Fantasy - Zeno Agency Ltd.

ICYMI: Cover Reveal for Nick Martell’s THE VOYAGE OF THE FORGOTTEN

Posted on Thursday, February 17th, 2022

In case you missed it last week, today we’re sharing the newly unveiled cover for Nick Martell‘s THE VOYAGE OF THE FORGOTTEN — the third and concluding novel in the author’s Legacy of the Mercenary Kings fantasy series! Due to be published in the UK by Gollancz, on November 3rd, the art is by Richard Anderson. Here’s the novel’s synopsis…

Michael Kingman has found his destiny, but it conflicts with what he wants, namely a life with Sabrina, the heir to Hollow kingdom. Meanwhile, Dark, Michael’s sometime mentor, who happens to be the most fearsome mercenary in the realms and a ruthless killer, is attempting to break the world in order to bring back his wife and his mother from the dead. The only way for Dark to achieve this is to open the seals that have kept the Wolven Kings trapped since their last attempt to take over the world.

To stop Dark, Michael must gather his remaining allies and push himself to achieve the impossible because the alternative is worse than he can imagine: it’s not the beginning of the end of the world, it’s being alone and forgotten.

In this epic conclusion, The Voyage of the Forgotten brilliantly wraps up the stories fans have fallen in love with as the characters struggle against odds that seem impossible to overcome.

The first two novels in the series — THE KINGDOM OF LIARS and THE TWO-FACED QUEEN — are also published in the UK by Gollancz.

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

‘An excellent fantasy debut, with engaging worldbuilding and a good mix between action and character. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and look forward to following Nick’s sure-to-be lengthy writing career.’ — Brandon Sanderson on THE KINGDOM OF LIARS

‘… impressive and highly ambitious epic fantasy debut… Martell’s portrayal of his protagonist’s growth, from a cocksure chancer to a mature adult sobered by his discoveries, is just as impressive as the twisty plot.’ — Guardian on THE KINGDOM OF LIARS

‘THE KINGDOM OF LIARS is a tale of family, loyalty and leaving a legacy that none shall forget. This is certainly a book that you won’t be able to put down, and will linger with you long after you’ve read the last page.’ — Fantasy Hive

‘Martell’s taut, clever debut tells of rebellion and regicide in a world where the use of magic comes at the cost of one’s memories… Though the abundance of characters becomes overwhelming at times, their political maneuvers and varied motivations form a satisfying web. This smart, briskly told high fantasy entertains all the way until the unexpected end.’ — Publishers Weekly on THE KINGDOM OF LIARS

‘An obvious strength of this novel is Martell’s worldbuilding prowess as well as his utilization of magic, which is subtle but powerful… a knotty mystery… keeps the pages turning… a story full of relentless action and more than a few jaw-dropping plot twists… An impressive fantasy debut that creates a solid foundation for (hopefully) a much larger narrative to come.’ — Kirkus on THE KINGDOM OF LIARS

‘… an exciting, action-focused fantasy thriller with intriguing mystery elements… The finale is stunning…’ — Grimdark Magazine on THE KINGDOM OF LIARS

‘Simply put, this series is a masterclass in grand-scale storytelling. The future of epic fantasy is here—and this saga is it.’ — Kirkus on THE TWO-FACED QUEEN

‘In an ominous start to THE TWO-FACED QUEEN, Michael Kingman is presumed guilty of murdering the king, and is only alive because the Orbis Mercenary company claimed him as one of their own at the conclusion of The Kingdom of Liars (2020). Michael has information but is desperately seeking evidence regarding Prince Davey’s death a decade earlier to prove his family’s innocence. He’s also reconnecting with his mother after her stay in an asylum, and is dealing with recovered memories he had lost to a dark fabrication, learning how his nullification fabrications work. There are complications, though: the sudden appearance of his grandfather with a band of refugees; the return of a serial killer whom Michael’s mentor, Dark, had defeated years before; a hired assassin with an unclear target; and a Recorder who is convinced that the Kingman family’s history of protecting Hollow and the royal family is overstated. As Michael’s own knowledge expands, Martell weaves in hints about the broader world, offering the possibility of future books in this inventive fantasy setting.’ — Booklist

‘THE TWO-FACED QUEEN delivers everything an awesome sequel should, far surpassing the first while expanding on the world in surprising and often gut-wrenching ways. Make sure it’s on your radars!’ — Jeremy Szal

‘A masterpiece. A true masterpiece…High tension action, gripping drama, and so many secrets.’ — FanFi Addict on THE TWO-FACED QUEEN

‘For readers who love the intrigue and widening scope of epic fantasy like Sanderson’s Mistborn and Week’s The Black Prism, this is your next must-read fantasy series.’ — Broken Binding on THE TWO-FACED QUEEN

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

ICYMI: Cover for Ben Aaronovitch’s AMONGST OUR WEAPONS Revealed!

