November 11th Book Recs: Charms, Spells, Witches, and More!

November 11, 2024November 6, 2024Tiana TolbertLeave a comment

November 11th is MADE for magic! Known as 11/11, this day is all about good vibes, manifesting dreams, and maybe even a touch of mystical energy. What better way to embrace that spirit than by diving into tales of witchcraft, dark secrets, and spellbinding adventures?

Dive into our lineup of charming reads below!

opens in a new window opens in a new windowWitch Queen of Redwinter by Ed McDonald

Step into a world of grit and intrigue where Raine, a young woman with the unique ability to see the dead, embarks on a journey to confront her own destiny. Filled with dark magic and moral complexities, Witch Queen of Redwinter crafts a beautifully eerie atmosphere, perfect for fans of intense, character-driven fantasy.

opens in a new window opens in a new windowBook of Night by Holly Black

Holly Black’s foray into adult fantasy introduces Charlie Hall, a con artist skilled in the art of manipulating shadows. This noir-tinged tale is drenched in dark magic, where secrets can alter reality and shadows hold power. With its gritty undertones and layered world, Book of Night is a compelling read for anyone intrigued by the darker side of magic.

opens in a new window opens in a new windowAfter the Forest by Kell Woods

A haunting twist on fairy tale lore, After the Forest reimagines classic tales through the eyes of a witch navigating a cursed land. Woods blends folklore with raw emotion, inviting readers into a world where old stories take on new meaning and witches must confront both magical and human challenges. This novel is a delightful tribute to the charm and danger of the enchanted forest.

opens in a new windowA Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher brings her signature wit and creativity to A Sorceress Comes to Call, a magical retelling filled with unforgettable characters and a wild, chaotic charm. With dark magic, enchanted animals, and a sorceress mother with a penchant for mischief, this story is ideal for readers who crave whimsy and witchcraft in equal measure.

opens in a new window opens in a new windowPrincess of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Magic and royalty collide in Princess of Dune, a blend of sci-fi and fantasy that weaves witch-like power into the legendary Dune universe. For those who love high-stakes drama, political intrigue, and a fresh take on a classic saga, this novel is an enchanting addition to the Dune series that fans of mystical forces will relish.

opens in a new window opens in a new windowOne for My Enemy by Olivie Blake

Olivie Blake spins a tale of rivalry and romance in One for My Enemy, where two families steeped in magic clash in a spellbinding, modern-day New York. This bewitching novel is laced with themes of loyalty, vengeance, and forbidden love, making it a darkly captivating read for fans of atmospheric urban fantasy.

Lists / What's New

Our Favorite Foods in Fantasy!

November 2, 2024October 30, 2024Tiana TolbertLeave a comment

Do you know what’s cooking in fantasy? With the release of the stunning new hardcover editions of opens in a new windowLegends & Lattes and opens in a new windowBookshops & Bonedust, we’re re-visiting this yummy blog post. From treats to teas and everything in between, explore some of the most mouthwatering delicacies in our favorite food-filled fantasies below!

opens in a new windowCinnamon rolls from opens in a new windowLegends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Come take a load off at Viv’s cafe, the first & only coffee shop in Thune. Grand opening! In this novel of high fantasy and low stakes, Viv, the orc barbarian, cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score and plans to open the first coffee shop the city of Thune has ever seen. And with that coffee shop comes a decadent menu of caffeinated beverages and sweet treats, including the most decadent giant cinnamon rolls we’ve ever seen. Out now!

Donuts from opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Looking for a sweet treat to help start your day? Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki is all of this and more! A defiantly joyful adventure set in California’s San Gabriel Valley, with cursed violins, Faustian bargains, and queer alien courtship over fresh-made donuts, the only thing sweeter than this story are the donuts that bring our favorite characters together.

Tea and scones from opens in a new windowUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

Welcome to Charon’s Crossing. The tea is hot, the scones are fresh, and the dead are just passing through. In this hilarious and haunting book from the New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, love and family are found over a cozy cup of tea and a hearty plate of scones.

opens in a new windowBooks from opens in a new windowThe Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

Can we snack on some delicious books? Alas, no, but that doesn’t mean we can’t devour The Book Eaters and appreciate the flavors author Sunyi Dean conveys in the book snacking. To The Family, spy novels are a peppery snack; romance novels are sweet and delicious. Eating a map can help them remember destinations, and children, when they misbehave, are forced to eat dry, musty pages from dictionaries. What kind of books would you want to devour?

opens in a new windowParty snacks from opens in a new windowThe Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Order opens in a new windowLegends & Lattes Here:

opens in a new window opens in a new window opens in a new window opens in a new window opens in a new window

Order opens in a new windowBookshops & Bonedust Here:

opens in a new window opens in a new window opens in a new window opens in a new window opens in a new window

What's New

Announcing Tor Books Programming at San Diego Comic-Con 2024!

July 18, 2024July 25, 2024Tiana Tolbert1 Comment

We’re thrilled to join you all at San Diego Comic-Con 2024! Check out all the awesome panels and booth events we’ve got slated for this epic weekend.

