Back to School with Orbit Books
Bring a little joy to September with the OFFICIAL ORBIT BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE.
Who really needs Maths and Science when you have ROBOTICS and WILDERNESS SURVIVAL!
SEISMOLOGY [sahyz-mol–uh-jee]
noun
the science or study of earthquakes and their phenomena.
Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel
Book 1 in the record-breaking triple Hugo-Award-winning trilogy
***One of Time Magazine's top 100 fantasy books of all time***
***Shortlisted for the World Fantasy, Nebula, Kitschies, Audie and Locus Awards***
***A New York Times Notable Book and the inaugural Wired.com book club pick ***
THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS . . . FOR THE LAST TIME.
IT STARTS WITH THE GREAT RED RIFT across the heart of the world's sole continent, spewing ash that blots out the sun.
IT STARTS WITH DEATH, with a murdered son and a missing daughter.
IT STARTS WITH BETRAYAL, and long dormant wounds rising up to fester.
This is the Stillness, a land long familiar with catastrophe, where the power of the earth is wielded as a weapon. And where there is no mercy.
'Astounding' NPR
'Amazing' Ann Leckie
'Breaks uncharted ground' Library Journal
'Powerful' io9
'Elegiac, complex, and intriguing' Publishers Weekly
'Intricate and extraordinary' New York Times
'Brilliant' Washington Post
The Broken Earth trilogy is complete - beginning with The Fifth Season, continuing in The Obelisk Gate (Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel) and concluding with The Stone Sky (Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel and Nebula Award).
Also by N. K. Jemisin:
The Inheritance trilogy
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
The Broken Kingdoms
The Kingdom of Gods
The Dreamblood Duology
The Killing Moon
The Shadowed Sun
MEDICINE [med–uh-sin]
noun
any substance or substances used in treating disease or illness; medicament; remedy.
the art or science of restoring or preserving health or due physical condition, as by means of drugs, surgical operations or appliances, or manipulations: often divided into medicine proper, surgery, and obstetrics.
the art or science of treating disease with drugs or curative substances, as distinguished from surgery and obstetrics.
the medical profession.
(among North American Indians) any object or practice regarded as having magical powers.
'This book is a joy to read, unlocking every bit of delicious promise in the premise' B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog
Meet Greta Helsing, doctor to the undead.
After inheriting a highly specialised, and highly peculiar, medical practice, Dr Helsing spends her days treating London's undead for a host of ills: vocal strain in banshees, arthritis in barrow-wights and entropy in mummies. Although barely making ends meet, this is just the quiet, supernatural-adjacent life Greta's dreamed of since childhood.
But when a sect of murderous monks emerges, killing human undead and alike, Greta must use all her unusual skills to keep her supernatural clients - and the rest of London - safe.
'Shaw balances an agile mystery with a pitch-perfect, droll narrative and cast of loveable misfit characters'
Shelf Awareness
'An imaginative, delightfully droll debut'
Kirkus
LITERATURE [lit-er-uh-cher]
noun
'Parry knocks it out of the park . . . Just plain wonderful' Kirkus
For his entire life, Charley Sutherland has concealed a magical ability he can't quite control: he can bring characters from books into the real world. His older brother, Rob - a young lawyer with an utterly normal life - hopes that this strange family secret will disappear with disuse, and he will be discharged from his duty of protecting Charley and the real world from each other.
But then, literary characters start causing trouble in their city, making threats about destroying the world, and for once, it isn't Charley's doing. There's someone else out there who shares his powers and it's up to Charley and a reluctant Rob to stop them - before anyone gets to The End.
'A pure delight' Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January
'[A] delectable debut novel' Locus
'A joyous adventure through all the tales you've ever loved. Funny, charming, clever and heartfelt, you're absolutely going to adore The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep' Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand
XENOBIOLOGY {XENOBIOTIC} [zen-uh-bahy-ot-ik]
noun
a chemical or substance that is foreign to an organism or biological system.
***Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award***
Winner of the inaugural Nommo Award for Best Novel, Africa's first award for speculative fiction
Shortlisted for the Kitschie Award for Best Novel
John W. Campbell Award finalist for Best Science Fiction Novel
'A magnificent tour de force' Adrian Tchaikovsky
'Mind-expanding and utterly addictive' Mark Haddon
'Smart. Gripping. Fabulous!' Ann Leckie
'Mesmerising' M. R. Carey
'An astonishing book. I wish I'd written it' Lauren Beukes
Rosewater is a town on the edge. A community formed around the edges of a mysterious alien biodome, its residents comprise the hopeful, the hungry and the helpless - people eager for a glimpse inside the dome or a taste of its rumoured healing powers.
Kaaro is a government agent with a criminal past. He has seen inside the biodome, and doesn't care to again - but when something begins killing off others like himself, Kaaro must defy his masters to search for an answer, facing his dark history and coming to a realisation about a horrifying future.
Rosewater is the start of a vibrant and compellingly told trilogy by one of science fiction's most engaging new voices - perfect for fans of N. K. Jemisin's The Fifth Season, Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice and Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach trilogy.
AI & ROBOTICS [roh-bot-iks]
noun (used with a singular verb)
the use of computer-controlled robots to perform manual tasks, especially on an assembly line.
The record-breaking debut novel that won every major science fiction award in 2014, Ancillary Justice is the story of a warship trapped in a human body and her search for revenge.
Ann Leckie is the first author to win the Arthur C. Clarke, the Nebula and the Hugo Award for Best Novel in the same year.
They made me kill thousands, but I only have one target now.
The Radch are conquerors to be feared - resist and they'll turn you into a 'corpse soldier' - one of an army of dead prisoners animated by a warship's AI mind. Whole planets are conquered by their own people.
The colossal warship called The Justice of Toren has been destroyed - but one ship-possessed soldier has escaped the devastation. Used to controlling thousands of hands, thousands of mouths, The Justice now has only two hands, and one mouth with which to tell her tale.
But one fragile, human body might just be enough to take revenge against those who destroyed her.
'ENGAGING AND PROVOCATIVE'
SFX Magazine
'UNEXPECTED, COMPELLING AND VERY COOL'
John Scalzi
'HIGHLY RECOMMENDED'
Independent on Sunday
'MIND-BLOWING'
io9.com
'THRILLING, MOVING AND AWE-INSPIRING'
Guardian
'UTTER PERFECTION, 10/10'
The Book Smugglers
'ASTOUNDINGLY ASSURED AND GRACEFUL'
Strange Horizons
'ESTABLISHES LECKIE AS AN HEIR TO BANKS'
Elizabeth Bear
The Imperial Radch trilogy begins with Ancillary Justice, continues in Ancillary Sword and concludes with Ancillary Mercy.
Also available now: Provenance is a stunning standalone adventure set in the same world as Ancillary Justice. NPR calls it 'A fitting addition to the Ancillary world'.
SELF-DEFENCE [self-di-fens]
noun
the act of defending one’s person when physically attacked, as by countering blows or overcoming an assailant:the art of self-defense.
a claim or plea that the use of force or injuring or killing another was necessary in defending one’s own person from physical attack:He shot the man who was trying to stab him and pleaded self-defense at the murder trial.
an act or instance of defending or protecting one’s own interests, property, ideas, etc., as by argument or strategy.
WINNER OF THE WORLD FANTASY AWARD
'An epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you'll forget you're reading a book' KEN LIU
'Gripping!' ANN LECKIE, author of Ancillary Justice and The Raven Tower
'Lee's astute worldbuilding raises the stakes for her vivid and tautly-described action scenes' SCOTT LYNCH, author of The Lies of Locke Lamora
*****Shortlisted for the Nebula Awards, the Locus Awards, the Aurora Awards, the Sunburst Awards and an Amazon.com Best Book of the Month*****
TWO CRIME FAMILIES, ONE SOURCE OF POWER: JADE.
Jade is the lifeblood of the city of Janloon - a stone that enhances a warrior's natural strength and speed. Jade is mined, traded, stolen and killed for, controlled by the ruthless No Peak and Mountain families.
