Kirkus: Johnson’s world-hopping debut uses science fictional tools and an exciting plot to address urgent questions of privilege and position. Johnson employs Cara’s situation to forthrightly examine questions of privilege, trauma, assimilation, colonialism, and upbringing. The characters, voice, and twists all demand the reader’s attention. A compelling stand-alone debut that will leave readers thrilled, thoughtful, and anticipating the author’s next book.
Publishers Weekly: Bennett still keeps readers jumping at shadows with nail-biting writing. Anyone looking for a quick fright will want to check this out.
Czech rights to Robert Jackson Bennett’s SHOREFALL, to Host, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.
Czech rights to USA Today bestselling author Tamsyn Muir’s HARROW THE NINTH, the second book in the Locked Tomb trilogy, to Host, by Milena Kaplarević at Prava i prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
German rights to Neil Sharpson’s WHEN THE SPARROW FALLS, to Piper (Germany), by Sarah Knofius at Thomas Schlueck Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Jennie Goloboy.
Italian rights to Margaret Doody’s ARISTOTLE AND THE MOUNTAIN OF GOLD, to Sellerio, by Stefania Fietta at Donzelli Fietta, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.
Polish rights to USA Today bestselling author Tamsyn Muir’s GIDEON THE NINTH, the first book in the Locked Tomb trilogy, to Papierowy Ksiezyc, by Milena Kaplarević at Prava i prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
Polish rights to Martha Wells’ Nebula and Hugo Award-winning ALL SYSTEMS RED, the first book in the New York Times bestselling Murderbot Diaries series, to Papierowy Ksiezyc, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava i Prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
Russian rights to Martha Wells’ NETWORK EFFECT, the first full-length novel in the New York Times bestselling Murderbot Diaries series, to Eksmo, by Alexander Korzhenevski at Alexander Korzhenevski Agency in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
Publishers Weekly: Johnson bursts onto the scene with this thought-provoking, high-concept sci-fi debut that impresses with exceptional worldbuilding and a distinctive protagonist… This immersive, original adventure is sure to please readers looking for smart, diverse science fiction. Johnson is a writer to watch.
New York Times: “Shorefall” is the book I’ve most thoroughly and uncomplicatedly enjoyed this year so far. It shocked and delighted and upset me from page to page, managing to thread humor and pathos and intrigue together with the speed and precision of a loom. Its comments on our present moment are so deft and sly that when they turn earnest it’s deeply affecting: The refrain of “Move thoughtfully … and bring freedom to others” sometimes brought me to tears. “Foundryside” blew me away, and this is a perfect sequel. I’m so excited to see what happens next.
German rights to Annika Martin’s THE BILLIONAIRE’S FAKE FIANCEE, to Lyx, by Sarah Knofius at Thomas Schlueck Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.
Greek rights to Martha Wells’ Nebula and Hugo Award-winning ALL SYSTEMS RED, the first book in the New York Times bestselling Murderbot Diaries series, to Fantastikos Kosmos, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava i Prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
Spanish rights to USA Today bestselling author Tamsyn Muir’s The Locked Tomb trilogy (GIDEON THE NINTH, HARROW THE NINTH, ALECTO THE NINTH), to Nova, by Amaiur Fernández at International Editors’ Co. in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
Spanish rights to Jo Walton’s THE JUST CITY, to Duermevela, by Amaiur Fernandez at International Editors’, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier, for Cameron McClure.
Turkish rights to Martha Wells’ NETWORK EFFECT, the first full-length novel in the New York Times bestselling Murderbot Diaries series, to Ithaki, by Merve Öngen at ONK Agency in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
Audio rights to Shirley Jackson- and Hugo Award nominee Tamsyn Muir’s PRINCESS FLORALINDA AND THE FORTY-FLIGHT TOWER, a dark fantasy novella about what happens when a princess is forced to fend for herself, to Brian Sweany at Recorded Books, by Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
Audio rights to USA Today bestselling author Carissa Ann Lynch’s FLOCKSDALE FLIES series, to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media, in a three-book deal, by Katie Shea Boutillier.
