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Charlaine Harris’s MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD Out Tomorrow! (UK)

Posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

The wait is very nearly over! The first novel in Charlaine Harris‘s new series, MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD, is published in the UK tomorrow by Gollancz!

In case you haven’t caught any of our earlier coverage of the novel, here is the synopsis…

From Charlaine Harris, the bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse the world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a new, darker world – populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that’s how the locals prefer it?

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth…

MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD is published in the US by Ace Books.

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

Trailer and Advance Praise for Charlaine Harris’s MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD

Posted on Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Charlaine Harris‘s new novel MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD is due to be published in the UK next week by Gollancz, who produced the above trailer to mark the occasion. The novel is published in the US by Ace Books.

The novel is the first in a new series from the author of the mega-popular and successful Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood urban fantasy series. Along with that trailer, MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD has received some great advance praise…

‘A gently paced mystery with a supernatural slant, populated by endearing, varied and well-constructed characters… Definitely recommend.’ — Civilian Reader

‘I enjoy this kind of story, a mystery/crime/thriller/urban fantasy novel, there is something for everyone here and enough loose ends to keep you intrigued to find out what could happen next. If you have read anything by Charlaine Harris I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. If you haven’t read anything by Charlaine Harris, then MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD might be the book to get you started.’ — Fantasy Book Review

‘MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD is a strong opener of the new series and often feels like a love letter from Charlaine to her faithful readers. This gentle mystery shows an author confident in her writing and perhaps heralds the arrival of the best stage of her work – one where she writes primarily because of the sheer love for writing. An excellent read.’ — Upcoming4.Me

‘I can see many nights being lost to the wonder of Midnight. 4/5’ — Backwards Compatible

‘A slow burning novel which successfully juggles setting the scene for an ongoing series with a self-contained story. 7/10’ — SciFi Bulletin

‘Fans might be sad to say good-bye to Sookie, but they’ll be so intrigued by the denizens of Midnight they won’t have time to mourn.’ — A Knife & A Quill

‘MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD is another compelling book by Charlaine Harris. I love her storytelling style and the wonderful characters she creates.’ — Following the Nerd

‘I was blown away by Midnight Crossroad. It’s a wholly immersive, stunningly written adventure that I couldn’t put down. The characters are spot on and unforgettable, the plot is exciting – the only negative thing is that I have to (very impatiently) wait for book two!!!’ — Carly Bennett

‘The inclusion of a mystery that starts simply and then winds out of control so that no one can be trusted makes this is a blast to read. Everyone is your friend in Midnight, but you don’t know everything about anyone. I can’t wait for Midnight to come again. Overall grade: A’ — SciFi Pulse

In one additional piece of news, Audible UK are currently running a fantastic promotion for the whole of Charlaine’s mega-successful Sookie Stackhouse series! The audiobooks are just £4.99 each. This offer will end at 10am on May 2nd.

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

RIVERS OF LONDON Music Video & Award Nomination

Posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

A little while back, we shared a fan-produced musical homage to Ben Aaronovitch‘s critically-acclaimed, bestselling Peter Grant Series. Today, we’re very happy to be able to share with you the music video! It really is a sign of just how passionate Ben’s fans are about his novels and the characters he’s created. The song was produced by Ben’s nephew, Mikis Michaelides, a composer and musician who works with Doc Brown on their hugely successful 4 O’Clock Club for the BBC.

Check it out…

In related Peter Grant news, the audiobook edition of BROKEN HOMES, the fourth in the series, has been nominated for a CrimFest Award in the Best Audiobook category! The audiobook was expertly narrated by the great Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, and published by Orion Audio.

Ben’s Peter Grant series is published in the UK by Gollancz. At the time of writing, the first four novels are available: RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, and BROKEN HOMES. The fifth book in the series is due out in the summer of 2014. We’ll be sure to share up-t0-the-minute information as soon as we get it. The series has been sold widely in other territories – including DTV (Germany), J’ai Lu (France), Del Rey and DAW Books (US), to name but a few.

