From the bestselling M. R. Carey comes an enthrallingly dark medieval tale – a story of twisted folklore, macabre magic and the strangest of found families. This is the tale of Once-Was-Willem.

Reader reviews:
‘This book. Is. Phenomenal. Go buy it when it comes out . . . This could EASILY be my favorite book of the year already’ ?????
‘Perfect in every way. 5/5 stars. Order it now; you do not want to miss this one‘ ?????
‘An amazing tale that I can see myself going back to time and again‘ ?????

Eleven hundred and some years after the death of Christ, in the kingdom that had but recently begun to call itself England, I, Once Was Willem, rose from the dead to defeat a great evil facing the humble village of Cosham. The words enclosed herein are true.

I speak of monsters and magic, battle and bloodletting, and the crimes of desperate men. I speak also of secret things, of that which lies beneath us and that which impends above. By the time you come to the end of this account you will know the truth of your own life and death, the path laid out for your immortal soul, your origin and your inevitable end.

You will not thank me.

‘An incredible masterwork of medieval fantasy-horror, dark and twisted and burning bright with humanity. Once Was Willem is packed with magic, folklore, superstitious fear, and horrors that bring hope’ Cameron Johnston, author of The Maleficent Seven

‘Weaves a fable full of dread and wonder, a deeply intelligent and emotionally gripping story . . . A masterpiece of medieval dark fiction. I love this book. Highest recommendation’ Christopher Buehlman, author of Between Two Fires

‘A delicious blend of horror, fantasy and historical fiction, Once Was Willem gave me exactly what I crave most as a reader – the unexpected. That, and a main character I would fight to the undeath for. A unique and brilliant book’ Jen Williams, British Fantasy Award-winning author of The Ninth Rain

‘It’s a long time since a book has reached out and just entirely enveloped me in its world the way Once Was Willem did. Astounding, and I loved every moment of it – it had me absolutely rapt‘ RJ Barker, author of The Bone Ships

‘It’s so absurdly fun and readable, you nearly miss the incredible use of language and lore. Lovable grotesques and ghastly villains populate a compelling folk-tale. Absolutely wonderful’ Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Gutter Prayer

‘A wild fever-dream of novel – complicated, monstrous and beautiful’ Seanan McGuire, Hugo Award-winning author

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . .

The Carryx – part empire, part hive – has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its con?ict with an ancient and deathless enemy.

When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species.

Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn’t suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ‘ terrifying agenda.

Swept up in a con?ict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity’s champion – and its betrayer.

This is where his story begins.

‘The beginning of what could be Corey’s most epic – and entertaining – series yet. Simply mind-blowing’ Kirkus

‘No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you’ll want is . . . more’ John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author

‘Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic’ Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga

‘Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling‘ M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts

‘A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre’ Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time

‘The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted’ Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars

‘All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more‘ Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author

‘A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time’ Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

This is not the story you think you know. And the rules are only the beginning.

The Third Rule of Time Travel is a riveting sci-fi thriller that packs an emotional punch from acclaimed author Philip Fracassi, perfect for fans of The Space Between Worlds and Severance.

Praise for Philip Fracassi:

‘ A clever premise digs its heels into a sci-fi thriller that breaks into a gallop from the first page – exciting, haunting, compelling stuff’ Chuck Wendig

‘Frighteningly plausible science fiction. . .chilling and unpredictable’ Tyler Jones, author of Midas

‘Fracassi makes terror read so damn beautifully’ Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling

‘Unrelenting and highly entertaining’ Thomas Olde Heuvelt, author of Hex

‘A smart and deftly-written tale’ Nick Cutter, author of The Troop

‘As poignant as it is chilling, with a fast-paced, unflinching ending’ Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger

‘The most unsettling novel I have read all year’ Ronald Malfi, author of Black Mouth

‘Harrowing and claustrophobic’ Christopher Golden, author of Road of Bones

‘Fracassi. . . builds his horrific tales slowly and carefully…he’s especially skilful at creating, and sustaining, suspense’ The New York Times

‘Gut-wrenching, heart breaking, and terrifying’ Andy Davidson, author of The Boatman’s Daughter

‘Fracassi’s storytelling is. . . horror with a big, broken heart’ Esquire

From one of the most original voices in science fiction comes the spectacular sequel to the epic, interstellar love story that began in The Stars Undying.

