Just a reminder, today, that Peter V. Brett book tour celebrating the release of his anticipated new novel, THE HIDDEN QUEEN, starts next week! Here are the dates, with links for full details…
The second novel in his best-selling Nightfall Saga epic fantasy series, it’s due to be published in the UK by Harper Voyager, on March 14th. Here’s the synopsis…
Humanity thought the war with demonkind was over. Now, after less than a generation to rebuild, the demon corelings have returned with a vengeance. The Spear of Ala—the fortress that stands at the gates of the demon’s hive—is the last bastion against the horde, and reports say it may already have fallen.
Olive Paper is expected to take the vanguard in the fight. Only an heir of Kaji can wield the artifact that opens the gates of the Spear of Ala, and as Ahmann Jardir’s child, Olive seems destined for a role as leader and savior. But Olive does not wish to follow in her father’s footsteps any more than she did her mother’s.
Darin Bales was born with supernatural senses that he struggles to process, so much that even those who love him believe he can barely take care of himself. Yet to save his mother from the clutches of Alagai Ka, the demon king, Darin will brave anything to mount a rescue.
Darin and Olive each strive to walk their own path but find themselves inextricably tied to the legacies of their parents and to a fated confrontation with the demon king and his new hatchling queen. If they fail, humanity may not survive.
Harper Voyager UK also publishes Brett’s first Nightfall Saga novel, THE DESERT PRINCE, as well as the author’s best-selling Demon Cycle series (five novels, three novellas) — which is set prior to the events of the Nightfall Saga.
Zeno represents Peter V. Brett in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.
In case you missed it, you can now watch the TBRCon2024 Panel that Aliette de Bodard took part in — “Building Believable Sci-Fi Worlds”.
Aliette is the widely-acclaimed author of many novels, novellas and short stories. Her most recent novels are THE RED SCHOLAR’S WAKE and A FIRE BORN OF EXILE — both published by Gollancz (UK) and JABberwocky (North America).
Today we wanted to share with you the interview Ben Aaronovitch did with Hampshire Libraries a couple of weeks ago.
Ben’s latest novel is AMONGST OUR WEAPONS, the ninth Rivers of London novel. It’s out now in paperback, published by Gollancz/Orion (UK) and DAW Books (North America).
There is a world hidden underneath this great city…
The London Silver Vaults – for well over a century, the largest collection of silver for sale
in the world. It has more locks than the Bank of England and more cameras than a celebrity punch-up. Not somewhere you can murder someone and vanish without a trace – only that’s what happened.
The disappearing act, the reports of a blinding flash of light and memory loss amongst the witnesses all make this a case for Detective Constable Peter Grant and the Special Assessment Unit.
Alongside their boss DCI Thomas Nightingale, the SAU find themselves embroiled in a mystery that encompasses London’s tangled history, foreign lands and, most terrifying of all, the North!
And Peter must solve this case soon because back home his partner Beverley is expecting twins any day now. But what he doesn’t know is that he’s about to encounter something – and somebody – that nobody ever expects…
Effortlessly original, endlessly inventive and hugely entertaining – step into the world of the much-loved, Number One bestselling Rivers of London series.
In case you missed it, we wanted to share this video of Brandon Sanderson, President and Publisher of Tor Publishing Group/Macmillan Devi Pillai & President of JABberwocky Literary Agency Joshua Bilmes, “discussing the current state of the publishing industry and what exciting trends they see on the horizon”. It’s an excellent, wide-ranging and insightful conversation about publishing. Recommended for anyone interested in the business, writing, publishing, and also readers.
In other news, Brandon’s fourth Skyward novel, DEFIANT, is due out in two weeks in the UK! Due to be published by Gollancz on November 21st, here’s the synopsis…
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes the final book in an epic series about a girl who will travel beyond the stars to save the world she loves from destruction.
Spensa made it out of the Nowhere, but what she saw in the space between the stars has changed her forever. She came face to face with the Delvers, and finally got answers to the questions she’s had about her own strange Cytonic gifts.
The Superiority didn’t stop in it’s fight for galactic dominance while she was gone, though. Spensa’s team, Skyward Flight, was able to hold Winzik off, and even collect allies to help with the cause, but it’s only a matter of time until humanity – and the rest of the galaxy – falls.
Defeating them will require all the knowledge Spensa gathered while in the Nowhere. But being Cytonic is more complicated than she ever could have imagined. Now, Spensa must ask herself: how far is she willing to go for victory, if it means losing herself – and her friends – in the process.
