The Book of Fallen Leaves, a powerful tale of ambition, vengeance and sacrifice in this masterful fantasy retelling of an ancient Samurai saga, packed with memorable characters, stunning worldbuilding and epic adventure.
Mark your calendars, The Book of Fallen Leaves, the blockbuster epic fantasy event of the year, by A. S. Tamaki is in presale (the best time to buy a book), and ready to hit the bookshelf on Mar 17, 2026. Our anticipation is palpable. Published by Orbit, this retelling of an ancient Samurai saga is making waves with early readers. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on the cover from the publisher’s official description to early reviews that will help you pre-order your copy ASAP. Let’s dive in!
If you’re passionate about supporting writers, participating in presales is one of the most impactful things you can do. Think of it as a vote of confidence for an author and their work. When you preorder a book, you’re directly contributing to its success before it even launches. These early sales generate excitement and demonstrate that there’s a strong demand for the book.
In This Spotlight On The Book of Fallen Leaves
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About The Book of Fallen Leaves
Sen Hoshiakari is an exiled prince of a clan that lost everything in his father’s failed rebellion. Deprived of his birthright, Sen is determined to restore his family’s lands and honor at any cost. Rui is a peasant girl who saved Sen’s life on the night his family were put to the sword. But now, she is adrift and unsure of her place in the world, not knowing that the gods themselves have plans for her …
As civil war throws the empire into chaos, and demons seek vengeance on the living, Sen and Rui must fight for both their clan and their shared future … But vengeance demands a bloody price.
Truly Epic Fantasy: With its rich world, captivating characters, and massive stakes, The Book of Fallen Leaves, the first book in an epic fantasy trilogy, will appeal to fans of epic fantasy tomes like The Rage of Dragons, The Shadow of the Gods, Game of Thrones, and The Poppy War.
A myth retelling, from an underrepresented culture, The Book of Fallen Leaves draws from The Tale of the Heike, a 900-year-old epic samurai saga that has yet to be retold in the fantasy novel space.
Japanese culture is extremely popular in America. From popular manga series like One Piece and Naruto to epic live-action dramatizations like Shogun, the American audience has proven their appetite for stories from a Japanese perspective.
Praise for The Book of Fallen Leaves
“The Book of Fallen Leaves is a sprawling, complex fantasy epic that reads like real history. Ambition and vengeance, loyalty and betrayal, and characters caught in a tragic web of fate are the hallmarks of an impressive debut that builds slowly and steadily toward a brutal finale.”—Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga
“The Book of Fallen Leaves is the beautifully-wrought story of people shaped by their violent past careening headlong toward an even bloodier future. I loved it, and I think that readers in search of family feuds, political savagery, and complex characters on both sides of an epic, unfolding war will love it too.”—Nioholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld
“The Book of Fallen Leaves is lyrically told, rife with history and political intrigue. This is the rare book that is somehow both vast and intimate—with battles that leap off the page and characters who yearn to do what’s right.”—Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter
About A. S. Tamaki, Author of The Book of Fallen Leaves
A. S. Tamaki grew up in Los Angeles, where he spent his childhood climbing trees and making short films in his backyard. After 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.
You can reach out to A. S. Tamaki on his website, and on Instagram.
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Orbit
ISBN Paperback 9780316588089
Pub Date Mar 17, 2026
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