Please note that giveaways and drops do not indicate author attendance at San Diego Comic Con. For attending authors, please check out panels and signing events.

Thursday — July 25

Panels

opens in a new windowDon’t Stick Me in a Box: Genre Mashup Edition

DESCRIPTION: Rules were meant to be broken and genres were meant to be mashed—or however the saying goes. Leave your ideas of conventional genre at the door and join genre legends Olivie Blake (The Atlas Complex), Sarah Beth Durst (The Spellshop), TJ Klune (Somewhere Beyond the Sea), Seanan McGuire (Tidal Creatures), and Chuck Tingle (Bury Your Gays) as they gather to talk fantasy, romance, horror, and everything in between. Moderated by Maureen Lenker (Entertainment Weekly).

Room 24ABC
10:30 – 11:30 AM

opens in a new windowSupporting Women’s Wrongs

DESCRIPTION: This panel dedicated to the damsels dishing out distress features Ava Reid (Lady Macbeth; A Study Drowning), CJ Leede (American Rapture), Rachel Howzell Hall (The Last One), and Comic-Con special guests Cecy Robson (Bloodguard) and Kiersten White (Lucy Undying) discussing writing powerful female characters who aren’t afraid of committing a few wrongs to make things right. Moderated by Mysterious Galaxy’s Michelle Bucud.

Room 23ABC
11:00 – 12:00 PM

Booth Signings

Jonathan Maberry | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM signing Dragon in Winter (GALLEY GIVEAWAY)

Seanan McGuire | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM signing Tidal Creatures and others

Seanan McGuire | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Sarah Beth Durst| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM signing The Spellshop

CJ Leede | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM signing American Rapture (GALLEY GIVEAWAY)

Author Signings

Olivie Blake, Sarah Beth Durst, Seanan McGuire, TJ Klune, and Chuck Tingle

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM in AA09

Kendare Blake, Rachel Howzell Hall, CJ Leede, Ava Reid, Cecy Robson, and Kiersten White

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM in AA02

Friday — July 26

Panels

opens in a new windowRomantic Retellings

DESCRIPTION: It’s time to take a fresh look at classic tales. Authors Alexene Farol Follmuth (Twelfth Knight), Christina Lauren (Tangled Up in You; The Paradise Problem), Nikki Payne (Sex, Lies, and Sensibility), and Scarlett St. Clair (A Touch of Chaos) share how they take famous stories from once-upon-a-time to a whole new happily ever after. Moderated by Mysterious Galaxy’s Jenni Marchisotto.

Room 24ABC
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

opens in a new windowAcross the Universes with Tor

DESCRIPTION: Tor Publishing Group publishes some of the greatest sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and horror books around. This panel will shine a spotlight on some of the exciting upcoming titles that Tor, Tor Teen, Tordotcom Publishing, Nightfire, and their newest imprint, Bramble, have to offer. The book lovers from the Tor teams-Laura Etzkorn (senior publicist), Giselle Gonzalez (publicist), Emily Honer (marketing associate), and Rachel Taylor (senior marketing manager)—share a sneak peek at new and upcoming books that you will definitely have to add to your TBR list.

Room 29CD
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Booth Signings

Moses Ose Utomi | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM signing The Lies of the Ajungo and The Truth of the Aleke

Alexene Farol Follmuth| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM signing Twelfth Knight and others

Author Signings

Alexene Farol Follmuth, Christina Lauren, Nikki Payne, and Scarlett St. Clair

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM in AA09

Saturday — July 27

Panels

opens in a new windowRobots and Other Mechanical Beings

DESCRIPTION: Explore works with robots, cyborgs, androids, and other mechanical characters in central and supporting roles created by John Barber (SIGNA), Alexene Farol Follmuth (My Mechanical Romance), Frederick L, Jones (Clock Striker), and Greg van Eekhout (Cog, Happy Town). Maryelizabeth Yturralde (publishing maven, Pan-Universal Galactic Worldwide) will drill down into what it takes to construct stories featuring automated machines in meaningful ways.

Room 4
10:00 – 11:00 AM

opens in a new windowIn Our Villain Era: Tor’s Version

DESCRIPTION: Everyone has their favorite era, and Tor is here to tell you why their Villain Era is fiercer than the rest. Jenn Lyons (The Sky On Fire), Moses Ose Utomi (The Truth of the Aleke), and Ken Bebelle (Blood Jade) dive into the villains—and maybe even some heroes—of their stories. Moderated by Ryka Aoki (Light from Uncommon Stars).

Room 10
10:30 – 11:30 AM

opens in a new windowHow to Bookend a opens in a new window Bestselling Series

DESCRIPTION: The End is often the two hardest words an author writes. Is it captivating enough? Is it satisfying to loyal readers? How do you wrap up the pieces? Or will the threads be left open enough for a companion? No one knows this better than bestselling authors Tricia Levenseller (The Darkness Within Us), Alexandra Bracken (The Mirror of Beasts), and Aiden Thomas (Celestial Monsters), who have all crafted compelling endings to beloved young adult series. Be warned: spoilers are a risk! Moderated by Sarah Henning (The Lies We Conjure).

