Search results for ""Tor.Com""
Tor.Com Stormsong
After spinning an enthralling world in Witchmark, praised as 'thoroughly charming and deftly paced' by the New York Times and as a 'can't-miss debut' by Booklist, C. L. Polk continues the story in Stormsong. Magical cabals, otherworldly avengers, and impossible love affairs conspire to create a book that refuses to be put down. Dame Grace Hensley helped her brother Miles undo the atrocity that stained her nation, but now she has to deal with the consequences. With the power out in the dead of winter and an uncontrollable sequence of winter storms on the horizon, Aeland faces disaster. Grace has the vision to guide her parents to safety, but a hostile queen and a ring of rogue mages stand in the way of her plans. There's revolution in the air, and any spark could light the powder. What's worse, upstart photojournalist Avia Jessup draws ever closer to secrets that could topple the nation,and closer to Grace's heart. Can Aeland be saved without bloodshed? Or will Kingston die in flames, and Grace along with it?
£13.99
Tor.Com Docile
£17.32
Tor.Com Network Effect
WINNER of the 2021 Hugo, Nebula and Locus Awards!The first full-length novel in Martha Wells'' New York Times and USA Today bestselling Murderbot Diaries series. An Amazon Best of the Year So Far PickNamed a Best of 2020 Pick for NPR Book Riot Polygon I caught myself rereading my favorite parts... and I can't recommend it enough. The New York TimesYou know that feeling when you're at work, and you've had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you''re a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you''re Murderbot.Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you'll read this century.I'm usually alone in my head,
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£11.61
Tor.Com Over the Woodward Wall
Writing as A. Deborah Baker, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Seanan McGuire introduces readers to a world of talking trees and sarcastic owls, of dangerous mermaids and captivating queens in this exceptional tale for readers who are young at heart in this companion book to McGuire's critically-acclaimed Middlegame. If you trust her you’ll never make it home… Avery is an exceptional child. Everything he does is precise, from the way he washes his face in the morning, to the way he completes his homework – without complaint, without fuss, without prompt. Zib is also an exceptional child, because all children are, in their own way. But where everything Avery does and is can be measured, nothing Zib does can possibly be predicted, except for the fact that she can always be relied upon to be unpredictable. They live on the same street. They live in different worlds. On an unplanned detour from home to school one morning, Avery and Zib find themselves climbing over a stone wall into the Up and Under – an impossible land filled with mystery, adventure and the strangest creatures.
£12.59
Levine Querido A Snake Falls to Earth
Newbery Honor Winner National Indie Bestseller National Book Award LonglistMinneapolis Star Tribune Best of the YearPublishers Weekly Best of the YearKirkus Best the YearApple Best of the Year Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best New York Public Library's Best of the YearAutostraddle's Best Queer Books of the Year 'A spellbinding tale.'—Texas Monthly 'Genre-bending.'—TIME 'Undeniably charming.'—Tor.com ★ 'Evokes the timeless feeling of listening to traditional oral storytelling.'—Kirkus (starred) ★ 'Fun, imaginative, and deeply immersive, this story will be long in the minds of readers.'—Publishers Weekly (starred) ★ 'Magical, stunning, and wholly original.'—Booklist (starred) 'A highly descriptive story whi
£9.99
Orion Publishing Co Maiden Mother Crone
Turn the page, and step into a stunning, evocative world where nature, magic and fate are inextricably linked, and one wrong - or right - step can take you from the modern world into one filled with both danger and wonder.This beautiful volume contains the award-winning novellas A Pocketful of Crows, The Blue Salt Road and Orfeia. Fully illustrated by Bonnie Helen Hawkins, with a brand new introduction by the author and three original short stories, this is a landmark collection which gloriously reimagines traditional British folktales into a timely, relevant and powerful new stories.''Perfect reading for a chilly autumn evening'' thesenovelthoughts''Stunning and original modern fairytales'' calturnerreviews''Thought-provoking and evocative'' Tor.com
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Orion Publishing Co Maiden, Mother, Crone: A Collection
Turn the page, and step into a stunning, evocative world where nature, magic and fate are inextricably linked, and one wrong - or right - step can take you from the modern world into one filled with both danger and wonder.This beautiful volume contains the award-winning novellas A Pocketful of Crows, The Blue Salt Road and Orfeia. Fully illustrated by Bonnie Helen Hawkins, with a brand new introduction by the author and three original short stories, this is a landmark collection which gloriously reimagines traditional British folktales into a timely, relevant and powerful new stories.'Perfect reading for a chilly autumn evening' thesenovelthoughts'Stunning and original modern fairytales' calturnerreviews'Thought-provoking and evocative' Tor.com
£22.50
Hodder & Stoughton A Brightness Long Ago: A profound and unforgettable historical fantasy novel
'The greatest living author of epic fantasy' - Brandon Sanderson 'The finest in his field' - Tor.com 'Guy Gavriel Kay's A Brightness Long Ago is a masterpiece; perhaps the finest work of one of the world's greatest living storytellers' - Fantasy Book Review ***One of Goodreads' Most Anticipated SFF Books of 2019*** Internationally bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay's latest work is set in a world evoking early Renaissance Italy, with an extraordinary cast of characters. In a chamber overlooking the nighttime waterways of a maritime city, a man looks back on his youth and the people who shaped his life. Danio Cerra's intelligence won him entry to a renowned school, though he was only the son of a tailor. He took service at the court of a ruling count - and soon learned why that man was known as The Beast. Danio's fate changed the moment he recognized Adria Ripoli as she entered the count's chambers one night - intending to kill. Born to power, Adria had chosen a life of danger - and freedom - instead. Other vivid figures share the story: a healer determined to defy her expected lot; a charming, frivolous son of immense wealth; a religious leader more decadent than devout; and, affecting these lives and many more, two mercenary commanders, whose rivalry puts a world in the balance. Further praise for Guy Gavriel Kay 'Contemporary fiction's finest fantasist' Tor.com 'History and fantasy rarely come together as gracefully or readably as they do in the novels of Guy Gavriel Kay' Washington Post 'One of the (if not the) premiere fantasists of our time' The Financial Times 'Compulsively readable . . . Kay is a global phenomenon . . . a storyteller on the grandest scale' Time Magazine (Canada)
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Biblioasis The Future
Winner of Canada Reads 2024 • Longlisted for the 2024 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction • One of Tor.com''s Can''t Miss Speculative Fiction for Fall 2023 • Listed in CBC Books Fiction to Read in Fall 2023 • One of Kirkus Reviews'' Fall 2023 Big Books By Small Presses • A Kirkus Review Work of Translated Fiction To Read Now • One of CBC Books Best Books of 2023 • A CBC Books Bestselling Canadian Book of the WeekIn an alternate history in which the French never surrendered Detroit, children protect their own kingdom in the trees.In an alternate history of Detroit, the Motor City was never surrendered to the US. Its residents deal with pollution, poverty, and the legacy of racism—and strange and magical things are happening: children rule over their o
£13.99
Rebellion Publishing Ltd. Terrible Worlds: Revolutions
The Future Is Oppression.Scions, sonko, landlords: whatever you call them, they're the super rich, the princes of capitalism, living off the labour – and the deaths – of the swarming masses and all too happy to see the world burn to preserve their luxurious lives.In three critically-acclaimed novellas, the "British master of science fiction" (Tor.com) takes you down into the mud and horror of a future battlefield, into the dust and burning heat of a scorched equator, into the grinding poverty of a newly-feudal village, with the folk who give their lives every day in the service of undeserving masters... and sows the seed of revolution.Collecting Tchaikovsky's critically acclaimed novellas Ironclads (2017), Firewalkers (2020) and Ogres (2022) for the first time, Terrible Worlds: Revolutions gives you three glimpses of hope for a better future.
