Close
post-featured-image

Let’s Go to SPACE with Our Favorite Crews!!!

We all have dreams and one of our biggest ones? To go to SPACE!!! We want to touch the stars, see the aliens, get lost in the void—you know, the usual space dreams. But to fulfill our deepest wish, we need a chaotic crew to get us there. Check out our favorite space cohorts here!


Place holder  of - 51 opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott

Growing up in the shadow of her mother, Eirene, has been no easy task. The legendary queen-marshal did what everyone thought impossible: expel the invaders and build Chaonia into a magnificent republic, one to be respected—and feared. But the cutthroat ambassador corps and conniving noble houses have never ceased to scheme—and they have plans that need Sun to be removed as heir, or better yet, dead.

Poster Placeholder of - 48 opens in a new windowThe Last Watch by J. S. Dewes

The Divide. It’s the edge of the universe. Now it’s collapsing—and taking everyone and everything with it. The only ones who can stop it are the Sentinels—the recruits, exiles, and court-martialed dregs of the military. At the Divide, Adequin Rake, commanding the Argus, has no resources, no comms—nothing, except for the soldiers that no one wanted. They’re humanity’s last chance.

opens in a new windowImage Place holder  of - 71In the Black by Patrick S. Tomlinson

In a demilitarized zone on the border of human space, long range spy satellites are mysteriously going quiet, and no one knows why. Captain Susan Kamala and her crew are dispatched to figure out what’s going on and solve the problem. That problem, however, is a mysterious, bleeding edge alien ship that no human vessel could hope to match in open conflict. But, it’s not spoiling for a fight. Now, the Captain and her Crew must figure out how to navigate a complicated game of diplomacy, balancing the needs of their corporate overlords, and the honest desire for a lasting peace between the two races, all without letting a long standing cold war turn hot.

opens in a new windowImage Placeholder of - 93To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move. As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn’t at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human. While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest and final hope . . .

Placeholder of  -67 opens in a new windowAll Systems Red by Martha Wells

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern. On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is. But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it’s up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

book-9781250186119 opens in a new windowThe Stars Now Unclaimed by Drew Williams

Jane Kamali is an agent for the Justified. Her mission: to recruit children with miraculous gifts in the hope that they might prevent the Pulse from once again sending countless worlds back to the dark ages. Hot on her trail is the Pax–a collection of fascist zealots who believe they are the rightful rulers of the galaxy and who remain untouched by the Pulse. Now Jane, a handful of comrades from her past, and a telekinetic girl called Esa must fight their way through a galaxy full of dangerous conflicts, remnants of ancient technology, and other hidden dangers. And that’s just the beginning . . .

post-featured-image

SFF Books to Gift Every Member of Your Weird and Cranky Family

‘Tis the season for yearly awkward family holiday interactions! And what’s more stressful than trying to find that perfect gift for blood relatives? Is your mom forbidding you from giving your terrible aunt a bottle of $15 Chardonnay for the fourth year in a row? We’ve got you covered—check out our extremely helpful and entirely appropriate holiday gift guide to help *inspire* you!

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


For your wine aunt

book-9780765387561

Oh, the wine aunts. We love them so much because a) they know how to have a good time and b) they are super easy to shop for because, wine! But your mom is complaining that no, you cannot get your aunt a bottle of Chardonnay for the sixth year in a row. So why not get them a great book they can enjoy while sipping a glass of the good stuff? Gift them opens in a new windowThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab! It’s fun, sexy, and a little bit fantastical and makes for a great wordy wine pairing.

For you gay cousin

book-9781250197245

On the off chance you aren’t the gay cousin yourself, boy, have we got recommendations for you! Because as everyone except NASA knows, space is gay.

You should get them this year’s Hugo Award winner opens in a new window A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine or opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott. Come for the epic space empire politics, stay for the powerful queer ladies.

For grandma’s ghost

book-9781250302045

So, grandma’s a ghost. This is fine. You can still get ghost grandma a gift. She’ll appreciate anything you give her! We suggest opens in a new windowYou Let Me In by Camilla Bruce. Horror/thrillers might not have been grandma’s jam when she was chilling in the world of the living, but now that she’s shuffled off this mortal coil, she needs IDEAS on how to conduct her hauntings! This book will give her some great spooky ideas, and maybe she’ll be inspired to rejoin this sphere as one of the fae. And look, now you’re her favorite grandchild for showing her how to come back, and you’ll probably be spared from some malicious fairy tricks! We’re calling that a win. 

