At present, I’m running low of debuts on my calendar. Since I have not yet moved my debut submission form to this blog, I wanted to point out that the form is still available and operative at Fantasy Debut, on this post:
I would like to add that I now intend to announce debuts in most print genres. However, because I’ve been a science fiction and fantasy blogger for so long, I only know about SciFi/Fantasy debuts. Until I get more knowledgeable, and until publicists and authors of those other genres learn of this blog, these weekly debut round-ups will skew heavily toward fantasy and science fiction.
So, here we go!
Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she’s a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.
Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire — and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.
With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London’s high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?
SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.
This sounds great fun, although I’m a bit concerned about the soulless part. According to a review at Enduring Romance, this might be less dire than it sounds. I love, love, love historical fantasy, but I’m not so into vampires. This is a strong maybe. It released on October 1st, which means my debut calendar was off by an entire month.
The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
Hat Tip: Yunaleska
Symir — the Drowning City. home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government.
For Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and spy, the brewing revolution is a chance to prove herself to her crown. All she has to do is find and finance the revolutionaries, and help topple the palaces of Symir. But she is torn between her new friends and her duties, and the longer she stays in this monsoon-drenched city, the more intrigue she uncovers — even the dead are plotting.
As the waters rise and the dams crack, Isyllt must choose between her mission and the city she came to save.
Oooh. Revolutionaries. Spies. And any city that is “drowning” is bound to be interesting. My good blog buddy Graeme was a bit disappointed in it, but still looks forward to the next volume. This novel came out in September.
~*~
Ok, I hope you aren’t disappointed by the lack of cover art. When I review a book, it will get the full cover art/link-up treatment. These are just little newsy items to help you learn about new debuts. The quicker I can get the posted, the more I’ll be able to do. And I hope I didn’t annoy you by having the links pop up in separate windows or tabs. I did this because I’m hoping you’ll want to read the rest of the post when you’re finished chasing the link.
If you know of a debut that should be on my calendar, please inform me of it using this form at Fantasy Debut. I will give you credit for the tip, as I did here for Yunaleska. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. That sort of thing.
Oooh, Soulless sounds like a lot of fun! I want that one.
I’ve browsed The Drowning City in Borders more than once, but there’s something about it that doesn’t pull me in. Can’t say why.
Soulless was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed that one.
The Drowning City sounded very interesting to me, but I was disappointed in that one as well. It had some strengths but it had some weaknesses as well and they ended up balancing out enough that I felt rather ‘meh’ about it. Especially since one of those weaknesses was that I couldn’t connect with the characters at all.
Maybe that’s what doesn’t pull me in. None of the characters seem to stand out to me.
Aww, no POD in the Debuts? 😉 Though I may submit for the “first chapter” proposition once the book is available in several weeks. That’s a great solution for what is (I’m sure) a mountain of POD requests.
Tia, the new sight looks coolly modern, and eventually I’ll even get used to it. 🙂 I agree that Soulless sounds interesting. I’m a huge fan of Victorian lit, so it should be fun. Have you read the YA novel, Shifter? I haven’t yet, but I keep seeing it around. I think it’s a debut novel.
I looked for it, but the only novel of that title that I’ve found appeared to be erotica. Do you know who the author is?
Dave, sorry about that! I feel your pain as a writer. But I only have so much time to be a blogger. I’ve made some exceptions, so go ahead and read my review policies and send me an email.
OK, will check into it and drop you a mail once the book’s available. Should be a couple of weeks yet. e.g. cover illustration, still in the pipeline. 🙂 Thanks!