The final book in the Skyward series will free humanity, or see it fall forever.
Gollancz also publishes the first three Skyward novels, as well as the Skyward Flight novellas (co-authored with Janci Patterson), which are collected now in a single volume. Gollancz also publishes all of Brandon’s Mistborn and Stormlight Archive books, and a selection of stand-alone novels.
Zeno represents Brandon Sanderson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.
With BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST releasing next week(!), Travis Baldree is heading out on a North American book tour! Full details can be found on Tor Books.
The highly-anticipated prequel to the author’s best-selling and critically-acclaimed debut, LEGENDS & LATTES, the novel is due to be published by Tor Books in North America (November 7th) and in the UK (November 9th). Here’s the synopsis…
When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn’t always what we seek.
Set in the world of New York Times bestselling Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree’s Bookshops & Bonedust takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and secondhand books.
Viv’s career with the notorious 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 beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn’t possibly imagine.
Still, adventure isn’t all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, 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.
Also, if you have pre-ordered the novel, don’t forget about the offer that Tor Books is running at the moment…
Here are just a few of the many great reviews the novel has already received, in advance of publication…
‘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
Lavie Tidhar is the cover-star of the latest issue of Write On! magazine, which is out now! The issue is available for free online, and in the piece Lavie discusses his approach to writing, and more!
Tidhar’s latest novels are ADAMA (Head of Zeus) and THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WORLD (Tachyon) — both are out now!
Here’s the synopsis for ADAMA…
THERE IS NO LAND WITHOUT BLOOD, AND I WATER THIS LAND WITH THE BLOOD OF MY MEN.
Ruth’s family were in Budapest when the Nazis came.
Now Ruth is in Palestine, amid the bare hills inland from Haifa, breaking the rocky soil of an unyielding land before it breaks her.
With her comrades, her fellow kibbutzniks, she will build a better world. There will be green grass, orange trees and pomegranates, a land that is their own and no one else’s.
So they till their fields, dig their wells, build their homes and forge a new way of living, fiercely proud of their shared pursuit of a dream.
But as one generation begets another, the dream unravels, twisted into a dark tapestry of secrets and lies; sacrificed for revenge, forbidden love and murder.
A sweeping historical epic following four generations of a single family as they struggle to hold on to their land and each other.
ADAMA was recently featured as a Sunday Times (UK) Best Historical Novel of September 2023: ‘ADAMA is the second in an ambitious trilogy about the tumultuous birth of Israel, but can be read as a standalone. It is a brilliantly unsentimental portrayal, full of moral murkiness and tarnished hopes, with small, half-glimpsed bursts of joy.’
Here, too, is the synopsis for THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WORLD…
Caught between realities, a mathematician, a book dealer, and a mobster desperately seek a notorious book that disappears upon being read. Only the author, a rakish sci-fi writer, knows whether his popular novel is truthful or a hoax…
Delia Welegtabit discovered two things during her childhood on a South Pacific island: her love for mathematics and a novel that isn’t supposed to exist. But the elusive book proves unexpectedly dangerous. Oskar Lens, a science fiction-obsessed mobster in the midst of an existential crisis, will stop at nothing to find the novel. After Delia’s husband Levi goes missing, she seeks help from Daniel Chase, a young, face-blind book dealer.
The infamous novel Lode Stars was written by the infamous Eugene Charles Hartley: legendary pulp science-fiction writer and founder of the Church of the All-Seeing Eyes. In Hartley’s novel, a doppelganger of Delia searches for her missing father in a strange star system. But is any of Lode Stars real? Was Hartley a cynical conman on a quest for wealth and immortality, creating a religion he did not believe in? Or was he a visionary who truly discovered the secrets of the universe?
THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WORLD has been garnering praise from far and wide. Here are just a few examples…
‘Tidhar wins it all with this magnificently original mind-bender of a novel about a missing husband and a mysterious book that disappears as soon as you read it. THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WORLD is two parts Philip K. Dick, two parts Brothers Strugatsky, and six parts blow your f**king mind.’ — Junot Diaz
‘World Fantasy Award winner Tidhar (Neom) wows with a mind-bending existential adventure that seeks to answer the age-old question of why humanity exists… Toggling between perspectives and the ethereal text of Lode Stars, Tidhar’s slippery metafictional tale lyrically entangles scientific fact, mysticism, and mental illness. This is a knockout.’ —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
‘Maybe the universe’s energy really does get recycled, because this eclectic speculative novel manages to be simultaneously contemporary, nostalgic, and retro in a way that wouldn’t be unfamiliar to the SF icons to which it pays tribute…. Tidhar’s rich portrayal of the pulpy golden age of science fiction, distinctive characters, and nimble turns of phrase make for a cool confection.’ — Kirkus
As we gear up for the release of Travis Baldree‘s second cozy fantasy novel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, we thought it would be good to share (and/or revisit) this interview he did with FanFi Addict about his best-selling, acclaimed debut, LEGENDS & LATTES!
LEGENDS & LATTES is out now, published by Tor Books in the UK and in North America. Here’s the synopsis…
Legends & Lattes by 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…
Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received so far…
‘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 McGuire, New 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
‘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
‘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 McGuire, New 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
‘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
BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is due to be published in November, also by Tor Books in the UK and in North America. (There will also be some special/limited editions published, and we’ll share more information on those as and when we have it.)
We’re very happy to share the news that Travis Baldree, author of the best-selling, acclaimed LEGENDS& LATTES will be attending DragonCon. Over the course of the convention, Travis will be taking part in a few events! Check out the details, below.
Friday, August 31st
“All in the Game” — 4:00-5:00pm (Embassy EF Hyatt) The market for new and exciting games of all sorts is burgeoning across every genre. If you want to be a part of this tidal wave of sales, these panelists will provide their expertise to help you make that happen. Panelists: Bill Bridges, Irene Zielinski, Mike Capps, Bendy Mitchell, Dan Jolley, Travis Baldree
“But You’re Fine With Potatoes? Historical Accuracy in High Fantasy” — 7:00-8:00pm (L401-L403 Marriott) When your world building is limited only by your imagination, why do so many writers default to historical stereotypes? Panelists: Milton J. Davis, Travis Baldree, Katie Cross, Tao Wong, Andrea Stewart
Saturday, September 1st
Author Signing — 1:00-2:00pm — Overlook Westin
“Level Up: Exploring the LitRPG World — Insights from Authors and Narrators” — 2:30-3:30pm — Embassy CD Hyatt Join LitRPG Legends as they share personal insights, experiences, and inspirations that have shaped their work within the emerging LitRPG genre. Presented by Podium, moderated by Victoria Gerken. Panelists: Bryce O’Connor, Luke Chmilenko, Shami A Stovall, Jez Cajiao, Shirtaloon, Travis Baldree
Reading Session — 1:00-2:00pm — Learning Center Hyatt
Sunday, September 2nd
“Where do we go from here? The Future of Fantasy Literature” — 8:30-9:30pm — Embassy CD Hyatt Fantasy is expanding it can seem like the world of Fantasy Lit is expanding at an exponential rate, but is it? Here we will discuss current and new trends in Literature. Can they accurately predict what will become the next big Lit thing? Only time will tell. Panelists: Trisha J. Wooldridge, Milton J. Davis, K.D. Edwards, Travis Baldree, Ryan DeBruyn, K.T. Hanna
Travis is the author of the best-selling LEGENDS & LATTES — out now, published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK, as well as in a growing number of translated editions (see his author page for more details). His next novel is BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, due to be published in November 2023, by Tor Books in North America and in the UK.
To celebrate the upcoming release of THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WORLD, Lavie Tidhar is going on a UK book tour! Before we get to the dates, though, here’s the synopsis for the novel:
Caught between realities, a mathematician, a book dealer, and a mobster desperately seek a notorious book that disappears upon being read. Only the author, a rakish sci-fi writer, knows whether his popular novel is truthful or a hoax. In a story that is cosmic, inventive, and sly, multi-award-winning author Lavie Tidhar (Central Station) travels from the emergence of life to the very ends of the universe.
Delia Welegtabit discovered two things during her childhood on a South Pacific island: her love for mathematics and a novel that isn’t supposed to exist. But the elusive book proves unexpectedly dangerous. Oskar Lens, a science fiction-obsessed mobster in the midst of an existential crisis, will stop at nothing to find the novel. After Delia’s husband Levi goes missing, she seeks help from Daniel Chase, a young, face-blind book dealer.
