Announcing The Captain and NOTHING ELSE

3/2/2023

If you haven't already, watch the announcement video here!

All the way to the end. You get to see an alien's twisted claw.

So anyway, The Captain, Book 1 of a new series I'm calling "The Last Horizon," is coming on April 4th! For those of you whose concept of time is as warped as mine, that's only a month away!

Here's the synopsis:

“To survive in this galaxy, you need a wand in one hand and a gun in the other.”

On a little-known planet, Archmage Varic Vallenar casts a grand spell to empower himself with the magical abilities of his alternate selves. The ritual works too well, granting Varic not only the magic but also the memories from six lives.

Including their gruesome deaths.

Now, Varic has power greater than any wizard in galactic history, but he knows that won’t be enough. The enemies he faced in those alternate lives were apocalyptic in scale. Terrors of technology and magic. Nothing that he, or anyone, can defeat.

Sun-eating extra-dimensional insects, shadowy secret organizations, genetically enhanced alien super-soldiers, ruthless megacorporations, and hordes of cyborg undead all lurk in the darkest corners of the galaxy, and Varic knows that any of them can become a world-ending threat at any moment.

All these are beyond any wizard, no matter how many spells he’s mastered or how many interstellar warships he’s rallied to his cause. Hopeless, Varic finds himself trying to preserve what little he can from the coming doom.

Until he hears rumors of a mythical starship, an invincible vessel of heroes made to do battle against galactic threats.

A ship called The Last Horizon.

~~~

The pre-order begins on March 21st! So, if you're American, we blast off on 3/21!

If you count your dates 21/3, then that cute little coincidence will mean nothing to you.

As always, this will be a simultaneous release in ALL FORMATS, so ebook, paperback, and audiobook.

Whenever I say this, people still ask me about the audiobook, so I'm going to preemptively say it again: the audiobook will be coming out on the same day!

We always do it that way because we love you all and because spoilers cause chaos and suffering.

More importantly, Travis Baldree will be narrating (I mean, who else would we get?).

~~~

Another cool thing: ComicBook.com did an interview with me a few days ago that they released today!

I thought that was pretty neat. Look, Ma, I'm on a real website!

I posted the cover art everywhere BUT here, because I don't want this already-long blog to take up the entire page, but we had a great time working with the artist: Simon Carr, a veteran with a ton of fantasy covers under his belt.

And that's about all I have to announce! I hope you all enjoy The Captain, and I look forward to seeing you on the bridge of The Last Horizon!

-Will

P.S. Waybound June 6th

53 Comments

Jeff Weatherspoon

3/2/2023 09:15:27 am

Yay!!!! Waybound!!!

Mikey

3/6/2023 08:28:10 pm

Will You magnificent Bastard

Anxious reader

3/19/2023 09:24:03 pm

Anxious reader “Will, how many jacks are in jack in the box?”

Will “1”

Anxious reader “ No Will, you are one jack off!”

Hannah

3/2/2023 09:16:58 am

So excited for both and for you!

Now go rest!

erdar2

3/2/2023 09:18:20 am

Prologue: In the last 200 years, the executor program was a success. The Abidan thrived like never in the past. But then everything changed when the fire nation attacked and Lindon died, thus creation was lost again.

Kaiser Soze

3/3/2023 03:49:17 am

There is no war in Ba Sing Se

Steve

3/2/2023 09:22:42 am

Can’t wait to read the new book. All of your series have been excellent! I’m sure that you have some trepidations following up a new series after Cradle (and us crazy fans) but I have no doubt that the new series is going to be a fantastic read. Thanks for keeping us entertained.

Kandra

3/2/2023 09:28:44 am

What about hypospray format...or is that copyright infringemen? D:

Nic

3/2/2023 09:35:17 am

They forged Lindon's remnant into a spaceship eh?

Clint

3/2/2023 09:35:34 am

A thousand times, Gratitude!

Tyler

3/2/2023 09:47:25 am

can't wait to check out both!

David

3/2/2023 10:07:35 am

Is the audiobook being released at the same time?

Jessica M

3/2/2023 10:14:24 am

Hell. Yes. Both for the new series announcement (and if it wasn't Travis baldree I would think you were a pod people replacement) and for the waybound announcement.