When a modern drug emerges that allows anyone - even foreigners - to wield jade, simmering tension between the two families erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all in the families, from their grandest patriarch to even the lowliest runner on the streets.
Jade City is an epic tale of blood, family, honour, and of those who live and die by ancient laws in a changing world.
CRIMINOLOGY [krim-uh–nol–uh-jee]
noun
the study of crime and criminals: a branch of sociology.
A buddy cop story in a secondary world setting. What else do you need to know? . . . page-turning entertainment' Pornokitsch
In the cramped quarters of the city of Yenara, humans, orcs, mages, elves and dwarves all jostle for success and survival, while understaffed watch wardens struggle to keep the citizens in line.
Enter Rem. New to the city, he wakes bruised and hungover in the dungeons of the fifth ward. With no money for bail - and seeing no other way out of his cell - Rem jumps at the chance to join the Watch.
Torval, his new partner - a dwarf who's handy with a maul and known for hitting first and asking questions later - is highly unimpressed with the untrained and weaponless Rem. But when Torval's former partner goes missing, the two must learn to work together to uncover the truth and catch a murderer loose in their fair city.
'A brilliant premise, wonderfully told. A city that breathes, and heroes you can't help but root for' Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld
A glorious tour through fantasy's seamier side. A wilder ride than Middle Earth, and you'll love every minute of it! Jon Hollins, author of the Dragon Lords series
'A thrilling adventure, it's a buddy action movie masquerading as a fantasy book and I found it to be an awesome read' The Tattooed Book Geek
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL [wil-der-nis]
noun
a wild and uncultivated region, as of forest or desert, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland.
a tract of land officially designated as such and protected by the U.S. government.
any desolate tract, as of open sea.
a part of a garden set apart for plants growing with unchecked luxuriance.
a bewildering mass or collection.
THE MOST POWERFUL STORY YOU'LL READ THIS YEAR.
'Fletcher's suspenseful, atmospheric tale imagines a near future in which our world is in ruins . . . an adventure saga punctured by a gut-punch twist'
Entertainment Weekly
'You'll remember A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World long after you finish reading'
Peng Shepherd, author of The Book Of M
'Truly engrossing . . . brings hope and humanity to a cold and scary world'
Keith Stuart, author of A Boy Made of Blocks
'I promise you're going to love it'
Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches
'Epic in scope, enthralling, and full of human warmth'
M. R. Carey, author of The Girl with all the Gifts
THE WORLD HAS ENDED. AT LEAST WE STILL HAVE DOGS.
My name's Griz.
I've never been to school, I've never had friends, in my whole life I've not met enough people to play a game of football. My parents told me how crowded the world used to be, before all the people went away, but we were never lonely on our remote island. We had each other, and our dogs.
Then the thief came.
He told stories of the deserted towns and cities beyond our horizons. I liked him - until I woke to find he had stolen my dog. So I chased him out into the ruins of the world.
I just want to get my dog back, but I found more than I ever imagined was possible. More about how the world ended. More about what my family's real story is. More about what really matters.
'This un-put-down-able story has everything - a well-imagined post-apocalyptic world, great characters, incredible suspense, and, of course, the fierce love of some very good dogs'
Kirkus (starred review)
'A story that is as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking'
Fantasy Hive
'A stunningly gorgeous read: masterful storytelling, searingly beautiful prose, and a world so meticulously rendered you'll forget there's a real one going on beyond the pages. A book of the year contender - in any year'
Micah Yongo
'Extraordinary and quite magnificent . . . 10/10'
Starburst
A Boy and his Dog at the End of the World is the most moving apocalypse story you'll ever read. Perfect for readers of Life of Pi, The Girl with all the Gifts or Station Eleven - Griz's tale mixes sadness and hope in one unforgettable character's quest amid the remnants of our fragile civilisation.
JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES [jur-nl-iz-uh m]
noun
the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news organization as a business.
a course of study preparing students for careers in reporting, writing, and editing for newspapers and magazines.
writing that reflects superficial thought and research, a popular slant, and hurried composition, conceived of as exemplifying topical newspaper or popular magazine writing as distinguished from scholarly writing:He calls himself a historian, but his books are mere journalism.
Feed
by Mira Grant
BOOK 1 IN THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES
'Gripping, thrilling and brutal . . . a masterpiece of suspense' Publishers Weekly
'The zombie novel Robert A. Heinlein might have written' Sci-Fi Magazine
The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beaten the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED.
Now, twenty years after the Rising, bloggers Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives - the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will get out, even if it kills them.
PARAPSYCHOLOGY [par-uh-sahy-kol–uh-jee]
noun
'LIKE ALIAS MEETS X-MEN . . . I LOVED IT!' Maria Lewis
'A MODERN ACTION MOVE THAT JUST HAPPENS TO BE IN BOOK FORM' The Fantasy Inn
Full of imagination, wit and random sh*t flying through the air, this insane adventure from an irreverent new voice will blow your tiny mind.
FOR TEAGAN FROST, SH*T JUST GOT REAL.
Teagan Frost is having a hard time keeping it together. Sure, she's got telekinetic powers - a skill that the government is all too happy to make use of, sending her on secret break-in missions that no ordinary human could carry out. But all she really wants to do is kick back, have a beer, and pretend she's normal for once.
But then a body turns up at the site of her last job - murdered in a way that only someone like Teagan could have pulled off. She's got 24 hours to clear her name - and it's not just her life at stake. If she can't unravel the conspiracy in time, her hometown of Los Angeles will be in the crosshairs of an underground battle that's on the brink of exploding . . .
'Ford's debut holds nothing back, delivering a sense of absurd fun and high-speed thrills that more than lives up to that amazing title' B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog
'Proceeds at breakneck speed through almost 500 pages of madcap adventure, with some terrific jokes and plenty of tension' Guardian
'Teagan is a frank and funny narrator for this wild ride . . . A fast-paced, high-adrenaline tale' Kirkus
'Ford's breakneck pace keeps the tension high, and the thrills coming the whole way through' Bookpage
The Frost Files novels:
The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind
Random Sh*t Flying Through the Air
Eye of the Sh*t Storm
ECONOMICS [ek-uh–nom-iks]
noun
(used with a singular verb) the science that deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, or the material welfare of humankind.
(used with a plural verb) financial considerations; economically significant aspects:What are the economics of such a project?
84K
by Claire North
'AN EERILY PLAUSIBLE DYSTOPIAN MASTERPIECE' Emily St. John Mandel, author of STATION ELEVEN
'AN EXTRAORDINARY NOVEL . . . with echoes of The Handmaid's Tale' Cory Doctorow
***SHORTLISTED FOR THE PHILIP K. DICK AWARD***
From one of the most original new voices in modern fiction comes a startling vision of a world where you can get away with anything . . .
Theo Miller knows the value of human life - to the very last penny.
Working in the Criminal Audit Office, he assesses each crime that crosses his desk and makes sure the correct debt to society is paid in full.
But when his ex-lover is killed, it's different. This is one death he can't let become merely an entry on a balance sheet.
Because when the richest in the world are getting away with murder, sometimes the numbers just don't add up.
From the award-winning Claire North comes an electrifying and provocative new novel which will resonate with readers around the world.
Praise for 84K:
'Another captivating novel from one of the most intriguing and genre-bending novelists' Booklist
'Claire North goes from strength to strength . . . A tense, moving story' Guardian
'Absolutely breath-taking... An early and compelling candidate for best novel of 2018' SciFi Magazine
'A dystopian anthem for the modern activist . . . 84K is an important book but also a cracking thriller . . . Quite simply, North's best book so far' Starburst
'North is an original and even dazzling writer' Kirkus
'North's talent shines out' Sunday Times
Works by Claire North
Novels:
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
Touch
The Sudden Appearance of Hope
The End of the Day
84K
The Gameshouse
The Pursuit of William Abbey