build peace, and trusting in your friends feels like a premise from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld… LEGENDS & LATTES is a novel, and shop, that will delight anyone who enjoys coffee-shop alternate universes, slow-burn romances, and the vindication of friendship.’ — Booklist, starred review

‘A stunningly-well done story at every level’ — Fantasy Faction

‘If you like fantasy but you’re tired of reading about wars and general intensity, this is the book for you… Cozy fantasy at its best.’ — Literary Hub

Travis’s second novel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, is also out now — it is a prequel to LEGENDS & LATTES. It is also published by Tor Books in the UK and North America.

Travis Baldree’s KOPONYÁK ÉS KÖNYVESBOLTOK Out Now in Hungary!


BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST by Travis Baldree is now available in Hungary! The Hungarian edition is published by Fumax, as KOPONYÁK ÉS KÖNYVESBOLTOK, and was translated by Eszter Dobószéli. Here’s the synopsis…

Egy csésze habkönnyű fantasy mellé egy falat mézédes sütemény

A rendkívüli sikerű Legendás latték előtörténetében egy dicsőségre éhes orknak rá kell döbbennie, hogy az, amit leginkább hajszolunk, gyakran nem az, amire valóban szükségünk van.

Az ifjú zsoldos, Viv nem egészen így képzelte a katonalétet, amikor beállt Rackam Rétisasai közé.

Legalábbis azt semmiképp sem tervezte, hogy egy hatalmas nekromanta levadászása közben olyan szörnyű sérülést szenved, hogy egy gyógyító kezére adják a világ legunalmasabb kisvárosában, Borongóban, olyan messzire az izgalmaktól és társaitól, hogy már-már attól fél, soha nem jönnek vissza érte.

Mivel ütheti el idejét egy lenyomorodott ork harcos?

Álmában sem hitte volna, hogy a sors egy viharvert könyvesboltba vezeti – azt pedig főleg elképzelni sem tudta volna, hogy a mocskosszájú tulaj és az ódon kötetek milyen változások magját ültetik majd el a lelkében.

Minden nyugalom ellenére a kaland azonban nem kerüli el. Egy rejtélyes, szürke idegen, egy izgága gnóm, egy nem várt szerelem és egynél jóval több csontváz sokkal eseménydúsabbá teszi Borongót, mint Viv valaha hitte volna.

A New York Times-bestseller Travis Baldree a Legendás latték után újabb bájos hangulatú történettel kápráztatja el olvasóit.

Fumax also publishes Travis’s smash-hit, internationally-bestselling debut novel, LEGENDS & LATTES, in Hungary as LEGENDÁS LATTÉK.

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is published by Tor Books in the UK and North America. It was a #1 bestseller in North America, and also a bestseller in the UK. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

First loves. Second-hand books. Epic adventures.

Viv’s career with the renowned mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned. Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she’s packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk – so far from the action that she worries she’ll never be able to return to it. What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a struggling bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted. Even though it may be exactly what she needs. Still, adventure isn’t far away. A suspicious traveller in grey, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

Sometimes, right things happen at the wrong time. Sometimes, what we need isn’t what we seek. And sometimes, we find ourselves in the stories we experience together…

Here are just a few of the many great reviews the novel has received so far…

‘What I love about Travis Baldree is that set against an epic world of adventure, he writes about the small victories that make life worthwhile. BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST does this and it is glorious’ — Ben Aaronovitch

‘… a lovely coming-of-age story about a character trained for war who learns that there’s more to life than endless battles. What makes the story special is the way that so many stock fantasy archetypes are cast against type and find new modes of prospering that don’t involve big weapons and bigger wars… This prequel is the perfect place for readers to start Baldree’s cozy fantasy series where folks band together for good, and evil is conquered through cleverness and friendship.’ — Library Journal (Starred Review), SFF Pick of the Month

‘Baldree’s prequel to Legends and Lattes (2022) cements his talent for cozy fantasy, engaging characters, and anachronistic references that would be at home in a Discworld novel… Knowing where a character ends up often drains tension from a prequel, but Baldree avoids that pitfall because the joy of reading here isn’t a simple uncertainty over who lives or dies but rather watching friendships blossom and characters grow. Folks who enjoyed the camaraderie and settings of this year’s Dungeons & Dragons movie—as well as anyone who likes the idea of an orc warrior becoming a devotee of the power of reading and its ability to broaden your horizons—should check out Viv’s adventures.’ — Booklist (Starred Review)

