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Sanderson’s Reckoners face off against CALAMITY tomorrow in the UK!

Posted on Wednesday, November 9th, 2016

Tomorrow sees the release of the paperback edition of Brandon Sanderson‘s third Reckoners novel, CALAMITY! Published by Gollancz, here’s the synopsis…

They told David it was impossible — that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart — invincible, immortal, unconquerable — is dead. And he died by David’s hand.

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there’s no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.

He found some of those answers in FIREFIGHT. Now, he has to decide what to do with them…

Calamity is about what you do to fill your heart once you have vengeance.

Here’s a selection of reviews the novel has enjoyed…

‘A whirl of raids, chases, rescues, and spectacularly destructive displays of both magic and high-tech gadgetry ensues, bringing David face to face with Calamity… Adeptly done.’ — Kirkus

‘Sanderson creates a well-balanced novel of character development, frightening revelations and dramatic fights to ensure the reader is hooked into the storyline and creates a satisfying conclusion… an excellent and tense conclusion to a remarkable fantasy series.’ — Starburst

‘CALAMITY represents another strong installment in the series… a really enjoyable series with good action, characters, worldbuilding and revelations. Even when juggling multiple series, Sanderson remains a master of the craft.’ — Fantasy Faction

‘Those who really love thoughtful, action-packed superhero stories will be delighted by Sanderson’s masterful take on the genre. It’s an odd, intriguing but superlative mashup of superhero and post-apocalypse storytelling.’ — SF Revu

Gollancz has also published the first two novels and novella in the series: STEELHEART, MITOSIS and FIREFIGHT.

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

Ian McDonald’s PLANESRUNNER Available in Hungary

Posted on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015

Ian McDonald‘s first YA novel, PLANESRUNNER, is available in Hungary! It is the first novel in the Everness series — a briskly-paced, action-packed, dimension-hopping science fiction adventure. Published by Gabo as SÍKVÁNDOR, here’s the synopsis…

Mind részei vagyunk az univerzumok sokaságának a párhuzamos dimenziókban – és Everett Singh apja éppen most találta meg az odavezető utat. Csakhogy elrabolták, és most úgy tűnik, mintha Everett édesapja soha nem is létezett volna. Egyetlen nyom bukkan fel, amelyet fia követhet, egy titokzatos program: az Infundibulum – egy térkép, és nemcsak a Tíz Ismert Világ térképe, hanem az egész multiverzumé.

PLANESRUNNER is published in the US by Pyr Book and in the UK by Jo Fletcher Books — both also publish the sequels, BE MY ENEMY and EMPRESS OF THE SUN. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

There is not just one you, there are many yous. We’re part of a multiplicity of universes in parallel dimensions – and Everett Singh’s dad has found a way in.

But he’s been kidnapped, and now it is as though Everett’s dad never existed. Yet there is one clue for his son to follow, a mysterious app: the Infundibulum.

The app is a map, not just to the Ten Known Worlds, but to the entire multiverse – and there are those who want to get their hands on it very badly. If Everett’s going to keep it safe and rescue his dad, he’s going to need friends: like Captain Anastasia Sixmith, her adopted daughter and the crew of the airship Everness.

The series has been critically-acclaimed by many journalists, reviewers and Ian’s peers. All three books are out now in the UK and US. PLANESRUNNER has also been published in France by Gallimard Jeunesse, and in Russia by Эксмо.

New Edition of Sanderson’s THE RITHMATIST Out Tomorrow in UK

Posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

Tomorrow, Tor Books publishes a new edition of Brandon Sanderson‘s THE RITHAMTIST. The first in a YA series, it was previously published in the UK by Gollancz. Here’s the synopsis…

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.

Brandon Sanderson is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of the Mistborn series, Stormlight Archive series, The Reckoners super-hero series, and the final three Wheel of Time novels, among other fan favourites.

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

Cover Reveal: Brandon Sanderson’s THE RITHMATIST (UK)

Posted on Friday, May 9th, 2014

On May 22nd, Brandon Sanderson‘s YA fantasy novel THE RITHMATIST will be published in the UK by Tor UK. And it has that gorgeous new cover, above. The cover, unveiled earlier this week on Tor’s blog, was designed by the publisher’s head of design James Annal, with design agency Crush.

In case you didn’t catch our coverage when it was first released last year, here is the synopsis…

In a school for the magically gifted, your talent could cost you your life…

Young student Joel is fascinated by the magic of Rithmatics, but few have the gift and he is not one of them. Undaunted, Joel persuades Professor Fitch to teach him about this geometric magic. For although Joel can’t infuse his protective lines and circles with power, or bring his chalk-drawn creatures to life, he can really understand how it works. However, a daunting test lies ahead, when someone starts kidnapping top Rithmatic students at his school, Armedius Academy.

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

The book features illustrations by Ben McSweeney, which depict the magical elements of the novel with great elegance and insight.

Tor UK are also due to publish the as-yet-untitled future sequel in the series.

