Horror - Zeno Agency Ltd.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s THE DAUGHER OF DOCTOR MOREAU Out Next Week!

Posted on Monday, July 11th, 2022

THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU, the latest masterpiece by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, is out next week in the UK! Due to be published by Jo Fletcher Books, here’s the synopsis…

Carlota Moreau: A young woman, growing up in a distant and luxuriant estate, safe from the conflict and strife of the Yucatán peninsula, the only daughter of a genius – or a madman.

Montgomery Laughton: A melancholic overseer with a tragic past and a propensity for alcohol, an outcast who assists Dr Moreau with his scientific experiments, which are financed by the Lizaldes, owners of magnificent haciendas with plentiful coffers.

The hybrids: The fruits of the Doctor’s labour, destined to blindly obey their creator while they remain in the shadows, are a motley group of part-human, part-animal monstrosities.

All of them are living in a perfectly balanced and static world which is jolted by the abrupt arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, the charming and careless son of Doctor Moreau’s patron – who will, unwittingly, begin a dangerous chain-reaction.

For Moreau keeps secrets, Carlota has questions, and in the sweltering heat of the jungle passions may ignite.

The book will also be available in two special, sprayed-edge signed hardcover editions from Waterstones, which is available to pre-order now.

Unsurprisingly, THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU has already been wracking up plenty of glowing reviews…

‘ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022’ – She Reads

‘The imagination of Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a thing of wonder, restless and romantic, fearless in the face of genre, embracing the polarities of storytelling’ – New York Times

‘[T]his wholly new novel paints a vivid picture that is as alluring as it is unsettling, filled with action, romance, and monsters. However, it is Moreno-Garcia’s ability to mesh the unease of the scientifically created beasts with the real-life terrors of a life on the margins and the horror of colonialism that elevates this story. Readers will fall into this tale immediately, enchanted.’ — Booklist (Starred Review)

‘With its evocative prose, post-colonial historical setting that drives the plot, and the introduction of vibrant, fascinating characters, both familiar and new, THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU very much stands on its own.’ — Locus

‘[T]he setup is crucial to the book’s action-packed second half, and the payoff is worth it. Moreno-Garcia’s previous work has spanned genres — horror in Mexican Gothic (2020), noir in Velvet Was the Night (2021) — and in this volume, she deftly combines fantasy, adventure, and even romance; the result is hard to classify but definitely a lot of fun. This isn’t the first book to riff on H.G. Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896), but it’s definitely one of the better ones. A fun literary remix.’ — Kirkus

‘This imaginative retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau takes place in 19th-century Mexico, revolving around the sole daughter of a reclusive researcher (who may or may not be a madman) and the unexpected guest whose curiosity compels Carlota to question things herself. It’s got action, romance, and even monsters — what more could ya want??’ — Cosmopolitan

‘Silvia Moreno-Garcia stuns us once again with her atmospheric world-building and beautiful prose in this historical reimagining of H. G. Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. Fans of Gods of Jade and Shadow and Mexican Gothic will rejoice to have another fantastic read to add to their collection.’ — Barnes & Noble

‘If there are two things I love in this world, it’s contemporary reimaginings of Victorian era horror and sci-fi, and joyful genre mashups in literature. Thank the Lord, then, for Silvia Moreno-Garcia… A thrilling fable of imperialism and exploitation… This sublime hybrid of historical, speculative, and gothic fiction might be Moreno-Garcia’s best yet.’ — LitHub

‘I can’t get enough of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s playful takes on classic genres… steeped in sultry atmospherics…’ — CrimeReads

Zeno represents Silvia Moreno-Garcia in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

BURN DOWN, RISE UP Available in Print & Vincent Tirado at YALC!

Posted on Thursday, June 30th, 2022

The print edition of Vincent Tirado‘s debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP is available now! The eBook has been out for a while, but for those who prefer their books on paper, the wait is over! Published by Sourcebooks Fire in the UK and North America, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.

If you happen to be in London during July, the author will be appearing at YALC! Full details can be found here.

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

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

‘Readers will be on the edge of their seats and will have the chance to explore societal issues in a new way to answer the question What are monsters?’ — School Library Journal (Starred Review)

‘BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’ — Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

‘A sense of dread and… plenty of vivid action sequences to keep readers engaged.’ — Youth Services Book Review

ICYMI: Josh Winning’s Next Novel is BURN THE NEGATIVE!

Posted on Monday, May 9th, 2022

In case you missed the news, Josh Winning has a new novel on the way! Announced in Publishers Weekly a few days ago, the next book will be BURN THE NEGATIVE, which has been sold to G. P. Putnam’s Sons! We don’t have a firm publication date, cover, nor synopsis just yet, but we’ll be sure to share them as soon as we do.

Congratulations, Josh!

We’re sure fans of Josh’s debut novel, THE SHADOW GLASS (Titan Books), will find much to love in his next novel, which is another tale connected to nostalgic horror/fantasy and entertainment.

