Historical Fantasy - Zeno Agency Ltd.

Paperback edition of SEASON OF SPELLS out tomorrow

Posted on Wednesday, October 18th, 2017

The mass-market paperback edition of Sylvia Hunter‘s A SEASON OF SPELLS is out tomorrow in the UK! Published by Allison & Busby, here’s the synopsis…

In the latest novel from the author of Lady of Magick, Sophie and Gray Marshall must save the Kingdom of Britain from a tide of dark magic…

After three years of study at the University in Din Edin, Sophie and Gray return to London escorting Lucia MacNeill, heiress of Alba, to meet the British prince to whom she is betrothed. When sparks fail to fly between the pair, it is an inauspicious start, and when the traitors who tried to poison King Henry escape from prison, the alliance seems to be on shaky ground indeed.

In an attempt to forge a connection between Lucia and Roland, Sophie enlists them in her scheme to reopen the mysterious and long-shuttered women’s college at Oxford. But the future of the college and of the kingdom itself is put in the balance by a deadly contest between Sophie’s group and enemies at Britain’s gates.

Allison & Busby has also published the first two novels in the series: THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN and LADY OF MAGICK.

‘Hunter’s characters and setting feel fully formed, and the story moves briskly through its twists and turns. This compelling blend of fantasy, intrigue, and Regency romance adds up to a thoroughly satisfying adventure.’ — Publishers Weekly

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

LADY OF MAGICK out now in paperback!

Posted on Thursday, September 21st, 2017

Sylvia Hunter‘s LADY OF MAGICK is out today in paperback in the UK! The second novel in the author’s Midnight Queen trilogy, it is published by Allison & Busby, here’s the synopsis…

In an ancient kingdom full of secrets, unease and myth, Sophie and Gray Marshall are about to be ensnared in an arcane plot that threatens to undo them both . . .

In her second year of studies at Merlin College, Oxford, Sophie Marshall is feeling alienated among fellow students who fail to welcome a woman to their ranks. So when her husband, Gray, is invited north as a visiting lecturer at the University in Din Edin, they leap at the chance. There, Sophie’s hunger for magickal knowledge can finally be nourished. But she must put her newly learned skills to the test sooner than expected.

All is not well in the Kingdom of Alba, and before long the Marshalls find themselves beset by unexpected dangers. When Gray disappears, and none of her spells can find a trace of him, Sophie realises something sinister has befallen him. Delving into Gray’s disappearance she soon finds herself in a web of magick and intrigue that threatens not just Gray, but the entire kingdom.

Allison & Busby have also published the first two novels in the trilogy: THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN and A SEASON OF SPELLS.

‘The second instalment in Hunter’s Midnight Queen series will attract both familiar and new readers. The new kingdom of Alba is a stark contrast to Hunter’s version of Britain but every bit as creative and fascinating, allowing for a completely new and unexpected plot. The characters continue to grow and change, as individuals and as a couple, as they face both magical and personal challenges. A new twist in every chapter will keep readers desperately turning pages until the end.’ — RT Book Reviews

‘Entertaining… Sophie and Joanna play central roles, which will delight fans of strong women. Hunter’s charming world, just a few steps off-center of our own, continues to offer many possibilities for future adventure.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Another intriguing fantasy set in an alternate history version of Regency-era Europe.’ — Library Journal

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

Out Now: THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN by Sylvia Hunter

Posted on Thursday, July 20th, 2017

The paperback edition of Sylvia Hunter‘s THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN is out today in the UK! Published by Allison & Busby, here’s the synopsis…

Gray Marshall’s Britain is a fragmented kingdom of many tongues, many gods and many magics. But all that concerns Gray is returning as soon as possible to his studies at Merlin College, Oxford and setting right the nightmare that has seen him disgraced and banished to his tutor’s home.

Sophie Callender may not have magic herself and a father who forbids his daughters a magical education, but her bookish rebellion and growing friendship with Gray are the first steps of a journey. A journey that will involve them in a conspiracy at the heart of the kingdom and into the legend of a young queen who vanished without a trace years before.

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN is the first novel in the fantasy trilogy of the same name. Allison & Busby have also published the other two books in the series: LADY OF MAGICK and A SEASON OF SPELLS.

‘The history of her world is not the usual stuff … If Hunter can be this inventive in her first novel, I can’t wait to see what she does next.’ — Marie Brennan, author of Memoirs of Lady Trent series

‘In THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN, Izzo Hunter pulls from a multitude of mystical tales and myths to create her own magical version of Britain that is both innovative and intriguing. The plot is creative and suspenseful — and never predictable. Your affection for the dynamic heroes will only grow as Hunter’s characters face challenge after unexpected challenge. The MIDNIGHT QUEEN is a novel that readers will be unable to put down.’ — RT Book Reviews

‘THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN is, above all else, a powerfully atmospheric novel, and a huge reason why is because of Hunter’s writing….The atmosphere is incredible, and the characters are fantastically believable and delightfully developed… THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN is a love story that will warm your heart, and a story of magic and struggle, truth and might, in the face of all odds, with some stunning writing that will really hook readers and brings them into the colorful world that Hunter has created.’ — Bookworm Blues

‘A great fantasy introductory book… THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN sets up a storyline with intrigue, magic and romance…[that is] a really fun ride.’ — Seattle Geekly

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

Marie Brennan’s WITH FATES CONSPIRE coming soon in the UK!

Posted on Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

Above you can see the stunning cover for WITH FATES CONSPIRE, the fourth novel in Marie Brennan‘s critically-acclaimed Onyx Court series. Published by Titan Books on January 10th, 2017, here is the synopsis…

Seven years ago, Eliza’s childhood sweetheart vanished from the streets of Whitechapel. No one believed her when she told them that he was stolen away by the faeries.