It’s World Book Night Tomorrow!

Posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014

A very happy World Book Night to you all in advance of tomorrow’s festivities! For a Literary Agency to celebrate a single Book Day/Night is rather peculiar – and, to be sure, every day is a Book Day and every night is a Book Night, as far as we are concerned – but this year is a bit more special. This is because our very own Ben Aaronovitch‘s RIVERS OF LONDON is one of the selected titles that will be given away.

The novel, in case you have been living on Mars for the past few years, is the first in Ben’s critically-acclaimed, fan-favourite, best-selling Peter Grant series. Here’s the synopsis… (Be sure to click through on those links for details about the book giveaways and events.)

CSI London, Urban Fantasy-style!

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (and as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit – we do paperwork so real coppers don’t have to – and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England.

Now I’m a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden… and there’s something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair.

The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it’s falling to me to bring order out of chaos – or die trying.

The first four books in the series – RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDER GROUND, and BROKEN HOMES – are all published in the UK by Gollancz. The next novel, FOXGLOVE SUMMER, is due to be published in Summer 2014. Watch this space for more Ben Aaronovitch news as-and-when we have it! (And we’re sure we will!)

Selfies of Radiance (Gollancz Competition)

Posted on Friday, March 28th, 2014

To celebrate the incredible success of Brandon Sanderson‘s latest novel, WORDS OF RADIANCE, Gollancz is running a competition via Twitter for some exclusive collectors cards!

Be sure to Tweet your Selfie of Radiance with @Gollancz mentioned and include the #WordsOfRadiance tag! The competition closes on March 31st at midnight GMT.

WORDS OF RADIANCE is the second novel in Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series. It reached #2 on the Sunday Times bestseller list (hardcover fiction) in its first week of publication (and #1 on the New York Times bestseller list). In case you’ve not checked out the series, here is a synopsis for the first book in the series, THE WAY OF KINGS (also published by Gollancz in the UK).

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, but the Voidbringers followed. The Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, the 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, a young spearman is forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn’t understand and doesn’t really want to fight.

THE WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE are published by Tor Books in the US.

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

A Splendid WAY OF KINGS Recreation…

Posted on Monday, March 24th, 2014

The SFF community is one that is frequently characterised by strong sense of fandom and investment. Whether it be adaptations onto screen or stage, or even music homages (see, for example, the musical rendition of Ben Aaronovitch‘s RIVERS OF LONDON we shared a couple of months ago). In a truly stunning example of creative fandom, someone has now rendered the climactic battle from Brandon Sanderson‘s THE WAY OF KINGS in Lego! (Chapter 65, in case you want to wait until you’ve read that far!)

A hat-tip to Tor.com for directing our attention to Rick Martin‘s incredible interpretation. Here are just a couple of pictures…

Charge!

Photo Credits: Rick Martin

THE WAY OF KINGS is the first novel in Brandon’s Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series, published in the UK by Gollancz. The second book in the series, WORDS OF RADIANCE, was recently #2 on the Sunday Times Bestseller list for hardcover fiction. Here is the synopsis for the first book, in case you haven’t yet given it a try…

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?

Both THE WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE are out now – the former now split into two paperbacks. The novels are published in the US by Tor Books.

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

Cover Reveal: Charlaine Harris’s MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD

Posted on Thursday, March 20th, 2014

We are delighted to be able to share the cover for the first novel in Charlaine Harris‘s brand new series! MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD is due to be published in May by Gollancz in the UK (Ace Books in the US). It is the first in Harris’s Midnight, Texas series. Here is the synopsis…

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth…

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

Cover Reveal – Edward Cox’s RELIC GUILD!

Posted on Monday, March 17th, 2014

We’re delighted to finally be able to share with you all the amazing cover for Edward Cox‘s debut – THE RELIC GUILD! The first in a series of the same name, this is a brilliant, dark and brooding fantasy of magic and conspiracy in a wonderfully gothic world. THE RELIC GUILD is due to be published on September 14th, 2014, by Gollancz in the UK.

