Aliette de Bodard’s IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHIP is Out Now!


Aliette de Bodard‘s highly-anticipated new Xuya masterpiece, IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHIP is out now! Published by Subterranean Press in North America (cover above), and JABberwocky in the UK (below), here’s the synopsis…

Nightjar, sentient ship and family matriarch, looms large in Khuyên’s past. Disappearances drove teenage Khuyên from it, but death will steer her back.

Now an adult and a magistrate, Khuyên came for her maternal grandmother’s funeral but finds herself unwittingly reliving her past on the decaying Nightjar. Children are still disappearing as her childhood friends once did; and worse, her beloved Cousin Anh vanishes after pleading for her help.

Khuyên sets out to save Anh alongside Thảo, a beautiful and mysterious woman who seems to know more than she should about Khuyên and the ship. But saving Anh requires doing what Khuyên couldn’t do before: face her family, face the ship, face her own hopes and fears for the future—a future that might well include Thảo, but only if Khuyên can stop listening to the critical voice in her head.

A voice that sounds an awful lot like Nightjar’s…

Here are just a couple of early reviews the book has received…

‘For all its brevity, this is a dense and emotionally complex piece, carrying grief and hope, pain and potential, in equal measure. The ashes of the past meeting the chance to build something different for the future. I always enjoy de Bodard’s work, and IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHIPis no exception: a sharp-edged and glittering science-fictional gem.’Locus

‘Incredible … This is a world of dizzying tech, gorgeous illusions and twisty political thrills.’New York Times

‘Beautifully written and deeply imagined… highly recommended.’Kate Elliott

Ben Aaronovitch’s THE MASQUERADES OF SPRING is out now!


THE MASQUERADES OF SPRING, Ben Aaronovitch‘s highly-anticipated, latest novella set in the world of Rivers of London is out now! Published by Gollancz/Orion, the action returns to North America! Here’s the synopsis…

New York City, New York.

Meet Augustus Berrycloth-Young – fop, flaneur, and Englishman abroad – as he chronicles the Jazz Age from his perch atop the city that never sleeps.

That is, until his old friend Thomas Nightingale arrives, pursuing a rather mysterious affair concerning an old saxophone – which will take Gussie from his warm bed, to the cold shores of Long Island, and down to the jazz clubs where music, magic, and madness haunt the shadows…

The novella is also available as an audiobook, narrated by the ever-excellent Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.

To celebrate the release of the book, Ben has been on a UK book tour! Check out the graphic, below, for the remaining dates/stops…

The novella is due to be published in North America by Subterranean Press, towards the end of September.

Ben Aaronovitch’s THE MASQUERADES OF SPRING is out in Three Weeks!


In three weeks, Gollancz/Orion is due to publish Ben Aaronovitch‘s latest novella set in the world of Rivers of London. This time, in THE MASQUERADES OF SPRING, the action returns to North America. The book will arrive in stores on September 5th. Here’s the synopsis…

New York City, New York.

Meet Augustus Berrycloth-Young – fop, flaneur, and Englishman abroad – as he chronicles the Jazz Age from his perch atop the city that never sleeps.

That is, until his old friend Thomas Nightingale arrives, pursuing a rather mysterious affair concerning an old saxophone – which will take Gussie from his warm bed, to the cold shores of Long Island, and down to the jazz clubs where music, magic, and madness haunt the shadows…

To celebrate the release of the book, Ben will be going on a UK book tour! Check out the graphic, below, for details…

The novella is due to be published in North America by Subterranean Press, towards the end of September.

Coming Soon: IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHIP by Aliette de Bodard


In September, readers will be able to pick up the latest Xuya masterpiece from Aliette de Bodard! IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHIP is due to be published on September 30th by Subterranean Press in North America (cover above), and JABberwocky in the UK (below). Here’s the synopsis…

Nightjar, sentient ship and family matriarch, looms large in Khuyên’s past. Disappearances drove teenage Khuyên from it, but death will steer her back.

Now an adult and a magistrate, Khuyên came for her maternal grandmother’s funeral but finds herself unwittingly reliving her past on the decaying Nightjar. Children are still disappearing as her childhood friends once did; and worse, her beloved Cousin Anh vanishes after pleading for her help.