I have enjoyed all of your books, but the cradle series in particular reminds me of when I first discovered Pern when I was in middle school. The same sense of wonder and adventure and how the characters in the book become your friends.

I look forward to finding that same sense of adventure and a whole new series, even though it means saying goodbye to the friends we made in cradle!

Rob F

3/14/2023 02:20:50 pm

Ah Pern... discovered it in grade school! I feel the same way about Cradle and Pern.

Andrew

3/2/2023 10:18:10 am

Super stoked about the new book and Waybound announcement. Thanks for the link to the interview too. I appreciate everything I have experienced that you have been involved with.

Mal

3/2/2023 11:29:02 am

"You get to see an alien's twisted claw."

Oh, Will. Rebecca must have thick skin with all the grief you give her.

Bob Smith

3/2/2023 03:50:56 pm

What a wonderful birthday present!

Mikey T

3/2/2023 04:04:03 pm

Is there a preorder for new series?

3/2/2023 06:36:56 pm

Doh, I see. In my excitement for confused on what preorder was for. Apologies.

Matthew link

3/3/2023 07:04:57 am

Will, I needed something between Cradle to listen to and Brandon Sanderson “Claim The Stars” series was do one I picked up and it got me hooked. Especially with all these multi-planetary convos going on the book was really fun so I am very much looking forward to expanding further into these spacy horizon’s. Excellent job burying the lead, June 6th. Going back to download and listen to the other 11 again just to make sure I will be ready for the ensuing violence.

Cradle Fanatic

3/4/2023 04:51:27 am

I prefer JF Brink over Brandon Sanderson right now. I think Sanderson is losing his edge. The last two stormlight archives were extremely boring and an epic failure with all the droning unnecessary dialog.

Tim

3/5/2023 07:37:55 am

You can prefer one over the other, but JF Brink and Sanderson are not only not in the same league - they're playing different sports. Comparing epic fantasy to serials simply doesn't make sense.

Neil

3/13/2023 06:25:04 pm

Not even close. Sanderson still has it, even if the last Stormlight book wasn't it. Tress of the Emerald Sea was a masterclass of storytelling.

Christy

3/3/2023 09:23:15 am

Nooooooooooo 6/6/2023 is the day Diablo IV releases!! Now I'm going to have to choose between reading OR gaming- the horror!!!!!!

Kenon

3/3/2023 09:50:04 am

Just purchase the audio book and game while having your ears massaged by the dulcet tones of Travis Baldree!

3/3/2023 10:32:13 am

Lucky, most games have micro transactions ( pay for catch up ), and live service model ( no free catch up plus moving goal posts ) so I recommend the book ( known value exchange )

Adam

3/3/2023 03:36:44 pm

Um. Minalin the Spellmonger, destined to be archmage, went seeking knowledge, and gained the memories of six lives. Dark threats from across the universe threaten his world and he has to call for the help of a spaceship called... the New Horizon.

Shon

3/3/2023 05:50:04 pm

9 technically but that's exactly what I was thinking lol

3/17/2023 09:18:09 pm

Thanks! I forgot it was nine. i recently finished the books to the point they left off and so this hit really close to mark on whats going on in them.

mant65

3/4/2023 08:51:45 am

I hope that the Last Horizon series takes after the Spellmonger series in the non-central power progression and multi-directional, multi-level problem solving.

Shon Thomas

3/3/2023 05:48:30 pm

Hmm sounds a bit like the Spellmonger series! April 4th sounds suspicious! Either way I'm for it haha keep it up Will love your stuff.

Rob

5/8/2023 04:22:17 pm

It reminded me of Margaret Weis's novel set in a universe where science and magic worked to various degrees as you traveled from one zone to another. No sequel ever came, and it was left on a cliffhanger. Starshield it was called: the concept of quantum weather (the in-universe explanation for zones of magic and technology) fascinated me.

3/4/2023 04:45:25 am

Please ole mighty author of great intriguing works. This poor soul has been working himself into a frenzy re reading Wintersteel, Reaper, and Dreadgod in hopes that the the final epic book would be out in APRIL. I would donate my left testicle to be able to get that book now. Please? Pretty Please?? LOL!!!!