£9.99
Tor Publishing Group In the Lives of Puppets
A NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND INDIE BESTSELLER!New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune invites you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.Most Anticipated from BookPage Goodreads The Nerd Daily Paste Magazine LitReactor OverDrive LGBTQ Reads Tor.com LibraryReads moreAn enchanting tale of Pinocchio in the end times. P. Djèlí ClarkIn a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robotsfatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They're a family, hidden and safe.The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labeled HAP, he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gioa past spent hunting humans.When Hap unwit
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Rebellion Publishing Ltd. The Tales of Catt & Fisher: The Art of the Steal
Four new tales of Doctors Catt and Fisher…Scholars, shopkeepers, collectors… aficionados. Obtainers of rare antiquities; relic hunters who can’t resist a lead, even when it takes them into terrible danger. There’s always an opportunity to be found amid the confusion, in the wake of the terrible Kinslayer War. There’s always a deal to be done, a tomb to open, a precious thing to… obtain.From encounters with the monstrous Vathesk to exploring new worlds; from wielding great power to do great good, to unearthing dark things best left lost. If you need the experts, if you can find your way to their Cherivell shop, maybe you can hire Doctors Catt and Fisher.“Robson writes a tense, fast-paced quest adventure... I hope to see more like it.” Liz Bourke“If you’re looking for something that celebrates the genre, while working to interrogate and question how that genre works, look no further than Redemption’s Blade.” Martin Cahill, Tor.com
£8.99
Orion Publishing Co The Female Man: The Best of the SF Masterworks
Joanna. Jeannine. Janet. Jael.Four women, four worlds, four vastly different societies.When these women are suddenly able to communicate with each other through the boundaries of dimensions, they are confronted with what could have been if one thing changed in history. And they find themselves looking at their own worlds with new eyes. Acclaimed as one of the essential works of science fiction, The Female Man examines gender roles in society and remains a work of great power. It won a retrospective James Tiptree Jr. Award and a 2002 Gaylactic Spectrum Hall of Fame award.'A stunning book, a work to be read with great respect. It's also screamingly funny' - San Francisco Review of Books'She was brilliant in a way that couldn't be denied'- The New Yorker'It's a gorgeous book, frankly, and well worth any reader's time' - Tor.comWelcome to The Best Of The Masterworks: a selection of the finest in science fiction
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HarperCollins Publishers In the Night Wood
A FOREST. A BOOK. A MISSING GIRL. NOMINATED FOR THE WORLD FANTASY AWARD AND THE SHIRLEY JACKSON AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR – TOR.COM Charles Hayden has been fascinated by a strange Victorian fairy tale, In the Night Wood, since he was a child. When his wife, Erin – a descendant of the author – inherits her ancestor’s house, the couple decide to make it their home. Still mourning the recent death of their daughter, they leave America behind, seeking a new beginning in the English countryside. But Hollow House, filled with secrets and surrounded by an ancient oak forest, is a place where the past seems very much alive. Isolated among the trees, Charles and Erin begin to feel themselves haunted – by echoes of the stories in the house’s library, by sightings of their daughter, and by something else, as old and dark as the forest around them. A compelling and atmospheric gothic thriller, In the Night Wood reveals the chilling power of myth and memory.
£8.99
Quercus Publishing Scarlet Tides: The Moontide Quartet Book 2
The second in David Hair's epic Moontide Quartet, perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin and Robert Jordan.Return to Urte, a land in chaos, where the smallest choice may save or damn the world.The Moontide has come, and a scarlet tide of Rondian legions is flooding into the East, slaughtering and pillaging in the name of Emperor Constant. But the Scytale of Corineus, the source of ultimate magical power, has slipped through the emperor's fingers. His ruthless inquisitors are desperately seeking the artefact, before it falls into the hands of those who would bring him down. But there are some who have pledged to end the cycle of war and restore peace to Urte. They are the unlikeliest of heroes: a failed mage, a gypsy and a lowly market-girl. As East and West clash more violently than ever before, the people of Urte will discover that love, loyalty and truth can be forged into weapons as deadly as swords and magic.'Promises to recall epic fantasy's finest' - Tor.com
£14.99
Orion Publishing Co Cold Iron: Masters and Mages Book One
Aranthur is a student. He showed a little magical talent, is studying at the local academy, and is nothing particularly special. Others are smarter. Others are more talented. Others are quicker to pick up techniques. But none of them are with him when he breaks his journey home for the holidays in an inn. None of them step in to help when a young woman is thrown off a passing stage coach into the deep snow at the side of the road. And none of them are drawn into a fight to protect her.One of the others might have realised she was manipulating him all along . . .A powerful story about beginnings, coming of age, and the way choosing to take one step towards violence can lead to a slippery and dangerous slope, this is an accomplished fantasy series driven by strong characters and fast-paced action.'A stirring, gritty and at times quite brutal epic fantasy' Tor.com'This series promises to be the standout epic fantasy for the ages' Fantasy Book Critic
£9.99
Quercus Publishing Our Lady of the Streets: The Skyscraper Throne Book 3
'I couldn't have asked for a more satisfying finale' Tor.comIn this thrilling conclusion to the Skyscraper Throne trilogy, Beth will come face-to-face with the goddess of the streets . . . Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.Ever since Beth and Pen found their way into the hidden corners of London, the presence of its ruthless goddess, Mater Viae, has haunted its twisting streets. Now Mater Viae has returned with deadly consequences. The streets are wracked by convulsions as wires and pipe go into spasm, bunching the city into a crippled new geography; pavements flare to thousand-degree fevers, incinerating pedestrians; and towers fall, their foundations decayed. It seems there is nothing Beth and Pen can do to stop this insane goddess.As the city sickens, so does Beth - her essence now part of this secret London. But when it is revealed that Mater Viae's plans for dominion stretch far beyond the borders of the city, Beth must make a choice: flee, or sacrifice her city in order to save it.Our Lady of the Street is the third book and thrilling conclusion in The Skyscraper Throne trilogy.