Khuyên sets out to save Anh alongside Thảo, a beautiful and mysterious woman who seems to know more than she should about Khuyên and the ship. But saving Anh requires doing what Khuyên couldn’t do before: face her family, face the ship, face her own hopes and fears for the future—a future that might well include Thảo, but only if Khuyên can stop listening to the critical voice in her head.

A voice that sounds an awful lot like Nightjar’s…

The novella has already picked up a great review from Locus…

‘For all its brevity, this is a dense and emotionally complex piece, carrying grief and hope, pain and potential, in equal measure. The ashes of the past meeting the chance to build something different for the future. I always enjoy de Bodard’s work, and IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHIP is no exception: a sharp-edged and glittering science-fictional gem.’

ICYMI: Travis Baldree’s GOBLINS & GREATCOATS is Out Now!


In case you missed the news last week: GOBLINS & GREATCOATS, a novella by Travis Baldree, is out now! Not only that, but it’s free from Subterranean Press! Just head on over to their website to get your eBook.

GOBLINS & GREATCOATS is set in the same world as the author’s best-selling and highly-acclaimed Legends & Lattes novels. Here’s the synopsis…

A goblin with too many pockets and a disturbing affinity for cutlery, a rain-soaked night, four adventurers, a pair of corpses, a junk-drawer knife, some unfortunate taxidermy, and a beleaguered Gatewarden…

These are the primary ingredients in a locked-room mystery that can only be solved by the Territory’s most unlikely detective.

Her name is Zyll.

Her eyes are keen, her teeth are sharp, and the chaos of her passing leaves no murder unsolved.

Cover artwork by Alicia Ramos Castillo.

Baldree’s LEGENDS & LATTES and BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST (a prequel) are published by Tor Books in the UK and North America, and very widely in translation.

‘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 McGuireNew 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, on LEGENDS & LATTES

‘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 on LEGENDS & LATTES

‘This slice-of-life cozy fantasy novel has everything you’ve been searching for.’ Buzzfeed on LEGENDS & LATTES

‘Bestseller Baldree’s cozy standalone sequel to LEGENDS & LATTES shows that even a battle-hungry orc can find happiness in life’s simple pleasures… The innocent joy of Viv and Fern’s love is delightful and Baldree’s formula of placing low-stakes stories in high-fantasy settings remains good fun. Series fans will eat this up.’ — Publishers Weekly on BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST

‘This prequel gives readers a glimpse of Viv as a young orc, still committed to the fighter’s life, just taking an enforced break in a charming town populated by compelling, richly drawn characters, and the slightest hint of danger in the wind. Despite the lurking necromancer, the vibes are decidedly warm and cozy, and the plot is just as much about saving the bookstore and building relationships as it is about protecting the town from the man in gray. As a prequel, it can stand alone, but will certainly satisfy fans as well. Warm and wonderful.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review) on BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST

‘This prequel gives readers a glimpse of Viv as a young orc, still committed to the fighter’s life, just taking an enforced break in a charming town populated by compelling, richly drawn characters, and the slightest hint of danger in the wind. Despite the lurking necromancer, the vibes are decidedly warm and cozy, and the plot is just as much about saving the bookstore and building relationships as it is about protecting the town from the man in gray. As a prequel, it can stand alone, but will certainly satisfy fans as well. Warm and wonderful.’ — Literary Hub on BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST

‘What Baldree does he does well. His prose is direct and engaging without being simple, even if he does throw in a distractingly clever turn of phrase on occasion… Mostly, though, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is the story equivalent of a warm blanket on a bleak day.’ — Locus

ICYMI: THE MASQUERADES OF SPRING Out Later this Year!


In case you missed the news, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind fans of Ben Aaronovitch‘s Rivers of London series that his next novella is out later this year! THE MASQUERADES OF SPRING is due to be published in the UK by Gollancz/Orion on September 5th! Once again taking the action across the Pond, here’s the synopsis…

New York City, New York.

Meet Augustus Berrycloth-Young – fop, flaneur, and Englishman abroad – as he chronicles the Jazz Age from his perch atop the city that never sleeps.