‘Bestseller Baldree’s cozy standalone sequel to LEGENDS & LATTES shows that even a battle-hungry orc can find happiness in life’s simple pleasures… The innocent joy of Viv and Fern’s love is delightful and Baldree’s formula of placing low-stakes stories in high-fantasy settings remains good fun. Series fans will eat this up.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘This prequel gives readers a glimpse of Viv as a young orc, still committed to the fighter’s life, just taking an enforced break in a charming town populated by compelling, richly drawn characters, and the slightest hint of danger in the wind. Despite the lurking necromancer, the vibes are decidedly warm and cozy, and the plot is just as much about saving the bookstore and building relationships as it is about protecting the town from the man in gray. As a prequel, it can stand alone, but will certainly satisfy fans as well. Warm and wonderful.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review)

‘This prequel gives readers a glimpse of Viv as a young orc, still committed to the fighter’s life, just taking an enforced break in a charming town populated by compelling, richly drawn characters, and the slightest hint of danger in the wind. Despite the lurking necromancer, the vibes are decidedly warm and cozy, and the plot is just as much about saving the bookstore and building relationships as it is about protecting the town from the man in gray. As a prequel, it can stand alone, but will certainly satisfy fans as well. Warm and wonderful.’ — Literary Hub

‘What Baldree does he does well. His prose is direct and engaging without being simple, even if he does throw in a distractingly clever turn of phrase on occasion… Mostly, though, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is the story equivalent of a warm blanket on a bleak day.’ — Locus

‘Prequels sometimes feel unnecessary and can even cheapen the original stories. But Baldree manages to add to Viv’s story in a way that feels both organic and vital, and this second book is even better than the first.’ — Washington Post

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is even more of a delight than its predecessor/sequel. Taking place two decades before LEGENDS & LATTES, Baldree’s second book is a meaty slice of Viv’s backstory, so fully realized that it can be read as a standalone…. Baldree’s two novels gain depth, offering a more powerful character arc for Viv. It’s poignant to see a time when her mercenary life was her identity, and get to know the inner fighter that prompts her to refuse to pay the local extortionist in LEGENDS & LATTES. Seeing Viv’s early life elevates her later commitment to leaving violence behind, revealing it as the transformation of a lifetime. If Baldree’s breakout hit was the story of Viv finding her people, then BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is the story of Viv becoming her own person. Engrossing, meaningful, and fluffy all at once, it is a charming afternoon read—perhaps alongside a cup of coffee.’ — Tor.com

LEGENDOJA JA LATTEJA by Travis Baldree Out Now!


LEGENDOJA JA LATTEJA, the Finnish edition of Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed, best-selling LEGENDS & LATTES is out today! Published by Karisto/Otava, this edition was translated by Jade Haapasalo. Here’s the synopsis…

Lämminhenkinen fantasia-bestseller on kuin halaus kansien välissä.

Barbaarielämän uuvuttama Viv päättää muuttaa elämänsä kertaheitolla. Legenda mystisestä taikaesineestä saa hänet tavoittelemaan liki mahdotonta haavetta: hän aikoo perustaa vilkkaaseen Thuneen kaupungin ensimmäisen kahvilan.

Uusi alku on kuitenkin huteralla pohjalla. Entisen elämän ryökäleet ja Thunen alamaailman hiipparit laittavat kapuloita rattaisiin — eikä kukaan tunnu edes tietävän, mitä kahvi on! Viv tarvitseekin uusia kumppaneita ja rautaisen luottamuksen suunnitelmansa onnistumiseen.

Muinainen magia, kuohkeat leivonnaiset ja kuumat kupposet — siinäkö on avain ystävyyteen tai kenties johonkin sitäkin syvempään?

LEGENDOJA JA LATTEJA will be published in audiobook next week (April 9th), also by Karisto/Otava imprint. It is narrated by Kati Tammensola.

The novel is published by Tor Books in the UK and North America, as well as a considerable, growing number of translated editions around the world. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

High fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee.

After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can’t go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters. Yet old rivals and new stand in the way of success. And Thune’s shady underbelly could make it all too easy for Viv to take up the blade once more.

