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OUT NOW: Silk Fire by Zabé Ellor

We’re so excited that Zabé Ellor’s fabulous Silk Fire is OUT NOW in the US! UK readers, you only have two more days to wait.

Politics meets passion in this fantasy tale of vengeance, power and love, in which courtesan Koré sets out on a quest to destroy his father and becomes a hunted man when he is imbued with the powers of one of his city’s sacred dragons.

In the world-sized city of Jadzia, magic and ancient science merge into something dark and wondrous.

Koré’s life is consumed by power, politics, sex and vengeance, and as courtesan to the wealthy and powerful, he is privy to all manner of secrets. He knows meddling in politics is dangerous─still, he is willing to risk everything to stop his father from seizing the Imperial Throne of the War District. But Koré soon finds the corruption runs far deeper than just one man.

During a tryst in an ancient tomb─in the pursuit of political influence─Koré encounters a dying god, who imbues him with the powers of one of the city’s sacred dragons. Suddenly Koré finds himself a hunted man, threatened with becoming a pawn by whoever finds him first.

If the wrong person discovers his secret and lays claim to his powers they would plunge their world into war, unleash untold horrors and destroy the city─and the two people he has come to love.

‘An exquisite world fascinatingly textured by political intrigue and vibrant characters, Silk Fire is a powerful, resonate upheaval of traditional fantasy that fan’s of Kushiel’s Dart won’t want to miss.’ — Ashley Shuttleworth, author of A Dark and Hollow Star

‘Ambitious, complex, political, queer as hell and monstrously imaginative.’ — Foz Meadows, author of A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

‘Decadent, intricate, and enthrallingly original, Silk Fire breathes life into a city-planet brimming with twisted magic, treacherous politics, and queer romance. Sure to be one of the year’s most explosive fantasies.’ — Claire Winn, author of City of Shattered Light

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OUT NOW: The Knave of Secrets by Alex Livingston!

We’re delighted that Alex Livingston’s brilliant The Knave of Secrets is OUT NOW!

The Lies of Locke Lamora meets Casino Royale in this twisty tale of con artists and card games, following a group of misfits who are old enough to know avoiding trouble is the wise choice—but the greatest risks reap the greatest rewards.

Never stake more than you can afford to lose.

When failed magician turned cardsharp Valen Quinol is given the chance to play in the Forbearance Game—the invitation-only tournament where players gamble with secrets—he can’t resist. Or refuse, for that matter, according to the petty gangster sponsoring his seat at the table. Valen beats the man he was sent to play, and wins the most valuable secret ever staked in the history of the tournament.

Now Valen and his motley crew are being hunted by thieves, gangsters, spies and wizards, all with their own reasons for wanting what’s in that envelope. It’s a game of nations where Valen doesn’t know all the rules or who all the players are, and can’t see all the moves. But he does know if the secret falls into the wrong hands, it could plunge the whole world into war…

‘A fast-paced action story steeped in magic, history, political intrigue, and suspense.’ — Booklist

‘Intrigue and magic aplenty’ — Publishers Weekly

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OUT NOW: Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse (UK)!

We’re incredibly excited to say that Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse is OUT NOW from us in the UK!

Fevered Star is the much-anticipated second instalment in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, following 2020’s multi-award winning hit Black Sun, and has already garnered rave reviews from media outlets, such as Kirkus and The Library Journal, and fans alike.

There are no tides more treacherous than those of the heart. —Teek saying

The great city of Tova is shattered. The sun is held within the smothering grip of the Crow God’s eclipse, but a comet that marks the death of a ruler and heralds the rise of a new order is imminent.

The Meridian: a land where magic has been codified and the worship of gods suppressed. How do you live when legends come to life, and the faith you had is rewarded?

As sea captain Xiala is swept up in the chaos and currents of change, she finds an unexpected ally in the former Priest of Knives. For the Clan Matriarchs of Tova, tense alliances form as far-flung enemies gather and the war in the heavens is reflected upon the earth.

And for Serapio and Naranpa, both now living avatars, the struggle for free will and personhood in the face of destiny rages. How will Serapio stay human when he is steeped in prophecy and surrounded by those who desire only his power? Is there a future for Naranpa in a transformed Tova without her total destruction?

An excellent second installment that adds even more detail and intrigue.” — Kirkus

“An amazingly complex world of magic, gods, and power plays. With exquisite details and characters on tremendous journeys, readers will be anticipating the next book as soon as they turn the last page.” — The Library Journal (Starred Review)

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OUT NOW: Under Fortunate Stars by Ren Hutchings!