That is, until his old friend Thomas Nightingale arrives, pursuing a rather mysterious affair concerning an old saxophone – which will take Gussie from his warm bed, to the cold shores of Long Island, and down to the jazz clubs where music, magic, and madness haunt the shadows…

The novella will also be available in North America, published by Subterranean Press (shipping in September); and also in Germany, published by DTV (September 11th) — translated by Christine Blum.

Here’s the German-language synopsis, too…

Eine Nachtigall in New York

New York, 1920er-Jahre: Augustus Berrycloth-Young, Absolvent der Zauberschule Casterbrook, ist unangenehm überrascht: Denn unangekündigt steht sein alter Schulkamerad Thomas Nightingale vor der Tür und reißt ihn aus seinem behaglichen Leben.

Nightingale ist auf geheimer Mission nach New York geschickt worden, um ein verzaubertes Saxophon ausfindig zu machen, das seltsame Kräfte entfaltet, wenn es gespielt wird. Und ausgerechnet Augustus soll ihm helfen, dabei will er eigentlich nur das Dolce Vita genießen.

Auf der Suche machen die beiden Männer die Jazzclubs der Metropole unsicher und machen unfreiwillig mit der nicht-magischen und korrupten Polizei Bekanntschaft … 

Zeno Clients & Titles on the Locus 2023 Recommended Reading List!


Locus Magazine released their February 2024 issue, which includes their annual Recommended Reading List, covering 2023 releases. We’re very happy to report that a number of Zeno clients and titles are featured on the list. Check out below for more information on each of the featured titles.

SF Novel

Aliette de Bodard, A FIRE BORN OF EXILE (Gollancz/JABberwocky)

The Scattered Pearls Belt is a string of habitats under tight military rule… where the powerful have become all too comfortable in their positions, and their corruption. But change is coming, with the arrival of Quynh: the mysterious and enigmatic Alchemist of Streams and Hills.

To Minh, daughter of the ruling prefect of the Belt, Quynh represents a chance for escape. To Hoà, a destitute engineer, Quynh has a mysterious link to her own past… and holds a deeper, more sensual appeal. But Quynh has her own secret history, and a plan for the ruling class of the Belt. A plan that will tear open old wounds, shake the heavens, and may well consume her.

A beautiful exploration of the power of love, of revenge, and of the wounds of the past, this fast-paced, heartwarming standalone space opera is set against a backdrop of corruption, power, and political scheming in the far reaches of the Xuya universe, also home to the Arthur C. Clarke Award-shortlisted The Red Scholar’s Wake.

Ian McDonald, HOPELAND (Gollancz/Tor Books)

Hopeland is not a nation. It is not a cult. It is not a religion.

Hopeland is a community. It is a culture. It is a family.

When Raisa Hopeland, determined to win her race to become the next electromancer of London, bumps into Amon Brightbourne – tweed-suited, otherworldly, guided by the Grace – in the middle of a London riot, she sets in motion a series of events which will span decades, continents and a series of events which will change the world.

Amon falls in love in that moment of chaos, but being loved by him can have a cost. And while Raisa has Hopeland, Amon has a family of his own, and they have their own secrets.

From rioting London to geothermal Iceland to the climate-struck islands of Polynesia, from birth to life to death, from tranquillity to terror to joy, Raisa’s journey will encompass the world. But one thing will always be true.

Hopeland is family.

Lavie Tidhar, THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WORLD (Tachyon)

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?

Fantasy Novel

Jonathan Carroll, MR. BREAKFAST (Melville House)

Graham Patterson’s life has hit a dead end. His career as a comedian is failing. The love of his life recently broke up with him and he literally has no idea what to do next. With nothing to lose, he buys a new car and hits the road, planning to drive across country and hopefully figure out his next moves before reaching California.

But along the way Patterson does something his old self would never have even considered: he gets tattooed by a brilliant tattoo artist in North Carolina. The decision sets off a series of extraordinary events that changes his life forever in ways he never could have imagined. Among other things, Patterson is gifted with the ability to see in real time three different lives that are available to him. The choice is his: The life he is leading right now, or two very different ones. In all of them there is love or fame and of course danger because once he has chosen, there is no telling what will happen next.

