Tag: Fantasy

Travis Baldree’s CAFÉS & LENDAS Out Now in Brazil!

Posted on Monday, March 11th, 2024

Travis Baldree‘s critically-acclaimed, best-selling debut novel, LEGENDS & LATTES is out today in Brazil! CAFÉS & LENDAS was translated by Flora Pinheiro, and is published by Intrínseca. Here’s the synopsis…

Fenômeno do TikTok, uma alta fantasia de baixíssimo perigo em que uma orc decide mudar de vida e encontra pelo caminho uma verdadeira família e um novo amor

Viv empunha sua poderosa espada pela última vez. A história de uma orc deveria se resumir a força e violência, mas ela está farta de travar batalhas e colecionar problemas. Por isso, decide colocar um ponto-final em suas aventuras sanguinárias e recomeçar a vida.

Levando uma pedra que carrega uma lenda esquecida, a orc decide ir para Thune, uma cidade que reúne criaturas de várias espécies e onde talvez exista uma misteriosa energia mágica. Lá, Viv decide abrir um estabelecimento nunca antes visto: uma cafeteria.

Mas começar um negócio é difícil — especialmente quando ninguém tem ideia do que é café. E, para piorar, há inimigos do complicado passado da orc que querem atrapalhar seus planos. Em meio ao aroma de café e às novas amizades — Cal, um hob de poucas palavras, Tico, um adorável ratoide padeiro, e Tandri, uma súcubo que mexe com seus sentimentos —, Viv finalmente sente que encontrou seu lugar. Mas ela vai precisar de ajuda para trilhar esse novo caminho…

Cativante e bem-humorado, Cafés & Lendas é uma leitura aconchegante que narra a importância das pequenas coisas da vida e mostra a magia dos momentos decisivos. Viv vai descobrir que as criaturas que encontra em sua jornada — sejam unidas por uma lenda antiga, doces deliciosos ou uma bebida quente — podem se tornar sua verdadeira família. E, quem sabe, uma delas até conquiste seu coração.

LEGENDS & LATTES is published by Tor Books in the UK and North America. It is also available in an ever-growing number of translated editions. (See Travis’s page for more details on where it has been published in translation — including covers!) Here’s the English-language synopsis…

A cosy, heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy about found families and fresh starts,Legends & Lattes is perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Katherine Addison and T. Kingfisher. From the Hugo Award-winning author, Travis Baldree.

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 many great reviews the novel has received…

‘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

‘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)

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

‘LEGENDS & LATTES isn’t just a cosy, slice-of-life fantasy, it is a hug after a long day, it’s that first bite of chocolate you’ve been desperately craving or that first sip of coffee, it’s pyjamas and blankets and everything else which brings comfort and warmth. This is a tale so simple yet so wholesome and adorable, it has made me see just how versatile the fantasy genre can be… Believe the hype… this book deserves all the praise… Baldree delivers a tale to soothe the soul, a tale which had me smiling and crying with happiness from beginning to end.’ — Fantasy Hive

Baldree’s latest novel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, is a prequel to his debut, and is out now — also published in the UK and North America by Tor Books. Like the first book, it is also slowly conquering the world as more and more translated editions are published.

Reminder: Peter V. Brett’s THE HIDDEN QUEEN Book Tour Starts Next Week!

Posted on Friday, March 8th, 2024

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.

Brandon Sanderson’s THE SUNLIT MAN is Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

The wait is finally over: Brandon Sanderon‘s THE SUNLIT MAN is out today in the UK! The fourth and final Secret Projects novel, it is published in the UK by Gollancz. Here’s out the synopsis…

Years ago he had comrades in arms and a cause to believe in, but now the man who calls himself Nomad knows only a life on the run. Forced to hop from world to world in the Cosmere whenever the relentless Night Brigade gets too close, Nomad lands on a new planet and is instantly caught up in the struggle between a tyrant and the rebels who want only to escape being turned into mindless slaves-all under the constant threat of a sunrise whose heat will melt the very stones. Unable to understand the language, can he navigate the conflict and gain enough power to leap offworld before his mind or body pay the ultimate price?

The other three books from the Secret Projects are also published in the UK by Gollancz (out now):

  1. TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA
  2. THE FRUGAL WIZARD’S HANDBOOK FOR SURVIVING MEDIEVAL ENGLAND
  3. YUMI AND THE NIGHTMARE PAINTER

Gollancz has also published all of Brandon’s best-selling Stormlight Archive, Mistborn and Skyward books in the UK, as well as a number of his acclaimed stand-alone novels and novellas.

