Monday, June 19, 2023

Cover Reveal News Round-Up, Including Books By J. R. R. Tolkien, Samantha Shannon, Sebastien de Castell, Terry Pratchett, A. J. Ryan, Anna Smith Spark, Stacey Lee, Holly Black, And T. L. Huchu

We have a varied lot on our hands and the covers for the books by J. R. R. Tolkien, Samantha Shannon, Sebastien de Castell, Terry Pratchett, A. J. Ryan, Anna Smith Spark, Stacey Lee, Holly Black, and T. L. Huchu are a wonder.

The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition by Humphrey Carpenter (Editor)

The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition by Humphrey Carpenter (Editor)

Synopsis

The comprehensive collection of letters spanning the adult life of one of the world’s greatest storytellers, now revised and expanded to include more than 150 previously unseen letters, with revealing new insights into The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.

J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of the languages and history of Middle-earth as recorded in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, was one of the most prolific letter-writers of this century. Over the years he wrote a mass of letters – to his publishers, to members of his family, to friends, and to 'fans' of his books – which often reveal the inner workings of his mind, and which record the history of composition of his works and his reaction to subsequent events.

A selection from Tolkien's correspondence, collected and edited by Tolkien's official biographer, Humphrey Carpenter, and assisted by Christopher Tolkien, was published in 1981. It presented, in Tolkien's own words, a highly detailed portrait of the man in his many aspects: storyteller, scholar, Catholic, parent, friend, and observer of the world around him.

In this revised and expanded edition of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, it has been possible to go back to the editors’ original typescripts and notes, restoring more than 150 letters that were excised purely to achieve what was then deemed a ‘publishable length’, and present the book as originally intended.

Enthusiasts for his writings will find much that is new, for the letters not only include fresh information about Middle-earth, such as Tolkien’s own plot summary of the entirety of The Lord of the Rings and a vision for publishing his ‘Tales of the Three Ages’, but also many insights into the man and his world. In addition, this new selection will entertain anyone who appreciates the art of letter-writing, of which J.R.R. Tolkien was a master.


The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition by Humphrey Carpenter (Editor) will be released on November 9, 2023.

The Bone Season: Tenth Anniversary Edition by Samantha Shannon

The Bone Season: Tenth Anniversary Edition by Samantha Shannon

Synopsis

A lavishly reimagined and revised tenth anniversary edition of the first novel in the sensational Bone Season series, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree.

Welcome to Scion. No safer place.

The year is 2059. For two centuries, the Republic of Scion has led an oppressive campaign against unnaturalness in Europe.

In London, Paige Mahoney holds a high rank in the criminal underworld. The right hand of the ruthless White Binder, Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare and formidable kind of clairvoyant. Under Scion law, she commits treason simply by breathing.

When Paige is arrested for murder, she meets the mysterious founders of Scion, who have designs on her uncommon abilities. If she is to survive and escape, Paige must use every skill at her disposal - and put her trust in someone who ought to be her enemy.


The Bone Season: Tenth Anniversary Edition by Samantha Shannon will be released on August 22, 2023.

Fate of the Argosi by Sebastien de Castell

Fate of the Argosi by Sebastien de Castell

Synopsis

The third utterly compelling fantasy adventure in the ARGOSI trilogy, exploring the origins of the SPELLSLINGER series to enrapture devotees as well as newcomers alike.

While liberating a notorious thief from prison, Ferius Parfax encounters an inmate named Chedran, one of the last living members of her people, the Mahdek. Chedran is leading a group of young Mahdek who are determined to make a future for their people and Ferius agrees to help them find a place where they can live free from persecution.

Meanwhile, having repaid her debt to the thief, Ferius finds her feelings towards Arissa becoming more complicated as she decides what debt she owes the society into which she was born.


Fate of the Argosi by Sebastien de Castell will be released on August 31, 2023.

A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories by Terry Pratchett

A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories by Terry Pratchett

Synopsis

Far away and long ago, when dragons still existed and the only arcade game was ping-pong in black and white, a wizard cautiously entered a smoky tavern in the evil, ancient, foggy city of Morpork...

A truly unmissable, beautifully illustrated collection of unearthed stories from the pen of Sir Terry Pratchett: award-winning and bestselling author, and creator of the phenomenally successful Discworld series.

Twenty early short stories by one of the world's best loved authors, each accompanied by exquisite original woodcut illustrations.

These are rediscovered tales that Pratchett wrote under a pseudonym for newspapers during the 1970s and 1980s. Whilst none are set in the Discworld, they hint towards the world he would go on to create, containing all of his trademark wit, satirical wisdom and fantastic imagination.