Posted on Monday, February 14th, 2022

We’re very happy to share with you today the recently revealed cover for AMONGST OUR WEAPONS, the highly anticipated ninth novel in Ben Aaronovitch‘s Peter Grant/Rivers of London series!

Due to be published in April by Gollancz (UK) and DAW Books (North America), here’s the synopsis…

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 paparazzi convention.

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…

AMONGST OUR WEAPONS will also be available as an audiobook, narrated by long-time series narrator, Kobna Holdbook-Smith!

Ben’s Rivers of London novels and novellas have been acclaimed bestsellers in a number of countries. They are published in the UK by Gollancz; in North America by Del Rey (1-3), DAW Books (4-) and Subterranean Press (novellas); in Germany by DTV; and a growing number of other territories. (See Ben’s page for more details.)

New CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS Audiobook Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022

In two weeks, Recorded Books are due to publish a new audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s classic novel CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS! Narrated by Matt Godfrey, here’s the synopsis…

Two gods, two houses, one quest, and the eternal war between life and death

To save his kingdom, Anubis, Lord of the Dead, sends forth his servant on a mission of vengeance. At the same time, from The House of Life, Osiris sends forth his son, Horus, on the same mission to destroy utterly and forever The Prince Who Was a Thousand.

But neither of these superhuman warriors is prepared for the strange and harrowing world of mortal life, and The Thing That Cries in the Night may well destroy not only their worlds, but all mankind.

As Zelazny did with the Hindu pantheon in the legendary, groundbreaking classic Lord of Light, the master storyteller here breathes new life into the Egyptian gods with another dazzling tale of mythology and imagination.

Godfrey also narrated the recent ROADMARKS audiobook, published by Recorded Books.

Aliette de Bodard & Jeremy Greathouse Finalists for Reddit Stabby Awards!

Posted on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022

We’re very happy to report that two Zeno author have been selected as finalists for this year’s r/Fantasy Stabby Awards! Voting is open now, and closes on February 7th — so get voting!

First up, Aliette de Bodard‘s highly-acclaimed FIREHEART TIGER is a finalist for Best Novella! Published by Tor.com, here’s the synopsis…

Fire burns bright and has a long memory…

Quiet, thoughtful princess Thanh was sent away as a hostage to the powerful faraway country of Ephteria as a child. Now she’s returned to her mother’s imperial court, haunted not only by memories of her first romance, but by worrying magical echoes of a fire that devastated Ephteria’s royal palace.

Thanh’s new role as a diplomat places her once again in the path of her first love, the powerful and magnetic Eldris of Ephteria, who knows exactly what she wants: romance from Thanh and much more from Thanh’s home. Eldris won’t take no for an answer, on either front. But the fire that burned down one palace is tempting Thanh with the possibility of making her own dangerous decisions.

Can Thanh find the freedom to shape her country’s fate — and her own?

‘FIREHEART TIGER… is a delicate novella with threads of imperial politics, magical beings, queer romance and the psychology of trauma. It’s a bit of a miracle to feel as if you’ve read a six-book fantasy series in so few pages. This book is elegant and hypnotic as the flame of a candle, and I’ll be thinking for some time about the shadows it throws into relief.’ — New York Times Book Review

‘A fascinating story filled with strong female characters and lush prose, the relationships woven around Thanh evolve into themes of reclaiming the self and recognizing that love can hide the truth about people… a story of love, power, and what burns within. Highly recommended.’ — Library Journal (Starred Review)

‘[A] high-stakes lesbian love triangle in this tightly plotted fantasy novella… convincingly combines sex, politics, and betrayal. This is an ideal pick for fantasy fans longing for non-European settings.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘De Bodard…, as she so often does, packs the world-building and emotional punch of an epic into a shockingly slim novella. This touching romance with the delicate negotiations of a small country’s survival against an imperial adversary would be a lovely place to start with de Bodard’s work, and fans will find more of what they’ve come to love about her stories.’ — Booklist

Next up, J. T. Greathouse‘s acclaimed debut novel, THE HAND OF THE SUN KING is a finalist for Best Debut Novel! Published in the UK by Gollancz, here’s the synopsis…

My name is Wen Alder. My name is Foolish Cur.

All my life, I have been torn between two legacies: my father’s, whose family trace their roots back to the right hand of the Emperor. My mother’s, whose family want to bring the Empire to its knees.

I can choose between them – between the safety of empire or the freedom of rebellion – or I can seek out a better path… one filled with magic and secrets, unbound by suffocating legacy, but one which could shake my world to its very foundation.