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton A Closed and Common Orbit: Wayfarers 2
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017 HUGO AWARD AND THE ARTHUR C CLARKE AWARD. WINNER OF THE 2017 PRIX JULIA-VERLANGER.'Chambers is simply an exceptional talent' Tor.comThe stand-alone sequel to the award-winning The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.Lovelace was once merely a ship's artificial intelligence. When she wakes up in an new body, following a total system shut-down and reboot, she has to start over in a synthetic body, in a world where her kind are illegal. She's never felt so alone.But she's not alone, not really. Pepper, one of the engineers who risked life and limb to reinstall Lovelace, is determined to help her adjust to her new world. Because Pepper knows a thing or two about starting over.Together, Pepper and Lovey will discover that, huge as the galaxy may be, it's anything but empty. PRAISE FOR THE WAYFARERS'Never less than deeply involving' DAILY MAIL'Explores the quieter side of sci-fi while still wowing us with daring leaps of imagination' iBOOKS'So much fun to read' HEAT'Warm, engaging, properly science-fictional, A Closed and Common Orbit is a very likable novel indeed' GUARDIAN'The most fun that I've had with a novel in a long, long time' iO9
£9.99
Orion Publishing Co Dark Forge: Masters and Mages Book Two
Only fools think war is simple.Or glorious.Some are warriors, some captains; others tend to the fallen or feed the living.But on the magic-drenched battlefield, information is the lifeblood of victory, and Aranthur is about to discover that carrying messages, scouting the enemy, keeping his nerve, and passing on orders is more dangerous, and more essential, then an inexperienced soldier could imagine . . . especially when everything starts to go wrong.Battle has been joined - on the field, in the magical sphere, and in the ever-shifting political arena . . .Praise for Miles Cameron'A masterclass in how to write modern fantasy - world building, characters, plot and pacing, all perfectly blended. Miles Cameron is at the top of his game. To say I loved it is an understatement' John Gwynne'Miles Cameron is back with a brand new series and you're going to be hooked from the very beginning. A fresh take on the typical farm boy turned hero fantasy, this is everything you could possibly want in a fantasy series' The Bibliophile Chronicles'A stirring, gritty and at times quite brutal epic fantasy' Tor.com'This series promises to be the standout epic fantasy for the ages' Fantasy Book Critic
£9.99
Orion Publishing Co The Weight of the World
The sequel to what Tor.com called 'among the most significant works of science fiction released in recent years' The universe is in disarray. Rebellions against the immortal Amaranthine are spreading, worlds and moons have fallen, and the Emperor is missing. An ancient being has reawoken and claimed the throne. And the most important invention in the history of time itself has been stolen.And amidst this chaos, lives continue. A pair of sisters and one small child flee across a world they know nothing of. An outcast, hunted by his tormentors, is caught up in the machinations of a petty warlord. An imprisoned AI creates empires of its own in the building to which it is confined, and seeks an escape.Mind-bending Science Fiction from a remarkable new voice'Toner's richly layered sequel to 2015's The Promise of the Child is a sprawling space opera likely to remind readers of complex works such as Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun. It's the 147th century, and numerous varieties of mutant humans, evolved dinosaurs, and alien species vie for control of dozens of planets, moons, and Vaulted Lands (hollowed-out planets with artificial interior suns) spread out over the 23 Solar Satrapies of the Amaranthine Firmament . . . Readers who enjoy a challenge will appreciate both the book's complexities and its beautiful language' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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Hodder & Stoughton The Galaxy, and the Ground Within: Wayfarers 4
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND HUGO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST SERIES. Winner of The Kitschie Red Tentacle for Best Novel.The stunning finale to the award-winning Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers, author of the beloved The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.When a freak technological failure halts traffic to and from the planet Gora, three strangers are thrown together unexpectedly, with seemingly nothing to do but wait.Pei is a cargo runner at a personal crossroads, torn between her duty to her people, and her duty to herself. Roveg is an exiled artist, with a deeply urgent, and longed for, family appointment to keep.Speaker has never been far from her twin but now must endure the unendurable: separation.Under the care of Ouloo, an enterprising alien, and Tupo, her occasionally helpful child, the trio are compelled to confront where they've been, where they might go, and what they might be to one another.Together they will discover that even in the vastness of space, they're not alone.PRAISE FOR THE WAYFARERS 'Becky Chambers is a wonder, and I feel better for having her books in my life' JOHN CONNOLLY'In a word, brilliant' ANDREW CALDECOTT'A quietly profound, humane tour de force' GUARDIAN'Chambers is simply an exceptional talent' TOR.COM'Becky Chambers takes space opera in a whole new and unexpected direction' BEN AARONOVITCH
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Galaxy, and the Ground Within: Wayfarers 4
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND HUGO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST SERIES. Winner of The Kitschie Red Tentacle for Best Novel.The stunning finale to the award-winning Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers, author of the beloved The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.When a freak technological failure halts traffic to and from the planet Gora, three strangers are thrown together unexpectedly, with seemingly nothing to do but wait.Pei is a cargo runner at a personal crossroads, torn between her duty to her people, and her duty to herself. Roveg is an exiled artist, with a deeply urgent, and longed for, family appointment to keep.Speaker has never been far from her twin but now must endure the unendurable: separation.Under the care of Ouloo, an enterprising alien, and Tupo, her occasionally helpful child, the trio are compelled to confront where they've been, where they might go, and what they might be to one another.Together they will discover that even in the vastness of space, they're not alone.PRAISE FOR THE WAYFARERS 'Becky Chambers is a wonder, and I feel better for having her books in my life' JOHN CONNOLLY'In a word, brilliant' ANDREW CALDECOTT'A quietly profound, humane tour de force' GUARDIAN'Chambers is simply an exceptional talent' TOR.COM'Becky Chambers takes space opera in a whole new and unexpected direction' BEN AARONOVITCH
£15.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Ashes of the Sun
'Ashes of the Sun is fantasy at its finest' Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld Four hundred years ago, a cataclysmic war cracked the world open. Amid the ashes, the Dawn Republic now stands guard over lands littered with eldritch relics and cursed by plaguespawn outbreaks. But a new conflict is looming and brother and sister Gyre and Maya have found themselves on opposite sides of it. At the age of five, Maya was taken by the Twilight Order and trained to be a centarch, wielding forbidden arcana to enforce the Dawn Republic's rule. On that day, her brother, Gyre, swore to destroy the Order that stole his sister... whatever the cost. Twelve years later, brother and sister are two very different people: she is the Twilight Order's brightest prodigy; he is a thief, bandit and revolutionary. Together, the siblings will discover that not even ties of blood will keep them from splitting the world in two. Praise for Ashes of the Sun: 'Wexler's best work yet... Ashes of the Sun has scale and pace, and tension and batshit cool scenery, and I enjoyed it a hell of a lot' Tor.com 'A fast-paced and highly entertaining ride through a compelling and original world' Anthony Ryan 'Wexler is a master of high fantasy' S.M. Stirling 'A perfect page turner and a phenomenal start to a new series' Peter Clines
£9.99
Orion Publishing Co The Promise of the Child
'among the most significant works of science fiction released in recent years' TOR.COMAn extraordinarily inventive and hugely original SF novel that charts a compelling vision of a future and spins an hypnotic narrative around it. A novel that could command the same amount of attention and furore that met the publication of The Quantum Thief. The richness and originality of its vision combined with its playful take on hard science make this a novel with real commercial potential that will be talked about for years and should launch a major career in SF.In the far future man has spread out into the galaxy. And diversified. Some have evolved physically into strange new forms, some have become immortal. Some hark back to the old ways. We have built a glorious new future. One that stretches from the sleepy Old World, to new terraformed planets and Dyson spheres built around artificial suns. For as long as we can remember (and some have lived 12,000 years) we have delighted in a rich new existence. Yes there have been wars but we are content in our splendour. Art is revered, life is easy, death forgotten for many. But now there are rumours of a bid to oust the Emperor and a worrying story that our history is not as we remember it - not only man left Earth...
£11.69
Erewhon Books Desert Creatures
This “genre-shredding” (Tor.com) feminist dystopian eco-horror, perfect for fans of The Last of Us, traces a girl’s coming-of-age on a post-apocalyptic trek through the Southwest.In a bleak, desiccated future, eleven-year-old Magdala and her father are forced to flee through the desolate landscape of the American Southwest, searching for shelter and peace. Pursued by horrors both unnatural and all-too-human, they join a pilgrimage to the holy city of Las Vegas, where it is said that vigilante saints reside, bright with neon power. Magdala, born with a clubfoot, is determined to be healed there. But one by one, the pilgrims and her father fall victim to an eerie, all-consuming sickness—leaving Magdala to fend for herself in the wilderness.After surviving for years on her own, Magdala grows tired of waiting for her miracle. She turns her gaze to Las Vegas once more, taking an exiled Vegas priest hostage to guide her as she navigates the unsettling expanse of the desert and the hungry, dark ambitions of men. Even as she nears the holy land, Magdala must choose: survival or salvation?In this moving debut novel, acclaimed short fiction writer Kay Chronister twines the strange, terrible beauty of the desert into a haunting exploration of faith and hope. Bold and disquieting, Desert Creatures is a surreal examination of humanity and the myths we tell ourselves to survive.
£14.57
Small Beer Press The People in the Castle: Selected Strange Stories
“Among the stories collected in this omnibus, are some of the very first Joan Aiken stories that I ever fell in love with, starting with the title story ‘The People in the Castle,’ which is a variation on the classic tales of fairy wives.”—Kelly Link “[A] haunting and wondrous book.”—Emily Nordling, Tor.com “This short story collection, edited by Aiken’s daughter Lizza and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction finalist Kelly Link, compiles tales of the surreal and supernatural suited for an adult audience.”—Ryan Porter, Toronto Star “Sprightly but brooding, with well-defined plots, twists, and punch lines, these stories deserve a place on the shelf with the fantasies of Saki (H.H. Munro), Sylvia Townsend Warner, and Susanna Clarke.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Here is the whisper in the night, the creak upstairs, the sound that raises gooseflesh, the wish you’d checked the lock on the door before it got really, really dark. Here are tales of suspense and the supernatural that will chill, amuse, and exhilarate. Best known for The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Joan Aiken (1924–2004) wrote over a hundred books and won the Guardian and Edgar Allan Poe awards. She supported her family by copyediting at Argosy magazine and an advertising agency before turning to fiction and went on to write for Vogue, Good Housekeeping, Vanity Fair, Women’s Own, and many others. Visit her online at www.joanaiken.com.
