This week brought two review copies and one ARC. The ARC is a print copy of Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear, and I was thrilled to open the package and find that inside! I did just recently talked about this book here if you missed it and are interested in learning more about it.

On to the new books…

Rise of Empire by Michael J. SullivanRise of Empire by Michael J. Sullivan

This is the second volume in the Riyria Revelations, following Theft of Swords (review). I had a lot of fun with the first volume, which actually contains the first two books in the series. Since I’ve heard the series only gets better, I’m really looking forward to continuing and finding out what happens next.

Rise of Empire contains Nyphron Rising and The Emerald Storm, books 3 and 4. It’s supposed to be released next week, but it looks like it’s already on sale at quite a few places. The conclusion, Heir of Novron, will be released in January 2012.

Samples from all the books are available online.

Royce and Hadrian have been called upon to aid the struggling kingdom of Melengar as it alone stands in defiance against the newly formed empire. As war approaches 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 and 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.

And so continues the second 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.

Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye WellsSilver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells

This is the fourth book in an urban fantasy series, Sabina Kane. The first three books are Red-Headed Stepchild, The Mage in Black, and Green-Eyed Demon. Silver-Tongued Devil will be published on December 27, but Jaye Wells is giving away 2 copies for Christmas on her blog right now. Chapter one is available on the publisher’s site.

I haven’t read this series since I’m missing the first book, but I’ve been hearing it’s a lot of fun!

Now that the threat of war has passed, Sabina Kane is ready to focus on the future. Her relationship with Adam Lazarus is getting stronger and she’s helping her sister, Maisie, overcome the trauma of her captivity in New Orleans. Even Giguhl is managing to stay out of trouble thanks to the arrival of Pussy Willow and his new roller derby team. But as much as Sabina wants to feel hopeful about the future, part of her doesn’t believe that peace is possible.

Her suspicions are confirmed when a string of sadistic murders threatens to stall treaty negotiations between the mages and the vampires. Sabina pitches in to find the killer, but her investigation soon leads her down dark paths that have her questioning everyone she thought she could trust. And the closer she gets to the killer, the more Sabina begins to suspect this is one foe she may not be able to kill.