For my quest will bring me face to face with the gods themselves. And they have been watching. Waiting to make their move…

‘A great coming of age story about a foolish boy who seeks to unravel the secrets of magic and maybe do something good in the process. I absolutely loved it’ — Nick Martell

‘THE HAND OF THE SUN KING fundamentally explores the right to make our own choices in life, to make sacrifices to serve the greater good and to use power to uplift the oppressed. Greathouse delivers a debut full of complexities, passion and grace, and I’m already longing for more.’ — Fantasy Hive

‘An excellent mix of classic and modern fantasy with a grimdark undertone of despair.’ — Grimdark Magazine

‘Add in a very cool magic system with weighty consequences, a cast of meaningful, well-developed characters, and a lush world that carefully considers its lore, economic struggles, and religious history, it’s easy for me to call THE HAND OF THE SUN KING one of my top reads of 2021.’ (10/10) — Fantasy Book Review

‘JT Greathouse shows no first-time jitters wit his impressive and compelling debut novel… Greathouse casts an engrossing spell, establishing himself as an exciting new voice in epic fantasy.’ — SFX Magazine

Zeno represents J. T. Greathouse in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Check Out the New SHADOW GLASS Trailer!

Posted on Monday, January 31st, 2022

Just a quick post today, but we wanted to share with you the great trailer for Josh Winning‘s upcoming new novel, THE SHADOW GLASS! Due to be published on March 22nd by Titan Books (UK and North America), here is the synopsis…

Jack Corman is failing at life.

Jobless, jaded and on the “wrong” side of thirty, he’s facing the threat of eviction from his London flat while reeling from the sudden death of his father, one-time film director Bob Corman. Back in the eighties, Bob poured his heart and soul into the creation of his 1986 puppet fantasy The Shadow Glass, a film Jack loved as a child, idolising its fox-like hero Dune.

But The Shadow Glass flopped on release, deemed too scary for kids and too weird for adults, and Bob became a laughing stock, losing himself to booze and self-pity. Now, the film represents everything Jack hated about his father, and he lives with the fear that he’ll end up a failure just like him.

In the wake of Bob’s death, Jack returns to his decaying home, a place creaking with movie memorabilia and painful memories. Then, during a freak thunderstorm, the puppets in the attic start talking. Tipped into a desperate real-world quest to save London from the more nefarious of his father’s creations, Jack teams up with excitable fanboy Toby and spiky studio executive Amelia to navigate the labyrinth of his father’s legacy while conjuring the hero within –– and igniting a Shadow Glass resurgence that could, finally, do his father proud.

If you can’t wait until March to read the novel, it is available for reviewers to request on NetGalley, and you can also read an excerpt over on Gizmodo.

‘There’s a stirring sense of adventure, excitement, and terror running throughout… a treat for fans of the movies that inspired it.’ — Publishers Weekly

Coming Soon: New UK Chronicles of Amber SF Masterworks Omnibus!

Posted on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022

In April, Gollancz are due to publish a new SF Masterworks Chronicles of Amber omnibus edition! Including the first five novels in Roger Zelazny‘s classic series, here’s the synopsis…

Amber is the one real world, casting infinite reflections of itself – Shadow worlds, that can be manipulated by those of royal Amberite blood. But the royal family is torn apart by jealousies and suspicion; the disappearance of the Patriarch Oberon has intensified the internal conflict by leaving the throne apparently up for grabs.

In a hospital on the Shadow Earth, a young man is recovering from a freak car accident; amnesia has robbed him of all his memory, even the fact that he is Corwin, Crown Prince of Amber, rightful heir to the throne – and he is in deadly peril…

The five books, NINE PRINCES IN AMBER, THE GUNS OF AVALON, SIGN OF THE UNICORN, THE HAND OF OBERON, and THE COURTS OF CHAOS, together make up The Chronicles of Amber, Roger Zelazny’s finest work of fantasy and an undisputed classic of the genre.

The Chronicles of Amber series is available widely in translation — in individual and omnibus editions. Check out Zelazny’s page for more details.

Gollancz also publishes Zelazny’s LORD OF LIGHT as part of their SF Masterworks series.

New Audiobook of CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS out in two weeks!

Posted on Monday, January 24th, 2022

In two weeks, Recorded Books are due to publish a new audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s classic novel CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS! Narrated by Matt Godfrey, who also narrated the recent ROADMARKS audiobook, here’s the synopsis…

Two gods, two houses, one quest, and the eternal war between life and death

Coming Soon: RHYTHM OF WAR Parts 1 & 2

Posted on Monday, January 17th, 2022

On April 28th, Gollancz are due to publish the paperback editions of RHYTHM OF WAR. Split into two halves, it is the fourth instalment in Brandon Sanderson‘s best-selling, critically-acclaimed Stormlight Archive series. Here is the synopsis…

After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage, and the threat of a betrayal by Dalinar’s crafty ally Taravangian looms over every strategic move.