Goddess, tell me the story.

Matheus Ceirran, commander of half the known world, is dead. For the past year, his loyal captain Anita has hunted down his assassins-that is, when she can pull herself from the bed of Altagracia Caviro Patramata, queen and oracle of the client planet of Szayet. But when Anita’s quest for revenge takes her across the borders of an enigmatic neighboring empire, she uncovers a dangerous secret that could upend the fragile balance of the galaxy.

Meanwhile, Ceirran’s heir apparent Otávio Julhan grows more and more powerful in the capital that Anita has left behind. Caught between home, Szayet, and a new and greater threat, Anita finds herself at the center of a war that threatens to collapse her world.

The fate of empires dances on the tip of a knife, and history will be written by the victors in this sweeping tale of myth, imperial legacy, and the love affair of a lifetime.

Praise for this duology:

‘Dazzling, transportive, boundless, precise-and dares to ask, what if Mark Antony was the hottest butch girl in space?’ Casey McQuiston

‘A glittering triumph of a book that weaves together history and tragedy into a star-spanning epic’ Everina Maxwell

From the bestselling M. R. Carey comes an enthrallingly dark medieval tale – a story of twisted folklore, macabre magic and the strangest of found families. This is the tale of Once-Was-Willem.

Eleven hundred and some years after the death of Christ, in the kingdom that had but recently begun to call itself England, I, Once Was Willem, rose from the dead to defeat a great evil facing the humble village of Cosham. The words enclosed herein are true.

I speak of monsters and magic, battle and bloodletting, and the crimes of desperate men. I speak also of secret things, of that which lies beneath us and that which impends above. By the time you come to the end of this account you will know the truth of your own life and death, the path laid out for your immortal soul, your origin and your inevitable end.

You will not thank me.

‘An incredible masterwork of medieval fantasy-horror, dark and twisted and burning bright with humanity. Once Was Willem is packed with magic, folklore, superstitious fear, and horrors that bring hope’ Cameron Johnston, author of The Maleficent Seven

‘Weaves a fable full of dread and wonder, a deeply intelligent and emotionally gripping story . . . A masterpiece of medieval dark fiction. I love this book. Highest recommendation’ Christopher Buehlman, author of Between Two Fires

‘A delicious blend of horror, fantasy and historical fiction, Once Was Willem gave me exactly what I crave most as a reader – the unexpected. That, and a main character I would fight to the undeath for. A unique and brilliant book’ Jen Williams, British Fantasy Award-winning author of The Ninth Rain

‘It’s a long time since a book has reached out and just entirely enveloped me in its world the way Once Was Willem did. Astounding, and I loved every moment of it – it had me absolutely rapt‘ RJ Barker, author of The Bone Ships

‘It’s so absurdly fun and readable, you nearly miss the incredible use of language and lore. Lovable grotesques and ghastly villains populate a compelling folk-tale. Absolutely wonderful’ Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Gutter Prayer

‘A wild fever-dream of novel – complicated, monstrous and beautiful’ Seanan McGuire, Hugo Award-winning author

Following the critically acclaimed Ithaca and House of Odysseus comes the final novel in Claire North’s Songs of Penelope trilogy – an exquisite, gripping tale that breathes life into ancient myth. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.

Many years ago, Odysseus sailed to war and never returned. For twenty years his wife Penelope and the women of Ithaca have guarded the isle against suitors and rival kings. But peace cannot be kept forever, and the balance of power is about to break . . .

A beggar has arrived at the Palace. Salt-crusted and ocean-battered, he is scorned by the suitors – but Penelope recognises in him something terrible: her husband, Odysseus, returned at last. Yet this Odysseus is no hero. By returning to the island in disguise, he is not merely plotting his revenge against the suitors – vengeance that will spark a civil war – but he’s testing the loyalty of his queen. Has she been faithful to him all these years? And how much blood is Odysseus willing to shed to be sure?

The song of Penelope is ending, and the song of Odysseus must ring through Ithaca’s halls. But first, Penelope must use all her cunning to win a war for the fate of the island and keep her family alive, whatever the cost . . .

