Jennifer Jackson – Literary Agent

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

“Narrated by a young woman seeking revenge, Seth Dickinson’s first novel, “The Traitor Baru Cormorant,” is a fascinating tale of political intrigue and national unrest. Baru Cormorant is just a girl when the Empire of Masks conquers her island. The new rulers create roads and better sanitation, but their strong-fisted policies erode the country’s economy and punish the people cruelly if they don’t adhere to a rigid code of sexual conduct. Baru decides that the only way to fight such oppression is to infiltrate the government. But just how brutal will she have to become to undermine an empire? Dickinson moves the plot steadily along as he explores issues of sexual oppression and colonial power.” — Washington Post

The Aeronaut’s Windlass (Cinder Spires 1) by Jim Butcher

“Jim Butcher long ago proved that he had what it takes to write long, complex, but wildly readable series. The Aeronaut’s Windlass is the start of a new one of wider scope and more detail, and reads like more of an adventure than a lot of the stories classed with it in the category of Steampunk. It is also a new and interesting spin on the genre that takes all the trappings of Steampunk–­goggles, copper as the metal of choice, airships–­and has them make sense in a new context, so they are not just props and settings like they are in a lot of Steampunk tales, but vital to the story. And he doesn’t stop there. What Butcher has done, essentially, is take the visual trappings of Steampunk and make a whole other world that is rather Victorian, but not bound to actual Earth history. It makes sense in ways that a strict reliance on history and science wouldn’t allow, opening up all kinds of new story options that Aeronaut’s Windlass doesn’t hesitate to run with. The story is about the start of a war based on complicated social and trade alliances and grudges, and is handled in such a way that those potentially dry facts are never a drag on the momentum or the clarity of the text. Aeronaut’s Windlass is a complete story, with a clear end, and yet it also effectively sets up for so much more action, adventure, and worldbuilding. It’s exciting to think what future books could bring.” — New York Journal of Books

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

“Be she traitor or patriot by the end of the book—to who might be the more pertinent question—Baru Cormorant must be the most memorable character fantasy fiction will feature in 2015. Happily, the narrative Dickinson designs around her is every inch as rich and convincing. His debut is paced like a race—excepting some slight slowdown in advance of a surprisingly action-packed last act—and never less than poetically put.

All told, The Traitor Baru Cormorant is a devastating debut—and doubly so due to a twist in the tale I’ll be damned if Dickinson doesn’t nail. A financial fantasy reminiscent of nothing so as The Folding Knife, it’s filling, chilling and thoroughly thrilling.” — Tor.com

Family in the Making by Jo Ann Brown

“The Matchmaking Babies series continues as Lord Arthur Trelawney decides to spend more time with the rescued orphans staying at his family’s estate. Arthur believes it a splendid idea, particularly if he courts a widowed acquaintance with two babies. However, that was before it put him in close proximity with lovely nurse Maris Oliver. Maris is drawn to Arthur, but she also knows he’s getting ready to woo someone else. Not only that, but they are both hiding secrets that could threaten their developing relationship. Lord Trelawney is a wonderful, gallant hero, and his slow-building love story with Maris is one to enjoy. This is a candid reminder that no matter the situation, the Lord’s hand is always upon us.” — RT Book Reviews, 4 stars

The Aeronaut’s Windlass (Cinder Spires 1) by Jim Butcher

“VERDICT: The author blends familiar steampunk and fantasy elements (airships, wizardry, and heroes from a monarch’s guard) in a fresh and wonderful way that results in a fantastic ride. This should well satisfy fans of fantasy, sf, or their stepchild steampunk.

With this novel, Butcher (“The Dresden Files” series) launches a new fantasy series, and it is a splendid beginning indeed. After throwing a carefully calculated tantrum, Gwendolyn Lancaster, heir to one of the most powerful families in Spire Albion, enlists in the Spirearch’s Guard in which she meets her cousin Benedict, a warriorborn who has the blood of lions in his veins, and Bridget Tagwynn, last daughter of a fallen house and her guardian cat, Rowl. Adding to the mix is Captain Grimm and his airship Predator; the ensemble cast is completed with etherealist Master Ferus and his apprentice Folly. These characters’ individual concerns are soon washed away by an invasion of the spire and a call from the Spirearch himself for their unique talents. Like many a Butcher novel, once the setup is complete, the action is nonstop to the end.” — Library Journal, Starred Review