Mr. Breakfast is a dazzling, absorbing and deeply moving novel about the choices that we have to confront and face, confirming Jonathan Carroll’s status as one of our greatest and most imaginative storytellers.

Tim Powers, MY BROTHER’S KEEPER (Ad Astra)

Howarth, 1846.

In a parsonage at the edge of the moors, a widowed rector lives with his family: three daughters and their dissolute brother, Bramwell.

Though the future will celebrate Charlotte, Emily and Anne, right now they are unknown, their genius concealed. In just a few short years they will all be dead, and it will be middle sister Emily’s chance encounter with a grievously wounded man on the moor that sets them on the path to their doom.

For there is an ancient pagan secret haunting the moors, a dark inheritance in the family bloodline and something terrible buried under an ogham-inscribed slab in the church. Not only are their lives at stake, but their very souls.

My Brother’s Keeper is an atmospheric gothic novel that mixes diabolical hatred and vengeance with the supreme power of love to conjure dark magic from the tragic fate of the Brontë sisters.

Horror Novel

Grady Hendrix, HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE (Titan UK)

When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father’s academic career and her mother’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world.

Mostly, she doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. But she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market.

Some houses don’t want to be sold…

Collections

Ian R. MacLeod, RAGGED MAPS (Subterranean Press)

From furthest reaches of deep space in “The Memory Artist” to the jungles of Yucatan in “Lamagica,” and from the strange suburbia of “Stuff” to a Vatican where a dying pope awaits deliverance in “Sin Eater,” the worlds mapped out by these stories range far and wide. 

As, from the mythic ancient city of “The God of Nothing” to the post-human futures of “Ephemera” and “The Fall of the House of Kepler,” via alternate pasts and some very twisted presents in such tales as “Selkie,” “The Mrs Innocents” and “The Chronologist,” do the times. 

What holds all these pieces together, including the gripping long new novelette “Downtime” and its vision of a near-future penal system, are vivid writing, strong characters and a sense of awe and surprise. On travels that will take you from cluttered attics and strange shorelines to star-flung civilisations and beyond, let Ian R. MacLeod be your guide.

Anthologies

Lavie Tidhar (ed.), THE BEST OF WORLD SF, Volume 3 (Ad Astra)

The third annual instalment to the ‘excellent, lovingly curated’ (Financial Times) The Best of World SF series

The Best of World SF series is a fixture on the global science fiction scene. If you want to find the most exciting SF authors writing today, look no further.

In this third instalment, you’ll discover alien artists, rioting dinosaurs, shape-shifting rabbits, heartbreak-harvesting cafes and one robot on a quest for meaning. You will be transported to the stars and back down to Earth and sideways, with the order of the world turned upside down.

Featuring authors from Austria, Bulgaria, China, Finland, Ghana, Greece, India, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore and South Africa, this collection’s stories have been selected by award-winning writer, editor and World SF expert Lavie Tidhar.

The most exciting science fiction on the planet comes from all corners of the globe. And it’s all in the Best of World SF series.

Short Stories

Aliette de Bodard, “The Mausoleum’s Children“ (Uncanny 5-6/23)

North American Edition of WINTER’S GIFTS Available for Pre-Order!


The North American edition of Ben Aaronovitch‘s best-selling and acclaimed latest Rivers of London novella, WINTER’S GIFTS is now available for pre-order! Due to be published in December by Subterranean Press, in two limited editions, illustrated editions, here’s the synopsis…

With this long new novella, bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch has crafted yet another wickedly funny and surprisingly affecting chapter in his beloved Rivers of London series. 

WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY OVER HERE

When retired FBI Agent Patrick Henderson calls in an ‘X-Ray Sierra India’ incident, the operator doesn’t understand. He tells them to pass it up the chain till someone does.

That person is FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds. Leaving Quantico for snowbound Northern Wisconsin, she finds that a tornado has flattened half the town—and there’s no sign of Henderson.