Room 10
1:30 – 2:30 PM

opens in a new windowLet There Be Dragons

DESCRIPTION : Take to the skies with a panel dedicated to the mythical creatures that have inspired fear and awe across the globe for centuries: dragons. Jenn Lyons (The Sky on Fire), Ken Bebelle (Blood Jade), and Comic-Con special guests Naomi Novik discuss what it’s like to bring these magical and mercurial beings to life. Moderated by Mysterious Galaxy’s Matthew Berger.

Room 23ABC
3:00 – 4:00 PM

Booth Signings

Sarah Henning | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM signing The Lies We Conjure (GALLEY GIVEAWAY)

Roger Clark | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM signing Red Dead’s History

Ryka Aoki | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM signing Light from Uncommon Stars

Adam Christopher | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM signing The Burning Dark

Rebecca Thorne | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM signing A Pirate’s Life for Tea

TJ Klune | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Ken Bebelle | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM signing Blood Jade

Author Signings

John Barber, Alexene Farol Follmuth, Andrew Lee Griffith, Frederick L Jones, Judd Winick

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM in AA09

Ryka Aoki, Ken Bebelle, Jenn Lyons, Moses Ose Utomi, and Julia Vee

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM in AA06

Alexandra Bracken, Sarah Henning, Tricia Levenseller, and Aiden Thomas

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM in AA06

Ken Bebelle, Jenn Lyons, and Naomi Novik

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM in AA09

Sunday — July 28

Panels

opens in a new windowTake Me Away

DESCRIPTION: We’re getting out of town without getting out of bed thanks to these fantastic tales. Book your ticket out of this world as Jordan Ifueko (The Maid and the Crocodile), T. J. Klune (Somewhere Beyond the Sea), Rebecca Thorne (Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea), Sara Wolf (Heavenbreaker), and Deeba Zargarpur (Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate) discuss how to create the worlds and characters that readers want to visit (and revisit). Moderated by Mysterious Galaxy’s Jenni Marchisotto.

Room 7AB

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

opens in a new windowPage-Turning Thrillers and Mysteries

DESCRIPTION: If you like high-stakes, twisty mind games, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and stories that feel like the big screen, you are in for a treat! Sarah Henning (The Lies We Conjure), Trish Lundy (The One That Got Away with Murder), and Caitlin Schneiderhan (Medici Heist) discuss their thrillers and mysteries that will leave you glued to your reading nook until the very last page. Moderated by Lily Anderson (Scout’s Honor).

Room 24ABC

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

opens in a new windowThere’s Something About YA

DESCRIPTION: Bestselling YA authors Alexene Farol Follmuth (Twelfth Knight), Terry J. Benton-Walker (The White Guy Dies First), Sarah Henning (The Lies We Conjure), Tricia Levenseller (The Darkness Within Us), and Christine Riccio (Attached at the Hip) discuss spinning stories that bring the heat in romantasy, the snark in romcoms, the death in horror and the sabotage in thrillers/mysteries for teens. Moderated by Erika Lewis (Kelcie Murphy series).

Room 23ABC
2:30 – 3:30 PM

opens in a new windowDeadly Deeds

DESCRIPTIONS: Creators of dark and creeptastic works discuss their tales and debate not only when readers might choose to root for the monsters but also what and who defines monsters. Lily Anderson (Killer House Party), Desiree S. Evans (The Black Girl Survives in This One), Stephen Graham Jones (I was a Teenage Slasher) , CJ Leede (American Rapture), Trish Lundy (The One That Got Away with Murder), Comic-Con special guest Kiersten White (Lucy Undying), and Justine Puncella Winans (One Killer Problem) chill out with Maryelizabeth Yturralde (publishing maven, Pan-Universal Galactic Worldwide).

Room 4
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Booth Signings

Terry J. Benton-Walker | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM signing The White Guy Dies First

Erika Lewis | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM signing the Kelcie Murphy Series

Jenn Lyons | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM singing The Sky on Fire

Author Signings

Lily Anderson, Sarah Henning, Trish Lundy, and Caitlin Schneiderhan

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM in AA09

Jordan Ifueko, TJ Klune, Rebecca Thorne, Sara Wolf, and Deeba Zargarpur

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM in AA04

Lily Anderson, Trish Lundy, CJ Leede, Alison Saft, Justine Puncella Winans

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM in AA09

Terry J. Benton-Walker, Alexene Farol Follmuth, Sarah Henning, Tricia Levenseller, and Erika Lewis

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in AA09

Panelists and giveaways subject to change

What's New

Announcing Tor Books Programming at San Diego Comic-Con 2023!

July 2, 2023April 11, 2024a cat2 Comments

We’re thrilled to join you all at San Diego Comic-Con 2023! Check out all the awesome panels and booth events we’ve got slated for this epic weekend. And don’t forget to join our opens in a new windowSDCC 2023 ARC Bundle Sweepstakes (you don’t actually have to be at con to enter. This is a celebratory sweepstakes for everyone)!