Here is the synopsis…

Magic caused the war. Magic is forbidden. Magic will save us.

It was said the Labyrinth had once been the great meeting place, a sprawling city at the heart of an endless maze where a million humans hosted the Houses of the Aelfir. The Aelfir who had brought trade and riches, and a future full of promise. But when the Thaumaturgists, overlords of human and Aelfir alike, went to war, everything was ruined and the Labyrinth became an abandoned forbidden zone, where humans were trapped behind boundary walls a hundred feet high.

Now the Aelfir are a distant memory and the Thaumaturgists have faded into myth. Young Clara struggles to survive in a dangerous and dysfunctional city, where eyes are keen, nights are long, and the use of magic is punishable by death. She hides in the shadows, fearful that someone will discover she is touched by magic. She knows her days are numbered. But when a strange man named Fabian Moor returns to the Labyrinth, Clara learns that magic serves a higher purpose and that some myths are much more deadly in the flesh.

The only people Clara can trust are the Relic Guild, a secret band of magickers sworn to protect the Labyrinth. But the Relic Guild are now too few. To truly defeat their old nemesis Moor, mightier help will be required. To save the Labyrinth – and the lives of one million humans – Clara and the Relic Guild must find a way to contact the worlds beyond their walls.

THE RELIC GUILD is also included in Gollancz’s 2014 Debuts eBook Promotion – all pre-orders of the novel in eBook, and also purchases in the first week following publication, will be priced only £1,99!

More Audible Releases for Warrington, Robson & Fallon!

Posted on Monday, March 17th, 2014

This past week, Audible released a veritable flood of new audiobook editions from Freda Warrington‘s, Justina Robson‘s and Jennifer Fallon‘s backlists.

March 18th…

Jennifer Fallon, EYE OF LABYRINTH – Second Sons #2 (Orbit) – Joe Jameson
Jennifer Fallon, HARSHINI – Demon Child #3 (Orbit) – Imogen Church
Jennifer Fallon, WARRIOR – Hythrun Chronicles #2 (Orbit) – Maggie Mash

March 20th…

Jennifer Fallon, THE IMMORTAL PRINCE – Tide Lords #1 (Voyager) – John Telfer

March 21st…

Justina Robson, KEEPING IT REAL – Quantum Gravity #1 (Gollancz) – Mel Hudson
Justina Robson, SELLING OUT – Quantum Gravity #2 (Gollancz) – Mel Hudson
Justina Robson, GOING UNDER – Quantum Gravity #3 (Gollancz) – Mel Hudson
Freda Warrington, COURT OF THE MIDNIGHT KING (Pocket Books) – Cameron Stewart
Freda Warrington, THE SAPPHIRE THRONE – Jewel Fire #2 (Simon & Schuster) – Helen Lloyd

Also, and these were slightly delayed last week, but two of Lavie Tidhar‘s backlist titles have also been released:

CLOUD PERMUTATIONS (PS Publishing) – David Thorpe
GOREL AND THE POT-BELLIED GOD (PS Publishing) – Jeff Harding

Brandon Sanderson Storms Bestseller Lists

Posted on Friday, March 14th, 2014

We have recently been informed that Brandon Sanderson‘s WORDS OF RADIANCE is not only going to be #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it will also debut at #2 on the Sunday Times Bestseller list! This is absolutely fantastic news, and well-deserved.

WORDS OF RADIANCE is the second novel in Brandon’s latest fantasy epic, the Stormlight Archive, following THE WAY OF KINGS. Published by Tor Books in the US and Gollancz in the UK. Here is the (non-spoilery) synopsis…

Return to a planet swept by apocalyptic storms, a world tipping into war as aristocratic families move to control the shard blades and shard plates, ancient artifacts from a past civilisation that can win wars.