Praise for the Songs of Penelope series:

‘Darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking’ Jennifer Saint, author of Sunday Times bestseller Ariadne

‘Richly poetic . . . This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history’ Booklist

‘Everything I’ve wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice – this is an absolute masterpiece’ Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin

‘Penelope is proving to be an outstanding epic hero in her own right. The world building is sensational‘ Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den

‘Conjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies‘ The Times

‘Claire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime’ Hannah Lynn, author of Athena’s Child

The Songs of Penelope series:
Ithaca
House of Odysseus
The Last Song of Penelope

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . .

The Carryx – part empire, part hive – has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its con?ict with an ancient and deathless enemy.

When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species.

Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn’t suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ‘ terrifying agenda.

Swept up in a con?ict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity’s champion – and its betrayer.

This is where his story begins.

‘The beginning of what could be Corey’s most epic – and entertaining – series yet. Simply mind-blowing’ Kirkus

‘No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you’ll want is . . . more’ John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author

‘Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic’ Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga

‘Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling‘ M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts

‘A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre’ Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time

‘The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted’ Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars

‘All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more‘ Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author

‘A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time’ Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

Following the critically acclaimed Ithaca and House of Odysseus comes the final novel in Claire North’s Songs of Penelope trilogy – an exquisite, gripping tale that breathes life into ancient myth. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.

Many years ago, Odysseus sailed to war and never returned. For twenty years his wife Penelope and the women of Ithaca have guarded the isle against suitors and rival kings. But peace cannot be kept forever, and the balance of power is about to break . . .

A beggar has arrived at the Palace. Salt-crusted and ocean-battered, he is scorned by the suitors – but Penelope recognises in him something terrible: her husband, Odysseus, returned at last. Yet this Odysseus is no hero. By returning to the island in disguise, he is not merely plotting his revenge against the suitors – vengeance that will spark a civil war – but he’s testing the loyalty of his queen. Has she been faithful to him all these years? And how much blood is Odysseus willing to shed to be sure?

The song of Penelope is ending, and the song of Odysseus must ring through Ithaca’s halls. But first, Penelope must use all her cunning to win a war for the fate of the island and keep her family alive, whatever the cost . . .

Praise for the Songs of Penelope series:

‘Darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking’ Jennifer Saint, author of Sunday Times bestseller Ariadne

‘Richly poetic . . . This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history’ Booklist

‘Everything I’ve wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice – this is an absolute masterpiece’ Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin

‘Penelope is proving to be an outstanding epic hero in her own right. The world building is sensational‘ Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den

‘Conjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies‘ The Times

‘Claire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime’ Hannah Lynn, author of Athena’s Child

The Songs of Penelope series:
Ithaca
House of Odysseus
The Last Song of Penelope

A charming fantasy set in an underwater world with magical academia and a heartwarming penpal romance, perfect for fans of A Marvellous Light and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

A beautiful discovery outside the window of her underwater home prompts the reclusive E. to begin a correspondence with renowned scholar Henerey Clel. The letters they share are filled with passion, at first for their mutual interests, and then, inevitably, for each other.

Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.’s home, and she and Henerey vanish.

A year later, E.’s sister Sophy, and Henerey’s brother Vyerin, are left to solve the mystery of their siblings’ disappearances with the letters, sketches and field notes left behind. As they uncover the wondrous love their siblings shared, Sophy and Vyerin learn the key to their disappearance – and what it could mean for life as they know it.

Praise for Sylvie Cathrall:

‘With its gorgeous underwater setting and whimsical academic sensibility, A Letter to the Luminous Deep is a strange, epistolary wonder.‘ Mary McMyne, author of The Book of Gothel

‘A shimmering, delicately crafted delight. . . Readers looking for heart warming romance and scholarly mystery against the backdrop of a wildly imaginative world will be charmed’ H.G. Parry, author of The Magician’s Daughter

‘Cathrall’s debut caught me up on a wave of whimsy and swept me away with its charm. A story to be cherished’ Lyra Selene, author of A Feather So Black

‘A Letter to the Luminous Deep is a fascinating and charming story told in a uniquely elegant voice. A watery wonder of a novel! I loved it.’ Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

‘A Letter to the Luminous Deep is like nothing I’ve read before. The heartfelt intimacy of the epistolary narrative, juxtaposed with the magnificent oceanic world-building, results in a novel that is at once deeply human and mind-bogglingly imaginative. Both the setting and the story are exquisite, but it was the lovingly crafted voices of the characters that kept me hooked from beginning to end’ Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy