Origins of The Wheel of Time: The Legends and Mythologies That Inspired Robert Jordan by Michael Livingston

Nov 082022
 

Take a deep dive into the real-world history and mythology that inspired the world of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time®. Origins of The Wheel of Time is written by Michael Livingston, Secretary-General of the United States Commission on Military History and professor of medieval literature at The Citadel, with a Foreword by Harriet McDougal, Robert Jordan’s editor, widow, and executor of his estate.

This companion to the internationally bestselling series will delve into the creation of Robert Jordan’s masterpiece, drawing from interviews and an unprecedented examination of his unpublished notes. Michael Livingston tells the behind-the-scenes story of who Jordan was, how he worked, and why he holds such an important place in modern literature.

The second part of the book is a glossary to the “real world” in The Wheel of Time. King Arthur is in The Wheel of Time. Merlin, too. But so are Alexander the Great and the Apollo Space Program, the Norse gods and Napoleon’s greatest defeat―and so much more.

Origins of The Wheel of Time will provide exciting knowledge and insights to both new and longtime fans looking to either expand their understanding of the series or unearth the real-life influences that Jordan utilized in his world building―all in one, accessible text.

Trinity’s Children by Dave Bara

Nov 012022
 

Jared Clement has returned to Trinity, not as a mere ship captain but as a Five Suns Fleet Admiral. With his promotion comes increased responsibility that weighs heavy on his shoulders: 30,000 settlers are leaving the dying planets of the Rim, his home, and resettling next to the natives of the planet Bellus.

Clement is responsible for those lives and the lives of the natives, Trinity’s children, and for building a better future for them all. But when his migrant fleet arrives in the Trinity system, they are faced with enemies both old and new. Former Fleet Admiral Elara DeVore has escaped her exile on the planet Alphus and vanished into parts unknown. Soon, however, Clement discovers she has a new fleet and a new ally, the Solar League from Earth. The Solar League has arrived with a massive fleet and plans on taking Trinity for itself, forcing the Five Suns to surrender. With just a small military fleet to accompany the migrants, Clement is faced with the almost impossible task of defending both his people and the natives from becoming slaves of the Solar League.

Dandelion by Alex Bledsoe

Oct 042022
 

One year ago, in a small Southern town of Somerton, a kindly minister saved a teenage girl from the influence of a demon, at a great personal cost. But did the exorcism work? Are exorcisms even real? Something is going on with Carlyss Bolerjack, and it may take the combined efforts of her therapist, her grandparents, and her minister to save her from whatever is living with her inside her head.

While Carlyss Bolerjack battles for her soul, the rest of Somerton fights to save the soul of the town as the massive TLC-Mart, open 24 hours and with all the lowest prices, puts all the other stores out of business. But it isn’t just an economic disaster: a hoard of demons infest the place, using it as a nexus to find those they can possess.

Now the improbably named and devastatingly charming Deacon Elder, a disreputable but genuine deliverance minister arrives to do battle with these demons, to save this town from its own descent into hell, and protect his friends from their ultimate degradation at the hands of a supernatural entity known only as Dandelion.

But what is Dandelion? Is this traveling preacher legit? Are any of the traveling preachers passing through this town legit? What lives inside the heart and soul of the town’s token goth kid, who’s been plagued by strange thoughts and desires since long before the ill-fated exorcism last summer? Can this town, and anyone in it, be saved?

Dandelion is the latest chilling novel from Alex Bledsoe, bestselling author of the Eddie LaCrosse novels and the Tufa series.

Silver Queendom by Dan Koboldt

Aug 232022
 

Service at the Red Rooster Inn isn’t what you’d call “good,” or even “adequate.” Darin would be the first to say so, and he owns the place. Evie isn’t much of a barmaid; Kat’s home-brewed ale seems to grow less palatable with each new batch; and Seraphina’s service at the bar leaves much to be desired. As for the bouncer, Big Tom, well, everyone learns right quick to stay on his good side.

They may be bad at running an inn, but they’re the best team of con artists in the Old Queendom. When a prospective client approaches Darin with a high-paying job, he knows he should refuse. But the job is boosting a shipment of priceless imperial dream wine, the most coveted and expensive drink in the world. And, thanks to a stretch of bad luck, he’s in deep to The Dame, who oversees criminal enterprises in this part of the Queendom.

If they fail, they’re as good as dead, but if they succeed… well, it’s enough money to get square with the Dame and make all of their dreams come true. Plus, it’s an option for Darin to stick it to the empress, who he has good reason to despise.

Then again, there’s a very good reason no one has ever stolen imperial dream wine…

Putting the Fact in Fantasy by Dan Koboldt

May 032022
 

A collection of essays from historians, linguists, martial artists, and other experts to help you write more compelling fantasy by getting the facts right

Whether it’s correctly naming the parts of a horse, knowing how lords and ladies address one another, or building a realistic fantasy army, getting the details right takes fantasy writing to the next level. Featuring some of the most popular articles from Dan Koboldt’s Fact in Fantasy blog as well as several never-before-seen essays, this book gives aspiring and established fantasy writers alike an essential foundation to the fascinating history and cultures of our own world, which serve as a jumping-off point for more inspired and convincing fantasy.

Destiny of the Dead by Kel Kade

Mar 222022
 

Destiny of the Dead is the second novel in a genre-bending series from New York Times bestselling author Kel Kade.

The God of Death is tired of dealing with the living, so he’s decided everyone should die. And he’s found allies. The Berru, an empire of dark mages, has unleashed a terrifying army of monstrous lyksvight upon everyone with a pulse.