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

Peter V. Brett’s THE HIDDEN QUEEN Out in Two Weeks!

Posted on Thursday, February 29th, 2024

THE HIDDEN QUEEN, the second novel in Peter V. Brett‘s Nightfall Saga, is out in two weeks! Due to be published in the UK by Harper Voyager, on March 14th, 2024, it is the sequel to the acclaimed and best-selling THE DESERT PRINCE. Check out the synopsis…

Humanity thought the war with demonkind was over. Now, after humanity has had 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, but 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.

THE DESERT PRINCE and the Demon Cycle novels and novellas are all published in the UK by Harper Voyager, in paperback, eBook, and audiobook editions.

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

Two Weeks: Travis Baldree’s LEGENDS & LATTES out in Brazil!

Posted on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024

Travis Baldree‘s critically-acclaimed, best-selling debut novel, LEGENDS & LATTES is getting a Portugese edition! CAFÉS & LENDAS was translated by Flora Pinheiro, and is due to be published in Brazil by Intrínseca, on March 11th. Here’s the synopsis…

Fenômeno do TikTok, uma alta fantasia de baixíssimo perigo em que uma orc decide mudar de vida e encontra pelo caminho uma verdadeira família e um novo amor

Viv empunha sua poderosa espada pela última vez. A história de uma orc deveria se resumir a força e violência, mas ela está farta de travar batalhas e colecionar problemas. Por isso, decide colocar um ponto-final em suas aventuras sanguinárias e recomeçar a vida.

Levando uma pedra que carrega uma lenda esquecida, a orc decide ir para Thune, uma cidade que reúne criaturas de várias espécies e onde talvez exista uma misteriosa energia mágica. Lá, Viv decide abrir um estabelecimento nunca antes visto: uma cafeteria.

Mas começar um negócio é difícil — especialmente quando ninguém tem ideia do que é café. E, para piorar, há inimigos do complicado passado da orc que querem atrapalhar seus planos. Em meio ao aroma de café e às novas amizades — Cal, um hob de poucas palavras, Tico, um adorável ratoide padeiro, e Tandri, uma súcubo que mexe com seus sentimentos —, Viv finalmente sente que encontrou seu lugar. Mas ela vai precisar de ajuda para trilhar esse novo caminho…

Cativante e bem-humorado, Cafés & Lendas é uma leitura aconchegante que narra a importância das pequenas coisas da vida e mostra a magia dos momentos decisivos. Viv vai descobrir que as criaturas que encontra em sua jornada — sejam unidas por uma lenda antiga, doces deliciosos ou uma bebida quente — podem se tornar sua verdadeira família. E, quem sabe, uma delas até conquiste seu coração.

LEGENDS & LATTES is published by Tor Books in the UK and North America. It is also available in an ever-growing number of translated editions. (See Travis’s page for more details on where it has been published in translation.) Here’s the English-language synopsis…

A cosy, heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy about found families and fresh starts,Legends & Lattes is perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Katherine Addison and T. Kingfisher. From the Hugo Award-winning author, Travis Baldree.

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 many great reviews the novel has received…

‘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

‘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)

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

‘LEGENDS & LATTES isn’t just a cosy, slice-of-life fantasy, it is a hug after a long day, it’s that first bite of chocolate you’ve been desperately craving or that first sip of coffee, it’s pyjamas and blankets and everything else which brings comfort and warmth. This is a tale so simple yet so wholesome and adorable, it has made me see just how versatile the fantasy genre can be… Believe the hype… this book deserves all the praise… Baldree delivers a tale to soothe the soul, a tale which had me smiling and crying with happiness from beginning to end.’ — Fantasy Hive

Baldree’s latest novel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, is a prequel to his debut, and is out now — also published in the UK and North America by Tor Books. Like the first book, it is also slowly conquering the world as more and more translated editions are published.