Meet Og the inventor, the first caveman to cultivate fire, as he discovers the highs and lows of progress; haunt the Ministry of Nuisances with the defiant evicted ghosts of Pilgarlic Towers; visit Blackbury, a small market town with weird weather and an otherworldly visitor; and go on a dangerous quest through time and space with hero Kron, which begins in the ancient city of Morpork...

A Stroke of the Pen is a must-have collection for fans of all ages.


A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories by Terry Pratchett will be released on October 10, 2023.

Red River Seven by A. J. Ryan

Red River Seven by A. J. Ryan

Synopsis

Seven strangers. One mission.
Infinite horror.

A man awakes on a boat at sea with no memory of who or where he is. He's not alone - there are six others, each with a unique set of skills. None of them can remember their names. All of them possess a gun.

When a message appears on the onboard computer - Proceeding to Point A - the group agrees to work together to survive whatever is coming.

But as the boat moves through the mist-shrouded waters, divisions begin to form. Who is directing them and to what purpose? Why can't they remember anything?

And what are the screams they can hear beyond the mist?

Internationally bestselling fantasy author Anthony Ryan - writing as A. J. Ryan - delivers a nerve-shredding thriller in which seven strangers must undertake a terrifying journey into the unknown.


Red River Seven by A. J. Ryan will be released on October 12, 2023.

A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark

A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark

Synopsis

A Sword of Bronze and Ashes combines the fierce beauty of Celtic myth with grimdark battle violence. It's a lyrical, folk horror high fantasy.

Kanda has a good life until shadows from her past return threatening everything she loves. And Kanda, like any parent, has things in her past she does not want her children to know. Red war is coming: pursued by an ancient evil, Kanda must call upon all her strength to protect her family. But how can she keep her children safe, if they want to stand as warriors beside her when the light fades and darkness rises?


A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark will be released on September 12, 2023.

Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters by Stacey Lee

Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters by Stacey Lee

Synopsis

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents best-selling YA author Stacey Lee’s final book in her debut middle grade duology: a whimsical, mile-a-minute adventure inspired by Chinese mythology.

Twelve-year-old Winston Chu has already rescued his sister, saved the moon’s qi, and kicked Mr. Pang’s sorry magpie-turned-human butt to the curb—but now he’s about to face an even bigger problem: Mr. Pang’s older magpie-turned-human brother, Mr. Gu.

Sure, Mr. Gu might be the current front-runner to be San Francisco’s next mayor, but, as Winston knows all too well, appearances can be deceiving—and Mr. Gu, despite his cheerful laugh and brightly-colored shirts, is definitely hiding something.

Because all of a sudden, there’s an eerily punctual fog that seems to follow him on his trips to an island in the bay. And grown-ups are turning up all the across the city with no memory of who they are, but with plenty of enthusiasm for their favorite mayoral candidate. And then there’s the flocks of exotic birds that have begun amassing in every corner of the city. For Winston and his friends, there’s no denying something... fowl... is afoot.

And the only one who might have the answers they need to save the city? Their old nemesis, Mr. Pang...

Winston’s magical adventures come to a thrilling end in this whimsical, rollicking ride filled with invisible windbreakers, mischievous mustaches, and badminton rackets of destiny.

Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, soon to be a series on Disney+.


Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters by Stacey Lee will be released on February 6, 2024.

The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black

The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black

Synopsis

The highly anticipated conclusion to the Stolen Heir duology by #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black.

An imprisoned prince. A vengeful queen. And a battle that will determine the future of Elfhame.


The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black will be released on March 5, 2024.

The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle by T. L. Huchu

The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle by T. L. Huchu

Synopsis

Duels, magic, and plenty of ghosts await in The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle, the third book of T. L. Huchu's USA Today bestselling Edinburgh Nights series.

Everyone’s favorite fifteen-year-old ghostalker, Ropa, arrives at the worldwide Society of Skeptical Enquirers’ biennial conference just in time to be tied into a mystery―a locked room mystery, if an entire creepy haunted castle on lockdown counts. One of the magical attendees has stolen a valuable magical scroll.

Caught between Qozmos, the high wizard of Ethiopian magic; the larger-than-life Lord Sashvindu Samarasinghe; England’s Sorcerer Royal; and Scotland’s own Edmund MacLeod, it’s up to Ropa (and Jomo and Priya) to sort through the dangerous secret politics and alliances to figure out what really happened. But she has a special tool―the many ghosts tied to the ancient, powerful castle.


The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle by T. L. Huchu will be released on August 29, 2023.