NEW YORK, NY., August 8, 2013 – Today, Del Rey Books, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, announced the acquisition of three new novels by bestselling author Joe Abercrombie. HALF A KING – the first of three standalone but interconnected novels aimed at a crossover audience, including young adult readers – will be published in summer 2014.
“With this trilogy I've set out to do something a little different,” said Joe Abercrombie. “Shorter, tighter, and with a broad, page-turning appeal―while still giving readers the vivid characters, crunching action, twisting plots, and black humour that I'm known for. They're books that'll deliver a slap in the face with every page, and I'm very much looking forward to working with Del Rey to bring them to the widest possible American audience.”
"When we received HALF A KING, the book had an electric effect on myself and the whole Del Rey team, and not only because we're all hardcore fans of The First Law,” said Tricia Narwani, Editorial Director at Del Rey. “HALF A KING is thrilling, spellbinding--and uniquely accessible to readers of all ages. We'll be embarking on a unique promotional plan focused on winning over not just new fantasy fans but a YA audience as well. From Joe's longtime fans to young readers discovering his work for the first time, this is a book all devoted lovers of fantasy will embrace.”
A classic coming-of-age tale, set in a brilliantly imagined alternative historical world reminiscent of the Dark Ages with Viking overtones, HALF A KING tells the story of Yarvi, youngest son of a warlike king. Born with a crippled hand, he can never live up to his father’s expectations of what a real man should be and his destiny is not the throne but the Ministry, not the sword and shield but the book and the soft word spoken. But when his father and brother are killed, Yarvi is propelled to kingship and must sit in the Black Chair, between gods and men, and half a man must find a way to rule as half a king. Thus begins a gripping switchback ride of a tale that will carry Yarvi far beyond his kingdom, from the heights of royalty to the depths of slavery, during the course of which he must find better ways to fight than with a sword, and learn the lessons that will make him a man.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOE ABERCROMBIE is the bestselling British author of The First Law Trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings), and the standalone novels Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country. His work has been translated into 26 languages. Abercrombie previously worked in television production as a freelance film editor', working on documentaries, music videos and concerts for an array of stars from Barry White to Coldplay.
ABOUT DEL REY BOOKS:
Del Rey Books (http://www.delreybooks.com) was founded in 1977 as an imprint of Ballantine Books, a division of the Random House Publishing Group, under the guidance of the renowned Judy-Lynn del Rey and her husband, Lester del Rey. Del Rey publishes the best of modern fantasy, science fiction, and alternate history.