The infamous novel Lode Stars was written by the infamous Eugene Charles Hartley: legendary pulp science-fiction writer and founder of the Church of the All-Seeing Eyes. In Hartley’s novel, a doppelganger of Delia searches for her missing father in a strange star system. But is any of Lode Stars real? Was Hartley a cynical conman on a quest for wealth and immortality, creating a religion he did not believe in? Or was he a visionary who truly discovered the secrets of the universe?
And here are the tour dates (some event links aren’t yet available)…
September 5th — 6.00pm-7.30pm — Hammersmith Library, Shepherds Bush Rd, London W6 7AT
September 10th — 2:00-3:00pm — ReadFest 2023: An Afternoon with Lavie Tidhar, followed by signing event — Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square Barking Learning Centre, Barking IG11 7NB (Also available Online)
In case you missed it, Ben Aaronovitch won the Listening Books Members’ Choice Award for 2022. The organization interviewed Ben about his books, and the video for that online event is available now (above).
Ben is the internationally-bestselling author of the Rivers of London series, which comprises novels, novellas, and comics. His latest novel is AMONGST OUR WEAPONS (Orion/DAW), and the latest novella is WINTER’S GIFTS (Orion). Here’s the synopsis for the latter…
THEY DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY ACROSS THE POND…
When retired FBI Agent Patrick Henderson calls in an ‘X-Ray Sierra India’ incident, the operator doesn’t understand. He tells them to pass it up the chain till someone does.
That person is FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds. Leaving Quantico for snowbound Northern Wisconsin, she finds that a tornado has flattened half the town – and there’s no sign of Henderson.
Things soon go from weird to worse, as neighbours report unsettling sightings, key evidence goes missing, and the snow keeps rising – cutting off the town, with no way in or out…
Something terrible is awakening. As the clues lead to the coldest of cold cases – a cursed expedition into the frozen wilderness – Reynolds follows a trail from the start of the American nightmare, to the horror that still lives on today…
In case you missed it, we’re very happy to report that Alice Bell‘s acclaimed debut, GRAVE EXPECTATIONS is a BBC Radio 2 book club selection! Alice was interviewed by Zoe Ball on her show — you can listen to the interview on their website now.
The novel is published in the UK by Corvus Books (out now), and is due to be published in North America by Vintage on September 5th (cover below). Here’s the synopsis…
Claire and Sophie aren’t your typical murder investigators…
When 30-something freelance medium Claire Hendricks is invited to an old university friend’s country pile to provide entertainment for a family party, her best friend Sophie tags along. In fact, Sophie rarely leaves Claire’s side, because she’s been haunting her ever since she was murdered at the age of seventeen.
On arrival at The Cloisters it quickly becomes clear that this family is hiding more than just the good china, as Claire learns someone has recently met an untimely end at the house.
Teaming up with the least unbearable members of the Wellington-Forge family – depressive ex-cop Basher and teenage radical Alex – Claire and Sophie determine to figure out not just whodunnit, but who they killed, why and when.
Together they must race against incompetence to find the murderer – before the murderer finds them… in this funny, modern, media-literate mystery for the My Favourite Murder generation.
Here is just a small sample of the aforementioned acclaim…
‘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
‘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
We’re very happy to report that WINTER’S GIFTS was an instant bestseller in the UK! Published in the UK by Gollancz/Orion Books, here’s the synopsis…
THEY DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY ACROSS THE POND…
When retired FBI Agent Patrick Henderson calls in an ‘X-Ray Sierra India’ incident, the operator doesn’t understand. He tells them to pass it up the chain till someone does.
That person is FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds. Leaving Quantico for snowbound Northern Wisconsin, she finds that a tornado has flattened half the town – and there’s no sign of Henderson.
Things soon go from weird to worse, as neighbours report unsettling sightings, key evidence goes missing, and the snow keeps rising – cutting off the town, with no way in or out…
Something terrible is awakening. As the clues lead to the coldest of cold cases – a cursed expedition into the frozen wilderness – Reynolds follows a trail from the start of the American nightmare, to the horror that still lives on today…
Additionally, we wanted to share with you today a two-part interview that Ben did when he was in Germany, to discuss the Rivers of London universe (including the comics)…
A little while ago, Mysterious Galaxy hosted Lavie Tidhar for an event to celebrate the release of NEOM, the second novel set in the Central Station universe. Lavie was joined by Samit Basu, and you can watch the video, above!