£14.33
Amazon Publishing Scarlet Odyssey
“Thrillingly refreshing, a propulsive story built around a fascinating cast of characters…brutal and beautiful and bold and Black in every way.” —Tor.com Magic is women’s work; war is men’s. But in the coming battle, none of that will matter. Men do not become mystics. They become warriors. But eighteen-year-old Salo has never been good at conforming to his tribe’s expectations. For as long as he can remember, he has loved books and magic in a culture where such things are considered unmanly. Despite it being sacrilege, Salo has worked on a magical device in secret that will awaken his latent magical powers. And when his village is attacked by a cruel enchantress, Salo knows that it is time to take action. Salo’s queen is surprisingly accepting of his desire to be a mystic, but she will not allow him to stay in the tribe. Instead, she sends Salo on a quest. The quest will take him thousands of miles north to the Jungle City, the political heart of the continent. There he must gather information on a growing threat to his tribe. On the way to the city, he is joined by three fellow outcasts: a shunned female warrior, a mysterious nomad, and a deadly assassin. But they’re being hunted by the same enchantress who attacked Salo’s village. She may hold the key to Salo’s awakening—and his redemption.
£9.15
Small Beer Press The Winged Histories
Four women, soldier, scholar, poet, and socialite are caught up on different sides of a violent rebellion. As war erupts and their families are torn apart, they fear they may disappear into the unwritten pages of history. Using the sword and the pen, the body and the voice, they struggle not just to survive, but to make history. Praise for The Winged Histories: "Like an alchemist, Sofia Samatar spins golden landscapes and dazzling sentences...a fantasy novel for those who take their sentences with the same slow, unfolding beauty as a cup of jasmine tea, and for adventurers like Tav, who are willing to charge ahead into the unknown."--Shelf Awareness (starred review) "A highly recommended indulgence." --N.K. Jemisin, New York Times Book Review "Above all, it's a story about love--the terrible love that tears lives apart. Doomed love; impossible love; love that requires a rewriting of the rules, be it for a country, a person, or a story."--Jenn Northington, Tor.com "An imaginative, poetic, and dark meditation on how history gets made." --Hello Beautiful Sofia Samatar is the author of the novels A Stranger in Olondria and The Winged Histories and a collection, Tender: Stories. She has written for the Guardian, Strange Horizons, New Inquiry, Believer, and Clarkesworld, among others, and has won the John W. Campbell Award, the Crawford Award, the British Fantasy Award, and the World Fantasy Award. She lives in Virginia and her website is sofiasamatar.com.
£10.99
Orion Publishing Co Bright Steel: Masters and Mages Book Three
Every war come down to the flash of bright steel.Even when the air is full of magic . . .Aranthur and his friends have come together across different continents and realms with one purpose: to strike back against the forces which have torn a hole in the heavens and threaten to tear the world beneath them apart as well.With time running short, and treason at home, there are battles to be fought on the field, in the magical arena, and in the ever-deadly realm of politics, and they cannot fail anywhere or everything will fall. Victory will require enemies to trust one another, old foes to fight together, spies to reveal the truth and steadfast allies to betray long-corrupt rulers.Is Aranthur, a twenty-year-old student, really the master strategist to bring it all together?And can he and his friends build enough trust to overcome aeons of lies when their plans inevitably fall to pieces? Do they even know, for sure, who the enemy is . . . ?Praise for Miles Cameron'A masterclass in how to write modern fantasy . . . Miles Cameron is at the top of his game' John Gwynne'A fresh take on the typical farm boy turned hero fantasy, this is everything you could possibly want in a fantasy series' The Bibliophile Chronicles'A stirring, gritty and at times quite brutal epic fantasy' Tor.com'This series promises to be the standout epic fantasy for the ages' Fantasy Book Critic
£10.04
Night Shade Books The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume Two
The second volume of a new best-of-the-year science fiction short story anthology edited by Hugo Award-winning editor Neil Clarke. First contact with a mysterious race of aliens reveals an unusual request; a family’s pet dog comes to grips with the newly bestowed gift of human-like intelligence; a poet, in danger and alone on a distant world, makes unlikely allies; hundreds of years in the future, a famous hermit lives in the sea above the now-underwater Harvard University; former friends navigate unsteady peace between human refugees and the technologically superior race that saved them; in a future where human life can be infinitely extended through cybertronic rebirth, one woman declines immortality. For decades, science fiction has compelled us to imagine futures both inspiring and cautionary. Whether it’s a warning message from a survey ship, a harrowing journey to a new world, or the adventures of well-meaning AI, science fiction inspires the imagination and delivers a lens through which we can view ourselves and the world around us. With The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume Two, award-winning editor Neil Clarke provides a year-in-review and twenty-seven of the best stories published by both new and established authors in 2016. TABLE OF CONTENTS “The Visitor from Taured” by Ian R. MacLeod (Asimov’s, September 2016) “Extraction Request” by Rich Larson (Clarkesworld, January 2016) “A Good Home” by Karin Lowachee (Lightspeed, June 2016) “Prodigal” by Gord Sellar (Analog, December 2016) “Ten Days” by Nina Allan (Now We Are Ten, edited by Ian Whates) “Terminal” by Lavie Tidhar (Tor.com, April 2016) “Panic City” by Madeline Ashby (CyberWorld, edited by Jason Heller and Joshua Viola) “Last Gods” by Sam J. Miller (Drowned Worlds, edited by Jonathana Strahan) “HigherWorks” by Gregory Norman Bossert (Asimov’s, December 2016) “A Strange Loop” by T.R. Napper (Interzone, January/February 2016) “Night Journey of the Dragon-Horse” by Xia Jia (Invisible Planets, edited by Ken Liu) “Pearl” by Aliette de Bodard (The Starlit Wood, edited by Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe) “The Metal Demimonde” by Nick Wolven (Analog, June 2016) “The Iron Tactician” by Alastair Reynolds (Newcon Press) “The Mighty Slinger” by Tobias S. Buckell and Karen Lord (Bridging Infinity, edited by Jonathana Strahan) “They All Have One Breath” by Karl Bunker (Asimov’s, December 2016) “Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea” by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed, February 2016) “And Then, One Day, the Air was Full of Voices” by Margaret Ronald (Clarkesworld, June 2016) “The Three Lives of Sonata James” by Lettie Prell (Tor.com, October 2016) “The Charge and the Storm” by An Owomoyela (Asimov’s, February 2016) “Parables of Infinity” by Robert Reed (Bridging Infinity, edited by Jonathana Strahan) “Ten Poems for the Mossums, One for the Man” by Suzanne Palmer (Asimov’s, July 2016) “You Make Pattaya” by Rich Larson (Interzone, November/December 2016) “Number Nine Moon” by Alex Irvine (F&SF, January/February 2016) “Things with Beards” by Sam J. Miller (Clarkesworld, June 2016) “Dispatches from the Cradle: The Hermit—Forty-Eight Hours in the Sea of Massachusetts” by Ken Liu (Drowned Worlds, edited by Jonathana Strahan) “Touring with the Alien” by Carolyn Ives Gilman (Clarkesworld, April 2016)
£15.22
Orion Publishing Co The Tropic of Eternity