For your goth nephew

book-9781250313225

We get it Cameron, Aunt Dierdre sucks for not letting you get a lip ring. We’ve got just the thing to distract you from all these squares. Necromancers in a haunted space castle! The first two books of The Locked Tomb Trilogy, opens in a new windowGideon the Ninth and opens in a new windowHarrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, are just what your goth nephew needs. 

For your evil twin

book-9780765397133

If you’re unlucky lucky enough to have a twin, you are either besties or worsties. Get them opens in a new windowThe Murders of Molly Southborne by Tade Thompson, featuring a girl who grows murderous identical clones every time she bleeds and has to fight them all to the death. It works as both a thoughtful gift and a threat depending on your existing twin relationship.

For your mom, to distract her from the fact that no one is having a good time

book-9781250217288

Mom spent so many hours on the latkes but everyone is yelling and now she is sad. But you are her favorite child and you anticipated smoothing this situation with a sweet and fantastical gift: opens in a new windowThe House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. 

Is your sister still breaking her heart? Is your stepfather still hiding in the basement because he never learned to process negative emotions? Sure. But now she’s distracted by a book that is basically the literary equivalent of a warm hug! In The House in the Cerulean Sea, she will find children that are not disappointments to her, and of course a heartwarming tale of magic and found family.

For your younger sibling that’s venturing out for the first time

book-9781250762849

It’s your baby sibling’s first time going out into the big, wide world on their own :’) As the sibling you secretly love most, of course you want to provide them with something that will keep them entertained AND safe. May we suggest opens in a new windowTo Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini? It has aliens, spaceships, AND it’s over 900 PAGES LONG. You know what that’s great for? Smacking someone foolish enough to try and jump your favorite sibling. BOOM, SELF-DEFENSE. Plus it’s full of first contact, space battles, and sentient space suits, so it’s sure to keep them entertained while they skip freshman orientation or make that first subway commute.

For your brother-in-law who simply MUST HAVE all the latest tech

boo-9781250757531k

He wanted a smart microwave that he can control with his phone so he can have nachos the moment he walks in the door. You just want him to understand that anything ‘smart’ can be hacked and tech is well and good until your iFridge starts surveilling you. Get him opens in a new windowAttack Surface by Cory Doctorow instead, a whip-smart cyber thriller that explores just how hard it is to stay hidden and private in a digital world, particularly when you cannot trust your government. By this time next year, he will be a security advocate and you can get him a Faraday bag.

For your grumpy grandpa

book-9780765348272

Back in the day, kids used to have more RESPECT. This is what’s wrong with this country, all these hooligans doing whatever they want. Let’s give grandpa a break this year, shall we?

Hahahaha just kidding, give your grandpa opens in a new windowOld Man’s War by John Scalzi and watch the fireworks. And when he flings it at your head, you will now own a great book! We’re all doing so well this holiday season. 

For your bored teen stepsister

book-9781250315328

Wow, this family gathering really sucks and your little sis has NO CHILL letting everyone know how insanely bored she is. Which, can you blame her? Give her a mental escape from this excruciating party with mermaids, magic, and mystery. opens in a new windowA Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow will definitely give her the mental out she needs before your parents yell at her for playing with her phone all night. 

post-featured-image

Chaos and Cosmos: Bookish Horoscopes!

We’ve been giving our Chaos and Cosmos authors a run for their money with all these delightfully chaotic questions, but today we’ve given them their most daunting task yet…WRITING HOROSCOPES! From meeting handsome strangers to fleeing vengeful pigs, check out what our authors predicted here.

Write a horoscope based on your book

Poster Placeholder of - 44

Kate Elliott, author of  opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun

Today you will face an obstacle and an opening. Keep your temper in check. Charge right in.

May Robinette Kowal, author of opens in a new windowThe Relentless Moon

Today watch out for accidents. You will find yourself in close quarters, far from loved ones. Trust your friends to be there for you.