Today, Neom is a utopian dream — a megacity of the future yet to be built in the Saudi desert. In this deeply imaginative novel from the award-winning universe of Central Station, far-future Neom is already old. Sentient machines roam the desert searching for purpose, works of art can be more deadly than weapons, and the spark of a long-overdue revolution is in the wind. Only the rekindling of an impossible love affair may slow the inevitable sands of time.
The city known as Neom is many things to many beings, human or otherwise. It is a tech wonderland for the rich and beautiful, an urban sprawl along the Red Sea, and a port of call between Earth and the stars.
In the desert, young orphan Elias has joined a caravan, hoping to earn his passage off-world. But the desert is full of mechanical artefacts, some unexplained and some unexploded. Recently, a wry, unnamed robot has unearthed one of the region’s biggest mysteries: the vestiges of a golden man.
In Neom, childhood affection is rekindling between loyal shurta-officer Nasir and hardworking flower-seller Mariam. But Nasu, a deadly terrorartist, has come to the city with missing memories and unfinished business. Just one robot can change a city’s destiny with a single rose—especially when that robot is in search of lost love.
Lavie Tidhar’s (Unholy Land, The Escapement) newest lushly immersive novel, Neom, which includes a guide to the Central Station universe, is at turns gritty, comedic, transportive, and fascinatingly plausible.
Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received so far…
‘World Fantasy Award winner Tidhar takes readers back to the fascinating far-future world of 2016’s CENTRAL STATION in this gentle narrative about self-fulfillment and one robot’s quest to reunite with a lost love… Tidhar offers a heartfelt exploration of artificially intelligent beings’ struggles to find existential meaning while being restrained by both coding and form. Fans of literary sci-fi are sure to be enchanted by the imaginative worldbuilding and tenderly wrought characters.’ — Publishers Weekly
‘Tidhar’s narrative takes on a gentle, ruminative air, and while that helps establish the atmosphere of a convincing, lived-in city, veteran SF readers will also find plenty of playful and affectionate Easter eggs… Neom easily joins the list of SF cities we’d like to visit.’ — Locus
‘[A] delightful journey through a fantasy of outer space and a future Middle East. Tidhar’s world contains likable characters who work together (sometimes accidentally, sometimes begrudgingly) to tell a story full of adventure, mystery, hope, and love… Tidhar writes science fiction with real-world parallels and comedic timing, if also a bit of a tendency toward hopeful romanticism… NEOM is a wonderful read for any lover of science fiction. For someone who has not yet visited the world of CENTRAL STATION — Tidhar’s novel from 2016 — it is easy to catch on to the colloquialisms and customs of the story universe. But after reading NEOM, new Tidhar fans will surely want to go back for more.’ — Jewish Book Council
‘Extraordinary and compassionate.’ – Foreword (starred review)
‘… hauntingly beautiful… Written in a straightforward but luminous style… NEOM is a treasure… a compelling chapter in this future history that reflects so much about who we are and the basic things we yearn for.’ — SciFi Mind
‘This was superb and I’m in awe of Tidhar’s vision. He’s conjured up a futuristic city that feels simultaneously ultramodern and also run down. The rich histories of the region and its cultures are seamlessly interwoven into the fabric of this fully-realized world.’ — The Speculative Shelf
Last week, Ben Aaronovitch and Andrew Cartmel announced the next Rivers of London comic series: HERE BE DRAGONS! Co-authored with New York Times best-selling author and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter James Swallow, you can watch a Forbidden Planet-hosted clip above.
The new series is set after the events of AMONGST OUR WEAPONS, the ninth and latest novel in the series. Here’s what Swallow said about the series…
‘Some say that a dangerous monster is at large over London. Some say that “Electric Ladyland” wasn’t the only thing Hendrix released into the wild, back in in 1968. Some say the Fey are hunting prey in the shadows. And some say only fools and bold, young coppers venture where the map warns “Here Be Dragons”!’
Want to read all of the Rivers of London books in chronological order? Titan Comics has created a new graphic with all of the books to date…
Titan Comics has published all of the Rivers of London comics in English, to date; Panini has published the first nine in German.
We’ll share covers, release dates, and more as this information becomes available.
Today, we wanted to share with you the recording of Jonathan Carroll‘s virtual event with Mysterious Galaxy, which was held in celebration of MR. BREAKFAST‘s publication for which Carroll was joined by author Dan Chaon.