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

Ian McDonald’s EVERNESS Series Available in Audio!

Posted on Monday, January 27th, 2014

We are very happy to report that Ian McDonald‘s critically-acclaimed Everness series of YA science fiction is now available in audio format! The three novels – PLANESRUNNER, BE MY ENEMY, and EMPRESS OF THE SUN – have been recently released by Audible in both the UK and US. The audiobooks are narrated by Tom Lawrence.

Here’s the synopsis for PLANESRUNNER, in case you have inexplicably managed to miss it…

There is not just one you, there are many yous. We’re part of a multiplicity of universes in parallel dimensions – and Everett Singh’s dad has found a way in.

But he’s been kidnapped, and now it is as though Everett’s dad never existed. Yet there is one clue for his son to follow, a mysterious app: the Infundibulum.

The three novels are published by Jo Fletcher Books in the UK and Pyr Books in the US. Here’s just a small selection of the praise that has been heaped on the novels…

‘This is vintage McDonald, with beautifully drawn settings, complex characters and deft plotting. When Everett Singh’s scientist father is kidnapped, Everett’s investigations lead him to discover that his father was working to open portals between multiple worlds. Everett finds a map linking the worlds, which various sinister organisations desire – and the thrilling chase is on.’ — Guardian on PLANESRUNNER

‘… nonstop action, eccentric characters, and expert universe building… this first volume of the Everness series is a winner.’ — Publishers Weekly on PLANESRUNNER

‘Ian McDonald is one of the greats of science fiction and his young adult debut is everything you could hope for: romantic, action-packed, wildly imaginative and full of heart.’ — BoingBoing on PLANESRUNNER

‘Smart, clever and abundantly original, with suspense that grabs your eyeballs, this is real science fiction for all ages. More! More!’ — Kirkus on BE MY ENEMY

‘… a blast from start to finish. As far as I’m concerned, Ian McDonald could write another dozen or so of these Everness novels, and I’d happily read them all.’ — Tor.com on BE MY ENEMY

‘The marvelous Everness series… [is] Endlessly fascinating and fun.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review) on EMPRESS OF THE SUN

‘YA or not, the Everness series may be the most enjoyable ongoing series that SF currently has to offer.’ — Locus (Jan.2014) on EMPRESS OF THE SUN

Publication Day (eBook) – Ian McDonald’s EMPRESS OF THE SUN

Posted on Tuesday, December 24th, 2013

The wait is over! The third novel in Ian McDonald‘s critically-acclaimed Everness YA science fiction series is out today in eBook! Just in the nick of time for Christmas. EMPRESS OF THE SUN is published by Jo Fletcher Books in the UK – the hardcover edition will follow on January 2nd, 2014. The book is due to be published next month by Pyr in the US. Here’s the synopsis…

When Everett Singh’s dad was randomly sent to one of the many parallel worlds in the multiverse, Everett discovered a way to find him on the quarantined planet E1, home of the terrifying Nahn.

Now he, along with the crew of the airship Everness, has followed a trail to the next world and his father.

But this is a world where dinosaurs have had sixty-five million years to evolve, where death is the key to the throne and where the Empress of the Sun has a plan to wipe out every other creature on her planet… and then take her conquest to Earth.

All she needs is Everett’s infundibulum…

Here is just a taste of the praise Ian’s Everness novels have received to-date…

‘Snappy, inventive language, lively characters and world-building on an epic scale.’ — Sci-Fi Now on PLANESRUNNER

‘McDonald writes with scientific and literary sophistication, as well as a wicked sense of humor. Add nonstop action, eccentric characters, and expert universe building, and this first volume of the Everness series is a winner.’ — Publishers Weekly on PLANESRUNNER

‘Ian McDonald has spent the past two decades blowing the lid off of science fiction with his poetic, dense, lavish novels that span the universe from Mars to Africa, from the future to the past, from Brazil to India to Turkey. Now McDonald has begun a second career as a young adult novelist with his Everness series… PLANESRUNNER is smashing adventure fiction that spans the multiverse without ever losing its cool or its sense of style. Ian McDonald is one of the greats of science fiction and his young adult debut is everything you could hope for: romantic, action-packed, wildly imaginative and full of heart.’ — BoingBoing

‘Stuffed with science, this series has the potential to fascinate young readers as William Sleator’s books did, tackling concepts on the slippery edge of current understanding. Science causes danger, but it’s also the weapon that combats those terrors. Smart, clever and abundantly original, with suspense that grabs your eyeballs, this is real science fiction for all ages. More! More!’ — Kirkus on BE MY ENEMY

‘If you loved PLANESRUNNER as much as I did, you won’t need my recommendation to pick up this sequel… a blast from start to finish. As far as I’m concerned, Ian McDonald could write another dozen or so of these Everness novels, and I’d happily read them all.’ — Tor.com on BE MY ENEMY

Happy Release Day, Jan Siegel – THE DEVIL’S APPRENTICE

Posted on Thursday, October 10th, 2013

Siegel-DevilsApprentice-Blog

Today, Jan Siegel‘s new dark YA novel, THE DEVIL’S APPRENTICE is published by Ravenstone/Solaris. (Jan Siegel is a pseudonym for Amanda Hemingway.) Publishers Weekly has already described the book as a ‘tongue-in-cheek… fascinating [and] ambitious beginning’.

