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Where to Start with Brandon Sanderson?

Posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2015

Tor.com recently published a handy primer for newcomers to Brandon Sanderson‘s rich bibliography…

Not many authors are quite as consistently prolific as Brandon Sanderson, and happily, he’s not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon! For those of you who might be curious about what all the fuss is about, I’ve put together this general introduction to his work. It covers a bit about Brandon himself, addresses the awesome fact that all of his epic fantasies are connected, and suggests some titles for first-time readers to start on…

Brandon is best known for writing sweeping, epic fantasy series — including the bestselling Mistborn series and the Stormlight Archive — as well as a couple of stand-alone titles, and a smattering of novellas and other series. Most of Brandon’s work is published in the UK by Gollancz. In addition to the Tor.com piece, here are some details for good novels to start with…

ELANTRIS

Elantris was built on magic and it thrived. But then the magic began to fade and Elantris began to rot. And now its shattered citizens face domination by a powerful Imperium motivated by dogged religious views. Can a young Princess unite the people of Elantris, rediscover the lost magic and lead a rebellion against the imperial zealots?

Brandon’s debut novel, it took fandom by storm. His other stand alone novel is WARBREAKER.

THE FINAL EMPIRE — Mistborn #1

What if the Dark Lord won?

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 was a huge word-of-mouth success in the US, and has been hugely popular in the UK ever since this novel was published. Other novels available now in the series include THE WELL OF ASCENSION, THE HERO OF AGES and THE ALLOY OF LAW. Two more novels in the series — SHADOWS OF SELF and BANDS OF MOURNING — are due to be published in 2015-16, by Gollancz in the UK.

THE WAY OF KINGS — Stormlight Archive #1

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?

The first novel in Brandon’s planned 10-book epic. The sequel, WORDS OF RADIANCE, is also out now.

STEELHEART — Reckoners #1

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics… nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart – the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David’s father. For years, like the Reckoners, David’s been studying, and planning – and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He’s seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge.

The first novel in a super-hero series, set in a dystopian future United States. MITOSIS and FIREFIGHT — a novella and sequel, respectively — are also out now.

THE RITHMATIST

This is a fast-paced adventure for readers of all ages by bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, master of fantasy fiction. Here, in a school for the magically gifted, your talent could cost you your life…

Joel is fascinated by the magic of Rithmatics, but few have the gift and he is not one of them. Undaunted, he persuades Professor Fitch to teach him magical theory. Joel can’t infuse his protective lines and circles with power, or bring his chalk-drawn creatures to life, but he’s quick to master the underlying geometric principles. His unique skills will soon face an extraordinary test when top Rithmatist students are kidnapped from his Academy.

Since he’s not a magic user, Joel appears to be safe – but he’s desperate to investigate and prove himself. Then people start dying. However, can Joel really stop a killer alone? As even more students disappear, he realizes he’ll need the help of Rithmatist apprentice Melody. Together, they must race to find clues before the killer notices them – and takes them out too.

Published in the UK by Tor Books, this is the first in a planned YA fantasy, set in a post-apocalyptic world.

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

New Lavie Tidhar and Will Elliott Out Now in US

Posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2015

The latest novels by Lavie Tidhar and Will Elliott are published today in the US.

First up, Lavie Tidhar’s critically-acclaimed alternative history/super-hero novel, THE VIOLENT CENTURY is published by Thomas Dunne (above). Here’s the synopsis…

They never meant to be heroes.

For seventy years they guarded the British Empire. Oblivion and Fogg, inseparable friends, bound together by a shared fate. Until one night in Berlin, in the aftermath of the Second World War, and a secret that tore them apart. But there must always be an account… and the past has a habit of catching up to the present.

Now, recalled to the Retirement Bureau from which no one can retire, Fogg and Oblivion must face up to a past of terrible war and unacknowledged heroism – a life of dusty corridors and secret rooms, of furtive meetings and blood-stained fields – to answer one last, impossible question:

What makes a hero?