Die Flüsse von London: WER GLAUBT SCHON AN DRACHEN? is Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024

The German edition of HERE BE DRAGONS, the eleventh Rivers of London comic storyline, is out in now! Written by Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel, and James Swallow, it is published as WER GLAUBT SCHON AN DRACHEN? by Panini Verlag. Series artwork is by the ever-excellent José María Beroy. Here’s the synopsis…

Ein Urban-Fanatasy-Kracher aus der Welt von Ben Aaronovitchs einzigartigem Peter Grant-Erzähluniversum! Es heißt, ein gefährliches Monster treibt über den Straßen von London sein Unwesen …

Ein geflügeltes Monster mit Zähnen und Klauen, und sein Name ist …

Wyvern! Der angehende Zauberer Peter Grant steigt zum Himmel empor, um in einer Reihe seltsamer UFO-Sichtungen über der Hauptstadt zu ermitteln, nachdem ein Hubschrauber der Met nachts von etwas angegriffen wurde, das sich nur als Drache beschreiben lässt! Peter und sein Mentor Thomas Nightingale, der einzige zugelassene Zauberer der Londoner Polizei, werden in die Pläne eines Trios abtrünniger Fae verwickelt und gehen Ereignissen nach, die bis weit in die Swinging Sixties und zu einem der berühmtesten Londoner Einwohner zurückreichen – eines legendären Rockstars, der einen Pakt mit der Demi-Monde einging, der nie erfüllt wurde. Um die Stadt zu retten, muss Peter die wütende Bestie jagen – aber schafft er es, die Sache zu einem friedlichen Ende zu bringen? Oder wird er gezwungen sein, den letzten Wyvern zu töten?

… Falls er das überhaupt kann.

HERE BE DRAGONS is published in the UK and North America by Titan Comics (who also publish the first ten Rivers of London series storylines). Here’s the English-language synopsis…

CSI meets Harry Potter in this graphic novel from Ben Aaronovitch – writer of the bestselling Rivers of London supernatural police procedural crime novel series, Andrew Cartmel author of the Vinyl Detective and New York Times best-selling author, James Swallow creator of the Marc Dane series, and writer of five best-selling Warhammer 40,000 novels. After a rash of strange UFO sightings above the capital, a Met Police helicopter night patrol is attacked by what can only be described as a dragon!

Wizard in training Peter Grant and his mentor, Thomas Nightingale, the Met’s only sanctioned wizard, takes to the skies to investigate.

As the mystery deepens, Peter and Thomas find themselves caught between two groups of hunters – one human, one fae – and he uncovers the legacy of events that extend all the way back to the late ‘60s and one of London’s most famous residents – a certain “Experienced” rock star – who made a pact with the Demimonde that was never fulfilled.

To save the skies of the city, Peter will have to face the enraged beast – but can he end things peacefully… Or will he be forced to destroy the last wyvern?

Collecting together the critically acclaimed original four-issue mini-series.

With exclusive bonus material, included a script to art comparison, covers gallery and a collection of the backup articles from the four comics.

The continuing comic-book adaptation of Ben Aaronovitch’s hugely successful and award-winning 10-book novel series first published in 2011.

An all-new original adventure starring the Peter Grant the wizard-in-training hero of the first Rivers of London Novel, ‘Rivers of London’, also known as Midnight Riot in the US.

For those who prefer to read in chronological order, or would just like to know how the Rivers of London novels, novellas, and comics fit together, check out the graphic below…

Aliette de Bodard’s SERVITEUR DES ENFERS is Out in Three Weeks!

Posted on Monday, February 19th, 2024

The new French edition of Aliette de Bodard‘s debut novel, SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD, is due out in just three weeks! SERVITEUR DES ENFERS is due to be published by Mnémos on March 13th. It was translated by Laurent Philibert-Caillat. Here’s the synopsis…

A Tenochtitlan, la capitale des Aztèques, les sacrifices humains sont les seules choses qui maintiennent le soleil dans le ciel et la terre fertile. Quand une prêtresse disparaît, Acatl, grand prêtre des morts, enquête. Il découvre que son ancien frère est impliqué, et, en creusant, est entraîné dans les intrigues politiques et magiques des nobles, des soldats, des prêtres et des dieux eux-mêmes.

The Obsidian & Blood trilogy is published in English by JABberwocky: SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD, HARBINGER OF THE STORM, and MASTER OF THE HOUSE OF DARTS. Here’s the English-language synopsis for the first book…

Year One-Knife, Tenochtitlan the capital of the Aztecs. Human sacrifice and the magic of the living blood are the only things keeping the sun in the sky and the earth fertile.

