New Releases by Michael J. Sullivan

Die aufziehende Gefahr – der Vormarsch der Elben. Die einzige Hilfe in höchster Not – aus einer versunkenen Stadt. Der wahre Herrscher – ein alter Bekannter. Zum letzten Mal liegt alles an Hadrian und Royce, das Schicksal auf die richtige Seite zu zwingen. Die Elben haben Nidwalden durchquert und die Nordlande mit beängstigender Leichtigkeit erobert. Jetzt bedrohen sie ganz Elan. Die Zeit und die Umstände drängen. Zusammen mit einigen Freiwilligen um die Prinzessin Arista müssen Hadrian und Royce erst die versunkene Stadt Percepliquis finden, in der eine letzte Waffe gegen die von den Elben ausgehende Gefahr liegt. Der scheinbar aussichtslose Weg führt sie tief hinab unter die Erde. »In dieser epischen Fantasy zeigt sich der Aufstieg eines Meistererzählers.« Library Journal

One of fantasy’s finest next-generation storytellers continues to break new ground. Michael J. Sullivan’s trailblazing career began with the breakout success of his Riyria series: full-bodied, spellbinding fantasy adventures whose imaginative scope and sympathetic characters won a devoted readership and comparisons to fantasy masters Brandon Sanderson, Scott Lynch, and J.R.R. Tolkien himself. Now Age of Myth inaugurates an original five-book series. Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between humans and those they thought were gods changes forever. Now only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer; Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom; and Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people. The Age of Myth is over. The time of rebellion has begun. Magic, fantasy, and mythology collide in Michael J. Sullivan’s Legends of the First Empire series: AGE OF MYTH • AGE OF SWORDS • AGE OF WAR

What’s on the horizon for 2016 and beyond? Find out in this annual ebook sampler of excerpts from some of Del Rey’s most exciting science fiction and fantasy titles! Inside are a slew of iconic authors and brands. Michael J. Sullivan, the author of the Riyria series, kicks off an original five-book saga. Elizabeth Moon revisits her classic military sci-fi epic Vatta’s War with a new standalone novel. Science Fiction Hall of Famer Connie Willis returns with a satire of love and (mis)communication. China Miéville, one of the most consistently original voices in any genre, presents a brilliant work of alternate history. And a bold era of World of Warcraft storytelling begins with a tale of justice and vengeance. Here, too, are emerging voices and incredible new visions. At the edge of the Russian wilderness, a young girl tries to protect her family from terrifying fairy tales come to life. In Kolkata, India, a college professor learns of a race of people at once more than human yet kin to beasts. An ordinary family in England undertakes a ten-year period of servitude to a ruling class endowed with powerful magic. A contestant on a reality TV show, cut off from all outside contact, learns that the real world may have changed in terrifying ways. A young man with inexplicable powers is recruited by a secret training program at West Point. And in South Dakota, a child falls through the earth—only to wake up in the palm of a giant metal hand. This marvelous ebook sampler contains excerpts from eleven recent and upcoming works: AGE OF MYTH by Michael J. Sullivan THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE by Katherine Arden COLD WELCOME by Elizabeth Moon CROSSTALK by Connie Willis THE DEVOURERS by Indra Das GILDED CAGE by Vic James THE LAST DAYS OF NEW PARIS by China Miéville THE LAST ONE by Alexandra Oliva THE POINT by John Dixon SLEEPING GIANTS by Sylvain Neuvel WORLD OF WARCRAFT: ILLIDAN by William King

Der Erbe - in den Händen des Feindes. Die Hochzeit - eine tödliche Falle. Der Gegner - ein alter Bekannter. Mit den Feierlichkeiten will Saldur, der Regent des Neuen Imperiums, das Schicksal seiner Widersacher endgültig besiegeln: Arista, die Hexe von Melengar, und Degan Gaunt, der Erbe Novrons, sollen öffentlich hingerichtet werden. Um Arista und Gaunt zu retten, muss Hadrian am großen Turnier von Aquesta teilnehmen und einen Ritter töten. Royce hingegen jagt Merrick Marius, seinen größten Feind - und ältesten Freund. Gleichzeitig steht die Hochzeit der Imperatorin Modina an, der Höhepunkt der Feierlichkeiten, auf den schon bald ein tödlicher Unfall folgen wird ... (Laufzeit ca 10 h 38)

Not bound, as a book. Free. The new anthology from Shawn Speakman embodies that magical idea.

