Acquisition Announcement: The Book of Fallen Leaves by A. S. Tamaki

Orbit has pre-empted The Book of Fallen Leaves, a thrilling epic fantasy debut, from Japanese American author A. S. Tamaki.

Orbit UK Senior Commissioning Editor James Long agreed the deal with John Baker of the Bell Lomax Moreton agency. Orbit US Senior Editor Bradley Englert will be leading the North American publication.

The Book of Fallen Leaves is a fantasy retelling of 900-year-old Japanese samurai saga The Tale of the Heike, following two friends – one the heir to a disgraced warrior clan, the other a lowly servant – who form an unlikely friendship as civil war throws their land into chaos. Combining authentic worldbuilding with thrilling action and vicious intrigue, and then adding a dynamic cast of heroes and villains, gods and monsters, this is a superb epic fantasy that will hold huge appeal for fans of The Poppy War, She Who Became the Sun, The City of Brass, and Shogun.

The Book of Fallen Leaves will publish internationally in April ’26.

James Long said: “I was sold on this novel as soon as I read the ‘Game of Thrones with samurai’ pitch. Never have I wanted so much for a manuscript to live up to its billing. I was thrilled to find that Alex’s brilliant novel not only delivers on this premise, but offers so much more besides. This is a gripping story that is both intimate and epic, and is full of heartbreak and betrayal and sacrifice, all wrapped up in Alex’s vivid, atmospheric writing. It’s Shogun with added monsters, and I’m here for it.”

John Baker said: “Alex’s debut is the kind of epic fantasy masterpiece that I’ve always dreamed of working on. Gorgeously written, heartfelt and heartbreaking, The Book of Fallen Leaves is a modern classic. There couldn’t be a more perfect home for Alex’s series than with James and Bradley and I can’t wait for readers to get their hands on it.”

S. Tamaki said: The Book of Fallen Leaves is the book of my heart. It’s an epic tale of family, honour, love, revenge, and dark magic inspired by my own heritage, featuring characters that have been in my mind for years – think one part Song of Ice and Fire, one part Shogun, and one part Princess Mononoke – and I’m truly thrilled to be working with James, Bradley and the entire Orbit team to help share it with the world.

Alex / A. S. Tamaki is from Los Angeles, where he grew up climbing trees in the Santa Monica Mountains and making short films in his backyard. After pursuing martial arts and later rock climbing, he studied creative writing at Oberlin College before working in Hollywood for several years. He now lives in the Pacific Northwest, and when he’s not writing, spends his time routesetting at local climbing gyms. The Book of Fallen Leaves is his first novel.