NAOMI NOVIK: TEMERAIRE

TERRY GOODKIND: PHANTOM

Debut novels don’t come much bigger or much more exciting than Naomi Novik’s TEMERAIRE. Nor do they come more highly praised or so widely reviewed: ‘Temeraire is a terrifically entertaining fantasy novel’ says Stephen King ‘Is it hard to imagine a cross between Susanna  Clarke..and the late Patrick O’Brian? Not if you’ve read this wonderful, arresting novel’. ‘Extraordinary’ adds Anne McCaffrey. And it is praise well earned. Set in the Napoleonic period, Novik blends history with fantasy, action with romance, as a Dragon Air Force participates in the battle for England. Temeraire the dragonet meant for the Emperor Nelson himself, develops an amazing bond with Captain Laurence who forsakes his naval career to harness  this astonishing dragon, which promises  to grow  into no ordinary creature. 33 year old Naomi Novik is a history buff with a love of fantasy, and a fondness for Patrick O’Brien and Jane Austen. Living in New York city with her husband and six computers she has also designed and produced computer games, and created software for online fiction archives. Her website and live journal are at www.temeraire.org 03 Jan £12.99   HB 

Terry Goodkind is the number one selling fantasy author in the US, and in the UK, his titles have been known to sit very comfortably in the top five in the  hardback charts. And so his success will continue with PHANTOM, the creative, seamless and stirring next book in the Sword of Truth series. The saga of The Sword of Truth started growing in Goodkind’s mind during the early 1990s, while he was building his house in the forests of the north-eastern US “It started with the character of Kahlan, and grew from that seed,” he recalls.  “It really became a haunting experience. As soon as I started writing Wizard’s First Rule…I’ve found something to which I truly want to dedicate my life”. Phantom is a truly captivating continuation of the epic fantasy series set in a fascinating world so rich in detail, history and gritty violence. 06 March £18.99    HB

JULIAN MAY: SORCEROR'S MOON

Julian May made a huge mark on the fantasy map when the Saga of the Pliocene Exile sold over one million copies. Bearing all the hallmarks of this groundbreaking saga, SORCERER’S MOON brings the Boreal Moon Tale trilogy to a stunning conclusion. As battles rage on the island of High Blenholme, the only hope for peace can be found deep in King Conrig’s past. His former spy Deveron Austrey, has secret magical powers and no love for the supernatural Beaconfolk whose plots threaten to destroy the island’s human inhabitants. And while many of his subjects no longer remember the king’s first wife, Maudrayne, she has never forgotten that her son is the true heir to the throne of High Blenholme. May has done it again with a sweeping, epic fantasy that will appeal to fans of George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. ‘A writer of exceptional perception and power’ Jean Auel    06 Feb £18.99    HB

After a six year wait Katharine Kerr’s legions of devoted fans can breathe a Huge sigh of relief as 2006 brings the twelfth and penultimate instalment of the bestselling fantasy series the Deverry Cycle. Intricately interweaving human and elivsh history over several hundred years, the Deverry Cycle is epic fantasy on a truly grand scale, which has made Kerr’s backlist one of the strongest selling series on the Voyager list. In THE GOLD FALCON The powerful dweomermaster Nevyn has been reincarnated, but young Neb knows nothing of his previous life. Soon, though, his wyrd will lead him to old friends, and to old enemies, and the depth of his abilities will become apparent just as they are both needed. ‘An unusually scholarly writer of fantasy’ The Daily Telegraph

The Eddings’ are back! And this time with the exciting final volume in the glorious fantasy series The Dreamers, THE YOUNGER GODS. The attacks of the dreadful insect queen known as the Vlagh have been repelled in three of the Elder Gods' realms. Now, only the land ruled by the Goddess Aracia remains for the Vlagh to send her hordes to attack. But while the Gods, their younger avatars and their human comrades have emerged victorious from all previous encounters, this time the Goddess herself may be their greatest foe – she craves worship and hates the idea of being replaced by a younger God when her time comes to an end…and that time is approaching fast. David and Leigh Eddings have once again written a magical, on the grandest scale, action packed, totally engaging and character filled masterpiece. ‘Eddings fans will no doubt snatch this novel off the shelves while readers new to the authors’ world won’t find a more appropriate place to begin exploring it’ Publishers Weekly  05 June £18.99   HB