A Priestess disappears from an empty room drenched in blood. It should be a usual investigation for Acatl, High Priest of the Dead — except that his estranged brother is involved, and the the more he digs, the deeper he is drawn into the political and magical intrigues of noblemen, soldiers, and priests-and of the gods themselves…

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

‘A gripping mystery steeped in blood and ancient Aztec magic. I was enthralled.’ — Sean Williams

‘Part murder mystery, part well-researched historical novel and part fantasy… The fantasy element blends neatly with the other parts. 4*’ — SFX Magazine

‘An Aztec priest of the dead tries to solve a murder mystery, and finds that politics may be even more powerful than magic. A vivid portrayal of an interesting culture in a truly fresh fantasy novel.’ — Kevin J. Anderson (New York Times bestselling author)

‘Amid the mud and maize of the Mexica empire, Aliette de Bodard has composed a riveting story of murder, magic  and sibling rivalry.’ — Elizabeth Bear

‘From page one I was drawn into Acatl’s world… a remarkable historically-based fantasy, using the myths and legends of the Aztec people as a background to a twisting murder mystery.’ — Speculative Book Review

‘The world-building is exquisite and we *believe* we are transported to the 15th century Tenotichtlan and together with the superb voice they formed the main reason I enjoyed this book so much… Highly recommended… Ms. de Bodard is a writer to watch.’ — Fantasy Book Critic

‘SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD is a highly original debut novel. Thanks to a solid mystery plot and Aliette de Bodard’s extensive research into pre-Conquest Meso-America, this novel should strike a chord with more than just fantasy readers.’ — FantasyLiterature.com

‘The book starts out a slow, steady pace and builds momentum from there. It’s not some huge action scene that hooks you. It’s the atmosphere. The blood spilled to gain favor from the gods. The cultural details Bodard infuses in each moment.’ — Examiner.com

Aliette’s latest novel is the widely-acclaimed A FIRE BORN OF EXILE, which is published by Gollancz (UK) and JABberwocky (elsewhere in English).

Finnish Edition of Travis Baldree’s LEGENDS & LATTES on the way!

Posted on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

A new, Finnish edition of Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed, best-selling LEGENDS & LATTES is on the way! It is due to be published on April 3rd by Otava, as LEGENDOJA JA LATTEJA, and 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 the following week (April 9th), as well — via Karisto — and 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 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

‘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.

Lavie Tidhar’s FOUR NOVELLAS Out Tomorrow!

Posted on Monday, February 5th, 2024

Lavie Tidhar‘s new collection, FOUR NOVELLAS, is out tomorrow! To be published by JABberwocky, here’s the synopsis…

A nun enters a poker tournament as she wrestles with her faith in God; a boy travels across a mysterious, cloud-covered planet in search of a mythical space port; in Nazi-occupied London a screenwriter searches for an old flame with deadly consequences; three wise men from the East travel to Judea to give a newborn baby an unexpected power.

Collected for the first time in one volume, this omnibus edition from World Fantasy Award winner Lavie Tidhar gathers four mind-bending novellas:

– THE BIG BLIND (2020)

– CLOUD PERMUTATIONS (2011)

– THE VANISHING KIND (2018)

– JESUS AND THE EIGHTFOLD PATH (2010)

The collection is available from all of the usual eBook distributors…

Here are just a few of the great reviews the novellas have received…

‘Tidhar has long taken a kind of perverse glee in his own unpredictability, sometimes blurring the line between pointed literary allusiveness and simple attention deficit…. So while the question of what Tidhar might come up with next is a perfectly reasonable one, I have to admit that the last thing I’d have expected is a sweet-natured tale that, with almost no changes, would work just fine as a 1950s Audrey Hepburn comedy about a young poker-playing Irish nun trying to save her convent from foreclosure… touching… the story unfolds like a Hollywood playbook… a feel-good ending.’ — Locus (Gary K. Wolfe) on THE BIG BLIND

‘A really enjoyable book, different from anything I’d read by Tidhar before (but then, I think that every time I open one of his books). Recommended.’ — Blue Book Balloon on THE BIG BLIND

‘Lavie Tidhar is one of the most interesting new writers to enter the genre in some time, and his chapbook novella JESUS & THE EIGHTFOLD PATH is another major work by him, although even harder to pin down by genre than is his usual work. A vivid and gonzo reimagining of the life of Jesus, it’s less sacrilegious and more respectful than you would think a story whose working title was “Kung Fu Jesus” would be… Much of the gonzo humor, and much of the entertainment value, is carried by the Three Wise Men, here reimagined as former kings, wizards, and minor gods impressed into service by a superior supernatural force, and called Sandy, Monkey, and Pigsy; they get many of the best lines. There’s also a supporting role for the slippery Jewish historian, Josephus Flavius. Perhaps what this reminds me the most of is the movie Big Trouble in Little China, if the filmmakers had decided to tackle the Gospels as well as Chinese mythology. Although some of the more pious may be offended, most readers will probably find this hugely entertaining.’ — Gardner Dozios (LOCUS) on JESUS & THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