Now, as new technological discoveries by Navani Kholin’s scholars begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals, and potentially reveal the secrets of the ancient tower that was once the heart of their strength.

At the same time that Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with his changing role within the Knights Radiant, his Windrunners face their own problem: As more and more deadly enemy Fused awaken to wage war, no more honorspren are willing to bond with humans to increase the number of Radiants. Adolin and Shallan must lead the coalition’s envoy to the honorspren stronghold of Lasting Integrity and either convince the spren to join the cause against the evil god Odium, or personally face the storm of failure.

Here are just a few of the reviews RHYTHM OF WAR has received so far…

‘[RHYTHM OF WAR] certainly delivers the dense fantasy epic long-time readers will expect.’ — Booklist

‘It is the sign of a skilled author if they can draw laughter and tears from you in the space of a few chapters or even a few lines, and well Sanderson [is] the master of emotions.’ — The Fantasy Hive

‘Storms, this was a fantastic book. Highs and lows, laughter and tears, joy and grief—it was all there.’ — Tor.com

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

Alexia Casale’s THE BONE DRAGON Audiobook out tomorrow!

Posted on Monday, January 10th, 2022

The audiobook edition of Alexia Casale‘s THE BONE DRAGON is out tomorrow! Narrated by Sasha Higgins, and published by Tantor Media, here’s the synopsis…

Evie’s shattered ribs have been a secret for the last four years. Now she has found the strength to tell her adoptive parents, and the physical traces of her past are fixed — the only remaining signs a scar on her side and a fragment of bone taken home from the hospital, which her uncle Ben helps her to carve into a dragon as a sign of her strength.

Soon this ivory talisman begins to come to life at night, offering wisdom and encouragement in roaming dreams of smoke and moonlight that come to feel ever more real.

As Evie grows stronger there remains one problem her new parents can’t fix for her: a revenge that must be taken. And it seems that the Dragon is the one to take it.

This subtly unsettling novel is told from the viewpoint of a fourteen-year-old girl damaged by a past she can’t talk about, in a hypnotic narrative that, while giving increasing insight, also becomes increasingly unreliable.

A blend of psychological thriller and fairy tale, The Bone Dragon explores the fragile boundaries between real life and fantasy, and the darkest corners of the human mind.

You can listen to a clip from the audiobook, below.

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

‘With a relentless emotional charge and unexpected twists, Alexia Casale’s first novel will captivate readers… Beautifully evoked… Dark, with unexpected twists and a strong – if disturbing – ending, the narrative has a relentless emotional charge… an outstanding debut that vividly portrays the power and fragility of the human heart and mind.’ — Guardian

‘Casale’s dazzling debut begins with a sick girl who, when presented with a fragment of her own rib, carves it into the shape of a dragon. And then it just gets stranger. A haunting portrayal of damage, resilience and revenge, and one of the finest novels of the year – in any category.’ — Financial Times (Books of the Year 2013)

‘Beautifully written, poetic and haunting, this is a superlative debut.’ — Financial Times (Summer Books Guide)

‘There are numerous young adult novels dealing with dark subjects such as bereavement, illness and abuse, but THE BONE DRAGON stands apart from the crowd. Bold, brave and often unsettling, this tale of a teenage girl profoundly affected by a past that she cannot talk about – even to herself – is also both understated and beautifully-written. As well as dealing with challenging issues, with its positive and thoughtful depiction of adoption and adoptive parents, it is a tribute to unconventional families and friendships of all different kinds. An intriguing blend of psychological thriller and fantasy, this is an impressive and unusual debut.’ — Book Trust

‘Please read this book: I confess to feeling a certain sense of trepidation in writing this review for fear that my words will not do the book justice. To put it simply, this book has that ‘something special’ factor. From the first few pages I was immersed in this unsettling, hypnotic story that flits seamlessly between real life and reality. The plot is engaging despite the difficult subject matter; Evie is a courageous yet damaged individual and at times her pain and anger is so raw it can be uncomfortable to read. The book also poses a moral question as it explores the idea of revenge and whether you could exact it and live with the consequences. This is a totally original novel and Evie is a character I’ll find hard to forget and I would urge everyone to read this exceptional novel.’ — Waterstones (Brentwood)

‘THE BONE DRAGON was published as Fantasy fiction for older children but it could equally have been marketed as a psychological thriller for adults. It all depends on how you interpret what you are reading… a deceptively clever novel… has the scariest happy ending since the original Grimm (in every sense) version of `Snow White’. Whether it is Fantasy fiction or a novel about living out your fantasy is up to each individual reader to decide. Either way, Evie’s story is a mesmerising read.’ — Fantasy Reads