Things soon go from weird to worse, as neighbors report unsettling sightings, key evidence goes missing, and the snow keeps rising — cutting off the town, with no way in or out…

Something terrible is awakening. As the clues lead to the coldest of cold cases — a cursed expedition into the frozen wilderness — Reynolds follows a trail from the start of the American nightmare, to the horror that still lives on today…

WINTER’S GIFTS and the other Rivers of London novels and novellas are published in the UK by Gollancz/Orion. Subterranean Press has published special editions of all of Ben’s novellas in the series. The novels are published in North America by JABberwocky (1-3) and DAW Books.

Ben Aaronovitch Long-listed for a CWA Dagger Award!


We’re very happy to report that Ben Aaronovitch has been long-listed for this year’s CWA Dagger in the Library Award!

The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a body of work by an established writer of crime fiction or non-fiction who has long been popular with borrowers from libraries. It also rewards authors who have supported libraries and their users through taking part in library events.

Ben is the author of the internationally-bestselling and acclaimed Rivers of London/Peter Grant series of novels and novellas — published by Gollancz/Orion in the UK; and in North America by JABberwocky (#1-3), DAW Books (#4-) and Subterranean Press (novellas). He is also the co-author of the Rivers of London comic series (published by Titan Comics).

The next book is WINTER’S GIFTS, a novella starring FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds, due to be published by Orion in the UK, on June 8th. Here’s the synopsis…

THEY DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY ACROSS THE POND…

When retired FBI Agent Patrick Henderson calls in an ‘X-Ray Sierra India’ incident, the operator doesn’t understand. He tells them to pass it up the chain till someone does.

That person is FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds. Leaving Quantico for snowbound Northern Wisconsin, she finds that a tornado has flattened half the town – and there’s no sign of Henderson.

Things soon go from weird to worse, as neighbours report unsettling sightings, key evidence goes missing, and the snow keeps rising – cutting off the town, with no way in or out…

Something terrible is awakening. As the clues lead to the coldest of cold cases – a cursed expedition into the frozen wilderness – Reynolds follows a trail from the start of the American nightmare, to the horror that still lives on today…

WINTER’S GIFTS is already available in Germany, published by DTV as DIE SCHLAFENDEN GEISTER DES LAKE SUPERIOR.

Ian R. MacLeod’s RAGGED MAPS Out Now!


RAGGED MAPS, Ian R. MacLeod‘s new, limited edition collection of shorter fiction is out now! Published by Subterranean Press, it clocks it at over 450 pages, and also includes the never-before-published novelette, DOWNTIME!

Dominic Harman created the superb cover for the collection. Here’s the synopsis for the book…

From furthest reaches of deep space in “The Memory Artist” to the jungles of Yucatan in “Lamagica,” and from the strange suburbia of “Stuff” to a Vatican where a dying pope awaits deliverance in “Sin Eater,” the worlds mapped out by these stories range far and wide. 

As, from the mythic ancient city of “The God of Nothing” to the post-human futures of “Ephemera” and “The Fall of the House of Kepler,” via alternate pasts and some very twisted presents in such tales as “Selkie,” “The Mrs Innocents” and “The Chronologist,” do the times. 

What holds all these pieces together, including the gripping long new novelette “Downtime” and its vision of a near-future penal system, are vivid writing, strong characters and a sense of awe and surprise. On travels that will take you from cluttered attics and strange shorelines to star-flung civilisations and beyond, let Ian R. MacLeod be your guide.

Ian R. MacLeod is the author of seven novels and five short story collections spanning the entire spectrum of fantastic fiction which have been critically acclaimed, widely anthologised and translated into many languages. His work has won the Arthur C Clarke award for the Year’s Best Novel, along with the Sidewise Award for Alternate History (twice), the World Fantasy Award (again twice), the John W Campbell Memorial Award and the Locus Award for the Year’s Best First Novel. He lives in the riverside town of Bewdley in England.

Coming Soon: RAGGED MAPS by Ian R. MacLeod!


There’s a new Ian R. MacLeod collection on the way! Announced recently by Subterranean Press, RAGGED MAPS is due to be published in Spring 2023. Clocking it at over 450 pages, it also includes the never-before-published novelette, DOWNTIME!