THE VIOLENT CENTURY is published in the UK by Hodder, it is also available as a limited edition from PS Publishing. Lavie’s works have been lavished with praise from all quarters, including being described as ‘an emerging master’ (Locus), ‘Young, ambitious, skilled and original’ (Christopher Priest) and ‘remarkable and ambitious’ (China Mieville).

Lavie’s latest novel, A MAN LIES DREAMING, was also published in the UK by Hodder in October 2014 (paperback due out in March), also to a tsunami of critical acclaim.

Secondly, Will Elliott’s SHADOW is published by Tor Books. The second novel in the author’s Pendulum Trilogy, it follows THE PILGRIMS. Here’s the synopsis…

Eric Albright was a luckless journalist living in London. He had a so-so life… until the day he opened a battered red door that appeared on the graffiti-covered wall of a local bridge, and entered Levaal, a magical world between worlds. A place populated by power damaged mages, stone giants, pit devils—and dragons, Levaal’s possible creators, who are imprisoned in a sky prison. It is also where the mad Lord Vous rules with an iron fist and is busy working on a scheme to turn himself into a god. Vous has been defeated so far because Levaal has been contained by the great Wall at World’s End.

But the Wall at World’s End has been brought down, war is coming to the land, and Eric and his newfound friends are caught in the thick of it. They are forced to flee from the Tormentors, dreadful creatures that have poured through the breach, and there are rumors that one of the great dragons has escaped its sky prison.

Worse yet, Vous’s journey to godhood is almost complete, and a mysterious being called Shadow (who is not but looks remarkably like Eric) is wandering Levaal with great power but no purpose it yet understands.

The end might be coming faster than anyone thinks.

You can read an excerpt from SHADOW here. SHADOW and THE PILGRIMS, as well as WORLD’S END, were published in the UK by Jo Fletcher Books. The trilogy has also been released as an eBook bundle.

US Cover Reveal: SHADOW by Will Elliott

Posted on Wednesday, January 7th, 2015

Above you can see the striking cover for Will Elliott’s SHADOW, which is due to be published in the US by Tor Books on February 24th, 2015. The second novel in the Pendulum Trilogy, here’s the synopsis…

Eric Albright was a luckless journalist living in London. He had a so-so life…until the day he opened a battered red door that appeared on the graffiti-covered wall of a local bridge, and entered Levaal, a magical world between worlds. A place populated by power damaged mages, stone giants, pit devils — and dragons, Levaal’s possible creators, who are imprisoned in a sky prison. It is also where the mad Lord Vous rules with an iron fist and is busy working on a scheme to turn himself into a god. Vous has been defeated so far because Levaal has been contained by the great Wall at World’s End.

The end might be coming faster than anyone thinks.

Tor Books published the first novel in the series, THE PILGRIMS, in March 2014 (cover below). The trilogy was originally published in the UK by Jo Fletcher Books between 2012-13.

Here are the UK covers for the trilogy, including the third volume, WORLD’S END…

Short Fiction Watch: Aliette de Bodard in CARBIDE TIPPED PENS

Posted on Monday, December 8th, 2014

In this latest edition of Short Fiction Watch, we wanted to draw your attention to the CARBIDE TIPPED PENS anthology, edited by Ben Bova and Eric Choi. Published by Tor Books, it includes Aliette de Bodard‘s A SLOW UNFURLING OF TRUTH. Here’s the book’s synopsis…

Seventeen hard science fiction tales by today’s top authors

Hard science fiction is the literature of change, rigorously examining the impact—both beneficial and dangerous—of science and technology on humanity, the future, and the cosmos. As science advances, expanding our knowledge of the universe, astounding new frontiers in storytelling open up as well.

In Carbide Tipped Pens, over a dozen of today’s most creative imaginations explore these frontiers, carrying on the grand tradition of such legendary masters as Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, and John W. Campbell, while bringing hard science fiction into the 21st century by extrapolating from the latest scientific developments and discoveries. Ranging from ancient China to the outer reaches of the solar system, this outstanding collection of original stories, written by an international roster of authors, finds wonder, terror, and gripping human drama in topics as diverse as space exploration, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, climate change, alternate history, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, interplanetary war, and even the future of baseball.