‘[B]egan life as an irreverent brain-nugget: the story of kung-fu Jesus. The final result is less cheeky than you might imagine, fusing classical Chinese novel Journey to the West with the life of Christ as recounted in the New Testament… a characteristic example of Tidhar’s writing and storytelling; it repurposes the mythic with a deft touch that retains some degree of familiarity yet introduces enough difference to produce a stark sense of contrast. It also has his characteristic lightness of tone juxtaposed with gravitas and respect for his subject matter. It’s rarely wildly funny but produces plenty of wry smiles. Readers who enjoy laughter lines will find this book does actually crease them up.’ — Nostalgia for Infinity on JESUS & THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

‘As well as being a fun book – and it is a playful read – it does contain a true sense of spirituality.’ — Geek Syndicate on JESUS & THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

Lavie’s latest full-length novel is ADAMA — out now, published by Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury.

ICYMI: Peter V. Brett THE HIDDEN QUEEN Book Tour Dates Unveiled!

Posted on Thursday, January 25th, 2024

In case you missed the news, Peter V. Brett is coming to the UK for a book tour to celebrate the release of his anticipated new novel, THE HIDDEN QUEEN! Here are the dates…

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.

New Lavie Tidhar Collection, FOUR NOVELLAS Out in Two Weeks!

Posted on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

In two weeks (February 6th), JABberwocky are due to publish FOUR NOVELLAS — a new collection of Lavie Tidhar‘s shorter works! These four varied novellas are a great introduction to Tidhar’s work. Here’s the collection’s synopsis…

A nun enters a poker tournament as she wrestles with her faith in God; a boy travels across a mysterious, cloud-covered planet in search of a mythical space port; in Nazi-occupied London a screenwriter searches for an old flame with deadly consequences; three wise men from the East travel to Judea to give a newborn baby an unexpected power.

Collected for the first time in one volume, this omnibus edition from World Fantasy Award winner Lavie Tidhar gathers four mind-bending novellas:

– THE BIG BLIND

– CLOUD PERMUTATIONS

– THE VANISHING KIND

– JESUS AND THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

Here are just a few of the reviews the novellas have received…

‘Tidhar has long taken a kind of perverse glee in his own unpredictability, sometimes blurring the line between pointed literary allusiveness and simple attention deficit…. So while the question of what Tidhar might come up with next is a perfectly reasonable one, I have to admit that the last thing I’d have expected is a sweet-natured tale that, with almost no changes, would work just fine as a 1950s Audrey Hepburn comedy about a young poker-playing Irish nun trying to save her convent from foreclosure… touching… the story unfolds like a Hollywood playbook… a feel-good ending.’ — Locus (Gary K. Wolfe) on THE BIG BLIND

‘A really enjoyable book, different from anything I’d read by Tidhar before (but then, I think that every time I open one of his books). Recommended.’ — Blue Book Balloon on THE BIG BLIND

‘Lavie Tidhar is one of the most interesting new writers to enter the genre in some time, and his chapbook novella JESUS & THE EIGHTFOLD PATH is another major work by him, although even harder to pin down by genre than is his usual work. A vivid and gonzo reimagining of the life of Jesus, it’s less sacrilegious and more respectful than you would think a story whose working title was “Kung Fu Jesus” would be… Much of the gonzo humor, and much of the entertainment value, is carried by the Three Wise Men, here reimagined as former kings, wizards, and minor gods impressed into service by a superior supernatural force, and called Sandy, Monkey, and Pigsy; they get many of the best lines. There’s also a supporting role for the slippery Jewish historian, Josephus Flavius. Perhaps what this reminds me the most of is the movie Big Trouble in Little China, if the filmmakers had decided to tackle the Gospels as well as Chinese mythology. Although some of the more pious may be offended, most readers will probably find this hugely entertaining.’ — Gardner Dozios (LOCUS) on JESUS & THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