As the world tips into a war for control of the mythical artifacts of power made from Shard, characters are swept up into new dangers which will threaten their integrity and their lives.

The Sunday Times list will be officially released and printed in the March 16th edition of the newspaper.

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

Publication Day – Randall Garrett’s LORD DARCY

Posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2014

Randall Garrett‘s LORD DARCY – a collection of short stories and the novel TOO MANY MAGICIANS – is published today! The book is published by Gollancz, as part of the Fantasy Masterworks series.

Here is the synopsis…

In a world where the Plantagenets never fell, Lord Darcy is Chief Investigator for the Duke of Normandy…

Welcome to a world where the Plantagenet kings survived, the laws of magic were discovered and the physical sciences never pursued. In the resulting Anglo-French Empire, a detective like Lord Darcy needs more than a keen mind and an observant eye. Luckily, Darcy can call on the aid of Master Sean O’Lochlainn, forensic sorcerer.

Here’s just a small selection of praise for Garrett’s Lord Darcy fiction…

‘I cannot count the number of times I have read TOO MANY MAGICIANS — each time with the same pleasure.’ — Andre Norton

‘Maddeningly intricate, well reasoned and great fun. his world was as utterly real as his characters, and his mysteries were of the first caliber.’ — Simon R. Green

‘… great fun for fans of mystery and SF alike.’ — SF Chronicle

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

Brandon Sanderson’s THE FINAL EMPIRE is Kindle’s Daily Deal (UK)

Posted on Friday, March 7th, 2014

Yesterday saw the release of Brandon Sanderson‘s much-anticipated WORDS OF RADIANCE, the second novel in the Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series. If you are new to the author, though, and the prospect of reading a 1,000+ page novel is a bit daunting as a first try, then today is your lucky day!

Amazon UK have selected THE FINAL EMPIRE, the first in the Mistborn trilogy, as one of their Kindle Daily Deals! The offer runs until 11:59pm tonight, so be sure to check it out quickly! Here’s the novel’s synopsis…

What if the Dark Lord won? An acclaimed epic commercial fantasy comes to the UK for the first time. Unabridged edition for download only.

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 criminal that no-one can trust and a young girl who must master Allomancy – the magic that lies in all metals.

The Mistborn series continues with THE WELL OF ASCENSION, THE HERO OF AGES and THE ALLOY OF LAW. At the time of writing, THE FINAL EMPIRE was also the #1 bestseller in Epic Fantasy!

It’s never been a better time to try Brandon’s work! The Mistborn series and also the Stormlight Archive novels are all published in the UK by Gollancz.

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

Publication Day – Brandon Sanderson’s WORDS OF RADIANCE

Posted on Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Today sees the UK publication of Brandon Sanderson‘s highly anticipated WORDS OF RADIANCE, the second novel in his Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series. Brandon is the bestselling author who completed Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series, and also the Mistborn saga (currently four novels, with more on the way!). The second book in the Stormlight Archive exhibits Brandon’s gift for epic storytelling, wonderous magic systems, and sheer addictive writing.

Here is the synopsis for WORDS OF RADIANCE…

The Knights Radiant must stand again.

The ancient oaths have at last been spoken; the spren return. Men seek that which was lost. I fear the struggle will destroy them.

It is the nature of the magic. A broken soul has cracks into which something else can be fit. Surgebindings, the powers of creation themselves. They can brace a broken soul; but they can also widen its fissures.

The Windrunner, lost in a shattered land, balanced upon the boundary between vengeance and honor. The Lightweaver, slowly being consumed by her past, searching for the lie that she must become. The Bondsmith, born in blood and death, striving to rebuild what was destroyed. The Explorer, straddling the fates of two peoples, forced to choose between slow death and a terrible betrayal of all she believes.

It is past time for them to awaken, for the Everstorm looms.

And the Assassin has arrived.