Frankfurter

3/10/2023 06:51:18 pm

From my understanding, Will would want both testicles and a hot dog.

BANKS

3/5/2023 10:42:34 am

I am seriously going no where near any of your new books until after waybound. Hear that publishers...... So Travis, I started Mark of the Fool today in honor of your Cradle narrating.

John Sullivan

3/6/2023 02:31:02 pm

Come on Will I can’t wait that long for Waybound! I’ve been hooked on these books for to long. Lol. Hope all is well.

Pmet

3/7/2023 06:58:58 am

When does the pre-order link for way bound come out?

Josh Howl

3/7/2023 10:31:44 am

Ayyy, hyped for this book!
Hopefully fleshing out and writing a new portion of the Williverse was exciting. I love Cradle to death but not every writer can go full Robert Jordan and write the same story for their whole life.

Waiiiting for Waybound

3/7/2023 10:14:11 pm

The Captain, first chapter sneak preview on youtube, on Will's Channel!

DamagedDingo

3/8/2023 11:52:07 pm

Is that in the morning of June 6th in Australia, or do we wait until the 7th? I always get this mixed up but I want to put in for leave.

Bewildered

3/11/2023 02:52:49 am

I'm pretty sure Amazon releases based on local time so Aussies get to read and comment on it the day before the Yanks do.

Plot spoilers to be released here? ;-)

3/11/2023 02:50:25 pm

Nice.
Now if only the USA would stop referring to everything by season and use Q1-4 instead, I’d be even happier :)

Blake link

3/9/2023 10:58:33 am

This news makes me unreasonably happy.

Tyler merchant

3/10/2023 03:53:42 pm

Wow the new series gets published on my birthday. So excited

3/11/2023 02:51:08 am

If it were any other author I'd probably think The Last Horizon sounded cool. But after the epicness that is Cradle it's hard to imagine TLH will be able to maintain that level of quality.

If I'm mistaken and it is Cradle level good ... :-)

dreadpiratejam

3/12/2023 03:51:17 pm

Preorder is available where I am on Amazon.

Neil Ganti

3/13/2023 06:28:39 pm

Will, as much as I'm hyped for Waybond, I'm looking forward to your new series more. Don't get me wrong; I love the Cradle series and what you've done with it, but seeing you stretch your boundaries and try something new is great.

I will always value authors who aim to try new things and aren't stick in the same rut. The Traveler's gate was the series I read previously, and it very much was your first series.

I liked it but compared to Cradle, it's clear you were growing/ learning. Hence, I hope that this series can actually one up Cradle. All in all, congratulations for the success of this book and the final Cradle book; keep up the excellent work.

Haiden Pritchard

3/16/2023 02:47:28 pm

Let's go! New book and th release date of cradle,
This blog just made my day. Already pre ordered The captain

Nicole

3/18/2023 08:14:26 pm

Just listened to the podcast sneak peek. Will, you're an evil genius. 20 minutes and I'm addicted. 😘

Emmanuel Ahman

3/24/2023 08:05:39 am

I know you're busy... but I have been checking this blog daily for some content. Please, post something. Anything... tell us how Cradle's final installment is coming.... anything. Please don't be like Rothfuss and his Doors of Stone

Bill

3/27/2023 08:49:01 am

Through waybound is the last cradle book, is that the end of Lindons story or are you going to release a series that takes place in the way

3/28/2023 09:10:17 am

How do I preorder paperbacks? I don't see the option on Amazon. Only kindle and audiobook can be preordered right now.

Deeksha

4/4/2023 06:18:49 am

Hello I am about to get sappy. I love the cradle series on so many levels, and it’s been my go-to favorite te series that I reccomend to everyone. I’ve read every book a few times over, and I’m both excited and heartbroken for waybound because yay new cradle book and also last book. The other thing is, thank you for making this available on kindle unlimited! I have read this entire series on kindle unlimited and because of the fact that you made it available on kindle unlimited, I have been able to read read it literally since the age of nine (try to guess my age lol). I also recently started reading elder empire and I suppose I must read the captain, but I will be salty about the fact that it delayed the waybound release. All of that is to say, thank you for this phenomenal series.

In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.