But she hasn’t given up the search. It will lead her across London and into the hidden palace that gives refuge to faeries in the mortal world. That refuge is now crumbling, broken by the iron of the underground railway, and the resulting chaos spills over to the streets above.

Three centuries of the Onyx Court are about to come to an end. Without the palace’s protection, the fae have little choice but to flee. Those who stay have one goal: to find safety in a city that does not welcome them. But what price will the mortals of London pay for that safety?

Titan Books has already published the first three novels in the series: MIDNIGHT NEVER COME, IN ASHES LIE, and A STAR SHALL FALL.

Published in the US in 2011, WITH FATE CONSPIRE has received a flood of great reviews. Here are just a few of them…

‘An absorbing finale to a series that has grown richer with every installment.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review)

‘Series readers and fans of the Tam Lin myth will be captivated by this complex and vibrant depiction of a magical Victorian era.‘ — Publishers Weekly

‘For more tales of a London based on history as well as sheer invention, try WITH FATE CONSPIRE and its predecessors. Instead of the old-style fantasy of quests through green fields and dark domains, Brennan makes the most of one extraordinary city.’ — LOCUS

‘Brennan has taken a level in skill with prose: her writing was good before, but it’s gotten even better… WITH FATE CONSPIRE is a thoughtfully entertaining dénouement to an excellent series, and all round, a really good book.’ — Tor.com

‘Brennan’s characters breathe life into a landscape rich in detail and vibrant with imagination. This title should please fans of Mercedes Lackey’s “Elemental Masters” series and Elizabeth Bear’s “Promethean Age” series.’ — Library Journal

Brennan’s critically-acclaimed Memoirs of Lady Trent fantasy series is also published by Titan in the UK:

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

Sylvia Hunter’s LADY OF MAGICK unveiled…

Posted on Monday, November 7th, 2016

Next January, Allison & Busby are due to publish the second novel in Sylvia Hunter‘s Midnight Queen trilogy — a genre-busting alternative historical adventure, packed with with magic and a dash of romance. Here’s the synopsis LADY OF MAGICK…

In her second year of studies at Merlin College, Sophie Marshall struggles with being the only female undergraduate. While this is helped by her husband, Gray’s, invitation to lecture at the University in Din Edin, all is thrown into turmoil when he does not return from a journey to his childhood home in London. Can Sophie, Joanna and their friend Gwendolen Pryce rescue him? Or will Sophie find herself in a far greater crisis than anyone expected that threatens not just Gray, but the entire kingdom?

Allison & Busby published the first novel in the series, THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN (cover below). Here’s just a small selection of reviews the series has received so far…

‘The history of her world is not the usual stuff … If Hunter can be this inventive in her first novel, I can’t wait to see what she does next.’ — Marie Brennan, author of the Lady Trent Memoirs, on THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN

‘Another intriguing fantasy set in an alternate history version of Regency-era Europe.’ — Library Journal on LADY OF MAGICK

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

Marie Brennan’s IN ASHES LIE Out Tomorrow!

Posted on Monday, June 13th, 2016

Tomorrow, Titan Books publishes Marie Brennan‘s IN ASHES LIE! The second novel in her critically-acclaimed Onyx Court series, here’s the synopsis…

The year is 1639. The King and Parliament vie for power, fighting one another with politics and armies alike. Below, the faerie court has enemies of its own. The old ways are breaking down, and no one knows what will rise in their place.

But now, a greater threat has come, one that could destroy everything. In the house of a sleeping baker, a spark leaps free of the oven — and ignites a blaze that will burn London to the ground. While the humans struggle to halt the conflagration that is devouring the city street by street, the fae pit themselves against a less tangible foe: the spirit of the fire itself, powerful enough to annihilate everything in its path.

Mortal and fae will have to lay aside the differences that divide them, and fight together for the survival of London itself…

Titan Books has also published the first in the series, MIDNIGHT NEVER COME. The third Onyx Court novel, A STAR SHALL FALL is due out in September.

Here’s a selection of reviews IN ASHES LIE and the Onyx Court series has received…

‘Brennan has created a fascinating hidden underworld beneath London, and it’s enhanced by prose that has an elegance perfect for historical fantasy.’ — RT Book Reviews on IN ASHES LIE

‘Marie Brennan juggled complex politics, plague, and fire to great effect in IN ASHES LIE.’ — Strange Horizons

‘Brennan is a bright new voice in fantasy fiction, and IN ASHES LIE is her best effort yet.’ — Sacramento Book Review

‘Stunningly conceived and exquisitely achieved…’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) on MIDNIGHT NEVER COME

‘Strong prose, tight plotting, mischievous humor, quick pacing and wonderful storytelling that fully engages the reader.’ — Fantasy Book Critic on MIDNIGHT NEVER COME

‘Enchanting, fearsome faerie vistas and pinpoint character delineations make Galen’s absorbing quest one to savor and remember.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) on A STAR SHALL FALL

‘Brennan’s historical research is as impeccable as ever, and the twining of the two worlds is the best yet. Fans of the Onyx Court novels, and anyone who enjoys historical fantasy, should like A STAR SHALL FALL.’ — Booklist

‘An ambitious tale and a pleasing triumph. Wonderful.’ — SFF World on A STAR SHALL FALL

Brennan’s best-selling and critically-acclaimed Memoirs of Lady Trent fantasy series is also published in the UK by Titan Books. So far, four books are available: A NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONS, THE TROPIC OF SERPENTS, THE VOYAGE OF THE BASILISK, IN THE LABYRINTH OF DRAKES.

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