But the true reward of the uncharted path is the travellers you meet along the way. Whether bound by ancient magic, delicious pastries or a freshly brewed cup, they may become something deeper than Viv ever could have imagined…

In addition to landing on many Best Of lists, the novel received a great number of excellent reviews. Here are just a few of them…

‘This is a story about following your dreams, even when they take you away from who you thought you had to be. It’s sweet, beautiful and, most of all, kind. I hugely recommend this book.’ — Seanan McGuireNew York Times bestselling author of Every Heart A Doorway

‘The most fun I’ve ever had in a coffee shop.’ — Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London

‘A gentle little cozy set against an epic fantasy backdrop… This charming outing will please anyone who’s ever wished to spend time in a fantasy world without all the quests and battles.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘This slice-of-life cozy fantasy novel has everything you’ve been searching for.’ — Buzzfeed

‘With its mysterious encounters, summer flings and a growing number of skeletons, Baldree’s fantastical novel is the perfect winter indulgence.’ — HuffPost Books (“Best Books We Read in 2023)

‘An orc retires from adventuring to start a fantasy city’s very first coffee shop. This setup combined with the positive messages of defying societal stereotypes, letting go of violence to build peace, and trusting in your friends feels like a premise from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld… LEGENDS & LATTES is a novel, and shop, that will delight anyone who enjoys coffee-shop alternate universes, slow-burn romances, and the vindication of friendship.’ — Booklist, starred review

‘A stunningly-well done story at every level’ — Fantasy Faction

‘If you like fantasy but you’re tired of reading about wars and general intensity, this is the book for you… Cozy fantasy at its best.’ — Literary Hub

Travis’s second novel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, is also out now — it is a prequel to LEGENDS & LATTES. It is also published by Tor Books in the UK and North America.

Three Weeks: UK Paperback of Aliette de Bodard’s A FIRE BORN OF EXILE


The UK paperback edition of Aliette de Bodard‘s acclaimed A FIRE BORN OF EXILE is due out in three weeks! To be published by Gollancz, on April 25th, it is the latest novel set in the author’s award-nominated Xuya Universe. Here’s the synopsis…

The Scattered Pearls Belt is a string of habitats under tight military rule… where the powerful have become all too comfortable in their positions, and their corruption. But change is coming, with the arrival of Quynh: the mysterious and enigmatic Alchemist of Streams and Hills.

To Minh, daughter of the ruling prefect of the Belt , Quynh represents a chance for escape. To Hoà, a destitute engineer, Quynh has a mysterious link to her own past… and holds a deeper, more sensual appeal. But Quynh has her own secret history, and a plan for the ruling class of the Belt. A plan that will tear open old wounds, shake the heavens, and may well consume her.

A beautiful exploration of the power of love, of revenge, and of the wounds of the past, this fast-paced, heart-warming space opera is set against a backdrop of corruption, power and political scheming in the far reaches of the award-winning Xuya universe.

The novel is published in North America by JABberwocky.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received…

‘… intricate and emotional standalone space opera…  de Bodard’s worldbuilding dazzles… a touching sci-fi romance that will delight fans and new readers alike.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘Incredible… This is a world of dizzying tech, gorgeous illusions and twisty political thrills — catnip for readers who enjoyed Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch trilogy or Jacqueline Koyanagi’s “Ascension.”’ — New York Times

[A]n elaborate tale of revenge, courtly machinations, filial relationships, and a romance… As usual in the Xuya stories, de Bodard weaves a solid adventure; this stands alone and so might be a perfect introduction to the series.’ — Booklist

‘A tense, accomplished space opera, told with de Bodard’s usual vividness and verve.’ — Locus

de Bodard’s previous novel, the equally acclaimed and award-nominated THE RED SCHOLAR’S WAKE, is published by Gollancz in the UK, and JABberwocky in North America. It was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award.

Brandon Sanderson’s TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA UK Paperback Edition Out Now!


The UK paperback edition of Brandon Sanderson‘s TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA is out now! The first of Sanderson’s Secret Projects novels, it is published by Gollancz, here’s the synopsis…

Brandon Sanderson brings us deeper into the Cosmere Universe with a standalone adventure that will appeal to fans of The Princess Bride.

The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?

Gollancz also publishes the other three Secret Projects novels: THE FRUGAL WIZARD’S HANDBOOK FOR SURVIVING MEDIEVAL ENGLAND, YUMI AND THE NIGHTMARE PAINTER, and THE SUNLIT MAN.

Zeno represents Brandon Sanderson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Alice Bell’s DISPLEASURE ISLAND Out in Four Weeks!


The UK edition of DISPLEASURE ISLAND, Alice Bell‘s follow-up to the widely-acclaimed GRAVE EXPECTATIONS, is out in four weeks! Due to be published in hardcover and eBook by Corvus, on May 2nd, here’s the synopsis…

‘There are apparently a lot of ghosts on Spike Island,’ said Basher. ‘So perhaps one more can’t hurt.’
Claire sighed and looked at Sophie. She was standing in the sunlight beaming through the windows, so she was washed out and almost see-through – but still very clearly sticking her tongue out at Claire. ‘Oh,’ said Claire, ‘I think you’d be surprised.’