The cover for the collection (by Dominic Harman) is above, and here’s the synopsis for the book…

From furthest reaches of deep space in “The Memory Artist” to the jungles of Yucatan in “Lamagica,” and from the strange suburbia of “Stuff” to a Vatican where a dying pope awaits deliverance in “Sin Eater,” the worlds mapped out by these stories range far and wide. 

As, from the mythic ancient city of “The God of Nothing” to the post-human futures of “Ephemera” and “The Fall of the House of Kepler,” via alternate pasts and some very twisted presents in such tales as “Selkie,” “The Mrs Innocents” and “The Chronologist,” do the times. 

What holds all these pieces together, including the gripping long new novelette “Downtime” and its vision of a near-future penal system, are vivid writing, strong characters and a sense of awe and surprise. On travels that will take you from cluttered attics and strange shorelines to star-flung civilisations and beyond, let Ian R. MacLeod be your guide.

Ian R. MacLeod is the author of seven novels and five short story collections spanning the entire spectrum of fantastic fiction which have been critically acclaimed, widely anthologised and translated into many languages. His work has won the Arthur C Clarke award for the Year’s Best Novel, along with the Sidewise Award for Alternate History (twice), the World Fantasy Award (again twice), the John W Campbell Memorial Award and the Locus Award for the Year’s Best First Novel. He lives in the riverside town of Bewdley in England.

There will be 1,000 limited edition, signed and numbered copies produced. RAGGED MAPS is available now for pre-order direct from Subterranean Press.

New Die Flüsse von London Double-Audiobook Available Now!


GoyaLiT, an imprint of Jumbo Verlag, has released a fourth audiobook omnibus in Ben Aaronovitch‘s Die Flüsse von London series! IHR AUFRITT, PETER GRANT collects the seventh and eighth novels in the series: DIE GLOCKE VON WHITECHAPEL (LIES SLEEPING) and EIN WEISSER SCHWAN IN TABERNACLE STREET (FALSE VALUE). Narrated once again by the excellent Dietmar Wunder, here’s the synopsis…

DIE GLOCKE VON WHITECHAPEL

Constable und Zauberlehrling Peter Grant steht vor seiner größten Herausforderung: Das Schicksal Londons steht auf dem Spiel. Der gesichtslose Magier, verantwortlich für grauenvolle übernatürliche Verbrechen, ist zwar endlich demaskiert und auf der Flucht. Doch er verfolgt einen perfiden Plan, der ganz London in den Abgrund stürzen könnte. Um den Gesichtslosen zu stoppen, muss Peter all seine magischen Kräfte aufbieten und einen bösen alten Bekannten kontaktieren: Mr Punch, den mörderischen Geist des Aufruhrs und der Rebellion.

EIN WEISSER SCHWAN IN TABERNACLE STREET

Peter Grant, unser Lieblings-Bobby und Zauberlehrling, ist suspendiert und zumindest für eine Weile kein Bobby mehr. Dafür wird er in Zukunft im Privatleben umso mehr gefordert sein, was ihn zu gleichen Teilen mit Panik und Begeisterung erfüllt. Um nicht untätig herumzusitzen und Nägel zu kauen, heuert er bei der Serious Cybernetics Company an, dem neuesten Projekt des Internet-Genies Terrence Skinner. Und prompt holt die Magie ihn wieder ein. Denn in den Tiefen der SCC ist ein Geheimnis verborgen, eine geheime magische Technologie, die zurückreicht bis weit ins 19. Jahrhundert, das Zeitalter von Ada Lovelace und Charles Babbage. Und die brandgefährlich ist für die Welt.

The other three double-audiobooks are: GESTATTEN: PETER GRANT, IHR EINSATZ, PETER GRANT, and PETER GRANT ERMITTELT.

The best-selling print and eBook editions of the series are published in Germany by DTV.

The Rivers of London series is published in the UK by Gollancz, in North America by Del Rey (1-3), DAW Books (4-) and Subterranean Press (novellas); the series has also been published widely around the world. The latest novel is the #1-bestselling AMONGST OUR WEAPONS.

Here’s the English-language synopsis for LIES SLEEPING

Martin Chorley, aka the Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run.

Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring Chorley to justice.

But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that Chorley, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan.