Perfect for fans of Iain M. Banks and Peter F. Hamilton.It is the 147th century. The mighty era of Homo Sapiens is at an end.In the Westerly Provinces of the Old World, the hunt is on for the young queen Arabis, and the beast that holds her captive. In the brutal hominid Investiture, revolution has come. The warlord Cunctus, having seized the Vulgar worlds, invites every Prism to pick a side. In the Firmament, once the kingdom of the Immortal Amaranthine, all ships converge on the foundry of Gliese. The grandest battle in the history of mammalian kind has begun.Perception, ancient machine spirit, must take back its mortal remains in a contest for the Firmament itself. Ghaldezuel, now the Grand Marshal of Cunctus' new empire, must travel to the deepest lagoon in the Investiture, a place where monsters dwell. Captain Maril, lost amongst the Hedron Stars, finds himself caught between colossal powers the likes of which he'd never dreamt. And for Aaron the Long-Life, he who has waited so very, very long for his revenge, things are only getting started . . .'(An) unceasing display of wonders...This third novel honours the accomplishments of and promises of the first two, and serves as a fitting capstone to a unique creation...' Paul Di Filippo, Locus Magazine'The final book in Toner's ridiculously ambitious trilogy will force you to redefine what space opera can do... ' Barnes & Noble'Among the most significant works of science fiction released in recent years' TOR.COM [The Promise of the Child]
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet: the most hopeful, charming and cosy novel to curl up with
LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILEY'S WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A quietly profound, humane tour de force' Guardian The beloved debut novel that will restore your faith in humanity#SmallAngryPlanetWhen Rosemary Harper joins the crew of the Wayfarer, she isn't expecting much. The ship, which has seen better days, offers her everything she could possibly want: a small, quiet spot to call home for a while, adventure in far-off corners of the galaxy, and distance from her troubled past.But Rosemary gets more than she bargained for with the Wayfarer. The crew is a mishmash of species and personalities, from Sissix, the friendly reptillian pilot, to Kizzy and Jenks, the constantly sparring engineers who keep the ship running. Life on board is chaotic, but more or less peaceful - exactly what Rosemary wants.Until the crew are offered the job of a lifetime: the chance to build a hyperspace tunnel to a distant planet. They'll earn enough money to live comfortably for years... if they survive the long trip through war-torn interstellar space without endangering any of the fragile alliances that keep the galaxy peaceful.But Rosemary isn't the only person on board with secrets to hide, and the crew will soon discover that space may be vast, but spaceships are very small indeed. PRAISE FOR THE WAYFARERS'Never less than deeply involving' DAILY MAIL'Explores the quieter side of sci-fi while still wowing us with daring leaps of imagination' iBOOKS'So much fun to read' HEAT'Chambers is simply an exceptional talent, quietly and beautifully redefining the space opera' TOR.COM'The most fun that I've had with a novel in a long, long time' iO9
£8.99
Erewhon Books The Nightland Express
“A must-read for anyone who loves . . . complex and compelling coming-of-age stories, tales set in the Wild West with a tinge of magic, and/or a fast-paced read full of fae and adventure.” —Tor.comIn antebellum America, two teens bury their secrets and join the historic Pony Express, soon discovering that the mortal world is not the only one on the brink of war.When bright, brash Jessamine Murphy finds a recruitment poster for the Pony Express, her tomboy heart skips a beat: not only for adventure, but for the chance to track down her wayward father in California. Eager to reunite her fractured family, Jessamine cuts her hair, dons a pair of trousers, and steps into the world as Jesse.With a bit of trickery, Jesse wins a special assignment—as does Ben Foley, a quiet but determined boy who guards secrets as closely as Jesse does. The two are to transport unusual cargo along an unusual route: the Nightland Express. They ride west together, one excitedly navigating the world as a boy, the other passing as white to escape the monsters from his past.Ben and Jesse soon realize their assignment is special in more ways than one: their tireless horses cover ground faster than should be possible, and inhuman creatures watch their journey from the darkness. The Nightland Express is more than a mail route—it traces the border between the mortal world and a vibrant, magical land just beyond.As both realms hover on the precipice of disaster, Jesse and Ben must learn to fully trust one another before a catastrophic rift separates the two worlds—and the two riders—forever.
£14.99
Simon & Schuster Ltd The Firmament of Flame
The explosive conclusion to the epic saga that started with THE STARS NOW UNCLAIMED, the space opera SFX calls 'a glorious romp'!Always outnumbered, always outflanked. That’s the motto of the Justified, the small band of mercenaries who are determined to set the universe to rights after accidentally unleashing a cataclysm upon it. Find the fight before it finds you. But they’re not the only people who are trying to change the order of the universe. A group of psychotic beings, the Cyn, seem determined to stop the Justified.Hit them before they hit you. This little band of heroes are going to have to travel to the farthest reaches of the universe in order to stop the Cyn and save the world. But there’s a balance to the universe… and they’re just about to upset it. Hard.*** Praise for Drew Williams and the Universe After series *** ‘A proper space spectacular, the love child of Destiny and StarWars, raised by Firefly on a steady diet of Resident Evil… The dialogue is snappy and the jokes are laugh out loud: an escapist, gleeful, explodey space opera’ Tor.com ‘The only thing more fun than a bonkers space battle is a whole book packed with bonkers space battles. Come for the exploding spaceships, stay for the intriguing universe’ Becky Chambers, author of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet 'An immersive, rollicking yarn’ SFX 'Pirates, smugglers, soldiers, spies, snarky spaceships, and really big guns . . . and that's just the first chapter. The action gets bigger, the stakes get higher, and I loved it!' Claire North, author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
£8.99
Erewhon Books Desert Creatures
“A vivid investigation of faith, perseverance, and human violence as they exist at the end of the world . . . Scintillating.” —Brian Evenson, author of Song for the Unraveling WorldThis “genre-shredding” (Tor.com) feminist dystopian eco-horror, perfect for fans of The Last of Us, traces a girl’s coming-of-age on a post-apocalyptic trek through the Southwest.In a bleak, desiccated future, eleven-year-old Magdala and her father are forced to flee through the desolate landscape of the American Southwest, searching for shelter and peace. Pursued by horrors both unnatural and all-too-human, they join a pilgrimage to the holy city of Las Vegas, where it is said that vigilante saints reside, bright with neon power. Magdala, born with a clubfoot, is determined to be healed there. But one by one, the pilgrims and her father fall victim to an eerie, all-consuming sickness—leaving Magdala to fend for herself in the wilderness.After surviving for years on her own, Magdala grows tired of waiting for her miracle. She turns her gaze to Las Vegas once more, taking an exiled Vegas priest hostage to guide her as she navigates the unsettling expanse of the desert and the hungry, dark ambitions of men. Even as she nears the holy land, Magdala must choose: survival or salvation?In this moving debut novel, acclaimed short fiction writer Kay Chronister twines the strange, terrible beauty of the desert into a haunting exploration of faith and hope. Bold and disquieting, Desert Creatures is a surreal examination of humanity and the myths we tell ourselves to survive.
£20.98
Simon & Schuster Ltd More Perfect: The Circle meets Inception in this moving exploration of tech and connection.