‘[B]egan life as an irreverent brain-nugget: the story of kung-fu Jesus. The final result is less cheeky than you might imagine, fusing classical Chinese novel Journey to the West with the life of Christ as recounted in the New Testament… a characteristic example of Tidhar’s writing and storytelling; it repurposes the mythic with a deft touch that retains some degree of familiarity yet introduces enough difference to produce a stark sense of contrast. It also has his characteristic lightness of tone juxtaposed with gravitas and respect for his subject matter. It’s rarely wildly funny but produces plenty of wry smiles. Readers who enjoy laughter lines will find this book does actually crease them up.’ — Nostalgia for Infinity on JESUS & THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

‘As well as being a fun book – and it is a playful read – it does contain a true sense of spirituality.’ — Geek Syndicate on JESUS & THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

Lavie’s latest full-length novel is ADAMA — out now, published by Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury.

Roger Zelazny’s ISLE OF THE DEAD Now Available in Ukraine!

Posted on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024

A new Ukrainian edition of Roger Zelazny‘s ISLE OF THE DEAD is now available! Published by Bohdan (Богдан) as Острів мертвих, it was translated by Denys Dömin (Денис Дьомін). The cover is by Oleg Kinal (Олег Кіналь). Here’s the synopsis…

Всесвіт тридцять другого століття великий, густонаселений і складний. Людині, що народилася понад тисячу років тому, адаптуватися в ньому важко, але можливо. Це довів Френсіс Сендоу, єдиним серед землян опанувавши високооплачуваний рідкісний фах однієї древньої раси. Але мало кому вдається стати казково багатим й успішним, не наживши небезпечних ворогів. Отримавши дивні, бентежні звістки з минулого (ба навіть із того світу), Сендоу покидає зону комфорту й мусить з’ясовувати, хто проти нього замислив лихе. Доводиться, як і колись, порадитися з мудрим наставником, зустрітися з давніми друзями й недругами, пригадати старе кохання (ще й не одне) і розв’язати моральні дилеми. А зрештою опинитися на зловісному Острові мертвих, де має відбутися чи не ритуальний двобій з могутнім несподіваним суперником. Помста і смерть, дружба й любов, технології і чудеса — це історія богорівного чоловіка, що таки залишився людиною.

First published in 1969, here’s the English-language synopsis for the Nebula Award-nominated book…

Centuries in the future, Francis Sandow is the only man alive who was born as long ago as the 20th century. His body is kept young and in perfect health by advanced scientific methods; he has amassed such a fortune that he can own entire planets; and he has become a god. No, not a god of Earth, but one of the panetheon of the alien Pei’ans: he is Shimbo of Darktree, Shrugger of Thunders. Yet he doesn’t believe that his personality has merged with the ancient consciousness of Shimbo, that he really can call down the skies upon his enemies. The time comes, however, when Francis Sandow must use these powers against the most dangerous antagonist in the universe: another Pei’an god — Shimbo’s own enemy, Belion. And Belion has no doubt whatever of his own powers…

MISTBORN: WAX & WAYNE Boxset Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Today, Gollancz publishes a second Mistborn boxset! The MISTBORN: WAX & WAYNE boxset collects Brandon Sanderson‘s last four novels in that series: THE ALLOY OF LAW, SHADOWS OF SELF, THE BANDS OF MOURNING, and THE LOST METAL.

A four book boxed set of the novels making up the second era of the Mistborn series, from fantasy superstar Brandon Sanderson.

Jump into the adventures of frontier lawman Waxillium Ladrian and Wayne, his investigative partner, as they uncover a plot that threatens the world like nothing else has since the Dark Lord himself ruled over Scadrial.

From beginning to end, this fantasy series brims with magic and is quintessential reading for anyone looking to experience the imagination of a master of the genre.

Contains:
THE ALLOY OF LAW
SHADOWS OF SELF
THE BANDS OF MOURNING
THE LOST METAL

Fancy a bit more information? Here’s the full synopsis for THE ALLOY OF LAW…

Scadrial is on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds. But the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy still have a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice. Like Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can both Push on metals and become lighter or heavier at will.

After twenty years in the Roughs, family tragedy forces Wax to return to the metropolis of Elendel. He must put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs…

The first three novels in the series — THE FINAL EMPIRE, THE WELL OF ASCENSION, and THE HERO OF AGES — are also available in the UK individually and included in THE MISTBORN TRILOGY boxset, also published by Gollancz.