Der Hilferuf – von einer alten Hexe. Der Übeltäter – ein betrunkener Adliger. Die Retter – ein ungleiches Diebesduo. Das erste Abenteuer von Hadrian und Royce, lange bevor sie den berüchtigten Titel »Riyria« annehmen. Hadrian ist zwar seit Neuestem ein Dieb, aber er hat noch Ideale. Also überredet er seinen viel durchtriebeneren Partner Royce, einer alten Frau zu helfen, in deren Scheune sich ein Landstreicher breitgemacht hat. Aber Royce hat wenig Lust, sich die Probleme der Bäuerin aufzuhalsen. Und Hadrian hätte besser auf ihn gehört – denn die gute Tat bringt die beiden Diebe schon bald in größte Schwierigkeiten. Dieses E-Book-Original enthält neben einer Erzählung aus der Riyria-Welt Leseproben zu allen Bänden der Reihe.

Allzu menschlich Für Ellis Rogers kommt die Diagnose wie ein Schock: Er hat nur noch ein paar Monate zu leben. Nachdem er sein Leben lang auf Nummer sicher gegangen ist, setzt Rogers jetzt alles auf eine Karte – denn in seiner Garage hat er eine Zeitmaschine gebaut. Sein Plan: in die Zukunft reisen, um dort nach einem Mittel gegen seine Krankheit zu suchen. Doch als die Maschine tatsächlich funktioniert, katapultiert sie Rogers in eine Zeit, die mit unserer Gegenwart nichts mehr zu tun zu haben scheint ...

In einem Turm – ein uraltes Geheimnis. Das Problem – ein Ungeheuer. Die Rettung – zwei Diebe. Hadrian und Royce möchten eigentlich nur ein paar Bauern in einer armen Gegend helfen. Und auf einmal sind sie in die undurchsichtigen Pläne des Zauberers Esrahaddon verwickelt. Das mittellose Mädchen Thrace bittet Royce und Hadrian, ihr abgelegenes Dorf vor den nächtlichen Angriffen eines unbekannten Ungeheuers zu schützen. Dabei stoßen die beiden allerdings auf viel größere Schwierigkeiten als gedacht: Die Kreatur scheint unbesiegbar. Einer alten Prophezeiung nach kann nur das Geheimnis im alten Elben-Turm von Avempartha den mit allen Wassern gewaschenen Dieben weiterhelfen. Warum tauchen aber plötzlich Vertreter des Adels und der Kirche von Nyphron in der gottverlassenen Gegend auf? Und welche Ziele verfolgt Esrahaddon der Zauberer?

Le sort de l''Empire est entre les mains d''un voleur... La guerre a atteint Melengar. Une fois de plus, Royce et Hadrian sont recrutés pour une dangereuse mission : former une alliance clandestine avec les nationalistes, en guerre contre le pouvoir. Tandis que la domination de l''Empire de Nyphron ne cesse de s''étendre, Royce soupçonne qu''une ombre mystérieuse manipule son ami. Pour connaître la vérité, il doit découvrir le secret du passé d''Hadrian. Une révélation qui pourrait bien briser leur amitié, et mettre fin à leur duo, alors que le chaos menace... « Un tourbillon de coups de théâtre, de surprises fracassantes et de trahisons fatales. » Literary Magic

O SEGUNDO VOLUME DA TRILOGIA REVELAÇõES DE RIYRIA Os reinos dos homens estão unificados sob uma mesma bandeira, o Novo Império, apoiada pela Igreja de Nyphron, a mais poderosa instituição existente. Apenas um território permanece independente, Melengar, com cada vez menos aliados e vendo as forças inimigas crescerem sem poder fazer nada. Em meio a isso, os mercenários Royce e Hadrian se veem envolvidos em conflitos políticos e são contratados pela princesa Arista, de Melengar, para escoltá-la em uma perigosa missão diplomática. Assim, os três partem em uma jornada para garantir que a iminente guerra não signifique um massacre das forças de resistência e para descobrir seus reais papéis no mundo. Isso os conduz a embates épicos e viagens aos confins das fronteiras conhecidas, onde criaturas malignas vivem à espreita. • Ascensão do Império é o segundo volume da trilogia Revelações de Riyria, precedido por Roubo de espadas. • Foi publicado originalmente em dois volumes: A ascensão de Nyphron e Tempestade de Esmeralda. • Os livros de Michael J. Sullivan já foram publicados em mais de dez idiomas.

