Tag: historical fiction

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OUT NOW: Gorse by Sam K. Horton

We’re wishing Gorse by Sam K. Horton a very happy book birthday!

The Bear and the Nightingale meets Poldark in this dark historical fantasy debut, where folklore battles faith on the Cornish moor as changeling Nancy Bligh tries to keep the balance between the mortal world and the world of the fey.

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Cornwall, 1786.

For years, the villagers of Mirecoombe have turned to their Keeper, the old and battle-scarred Lord Pelagius Hunt, mediator between the worlds of men and fey, for help. But this is a time of change. Belief in the old ways, in the piskies and spriggans, has dimmed, kindled instead in the Reverend Cleaver’s fiery pulpit. His church stands proud above the mire; God’s name is whispered, hushed, loved. And now, death stalks Mirecoombe on the moor. There are corpses in the heather. There is blood in the gorse.

Nancy Bligh is determined to do what Pel will not: maintain the balance between the fey and the human world, be the Keeper that he refuses to be. Blessed with natural sight, friend to spriggans, piskies and human locals of Mirecoombe, Nancy has power that Pel never had and never lets her use. But as Mirecoombe falls into darkness, perhaps her time has come.

A poignant and lyrical examination of faith, love and grief, Gorse asks what do we choose to believe, and how does that shape who we are?

“Every word is wonderful and full of wonder… Highly recommended.” —The Historical Novels Review

“Recommended on every level.” —The Folklore Podcast

“A mire of enchantment you’ll gladly sink into.” —Kit Whitfield, author of In the Heart of Hidden Things

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Solaris Nova to publish Regency fantasy trilogy by Natania Barron

We’re delighted to announce the latest addition to the Solaris Nova family: Netherford Hall by Natania Barron.

The first in a brand new trilogy combining the Regency era with witchcraft, Netherford Hall is a sapphic historical fantasy in which Gentlewitch Edith Rookwood and her family return to their ancestral seat of Netherford Hall in Kent, England following a mysterious fire in their London home. It’s there Edith faces a new threat in the form of her tenant: the chaotic and lovely Poppy Brightwell.

The women can’t deny the attraction growing between them, but Edith needs to marry for money to save her new home from usurpers—and Poppy’s very soul is at risk when she discovers the bargain her parents made with a being they thought was a witch.

Netherford Hall will hit shelves in August 2024!

World All Languages Rights were acquired by David Moore from Stacey Graham at 3 Seas Literary Agency.

For press enquiries please contact Jess Gofton, PR & Marketing Manager: jess.gofton@rebellion.co.uk

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Solaris to publish sapphic Gothic horror The Needfire by MK Hardy

Solaris is thrilled to announce the acquisition of The Needfire, and a second fantasy novel, by MK Hardy.

For fans of Rebecca and The Hacienda, lush Gothic horror The Needfire brings 19th century Scotland to life as the financially ruined Norah Mackenzie accepts her father’s creditor’s hand in marriage and travels father to the north to his estate, Corrain House.

The land itself seems to speak to Norah: she is plagued by the cries of drowned sailors and the smell of burning thatch, remnants of the Clearances that swept the land decades before. Her only solace is a tumultuous and intense affair with housekeeper Agnes Gunn, who guards mist-wreathed secrets of her own. As the house begins to crumble beneath her feet, Norah must piece together the family and the land’s history to survive the ghosts haunting her – and make it out alive.

UK/BC English Language Rights were acquired by Amy Borsuk from John Baker at Bell Lomax Moreton Agency.

The Needfire will be released in July 2025.

Author MK Hardy on the acquisition:

“We are over the moon to be joining the list of authors published by Solaris, having admired their library of smart and diverse speculative books for some time. From our first call with Amy Borsuk we were invigorated by her enthusiasm and keen editorial eye and we can’t wait to work with her and the rest of the Solaris team. With their help we’ll ensure our Gothic horror The Needfire ensnares and bewitches readers, hopefully opening their eyes to an overlooked period in Scottish history and giving them a few scares – and swoons – along the way!”

Acquiring Editor Amy Borsuk:

“I’m so excited to be working with the incredible team that is MK Hardy on a story that is so creepy, haunting, and gorgeous in equal measure. The Needfire is the Scottish queer Gothic horror we’ve always needed.”

