Hardcovers: Fiction/Science Fiction & Fantasy

ABRAMS IMAGE

Boilerplate: History's Mechanical Marvel (Oct., $24.95) by Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett. The fictitious creation of the world's first robot soldier is caught in scenes throughout U.S. history.

ACE

Elegy Beach (Nov., $24.95) by Steven R. Boyett. This postapocalyptic fantasy is the sequel to Ariel.

First Lord's Fury: Book Six of the Codex Alera (Dec., $25.95) by Jim Butcher. The sixth book in the epic fantasy series follows Princep's Fury.

BAEN BOOKS

(dist. by Simon & Schuster)

Torch of Freedom (Nov., $26) by David Weber and Eric Flint. This sequel to Crown of Slaves takes readers back to the Honorverse; includes CD-ROM.

Live Free or Die (Feb., $26) by John Ringo. After ridding the planet of alien conquerors, Earthlings create a thousand trillion–ton battle station to secure the solar system. 50,000 first printing.

BALLANTINE

Divine Misdemeanors (Oct., $26) by Laurell K. Hamilton continues the Swallowing Darkness saga as Merry, pregnant with twins, retreats to L.A. to protect her unborn children.

DAW

Shadowrise: Vol. Three of Shadowmarch (Jan., $26.95) by Tad Williams. The concluding volume in the epic fantasy trilogy.

DEL REY

Star Wars: Death Troopers (Oct., $23) by Joe Schreiber. The crew of a crippled Imperial prison barge seeks help aboard an abandoned Star Destroyer—but finds something unexpected.

A Princess of Landover (Sept., $26) by Terry Brooks returns to the Magic Kingdom series with teenage Mistaya, who uncovers a treacherous magical plot. 5-city author tour.

DEL REY/LUCASBOOKS

Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Abyss (Sept., $27) by Troy Denning follows the battles of Leia, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and his son.

EOS

The Child Thief (Sept., $26.99) by Brom. As the world of Peter Pan is revealed through the eyes of a runaway, a fairy wonderland gives way to darkness; includes eight-page color insert and b&w art throughout. 35,000 first printing.

HYPERION

And Another Thing (Oct., $25.99) by Eoin Colfer presents the sixth installment of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 1 million first printing.

MEDALLION PRESS

(dist. by IPG)

There Be Dragons (Sept., $25.95) by Heather Graham. This tale of Christmas magic features 39 color illustrations.

ORBIT

Transition (Sept., $25.99) by Iain M. Banks merges the worlds of literature and sci-fi with a story of a shadowy group patrolling our world and others.

POCKET BOOKS

Flesh and Fire (Oct., $26) by Laura Anne Gilman launches a fantasy series in which magic derives from winemaking.

PYR

Prince of Storms: Book Four of the Entire and the Rose (Jan., $26) by Kay Kenyon concludes the story of Titus Quinn as he makes a choice for or against his homeland.

ROC

The Sword of the Lady: A Novel of the Change (Sept., $25.95) by S.M. Stirling. The third installment in a new story arc, set a dozen years after the events that occurred in A Meeting at Corvallis.

Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword of Avalon (Dec., $24.95) by Diana L. Paxson continues the saga of Avalon's extraordinary women with a tale of fiery visions, a lost king and a destiny waiting to be claimed.

Spectra

Blackout (Feb., $17.99) by Connie Willis follows the time-traveling adventures of grad students Polly, Eileen and Michael as they revisit the London blitz with profound consequences.

TOR BOOKS

The Winds of Dune (Sept., $27.99) by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson recounts the story of Lady Jessica, mother of Paul Muad'dib. 200,000 first printing. Author tour.

The Gathering Storm (Nov., $29.99) by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson kicks off the final three volumes of the bestselling A Memory of Light series. 1 million first printing. Author tour.

Hidden Empire (Dec., $24.99) by Orson Scott Card involves a near future in which the U.S. must be reunited after civil war and assassination. 125,000 first printing. Author tour.

Secret of the Dragon (Feb., $24.99) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. A world of Viking-like warriors on a quest to determine the fate of gods and mortals. 100,000 first printing.

VIZ/HAIKASORU

The Book of Heroes (Jan., $23.99) by Miyuki Miyabe (The Devil's Whisper) narrates a young girl's journey in a world blending fantasy and reality.

VIZ/SHONEN JUMP

Death Note: L, Change the World (Oct., $17.99) by M. spins off a story based on the Death Note manga character of L., with a live-action film tie-in.

WIZARDS OF THE COAST

The Ghost King (Oct., $27.95) by R. A. Salvatore brings about major changes to Drizzt while wrapping up the author's second Forgotten Realms series.