La fortune sourit aux audacieux... Royce et Hadrian, voleur et mercenaire, n''ont jamais reculé devant une mission. Le danger, c''est leur fonds de commerce. Alors, quand on leur propose la fortune servie sur un plateau d''argent, ils pensent n''en faire qu''une bouchée. Ils n''avaient pas prévu qu''on leur tendrait un piège. Les voilà accusés du pire des crimes : l''assassinat du roi ! Pour sauver leur peau, ils n''ont pas le choix. Il leur faut dénouer les fils d''un mystère qui, depuis des générations, renverse les monarques et bouscule les empires... « Un tourbillon de coups de théâtre, de surprises fracassantes et de trahisons fatales. » Literary Magic

Der König - getötet. Der Mord - zwei Dieben in die Schuhe geschoben. Die Drahtzieher - unbekannt. So beginnt die atemberaubende Geschichte der beiden Gauner Hadrian und Royce, die alles zu bieten hat, was Fantasyleser lieben: Abenteuer und Verrat, Schwertkämpfe und Liebestränen, Magie und Mythen. (Quelle: Buchdeckel verso).

Two thieves want answers. Riyria is born. . . For more than a year Royce Melborn has tried to forget Gwen DeLancy, the woman who saved him and his partner Hadrian Blackwater from certain death. Unable to get her out of his mind, Royce returns to Medford with Hadrian but the two receive a very different reception -- Gwen refuses to see them. The victim of abuse by a powerful noble, she suspects that Royce will ignore any danger in his desire for revenge. By turning the thieves away, Gwen hopes to once more protect them. What she doesn''t realize is what the two are capable of -- but she''s about to find out.

Two men who hate each other. One impossible mission. A legend in the making. Hadrian Blackwater, a warrior with nothing to fight for, is paired with Royce Melborn, a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Hired by an old wizard, they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm''s most prized possessions. But it isn''t gold or jewels that the wizard is after, and if he can just keep them from killing each other, they just might succeed.

Two men who hate each other. One impossible mission. A legend in the making. Hadrian Blackwater, a warrior with nothing to fight for, is paired with Royce Melborn, a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Hired by an old wizard, they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm''s most prized possessions. But it isn''t gold or jewels that the wizard is after, and if he can just keep them from killing each other, they just might succeed.

Geheel op eigen kracht wist het aanstormende fantasy-talent Michael J. Sullivan via het internet naam te maken. Inmiddels verschijnt zijn veelgeprezen serie Openbaringen van Riyria in diverse landen. Centraal in deze verhalen staat het weergaloze roversduo Rolf Molenbeek en Hadriaan Zwartwater; onweerstaanbare dieven die in ruil voor een flinke zak goud elke klus aannemen. EEN STORM VAN SMARAGDEN Een onderschept bericht verraadt een plan om het koninkrijk Melengar van de kaart te vegen twee rasdieven zijn de enigen die dit kunnen voorkomen. Eigenlijk is het tweetal niet langer actief, maar Hadriaan Zwartwater ziet een verband met zijn zoektocht naar de verloren Erfgenaam van Novron en vaart uit naar een onbekende bestemming. Ernstig bevreesd dat Hadriaan zonder hem zal sterven, besluit de schelm Rolf Molenbeek zijn ex-partner op diens zoektocht te vergezellen. Wat volgt is een aaneenschakeling van tegenslagen en verraad. En misschien wel het pijnlijkst van alles: Hadriaan wordt geconfronteerd met een verleden dat hij liever verborgen had gehouden. `Een wervelwind van plottwists, wereldschokkende verrassingen en dodelijk verraad. Literary Magic

Rolf Molenbeek en Hadriaan Zwartwater worden ingehuurd door een boerenmeisje om haar dorp te beschermen tegen nachtelijke aanvallen van een moorddadig monster. Terwijl Rolf zich inspant om de geheimen van een oude elfentoren te ontrafelen, probeert Hadriaan de dorpsbewoners zover te krijgen dat ze zich wapenen tegen de onzichtbare vijand. Maar wanneer vertegenwoordigers van de Kerk van Nyphron met een hele stoet edelen het dorp binnenvallen, blijken die heel andere plannen met het elfenmonster te hebben. Vastberaden blijven de twee kemphanen jagen op het gespuis, samen met een magiër, een dwerg en een prinses, en dat heeft gevolgen voor het hele land...

The New Empire intends to mark its victory over the Nationalists with a bloody celebration. On the high holiday of Wintertide, the Witch of Melengar will be burned and the Heir of Novron executed. On that same day the Empress faces a forced marriage, with a fatal accident soon follow. The New Empire is confident in the totality of its triumph but there''s just one problem-Royce and Hadrian have finally found the true Heir of Novron -- -and they have their own holiday plans. When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations series online, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere. Heir of Novron is the final volume of The Riyria Revelations and includes Wintertide and -- available for the first time -- the final volume, Percepliquis.