Please note that giveaways and drops do not indicate author attendance at San Diego Comic Con. For attending authors, please check out panels and signing events.

Thursday — July 20

Panels

Welcome to Fantasy Land

Room 9
10:00 – 11:00 AM

Darcie Little Badger, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Rachel Griffin, Adalyn Grace, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Michelle Bucud (moderator)

Robots and Aliens and Blasters, Oh My

Room 24ABC
10:30 – 11:30 AM

Emma Mieko Candon, Sylvain Neuvel, and Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle, Charlie Jane Anders (Moderator)

In the Beginning…There was Worldbuilding

Room 32AB
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

TJ Klune, Comic-Con Special Guest Holly Black, Wesley Chu, LR Lam, Victoria Aveyard, Dr. Jeanelle Horcasitas (moderator)

A Different Type of Romance

Room 21AB
2:00 – 3:00 PM

Holly Black, Becky Cloonan, Linda Sejic, Stjepan Sejic, and Rachel Smythe. Tina Horn (moderator)

Booth 2802 Events

**Giveaway: After the Forest by Kell Woods**

10:00 – 11:00 AM

**Giveaway: One Blood by Denene Millner**

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Author Signing: Terry J. Benton-Walker*

12:00 – 1:00 PM
Blood Debts

**Giveaway: Exadelic by Jon Evans**

1:00 – 2:00 PM

Author Signing: Chuck Tingle*

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Camp Damascus

Author Signing: Charlie Jane Anders*

3:00 – 4:00 PM
Victories Greater Than Death

Author Signing: Paul Cornell*

3:00 – 4:00 PM
Rosebud

Author Signing: Cory Doctorow*

4:00 – 5:00 PM
The Lost Cause

Friday — July 21

Panels

Wish They All Could be CA MCs

Room 24ABC
10:30 – 11:30 AM

Diane Marie Brown, Nidhi Chanani, Mike Chen , Cory Doctorow, and Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle, Maryelizabeth Yturralde (moderator)

Love in all the Fantastic Places

Room 32AB
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Olivie Blake, Jacqueline Carey, Piper J. Drake, Laura Thalassa, Mia Tsai, Rachel Smythe, Dr. Jenni Marchisotto (moderator), Haydee Smith (moderator)

Spotlight on Martha Wells

Room 28DE
1:00 – 1:00 PM

Comic Con Special Guest Martha Wells

SF in Comics

Room 29AB
3:00 – 4:00 PM

John Barber, Andrew Griffin, Charlie Jane Anders , Nicholas Tana, Maryelizabeth Yturralde (moderator)

Boundless Adventures: San Diego Festival of Books

Room 10
4:30 – 5:30 PM

Charlie Jane Anders, John Jennings, TJ Klune, Jarrod Shusterman and Sofia Lapuente, Alonso Nunez (moderator)

Tor Presents:Calling All Book Lovers

Room 29CD
5:30 – 6:30 PM

TPG staff: Saraciea J. Fennell (Senior Publicity Manager), Giselle Gonzalez (Publicist), Emily Mlynek (Director of Marketing), Rachel Taylor (Senior Marketing Manager)

Booth 2802 Events

**Giveaway: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow**

10:00 – 11:00 AM

Author Signing: Martha Wells*

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Witch King

**Giveaway: The Fragile Threads of Power by V. E. Schwab audiobook excerpt with special item**

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Author Signing: Liz Kerin*

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Night’s Edge

Author Signing: Sarah Gailey*

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Just Like Home

Author Signing: Nina Nesseth*

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Nightmare Fuel

Author Signing: Julia Vee & Ken Bebelle*

3:00 – 4:00 PM
Ebony Gate

Author Signing: Holly Black

4:00 – 5:00 PM
Book of Night

Saturday — July 22

Panels

Mysteries, Magic, & Mayhem

Room 7AB
10:00 – 11:00 AM

Holly Black, Johnny Compton, Martha Wells, Catriona Ward, and Philip Fracassi, Liz Kerin (moderator)

A Scare is Born

Room 7AB
12:00 – 1:00 PM

Silvia Moreno Garcia, Junji Ito, Johnny Compton, Chuck Tingle, Catriona Ward, Erin A. Craig, Judy Prince-Neeb (moderator)

Science Fiction (At Least for Now)

Room 29AB
1:00 – 2:00 PM

Emma Mieko Candon, Pierce Brown, Nnedi Okorafor, Comic Con Special Guest Martha Wells

The Worlds We Return To

Room 23ABC
3:00 – 4:00 PM

Stephen Blackmoore, Jacqueline Carey, Cory Doctorow, Chloe Gong, E.K. Johnston, Matthew Berger (moderator)

Things Could Be Worse

Room 25ABC
8:00 – 9:00 PM

Tananarive Due, CJ Leede, Meriam Metoui, Chuck Tingle, and Danielle Valentine, Maryelizabeth Yturralde (moderator)

