News just in from the book world: Angry Robot Books has acquired Juliet E. McKenna’s The Riven Kingdom, described as a “fresh and gripping fantasy” that “blends politics, religion, and a battle for a dead king’s throne, perfect for fans of the Realm of the Elderlings series.”
Commissioned by editor Simon Stanton Walker, the one-book deal covers physical, ebook and audio.
“After devising a world with eerie, hidden magic and winding lethal intrigues around characters as new to me as they will be to readers, I’m thrilled to be working with Angry Robot to bring this story to fantasy fans,” says Juliet, pictured above.
Simon Spanton Walker, commissioning editor, says: “Juliet writes involved and involving fantasy of the very highest order. The Riven Kingdom is no exception: a nuanced and gripping tale that uses fantasy to give vivid life to both the rulers and the ruled of a fantasy world in crisis. We’re incredibly proud to be her publisher.”
And Juliet’s agent, Max Edwards, adds: “Juliet E. McKenna is a legend among fantasy writers, and for good reason. The worlds she builds, the characters who populate them, and the challenges they face, are truly epic in their scope. After several years away from her heartland, it’s thrilling to see The Riven Kingdom re-inventing the epic fantasy for today’s world.”
Juliet E. McKenna is well-known to BFS members as the author of 15 epic fantasy novels set in the world of Einarinn, as well as several novellas and countless short stories ranging from SF to steampunk and alternate history. She has been a judge for the World Fantasy Awards, the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the James White Award and the Aeon Award, and has, herself, been shortlisted for the British Fantasy Award and the BSFA Award for Best Novel.
About The Riven Kingdom
When King Venais is killed alongside the Earl Maren, the kingdom of Arafaze is thrown into uncertainty. The Princess Idelina, too grief-stricken to claim the throne, soon finds herself being circled by those after the throne: Princess Alriad, the dead King’s aunt, seeks endorsement from the Sun Goddess’ high temple; Padran, the Earl’s brother, wants the truth about what happened on the fatal hunting trip; King Tadiri of neighbouring Mervante, whose daughter was set to marry the King, senses an opportunity.
As the kingdom descends into chaos, Jadewin, an experienced Moon Priestess, and Alory, a young Sun Priest, discover a terrifying truth. Evil spirits are working to escape the realm they’re trapped in. And a war of succession is exactly what they need to gain entry into the world…
The Riven Kingdom is a high fantasy that illustrates the cruel reality of power within a supernatural world where ordinary folk can trust neither tradition nor belief.
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