Eighteen new titles hit the fantasy shelves in January, including final books in Justin Somper’s YA Vampirates series and Glen Cook’s Dread Empire epic fantasy series, plus new series books from Cate Tiernan, Carol Berg, W. Michael and Kathleen Gear, Barb and J.C. Hendee, Benjamin Tate, and Michelle West.
Fiction Affliction details releases in science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and “genre-benders.” Keep track of them all here.
WEEK ONE
Vampirates: Immortal War, by Justin Somper (Jan. 2, Little, Brown)
A bloody war is raging across the oceans, with the Pirate Federation and Nocturnals in alliance against the renegade Vampirates, led by Sidorio and Lola. Nothing will stop either from making their presence known in battle. Connor and Grace Tempest have important roles to play—he as a pirate warrior at the heart of the fight; she as a powerful healer working with the war-wounded. As the twins face their greatest challenges, old allies and foes return in the ultimate battle of Pirate versus Vampirate. Concludes this sequence of Vampirates novels. YA
Darkness Falls, by Cate Tiernan (Jan. 2, Little, Brown)
Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason, life never seems to get better. She left her spoiled, rich girl life to find peace at River’s Edge, a haven for wayward immortals. There, she learned to embrace River’s Edge, despite some drama involving the sexy Reyn, who she wants but won’t allow herself to have. But just as she’s getting comfortable, her family’s ties to dark magick force her to leave. She falls back into her old, hard-partying ways, but will her decision lead her into the hands of a dark immortal? Second in the Immortal Beloved series. YA
The Daemon Prism, by Carol Berg (Jan. 3, Roc)
Dante the necromancer is the most reviled man in Sabria, indicted by the King, the Temple, and the Camarilla Magica for crimes against the living and the dead. Yet no judgment could be worse than his enemies’ cruel vengeance that left him crippled in body and mind. Dante seeks to salve pain and bitterness with a magical puzzle. Haunted, blind, driven to the verges of the world, Dante risks eternal corruption and the loss of everything he values to unravel a mystery of ancient magic, sacred legend, and divine truth. Third in the Collegia Magica series.
Seven Princes, by John R. Fultz (Jan. 3, Orbit)
An ancient necromancer slaughters the king and his court in front of the unbelieving eyes of crown prince D’zan. From that moment, his life is consumed by one thought – to regain his throne. Others will join him, some will oppose him. In a world where men and giants fight side by side against ancient monsters and new powers, only one thing is sure – war is coming. Blood will run and princes will clash. Seven princes. Seven destinies. All will be legend. First in the Books of the Shaper series.
The Broken Land, by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear (Jan. 3, Tor)
In this third book of the People of the Longhouse quartet, sorcerer Atotarho sets into motion a cataclysmic battle that threatens to destroy the Iroquoian world. Only three people are brave enough to challenge him: a disgraced warrior known as Sky Messenger; his friend War Chief Hiyawento; and a powerful clan matron named Jigonsaseh. To stop the madman, they must find a way to bring five warring nations together.
Between Their Worlds, by Barb Hendee and J.C. Hendee (Jan. 3, Roc)
Magiere and Leesil must rescue Wynn Hygeort from her captivity in the Guild of Sagecraft. But Wynn doesn’t want to give up access to the ancient scrolls that may help them locate the last of the magical Orbs coveted by the Ancient Enemy. Tenth in the Noble Dead series.
Gift of Magic, by Lynn Kurland (Jan. 3, Berkley)
Sarah of Doìre knows the pattern of spells is no accident. With each page, each powerful rune, she and Ruith are being led somewhere, to someone—but by whom, she cannot tell. Sarah’s gift of sight only allows her to see the spells themselves, not the person behind them. A reluctant sorcerer still learning to trust his own magic, Ruithneadh of Ceangail knows he’s woefully unprepared for the adversaries they’ll face. But he and Sarah must collect and destroy his father Gair’s spells soon. Many mages seek their power, and in the wrong hands, Gair’s magic would plunge the Nine Kingdoms into an eternity of darkness.
Leaves of Flame, by Benjamin Tate (Jan. 3, DAW)
Colin has become a master of three of the five magics, and has gifted the human, Dwarren, and Alvritshai races with magical protective Trees. But the power of the dark spirits is spreading despite this. Can Colin unite the races against this menace and prevent their enemy from complete control of the land’s magic? Second in the Well of Sorrows series.
Skirmish, by Michelle West (Jan. 3, DAW)
At long last, Jewel is preparing to announce her candidacy to become the next Terafin and claim the House Seat. But it is a decision that has her targeted by demons who will stop at nothing to destroy Jewel and her allies as the House War begins. Fourth in the House War series.