From tattoos that treat allergies to hazardous missions to Mars and beyond, from the end of the world to the farthest limits of human invention, Carbide Tipped Pens turns startling new ideas into state-of-the art science fiction.

Aliette is the multi-award winning and nominated author of many short stories and novellas, as well as the critically-acclaimed Obsidian & Blood trilogy published by Angry Robot Books. As we reported last month, Aliette’s next novel, HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS, is due to be published by Gollancz in August 2015.

UK Publication Day: Daryl Gregory’s AFTERPARTY

Posted on Friday, August 15th, 2014

We’re very happy to report that today Daryl Gregory‘s superb new novel, AFTERPARTY, arrives in UK bookstores! Published by Titan Books, the novel has already received a great deal of praise from peers and critics alike. First up, here’s the synopsis…

A near-future science fiction crime story about murder, drugs, neuroscience, more drugs, and God. It’s Elmore Leonard and Philip K. Dick road-tripping down neural pathways, with Hunter S. Thompson howling in the back seat.

‘Numinous’ opens up a portal to God – or, at least, a convincing illusion of one. In a world where God is a drug, one woman has to get sober. Lyda Rose was one of the four neuroscientists who helped create Numinous, a breakthrough drug intended to treat schizophrenia. Since unwittingly overdosing on the drug, Lyda has been haunted by visions of an angel she calls Dr. Gloria. Treated in an asylum, Lyda has to remind herself that the doctor is merely a drug- induced manifestation of her own temporal lobe, but the angel is awfully hard to argue with. Afterparty follows Lyda’s investigation into a series of Numinous-like overdoses. It is also about the ways that our brains can fool us, often for our own benefit.

Along the way the book asks twenty-first century questions: If personality, sexual orientation, religious belief, and morality can be chemically twisted, what is the self? Does free will exist? And is sin even possible?

And here’s just a small selection of the praise…

‘AFTERPARTY is a new, excellent science fiction novel by Daryl Gregory, about drugs, God, sanity, morals, and organized crime… Gregory is a great plotter, and the story races along like a thriller, but mountains more substance than your typical thriller.’ — Cory Doctorow, Boing Boing

‘This taut, brisk, gripping narrative, dazzlingly intercut with flashbacks and sidebars, oozes warmth and wit. A hugely entertaining, surprising and perhaps prophetic package that, without seeming to, raises profound questions about the human mind and the nature of perception.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review)

‘Smart, funny, fast, more than a little terrifying…. An exhilarating read.’ — Kim Stanley Robinson (Hugo Award Winning author of the Mars Trilogy)

‘Gregory dashes off his near-future story like a “chemjet” printing out sheets of smart drugs…The tragi-comical satire dispenses with sermons and easy morals, preferring to be entertaining and thought-provoking instead.’ — Publishers Weekly

AFTERPARTY is published in the US by Tor Books.

Zeno represents Daryl Gregory in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the Martha Millard Literary Agency.

Brandon Sanderson Signing at London’s Forbidden Planet on Monday!

Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014

As part of the summer’s science fiction and fantasy extravaganza taking place in London, Forbidden Planet are hosting Brandon Sanderson for a signing this coming Monday, 4th August! The New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of the Stormlight Archives and the Mistborn novels is sure to be a big draw – so make sure you get there early!

NOTE: Brandon will be signing between 6-7pm – not 1-2pm, as stated on the poster above (it’s an older one).

Gollancz publish many of Brandon’s novels in the UK, including the Stormlight Archive – THE WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE (with more to come), and the Mistborn novels – THE FINAL EMPIRE, THE WELL OF ASCENSION, THE HERO OF AGES, ALLOY OF LAW. Brandon’s next novel with Gollancz will be the Reckoners short story, MITOSIS (check back next week for more on this title). Tor Books recently published THE RITHMATIST, the first in a YA series.