Booth 2802 Events

**Giveaway: The Hunting Moon by Susan Dennard**

10:00 – 11:00 AM

Author Signing: Emma Mieko Candon*

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Archive Undying

Author Signing: J.R. Dawson*

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The First Bright Thing

**Giveaway: Starter Villain by John Scalzi**

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Author Signing: Sylvain Neuvel*

1:00 – 2:00 PM
A History of What Comes Next

Author Signing: Phillip Fracassi*

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Boys in the Valley

Author Signing: TJ Klune*

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Wolfsong

Author Signing: Johnny Compton*

3:00 – 4:00 PM
The Spite House

Author Signing: CJ Leede*

3:00 – 4:00 PM
Maeve Fly

Author Signing: Catriona Ward*

4:30 – 5:30 PM
Looking Glass Sound

Sunday — July 23

Panels

Spotlight on Holly Black

Room 29AB
10:00 – 11:00 AM

Comic Con Special Guest Holly Black

Let’s Hit Critical

Room 29AB
12:00 – 1:00 PM

Jef Aldrich, Travis Baldree, James D’Amato, E.K. Johnston, Jon Taylor, Cecil Castellucci (moderator)

Romantasy: When SFF & Romance Kiss

Room 23ABC
2:30 – 3:30 PM

Jacqueline Carey, Olivie Blake, J.R. Dawson, Travis Baldree, TJ Klune (moderator)

Booth 2802 Events

**Giveaway: The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport by Samit Basu**

10:00 – 10:30 AM

Author Signing: Travis Baldree*

10:30 – 11:30 AM
Bookshops & Bonedust

Author Signing: Jacqueline Carey*

12:00 – 1:00 PM
Kushiel’s Dart

Author Signing: Olivie Blake*

1:00 – 2:00 PM
The Atlas Six

Giveaway: Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout audiobook excerpt with special item

2:00 – 3:00 PM

**Giveaway: Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo**

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Free author signing with tickets to be given away at 10:00 AM each day in the booth. Other titles will be available for purchase in the booth.

Panelists and giveaways subject to change

Lists / What's New

Our Favorites Foods in Fantasy

September 23, 2022September 22, 2022Rachel Taylor

Do you know what’s cooking in fantasy? A whole array of treats, teas, and other delicacies are brewing in some of our favorite fantasies featuring food. Check out the list below!

opens in a new windowCinnamon rolls from opens in a new windowLegends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Donuts from opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Tea and scones from opens in a new windowUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

opens in a new windowBooks from opens in a new windowThe Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

opens in a new windowParty snacks from opens in a new windowThe Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Lists / What's New

Love The Classics? Try These New Stories!

March 14, 2022May 1, 2024a cat2 Comments

Classics—we know them, we’ve read them. Basically, we’ve all heard of them. And that is why we put this list together. Fan of Classic A? Check out New Story B. We’ve got a hot list of fantastic new title / classic pairs primed for your perusal 😎

Check it out!

opens in a new windowThe Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller

The Count of Monte Cristo is a much-lauded and time-honored adventure tale of revenge, and an adventure of vengeance is something author Sara A. Mueller delivers in spades with her novel, The Bone Orchard.

When prisoner, survivor, necromancer, and mistress Charm is summoned to the deathbed of her conquering, now dying emperor, she is charged with determining the fate of the empire by discovering which of his terrible sons has killed him. To do so will deliver her from captivity, but betray the ghosts of her past that still whisper, leaving her with this choice: Justice, or revenge?

The Bone Orchard is on sale 3/22/22!

opens in a new windowThe Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho

The Legend of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong is a classic tale of adventure, betrayal, and wuxia martial arts. Plots will be hatched, and secrets shared, and pacts broken.

And for modern fans of the vibrancy of old school martial arts, we have to recommend The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho. It’s a wuxia story about found family, as a bandit walks into a coffeehouse, and it all goes downhill from there.

The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water is available now!

opens in a new windowThe Unspoken Name by A. K. Larkwood

This brilliant epic fantasy from A. K. Larkwood is perfect for fans of Ursula K. Le Guin’s celebrated A Wizard of Earthsea. Fans of Le Guin’s book will remember young wizard Sparrowhawk’s education and coming of age, as well as the devouring shadow that followed him.

In The Unspoken Name, young orcish death priestess Csorwe’s is haunted by her betrothed: a nameless death god older than the world. But when she receives an unexpected offer of employment from a traveling wizard, she leaves death hanging at the alter* to launch into an incredible and world-spanning adventure of mistakes, love, action, and growth.

The Unspoken Name is available in paperback now!

ominous mountain shrine filled with many, many bones

opens in a new windowWhat Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

Scary good and scary scary, that’s Edgar Allen Poe’s famed tale of isolation, madness, and the disintegration of the line that separates the known and concrete from everything else. You guessed it: The Fall of the House of Usher.

In What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher, the old story is given a grippingly atmospheric and fungus-filled retelling. Yes, fungal. Poe’s work isn’t the only classic that pairs with this suspenseful new book. What Moves the Dead is also perfect for anyone who still can’t get this unforgettable Tumblr post out of their head. Read this if you cannot be killed in a way that matters.

