Books

Five incredible literary dystopias you may not have heard of

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It would be misleading to say that my new novel, Claudia, is a dystopia – most of it isn’t, though some of it is – but while I was working on the book I found myself reading heavily in the genre, which has always been a favourite of mine. Mind you, dystopia is probably a favourite genre of nearly everyone’s these days (have you seen these days?), and so it’s slightly dismaying that even now we tend to get the same familiar titles cropping up in lists of recommended dystopic reading. Here, then, I have assembled five literary counterworlds that I want to assure you are absolutely fantastic while perhaps being not quite so grindingly obvious as your Nineteen Eighty-Fours, your Brave New Worlds, even (post-Emmys) your Handmaid’s Tales. See what you think…

Books

The stunning Pinterest board behind Leife Shallcross’ The Beast’s Heart

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Dive into the PINspiration behind Leife Shallcross’ THE BEAST’S HEART, the ‘utterly enchanting’ (Kate Forsyth) retelling of Beauty and the Beast from the Beast’s point of view, publishing 3rd May 2018.

Film, Review

Spoiler-free but Oh So Many Feels review of Black Panther

By Woo Long Talks

Black Panther picks up one week after the seismic events of Captain America: Civil War and sees T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) grieving for the loss of his father, while preparing to ascend to the throne of king of the nation of Wakanda. Whilst he deals with this, he must also confront an old enemy from his nation’s past and deal with a new threat that could place the citizens of Wakanda and the world into jeopardy.

Books

6 books about time travel we wish we could go back in time and discover again

By Sam Bradbury

There are a lot of series out there that I wish I could go back in time and read again for the first time. Since I don’t have a time machine*, the second best thing I can do is recommend these wonderful books to new people and share the joy.

Books, Uncategorized

Cover Reveal: Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

By Sam Bradbury

Record of a Spaceborn Few, the brilliant new Wayfarers novel by Becky Chambers is officially released 6 months today! (We’re still working on that time machine, we promise!) And so to celebrate we’ve decided to finally reveal our cover! The third book set in the Galactic Commons, Spaceborn Few explores life in the Exodus fleet and is just as heartwarming, poignant and brilliant as its predecessors.

Books

The Memory of Fire – Read an Exclusive Extract!

By Sam Bradbury

To celebrate the publication of The Waking Land in paperback, we have a special treat for you today! We’re thrilled to be able to share an extract from Callie’s new book, The Memory of Fire.

The sequel to The Waking Land, this one follows Jahan and his mission to return home to the Empire and prevent a devastating war, while fighting to reclaim his tragic past. It’s full of magic, romance and revolution.

Books, Fun Stuff

5 Books To Read When You’re Missing Black Mirror

By Sam Bradbury

I don’t know about you, but my least favourite thing about Black Mirror is that there aren’t more episodes. The show is utterly brilliant, mind-blowingly fascinating, and completely unique (if sometimes also bleak and emotionally draining).

There’s nothing I can do about the fact that you want more Black Mirror (I’m sorry, I only get a limited amount of uses from my time machine before I rip a hole in the universe and there are a lot of movies I simply can’t wait see in the next few years). What I can do however is recommend 5 books that are perfect to tide you over until the release date of the next season.

Books, Fun Stuff

Lucky Ghost Extract and Paperback Cover Reveal!

By Sam Bradbury

Already missing Black Mirror? Lucky Ghost by Matthew Blakstad is the perfect book to plug the hole.

Books

Our favourite book covers of 2017

By Hodderscape Team

We’re all familiar with the old adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ – but with these books it was love at first sight.

Books, Fun Stuff

5 Urban Fantasy novels set in London

By Sam Bradbury

As the saying goes, ‘a bad day in London is still better than a good day anywhere else’. When I moved to London 3 years ago, I found this to be pretty accurate (I’m sorry Northern England, I still love you, I promise! Side note: are there any Urban Fantasy books set above the Watford gap?) and, in my opinion, the only thing that could improve it is the addition of magic, monsters and frequent animal sidekicks.

Books

13 new science fiction and fantasy books to look forward to in 2018

By Hodderscape Team

Join us as we gaze into our crystal ball, and look at all the new books we’re publishing in 2018.

Books

Where I Write: Leife Shallcross

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When it comes to finding the perfect writing space, there are a few things on my wishlist:

1) Access to endless cups of tea (and also good coffee, for extra points
2) Access to the stuff I’m using for research
3) Inspiration to keep me focussed
4) A door to close to minimise distractions for the perennially distractable

Books, Fun Stuff, News

Clockwork City Extract Reveal!

By Sam Bradbury

Next month, Gideon Tau and his foul-mouth alcoholic sidekick, Dog, return for another adventure in Clockwork City. Sequel to Poison City, Clockwork City sees them having to contend with Fae gangs fighting for territory, the murder-suicide of two Delphic agents and the seven deadly sins.

Oh, and did I mention they also have to run a heist to break into the most secure bank in Faerie? Because that’s on the agenda too. And if they fail? An ancient horned god will destroy London.

Just a typical day’s work, right?

Books, News

New Acquisition: A Forgery of Magic by Maya Motayne

By Sam Bradbury

To Finnian Voy, magic is two things. The first: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her. The second: a disguise she shrugs on as easily as others pull on cloaks.

It’s November, which in the publishing world means two things – firstly, Fleur is sad that Halloween is over, and secondly, book deals are flying all over the place. The weather outside might be chilly (does it get this cold every year?!) but that doesn’t mean everything has to be grim, so help us bring some sunshine by welcoming the newest member of the Hodderscape family – Maya Motayne!

Craft Corner, Fun Stuff

Three Australian artists creating fairytale artwork that’ll take your breath away

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I have this idea that writing fairy tales is a little bit like doing a colouring-in stencil. These old, old tales supply the outlines, but it’s up to me to imagine the details and add the colours. I think this is why I love silhouette illustrations so much. They leave so much unstated and offer the viewer such a delicious opportunity to exercise their own imagination.