Roger Zelazny’s DOORWAYS IN THE SAND Out Now in Estonia

Posted on Monday, January 3rd, 2022

DOORWAYS IN THE SAND by Roger Zelazny is now available in Estonia! Published as UKSED LÍÍVAS by Kirjastus Fantaasia, here’s the synopsis…

Roger Zelazny „Uksed liivas“ on selle armastatud ulmekirjaniku üks eksperimentaalsemaid romaane, talle omases äärmiselt napis ja lihvitud stiilis edasi antud akadeemilises keskkonnas algav ning hullumeelses tempos arenev lugu, kus ükski tegelene pole see, kellena alguses paistab. Romaani kirjutamisaega, 1970ndaid aastaid meenutavate käitumisnormidega tulevikumaailmas on planeet Maa vastu võetud galaktilisse konföderatsiooni, mille käigus on vahetatud erinevaid kultuurilise väärtusega sümbolesemeid, nii näiteks on Maa ära andnud Mona Lisa ja Briti kroonijuveelid. Kui erinevad jõud hakkavad kahtlustama, et eluaegse üliõpilase Fred Cassidy valduses on maavälist päritolu artefakt Tähekivi, millest ta midagi ei tea, otsustab ta selle ise üles otsida, muutudes tulnukate ja teiste asjast huvitatud grupeeringute tagaajamisobjektiks.

Romaan ilmus esmakordselt järjeloona USA juhtivas ulmeajakirjas Analog 1975. aastal ning jõudis Hugo ja Nebula auhinna nominentide sekka. Teosest leiab viiteid Lewis Carrolli „Alice Imedemaal“ lugudele ja „Snargijahile“ ning see tekst demonstreerib ilmekalt, miks on Roger Zelazny’t nimetatud ameerika ulme suurimaks proosapoeediks.

DOORWAYS IN THE SAND, first published in 1976, is available in the UK via Farrago Books. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

The most playful – and arguably most accessible – novel by the master of inventive science fiction.

Humanity is not alone in the cosmos. The aliens have given a precious relic to the people of Earth: star-stone. But the harmony of the galaxy is endangered when they discover that the star-stone has disappeared.

Likeable Fred Cassidy is an eternal undergraduate. All he thinks he knows about the star-stone is that it came to Earth in an interplanetary trade for the Mona Lisa and the British Crown jewels.

When Fred is accused of stealing the cosmic artefact, he is pursued from Australia to Greenwich Village and beyond, by telepathic psychologists, extra-terrestrial hoodlums and galactic police in disguise. Follow him on his adventures as he enters multiple realities, flipping in and out of alien perspectives, through doorways in the sand.

‘Ingenious.’ — New York Times

‘One of the highest tributes I have ever heard paid to a writer lies in the words of a young lady who said, ‘I knew, halfway through the second paragraph, that I was in good hands.’ Science fiction has produced many such hands, and I genuinely envy those who encounter Roger Zelazny.’ — Theodore Sturgeon, New York Times Book Review

‘That rarest of creatures in science fiction, the original character, emerges in Roger Zelazny’s DOORWAYS IN THE SAND.’ — Chicago Daily News

Lavie Tidhar’s THE BOOKMAN Now Available in Full-Cast Audio!

Posted on Thursday, December 30th, 2021

Today, Graphic Audio publishes a new audiobook edition of Lavie Tidhar‘s acclaimed debut novel, THE BOOKMAN! Recorded with a full cast and cinematic music, here’s the synopsis…

In a 19th century unlike our own, the shadowy assassin known as the Bookman moves unseen. His weapons are books; his enemies are many. And when Orphan, a young man with a mysterious past, loses his love to the sinister machinations of the Bookman, Orphan would stop at nothing to bring her back from the dead.

In The Bookman, World Fantasy Award winner Lavie Tidhar writes a love letter to books, and to the serial literature of the Victorian era: full of hair-breadth escapes and derring-dos, pirates and automatons, assassins and poets, a world in which real life authors mingle freely with their fictional creations – and where nothing is quite as it seems.

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

The print and eBook editions of THE BOOKMAN and its sequels — CAMERA OBSCURA and THE GREAT GAME — are published in the UK and North America by Angry Robot Books.