Audio rights to Georgina Kamsika’s GODDESS OF THE NORTH, to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media by Katie Shea Boutillier on behalf of Jennie Goloboy.
Audio rights to Sharon Lee’s BARNBURNER and GUNSHY, mystery novels set in Maine, to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media, in a two-book deal, by Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.
Audio rights to Vernon Mahabal’s TALK TO THE HAND: A Field Guide to Practical Palmistry, to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media, by Katie Shea Boutillier on behalf of Cameron McClure.
Audio rights to Caitlin Starling’s YELLOW JESSAMINE, to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media, by Katie Shea Boutillier on behalf of Caitlin McDonald.
Two young witches, once inseparable, are set at odds by secrets and wildly dangerous magic.
In the waning days of World War II, with Allied victory all but certain, desperate Nazi diabolists search for a demonic superweapon to turn the tide. A secluded castle somewhere in the south of Germany serves as a laboratory for experiments conducted upon human prisoners, experiments as vile as they are deadly.
Across the English Channel, tucked into the sleepy Cumbrian countryside, lies the Library, the repository of occult knowledge for the Société des Éclairées, an international organization of diabolists. There, best friends Jane Blackwood and Miriam Cantor, tutored by the Société’s Librarian—and Jane’s mother—Nancy, prepare to undergo the Test that will determine their future as diabolists.
When Miriam learns her missing parents are suspected of betraying the Société to the Nazis, she embarks on a quest to clear their names, a quest involving dangerous diabolic practices that will demand more of her than she can imagine. Meanwhile Jane, struggling with dark obsessions of her own, embraces a forbidden use of the Art that could put everyone she loves in danger.
As their friendship buckles under the stress of too many secrets, Jane and Miriam will come face to face with unexpected truths that change everything they know about the war, the world, and most of all themselves. After all, some choices cannot be unmade–and a sacrifice made with the most noble intention might end up creating a monster.
As a magical revolution remakes a city, an ancient evil is awakened in a brilliant new novel from the Hugo-nominated author of Foundryside and the Divine Cities trilogy.
A few years ago, Sancia Grado would’ve happily watched Tevanne burn. Now, she’s hoping to transform her city into something new. Something better. Together with allies Orso, Gregor, and Berenice, she’s about to strike a deadly blow against Tevanne’s cruel robber-baron rulers and wrest power from their hands for the first time in decades.
But then comes a terrifying warning: Crasedes Magnus himself, the first of the legendary hierophants, is about to be reborn. And if he returns, Tevanne will be just the first place to feel his wrath.
Thousands of years ago, Crasedes was an ordinary man who did the impossible: Using the magic of scriving—the art of imbuing objects with sentience—he convinced reality that he was something more than human. Wielding powers beyond comprehension, he strode the world like a god for centuries, meting out justice and razing empires single-handedly, cleansing the world through fire and destruction—and even defeating death itself.
Like it or not, it’s up to Sancia to stop him. But to have a chance in the battle to come, she’ll have to call upon a god of her own—and unlock the door to a scriving technology that could change what it means to be human. And no matter who wins, nothing will ever be the same.
The awe-inspiring second installment of the Founders Trilogy, Shorefall returns us to the world Robert Jackson Bennett created in his acclaimed Foundryside . . . and forges it anew.
Congratulations to the DMLA authors nominated for the 2020 Hugo Awards!
BEST NOVEL
Gideon the Ninth, Tamsyn Muir (Tor.com Publishing)
BEST RELATED WORK
“2019 John W. Campbell Award Acceptance Speech”, Jeannette Ng (Dublin 2019 An Irish Worldcon)
BEST GRAPHIC STORY OR COMIC
LaGuardia, Nnedi Okorafor, illustrated by Tana Ford, colours by James Devlin (Berger Books/Dark Horse)
BEST SEMIPROZINE
Elsa Sjunneson, as managing editor for Fireside Magazine
S.B. Divya, as co-editor for Escape Pod
LODESTAR for Best Young Adult Book
Dragon Pearl, Yoon Ha Lee (Disney/Hyperion)