Professional medium turned detective Claire, her best friend Sophie (a 17-year-old ghost) and their pals are enjoying a much-needed cheap holiday in an unfinished hotel on Spike Island off the coast of Ireland. Claire is flattered to be asked by the local ghost of a pirate captain to investigate the theft of treasure from the shipwreck that stranded him there several hundred years ago.

But just when she thinks she is closing in on the culprit, a murder takes place, and Claire and her friends quickly become the chief suspects. Can they recover the treasure, solve the murder and clear their names before all is lost?

DISPLEASURE ISLAND is also due to be published in North America, by Vintage, on September 3rd. (We’ll share more details and the cover, as soon as we can.) GRAVE EXPECTATIONS is out now in paperback, in the UK (Corvus) and North America (Vintage).

Here are just a few of the many great reviews the first novel received…

‘Read this fabulous book — you will not regret it!’ — Ben Aaronovitch

‘Fast, funny and furious, this book has bags of humour, bags of heart and a proper murder mystery at its core’ — Janice Hallett

‘A delicious mashup of grisly murder, country house and semi-helpful ghosts – imagine a really cockeyed game of Cluedo heavily seasoned with whimsy … it’s a lot of fun’ — Stuart MacBride

‘Knives Out vibes with added ghosts. Fresh, funny and hugely enjoyable.’ — Catherine Ryan Howard

‘A great read, with great characters, lots of humour, some misty-eyed moments and lots of swearing. Utterly delightful – like the BBC show Ghosts mixed with Cluedo’ — Simon Toyne

‘This book positively lit up my weekends with its cosy, affectionate, funny, awkward brand of ghostly crime-solving. Perfect for fans of BBC’s Ghosts, Alice Bell has a keen eye for characterisation and the ridiculous, creating a story that will both send chills down your spine and wrap you up in a hug.’ — Ally Wilkes

‘Witty, addictive, and breathes some much needed (undead) life into the cosy crime murder mystery genre’ — Adam Simcox

‘Bell shines in her sharp, funny debut, a supernatural whodunit centered on medium-for-hire Claire Hendricks… The adroit plotting, which cannily plays with mystery tropes, is amply leavened with humor.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘As murder mysteries go, this one is certainly unique… A fun and surprising character-driven whodunnit.’ — Heat (UK)

‘Alice Bell weaves a fun, gripping murder mystery with a supernatural spin.’ — Woman’s Own (UK)

‘[T]he lightly acerbic style is a delight and the interaction between inept-but-dogged millennial Claire and eternal teenager Sophie – whose death remains a mystery – offers plenty of spooky fun. More, please.’ — Guardian

E.J. Swift’s PARIS ADRIFT Available in New Edition!


E.J. Swift‘s widely-acclaimed PARIS ADRIFT is out now in a new edition! Published by Solaris Nova, here’s the synopsis…

Hallie moves to Paris to reinvent herself, find a new life, and maybe a new love.

She’s off to a fair start, she’s landed a bartending job at a dive called Millie’s and found new friends in the eccentric crew that runs the place. Then, it gets weird. There’s a strange woman who won’t leave her alone. Garbled warnings from bizarre creatures disrupt her sleep. She keeps running into a man with a charming smile–a man she should probably steer clear of. And she can’t stop falling back in time in Millie’s keg room.

Soon, Hallie is caught up in something much bigger than herself—a project that this mystery man needs her to join. But with every trip through time, Hallie loses a little of herself, and each infinitesimal change she makes ripples through Paris, until the future she’s trying to save suddenly looks nothing like what she hoped for…

Described as ‘The Time Machine meets Midnight in Paris’, here are just some of the great reviews the novel has received…

‘As well as being a profound mediation on history and the need to defend democracy, Paris Adrift is also a gorgeous evocation of youth and growing up… a celebration of that particular moment in our lives, when we feel those connections all the more strongly because we know on some level they will come to an end.’Fantasy Faction

‘[A]n effervescent blend of revisionist history, fantasy and science fiction… Hallie’s newfound family and bar life is utterly charming, and it’s this that holds your attention even as the plot meanders. The stakes — world-destroying as they may be — never feel higher than whether Hallie will make it through a shift at Millie’s.’ Washington Post

‘E.J. Swift’s PARIS ADRIFT is her best novel yet: a time-travelling adventure that, despite the cosmic stakes, is bravely and beautifully intimate. Despite the apocalyptic backdrop, PARIS is also wistfully hopeful – a novel of ordinary, extraordinary heroism… PARIS ADRIFT uses science fiction’s largest and most unwieldy mechanic for its smallest and most intimate stakes: this isn’t about the world, it is about Hallie. PARIS is a story about significance at every level, individually and collectively; ultimately, whether that’s in time, life, or simply one’s outlook – this is a poetic demonstration of how little changes make big differences. Despite being a novel that’s – literally! – timeless, you couldn’t find a work more wonderfully fitting for 2018.’ Pornokitsch

