2014: The New Fiction Selection

Continuing our peek into 2014, today we’re talking about some brilliant new fiction, and whether it’s a stunning stand alone or the beginning of an epic new series there’s something for everyone …

If its a stand-alone story you’re looking for, this is the place! So watch out for the superb Jules Verne sequel Twenty Trillion Leagues Under the Sea by Adam Roberts charting the story of a submarine which goes on an astonishing underwater journey. Brought to added life by the most astonishing illustrations, this is a wonderful stand-alone adventure.

John Scalzi also releases a new stand-alone novel in 2014 with his fantastic new story Lock In. We’re keeping the story top secret for the moment, but his previous Hugo award winning novel Redshirts proved one of your favourites of 2013, and this is another great story – and superb premise – to enjoy.

If you prefer your SF a little harder, though, Greg Bear has the perfect story for you. War Dogs takes real scientific developments, a bit of extrapolation, and weaves it together into a compelling SF thriller which provides mind-bending science and edge-of-seat reading at the same time.

Justina Robson also returns this year, with the first in a new series that fuses SF and fantasy tropes together into one stunning world and thought-provoking story. Set in an astonishing, original world, where nothing is quite so straightforward as it seems, Glorious Angels is a must-read for anyone who likes their fiction to challenge as well as entertain.

If a fantasy quest is more your thing, though, Stephen Hunt has joined Gollancz with a brand new series. Carter longs for adventure. His father Jacob just wants a quiet life. When slavers attack their town, its clear only one of them is going to get their wish. In Dark Service is a true, world-spanning, epic adventure through an astonishing world -and there are a few surprises in store …

For sword and sorcery traditionalists there is great news too. The mighty Sam Sykes is back, with the first of a new adventure: The City Stained Red will have you on the edge of your seat, swept up in the action from the very first page. Grab your sword and join in – this is a funny, sharp, sarcastic tale of brilliance.

We’re also looking forward to a stand-alone with a difference this year. Have a box of tissue handy, because Sarah Pinborough’s The Death House is going to be a heart-breaker. Set in an old Victorian boarding school, this is the home children are taken to when genetic markers for terminal diseases are discovered in their blood. There may only be a few of them, but they are united by one thing: their time is short. It may be certain that they are going; the question is how they choose to live …

And finally, we have one more new series to announce. In news that we know many readers have been eagerly awaiting, we can confirm that Charlaine Harris is launching a superb new series this year, beginning with the landmark new novel Midnight Crossroad. We’re not going to give away any spoilers just yet, so we’ll leave you with just a few teasers: it’s a wonderful new story and new set of characters; this is just a little darker and more surprising than some Sookie fans might be expecting (my goodness there are some humdingers for you to look forward to!); and Team Gollancz absolutely loved it. We can’t wait to welcome you to Midnight . . .