Here are just a few of the great reviews THE BOOKMAN has received since it was first published in 2010…

‘Lavie Tidhar’s THE BOOKMAN is simply the best book I’ve read in a long time, and I read a lot of books. If you’re worried that Steampunk has turned into a mere fashion aesthetic, then you’d better read this one. It’s a stunningly imaginative remix of history, technology, literature, and Victorian adventure that’s impossible to put down. The book is immensely smart and readable at the same time. I very much hope that it’s the first of many such books. Buy it.’ — James P. Blaylock

‘Literary figures emerge from the swirling fog, automatons patrol the streets, space probes head for Mars and giant lizards rule over Victorian England. A potent and atmospheric steampunk adventure.’ — Chris Wooding

‘Self-contained and with a great ending, THE BOOKMAN seems to be part of a planned series and I really am happy about that since I want more of this wonderful milieu… Just big time fun, THE BOOKMAN is highly, highly recommended.’ — Fantasy Book Critic

‘The juicy backstory is unfolded by Tidhar, making it a key part of what makes the narrative so compelling… skilful, clever and highly enjoyable. 4*’ –– SFX Magazine

‘Not only an interesting read but also one that leads the reader to ask more questions than is answered within the text supplied… A promising start and I hope that the follow-ups are just as interesting.’ — Falcata Times

Check back soon for more information about the audio adaptations of the second and third novels in the series! (We’ll share covers, etc., as soon as we have them.)

New, Limited Edition of Lavie Tidhar’ THE ESCAPEMENT Available in the UK!

Posted on Wednesday, December 29th, 2021

Lavie Tidhar‘s THE ESCAPEMENT was published earlier this year to wide acclaim. Now, PS Publishing has released a limited edition of the novel. Available in two version — a signed hardcover, and a more-limited signed slipcase edition (artwork by Sarah Anne Langton) — here’s the synopsis…

Into the reality called the Escapement rides the Stranger, a lone gunman on a quest to rescue his son from a parallel world. But it is too easy to get lost on a shifting landscape full of dangerous versions of his son’s most beloved things: cowboys gone lawless, giants made of stone, downtrodden clowns, ancient battles, symbol storms, and shadowy forces at play.But the flower the Stranger seeks still lies beyond the Mountains of Darkness. Time is running out, as he journeys deeper and deeper into the secret heart of an unforeseen world. In his most compelling work to date, Lavie Tidhar has delivered a multicolored tapestry of dazzling imagery. The Escapement is an epic, wildly original chronicle of the extraordinary lengths to which one will go for love.

The ‘regular’ edition of the novel (eBook and print) is published in the UK and North America by Tachyon Publications.

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

‘Lavie Tidhar is a voice to be reckoned with. With THE ESCAPEMENT, he fearlessly crests the wave of the New New Weird with a wild, decadent hybrid of The Dark Tower and Carnivale. A vivid beach read, if the beach was made of greasepaint and gunpowder.’ — Catherynne M. Valente

‘To say THE ESCAPEMENT is unique sells it way short. It’s part weird western and part quest; half dream and half epic adventure tale set in a memorable Daliesque landscape. Tidhar lets his imagination run wild in this vivid book, all told in spare, beautiful prose.’ — Richard Kadrey, bestselling author of the Sandman Slim series.

‘THE ESCAPEMENT is absorbing, bizarre, haunting, and compelling. Lavie Tidhar continues to shatter the boundaries of literary and genre fiction with a novel that is equal parts horrifying dreamscape and an affecting meditation on parental love. There are a lot of books out there, but this is an experience.’ — David Liss, author of The Peculiarities

‘The Man With No Name travels through an impossibly alien world peopled by brutalized clowns, superhuman bounty hunters, and titanic monsters indifferent to human suffering. Tidhar’s brand of surreal pulp continues to be one of the few truly distinctive voices in genre fiction.’ — Daniel Polansky

‘A delightfully cacophonous novel, teeming with character… Tidhar’s latest offering transports readers to a liminal otherworld of spaghetti Western pastiche… The author draws from an eclectic mix of sources to create a dazzling story that is more than the sum of its parts, and much of the fun of reading it comes from recognizing its homages.’ — Kirkus

‘[F]uriously inventive and wildly eclectic… Among the most visual and even cinematic of Tidhar’s novels… it’s also, in the end, a surprisingly touching reminder of how such quests can begin in heartache.’ — Locus (Gary K. Wolfe)

‘Dazzling… Those who enter THE ESCAPEMENT should strap themselves in for horrors and wonders galore. Filled with contorted fairy tales, myths, and familiar stories, Lavie Tidhar’s latest novel is both a fantastical diversion and a moving articulation of deep parental love.’ — Foreword

‘Comic, tragic, and utterly magnificent — a masterpiece of fantasy. Lavie Tidhar has crafted a wonderfully strange and surreal world in THE ESCAPEMENT, setting a liminal stage for both a gripping adventure and a poignant meditation on grief. I can’t wait to read it again.’ — Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of The Orange Tree

Three Zeno Titles on Sale Post-Christmas!