MK Hardy is the pen name for Morag Hannah and Erin Hardee, two geeky women living and writing together in Scotland. They are both communications specialists working in higher education. With backgrounds ranging from museum interpretation to web design, and from science communication to ghost tours, they are devoted to storytelling in almost every aspect of their lives and work. When they are not telling stories they can be found singing in choirs, foraging for fungi, and working on their 1880s fixer-upper.

For press enquiries please contact Jess Gofton, PR & Marketing Manager: jess.gofton@rebellion.co.uk.

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Revealing the cover for Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

We’re so excited to share the gorgeous cover of the UK edition of Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas, designed by the fantastic Katie Klim!

Vampires of El Norte hits bookshelves on 24 October 2024.

Vampires and vaqueros face off on the Texas-Mexico border in this supernatural western from the author of The Hacienda.

Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—as the daughter of a rancher in Mexico, her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead–something that once attacked Nena nine years ago.

Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since. He has night terrors of sharp teeth, and is haunted by the life he and Nena could have had together.

When the United States attacks Mexico, the two are thrown together on the road to war. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh.

Unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.

“Sexy, frightening, and smart.” —Karin Slaughter

“Lush, captivating, and richly imagined.” —Grace D. Li

“Cañas writes with a historian’s eye and a storyteller’s heart.” —Katie Gutierrez

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Solaris to publish luscious Cornish fantasy by Sam K. Horton

Solaris is delighted to announce the acquisition of historical folk fantasy Gorse, and its sequel Ragwort, by debut author Sam K. Horton.

Poldark meets The Bear and the Nightingale in a tale of the battle between folk belief and religion in 18th century Cornwall. Pelagius Hunt – a Keeper responsible for mediating between the worlds of men and fey – and his one-time friend Revered Cleaver battle for the village of Mirecoombe’s soul as death stalks the moor. Only Pel’s ward, changeling Nancy Bligh, can unroot the darkness threatening to swallow them all.

Gorse will be released in Fall 2024.

UK/BC English Language Rights were acquired by Amy Borsuk from John Baker and Julie Gourinchas at the Bell Lomax Moreton Agency.

Sam K. Horton on the acquisition:

“I’m thrilled to be working with Amy and Solaris to bring Gorse, and Nancy and Pel’s world, to life. I can’t wait to share these moors filled with monsters and folklore.”

Editor Amy Borsuk:

“I’m so excited to be working with Sam on this magnificent book! His lush writing, the fight of old gods versus new ones, immersive Celtic folklore at the heart of the story, and the dark magic lurking in the moors is what drew me to this book and will captivate readers craving more dark folkloric fantasy.”

Sam K. Horton lives above the moor in Cornwall, drawing on its wild landscape, wide skies and windblown folklore for his work. He trained as a costume designer before moving into visual art. It was during his last creative project that he discovered his talent for writing. This came as a surprise, despite a lifelong love of reading anything within reach, but a welcome one.

For press enquiries please contact Jess Gofton, PR & Marketing Manager: jess.gofton@rebellion.co.uk.

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OUT NOW: Slaughtered Gods by Thilde Kold Holdt

We’re wishing Slaughtered Gods by Thilde Kold Holdt a very happy book birthday!

Ragnarok awaits in the third and final book in the phenomenal Hanged God Trilogy, where only two are truly free to choose their paths: a storyteller who holds all destinies in his hands, and a shieldmaiden with no destiny at all.

Slaughtered Gods is out now in the UK. North American readers, the finale will be hitting bookshelves on 1 November!

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ALL SHALL PERISH

The great wolf howls for Ragnarok to begin. The half-giant Einer leads an army of the dead to clash with the golden shields of Asgard. The nornir tie and retie their threads, as Loki’s and Odin’s schemes unfold… and unravel. For not even cunning gods and giants see every part of the web.

As the survivors of the burned village of Ash-hill converge on the final battle on Ida’s Plain, only two are truly free to choose their paths and prevent the annihilation of the nine worlds: a storyteller who holds all destinies in his hands, and a shieldmaiden with no destiny at all.