Short Fiction Watch: Lavie Tidhar’s SEVEN VAMPIRES and Ian R. MacLeod’s THE CHRONOLOGIST

Posted on Thursday, March 10th, 2022

Two Zeno clients have work included in Tor.com’s January/February 2022 collection, which is available free from their website: Lavie Tidhar and Ian R. MacLeod.

First up, Lavie’s SEVEN VAMPIRES, which is his fourth Judge Dee mystery…

Paris is burning and Judge Dee and Jonathan are on the run. To guarantee their safety, they join a band of seven vampires escaping to England. The only problem? Someone in their midst is killing off members of their group one by one. It’s of no matter to the Judge, provided they don’t breach the Unalienable Obligations, but inevitably he’s drawn into events.

Tor.com also publishes the first three Judge Dee mysteries: JUDGE DEE AND THE LIMITS OF THE LAW, JUDGE DEE AND THE THREE DEATHS OF COUNT WERDENFELS, and JUDGE DEE AND THE POISONER OF MONTMARTRE.

Ian’s story is the stand-alone THE CHRONOLOGIST…

A boy, desperate to escape the drudgery of life in his small town, gets caught up in the machinations of a traveling time keeper, and slowly watches his town and his life unravel by the seams.

Both of these stories are great ways to try these two authors’ work, if you haven’t already; and if you have already enjoyed Ian’s and Lavie’s work, then we’re sure you’ll also love these two.

Both stories have covers by Red Nose Studios (who also created the first three Judge Dee covers).

Audio Spotlight: THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP by Grady Hendrix

Posted on Thursday, February 10th, 2022

THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP, Grady Hendrix‘s latest acclaimed novel, is available as an audiobook in the UK, published by W. F. Howes‘s Jammer imprint! The winner of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Award in the Horror category, it is narrated by Adrienne King. Here’s the synopsis…

A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for…

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 22 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.

The print and eBook editions of the novel are published in the UK by Titan Books. Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received so far…

‘A wildly entertaining romp through the conventions of horror’s slasher film subgenre… Hendrix masterfully evokes the paranoid existences of his diverse cast in the aftermath of their traumatic ordeals, and he so explicitly details the massacres and fictional film sagas that grew out of them that readers may believe them to be real. The result is a wonderfully suspenseful and darkly comic novel that cleverly subverts popular culture.Horror fans will be wowed.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘Hendrix presents yet another thought-provoking, fun, and chilling winner.’ — Library Journal (Starred Review)

‘A bloody and grotesque but ultimately entertaining and inspiring take on horror movies, trauma, and self-determination.’ — Kirkus

‘[An] entertaining, fast-paced, and darkly humorous novel that reads like a sequel to a spooky ’80s horror flick.’ — Booklist

‘Hendrix’s cinematic knowledge is deployed with skill, and it’s not necessary to be a fan of slasher movies to enjoy this very clever, gleefully violent, self-aware deconstruction of the genre.’ — Guardian

‘This is a must-read for stalk ‘n’ slash fans and another hit from a horror writer at the top of his game.’ — SFX Magazine

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

Grady Hendrix’s THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP wins Best Horror in Goodreads Choice Awards!

Posted on Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

We are very happy to report that THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP by Grady Hendrix has won a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror! Congratulations, Grady!

Published in the UK by Titan Books, here’s the synopsis…

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.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has picked up so far…

‘A wildly entertaining romp through the conventions of horror’s slasher film subgenre… Hendrix masterfully evokes the paranoid existences of his diverse cast in the aftermath of their traumatic ordeals, and he so explicitly details the massacres and fictional film sagas that grew out of them that readers may believe them to be real. The result is a wonderfully suspenseful and darkly comic novel that cleverly subverts popular culture.Horror fans will be wowed.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘Hendrix presents yet another thought-provoking, fun, and chilling winner.’ — Library Journal (Starred Review)

‘A bloody and grotesque but ultimately entertaining and inspiring take on horror movies, trauma, and self-determination.’ — Kirkus

‘[An] entertaining, fast-paced, and darkly humorous novel that reads like a sequel to a spooky ’80s horror flick.’ — Booklist

‘THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP sizzles with action, originality, and a gleaming concept sharp as a scalpel.’ — Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘Pray for morning, wish for speed, and be as quiet as you can, it doesn’t matter — Grady Hendrix’s THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP already knows where you live and breathe.’ — Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Only Good Indians

‘Take slasher movie adoration, critique, and satire, mix with compelling, flawed characters and neck-breaking plot twists, and drop it all into an industrial blender with large blades. Voilà, you now have Grady’s maniacally clever and compulsively readable THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP.’ — Paul Tremblay, National bestselling author of Survivor Song

‘A (bloody) valentine to the slasher franchises of the VHS era, but also a smart novel about survivor guilt and the concept of the enduring heroine.’ — Kim Newman, author of Anno Dracula

Zeno represents Grady Hendrix 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.

THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP is in the Goodreads Choice Awards Final Round!

Posted on Sunday, December 5th, 2021

THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP by Grady Hendrix has made it to the final round of the Goodreads Choice Awards! Nominated in the Horror category, voting closes today!