The Hedgewitch Queen


Book Description

"Vianne di Rocancheil has been largely content to play the gawky provincial. As lady in waiting at the Court of Arquitaine, she studies her books, watches for intrigue, and shepherds her foolhardy Princesse safely through the glittering whirl. Court is a sometimes-unpleasant waltz, especially for the unwary, but Vianne treads its measured steps well. Unfortunately, the dance has changed. Treachery is afoot in gilded and velvet halls. A sorcerous conspiracy is unleashed, with blood, death, and warfare close behind. Her Princesse murdered and her own life in jeopardy, Vianne must flee, carrying the fate of her land with her -- the Great Seal of Arquitaine, awake after its long sleep. Invasion threatens, civil war looms, and the conspiracy hunts for Vianne di Rocancheil, to kill or to use her against all she holds dear. A life of dances, intrigues, and fashion has not prepared her for this. Nor has it prepared her for Tristan d'Arcenne, Captain of the King's Guard and player in the most dangerous games conspiracy can devise. Yet to save her country and avenge her Princesse, Vianne will become what she must, say what she should, and do whatever is required. A Queen can do no less.




The Hedgewitch Queen


Book Description

"Vianne di Rocancheil has been largely content to play the gawky provincial. As lady in waiting at the Court of Arquitaine, she studies her books, watches for intrigue, and shepherds her foolhardy Princesse safely through the glittering whirl. Court is a sometimes-unpleasant waltz, especially for the unwary, but Vianne treads its measured steps well. Unfortunately, the dance has changed. Treachery is afoot in gilded and velvet halls. A sorcerous conspiracy is unleashed, with blood, death, and warfare close behind. Her Princesse murdered and her own life in jeopardy, Vianne must flee, carrying the fate of her land with her -- the Great Seal of Arquitaine, awake after its long sleep. Invasion threatens, civil war looms, and the conspiracy hunts for Vianne di Rocancheil, to kill or to use her against all she holds dear. A life of dances, intrigues, and fashion has not prepared her for this. Nor has it prepared her for Tristan d'Arcenne, Captain of the King's Guard and player in the most dangerous games conspiracy can devise. Yet to save her country and avenge her Princesse, Vianne will become what she must, say what she should, and do whatever is required. A Queen can do no less.




The Bandit King


Book Description

Tristan d'Arcenne is what he always wished to be -- Vianne di Rocancheil's Consort. But Vianne is no more a noblewoman, she is the Queen of Arquitaine, faced with treachery, invasion, war, and a Consort whose secrets may well shatter their marriage. For before Tristan was hers, he belonged to a King. . .and that King died by Tristan's hand. Arquitaine needs them both. The country is locked in a deadly game whose rules change by the moment. The Queen is an adept player, but hardly ruthless enough. The contest requires a man who has nothing to lose, a man who has already done the worst and will continue to do so for his wife, his country, and his own salvation. The Bandit King approaches. . .




The Queen of Blood


Book Description

Set in the magical world of Renthia, The Queen of Blood is Sarah Beth Durst’s ambitious entry into adult epic fantasy. With the danger of Peter Brett’s The Warded Man, heart of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, and lyricism of Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind, this is the first chapter in a series destined to be a classic. Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . . But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms. With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.




The Last Windwitch


Book Description

Fans of Shannon Hale and Kelly Barnhill will delight in this charming and richly imagined middle grade fantasy debut, featuring a wicked queen, magical animals, a henchman with a golden heart, and a small girl with a great destiny. Many years ago, in the kingdom of Fenwood Reach, there was a powerful Windwitch who wove the seasons, keeping the land bountiful and the people happy. But then a dark magic drove her from the realm, and the world fell into chaos. Brida is content in her small village of Oak Hollow. There, she’s plenty occupied trying to convince her fickle magic to actually do what it’s meant to in her work as a hedgewitch’s apprentice—until she accidentally catches the attention of the wicked queen. On the run from the queen’s huntsman and her all-seeing Crow spies, Brida discovers the truth about her family, her magic, and who she is destined to be—and that she may hold the power to defeating the wicked queen and setting the kingdom right again.