A plan that has its roots in London’s two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.

To save his beloved city Peter’s going to need help from his former best friend and colleague – Lesley May – who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch…

Ben Aaronovitch’s TALES FROM THE FOLLY Now Available in Czechia!


Ben Aaronovitch‘s collection of short stories, set in the Rivers of London world, is now available in Czechia! Published by Argo as HISTORKY Z ROZMARU, here’s the synopsis…

Další výprava do světa Řek Londýna, tentokrát ve sbírce povídek! Ben Aaronovitch svůj fantastický svět dosud představoval v románech, novelách a komiksových příbězích. Už léta však mimo tento hlavní proud píše kratší i delší povídky, v nichž rozvíjí dílčí nápady, popisuje dosud opomíjené osudy, vypráví anekdoty, které doplňují mozaiku jedné z nejpodmanivějších sérií současnosti. S Peterem Grantem, Abigail, agentkou Reynoldsovou, Nightingalem i Tobiasem Winterem z německé obdoby londýnského Rozmaru se zde vydáme zjistit, co skrývá dálniční čerpací stanice uprostřed noci, kdo stále bloumá mezi regály populárního londýnského knihkupectví, co přesně se stalo s řekou Lugg… Každý tento střípek je doplněný autorovým úvodem a pro snadnější orientaci se u něj udává, ve které fázi série se odehrává.

S předmluvou Charlaine Harrisové

TALES FROM THE FOLLY is published in the UK by JABberwocky (print & digital) and Orion (audio); in North America by Subterranean Press; and in Germany by DTV — covers below.

Here’s the English-language synopsis…

Return to the world of Rivers of London in this first short story collection from bestselling author, Ben Aaronovitch. Tales from the Folly is a carefully curated collection that gathers together previously published stories and brand new tales in the same place for the first time.

Each tale features a new introduction from the author, filled with insight and anecdote offering the reader a deeper exploration into this absorbing fictional world. This is a must read for any Rivers of London fan.

Join Peter, Nightingale, Abigail, Agent Reynolds and Tobias Winter for a series of perfectly portioned tales. Discover what’s haunting a lonely motorway service station, who still wanders the shelves of a popular London bookshop, and what exactly happened to the River Lugg…

With an introduction from internationally bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series, Charlaine Harris.

This collection includes the following stories:

  • The Home Crowd Advantage
  • The Domestic
  • The Cockpit
  • The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Granny
  • King of The Rats
  • A Rare Book of Cunning Device
  • A Dedicated Follower of Fashion
  • Favourite Uncle
  • Vanessa Sommer’s Other Christmas List
  • Three Rivers, Two Husbands and a Baby
  • Moments One-Three

New Xuya Short Story from Aliette de Bodard… and another Award Nomination!


Today we have two great pieces of Aliette de Bodard news! First up, there’s a new short story set in the author’s acclaimed Xuya series: MULBERRY AND OWL is published in the September/October 2021 issue of Uncanny Magazine! (You can also read the story online now!)

Year of the Âm Dragon, fifth year of the Peaceful Harmony Empress, Great Mulberry Nebula

Thuỷ stood in her cabin in The Goby in the Well, her bots arrayed on her shoulders and clinging to her wrists, and watched the heart of the nebula.

There was absolutely nothing remarkable about it: the Great Mulberry Nebula was large, sparsely dotted with nascent stars, and so remote that getting there, even via deep spaces, had required a three month journey. On the overlay in Thuỷ’s cabin — a thin sliver like a screen, showing her the merged data of all The Goby in the Well’s sensors — there was very little to see, either: a darkness that seemed to spread absolute from the centre of the overlay, and a corresponding gravity spike for the trapping of the light…

Aliette’s Xuya fiction is published in the UK by JABberwocky, and in North America by Subterranean Press.

‘De Bodard’s worldbuilding is precise and glittering, elegant and atmospheric… writing is always full of empathy and personality… a lovely little character-focused mystery, and everything about it delights…’ Tor.com (Hugo Award Novella Spotlight)

We’re also happy to report that Aliette’s Dominion of the Fallen series is a finalist for Best Series in this year’s Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards! The series includes the novels THE HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS, THE HOUSE OF BINDING THORNS, and THE HOUSE OF SUNDERING FLAMES — published in the UK by Gollancz, and in North America by Roc Books (#1-2) and JABberwocky (#3). The series also includes the novella OF DRAGONS, FEASTS, AND MURDERS, published by JABberwocky.