Dragonswood, by Janet Lee Carey (Jan. 5, Penguin)
Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends. In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted. YA
WEEK TWO
A Path to the Coldness of Heart, by Glen Cook (Jan. 10, Night Shade)
King Bragi Ragnarson is a prisoner—shamed, nameless, and held captive by Lord Shih-kaa and the Empress Mist at the heart of the Dread Empire. Far away in Kavelin, Bragia’s queen and what remains of his army seek to find and free their king, hampered by the loss or desertion of their best and brightest warriors. Kavelina’s spymaster, Michael Trebilcock, is missing in action, as is loyal soldier Aral Dantice. Meanwhile, Dane, Duke of Greyfells, seeks to seize the rule of Kavelin and place the kingdom in his pocket, beginning a new line of succession through Bragia’s queen, Dane’s cousin Inger. And in the highest peaks of the Dragona’s Teeth, in the ancient castle Fangdred, the sorcerer called Varthlokkur uses his arts to spy on the world at large, observing the puppet strings that control kings and empires alike, waiting. Third and final in the Dread Empire series.
WEEK THREE
The Serpent Sea, by Martha Wells (Jan. 17, Night Shade)
Moon, once a solitary wanderer, has become consort to Jade, sister queen of the Indigo Cloud court. Together, they travel with their people on a pair of flying ships in hopes of finding a new home for their colony. Moon finally feels like he’s found a tribe where he belongs. But when the travelers reach the ancestral home of Indigo Cloud, shrouded within the trunk of a mountain-sized tree, they discover a blight infecting its core. Nearby they find the remains of the invaders who may be responsible, as well as evidence of a devastating theft.
WEEK FOUR
Against the Light, by Dave Duncan (Jan. 24, 47North)
The Hierarchy, high priests of the religious order the Light, has installed King Ethan as the monarchical figurehead, ruling both the magical kingdom of Albi and its predominant religion. Scattered throughout the land, worshippers in the old ways of the Earth Mother are persecuted as heretics. And when young missionary student Rollo Woodbridge returns home to Albi, he is immediately arrested for heresy and treason, setting off a chain of events that plunges the land into utter chaos. The Hierarchy has more treacherous motives, however, and when Rollo is rescued from jail, his family’s home is destroyed—but Rollo and his siblings are left alive. While Rollo tries diplomacy to end the religious and political conflict, his brother and sister swear vengeance. With the hours to deliverance counting down and their lives hanging in the balance, they must decide whether to stay and fight or leave Albi forever.
Daughter of the Centaurs, by Kate Klimo (Jan. 24, Random House)
Malora knows what she was born to be: a horse wrangler and a hunter, just like her father. But when her people are massacred by batlike monsters called Leatherwings, Malora will need her horse skills just to survive. The last living human, Malora roams the wilderness at the head of a band of magnificent horses, relying only on her own wits, strength, and courage. When she is captured by a group of centaurs and taken to their city, Malora must decide whether the comforts of her new home and family are worth the parts of herself she must sacrifice to keep them. YA
WEEK FIVE
Greatshadow, by James Maxey (Jan. 31, Solaris)
The warrior woman known as Infidel is legendary for her superhuman strength and skin tough as chain mail. She’s made few friends during her career as a sword-for-hire, and many powerful enemies. Following the death of her closest companion, Infidel finds herself weary of life as a mercenary and sets her eyes on one final prize that will allow her to live out the rest of her days in luxury, the priceless treasure trove of Greatshadow, the primal dragon of fire.
Incarnate, by Jodi Meadows (Jan. 31, Katherine Tegen)
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why. Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a no-soul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. YA
Heir of Novron, by Michael J. Sullivan (Jan. 31, Orbit)
The New Empire intends to mark its victory over the Nationalists with a bloody celebration. On the high holiday of Wintertide, the Witch of Melengar will be burned and the Heir of Novron executed. On that same day the Empress faces a forced marriage, with a fatal accident soon to follow. The New Empire is confident in the totality of its triumph but there’s just one problem—Royce and Hadrian have finally found the true Heir of Novron, and they have their own holiday plans. Books five and six in the previously self-published Riyria Revelations series, incorporating Wintertide and Percepliquis.
Giant Thief, by David Tallerman (Jan. 31, Angry Robot)
Meet Easie Damasco, rogue, thieving swine and total charmer. Even the wicked can’t rest when a vicious warlord and the force of enslaved giants he commands invade their homeland. Damasco might get away in one piece, but he’s going to need help. Big time.
Author Suzanne Johnson is a book geek with a fondness for a good dystopia. Her new urban fantasy series, scheduled to begin with the release of Royal Street in April 2012 by Tor Books, is set in New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. Find Suzanne on Twitter.
