Acquisition Announcement: THE MERCY MAKERS by Tessa Gratton
Orbit is thrilled to announce we’ve acquired The Mercy Makers, the first book in a new epic political fantasy trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Tessa Gratton! In the vein of Kushiel’s Dart and The Priory of the Orange Tree, this book is a darkly sexy, queer, and complex exploration of the ethics of faith, the nature of empire, and how the interplay between romance and politics can upend the levers of power completely.
In an empire where dabbling in the magic of human architecture is the most transgressive, heretical act imaginable, Iriset is an outlaw. A prodigy in human architecture and the daughter of a powerful undermarket criminal, she uses her secret skills to create disguises for those in her father’s organization. But she longs to do more with her forbidden pursuit: to enhance what it means to be human by giving people wings, night-sight, and other abilities; to unlock the possibilities of gender and parenthood; to cure disease and even to end mortality itself.
But everything changes when Iriset’s father is captured and sentenced to death for his crimes. To save him, Iriset must use the magic of human architecture to infiltrate the palace and the empire’s fanatical ruling family.
As she races against time, Iriset realizes she has a chance, and therefore an obligation, to do more than just save her father—she could bring down the entire corrupt system. To do so, though, she’ll have to entangle herself in the lives of the emperor and his sister, getting them to trust and even to love her. But love is a two-way street, and the magic of Iriset’s own heart is the most mysterious and impenetrable human architecture of all.
From author Tessa Gratton: “In 2010 I wrote down the first line from the Jack Gilbert poem “Failing and Flying”: “Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew.” The idea of ecstasy being worth the fall gradually developed into ambitious, dangerous Iriset and her fracturing world. Like all my books it’s about love, but here love might not be what saves you, it’s what burns the world to the ground. I’m dying to share it with readers, especially through the support and editorial genius we’ve found at Orbit.”
From editor Angelica Chong: “I am over the moon to be working with Tessa on this incredible book. I knew from the first page that I was reading something special, and every subsequent page proved me right, all the way to an ending that made me want to read the sequel immediately. If you like books that explore the entanglements of politics, power, and sex; messy, reckless, morally questionable female leads; and maybe more than a touch of weirdness to your fantasy—you’ll love The Mercy Makers!”
The Mercy Makers will publish in Summer 2025. In the meantime, you can find Tessa on Instagram @tessa.gratton and at her website https://www.tessagratton.com/.
Tessa Gratton (she/they) is the New York Times bestselling author of adult and YA SFF novels and short stories that have been translated into twenty-two languages, nominated twice for the Otherwise Award, and several have been Junior Library Guild Selections. Though she has lived all over the world, she currently resides at the edge of the Kansas prairie with her wife.
Orbit US associate editor Angelica Chong acquired World rights from Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.