Posted on Monday, December 27th, 2021

Hope you’ve all been enjoying your end-of-year celebrations! In case you fancied picking up some new reads to see in the new year, today we have just a quick post to draw your attention to some eBook deals running at the moment in the UK…

There are two books by Brandon Sanderson included in the sale. First up, we have THE WAY OF KINGS (pictured above), book one in the author’s ongoing, best-selling and critically-acclaimed Stormlight Archives fantasy series. Published in the UK by Gollancz, here’s the synopsis…

According to mythology mankind used to live in The Tranquiline Halls. Heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms. And the Voidbringers followed…

They came against man ten thousand times. To help them cope, the Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, known as Shardblades. Led by ten angelic Heralds and ten orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won.

Or so the legends say. Today, the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself – and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne.

On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes that blow through every few day a young spearman forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn’t understand and doesn’t really want to fight.

What happened deep in mankind’s past?

Why did the Radiants turn against mankind, and what happened to the magic they used to wield?

‘Epic in every sense. Sanderson has built a world that leaps to life, a cast of varied characters, and a vast history […] while Sanderson cuts from the familiar cloth of fantasy, his narrative impetus and meticulous world-building bode well for future volumes.’ — Guardian

‘An epic fantasy world of his own that promises to captivate genre fans.’ — SciFi Now

‘Sanderson reveals a world with incredible depth on the brink of a major paradigm shift […] For a novel that tops out over 1000 pages, Sanderson’s tale does not falter in its narrative pull nor does his ability to evoke tension waver […] I can’t say that it felt like a long tale. It felt epic and powerful […] I give this book my highest recommendation and think THE WAY OF KINGS will be one of those landmark novels of Epic Fantasy against which future novels will always be measured.’ — SFFWorld

Next up, we have THE FINAL EMPIRE, the first novel in the acclaimed Mistborn series, also published in the UK by Gollancz…

A thousand years ago evil came to the land and has ruled with an iron hand ever since. The sun shines fitfully under clouds of ash that float down endlessly from the constant eruption of volcanoes. A dark lord rules through the aristocratic families and ordinary folk are condemned to lives in servitude, sold as goods, labouring in the ash fields.

But now a troublemaker has arrived and there is rumour of revolt. A revolt that depends on a criminal no-one can trust and a young girl who must master Allomancy – the magic that lies in all metals.

‘Complicated and yet fast-paced and entertaining, with likably human protagonists and a large-scale cast of colorful characters, this trilogy introduced Sanderson as an important new voice in epic fantasy.’ — Library Journal

‘The characters in this book are amazingly believable. Vin is an eminently sympathetic protagonist whose development over the course of the book is beautifully and realistically delineated. The system of magic is exceedingly clever and well integrated into this complex and plausible world that Vin and Kelsier inhabit […] While this is the first in a series, it’s an exceedingly satisfying book on its own, and fans of the genre should waste no time picking it up.’ — RT Book Reviews

‘Sanderson is not only one of the best writers in the business, he’s also one of the most prolific, churning out top-notch books year-over-year for both adult and young adult readers […] To say I was pleasantly surprised would be to understate my enjoyment of the books. This is easily one of the finest fantasy stories I’ve ever read, and my only regret is that I read it so quickly.’ — Forbes Magazine

Finally, THE KINGDOM OF LIARS by Nick Martell is the first novel in the acclaimed Legacy of the Mercenary Kings epic fantasy series. Published in the UK by Gollancz, check out the synopsis…

Michael Kingman has been an outsider for as long as he remembers. The court which executed his father also exiled him and his family. They branded him a traitor, and the nobles who had been his friends turned their backs, prepared to let the legendary Kingman family die on Hollow’s city streets.

Only they survived.

And it should come as no surprise to Hollow Court, or the King, that they’ve been searching for the truth ever since.

History is written by the winners, truth buried beneath lies until it’s Forgotten. Justice seems impossible in a city where the price of magic is a memory. But Michael Kingman is determined to make everyone remember…

Here are just a few of the great reviews THE KINGDOM OF LIARS has received…

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

ICYMI: Brandon Sanderson’s LOST METAL Coming Soon!

Posted on Friday, December 10th, 2021

In case you missed the news, we’re very happy to share that Brandon Sanderson‘s hotly-anticipated new, seventh Mistborn novel, THE LOST METAL, has finally been announced! Due to be published by Gollancz in the UK, on November 15th, it is the final volume in the Wax & Wayne story-arc of the series. Here’s the synopsis…

For years, frontier lawman turned big-city senator Waxillium Ladrian has hunted the shadowy organization the Set — with his late uncle and his sister among their leaders — since they started kidnapping people with the power of Allomancy in their bloodlines. When Detective Marasi Colms and her partner Wayne find stockpiled weapons bound for the Outer City of Bilming, this opens a new lead. Conflict between Elendel and the Outer Cities only favors the Set, and their tendrils now reach to the Elendel Senate — whose corruption Wax and Steris have sought to expose – and Bilming is even more entangled.