What Moves the Dead is available on 7/12/22!

opens in a new windowThe Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

There’s a lot to love about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The opulence. The pining. The emptiness of wild parties and vacuity of the lavish.

Nghi Vo’s The Chosen and the Beautiful retells the story from the perspective of Jordan Baker, who navigates her identity as a queer Vietnamese adoptee and practitioner of magic. Enter demonic pacts, elemental mysteries, and dazzling illusion into the classic we all know as Vo transforms it into something wholly new and absolutely enchanting.

The Chosen and the Beautiful is available in paperback now!

Lists / What's New

The 2021 Gift Guide for Your Fun (and Sometimes Funny) Family

November 23, 2021May 1, 2024Rachel Taylor

It’s the (theoretically) most wonderful time of the year and we are BACK once more to help you win over your fun (and sometimes funny) family and friends with the timeless gift of books. From your nosey great aunt to the ghost cat haunting your house, we have recommendations for every important person in your life. Check out the full gift guide below!

By Rachel Taylor and a bunch of raccoons in a trench coat

The great aunt who keeps asking if you’re dating anyone yet

via GIPHY

Don’t we all hate the ‘but why aren’t you seeing anyone’ question from nosey family members? The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey will put a stop to that! Just tell her you’d rather hangout with the clone that your crappy ex made of you. You are much better company.

The music buff in your life

via GIPHY

You’ve gotten your favorite music lover everything they could possibly want—CDs, posters, and tickets to their favorite concert, but now you’re starting to run out of ideas. Let’s go in a bit of a different direction and gift them the soulful new book Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki, filled with musicians, demonic deals, and donuts. What more could a person want?

To the person you’ve been ‘talking’ to but haven’t defined the relationship with yet

via GIPHY

Win their heart with a copy of Winter’s Orbit, a sweet love story among the stars that’s also a murder mystery! Nothing says love like solving a murder and figuring out the pesky problem of there only being one bed. If they don’t sweep you off your feet after reading this tale of two space princes going from husbands to friends to lovers, they don’t deserve you.

Your nephew who thinks you’re the cool aunt

via GIPHY

You’ll need to live up to your rep and get them something with explosions, battles for the galaxy, and sentient space suits. You’re in luck because Christopher Paolini’s epic space adventure To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is in paperback and features ALL OF THOSE THINGS plus pirates and a ship pig named Runcible.

Your niece who thinks you’re the cool uncle

via GIPHY

Want your niece to think you’re Super Cool™? Give her The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman. It’s got goblin wars, assassins, giant ravens—all the things the kids love nowadays.

Or, it will arrive late, but lean into the weird and get them James Rollins’ new fantasy book, where the moon threatens. That swiss cheese-faced bastard has had it out for us since day one, and in The Starless Crown, the moon threatens to destroy all life on earth. It’s up to a godling, a disgraced prince, a pack of misfits, and a bunch of giant bats to save us.

The sibling who’s always gotta read the book before the adaptation comes out

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The Wheel of Time from Amazon Prime is officially out in the world and your sibling is refusing to watch it with you until they’ve read the source material. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the brand new The Eye of the World official tie-in edition from Robert Jordan!

To the ghost cat that lives in your wall

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Want to appease the angry ghost cat currently lurking in your wall? Give them the offering of The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward, complete with its own sentient, deeply enraged feline. But make sure your haunted feline doesn’t get too many ideas from it….

To the friend who needs to disconnect from work once and awhile

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We all have that friend that works too hard and needs some inspiration on better work/life balance. Give them a nudge with Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune and maybe they too will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Your kid sister in college who has the attention span of a goldfish

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Set her up for success and give her some novellas to read! They’re travel sized for her convenience, and snackable so she can get into the story before she gets too squirrely. We recommend starting with opens in a new windowA Spindle Splintered or opens in a new windowThe Chosen and the Beautiful, for a bit of action adventure with a lot of heart.

Your ride or die BFF

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Your BFF deserves only the best and what is the best but the SUPER FANCY, EXTRA SPECIAL edition of New York Times bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab! Complete with ribbon bookmark, extra art, and a special note from the author, your BFF will have this one displayed on the shelf that only the fanciest of books go.

That guy who is a probably a distant cousin but you’re not even sure how you’re related

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If you have to pour through your family tree to figure out who the heck this guy is, he should do something useful, like catch up with the latest Sanderson (Rhythm of War, now available in paperback) so you can talk shop and debate who the best Knight Radiant is.

Your sibling that wishes it was still Halloween

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Don’t we all have that one person in our lives who is sulking over the fact that the holiday decorations went up in October, COMPLETELY overriding the precious holiday of Halloween? Give them the scares they crave with Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw, to remind them the Halloween spirit never dies.

Which books are you gifting to your loved ones this year? Let us know in the comments!