The Hedgewitch's Little Book of Lunar Magic


Book Description

As a central figure of the Craft, the moon holds a special place in any hedgewitch's practice. Through more than a hundred spells, recipes, and workings, this two-color, hardcover book shows you how to honor Our Lady of the Night and utilize her power to amplify your magic and affirmations. Discover lunar myths and legends as well as correspondences to herbs, crystals, and deities. You will also learn how to connect with changing energies in each season and moon phase. With guidance for drawing down the moon, making moon water, creating a moon altar, and other sacred activities, The Hedgewitch's Little Book of Lunar Magic features ample inspiration for honoring and harmonizing with this revered celestial body.




The Path of the Hedge Witch


Book Description

Natural Witchcraft for the Solo Practitioner Relying on wits, intelligence, integrity, and strength, the hedge witch walks a simple and solitary path that requires few tools or complex rituals. This path teaches you how to create a more beneficial life for all beings through traditional folkloric knowledge, a relationship with nature, and the art of hedge riding (trance work). Joanna van der Hoeven shows you how to work with the elements, harmonize with the cycles of the moon, walk between worlds, and establish an ever-growing relationship with the Fair Folk. Covering everything you need to build your own Hedge Witchcraft tradition, this beginner-friendly book connects you to the wisdom of wild places and inspires you to find enchantment every day.




Vampires, Thieves, and Griffins (An Orbit Sampler)


Book Description

Included in this ebook are sample chapters from your favorite-- and your soon to be favorite-- Orbit authors. Two new authors, one a newcomer, and the other an eBook favorite in print for the first time: Kristen Painter crafts a gothic story where vampire aristocracy meets urban fantasy action with Blood Rights (with the next two books in the series coming out in consecutive months) and Michael J. Sullivan's ebook bestseller will be available in bookstores everywhere starting with Theft of Swords. In this series opener two thieves that quickly find themselves in over their heads with plenty more to come in Rise of Empire and Heir of Novron out in December and January. We also have some returning favorites with the trade paperback edition of The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie - a critically acclaimed look at the blood and betrayal that make up the heart of a single battle. And we've collected three volumes of the Griffin Mage by Rachel Neumeier into one fantastic package. We have two returning science fiction authors, first up is Philip Palmer's rip-roaring new novel Artemis, and Hull Zero Three, by award-winning author Greg Bear.




Hedge-Rider


Book Description

Hedgerider: Witches and the Underworld is a re-interpretation of (Hedge-)Witchery. Drawing from an extensive historical, folkloric and mythological body it re-attributes and re-defines Witchery as a Heathen Cult centred around the journey to the Underworld and contact with the Unseen. With the insights into Cosmology, Philosophy and Practice this book provides a working body of Heathen Witch-lore, designed to transform the essence of humanity in something greater through contact with our Fetch and the Underworld itself.




Orbit Sampler 8: July-September 2012


Book Description

Orbit is ending the summer with an explosion of new and exciting titles, sure to start your fall off right. Debut author Kate Locke draws the reader into a world of steampunk, vampires, goblins, and werewolves with God Save the Queen. Continuing the Victorian steampunk theme, The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow explores sorcery and logic, starring a forensic sorceress, a detective, and a conspiracy that will shake the Empire. Two young orphans must find their own fortunes and magic in House of Shadows, the beginning of a new fantasy series by Rachel Neumeier. Sharps, the new fantasy thriller by K.J. Parker, shows dueling can be just as dangerous as war and twice as duplicitous. Jessica McClain is the only female werewolf ever to exist and now must survive against all odds in Amanda Carlson's debut novel, Full Blooded. Also, new to Orbit but no stranger to the science fiction and fantasy world, Michael Cobley brings Seeds of Earth, an epic space opera about an Earth colony in the middle of an intergalactic battle. Finally, Orbit is proud to announce The Soddit, a parody of The Hobbit where Bingo Grabbins must go on an adventure and steal a treasure guarded by Smug the dragon.