MR. BREAKFAST is Carroll’s highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed new novel, published by Melville House. Here’s the synopsis…
Graham Patterson’s life has hit a dead end. His career as a comedian is failing. The love of his life recently broke up with him and he literally has no idea what to do next. With nothing to lose, he buys a new car and hits the road, planning to drive across country and hopefully figure out his next moves before reaching California.
But along the way Patterson does something his old self would never have even considered: he gets tattooed by a brilliant tattoo artist in North Carolina. The decision sets off a series of extraordinary events that changes his life forever in ways he never could have imagined. Among other things, Patterson is gifted with the ability to see in real time three different lives that are available to him. The choice is his: The life he is leading right now, or two very different ones. In all of them there is love or fame and of course danger because once he has chosen, there is no telling what will happen next.
Mr. Breakfast is a dazzling, absorbing and deeply moving novel about the choices that we have to confront and face, confirming Jonathan Carroll’s status as one of our greatest and most imaginative storytellers.
And here is just a small selection taken from the great reviews the novel has received so far…
‘Few recent works of fiction in any genre have touched on the vagaries of life, love, and art more movingly or with deeper understanding. An intoxicating, deeply affecting novel by the influential fantasist.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review)
‘A compulsively readable, introspective tale about the road not taken.. At its heart, this is an arresting and imaginative meditation on life. Perfect for fans of magical realism with a free-flowing style like that of David Mitchell and Toshikazu Kawaguchi.’ — Library Journal
‘As always with the exceptionally imaginative Carroll, he creates complex worlds for his hero to inhabit and with clever crossovers between realms that are carefully thought out and fun to explore. Carroll’s attention to details is impressive, and the unexpected prevails.’ — Booklist
‘[Carroll] has been winning awards for his elegantly spooky magical-realist fantasies since his 1980 debut, The Land of Laughs. His first novel since 2014 plays with ideas about fate, choice, art and love… Every bit as inventive and engaging as the best of his earlier novels, and still with a sinister edge, this is more dream than nightmare, and a pure delight to read.’ — Guardian
‘Jonathan Carroll is one of my favorite living writers. [MR. BREAKFAST is] a beautiful, brilliant, meditation on art, love, inspiration and what makes life worthwhile. Such a treat.’ — Neil Gaiman
‘Dazzlingly original (it’s Jonathan Carroll, so no surprise there), slyly funny in places, thoughtfully and cleverly rendered, MR. BREAKFAST is an exhilarating and moving meditation on how we deduce what matters most.’ — Amazon Best Books of January 2023
‘… unique mixture of the mundane and the metaphysical… sudden time shifts, the nostalgic landscapes of middle America, mysterious tutelary figures, encounters with earlier selves, photographs and tattoos, and, inevitably, very ingratiating dogs. It even includes some subtle allusions to his own earlier work. By any measure, this is vintage Carroll, which is another way of saying it’s entirely new… the sense of infinite possibility – which after all is the main appeal of Road Not Taken stories – is exhilarating, even through the novel’s somber, sad, or occasionally sentimental moments.’— Locus (Gary K. Wolfe)
‘[A]nother winner from one of our best fabulists… Carroll is compared with Haruki Murakami almost as often as he’s called a writer’s writer, but the comparison makes intuitive sense. Like Murakami, Carroll is a magical realist, rather than a systematizer or a worldbuilder: The rules of magic and the logic of the supernatural matter less than the mysteries of the heart… I read MR BREAKFAST in three enthralled sittings… The novel thrilled me; it made me reflect on art, love, choices, and regrets; it left me with tears in the corners of my eyes and a smile on my face. What more can a reader ask for? Jonathan Carroll is too good to ever stop being a writer’s writer, but I hope that MR BREAKFAST will make him a reader’s writer too. There are thousands of people who would love this book. I hope they all find it.’ — Tor.com
‘Quick with a label, critics have called Carroll a magic realist, a slipstream novelist, a writer of supernatural thrillers and the creator of modern fairy tales. He does check all these boxes, while remaining elegantly sui generis. His prose is spare, polished and quick-moving, sometimes lightly comic, always immensely engaging. At the same time, his plots — including that of his new novel, MR BREAKFAST — depict the abrupt irruption of the uncanny and terrifying into our familiar workaday world… MR BREAKFAST is the first Carroll novel in several years, but it seems to me as masterly as his earlier books. It will surprise you, make you laugh and scare you — and then, just when you think it’s over, add several extra twists before bringing this Rubik’s Cube of a story to just the right, emotionally muted conclusion.’ — Washington Post