A couple of advance, non-spoilery reviews have managed to find their way online (it’s so huge, it’s not surprising there haven’t been more). Here are some choice quotes…

‘Does Book 2 live up to the expectations? My answer is a resounding, “Yes!”’ — Tor.com (1)

‘… worth the wait… WORDS OF RADIANCE is excellent, which was a tremendous relief to me. Love or hate this book, I was wedded to it long before I read it, and I’m fortunate to say that I continue to love it. So to you, lucky reader, who have the choice of whether or not to buy this book, I give this advice. Sanderson’s experiment is working, and he gets better with every book. The journey will be worth it. Yes, you should buy this book. Yes, this is a series worth following to the end. I’m so glad to be taking this journey, and I hope you will as well.’ — Tor.com (2)

‘WORDS OF RADIANCE is truly an achievement. It expands on its predecessor, fulfilling the promises it sets up, and manages to surpass it. There is no question about it: this is my favorite Brandon Sanderson novel. When I read THE WAY OF KINGS, I had thought that while it was (at the time) Brandon’s best written novel, it wasn’t my favorite, but that The Stormlight Archive series absolutely had the potential to be Brandon’s best series. Well, that was entirely right. There’s no doubt about it. If you adored THE WAY OF KINGS, you will be blown away by WORDS OF RADIANCE. Even if book one didn’t thrill you, however, I can’t see how you won’t be enthralled by this volume. It really is that good. You’ll be sold on the entire series with this.’ — 17th Shard

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

Gemmell Award Nominations, Voting & Zeno Clients

Posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

It’s that time of year again! Voting for the Gemmell Awards long-lists has now opened, and there are a handful of Zeno clients in the mix!

In the Legend Category, for best fantasy novel of the year, we have…

Peter V. Brett‘s THE DAYLIGHT WAR (published in the UK by Voyager)
Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan’s A MEMORY OF LIGHT (published in the UK by Orbit Books)

In the Ravenheart Category, for best book artwork, we have…

Peter V. Brett‘s THE DAYLIGHT WAR
Brandon Sanderson‘s STEELHEART (published in the UK by Gollancz)

Readers can vote for their favourite novel from the long-lists (nominated by publishers), and the results of the first round of voting will be revealed at this year’s Eastercon, in Glasgow. (Voting for the first round closes on the 13th April.) The Shortlist will then be open for voting until the end of April, and the winner will be announced at the Gemmell Award ceremony at the Magic Circle, London, on June 13th, 2014. Voting is open to all, so get yourself over there and VOTE (… for our clients…)!

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

Cover Reveal: Randall Garrett’s LORD DARCY

Posted on Monday, March 3rd, 2014

How great is this cover for Randall Garrett‘s LORD DARCY? The book has been selected for the Gollancz Fantasy Masterworks series, and is due to be published March 13, 2014. Here’s the synopsis…

In a world where the Plantagenets never fell, Lord Darcy is Chief Investigator for the Duke of Normandy…

This omnibus contains all of the Lord Darcy stories as well as the only Lord Darcy novel, TOO MANY MAGICIANS, and has a new introduction by Michael Dirda.

Here is a selection of reviews for Garrett’s work…

‘Some of the finest fantasy ever written … will certainly guarantee him a lasting place in the genre.’ — SF Chronicle (a Best Fantasy of 2002)

‘Garrett’s writing style is as elegant and charming as his setting, and his mastery of atmosphere is admirable … Garrett’s series is in fact one of the best of the genre-benders, which have proliferated so madly since these tales were first published. The stories deftly combine elements of mystery, espionage, suspense, Tolkienesque fantasy, science fiction, the techno-thriller, CSI-style forensic mystery, and swashbuckling historical romance.’ — National Review

‘He has combined the best of the fantasy and detective genres — and made them work as science fiction.’ — Marion Zimmer Bradley

‘Randall Garrett’s most satisfying and enduring literary accomplishment is the Lord Darcy series.’ — Robert Silverberg

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