‘Will grab readers and force them to pay attention to the amazing writing and the phenomenal characters. de Bodard will sweep you up into the dark and dirty world Paris has become. The characters are very vivid and will stay with you until long after the last page, as each of them is fighting and longing for something. The writing style rendered the characters’ feelings and emotional turmoil beautifully. Watching Philippe and Isabelle work through their “connection” is fascinating and lovely. There’s so much going on, and every character has their own past, their own tragic history. It’s a whirlwind, it’s heartbreaking and it’s one of the best fantasy novels of 2015.’ — RT Book Reviews (Top Pick August 2015)

‘A gripping tragedy of forlorn individuals caught up in an angelic version of the Cold War… The story holds up well as a standalone, with clear possibilities but no pressing need for a sequel. De Bodard aptly mixes moral conflicts and the desperate need to survive in a fantastical spy thriller that reads like a hybrid of le Carré and Milton, all tinged with the melancholy of golden ages lost.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘De Bodard… has spun a fascinating Paris of decay and cruelty. ­Phillippe is a marvel of a character, unreliable as a narrator but compelling in his flaws and his deep well of homesickness.‘ — Library Journal (Starred Review)

‘A beautifully crafted novel full of complex characters, set in a post apocalyptic Paris – the image of which is truly haunting… vivid and fast-paced battles and intense political manoeuvrings… with carefully crafted characters both with layers and depth, De Bodard reflects the best and worst of human nature in her novel… an intriguing mystery, elegantly written… Something any avid fantasy reader with an open mind will devour!’ — Guardian

Aliette’s latest book is the acclaimed novella FIREHEART TIGER, published by Tor.com.

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

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

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

Ben Aaronovitch’s DIE FÜCHSE VON HAMPSTEAD HEATH is out now!


Ben Aaronovitch‘s latest novella, WHAT ABIGAIL DID THAT SUMMER is now available in Germany! The first novella to star Abigail Kamara, it’s published by DTV as DIE FÜCHSE VON HAMPSTEAD HEATH, and translated by Christine Blum. Here’s the synopsis…

Eine magisch begabte Cousine

Es ist Ferienzeit in London und Abigail, Peter Grants lästige Cousine, kann mehr oder weniger tun und lassen, was sie will. Was bei allen, die sie kennen, eigentlich die Alarmglocken schrillen lassen sollte. Doch Peter ist irgendwo auf dem Land auf Einhornjagd, sodass niemand Abigail davon abhält, magischen Unfug zu treiben – und einem Geheimnis auf die Spur zu kommen: In der Gegend von Hampstead Heath verschwinden immer wieder Teenager. Nach kurzer Zeit tauchen sie wieder auf, unverletzt, aber ohne eine Erinnerung, wo sie waren. Wer hat sie fortgelockt – und warum? Unterstützt von einer Bande sprechender (und ziemlich eingebildeter) Füchse stürzt sich Abigail ins magische Abenteuer.

The novella is published in the UK by Gollancz and in North America by Subterranean Press. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

Ghost hunter, fox whisperer, troublemaker.

It is the summer of 2013 and Abigail Kamara has been left to her own devices. This might, by those who know her, be considered a mistake.

While her cousin, police constable and apprentice wizard Peter Grant, is off in the sticks chasing unicorns, Abigail is chasing her own mystery. Teenagers around Hampstead Heath have been going missing but before the police can get fully engaged, the teens return home – unharmed but vague about where they’ve been.

Aided only by her new friend Simon, her knowledge that magic is real, and a posse of talking foxes that think they’re spies, Abigail must venture into the wilds of Hampstead to discover who is luring the teenagers and more importantly – why?

DTV has published all of Ben’s Rivers of London novels and novellas in Germany to date.

The comic series set in the same world, co-authored by Andrew Cartmel, are published in Germany by Panini (and Titan Comics in English).