IMPORTANT NOTE! This edition of Percepliquis is being released for readers of the original Ridan editions of The Crown Conspiracy. It does not include book 5, Wintertide. If you''re reading the omnibus editions from Orbit, you should purchase Heir of Novron (which includes both Wintertide and Percepliquis). Percepliquis is the final installment of the epic fantasy, The Riyria Revelations. In this saga that began with The Crown Conspiracy, two thieves caught in the right place at the wrong time were launched on a series of ever escalating adventures that have all lead to this moment. Three thousand years have passed and the time for Novron''s heir to act has arrived.

The adventure continues as Royce and Hadrian aid the struggling kingdom of Melengar as it alone stands in defiance against the newly formed empire. War approaches and a desperate gamble behind enemy lines is their only chance at forming an alliance with the Nationalists to the south. But Royce has plans of his own as he uses this opportunity to discover if an ancient wizard is using Riyria as pawns in his own bid for power. To find the truth, Royce must unravel Hadrian''s hidden past. What he discovers will lead them to the end of the known world, on a journey rife with treachery and intrigue. When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere.

Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles-until they are hired to pilfer a famed sword. What appears to be just a simple job finds them framed for the murder of the king and trapped in a conspiracy that uncovers a plot far greater than the mere overthrow of a tiny kingdom. Can a self-serving thief and an idealistic swordsman survive long enough to unravel the first part of an ancient mystery that has toppled kings and destroyed empires? And so begins the first tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend. When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere.

The Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) considered trade-offs made by the military services before validating requirements for four of the seven proposed programs it reviewed in FY 2010. According to Dept. of Defense (DOD) officials, the most significant trade-offs are made by the military services during the analysis of alternatives (AOA), which occurs between the JROC''s review of an Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) and its review of a Capability Development Document (CDD). The Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 (WSARA) directed JROC to ensure trade-offsamong cost, schedule, and performance objectives are considered as part of its requirements review process. This report addresses (1) the extent to which the JROC has considered trade-offs within programs, (2) the quality of resource estimates presented to the JROC, and (3) the extent to which the JROC is prioritizing requirements and capability gaps. Includes recommendations. Figures. This is a print on demand report.

For nearly 30 years, the statutory provision, known as Nunn-McCurdy (NM), has been an oversight tool for Congress to hold the DoD accountable for cost growth on major defense programs. A NM breach occurs when a program''s unit cost exceeds certain thresholds. When that happens, DoD must notify Congress of the breach. There are a number of statutory provisions that help implement cost growth reporting under NM. Referring to these statutory provisions as the NM process, this report examines trends in NM breaches and factors that may be responsible for these trends. It also discusses changes DoD is making or proposing to make to the NM process. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

The past two years have seen the Congress and the DoD take meaningful steps towards addressing long-standing weapon acquisition issues -- an area that has been on the high risk list since 1990. This testimony focuses on the progress DoD has made in improving the planning and execution of its weapon acquisition programs and the potential for recent acquisition reforms to improve program outcomes. The testimony includes observations about: (1) DoD''s efforts to manage its portfolio of major defense acquisition programs; (2) the knowledge attained at key junctures of a subset of 42 weapon programs from the 2009 portfolio; (3) other factors that can affect program execution; and (4) DoD''s implementation of recent acquisition reforms. Illus.

The DoD has planned to invest billions of dollars in development and procurement of unmanned aircraft systems. This testimony is based on an exam¿n. of 10 unmanned aircraft acquisition programs: Global Hawk, Reaper, Shadow, Predator, Sky Warrior, Fire Scout, Broad Area Maritime Surveillance, and Unmanned Combat Aircraft System-Demo., and Multi-Platform Radar Technol. Insertion Program, and Airborne Signals Intell. Payload. The testimony focuses on: (1) Cost, schedule, and performance progress of the 10 programs; (2) Extent to which the mil. services collaborated and identified commonality among the programs; (3) factors influencing the effectiveness of the collaboration; and (4) recent DoD investment decisions related to these acquisitions.

As of July 2008, about 75% of casualties in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan were attributed to improvised explosive devices. To mitigate the threat from these weapons, DoD initiated the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) program in Feb. 2007, which used a tailored acquisition approach to rapidly acquire and field the vehicles. To date, about $23 billion has been appropriated for the procurement of 16,000 MRAP vehicles. This testimony describes the MRAP acquisition process, the results to date, lessons learned from that acquisition, and potential implications for improving the standard acquisition process. The auditor reviewed DoD''s plans to buy, test, and field the vehicles and discussed the plans with department and contractor officials.