‘[A] really gripping book that was also really thought provoking and moving… [The novel] deals with many themes which are very relevant right now and Hallie’s time travel to a bleak 2042 felt too plausible… [I] loved reading about Hallie’s expeditions to 1875. Paris really came alive for me and I just loved all the sub stories going on, particularly Millie’s. PARIS ADRIFT also touches on what it’s like to feel adrift and alone in this big world, whether we’re living the best versions of ourselves. This story is about getting lost in order to find yourself. There’s a good message in this book, that doing small deeds to help strangers can have huge effects later on and the future is something we should all be thinking about.’ British Fantasy Society

‘Paris Adrift is a different type of time travel book, one I hope to see more of, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Paris, the fear for the future, and traveling into the unknown. Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour!’Utopia State of Mind

And, for the sake of completeness, here are the novel’s first two covers (the first by Joey Hi-Fi), which we also think are pretty great…

Paperback Edition of Simon R. Green’s NOT OF THIS WORLD Out Tomorrow in the UK!


The paperback edition of NOT OF THIS WORLD, the fourth novel in Simon R. Green‘s Gideon Sable series, is out tomorrow in the UK! Published by Severn House, here’s the synopsis…

This might be his biggest coup yet! Legendary master thief Gideon Sable is on the hunt for the ghost of an alien-possessed man in this fast-paced supernatural heist thriller.

The Preserve in Bath – the British Area 51 – is the secret government dumping ground for all things supernatural and out of space. It is one of the most heavily-guarded places in the world. However, it’s not what protects it that makes it so dangerous but the things that are inside . . .

Gideon Sable – master thief, con artist and self-proclaimed vigilante – faces a challenge he can’t refuse. His client, the former Head of the British Rocketry Group, Professor Neil Sharpe, wants him to break into the Preserve. Once inside, Gideon and his crew of supernatural misfits can get any mystical artefact they desire out of the Preserve’s collection. The catch? To reach it, they must go through the treacherous Box Tunnel complex and not only face trained guards and booby traps but steal something that can’t normally be stolen – a ghost!

Sharpe’s obscure motive leaves Gideon uncertain and suspicious. The only thing he knows for sure is that he can steal anything with just the right amount of preparation – but will he be prepared enough to face whatever the Preserve holds, or will he find himself a permanent part of the government’s collection?

The paperback edition will also be published in North America, on May 28th. The first three novels in the series are also published by Severn House in the UK and North America: THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL, A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE, and WHAT SONG THE SIRENS SANG. ‘A blast for urban-fantasy readers looking for a broken fourth wall riddled with dry-witted commentary, evil getting its just deserts, and the good walking away to fight the good fight.’ — Library Journal on NOT OF THIS WORLD ‘Master thief and con man Gideon Sable has a plan. He intends to breach the private vault of Fredric Hammer, noted bad guy, and rob him blind. To do that, he needs to assemble a crack team of professionals. But this is no ordinary team, because this is no ordinary London. This is an alternate London, wherein ghosts and demons and people with special gifts coexist with regular human folk. And Gideon’s team consists of former girlfriend Annie Anybody, whose gift is luck; a fellow known as the Damned (because he’s, you know, damned); the Ghost, who retains the memory of what it is to be a man; and the Wild Card, who sees all the truths in the world. Each of them has a score to settle with Hammer, and each of them is willing to risk plenty to get revenge. This novel by the author of the terrific Ishmael Jones series is a treat for anyone who relishes the blending of alternate-world fantasy, urban fantasy, and the caper novel. Exciting, witty, and stuffed full of fun.’ Booklist on THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL ‘[Green] gives an urban fantasy twist to Oceans 11.’ Publisher’s Weekly on THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL ‘This book is pure fun.’ — Grimdark Magazine on THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL ‘It’s a wonderfully imagined setting, which will be no surprise for those familiar with Green’s oeuvre. The Sable novels make perfect fare for fans of urban fantasy, thrillers, or caper novels (or, especially, blends of all three).’ Booklist on A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE ‘[F]eatures a crew of criminals with hearts of gold and one of the snarkiest antiheroes to ever front an urban fantasy series, turning the murder and mayhem up to 11 while telling a story where disaster is always just on the other side of the door.’ — Library Journal on WHAT SONG THE SIRENS SANG Zeno represents Simon R. Green on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.