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

Ian Tregillis Hang Out (Video)

Posted on Tuesday, April 15th, 2014

Earlier this year, Ian Tregillis, author of the critically acclaimed alternative history Milkweed Triptych and the noir supernatural thriller SOMETHING MORE THAN NIGHT, was a guest for a Sword & Laser hang out. During the interview, he discussed his trilogy and stand alone novel, dropped hints about his upcoming novel, and expanded the backstory of one of his greatest creations, Gretel. The video of the interview is now available online (YouTube), but we thought we’d share it here, too…

Tregillis’s Milkweed Triptych is one of the best-reviewed series we’ve seen in a long time. The three novels – BITTER SEEDS, THE COLDEST WAR, and NECESSARY EVIL – are published in the UK by Orbit Books, and Tor Books in the US. The equally acclaimed SOMETHING MORE THAN NIGHT is published in the US by Tor Books. Head on over to his author page for some of the best review clips for his novels. The first book in Ian’s latest project, The Alchemy Wars series – CLAKKERS, is due to be published by Orbit Books in November 2014.

Zeno represents Ian Tregillis in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of Kay McCauley at Aurous Inc.

New Lavie Tidhar & Matthew Hughes Short Fiction…

Posted on Monday, April 14th, 2014

We’re happy to share with you information about two new pieces of short fiction from Zeno clients!

First up we have MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL, a new Bookman Histories novelette by Lavie Tidhar will be included in the June 2014 issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction. Lavie is the author of the critically acclaimed THE VIOLENT CENTURY (Hodder), and also the three Bookman Histories novels – THE BOOKMAN, CAMERA OBSCURA, and THE GREAT GAME (Angry Robot Books).

Next, Matthew Hughes is to be features in the upcoming anthology edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardener Dozios, ROGUES! Joining such leading lights as Neil Gaiman and Scott Lynch, Hughes has contributed his story THE INN OF THE SEVEN BLESSINGS. The anthology is due to be published by Bantam Spectra in June 2014. Matthew is the author most recently of the To Hell & Back trilogy – THE DAMNED BUSTERS, COSTUME NOT INCLUDED, and HELL TO PAY (Angry Robot Books).

This Week’s New Audible Titles…

Posted on Thursday, April 10th, 2014

A slightly smaller influx of audio editions, this week – but by no means any less exciting! Here are the six new titles available as of today (James Blaylock’s) and tomorrow…

James P. Blaylock, THE EBB TIDE – Langdon St. Ives Novella #1 (Subterranean Press) – Richard Dadd
Michael Cobley, SHADOWKINGS (Earthlight) – Philip Rose
Justina Robson, NATURAL HISTORY (Spectra) – Penny Scott-Andrews
Justina Robson, SILVER SCREEN (Pan) – Anna Parker-Naples
Freda Warrington, GRAIL OF THE SUMMER STARS – Aetherial Tales #3 (Tor Books) – Matthew Lloyd Davies
Freda Warrington, THE OBSIDIAN TOWER – Jewel Fire #3 (Simon & Schuster) – Helen Lloyd

Locus Covers Daryl Gregory

Posted on Monday, April 7th, 2014

Not only has Kirkus been raving about Daryl Gregory’s latest novel, AFTERPARTY, but the novel has been attracting keen attention and interest elsewhere.

We’re very happy to report that Locus Magazine has put Daryl Gregory on the cover of its April 2014 issue! In his cover story, Gregory takes an in-depth look at his novels, in a chronological approach. He describing the impetuses and influences behind THE DEVIL’S ALPHABET, PANDEMONIUM, and RAISING STONY MAYHALL, and also explains how his work in comics has influenced the way he approaches his fiction-writing. Gregory then moves on to his latest science fiction thriller, which is published this month by Tor Books in the US. The novel is due to be published by Titan Books in the UK, in August 2014. The article is, of course, really interesting for many reasons. We thought we’d share a couple of snippets from those passages in which Gregory talked about his new novel…

‘The new book, AFTERPARTY, is about neuroscience and the feeling of the numinous. This is something I’ve toyed around with at various points. There’s a story called “Damascus” where I deal with this, and in every single thing I’ve written there’s this religious flavor that comes from being raised as a Southern Baptist. It just comes like grits in the South: there’s gonna be Jesus imagery in everything I write. AFTERPARTY has ideas I’ve been working on in science fiction short stories that never made it explicitly into a novel before (though weird stuff about identity keeps showing up even in the ostensibly fantasy novels, because that’s what keeps bothering me).’