Here’s the synopsis…

The Devil is retiring… but who’s taking over? In the house with no front door, a group of teenagers are trapped in assorted dimensions of myth and history, undergoing the trials that will shape them to step into his cloven footwear – or destroy them…The Devil is retiring… but who’s taking over?

When teenage Pen inherits the job of caretaker for a London building with no doors and only a secret entrance from the caretaker’s lodge – which she must never use – little does she know it will lead her into unbelievable danger.

For Azmordis, also known as Satan, a spirit as old as Time and as powerful as the Dark, Immortality is running out. In the house with no front door, a group of teenagers are trapped in assorted dimensions of myth and history, undergoing the trials that will shape them to step into his cloven footwear – or destroy them.

Assisted by only by an aspiring teenage chef called Gavin and Jinx, a young witch with more face-piercing than fae-power, Pen must try to stop the Devil’s deadly game plan – before it’s too late.

Amanda is the author of the well-received Sangreal and Fern Capel series (the latter was also written as Jan Siegel). The My Bookish Ways blog interviewed Jan a couple of weeks ago – you can read that, here.

New Cover Art for Ian McDonald’s EMPRESS OF THE SUN

Posted on Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

EMPRESS OF THE SUN, the third book in Ian McDonald‘s Everness critically-acclaimed YA series, has received a striking UK cover…

EMPRESS OF THE SUN is due to be published in the UK by Jo Fletcher Books in January 2014, and in the US by Pyr Books in February 2014.

Cover Reveal: Jan Siegel’s THE DEVIL’S APPRENTICE…

Posted on Tuesday, July 16th, 2013

We’re delighted to announce the next novel by Amanda Hemingway, writing as Jan Siegel: THE DEVIL’S APPRENTICE. The new YA novel is due to be published by Ravenstone (Solaris) in October 2013. Here’s the brooding cover art…

Here’s the synopsis, to whet your appetite…

The Devil is retiring – but who’s taking over?

Wearied by endless aeons of immortality, the Dark Lord in his Dark Tower plans to lapse into limbo till the end of Time. But he still has to choose a successor to take over his evil empire, someone to wear the Horned Crown,
wield the Sceptre of Fire, and sit behind the gleaming Desk in the Circular Office overseeing the downfall of humanity. The ancient spirits who might have followed him are all weakened or jaded; he must find a mortal heir (or heiress), who will sit on his throne and assume his immortal powers. A group of would-be apprentices, young, enthusiastic, and malleable, are trapped in a space/time prism, in various dimensions of magic and the past, undergoing hideous trials to turn them to the dark side. Those who survive—if any—will emerge to compete for the ultimate prize…

Meanwhile, the few who learn of his plan are trying to defeat him — including an incompetent teen witch, an underage lawyer and an aspiring chef.With the help of a fat cat and a set of talking dentures, they must find an absentee
wizard and rescue the wannabe Satans—before it is too late.

Amanda is the author of the well-received Sangreal and Fern Capel series (the latter was also written as Jan Siegal).

Happy Publication Day, Brandon Sanderson

Posted on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013

Brandon Sanderson‘s exciting new YA fantasy, THE RITHMATIST is published today by Orion Children’s. The books was released in the US last week, and hit the New York Times Bestseller list at #6! Fingers crossed for a similar reception over here in the UK!

Here’s the synopsis…

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings—merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery, one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.

Here’s what reviewers have been saying so far…

‘Featuring ingenious magic (complete with profuse chalk drawing–style diagrams and illustrations from McSweeney), feisty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review)

‘The first novel in a brand new series from much-lauded adult fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, THE RITHMATIST is an imaginative, action-packed SFF adventure – entertaining, fun, and with oodles of future potential. In other words: get your chalk out, folks, because this is another good one from Brandon Sanderson. True to form, THE RITHMATIST‘s greatest strength lies with its wonderfully unique magical system. I will never tire or cease to be impressed by Sanderson’s imaginative applications and rules of magic-making…’ — The Book Smugglers – also hosted Brandon for an interview

‘The story is compelling and the main characters of Joel and Melody are ones that we can relate to — even their wishes, desires, hopes, and dreams ring true… While THE RITHMATIST is marketed for teen and young adults, I believe that it would be of interest to readers of all ages. Only the age of the main characters makes this a young adult story, for the problems and issues are germane to humans of all ages. Highly recommended.’ — SF Revu

Brandon Sanderson is represented in the UK and Commonwealth on behalf of JABberwocky Literary Agency.