We’re completely delighted that Ren Hutchings’ brilliant Under Fortunate Stars is OUT NOW!

This brilliant progressive homage to classic space opera stories, with flawed heroes and time travel is now available in eBook and audiobook in the US, with the hardback to follow June 7th, and in hardcover, eBook and audiobook in the UK from Thursday!

Two Ships. One Chance To Save The Future.

Fleeing the final days of the generations-long war with the alien Felen, smuggler Jereth Keeven’s freighter the Jonah breaks down in a strange rift in deep space, with little chance of rescue—until they encounter the research vessel Gallion, which claims to be from 152 years in the future.

The Gallion’s chief engineer Uma Ozakka has always been fascinated with the past, especially the tale of the Fortunate Five, who ended the war with the Felen. When the Gallion rescues a run-down junk freighter, Ozakka is shocked to recognize the Five’s legendary ship—and the Five’s famed leader, Eldric Leesongronski, among the crew.

But nothing else about Leesongronski and his crewmates seems to match up with the historical record. With their ships running out of power in the rift, more than the lives of both crews may be at stake…

“An entertaining, engrossing read.” — Buzzfeed

“An engaging space saga with time-travel twists, and a compelling look at how past and future are created by not only by those who live it but those who record it.” — Library Journal (Starred Review)

“An engrossing interstellar escapade with appeal for fans of Becky Chambers, Alex White, and S.K. Dunstall.” — Booklist

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OUT NOW: Someone in Time edited by Jonathan Strahan!

We’re completely delighted that Someone in Time: Tales of Time-Crossed Romance is OUT NOW!

This stunning anthology is edited by Jonathan Strahan and features sixteen intriguing, moving and uplifting stories of love and time travel from bestselling and award-winning authors including Alix E. Harrow, Seanan McGuire and Nina Allan.⁣⁣

Even time travel can’t unravel love

Time-travel is a way for writers to play with history and imagine different futures – for better, or worse.

When romance is thrown into the mix, time-travel becomes a passionate tool, or heart-breaking weapon. A time agent in the 22nd century puts their whole mission at risk when they fall in love with the wrong person. No matter which part of history a man visits, he cannot not escape his ex. A woman is desperately in love with the time-space continuum, but it doesn’t love her back. As time passes and falls apart, a time-traveller must say goodbye to their soulmate.

With stories from best-selling and award-winning authors such as Seanan McGuire, Alix E. Harrow and Nina Allan, this anthology gives a taste for the rich treasure trove of stories we can imagine with love, loss and reunion across time and space. 

Including stories by: Alix E. Harrow, Zen Cho, Seanan McGuire, Sarah Gailey, Jeffrey Ford, Nina Allan, Elizabeth Hand, Lavanya Lakshminarayan, Catherynne M. Valente, Sam J. Miller, Rowan Coleman, Margo Lanagan, Sameem Siddiqui, Theodora Goss, Carrie Vaughn, Ellen Klages

“A gorgeous, diverse quilt of stories that give voice to queer protagonists from many different times and places, featuring the many different kinds of romantic love that plague and delight humans at any and all times.” — British Fantasy Society

“A top-class anthology that I absolutely loved. The ingenuity and variety of tales to use these concepts by many of our finest writers make this a tale to enjoy and warm your heart.” — Runalong The Shelves

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OUT NOW: Saint Death’s Daughter by C.S.E. Cooney!

We’re overjoyed to be wishing Saint Death’s Daughter by C.S.E. Cooney a very happy book birthday!

For fans of Gideon the Ninth and Hogfather, C.S.E. Cooney’s whimsical, tender and just-a-little-bit-bonkers debut is an exuberant and heartwarming love letter to life, death, and everything inbetween.

Nothing complicates life like Death.

Lanie Stones, the daughter of the Royal Assassin and Chief Executioner of Liriat, has never led a normal life. Born with a gift for necromancy and a literal allergy to violence, she was raised in isolation in the family’s crumbling mansion by her oldest friend, the ancient revenant Goody Graves.

When her parents are murdered, it falls on Lanie and her cheerfully psychotic sister Nita to settle their extensive debts or lose their ancestral home—and Goody with it. Appeals to Liriat’s ruler to protect them fall on indifferent ears… until she, too, is murdered, throwing the nation’s future into doubt.

Hunted by Liriat’s enemies, hounded by her family’s creditors and terrorised by the ghost of her great-grandfather, Lanie will need more than luck to get through the next few months—but when the goddess of Death is on your side, anything is possible.