On his intentions for the novel…

‘I wanted to write a book with velocity. I’ve always read a lot of crime novels, so I wanted to do an Elmore Leonard/Philip K. Dick/Hunter S. Thompson book. That was the original pitch, actually. The crime novel is at odds with the science fiction novel, in that in crime novels you don’t have to explain money or jealousy (the engines that drive almost everything in those stories). Of course you want more money! But with a science fiction novel, you’ve got people pursuing these goals you’ve got to stop to explain. It was kind of a formal trick to figure out how to get the neuroscience in there but still keep the velocity… AFTERPARTY is a mystery that has more of a classic science fiction ending, in that it opens up – things are about to get really weird. I’ve always liked it when science fiction novels kick open that door at the end.’

And the real-world influences on the near-future setting he chose…

‘I knew AFTERPARTY was going to be near-future, but it’s something like ten minutes into the future, with many small tech changes that are almost here. A lot of these ideas came from my day job as a programmer. One of my favorites is a little side thing where a bunch of people are playing a Dungeons & Dragons-style Live Action RPG on their handhelds. This seems like an eminently doable thing, but it’s not quite there.’

Once again, AFTERPARTY is published by Tor Books in the US, and is due to be published by Titan Books in the UK in August 2014.

There was even more love for the novel in the April issue of Locus, in fact, with not one but two reviews!

Faren Miller had the following to say: ‘Daryl Gregory began to delve into the collective unconsciousness with his Crawford Award-winning first novel PANDEMONIUM, and he continues to find bold new ways to enter that zone… it’s clear that Daryl Gregory continues to be one of the top writers in a field where literature works alongside adventure – and both forms benefit from the exchange.’

Russell Letson, who was particularly taken with the genetically-engineered miniature bison in the novel (we kid you not), also wrote the following: ‘[AFTERPARTY] is a chase-thriller, a noir mystery, and an international road-trip adventure, with a cast that is mostly crazy, criminal, or both… The intellectual side of the trip recalls Greg Egan’s ‘‘Mister Volition’’ or ‘‘Chaff’’: an adventure in neurochemistry and mental plasticity that invites us to consider just how crazy we can be and still retain a humanity that is recognizable, decent, and functional… philosophical and moral questions are implicit in the novel, but one could be forgiven for putting them to one side while going along for the story’s twisty, gritty ride… This is a real science-fiction crime thriller: the old evils and insanities are all there, given new twists by the double-edged blades of science and technology. And, like the best crime and SF novels, those moral and philosophical questions linger, after the mere whodunnit puzzles have been solved.’

Zeno represents Daryl Gregory in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the Martha Millard Literary Agency in New York.

Daryl Gregory’s AFTERPARTY is a Kirkus ‘Best Bet’ for April…

Posted on Friday, April 4th, 2014

While readers in the UK will have to wait until August 2o14 for Daryl Gregory’s AFTERPARTY to be released by Titan Books, the novel is out this month in the US (Tor Books). Kirkus has selected (entirely justifiably, in our all-too-humble opinion) the novel as one of their ‘Best Bets for Speculative Fiction Reads – April 2014’. Here’s what they had to say:

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Technology meets Big Pharma in a story where anybody with an Internet connection can download recipes and print their own drugs—even if those drugs turn out to be deadly.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT: Science fiction excels at asking “What if?” questions and this merging of mind-altering drugs with easily accessible technology is a great platform that does just that.

We’ll be sure to share more information on the UK release of the novel as soon as we have it. In the meantime, here is the full synposis for the novel:

It begins in Toronto, in the years after the smart drug revolution. Any high school student with a chemjet and internet connection can download recipes and print drugs, or invent them. A seventeen-year-old street girl finds God through a new brain-altering drug called Numinous, used as a sacrament by a new Church that preys on the underclass. But she is arrested and put into detention, and without the drug, commits suicide.

Lyda Rose, another patient in that detention facility, has a dark secret: she was one of the original scientists who developed the drug. With the help of an ex-government agent and an imaginary, drug-induced doctor, Lyda sets out to find the other three survivors of the five who made the Numinous in a quest to set things right.