Ryan Van Loan, author of  opens in a new windowThe Sin in the Steel

Remember that harissa-rubbed pork shoulder you enjoyed? Today, the porcine will have their revenge.

Image Placeholder of - 27

Alaya Dawn Johnson, author of  opens in a new windowTrouble the Saints

Someone has committed a great wrong against you and your people. It’s your choice: fight alone, or fight together. The truth, and the power, is in your hands.

Jenn Lyons, author of  opens in a new windowThe Memory of Souls

Change is in the air, and you know what they say: adapt or die! It’s a tough world out there, and it’s not always easy to see the dragons in your path until they fly right into you. With Kimeron in retrograde, be careful of family gatherings, as it’s going to be especially easy to say the wrong thing to a loved one. You may find such reunions to be a little disagreeable, even cut-throat. Remember not to take what people say at face value — everyone had their own motives.

Most of all, be prepared to make sacrifices to get what you want.

Kit Rocha, author of  opens in a new windowDeal with the Devil

Today, a tall, handsome stranger will ask you to team up. You can’t trust him. Do it anyway.

Image Place holder  of - 68

Andrea Hairston, author of  opens in a new windowMaster of Poisons

Today everything will be upside down and inside out, unpredictable, dangerous. If you work together with folks you love and folks you can’t stand, you might make it to tomorrow.

Christopher Paolini, author of opens in a new windowTo Sleep in a Sea of Stars

Today you will encounter adventure, tentacles, and cosmic wonder. Today dreams and nightmares will find unity.

S. A. Hunt, author of  opens in a new windowI Come With Knives

Don’t feed the wildlife today. Embrace your nature and let your impulsive side take over for a little while. Don’t attend any dinner parties your neighbors might be throwing. A new challenge will present itself in the form of a Mesopotamian death-goddess.

Place holder  of - 37

S. L. Huang, author of  opens in a new windowBurning Roses

You’re going to have to decide whether you can kill your friend’s son today. Also, it turns out gods and monsters exist, and you might be the monster.

Stay tuned for even more Chaos and Cosmos!

Placeholder of  -46

post-featured-image

Are You Chaotic Enough to Survive in SPACE?! Take Our Quiz and Find Out!

Have you ever wondered if you’d survive an epic space adventure? Well, now you can find out! Take our epic #ChaosandCosmos inspired quiz to find out if you have enough chaos in your heart to survive in space…or if you’d be lost in the void.

post-featured-image

Hello, Beautiful: New Series from Tor that Began in 2020!

The end of 2020 is approaching (YAY) and we’re looking back on this incredibly chaotic year for some of the bright spots. So, how about we celebrate all of our amazing new series that kicked off in 2020 (At least, these are the books we know have sequels planned, but if we’ve learned anything in 2020 it’s to expect the unexpected)? Check out the full list below!


opens in a new windowPoster Placeholder of - 69Burn the Dark (The Malus Domestica series) by S. A. Hunt

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets Stranger Things in award-winning author S. A. Hunt’s Burn the Dark, first in the Malus Domestica horror action-adventure series about a punk YouTuber on a mission to bring down witches, one vid at a time.

opens in a new windowamazona opens in a new windowbna opens in a new windowbooksamilliona opens in a new windowibooks2 79 opens in a new windowindiebounda

opens in a new windowPlace holder  of - 59A Queen in Hiding (The Nine Realms series) by Sarah Kozloff

Orphaned, exiled and hunted, Cerulia, Princess of Weirandale, must master the magic that is her birthright, become a ruthless guerilla fighter, and transform into the queen she is destined to be. But to do it she must win the favor of the spirits who play in mortal affairs, assemble an unlikely group of rebels, and wrest the throne from a corrupt aristocracy whose rot has spread throughout her kingdom.

opens in a new windowamazonb opens in a new windowbnb opens in a new windowbooksamillionb opens in a new windowibooks2 83 opens in a new windowindieboundb

opens in a new windowPlaceholder of  -87The Bard’s Blade (The Sorcerer’s Song series) by Brian D. Anderson