On its release in 2005 The Flight of The Nighthawks,  book one of Feist’s new Darkwar series, stormed straight into the number seven spot in the hardback chart, where it stayed in the top ten for several weeks. And there is little doubt that Raymond E Feist’s follow up novel, thus far known as Darkwar Book Two will enjoy the same instant success. Revisiting the exotic political –intrigue of Great Kesh  (touched upon in the classic Riftwar books) the second part of the Darkwar series will continue to carry the reader into a dark underworld of crime and black magic. Raymond E Feist found fame with his first novel, Magician which in was voted one of the nation’s favourite novels in the BBC’s Big Read Poll in 2004 and he has become firmly established as one of the world’s greatest fantasy writers. August £18.99   HB

VOYAGER 2006

January- June schedule

3rd January 2006

Temeraire- Naomi Novik- Hb £12.99  2006’s biggest fantasy debut. Set amid the turmoil of the Napoleonic wars, Temeraire is a thrilling tale of one of the most dramatic chapters of European history with a brilliant touch of bold fantasy.

Black Jade- David Zindell- Pb £7.99 

Domes of Fire- David Eddings- Pb reissue £7.99 

The Hidden City- David Eddings- Pb reissue £7.99

The Shining Ones- David Eddings- Pb reissue £7.99

6^th February 2006

Shaman’s Crossing- Robin Hobb- Tpb £12.99 Book one of The Soldier's Son trilogy. The trade paperback release of the spectacular first instalment of the brand new trilogy from the author of the stunning Farseer, Liveship Traders and Tawny Man trilogies.

Sorcerer’s Moon- Julian May – Hb £18.99 Part three of the Boreal Moon Tale. The stunning conclusion to a powerful epic fantasy from the worldwide bestselling author of the Saga of The Pliocene Exile.

Chainfire- Terry Goodkind- Pb £7.99  

The Summer Tree- Guy Gavriel Kay- Pb reissue £6.99

The Darkest Road- Guy Gavriel Kay- Pb reissue £6.99

The Wandering Fire- Guy Gavriel Kay- Pb reissue £6.99

6^th March 2006

Phantom- Terry Goodkind- Hb £18.99 The next book in the Sword of Truth series from bestselling author Terry Goodkind. Fantasy adventure on a grand scale featuring the popular wizard-hero Richard Cypher.

Quicksilver Twilight- Stan Nicholls Tpb £12.99 Book Three of the Quicksilver Trilogy. Final volume in the powerful new epic fantasy trilogy from the British author of the internationally acclaimed Orcs  series.

Firethorn- Sarah Micklem- Pb £6.99

3^rd April 2006

The Gold Falcon- Katharine Kerr- Tpb £11.99 Six years in the making, the penultimate instalment of the bestselling fantasy series, the Deverry Cycle, long-awaited by Katharine’s many devoted fans.

Camelot’s Sword- Sarah Zettel- Tpb £12.99 An evocative romantic fantasy set in the legendary time of King Arthur from the author of CAMELOT’S SHADOW.

Camelot’s Honour- Sarah Zetell- Pb 6.99

1^st May 2006

A Feast For Crows- George R R Martin- Tpb £12.99

5^th June 2006

Wildfire- Sarah Micklem- Hb £17.99 Firethorn’s story continues as her mysterious past unfolds in book two of Sarah Micklem’s unique and powerful quasi-medieval fantasy.

The Younger Gods- David and Leigh Eddings- Hb £18.99 The exciting final volume in the glorious fantasy series The Dreamers... ‘All the verve and pace we’ve come to expect.’ The Dark Side

Crystal Gorge- David and Leigh Eddings- Pb £7.99

Flight of The Nighthawks- Raymond E. Feist- Tpb £12.99