Lists

Our Favorite Historical SFF Retellings

June 25, 2021May 1, 2024Rachel Taylor

History is written by the victors; or in this case, re-written to explore what could have been. From a young assassin who uses knives to instil fear in her targets, to a young woman who steals her older brother’s destiny of greatness, travel to a reimagined history with these fantastical stories.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

In this reimagining tale about the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the second daughter of a family of starving peasants is told her fate will amount to nothingness, while her older brother, Zhu Chongba, will achieve greatness. However, when their father is killed, and Zhu dies from despair, the daughter decides to take on her brother’s identity to steal his fate.

Trouble the Saints by Alaya Dawn Johnson

When a young woman from Harlem is hired as an assassin, she uses knives to scare the most dangerous of citizens. Ten years later, and at the beginning of World War II, the assassin, Phyllis LeBlanc, has given up on her past – including the man she loved, Dev. But her past hasn’t given up on her, and soon Phyllis has to make a choice – but is there ever enough blood in the world to wash clean generations of injustice?

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

In the glittering 1920s of this reinvented tale from The Great Gatsby, Jordan Baker is Asian, queer, and a magician. Jordan has grown up in the most elite circles of society – she has money, education, and invites to all the hottest parties. But as a Vietnamese adoptee, she is also treated as exotic by those around her, and the most important doors remain closed to her. But the world of lost ghosts, elemental mysteries, dazzling illusions, and infernal pacts is calling to her.

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

A huge meteorite crashed to earth in 1952 and took out most of the East Coast. Soon a looming climate crisis that could make the earth inhospitable for humans forces humanity to expedite their efforts to colonize space. As a WASP pilot and mathematician, Elma York is given a chance to live on the moon. But Elma’s drive to be an astronaut is so strong that not even the International Aerospace Coalition can keep her from exploring space.

Lent by Jo Walton

In fifteenth century Florence, young Girolamo can see demons and cast them out on his own will. And not only that, but Girolamo seems to have the charisma and charm to make friends out of noblemen, convince Charles VIII of France to not invade Florence and instead protect, and to make any crowd he preaches to swoon. Soon, people begin to feel threatened by his power, such as the Pope who is bent on preventing him from controlling Florence. But Girolamo is just getting started.

Events / What's New

#ICYMI- A Recap of TorCon 2021

June 14, 2021May 17, 2024Rachel Taylor1 Comment

A big THANK YOU to all our amazing friends and fans who joined us for TorCon 2021. We hope you had an amazing time and hope to see you again for our next virtual event!

If you’re bummed you couldn’t make it to all of the activities, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You can see the recordings of almost all of TorCon PLUS some short recaps here!

Gillian Flynn and Catriona Ward, in conversation

Catriona Ward’s twisty and terrifying opens in a new windowThe Last House on Needless Street is one of the most anticipated books of the fall–and who better to join her to discuss all things thrilling and chilling than #1 New York Times bestselling author Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Dark Places, Sharp Objects)? Check out this powerhouse duo here! Thank you to Den of Geek for co-hosting.

Rewatch below via Facebook:

Chaotic Storytelling–Take 2!

It’s time for Chaotic Storytelling: 2 Chaotic, 2 Furious! Christopher Buehlman ( opens in a new windowThe Blacktongue Thief), J.S. Dewes ( opens in a new windowThe Last Watch), Andrea Hairston ( opens in a new windowMaster of Poisons), Jenn Lyons ( opens in a new windowThe House of Always), and Neil Sharpson ( opens in a new windowWhen the Sparrow Falls) incorporated writing prompts from the audience to create a brand new story—and talk about their craft and inspirations along the way. This panel was co-hosted by LitHub and moderated by Drew Broussard.

Rewatch below via Facebook:

**Nightfire Family Blood Feud**

Our new horror imprint, Nightfire, brought together some of your favorite horror and gothic authors as they went head-to-head in a horror-inspired version of the favorite game show… What tropes are fan favorites? Which movie franchise is the scariest? Check out Gretchen Felker-Martin ( opens in a new windowManhunt), Cassandra Khaw ( opens in a new windowNothing But Blackened Teeth), Thomas Olde Heuvelt ( opens in a new windowHex, opens in a new windowEcho), Silvia Moreno Garcia ( opens in a new windowCertain Dark Things), and host Lee Mandelo ( opens in a new windowSummer Sons) as they found out during Nightfire’s Horror Feud!

Rewatch below via Facebook:

Holly Black & James Rollins in conversation

Holly Black joined James Rollins to discuss his new epic novel, opens in a new windowThe Starless Crown–plus an exclusive announcement for Holly’s fans! Check out these two #1 New York Times bestsellers as they talked bringing the thrills to fantasy, fighting the moon, stealing a god, new projects…and even a sneak peek at some of their latest work. Holly announced her adult debut from Tor, coming next summer, Book of Night. This panel was co-hosted by Den of Geek.

Rewatch below via Facebook:

All the Feels: Emotional Storytelling in SFF

SFF has the coolest story elements, but the *real* reason we love these books is that they hit us right in the feels. Becky Chambers ( opens in a new windowA Psalm for the Wild-Built), Kerstin Hall ( opens in a new windowStar Eater), T.L. Huchu ( opens in a new windowThe Library of the Dead), Alex Pheby ( opens in a new windowMordew), Lucinda Roy ( opens in a new windowThe Freedom Race), and moderator TJ Klune ( opens in a new windowUnder the Whispering Door) joined us to discuss making stories more than just words on a page, and mastermind an evil plot to make us have FEELINGS!