Mariyah enjoys a simple life in Vylari, a land magically sealed off from the outside world, where fear and hatred are all but unknown. There she’s a renowned wine maker and her betrothed, Lem, is a musician of rare talent. Then a stranger crosses the wards into Vylari for the first time in centuries, bringing a dark prophecy that forces Lem and Mariyah down separate paths. How far will they have to go to stop a rising darkness and save their home? And how much of themselves will they have to give up along the way?

opens in a new windowamazonc opens in a new windowbnc opens in a new windowbooksamillionc opens in a new window opens in a new windowindieboundc

opens in a new windowImage Placeholder of - 15The Unspoken Name (The Serpent’s Gate series) by A. K. Larkwood

Csorwe knows when and how she’ll die. She’ll enter the Shrine of the Unspoken and gain the most honored title: sacrifice. But on the day of her foretold death, a powerful mage offers her a new fate. Leave with him, and live. Turn away from her destiny and her god to become a thief, a spy, an assassin—the wizard’s loyal sword. Topple an empire, and help him reclaim his seat of power. But Csorwe will soon learn—gods remember, and if you live long enough, all debts come due.

opens in a new windowamazond opens in a new windowbnd opens in a new windowbooksamilliond opens in a new window opens in a new windowindieboundd

Image Place holder  of - 42

opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun (The Sun Chronicles) by Kate Elliott

Princess Sun has finally come of age. Growing up in the shadow of her mother, Eirene, has been no easy task. The legendary queen-marshal did what everyone thought impossible: expel the invaders and build Chaonia into a magnificent republic, one to be respected—and feared. But the cutthroat ambassador corps and conniving noble houses have never ceased to scheme—and they have plans that need Sun to be removed as heir, or better yet, dead.

opens in a new windowamazone opens in a new windowbne opens in a new windowbooksamillione opens in a new window opens in a new windowindiebounde

opens in a new windowThe Sin in the Steel (The Fall of the Gods series) by Ryan Van Loan

Buc and Eld are the first private detectives in a world where pirates roam the seas, mages speak to each other across oceans, mechanical devices change the tide of battle, and earthly wealth is concentrated in the hands of a powerful few. It’s been weeks since ships last returned to the magnificent city of Servenza with bounty from the Shattered Coast. When Buc and Eld are hired to investigate, Buc swiftly discovers that the trade routes have become the domain of a sharp-eyed pirate queen who sinks all who defy her.

opens in a new windowamazonf opens in a new windowbnf opens in a new windowbooksamillionf opens in a new window opens in a new windowindieboundf

opens in a new windowDeal with the Devil (The Mercenary Librarians series) by Kit Rocha

Nina is an information broker with a mission—she and her team of mercenary librarians use their knowledge to save the hopeless in a crumbling America. Knox is the bitter, battle-weary captain of the Silver Devils. They’re on a deadly collision course, and the passion that flares between them only makes it more dangerous. They could burn down the world, destroying each other in the process, or they could do the impossible: team up.

opens in a new windowamazong opens in a new windowbng opens in a new windowbooksamilliong opens in a new window opens in a new windowindieboundg

opens in a new windowArchitects of Memory (The Memory War series) by Karen Osborne

Terminally ill salvage pilot Ash Jackson lost everything in the war with the alien Vai, but she’ll be damned if she loses her future. Her plan: to buy, beg, or lie her way out of corporate indenture and find a cure. When her crew salvages a genocidal weapon from a ravaged starship above a dead colony, Ash uncovers a conspiracy of corporate intrigue and betrayal that threatens to turn her into a living weapon.

opens in a new windowImage Placeholder of amazon- 76 opens in a new windowImage Place holder  of bn- 26 opens in a new windowPoster Placeholder of booksamillion- 57 opens in a new window opens in a new windowindiebound

post-featured-image

What Would You Keep in a Bag of Holding? (Chaotic Answers Only)

The opens in a new windowChaos and Cosmos continues!

We asked our Chaos and Cosmos authors: What would you keep in a bag of holding? And then we just sat back and embraced the chaos.

We have some ideas of our own of course: A lightsaber. Two-hundred and seven cheese wheels. A dragon egg maybe.

Let us know what you’d keep in yours in the comments!


What would you keep in your bag of holding?

Kate Elliott, author of opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun

A trans-dimensional gateway, and an unending supply of freshly baked cookies.