While the wealthy and powerful, the kings and queens, abandon the dying world, one group of misfits says no more. Through dogged determination and the ability to bind souls to their dead bodies, Aaslo and his friends fight on.

In the mountains of the far north, another bastion of defense is opened. Cherrí, the avatar of a vengeful fire god, has united the survivors amongst her people and begun her own war on the invaders.

Now, Aaslo and Cherrí must find a way to unite their powers, one divine, the other profane, to throw back the monsters of the Berru, and challenge Death itself.

Deal: Michael Livingston

Feb 222022
 

Tor Books is proud to announce the acquisition Origins of The Wheel of Time: The Legends and Mythologies that Inspired Robert Jordan by Michael Livingston, including a foreword by Harriet McDougal, by Robert Davis via Paul Stevens. The UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired by Bella Pagan, Publishing Director of Pan Macmillan’s Tor imprint.

Take a deep dive into the real-world history and mythology that inspired the world of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time®. Origins of The Wheel of Time is written by Michael Livingston, Secretary-General of the United States Commission on Military History and professor of medieval literature at The Citadel, with a Foreword by Harriet McDougal, Robert Jordan’s editor, widow, and executor of his estate.

This companion to the internationally bestselling series will delve into the creation of Robert Jordan’s masterpiece, drawing from interviews and an unprecedented examination of his unpublished notes. Michael Livingston tells the behind-the-scenes story of who Jordan was, how he worked, and why he holds such an important place in modern literature.

Deal: Michael Livingston

Feb 092022
 

Michael Livingston

Award-winning historians Myke Cole and Michael Livingston’s THE KILLING GROUND: A BIOGRAPHY OF THERMOPYLAE, in which the authors explore why tens of thousands of people were willing to die for this tiny, out-of-the-way place, the site of dozens of battles stretching from the 5th century BC to World War II, to Kate Moore at Osprey by Paul Stevens.

2021 Locus Recommended Reading List

Feb 042022
 

Congratulations to our DMLA authors on the 2021 Locus Recommended Reading List!

Novels – Science Fiction

  • The Second Shooter, Nick Mamatas (Solaris)
  • Noor, Nnedi Okorafor (DAW)
  • Perhaps The Stars, Ada Palmer (Tor; Ad Astra)

Novels – Fantasy

  • Soulstar, C.L. Polk (Tordotcom)
  • The Mask of Mirrors, M.A. Carrick (Orbit US; Orbit UK)

Novels – Horror

  • A Broken Darkness, Premee Mohamed (Solaris)
  • The Death of Jane Lawrence, Caitlin Starling (St. Martin’s)

Young Adult Novels

  • A Snake Falls to Earth, Darcie Little Badger (Levine Querido)

First Novels

  • Machinehood, S.B. Divya (Saga)
  • Star Eater, Kerstin Hall (Tordotcom)
  • The All-Consuming World, Cassandra Khaw (Erewhon)

Illustrated and Art Books

  • After the Rain, Nnedi Okorafor, adapted by John Jennings, art by David Brame (Abrams ComicArts/Megascope)

Novellas

  • A Blessing of Unicorns, Elizabeth Bear (Audible Originals 10/20; Asimov’s 9-10/21)
  • And What Can We Offer You Tonight?, Premee Mohamed (Neon Hemlock)
  • The Annual Migration of Clouds, Premee Mohamed (ECW)
  • Remote Control, Nnedi Okorafor (Tordotcom)
  • The Necessity of Stars, E. Catherine Tobler (Neon Hemlock)
  • Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Tordotcom)

Novelettes

  • “The Red Mother”, Elizabeth Bear (Tor.com 6/23/21)
  • “Broad Dutty Water: A Sunken Story”, Nalo Hopkinson (F&SF 11-12/21)
  • “The Black Pages”, Nnedi Okorafor (Black Stars)
  • “Music of the Siphorophenes”, C.L. Polk (F&SF 3-4/21)
  • “In the Garden of Ibn Ghazi”, Molly Tanzer (F&SF 3-4/21)

Short Stories

  • “The Wishing Pool”, Tananarive Due (Uncanny 7-8/21)
  • “Clap Back”, Nalo Hopkinson (Black Stars)
  • “Proof by Induction”, José Pablo Iriarte (Uncanny 5-6/21)
  • “Love, That Hungry Thing”, Cassandra Khaw (Apex 1/21)
  • “Laughter Among the Trees”, Suzan Palumbo (The Dark 2/21)
  • “Of Claw and Bone”, Suzan Palumbo (The Dark 5/21)

The Liar’s Knot by M.A. Carrick

Dec 072021
 

Trust is the thread that binds. And the rope that hangs.

In Nadežra, peace is as tenuous as a single thread. The ruthless House Indestor has been destroyed, but darkness still weaves through the city’s filthy alleys and jewel-bright gardens, seen by those who know where to look.

Derossi Vargo has always known. He has sacrificed more than anyone imagines to carve himself a position of power and influence among the nobility, hiding a will of steel behind a velvet smile. He’ll be damned if he lets anyone threaten what he’s built.

Grey Serrado knows all too well. Bent under the yoke of too many burdens, he fights to protect the city’s most vulnerable. Sooner or later, that fight will demand more than he can give.

And Ren, daughter of no clan, knows best of all. Caught in a knot of lies, torn between her heritage and her aristocratic masquerade, she relies on her gift for reading pattern to survive. And it shows her the web of darkness that traps her city.

But all three have yet to discover just how far that web stretches. And in the end, it will take more than wits and knives to cut themselves free.

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