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

ICYMI: Travis Baldree and Lavie Tidhar on Best of 2023 Lists!

Posted on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024

Even though 2023 is now behind us, and most are looking forward to what 2024 will bring (especially all of the great books that are in the pipeline!), we just wanted to take a moment to recognize some appearances on Best of 2023 lists.

After a truly spectacular year, Travis Baldree‘s acclaimed and #1 best-selling second novel, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST not only ended 2023 back on the best-seller lists (at #9 in the US!), but was also selected by the Los Angeles Public Library as one of the best fiction books of the year! Published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK, 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.

Travis’s debut novel, LEGENDS & LATTES — also published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK — was also selected by Huffington Post as one of the best Books of 2023!

The LAPL also selected Lavie Tidhar‘s THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WORLD as one of their best fiction books of 2023! Here’s what they had to say about the novel…

‘This novel is an homage to the golden age of science fiction; the authors who provided the genesis of the genre; and the fans who turned their love of the literature into a sub-culture. The author weaves rational thought, a bit of fanaticism, madness and mysticism into a tapestry that will fascinate contemporary readers and would have made the writers who came before him proud.’

THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WORLD was also selected as a Publishers Weekly Best of 2023. The novel is published by Tachyon Publication. Here’s the synopsis…

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?

Coming Soon: SERVITEUR DES ENFERS by Aliette de Bodard!

Posted on Thursday, January 4th, 2024

This March, Mnémos is due to publish a new French edition of Aliette de Bodard‘s debut novel, SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD! To be published as SERVITEUR DES ENFERS, it was translated by Laurent Philibert-Caillat. Here’s the synopsis…

A Tenochtitlan, la capitale des Aztèques, les sacrifices humains sont les seules choses qui maintiennent le soleil dans le ciel et la terre fertile. Quand une prêtresse disparaît, Acatl, grand prêtre des morts, enquête. Il découvre que son ancien frère est impliqué, et, en creusant, est entraîné dans les intrigues politiques et magiques des nobles, des soldats, des prêtres et des dieux eux-mêmes.

The Obsidian & Blood trilogy is published in English by JABberwocky: SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD, HARBINGER OF THE STORM, and MASTER OF THE HOUSE OF DARTS. Here’s the English-language synopsis for the first book…

Year One-Knife, Tenochtitlan the capital of the Aztecs. Human sacrifice and the magic of the living blood are the only things keeping the sun in the sky and the earth fertile.

A Priestess disappears from an empty room drenched in blood. It should be a usual investigation for Acatl, High Priest of the Dead — except that his estranged brother is involved, and the the more he digs, the deeper he is drawn into the political and magical intrigues of noblemen, soldiers, and priests-and of the gods themselves…

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

‘A gripping mystery steeped in blood and ancient Aztec magic. I was enthralled.’ — Sean Williams

‘Part murder mystery, part well-researched historical novel and part fantasy… The fantasy element blends neatly with the other parts. 4*’ — SFX Magazine

‘An Aztec priest of the dead tries to solve a murder mystery, and finds that politics may be even more powerful than magic. A vivid portrayal of an interesting culture in a truly fresh fantasy novel.’ — Kevin J. Anderson (New York Times bestselling author)

‘Amid the mud and maize of the Mexica empire, Aliette de Bodard has composed a riveting story of murder, magic  and sibling rivalry.’ — Elizabeth Bear

‘From page one I was drawn into Acatl’s world… a remarkable historically-based fantasy, using the myths and legends of the Aztec people as a background to a twisting murder mystery.’ — Speculative Book Review

‘The world-building is exquisite and we *believe* we are transported to the 15th century Tenotichtlan and together with the superb voice they formed the main reason I enjoyed this book so much… Highly recommended… Ms. de Bodard is a writer to watch.’ — Fantasy Book Critic

‘SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD is a highly original debut novel. Thanks to a solid mystery plot and Aliette de Bodard’s extensive research into pre-Conquest Meso-America, this novel should strike a chord with more than just fantasy readers.’ — FantasyLiterature.com

‘The book starts out a slow, steady pace and builds momentum from there. It’s not some huge action scene that hooks you. It’s the atmosphere. The blood spilled to gain favor from the gods. The cultural details Bodard infuses in each moment.’ — Examiner.com

Aliette’s latest novel is the widely-acclaimed A FIRE BORN OF EXILE, which is published by Gollancz (UK) and JABberwocky (elsewhere in English).