Image Placeholder of - 52  Poster Placeholder of - 6  Placeholder of  -59

Mary Robinette Kowal, author of opens in a new windowThe Relentless Moon

Fountain pens, paper, books, crochet, my laptop, and a blanket for a cozy nap. Also, my cat Elsie would probably be in there, because it is a thing that she can get inside that she should not be inside.

S. A. Hunt, author of opens in a new windowI Come With Knives

Definitely not a portable hole, or another bag of holding. That’s a good way to rip a hole in space and time, and get sucked into the Astral Plane. What I would keep in my bag of holding? Probably a sword, my wallet, and chargers for my devices. Maybe a pack of soft-baked cookies and a water bottle.

Alaya Dawn Johnson, author of opens in a new windowTrouble the Saints

Futon mattress, green tea, electric kettle, pens, ink, notebooks, towel, a lot of conditioner and a hair pick.

Ryan Van Loan, author of opens in a new windowThe Sin in the Steel

Oh! Can I say another bag of holding whose destruction results in opening a gate to the Astral Plane? No? Hmm…well I imagine it’d probably be pretty similar to the contents of the bag Hermione has in The Deathly Hallows. Books and glamping tents and more books and potions and wands and quills and ink and…have I mentioned books?

Kit Rocha, author of opens in a new windowDeal with the Devil

A bowling alley (complete with skunky beer), fifty pounds of hot smoked salmon, and a 1961 Thunderbird.

Jenn Lyons, author of opens in a new windowThe Memory of Souls

If my backpack is anything to go by: fountain pens, journals, and watercolor supplies.

Andrea Hairston, author of opens in a new windowMaster of Poisons

  • Portals to other worlds
  • A bike that never rusts or needs air in the tire
  • Dark chocolate bonbons with caramel filling
  • A truth serum

Christopher Paolini, author of opens in a new windowTo Sleep in a Sea of Stars

Survival equipment and writing supplies.

Image Place holder  of - 52  Place holder  of - 59  

S. L. Huang, author of opens in a new windowBurning Roses

Toilet paper. (Too real?)

Also a sword, my TI-92 graphing calculator, and a whole lot of tea.

Cory Doctorow, author of  opens in a new windowAttack Surface

A wet bar, an espresso machine, a burr grinder, well, I already have the bag I take on planes that has a sleeping bag, good pajamas, a hot water bottle, an ice pack, footie slippers, an eye mask…I’m the most comfortable man in the sky, so I’ll definitely carry all of that, some really good pens, more spare batteries than is wise, I could go on.

 Us: How many spare batteries is wise?

Like, if there was a lithium fire, you’d want it to be terrible but not catastrophic, that’s the wise level.

V. E. Schwab, author of  opens in a new windowThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Dark chocolate and really good English Breakfast tea, at all times.

_

Relatable, right?

post-featured-image

Chaos and Cosmos: Choose. Your. Weapon.

Everyone knows that when challenged to a duel, it’s on you to pick the weapon. Fisticuffs? Fencing at dawn? Compliments? In order to be prepared to defend your honor, you should really have a weapon of choice.

Relatedly, in the event of an unfortunate fencing-at-dawn accident, what would you replace your hand with if it were chopped off?

We ask our authors the important questions.

What is your weapon of choice?
Or, if your hand was cut off what would you replace it with? 

Kate Elliott, author of opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun

If my hand was cut off I would replace it with a Swiss Army knife multi-tool prosthetic with additional sensitive claw grip.

Mary Robinette Kowal, author of opens in a new windowThe Relentless Moon

Weapon of choice: Namiki pilot fountain pen with Noodler Ink’s Black Swans in English Roses. 

S. A. Hunt, author of opens in a new windowI Come With Knives

Chainsaw, of course. Barring that, a short-sword. Something agile, but still has a little reach. No! No! A hookshot! A claw-hand that shoots out on a cable!

Alaya Dawn Johnson, author of opens in a new windowTrouble the Saints

Nothing beats a well-aimed throwing knife.

Ryan Van Loan, author of opens in a new windowThe Sin in the Steel

Can this be an ‘and’ question? Weapon of choice would be a Colt .45 (God made people, Sam Colt made them all equal right?) The truth is, I have a fascination with a double-edged broadsword with a basket-hilt and red leather lining (think Scottish sword), but I haven’t put my 10,000 hours in and would die…but if I could replace my hand with a badass sword AND have the Colt .45? Possibilities, friends, possibilities.