Rewatch below via Facebook:

Ethereal & Eerie: A Glimpse at Captivating Fall Reads

Catch a glimpse of fall’s most ethereal and eerie reads from authors Alix E. Harrow ( opens in a new windowA Spindle Splintered), Freya Marske ( opens in a new windowA Marvellous Light), Lee Mandelo ( opens in a new windowSummer Sons), Zin E. Rocklyn ( opens in a new windowFlowers for the Sea), and Catherynne M. Valente ( opens in a new windowComfort Me With Apples). Moderated by Seanan McGuire ( opens in a new windowWhere the Drowned Girls Go).

Rewatch below via Facebook:

Charlie Jane Anders & TJ Klune in conversation

Check out internationally bestselling author Charlie Jane Anders ( opens in a new windowVictories Greater than Death, opens in a new windowNever Say You Can’t Survive) in conversation with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author TJ Klune ( opens in a new windowThe House in the Cerulean Sea, opens in a new windowFlash Fire) as they discussed writing SFF for adults and teens, crafting authentic queer narratives, and everlasting fictional characters that stay with readers long after they’ve finished the book. This panel was co-hosted by Den of Geek.

Rewatch below via Facebook:

Space is Gay!

Only two things are infinite: Space and Gay. Check out Charlie Jane Anders ( opens in a new windowVictories Greater than Death), Ryka Aoki ( opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars), A.K. Larkwood ( opens in a new windowThe Unspoken Name), Everina Maxwell ( opens in a new windowWinter’s Orbit), and moderator K.M. Szpara ( opens in a new windowFirst, Become Ashes) as they discussed queer science fiction spaces, extraterrestrial OTPs, and how in space, no one can hear your gay pining. Attendees were able to enter for a chance to win one of Tor’s limited edition Space is Gay pins.

Rewatch below via Facebook:

Conjuring the Diaspora: Myths, Legends, and Classics Reimagined

Check out authors Ryka Aoki ( opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars), Aliette de Bodard ( opens in a new windowFireheart Tiger), Shelley Parker-Chan ( opens in a new windowShe Who Became the Sun), and Nghi Vo ( opens in a new windowThe Chosen and the Beautiful) for a discussion of how the Asian diaspora intersects with storytelling in the speculative fiction space. This panel was co-hosted with the Bronx Book Festival.

Rewatch below via Facebook:

Jo Firestone & Joe Pera in conversation

Joe Pera, from the Adult Swim show Joe Pera Talks With You, has been lauded for his warmhearted comedic stylings. Now, check out him and Jo Firestone to present a preview of his first book! opens in a new window A Bathroom Book for People Not Pooping or Peeing but Using the Bathroom as an Escape is a funny and sincere guide to regaining calm and confidence when you’re hiding in the bathroom from life’s stresses. This panel was co-hosted by Den of Geek. It is not available for rewatch.

TorCon 2021 Presents: Cooking the Books!

As a special treat, we asked three of our authors to share some of their favorite food-related tidbits. Check out their choices below!

Becky Chambers, author of opens in a new windowA Psalm for the Wild-Built, shared some of her favorite teas with the audience, DRAMATIC READING STYLE.

J. S. Dewes, author of opens in a new windowThe Last Watch, shared her quest to find the best gum! Do you agree with her choices?

Aliette de Bodard, author of opens in a new windowFireheart Tiger, made a strong cup of tea to give a ‘cheers’ to the final day of the convention.

Lists

SFF Books with the Absolute BEST Parties

May 19, 2021May 1, 2024Rachel Taylor7 Comments

Who doesn’t love a good party? Since we’re still being cautious about in-person bashes, we’re rounding up our favorite SFF books with some truly out-of-this-world parties…for better or for worse. Check them out below!

opens in a new windowThe Beautiful Ones by Silvia-Morneo Garcia

They are the Beautiful Ones, Loisail’s most notable socialites, and this spring is Nina’s chance to join their ranks, courtesy of her well-connected cousin and his calculating wife. And that means…parties, parties, parties galore! But with a *magical* twist.

opens in a new windowA Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives in the center of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire only to discover that her predecessor, the previous ambassador from their small but fiercely independent mining Station, has died. But no one will admit that his death wasn’t an accident—or that Mahit might be next to die, during a time of political instability in the highest echelons of the imperial court. Mahit must navigate politics, parties, and poetry to find the truth.

opens in a new windowThe Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society—she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. She’s also queer and Asian, a Vietnamese adoptee treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her. But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire, and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how.

opens in a new windowSix of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. And a party none of them will ever forget.

opens in a new windowJonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

The year is 1806. Centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation’s past. But scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell, whose displays of magic send a thrill through the country. Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange. Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very antithesis of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men which overwhelms that between England and France. And their own obsessions and secret dabblings with the dark arts are going to cause more trouble than they can imagine.