I mentioned this in my Chronicles blog before, but I didn't want to make a public announcement until I was sure the book was in stock and available: After 13 years, HarperCollins decided it was the perfect time to introduce my book The Queen's Necklace to a new generation of readers. And I think they were right, because it's the kind of swashbuckling adventure that is popular right now. Naturally, I am thrilled, and so I am going to tell you all about it.
It's a stand-alone (which is not to say that I've never thought about writing sequels) in a setting similar to 18th century Europe. It is not the same world as Goblin Moon and Hobgoblin Night, but writing it I found myself being inspired by that same era. They called it the Age of Reason, but a little research reveals that it was also an Age of Unreason. So while you shouldn't expect to meet the dashing Francis Skelbrooke in this novel, there is, instead, the equally dashing Will Blackheart. And an opportunity to meet the original Goblin Princess.
Once upon a time the world was ruled by the beautiful, decadent goblins known as the Maglore. At last mankind rose up in rebellion and gained their freedom, exterminating the Maglore race in the process ... or did they?
Maglore magicians had once created jeweled novelties known as Philosophic Engines, each with a specific purpose and a power far greater than its appearance would suggest. With the Maglore gone, humans divided the world into many small nations, each dependent on one of the tiny engines -- which were hidden away in plain sight. Without them economies could collapse, the sea flood low-lying regions, and earthquakes and volcanoes threaten the north. A thousand years passed.
Then disaster threatens in the kingdom of Mountfalcon when the Chaos Machine, the Mountfalcon Jewel, goes missing. If news of the theft should leak out the result would be wide-spread panic and perhaps revolution. Captain Will Blackheart is appointed to find the Jewel if at all possible. As his search takes him beyond the kingdom's borders, he begins to suspect a greater conspiracy, one that threatens the rule of more than one nation, and worse: evidence that the Maglore, not extinct after all, may be behind it all.
Seduction, intrigue, magic and madness, come together as swashbuckling adventure in a fantastical baroque world.
"Wonderful, lush, and enchanting." —Kate Elliott
"An exciting story set in a vividly imagined world and elegantly told." —Poul and Karen Anderson
"Brilliantly crafted and utterly engrossing, The Queen's Necklace is the most original and intriguing work of fantasy I've read in a long, long time —Katharine Kerr
"Epic in scope and imagination, covering centuries and miles with equal deftness ... long live The Queen's Necklace!" —Rosemary Edghill
You can buy it new right now from Barnes and Noble and amazon.com. So far no sign of it in the UK or at the Book Depository, but I will keep you posted.
There will be an ebook (for the first time) but I am not sure when. I've just signed the amendment to the original contract. So for those who prefer books in electronic form, I will keep you posted on that, too.
______
*Anything being sold at either of these sites at a low price through a third party seller and described as "new" is actually no such thing. It will be the original edition and not that different from a used book, so expect signs of aging. (Also, like a used book, I don't get paid, but that's a different subject.)
It's a stand-alone (which is not to say that I've never thought about writing sequels) in a setting similar to 18th century Europe. It is not the same world as Goblin Moon and Hobgoblin Night, but writing it I found myself being inspired by that same era. They called it the Age of Reason, but a little research reveals that it was also an Age of Unreason. So while you shouldn't expect to meet the dashing Francis Skelbrooke in this novel, there is, instead, the equally dashing Will Blackheart. And an opportunity to meet the original Goblin Princess.
Once upon a time the world was ruled by the beautiful, decadent goblins known as the Maglore. At last mankind rose up in rebellion and gained their freedom, exterminating the Maglore race in the process ... or did they?
Maglore magicians had once created jeweled novelties known as Philosophic Engines, each with a specific purpose and a power far greater than its appearance would suggest. With the Maglore gone, humans divided the world into many small nations, each dependent on one of the tiny engines -- which were hidden away in plain sight. Without them economies could collapse, the sea flood low-lying regions, and earthquakes and volcanoes threaten the north. A thousand years passed.
Then disaster threatens in the kingdom of Mountfalcon when the Chaos Machine, the Mountfalcon Jewel, goes missing. If news of the theft should leak out the result would be wide-spread panic and perhaps revolution. Captain Will Blackheart is appointed to find the Jewel if at all possible. As his search takes him beyond the kingdom's borders, he begins to suspect a greater conspiracy, one that threatens the rule of more than one nation, and worse: evidence that the Maglore, not extinct after all, may be behind it all.
Seduction, intrigue, magic and madness, come together as swashbuckling adventure in a fantastical baroque world.
"Wonderful, lush, and enchanting." —Kate Elliott
"An exciting story set in a vividly imagined world and elegantly told." —Poul and Karen Anderson
"Brilliantly crafted and utterly engrossing, The Queen's Necklace is the most original and intriguing work of fantasy I've read in a long, long time —Katharine Kerr
"Epic in scope and imagination, covering centuries and miles with equal deftness ... long live The Queen's Necklace!" —Rosemary Edghill
You can buy it new right now from Barnes and Noble and amazon.com. So far no sign of it in the UK or at the Book Depository, but I will keep you posted.
There will be an ebook (for the first time) but I am not sure when. I've just signed the amendment to the original contract. So for those who prefer books in electronic form, I will keep you posted on that, too.
______
*Anything being sold at either of these sites at a low price through a third party seller and described as "new" is actually no such thing. It will be the original edition and not that different from a used book, so expect signs of aging. (Also, like a used book, I don't get paid, but that's a different subject.)