Kit Rocha, author of opens in a new windowDeal with the Devil

A PS4 controller.

Jenn Lyons, author of opens in a new windowThe Memory of Souls

My weapon of choice would be vast cosmic powers. Because hell yes.

Andrea Hairston, author of opens in a new windowMaster of Poisons

The pen! (For both.)

Christopher Paolini, author of opens in a new windowTo Sleep in a Sea of Stars

Pistol-caliber carbine with armor-piercing rounds. If my hand was cut off . . . a phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.

S. L. Huang, author of opens in a new windowBurning Roses

A laser. Because I could both cut through diamond AND entertain a posse of playful cats.

Cory Doctorow, author of Attack Surface

The Content Management System.

V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Definitely a really old-fashioned dagger.

 

Stay tuned for even more Chaos and Cosmos!

opens in a new windowPoster Placeholder of - 10

post-featured-image

Meet Our Books Cosmos: Fire Signs

Ready to meet more of the shining stars of our Chaos and Cosmos campaign?! We’re shouting about our incredible Fire signs today: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini, Burning Roses by S. L. Huang, and Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott.

Why are they Fire signs? We don’t know, ask publicity team members and astrology wizards Laura Eztkorn, Giselle Gonzalez, and Anna Merz.


Aries

Aries are passionate, very ‘head first, eyes closed, can’t lose’–which is also very Kira, the protagonist of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. It’s all about courage and determination for them. Which you’ll need when your area of space starts to fill with angry aliens…”

Image Place holder  of - 55

opens in a new windowTo Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move. As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn’t at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human. While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest and final hope . . .

opens in a new windowamazona opens in a new windowbna opens in a new windowbooksamilliona opens in a new windowibooks2 84 opens in a new windowindiebounda opens in a new windowbookshopa

Sagittarius

“Sagittarius are empathetic, pick up on peoples social energies, and selfless with their actions. But look their symbol is the archer and we cannot NOT tag Burning Roses when one of the heroes (Hou Yi) is an archer.”

Image Placeholder of - 51 opens in a new windowBurning Roses by S. L. Huang

Rosa, also known as Red Riding Hood, is done with wolves and woods. Hou Yi the Archer is tired, and knows she’s past her prime. They would both rather just be retired, but that’s not what the world has ready for them. When deadly sunbirds begin to ravage the countryside, threatening everything they’ve both grown to love, the two must join forces. Now blessed and burdened with the hindsight of middle age, they begin a quest that’s a reckoning of sacrifices made and mistakes mourned, of choices and family and the quest for immortality.

opens in a new windowamazonb opens in a new windowbnb opens in a new windowbooksamillionb opens in a new windowibooks2 73 opens in a new windowindieboundb opens in a new windowbookshopb

Leo

“Oh Leos. So ready to dominate, insecure but also willing own the spotlight. No one gives off that sunny, lion-esque, dominant Leo energy like Sun and her mother Eirene in Unconquerable Sun.” 

Poster Placeholder of - 94

opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott

Princess Sun has finally come of age. Growing up in the shadow of her mother, Eirene, has been no easy task. The legendary queen-marshal did what everyone thought impossible: expel the invaders and build Chaonia into a magnificent republic, one to be respected—and feared. But the cutthroat ambassador corps and conniving noble houses have never ceased to scheme—and they have plans that need Sun to be removed as heir, or better yet, dead.

opens in a new windowPlaceholder of amazon -75 opens in a new windowPlaceholder of bn -53 opens in a new windowPlace holder  of booksamillion- 97 opens in a new window opens in a new windowindiebound opens in a new windowImage Placeholder of bookshop- 66

post-featured-image

On the (Digital) Road: Tor Author Events in August

We are in a time of social distancing, but your favorite Tor authors are still coming to screens near you in the month of August! Check out where you can find them here:

Kit Rocha, opens in a new windowDeal with the Devil

Place holder  of - 65

Tuesday, August 4
Tor After Dark
Instagram Live
7:00 PM ET

Daniel Kraus, opens in a new windowThe Living Dead

Placeholder of  -51

Tuesday, August 4
Powell’s in conversation with Mary Roach
opens in a new windowZoom
6:00 PM PT

Wednesday, August 5
Book Soup in conversation with Grady Hendrix
opens in a new windowCrowdcast
6:00 PM PT’

Thursday, August 6
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, in conversation with Josh Malerman
opens in a new windowCrowdcast
7:00 PM PT

Tuesday, August 11
Anderson’s Bookshop, in conversation with Megan Abbott
opens in a new windowZoom
8:30 PM CT

Wednesday, August 12
Doylestown Bookshop, reading and Q & A with Gabino Iglesias
opens in a new windowZoom
6:30 PM ET

Thursday, August 20
Fountain Bookstore, in Conversation with Stephanie Kuehn
opens in a new windowRegister here
6:00 PM ET

Mary Robinette Kowal, opens in a new windowThe Relentless Moon

Image Placeholder of - 46

Wednesday, August 5
University Bookstore in conversation with Fonda Lee
opens in a new windowZoom
6:00 PM PT

Friday, August 7
Poisoned Pen, in conversation with Pat King
Zoom
8:00 PM ET

Saturday, August 8
Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester
Zoom
2:00 PM ET

John Scalzi, The Last Emperox

Image Place holder  of - 99

Thursday, August 6
Kepler’s in conversation with Lindsay Ellis
Zoom
4:00 PM ET

Mary Robinette Kowal, opens in a new windowThe Relentless Moon and Kate Elliott, opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun

Poster Placeholder of - 65image-elliottour

Thursday, August 6
Riverstone Books, authors in conversation
Zoom
7:00 PM ET

Brian Naslund, opens in a new windowSorcery of a Queen, Curtis Craddock, opens in a new windowThe Last Uncharted Sky

image37339image-37340

Tuesday, August 11
Old Firehouse Books, authors in conversation
opens in a new windowRegister here
7:00 PM MT

David Mack, opens in a new windowThe Shadow Commission

image-37341

Thursday, August 13
Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop
opens in a new windowStreamyard
6:00 PM CT

Lavie Tidhar, opens in a new windowBy Force Alone

image-37373

Sunday, August 16
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, in conversation with Silvia Moreno-Garcia
opens in a new windowCrowdcast
1:00 PM PT

Saturday, August 22
Chevalier’s Books in conversation with Ian McDonald
opens in a new windowRegister Here
12:00 PM ET

Gregory Benford and Larry Niven, Glorious

image-37087

Thursday, August 20
Midtown Reader
opens in a new windowRegister Here
6:00 PM ET

Jenn Lyons, The Memory of Souls

image-jenntour

Tuesday, August 25
Read It Again Books
opens in a new windowStreamyard
7:00 PM ET

Wednesday, August 26
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
opens in a new windowZoom
7:00 PM PT

Friday, August 28
Toadstool Bookshop
4:00 PM ET

post-featured-image

The Great Debate: Is Godzilla a Dragon? And What Traits Make a Dragon a Dragon?

Welcome to Dragon Week 2020, a celebration of all things Dragon! 

During last year’s inaugural Dragon Week, we sparked a grand debate by dying on the hill that Godzilla is a Dragon. We’ll be staying on that hill, but we asked some of our authors—IS Godzilla a Dragon? And what traits really make a Dragon a Dragon? Check out their answers here!


Image Place holder  of - 36Brian Naslund, author of opens in a new windowSorcery of a Queen 

Is Godzilla a Dragon?

My initial instinct was to say no, figuring that aquatic beasts who symbolize nuclear proliferation (and other human vices) really belong in their own category of creature, given all the layers at work. But there are no easy answers here. Ultimately, if Godzilla feels like a dragon, then Godzilla’s a dragon in my book.

What makes a Dragon a Dragon?

I’ve been following the “what makes a dragon?” debate with great interest for the last year. While I was originally tempted to adhere to a more stringent definition of a dragon, I’ve ultimately come to believe that being a dragon isn’t about scales, anatomy, or size. It’s about the level of “dragon-ness” that resides in your heart, on either a permanent or temporary basis.