“Lush prose and epic battles only enhance this well-crafted series finale from a rising genre talent.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

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OUT NOW: The Dark Between the Trees by Fiona Barnett

We’re so excited to be wishing The Dark Between the Trees by Fiona Barnett a very happy book birthday!

This dual timeline tale of lost soldiers, frightened academics and the stories men will tell one another to cast women and girls as witches is the perfect read for fans of The Ritual, The Descent and The Blair Witch Project.

Good news, UK readers, you only have to wait two more days! (And if you’re in Edinburgh, come and join us for the launch!)

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1643: A small group of Parliamentarian soldiers are ambushed in an isolated part of Northern England. Their only hope for survival is to flee into the nearby Moresby Wood… unwise though that may seem. For Moresby Wood is known to be an unnatural place, the realm of witchcraft and shadows, where the devil is said to go walking by moonlight…

Seventeen men enter the wood. Only two are ever seen again, and the stories they tell of what happened make no sense. Stories of shifting landscapes, of trees that appear and disappear at will… and of something else. Something dark. Something hungry.

Today, five women are headed into Moresby Wood to discover, once and for all, what happened to that unfortunate group of soldiers. Led by Dr Alice Christopher, an historian who has devoted her entire academic career to uncovering the secrets of Moresby Wood. Armed with metal detectors, GPS units, mobile phones and the most recent map of the area (which is nearly 50 years old), Dr Christopher’s group enters the wood ready for anything.

Or so they think.

“Blimey, this was creepy as hell!” — Claire North, author of Ithaca

“Haunting and heart-stopping. The Dark Between the Trees marks the arrival of a bold new voice in British horror.” — MR Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts

“Surreal and haunting” – Booklist

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Revealing the paperback cover of The Carnival of Ash by Tom Beckerlegge

We’re delighted to reveal the stunning paperback cover of The Carnival of Ash by Tom Beckerlegge!

An Instance of the Fingerpost meets The Binding in this gorgeous mosaic novel of an Italian city that never was.

The Carnival of Ash is out in paperback in January 2023!

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Welcome to the City of Words…

Tommaso Cellini, celebrated ruler of Cadenza, is dead. For Carlo Mazzoni, an aspiring poet, it is the worst possible moment to arrive at the city gates, his dreams of literary fame turning to disappointment and disgrace.

For Vittoria – known to all but a handful as the notorious ink maid Hypatia – Tommaso’s death is overshadowed by the disappearance of her creative spark, while Vittoria’s impulsive sister Maddelina seeks to make her own name with a daring conspiracy.

As Cadenza descends into anarchy amid rumours of war with its rival Venice, Carlo and the two sisters become entangled in intrigue, murder and revolution.

“A gorgeous, immersive triumph of Renaissance-flavored worldbuilding” — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“The zest and wit that Beckerlegge infuses into his fantastical Decameron is marvelous” — Locus

“This is a fabulous book” — The Historical Novels Review, Editor’s Choice

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OUT NOW: Kid Wolf and Kraken Boy by Sam J. Miller

We’re over the moon that the first of our 2022 Solaris Satellites novellas, Kid Wolf and Kraken Boy by Sam J. Miller, is out now!

Each of our Solaris Satellites novellas is available in eBook, audiobook and as a limited signed paperback, available directly from our webstore! Treat yourself to a digital or print season pass to buy all three of this year’s novellas.

In Kid Wolf and Kraken Boy, Sam J. Miller invites you to a 1920s New York brimming with queer love, societal change and tattoo magic…

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“Kid” Wolffe is an up-and-coming boxer in 1920s New York. An honest fighter’s got little chance at success on the mob-controlled circuit—until ambitious lieutenant “Hinky” Friedman starts making moves to take over her boss’s business, and sees a use for the kid.

Teitelstam is a struggling tattoo artist, whose natural talent for ink magic won’t amount to much without formal training. So he’s got no idea why Hinky would offer him ten times what he’s worth to come work for her.

But Hinky has a vision for a better world, and her high-stakes plan to make it reality requires both Wolffe’s fists and Teitelstam’s magic. What neither Wolffe nor Teitelstam expects is to fall in love; and in this world, love might be more dangerous than deadly magic or an underworld turf war…