After Wax discovers a new type of explosive that can unleash unprecedented destruction and realizes that the Set must already have it, an immortal kandra serving Scadrial’s god reveals that Harmony’s power is blocked in Bilming. That means the city has fallen under the influence of another god: Trell, worshipped by the Set. And Trell isn’t the only factor at play from the larger Cosmere — Marasi is recruited by offworlders with strange abilities who claim their goal is to protect Scadrial… at any cost.

Harmony’s vision of future possibilities comes to an abrupt halt tomorrow night, with only blackness after that. It’s a race against time, and Wax must choose whether to set aside his rocky relationship with God and once again become the Sword that Harmony has groomed him to be. If no one steps forward to be the hero Scadrial needs, the planet and its millions of people will come to a sudden and calamitous ruin.

The novel is available for pre-order now.

The Wax & Wayne story arc also includes THE ALLOY OF LAW, SHADOWS OF SELF, and THE BANDS OF MOURNING.

The first story-arc in the Mistborn series is made up of THE FINAL EMPIRE, THE WELL OF ASCENSION, and THE HERO OF AGES. The three novels are also available as special edition hardcovers — all published by Gollancz in the UK.

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

Three Zeno Titles in Waterstones’ Best of 2021!

Posted on Thursday, December 9th, 2021

‘Tis the season of Best Of lists! We are very happy to report that three Zeno titles have been selected for Waterstones’ Best of 2021 lists! There’s one each in the Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror categories. Read on for more details.

CYTONIC, the third novel in Brandon Sanderson‘s Skyward series appears on the Science Fiction best-of list! Published by Gollancz in the UK, here’s the synopsis…

Spensa’s life as a Defiant Defense Force pilot has been far from ordinary.

She proved herself one of the best starfighters in the human enclave of Detritus and she saved her people from extermination at the hands of the Krell – the enigmatic alien species that has been holding them captive for decades. What’s more, she travelled light-years from home as a spy to infiltrate the Superiority, where she learned of the galaxy beyond her small, desolate planet home. Now, the Superiority – the governing galactic alliance bent on dominating all human life – has started a galaxy-wide war. And Spensa has seen the weapons they plan to use to end it: the Delvers. Ancient, mysterious alien forces that can wipe out entire planetary systems in an instant.

Spensa knows that no matter how many pilots the DDF has, there is no defeating this predator.

Except that Spensa is Cytonic. She faced down a Delver and saw something eerily familiar about it. And maybe, if she’s able to figure out what she is, she could be more than just another pilot in this unfolding war. She could save the galaxy. The only way she can discover what she really is, though, is to leave behind all she knows and enter the Nowhere. A place from which few ever return.

To have courage means facing fear. And this mission is terrifying.

Peter V. Brett‘s best-selling and critically-acclaimed THE DESERT PRINCE is included among the best Fantasy novels of the year! Published in the UK by Harper Voyager, here’s the synopsis…

Fifteen years have passed since the demons were destroyed. Heroes have become legend, and those that remain live in their shadows.

Olive, Princess of Hollow, has her entire life planned out — a steady march toward succession. But the more her mother writes the script, the more Olive rails against playing the parts she is assigned.

Darin is the son of the man people say saved the world. Everyone expects greatness from Darin, but the only thing he’s ever been great at is hiding.

But now it’s time to fight the darkness.

When Olive and Darin step across the wards one night, they learn that the demons are not all gone, and those that remain hunger for revenge.

Are Darin and Olive ready to be heroes?

And last, but by no means least, Grady Hendrix‘s THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP is among the best Horror novels of the year! (The novel also made it through to the final round of the Goodreads Readers Choice Awards this year.) The novel is published in the UK by Titan Books…

In horror movies, the final girl is the one who’s left standing when the credits roll. The one who fought back, defeated the killer, and avenged her friends. The one who emerges bloodied but victorious. But after the sirens fade and the audience moves on, what happens to her?

Lynnette Tarkington survived a massacre twenty-two years ago, and it has defined every day of her life since. And she’s not alone. For more than a decade she’s been meeting with five other final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, putting their lives back together, piece by piece. That is until one of the women misses a meeting and Lynnette’s worst fears are realized — someone knows about the group and is determined to take their lives apart again, piece by piece.

But the thing about these final girls is that they have each other now, and no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never, ever give up.

Zeno represents Brandon Sanderson, Peter V. Brett and Grady Hendrix in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.