I, for one, believe that we all have the capacity to be dragons at some point in our lives. I often start each day in the form of a Morning Dragon (i.e. filled with wrath, hunger, and a burning desire to consume both coffee and the bones of my enemies).

Place holder  of - 35Marie Brennan, author of  opens in a new windowA Natural History of Dragons

Is Godzilla a Dragon?

Excellent question! I feel like he’s not a very *good* dragon — the proportions of his body and his bipedal posture just don’t ring right for me — but reptilian, breathes something dangerous, sure, I can see it if I squint.

What makes a Dragon a Dragon?

I think a generally serpentine body shape is the key starting point for me, and scales more often than not. I like dragons with wings, but obviously not all things we class as dragons have those. And they need to be extraordinary in some fashion; they need to be able to do something ordinary, non-draconic creatures can’t.

Image Placeholder of - 68Ryan Van Loan, author of  opens in a new windowThe Sin in the Steel

Is Godzilla a Dragon? And what makes a Dragon a Dragon?

Godzilla isn’t a dragon (although I love Godzilla movies! Especially the ones where Godzilla is awoken/discovered and bad things happen). Dragons have wings (vestigial or practical), scales that are not easily penetrable, are capable of producing some sort of stream that is bad news for any who come in contact with it (e.g., fire, ice, poison), and often, but not always are given to hoarding. Essentially, dragons have more in common with avian species while Godzilla to my mind is more reptilian?

Placeholder of  -46Kevin J. Anderson, author of opens in a new windowSpine of the Dragon

Is Godzilla a Dragon?

The original instigator of the Godzilla argument, Kevin J. Anderson, wrote us a WHOLE ARTICLE arguing about what makes a Dragon a Dragon, and he stands by his stance that Godzilla makes the cut. Check out his Dragon Week 2020 article opens in a new windowhere, and his deadliest dragons piece from last year opens in a new windowhere!

Poster Placeholder of - 45Jenn Lyons, author of opens in a new windowThe Ruin of Kings

Oh. ITSTHISAGAIN.

Really, we’re doing this? Is Godzilla a dragon?

Okay, fine. We’re doing this.

But first, we need to talk about definitions, because like many things, the answer is ‘no.’

And also ‘yes.’

Let me explain:

From a taxonomy perspective, wherein a dragon has a very distinct set of qualities depending on the cultural origins of the mythologies involved, at best his qualifications are deeply suspect. He has no wings. He isn’t serpent-like. He isn’t associated with rivers or lakes. He hoards nothing. (Of all of these, the ‘isn’t serpent-like’ is probably the most damning.) Can the argument be made that he’s reptilian? Sure. Is that enough to qualify him for dragon status?

In my opinion, no.

But that isn’t the only definition of dragon, is it? The problem with definitions come into play when we consider the social, cultural, and mythological reasons why dragons exist. In most of the west, dragons are typically forces of evil, the worst elements of human nature made flesh, the embodiment of our sins. And by many eastern traditions, dragons aren’t evil at all, but rather forces of nature, outside of human control. Dragons make the world a little easier to understand, even if it’s just condensing the world’s anxieties and fears into a more relatable, approachable avatar.

So. What if the ‘sin’ of humanity and the force of nature outside of our ability to control is, in both cases, the splitting of the atom?

Then he very much meets the definition of dragon, doesn’t he? Because from that definition, what he looks like, what form he takes, doesn’t actually matter. What’s important is that he’s a chimeric avatar of our hubris, a stark rebuttal to our beliefs that we can or have any right to meddle with these forces. If we want to play god, we must be prepared to create our own devils. And yet, any defeat of Godzilla is temporary. Slaying this dragon never works, because he is outside of our ability to control. We can only pacify and mitigate or, in later stories, entreat for help.

So there you have it. My definitive answer on whether or not Godzilla is a dragon: kindasortamaybe. From a certain point of view.

One thing that cannot be debated? Much like most more traditional dragons, nobody wants him (or her, depending on your Godzilla movie preferences) visiting their town.

Hope that helps and GO GO GODZILLA.

Unconquerable-SunKate Elliott, author of opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun

Is Godzilla a Dragon? 

Godzilla is a kaiju. So my answer would be to ask if a dragon is a kaiju.

 

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.