A mind-bending and violent chase across Canada and the US, Daryl Gregory’s Afterparty is a marvelous mix of William Gibson’s Neuromancer, Philip K. Dick’sUbik, and perhaps a bit of Peter Watts’s Starfish: a last chance to save civilization, or die trying.

In related news, Kirkus recently published their glowing, starred review of AFTERPARTY. Here’s the take-away:

‘An eye-popping glimpse of a near future when designer drugs are commonplace… This taut, brisk, gripping narrative, dazzlingly intercut with flashbacks and sidebars, oozes warmth and wit… A hugely entertaining, surprising and perhaps prophetic package that, without seeming to, raises profound questions about the human mind and the nature of perception.’

Zeno represents Daryl Gregory in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the Martha Millard Agency in New York.

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…

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.

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.

Ian Tregillis’s MILKWEED Trilogy Coming to Germany!

Posted on Tuesday, February 18th, 2014

We are delighted to announce that Festa Verlag has acquired German rights for Ian Tregillis‘s superb Milkweed Triptych – BITTER SEEDS, THE COLDEST WAR, and NECESSARY EVIL! The trilogy has been published in the UK by Orbit Books, the US by Tor Books, and in Spain by DeBolsillo.

Here’s the synopsis for BITTER SEEDS…

The year is 1939. Raybould Marsh and other members of British Intelligence have gathered to watch a damaged reel of film in a darkened room. It appears to show German troops walking through walls, bursting into flames and hurling tanks into the air from afar.

If the British are to believe their eyes, a twisted Nazi scientist has been endowing German troops with unnatural, unstoppable powers. And Raybould will be forced to resort to dark methods to hold the impending invasion at bay.

But dealing with the occult exacts a price. And that price must be paid in blood.

The Milkweed novels have been a huge critical hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Here is just a small taste of the praise…

‘Tregillis… has created a unique, unsettling, and deeply atmospheric setting; populated it with a diversity of grimly fascinating characters; and turned up the heat with the sort of plot that requires those characters to keep shoveling frantically if they are ever to stay in advance of the needs of the firebox… These are the book’s strengths – its atmosphere, its setting, the vividly imagined consequences of immoral and desperate actions… All in all, this is an excellent first book…’ — Tor.Com

‘You should read BITTER SEEDS because of the brutal effect of this concocted mix of science, magic and grey characters. If you are looking for a new and exciting voice in fantasy and science-fiction or a voice that rings true on the tolls of war, then look no further than Ian Tregillis.’ — Ranting Dragon

‘… engrossing… Tregillis ably mixes cold war paranoia with his mythology, also nicely expanding characters (particularly Gretel)… The monstrous, extra-dimensional Eidolons add a genuinely convincing menace that transcends the more banal evil motivations of the political game players, although Gretel’s more complicated motivations really drive the action. A few nice twists keep things interesting, and the cliffhanger ending sets up the concluding volume quite well…’ — Publishers Weekly on THE COLDEST WAR

‘… something like a cross between the devious, character-driven spy fiction of early John le Carré and the mad science fantasy of the X-Men… Despite the jaw-dropping backdrop and oblique plotting, the narrative is driven by character and personal circumstance, the only possible drawback being certain important developments that annoyingly take place offstage. Grim indeed, yet eloquent and utterly compelling.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review, “Best of 2012”) on THE COLDEST WAR

‘With NECESSARY EVIL… Ian Tregillis triumphantly concludes his astonishing, brilliant, pulse-pounding debut trilogy… This is a book that veers precipitously from unexpected and chilling ruminations on the inherent evil of precognition; to the questions of loyalty and betrayal so thorny that they need a time-travel loop to really be explored; to spy-thriller action sequences that will keep you up under the covers with a flashlight, turning pages and unable to sleep. This is a remarkable set of books, and with all three in hand, would make a fabulous spring read.’ — BoingBoing

Zeno represents Ian Tregillis in the UK/Commonwealth and in Translation, on behalf of Kay McCauley at Aurous, Inc.