Philippa Ballantine - Author

Award-winning Author of fantasy, science fiction, and steampunk

Books of the Order

Wrayth by Jason Chan

Once again Jason Chan has delivered. Behold the cover of Wrayth! Coming August 28th from Ace Books.

I love how Jason has captured the trio looking towards the future. Merrick (YAY he’s on the cover!) looks concerned…as well he should. Sorcha is concentrating on the power in her hand (perhaps she is blinded by that). The Rossin is letting forth a challenging roar (are we going to see more trouble from him?)

What does that mean…. well, Wrayth reveals more about Sorcha’s past, and the Order faces new challenges from both geist and human forces.

Pre-order now from Amazon and Barnes and Noble

News on three fronts

It’s raining details over here right now…so here’s an update.

Check out my appearances page for where and when I will be around. We have a selection of cool events Tee and I will be attending in 2012- the largest (so far) is DragonCon. It’s been awhile since I’ve dropped into the madness in Atlanta—2008 in fact—so I am looking forward to it.

I chose DragonCon over World Con in Chicago next year, because by then my book with Pyr will be out. Hunter and Fox is part of the Shifted World series, and the book that I landed my agent Laurie McLean with. Thanks to an upswing in high fantasy we found a publisher for it, and I hope you enjoy this tale of twisted loyalties and epic scope. Look for Hunter and Fox in July 2012.

Wrayth the third book of the Order series (after Geist and Spectyr) is due out in September 2012. So in time to find out what those geistlords and Deacons are up to before next Halloween.

And finally we have a new title for the second book of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. It will be called The Janus Affair- a title more in keeping with the series. It should be out in late May/early June 2012.

In the coming weeks and months I’ll be sharing the cover art for these three books. I what I have seen so far is beautiful work.

Thanks once again to all you readers and listeners who have helped me get this far.

Fine Day for a review

It’s Christmas Eve, and just as you are contemplating cooking your fruit pudding to go with brandy custard tomorrow- someone you admire sends you a review. Someone you didn’t ask to. Someone you never imagine knew you existed.

Felicia Day is one awesome powerhouse of a woman, and beloved in the circles I travel in for her work in Buffy, Dollhouse, Dr Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, and the Guild, her own webseries that she wrote, produced and starred in.

I particularly love her approach to life. She’s working both indie and traditional routes in her chosen field. A method that I am working on myself. Also, I have heard from people that have met her she’s a sweet, kind, person.

So to find she gave Geist 4 stars on Goodreads.com made my Christmas.

I love when a book makes me ponder before marking which shelf to place it on. This is definitely a fantasy novel, but with a strong urban fantasy attitude, some steampunk/paranormal thrown in and just enough romance to keep me rooting for the characters…. they were all distinct and Sorcha, the main female character, was tough but BELIEVABLE, she never tried to hard to be competent: she just WAS. Everyone’s personality was well balanced against each other, and I definitely rooted for them to succeed!

There may be a lot of great reviews coming in for Geist, but this one I will remember.

She also said she can’t wait for the next book. If I need any further inspiration to keep going on the third books, Wrayth- this is it.

And it’s full of WIN to be on your vaginal-fantasy book shelf!!!!!

Spectyr revealed

I just got back from PhilCon where I got to spend sometime with Danielle from Ace Books. She’s a delight- and not just because she bought another two books from me!

She gave me the go ahead to reveal the cover for Spectyr- the second in the series coming in late June 2011.

Jason Chan has once again done a beautiful job, and I can’t wait to get this poster for my wall right next to Geist. There is the Rossin and there is Sorcha- this time using the cleansing flame, Pyet.

Spectyr bookcover

Two more…every dream come true

So here’s the news that I will be telling people at Philcon right at the moment this post drops.

This past week Danielle of Ace Books asked for another two books in the Geist world!

To say this makes me happy is an understatement. I love this world, and I love working with Sorcha, Merrick and Raed. The chance to continue their adventures is something I hoped for. I imagined maybe they might consider another book, so to be contracted for two is just wonderful.

The first book (titled Wrayth) needs to be handed into Ace on August 1st 2011- and the fourth (so far dancing around ideas for its title) on August 1st 2012.

As to publication dates- that I do not know. It is up to Ace and what their schedule is like. As soon as I know I’ll let you know. I also hope Jason Chan will be on board for the covers of these as well.

The whole concept of Geist was for a four book arc, and things are really going to change for my Deacons and the Young Pretender. Thank you for your continuing support, and keep reading and reviewing Geist. It all matters, and while this is a great sign, I do still need to make my mark in this new career of mine.