'A spectacular exploration of the power of technology...science fiction at its best' Saara El-Arifi, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife"What does it feel like to wake up in the Panopticon? It’s like waking up for the first time ever. It’s like waking up with a third eye." When Moremi connects her brain to the Panopticon, a network which allows you to see inside the minds and dreams of others, she believes that it will save her from depression, loneliness and, eventually, death. That is until she meets Orpheus. Orpheus was brought up in isolation by a Neo-luddite father. He was raised to question everything, including the government who plan to make the connection procedure compulsory. They promise that connecting everyone to the Panopticon will end human suffering and usher in a more perfect world. But when Orpheus and Moremi uncover the dark side of the technology, they find themselves on opposite sides of a radical divide, between those who believe that the Panopticon will save humanity, and those who will stop at nothing to destroy it. More Perfect is The Circle meets Inception in an immersive and futuristic story that explores love, loneliness and the limits of technology’s ability to save a humanity who might not want to be saved. Praise for More Perfect 'A fascinating story that never shies away from the contradictions in human nature' Guardian 'An unnervingly believable struggle for the future. The story of Moremi and Orpheus has classical antecedents but with a satisfying eye for the future' Booklist 'Tightly crafted, weaving science fiction, mythology, and more to tell a tale that feels pertinent right now' Kirkus Reviews'More Perfect is a deeply character-driven dystopia that explores memory, connection, and controlling the narrative, with vibes sort of like V for Vendetta mixed with Inception' Tor.com
£10.99
Hodder & Stoughton Record of a Spaceborn Few: Wayfarers 3
*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND HUGO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST SERIES*From the ground, we stand. From our ship, we live. By the stars, we hope.The incredible new novel by Becky Chambers, author of the beloved The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.Centuries after the last humans left Earth, the Exodus Fleet is a living relic, a place many are from but few outsiders have seen. Humanity has finally been accepted into the galactic community, but while this has opened doors for many, those who have not yet left for alien cities fear that their carefully cultivated way of life is under threat.Tessa chose to stay home when her brother Ashby left for the stars, but has to question that decision when her position in the Fleet is threatened.Kip, a reluctant young apprentice, itches for change but doesn't know where to find it.Sawyer, a lost and lonely newcomer, is just looking for a place to belong.And when a disaster rocks this already fragile community, those Exodans who still call the Fleet their home can no longer avoid the inescapable question:What is the purpose of a ship that has reached its destination?PRAISE'Richly human, believable [and] compelling . . . underlain with a deep compassion and a feeling for community' Tor.com'Terrific. . . a masterly exploration of characterisation and diversity wrapped in intensity, heartbreak and tension.' Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat'An emotional, moving look at what it means to be human, and the importance of heritage and legacy' Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe'Exactly what I hoped it would be and more . . . Moving in what feels like small personal ways but is actually big, universal ways and it is uplifting on the same scale' Forbidden Planet'The best speculative fiction currently being written' John Connolly
£8.99
Transworld Publishers Ltd Dancer's Lament: (Path to Ascendancy: 1): an ingenious and imaginative fantasy from a master of the genre
Fantastic world-building meets spellbinding storytelling in this must-read fan-favourite from Esslemont. Ideal for fans of Steven Erikson, David Gemmell and Brandon Sanderson.'This book hits all the right notes at all the right times' -- FANTASY BOOK REVIEW'Highly entertaining . . . streamlined, tightly-plotted and structured' -- TOR.COM'An awesome read' -- ***** Reader review'Esslemont at his best' -- ***** Reader review'Totally absorbing' -- ***** Reader review'You'll find this hard to put down' -- ***** Reader review***********************************************************************************************************It was once a land ravaged by war, minor city states, baronies and principates fighting for supremacy. But when the rival cities of Tali and Quon formed an alliance, Quon Tali came into being.However that was generations ago, that dynasty has collapsed and the regional powers are now clawing at each others throats once more. But at the heart of Quon Tali lies the powerful city state of Li Heng which has for centuries enjoyed relative stability under the guidance of the powerful sorceress known as the "Protectress".She is not someone likely to tolerate the arrival of two particular young men into her domain: one is determined to prove he is the most skilled assassin of his age; the other is his quarry - a Dal Hon mage who is proving annoyingly difficult to kill.And now, under a new and ambitious king, the forces of Itko Kan are marching on Li Heng from the south. His own assassins, the Nightblades, have been sent ahead into the city, and rumours abound that he has inhuman, nightmarish forces at his command. So as shadows and mistrust swirl and monstrous beasts run rampage through Li Heng's streets, it seems chaos is come - but in chaos, as a certain young Dal Hon mage would say, there is opportunity . . .
£10.30
Cornerstone The Wolf and the Woodsman: The Sunday Times Bestseller
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA dark, evocative and unforgettable fantasy debut steeped in Hungarian history and Jewish mythology, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden.'Rooted in history and myth, The Wolf and the Woodsman is a stunning debut . . . It will twine like a dark forest around your heart.' Samantha Shannon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree______________________________________A spirited outcast. A disgraced prince.A world where monsters roam free.In her forest-veiled pagan village, Évike is the only woman without power. So when soldiers from the Holy Order of Woodsmen arrive to claim a girl for their king's blood sacrifice, the villagers only have one person to offer up.But when they are attacked en-route to the capital, and everyone but Évike and a lone Woodsman are slaughtered, they have no choice but to rely on each other. Except he's no ordinary Woodsman - he's the disgraced prince, Gáspár Bárány, whose father needs pagan magic to consolidate his power.As they travel from the bitter northern tundra to the smog-choked capital, they form a tenuous pact that slowly turns their loathing turns to affection. But trust is easily betrayed, and as Évike discovers her own hidden magic, she and Gaspar must decide where their loyalties really lie . . .______________________________________'Entertaining, appealing, and strikingly imagined' Tor.com'An intricate, gut-wrenching fantasy that will set the bar for dark historical fantasy for years to come.' The Book Report'Gorgeously written and grimly real' Alix Harrow'A grown-up, complicated, angsty, sexy, dark book' Cultured Vulture'Richly imagined, densely textured, and endlessly delightful' Katherine Addison'A powerful feminist story about acceptance, The Wolf and the Woodsman is perfect for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden' British Fantasy Society
£9.99
Abrams Raven Girl
Once there was a Postman who fell in love with a Raven. So begins the tale of a postman who encounters a fledgling raven while on the edge of his route and decides to bring her home. The unlikely couple falls in love and conceives a child—an extraordinary raven girl trapped in a human body. The raven girl feels imprisoned by her arms and legs and covets wings and the ability to fly. Betwixt and between, she reluctantly grows into a young woman, until one day she meets an unorthodox doctor who is willing to change her. One of the world’s most beloved storytellers has crafted a dark fairy tale full of wonderment and longing. Complete with Audrey Niffenegger’s bewitching etchings and paintings, Raven Girl explores the bounds of transformation and possibility. Praise for Raven Girl: “With her signature wit, wry melancholy, and keen gothic sensibility, Niffenegger weds the fabulous with the deeply human in this concentrated, suspenseful fable. . . .” ---Booklist, Starred Review “The book is a colorist’s dream that hauntingly captures the world of birds and humans and, as the title suggests, a creature that is somewhere in between.” – The Chicago Sun-Times “Niffenegger (The Night Bookmobile) blends art and prose in this eerie picture book for adults.” —Publishers Weekly “Raven Girl is a delight to hold and take in. Lovers of fairy tales and some graphic novel fans should find much to love here.” —School Library Journal online "A haunting grown-up fairy tale" – Variety Magazine “Provocative and beautiful.” —ForeWord Reviews “A runaway hit? This one’s going to fly.” —DailyCandy “It’s a lovely story.” —Chicago Reader “Raven Girl is an insidious intermingling of words and pictures to be treasured.”—Tor.com
£17.19
Transworld Publishers Ltd Kellanved's Reach: (Path to Ascendancy Book 3): full of adventure and magic, this is the spellbinding final chapter in Ian C. Esslemont's awesome epic fantasy sequence
Fantastic world-building meets spellbinding storytelling in this must-read fan-favourite from Esslemont. Ideal for fans of Steven Erikson, David Gemmell and Brandon Sanderson.'This book hits all the right notes at all the right times' -- FANTASY BOOK REVIEW'Highly entertaining . . . streamlined, tightly-plotted and structured' -- TOR.COM'Incredible storytelling' -- ***** Reader review'What a treat' -- ***** Reader review'A fantastic end to a wonderful trilogy' -- ***** Reader review'OMG - amazing. What more can I say' -- ***** Reader review***********************************************************************************The incessant war between the bickering city states of Quon Tali rages. So engrossed are the warring lords and princes in their own petty feuds that few notice that an upstart mage from Dal Hon has gained control of the southern seas. But some powers are alarmed.And in the meantime, as Purge and Tali indulge in what seems like a never-ending game of war. Simultaneously, a pair of escapees from Castle Gris make their way across this ravaged landscape of flame and butchery. Their intention is to seek out the legendary Crimson Guard.And then there's Kellanved, who could not care less about any of this petty politicking or strategy or war. Something other and altogether more mysterious has caught his attention and he - together with a reluctant and decidedly sceptical Dancer - traverse continents and journey through the Realms in pursuit . . . But this ancient mystery that has so captivated Kellanved is neither esoteric nor ephemeral. No, it is of an altogether darker and more dangerous hue. It involves the Elder races themselves, and more specifically - certainly more alarmingly - the semi-mythic, and universally dreaded, Army of Dust and Bone.Surely no one in their right mind would be so foolish as to embark on a journey from which none have returned? Well, no one except Kellanved that is . . .
£10.99
Hodder & Stoughton Into the Narrowdark: Book Three of The Last King of Osten Ard
'A master storyteller' Brandon SandersonThe New York Times bestselling world of Osten Ard returns in the third Last King of Osten Ard novel, as threats to the kingdom loom . . .The High Throne of Erkynland is tottering, its royal family divided and diminished. Queen Miriamele has been caught up in a brutal rebellion in the south and thought to have died in a fiery attack. Her grandson Morgan, heir to the throne, has been captured by one of Utuk'ku's soldiers in the ruins of an abandoned city. Miriamele's husband, King Simon, is overwhelmed by grief and hopelessness, unaware that many of these terrible things have been caused by Pasevalles, a murderous traitor inside Simon's own court at the Hayholt.Meanwhile, a deadly army of Norns led by the ageless, vengeful Queen Utuk'ku, has swept into Erkynland and thrown down the fortress of Naglimund, slaughtering the inhabitants and digging up the ancient grave of Ruyan the Navigator. Utuk'ku plans to use the Navigator's fabled armor to call up the spirit of Hakatri, the evil Storm King's brother.Even the Sithi, fairy-kin to the Norns, are helpless to stop Utuk'ku's triumph as her armies simultaneously march on the Hayholt and force their way into the forbidden, ogre-guarded valley of Tanakirú - the Narrowdark - where a secret waits that might bring Simon's people and their Sithi allies salvation - or doom.PRAISE FOR THE WORLD OF OSTEN ARD'Groundbreaking' Patrick Rothfuss'Inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy.... It's one of my favourite fantasy series' George R. R. Martin,'Not just utterly readable - an instant fantasy classic' KIRKUS REVIEWS (STARRED)'An engrossing epic, mixing adventure, intrigue, magic' LOCUS'With this book, The Last King of Osten Ard has achieved the greatest possible feat for a sequel: that is, I can no longer imagine the originals without it' TOR.COM'You'll enjoy what Williams has brought to the table here. I know I did' DEN OF GEEK
£11.36
Sourcebooks, Inc Labyrinth Lost
The first book in the Latinx-infused Queer fantasy series from highly acclaimed author Zoraida Córdova that follows three sisters—and teen witches—as they develop their powers and battle magic through epic questing in the realms beyond.Alex is a bruja and the most powerful witch in her family. But she's hated magic ever since it made her father disappear into thin air. So while most girls celebrate their Quinceañera, Alex prepares for her Deathday—the most important day in a bruja's life and her only opportunity to rid herself of magic.But the curse she performs during the ceremony backfires, and her family vanishes, forcing Alex to absorb all of the magic from her family line. Left alone, Alex seeks help from Nova, a brujo with ambitions of his own.To get her family back they must travel to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland. And while she's there, what she discovers about herself, her powers, and her family, will change everything…Brooklyn Brujas Series: Labyrinth Lost (Book 1): Alex's story—set in the mythical fantasy world of Los Lagos Bruja Born (Book 2): Lula's story—urban fantasy set on the streets of Brooklyn Wayward Witch (Book 3): Rose's story—set in the magical lost realm of AdasPerfect for fans of: Teen LGBTQ books Latin American fiction Witch books Myths & legends Dark fantasy questsPraise for Labryinth Lost: An NPR Best Young Adult Book of 2016 Tor.com's Best YA SFF of 2016 A Bustle Best Book of 2016 SelectionA Paste Magazine Best Books of 2016"[Labyrinth Lost] kicked off…an incredible rise of non-hetero hexing."—Dahlia Adler, Tor.com "A richly Latin American, giddily exciting novel."—New York Times Book Review "A brilliant brown-girl-in-Brooklyn update on Alice in Wonderland and Dante's Inferno. Very creepy, very magical, very necessary."—Janiel Jose Older, New York Times bestselling author of Shadowshaper
£7.99
Orion Publishing Co A Confusion of Princes
Khemri learns the minute he becomes a Prince that princes need to be hard to kill-for they are always in danger. Their greatest threat? Other Princes. Every Prince wants to become Emperor and the surest way to do so is to kill, dishonor, or sideline any potential competitor. There are rules, but as Khemri discovers, rules can be bent and even broken.There are also mysteries. Khemri is drawn into the hidden workings of the Empire and is dispatched on a secret mission. In the ruins of space battle, he meets a young woman, called Raine, who challenges his view of the Empire, of Princes, and of himself. But Khemri is a Prince, and even if he wanted to leave the Empire behind, there are forces there that have very definite plans for his future.'Space battles! Political intrigue! Engineered warriors! Techno-wizardry! Assassins! Pirates! Rebels! Duels! Secrets, lies, sex and True Love! What more can anybody ask for?' (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))'Nix's fantasy has enough gadgets, escapes, battles, duels, deaths, and near-death experiences to keep die-hard adventure story readers enthralled. Happily, Khemri is also a thoughtful, winsome, and somewhat complex character, and his cheerfully self-deprecating tone and unpredictable choices make this romp entertaining on multiple levels' (Horn Book (starred review))'Nix once again proves his mastery of speculative fiction [as] he manages to tell a tale that is grand in scope with vivid characters and imaginative technology' (School Library Journal (starred review))'Khemri's first person point of view, along with a fast-paced, action- and plot-driven story, is sure to appeal to fans of the Star Wars universe and any number of first-person shooter video games' (ALA Booklist)'Garth Nix's A CONFUSION OF PRINCES is YA FOUNDATION meets DUNE' (Tor.com)'Exuberant and insightful. The rocket-powered pace and epic world-building provide an ideal vehicle for what is, at heart, a sweet paean to what it means to be human" (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))
£8.99
Simon & Schuster Ltd More Perfect: The Circle meets Inception in this moving exploration of tech and connection.
