Welcome to this week’s #FearlessWomen post, where for the next several months, I’m celebrating the releases of some Tor Books Fearless Women authors! I’m thrilled to be sharing this week’s book drop with you, Jacqueline Carey’s latest, Starless. And in case you haven’t heard about #FearlessWomen yet, here’s what the campaign is about:
Women are shining in every genre of speculative fiction, and it is no longer enough to say “Women are here.” Instead, #FearlessWomen everywhere are taking a stand to say “Women will thrive here.”
Highlighting major titles from bestselling authors V.E. Schwab, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jacqueline Carey as well as titles from acclaimed and debut authors such as Mary Robinette Kowal, Tessa Gratton, Sam Hawke, and Robyn Bennis, #FearlessWomen will be a coordinated social media celebration encouraging fans to start a dialogue about women in publishing, their worlds, their voices, and their unique stories.
Tor Books’ handles across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@torbooks) will be using the hashtags #FearlessWomen (and #FearlessFantasy and #FearlessSF) to promote excerpts, exclusive content, quizzes and giveaways beginning in May. There will also be exclusive giveaways at BookCon, San Diego Comic-Con, and New York Comic Con. Follow Tor Books online, join the conversation – and get reading!
And now for this week’s highlighted book, Starless, which releases TODAY! Check out the cover, read the story blurb, and don’t forget to read my exclusive excerpt from the book:
Jacqueline Carey is back with an amazing adventure not seen since her New York Times bestselling Kushiel’s Legacy series. Lush and sensual, Starless introduces us to an epic world where exiled gods live among us, and a hero whose journey will resonate long after the last page is turned.
I was nine years old the first time I tried to kill a man…
Destined from birth to serve as protector of the princess Zariya, Khai is trained in the arts of killing and stealth by a warrior sect in the deep desert; yet there is one profound truth that has been withheld from him.In the court of the Sun-Blessed, Khai must learn to navigate deadly intrigue and his own conflicted identity…but in the far reaches of the western seas, the dark god Miasmus is rising, intent on nothing less than wholesale destruction.
If Khai is to keep his soul’s twin Zariya alive, their only hope lies with an unlikely crew of prophecy-seekers on a journey that will take them farther beneath the starless skies than anyone can imagine.
Exclusive excerpt:
Within minutes, the entire lot of us were traipsing through the camp toward the lake, men and women separating into two streams; and it seemed nigh every single one of the clans was doing the same. In the sky above us, Nim the Bright Moon was full, bathing the oasis in silvery light. Shahal the waning Dark Moon shone red as a garnet, and there on the eastern horizon was Eshen the Wandering Moon, a pale blue crescent, speckled like an egg and surrounded by a faint nimbus. All three of their faces were reflected in the shimmering black expanse of the water, and it was a magical sight, as though the faces of Zar’s three divine lovers were reflected in the pupil of his vast eye.
Following the lead of the others, I took off my scarf and sandals in the thick sedge grass around the edge of the lake and hiked my breeches to my knees before wading into the calf-deep water. The night air was cool, but the water retained the warmth of the day’s sun. It felt strange to be immersed in it, my feet and shins moving sluggishly against the resistance of so much liquid.
All around, people were laughing and splashing, scooping up handfuls of water and pouring them over one another’s heads.
“You’re the shadow, right?” The boy who’d brought the news addressed me. “Do me, and I’ll do you.”
“Do what?” I asked in confusion
“Offer the Three-Moon Blessing!” He cupped his hands and filled them with water. “Bow your head.” I did, and he poured water over my head, repeating the gesture twice more. It ran down my neck and into my eyes, turning cool against my skin. “Now me!”
About the author:
JACQUELINE CAREY is the author of the New York Times bestselling Kushiel’s Legacy series of historical fantasy novels, The Sundering epic fantasy duology, postmodern fables “Santa Olivia” and “Saints Astray,” and the Agent of Hel contemporary fantasy series. Carey lives in western Michigan.
And you can follow the other #FearlessWomen participants as well! Each one will have exclusive content on their blog posts, so check them out:
This is a Metaphor
Dark Faerie Tales
Cherry Blossoms & Maple Syrup
SciFi Chick
The Bibliosanctum
Tenacious Reader
Itching For Books
Across the Words
Fantasy Literature
I’m really interested in this one. And after reading the excerpt, want it even more!
I haven’t read her work in forever – I’m going to have to fix that! This sounds great!
I was blown away by Caliban and Miranda, so need to track down this one… Thank you for sharing this.
I’ve yet to try anything by Carey, but have been meaning to for some time. I’ve read great things about the Kushiel series, and my brother recommended Kushiel’s Dart after reading it.
Thanks for sharing this excerpt. I hadn’t heard of the book before that teaser definitely piqued my interest 🙂
Yes! So excited! My next read, probably…I know I say that about everything, but I’ll manage it by starting like three books at once, lol!
I really want this book. I just love Carey – although, I admit I have sky high expectations now. Fingers crossed.
Lynn 😀
I love Carey’s fantasy books, her writing, her characters and her worldbuilding are always, always on point. I already have a copy of this waiting to be devoured! I still have to finish the third trilogy in her Kushiel world but I adored the other books. I am not usually big on romance but, Carey does them right!
I’ve seen this around and have been extra curious about what it might be about and if it would deliver. Do you plan on reading this soon? Would love to get your insight on this hahah 😀 Thanks for sharing!