“Saint Death’s Daughter is a tumultuous, swaggering, cackling story, a gorgeous citrus orchard with bones for roots. Miscellaneous Stones’ journey into adulthood and power, sorting knowledge from wisdom and vengeance from justice, has an ocean’s breadth and depth, its storms and sparkles and salt. Soaring with love and absolutely fizzing with tenderness and joy–I have never read anything so utterly alive.” — Amal El-Mohtar

“Wildly inventive” — Buzzfeed

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OUT NOW: Seven Deaths of an Empire by G. R. Matthews in Paperback!

We’re delighted to be wishing the paperback of Seven Deaths of an Empire by G. R. Matthews a very happy book birthday!

For fans of Anna Smith Spark and George R.R. Martin, Seven Deaths of an Empire is a standalone grimdark fantasy of politics and power that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night…

The Emperor is dead. Long live the Empire.

General Bordan has a lifetime of duty and sacrifice behind him in the service of the Empire. But with rebellion brewing in the countryside, and assassins, thieves and politicians vying for power in the city, it is all Bordan can do to protect the heir to the throne.

Apprentice Magician Kyron was assigned to the late Emperor’s honour guard escorting his body on the long road back to the capital.

But even a magician’s power may fail when enemies emerge from the forests intent on seizing their precious cargo.

Whoever controls the Emperor’s body, controls the Empire…

“This is fantasy at its finest.” — Grimdark Magazine

“Refreshingly original” — SFX Magazine

“It’s been a long time since a book made me swear out loud in horror” — Set the Tape

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OUT NOW: Ogres by Adrian Tchaikovsky!

We’re delighted to say that Ogres by the brilliant Adrian Tchaikovsky is out now!

A bleak glimpse of a world of savage tyrants, Ogres is the latest novella from multi-award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky in a beautiful signed, limited-edition hardcover.

Ogres are bigger than you.
Ogres are stronger than you.
Ogres rule the world.

It’s always idyllic in the village until the landlord comes to call.

Because the landlord is an Ogre. And Ogres rule the world, with their size and strength and appetites. It’s always been that way. It’s the natural order of the world. And they only eat people sometimes.

But when the headman’s son, Torquell, dares lift his hand against the landlord’s son, he sets himself on a path to learn the terrible truth about the Ogres, and about the dark sciences that ensured their rule.

“A twisty social satire.” — Publishers Weekly

“The narrative wills a sense of foreboding that will compel you to keep turning the page.” — Grimdark Magazine

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OUT NOW: The Outfit by David Tallerman!

We’re delighted to be wishing David Tallerman’s The Outfit a very happy book birthday!

The Outfit: The Absolutely True Story of the Time Joseph Stalin Robbed a Bank is a thrilling mad-cap bank job tale with carriage chases, mattresses stuffed with cash and cunning disguises.

Lies and double-crosses, secret police and explosions, a carriage chase, a mattress stuffed with cash and a one-eyed master of disguise…

In 1907, the revolutionary Joseph Djugashvili – who would later take the name Joseph Stalin – met with an old friend, a clerk at the Tiflis branch of the State Bank of the Russian Empire, for a glass of milk. Over talk of national pride, the spirit of the new century and Djugashvili’s poetry, they agreed the beginnings of a plan.

With the aid of the Outfit, Djugashvili’s hardened crew of “expropriators,” they would pull off the biggest, bloodiest and most daring robbery in Georgia’s history, and ruthlessly change the direction of the Bolshevik revolution forever…

‘David Tallerman brings one of the Twentieth Century’s lesser-known incidents – masterminded by one of its greatest monsters – vividly to life.’ — Dave Hutchinson

“An absolutely ripping novel; rollicking, thrilling, twisty; in short, one of the best heist novels I’ve read this decade, without qualification.” — Kit Power

“Exciting, gritty, and dramatic, this book has it all.” — Telegraph & Argus

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OUT NOW: Mickey7 by Edward Ashton!

We’re beyond excited to be wishing Mickey7 by Edward Ashton a very happy UK publication day!

This unputdownable sci-fi thriller is a must-read for fans of The Martian and, with the news that it’s being adapted by Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho, now’s the perfect time to grab your copy and read it before it hits the big screen.

Dying isn’t any fun…but at least it’s a living.

Mickey7 is an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal— the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. Mickey signed on to escape from both bad debts and boredom on Midgard.

After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.

When he goes missing and is presumed dead at the hands of deadly indigenous creatures, Mickey8 reports for duty, and their troubles really begin.

‘Excellent’ — The FT

‘Leaves the audience gasping’ — The Times