'A spectacular exploration of the power of technology...science fiction at its best' Saara El-Arifi, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife"What does it feel like to wake up in the Panopticon? It’s like waking up for the first time ever. It’s like waking up with a third eye." When Moremi connects her brain to the Panopticon, a network which allows you to see inside the minds and dreams of others, she believes that it will save her from depression, loneliness and, eventually, death. That is until she meets Orpheus. Orpheus was brought up in isolation by a Neo-luddite father. He was raised to question everything, including the government who plan to make the connection procedure compulsory. They promise that connecting everyone to the Panopticon will end human suffering and usher in a more perfect world. But when Orpheus and Moremi uncover the dark side of the technology, they find themselves on opposite sides of a radical divide, between those who believe that the Panopticon will save humanity, and those who will stop at nothing to destroy it. More Perfect is The Circle meets Inception in an immersive and futuristic story that explores love, loneliness and the limits of technology’s ability to save a humanity who might not want to be saved. Praise for More Perfect 'A fascinating story that never shies away from the contradictions in human nature' Guardian 'An unnervingly believable struggle for the future. The story of Moremi and Orpheus has classical antecedents but with a satisfying eye for the future' Booklist 'Tightly crafted, weaving science fiction, mythology, and more to tell a tale that feels pertinent right now' Kirkus Reviews'More Perfect is a deeply character-driven dystopia that explores memory, connection, and controlling the narrative, with vibes sort of like V for Vendetta mixed with Inception' Tor.com 'The London you encounter in Temi Oh's More Perfect is grittily familar - making the near future she paints queasily plausible... It weaves an inriguing tapestry of references, from the classical story of Eurydice to the neuroscience of consciousness, set against a drumbeat of dread' New Scientist 'With refreshing nuance and a seamlessly built world, the award-winning author of Do You Dream of Terra-Two? takes readers on a high-octane journey with deeply moving stakes: What does it mean to truly empathize with another person? If you could alter traumatic memories, would you? And lastly, what is the price of privacy?' Oprahdaily.com, Best Sci-Fi books of the Summer 'Feverishly inventive' The Washington Post
£15.29
Little, Brown Book Group The Mammoth Book of Cthulhu: New Lovecraftian Fiction
For more than 80 years H. P. Lovecraft has inspired writers of horror and supernatural fiction with his dark vision of humankind's insignificant place in a vast, uncaring cosmos. At the time of his death in 1937, Lovecraft was virtually unknown, but from early cult status his readership expanded exponentially; his nightmarish visions laying down roots in the collective imagination of his readers. Now this master of the macabre is accepted as part of the literary mainstream, as an American author of note, and the impact of his work on modern popular culture - in literature, film, television, music, the graphic arts, gaming and theatre - has been profound. As Stephen King wrote in Danse Macabre, the shadow of H. P. Lovecraft 'underlies almost all of the important horror fiction that has come since.'Today, Lovecraft's themes of cosmic indifference, the utter insignificance of humankind, minds invaded by the alien, and the horrors of history remain not only viable motifs for modern speculative fiction, but are more relevant than ever as we explore the mysteries of a universe in which our planet is infinitesimal.This outstanding anthology of original stories - from both established award-winning authors and exciting new voices - collects tales of cosmic horror inspired by Lovecraft from authors who do not merely imitate, but reimagine, re-energize, and renew the best of his concepts in ways relevant to today's readers, to create fresh new fiction that explores our modern fears and nightmares. From the depths of R'lyeh to the heights of the Mountains of Madness, some of today's best weird fiction writers traverse terrain created by Lovecraft and create new eldritch geographies to explore . . .With stories by: Laird Barron, Nadia Bulkin, Amanda Downum, Ruthanna Emrys, Richard Gavin, Lois H. Gresh, Lisa L. Hannett, Brian Hodge, Caitlín R. Kiernan, John Langan, Yoon Ha Lee, Usman T. Malik, Helen Marshall, Silvia Moreno, Norman Partridge, W. H. Pugmire, Veronica Schanoes, Michael Shea, John Shirley, Simon Strantzas, Sandra McDonald, Damien Angelica Walters, Don Webb, Michael Wehunt and A.C. Wise Praise for the editor:'For fans of Lovecraftian fiction and well-wrought horror' - Library Journal'Guran smartly selects stories that evoke the spirit of Lovecraft's work without mimicking its style.' - Publishers Weekly'It's a pretty impressive line-up, with nary a clunker to be found. . . . You don't have to be a Lovecraft fan to enjoy this anthology... You'll find alienation, inhumanity, desperation, cruelty, insanity, hopelessness and despair, all set against the backdrop of a vast, unknowable universe filled with vile, indifferent monstrosities. You'll also find beauty, hope, redemption, and the struggle for survival. What more can you ask for?' - Tor.com'I highly recommend this collection... If you have even the slightest interest in contemporary horror fiction, you'll want to try this one on for size!' - BookGuide
£11.55
Simon & Schuster Ltd Rouge
From the critically acclaimed author of Bunny comes a horror-tinted, gothic fairy tale about a lonely dress shop clerk whose mother’s unexpected death sends her down a treacherous path in pursuit of youth and beauty. Can she escape her mother’s fate and find a connection that is more than skin deep?A Most Anticipated Book of 2023 in The Guardian, i newspaper, The New York Times, Time, Globe and Mail, Bustle, The Millions, LitHub, TOR, Good Housekeeping, Our Culture Mag, and more! 'You think, “She’s not going to go there…yes, she is.' Margaret Atwood 'The trancelike, rhapsodic language and deepening atmosphere of unreality make for a narrative that oozes with unease.' The Guardian ‘Rouge is a must-read for anyone who has found themselves obsessively, and even dangerously, fixated on self-improvement. [...] Dreamline, hypnotic and enchanting in its language, Rouge proves Awad is a huge talent’ Stylist, Book of the Month ‘A tale of insidious damage of envy and our preoccupation with appearances. Anyone maintaining a ten-step Korean skincare regimen may feel seen. […] Awad ramps up the grand guignol hysteria rather splendidly, chucking in some film noir tropes for good measure as we hurtle towards a demonic denouement’ The Times ‘Rouge is a story in which dreams become nightmares and vice versa. Desire and danger walk hand-in-hand and Awad skilfully manipulates the vertiginous tension between them. The beauty industry is ripe for Awad’s signature treatment: gothic satire, bloody but beautifully done. Much of it is darkly hilarious. […] If you like your fairy tales dark and for adults only, then stick along for the wild ride.’ Daily Telegraph '[D]ark and seductive.' i newspaper 'An edgy fable on the perils of our modern fascination with beauty.' Vogue 'Awad is a genius, preternaturally gifted at creating vicious, hilarious tales about the depravity inside us.' Vulture For as long as she can remember, Belle has been insidiously obsessed with her skin and skincare videos. When her estranged mother Noelle mysteriously dies, Belle finds herself back in Southern California, dealing with her mother’s considerable debts and grappling with lingering questions about her death. The stakes escalate when a strange woman in red appears at the funeral, offering a tantalizing clue about her mother’s demise, followed by a cryptic video about a transformative spa experience. With the help of a pair of red shoes, Belle is lured into the barbed embrace of La Maison de Méduse, the same lavish, culty spa to which her mother was devoted. There, Belle discovers the frightening secret behind her (and her mother’s) obsession with the mirror—and the great shimmering depths (and demons) that lurk on the other side of the glass.Snow White meets Eyes Wide Shut in this surreal descent into the dark side of beauty, envy, grief, and the complicated love between mothers and daughters. With black humor and seductive horror, ROUGE explores the cult-like nature of the beauty industry—as well as the danger of internalizing its pitiless gaze. Brimming with California sunshine and blood-red rose petals, ROUGE holds up a warped mirror to our relationship with mortality, our collective fixation with the surface, and the wondrous, deep longing that might lie beneath. 'A brilliant, biting critique of western beauty standards as well as a soaring, phantasmagoric, Angela Carter-esque fairy tale about trauma and the loss of self. Rouge is deeply unsettling, funny, obsessive, and unlike anything I've read. A truly mesmerizing read.' Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World 'Rouge is a fever dream—a brilliant, intense, unforgettable horror story about a beauty cult with a deeply moving mother-daughter story at its core. Mona Awad’s signature and singular imagination and black humor and empathy are on full display here, and her wild-ride of a tale is masterfully grounded in the emotional devastation of childhood and grief. I loved every word of this.' Laura Zigman, author of Small World 'There is nobody else like Mona Awad, daring enough to plunge her hands—rings and all—into the viscera of story and discover an unsettling beauty within. ROUGE is her most magnetic work yet, a thrilling dystopian romp that knows that beneath the glossy, aspirational veneer of self-care lurks the same old gothic abyss.' Alexandra Kleeman, author of Something New Under the Sun 'Unsettling, whimsical, and moving, Rouge is an authentic, innovative kind of narrative magic that's both surreal and absolute. A striking novel of incandescence and heart.' Iain Reid, author of I'm Thinking of Ending Things 'Awad’s latest is a dreamy (or perhaps nightmarish) gothic fairy tale about a mother, a daughter, and their shared obsession with their own beauty. Like all of Awad’s novels, it reels you in, shakes your brain until you’re not sure what you’re seeing, and then floats off cackling on a cloud of smoke. Metaphorically, that is. I’d forgive you for not being sure.' Lit Hub (Most Anticipated Books of 2023) 'Mona Awad, I will read everything you ever write. She is a writer of unbelievable talent.' Tor.com '[A] hypnotic tour de force… Awad approaches the increasingly well-trod ground of sinister wellness gurus with aplomb, creating an atmosphere of creeping discomfort and surreality right from the start. This is the stuff of fairy tales—red shoes, ballrooms, mirrors, and thorns but also sincerity, poignancy, and terror.' Kirkus (Starred Review) '[A] delightfully twisted fairy tale… The author’s acerbic wit radiates in this excoriating story of beauty’s ugly side.' Publisher's Weekly
£15.29