Science fiction: aliens / UFOs

Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestseller and Hugo Award-winner John Scalzi, The Android’s Dream is a wild-and-woolly caper novel of interstellar diplomacy.‘The Android’s Dream is just the right gene-splicing of fast action and furious comedy SF has been needing for ages’ – SFF180When a human kills an alien during diplomatic negotiations, the fall-out is astronomical. To prevent interstellar war, humanity must deliver an extremely rare sheep for the aliens’ coronation ceremony – or face enslavement. So Earth’s government turns to Harry Creek: ex-cop, war hero and hacker extraordinaire.It should be a straightforward mission, but there are others who covet the priceless animal. Ruthless mercenaries, a religious cult, and alien races eager to spark revolution. Harry’s mission will take him across the galaxy, as he tries to pull off the grand diplomatic coup of the century. There’ll only be one chance to save the life of the sheep – and ensure the future of humanity.Praise for John Scalzi:‘John Scalzi is the most entertaining, accessible writer working in SF today’ – Joe Hill‘Scalzi is one of the slickest writers that SF has ever produced’ – Wall Street JournalTrade ReviewWith plenty of alien gore to satisfy fans of military SF and inventive jabs at pretend patriotism and self-serving civil service, Scalzi delivers an effervescent but intelligent romp -- Publishers WeeklyThe Android’s Dream is just the right gene-splicing of fast action and furious comedy SF has been needing for ages -- SFF180Equal parts crime story, diplomatic drama, political intrigue and science fiction adventure . . . This is one of those books that makes science fiction fun -- SFSignalIt's a great read, and nothing to be sheepish about liking -- SFRevuRemarkably well-crafted entertainment . . . Highly, and enthusiastically, recommended -- SFSiteJohn Scalzi is the most entertaining, accessible writer working in SF today -- Joe Hill

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Book SynopsisIn a world devoid of hope, is revenge the only way out?The Argus Space Station looks down on a nightmarish Earth. And from here, the Committee enforces its despotic rule. It governs a corrupt world, where the poor are starving – and are policed by mechanized overseers wielding identity-reader guns. There are also too many people and too few resources, so the Committee has decided twelve billion people must die. So they prepare to unleash the full power of their Station’s weaponry to make this happen. Alan Saul wakes to this world, confined in a crate bound for a Calais incinerator. He doesn’t know why he’s there; he only remembers pain and his tormentor’s face. And he has company: Janus, a rogue intelligence, who is inhabiting forbidden hardware in his skull. As Janus shows his host a damaged Earth, Saul resolves to discover who he was – and kill his interrogator. Next he will take on the Committee and topple their debased regime.The Departure is the first fast-paced book in the Owner trilogy by acclaimed science fiction author Neal Asher.'Delivers plenty of thrills' – SFX'Fast, dramatic stuff . . . rapid pace, great action, messy consequences' – SFFWorld'I had an absolute blast with this book . . . his work really does get better and better' – FalcataTimesTrade ReviewFast, furious, violent, slightly tongue-in-cheek (I think), and a whole lot of fun that makes 1984 seem like a children’s tea party . . . the start of another promising series from Asher. Go on, dive in, you won’t be disappointed -- British Fantasy SocietyDelivers plenty of thrills, and the climax also sets up a very intriguing status quo for the second volume -- SFXFast, dramatic stuff . . . this is a book with lots of Asher trademarks: rapid pace, great action, messy consequences -- SFFWorldI had an absolute blast with this book . . . his work really does get better and better -- Falcata TimesThe Orwellian intro had me utterly hooked right from the start. I simply couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end -- WorldsInInkAction packed and thrilling, The Departure is a must for all fans of contemporary science fiction who haven’t experienced Asher’s visceral novels before -- We Love This Book

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Book SynopsisIn Neal Asher's The Technician, the Theocracy has been dead for twenty years, and the Polity rules on Masada – but it is an order that the rebels of the Tidy Squad cannot accept, and the iconic Jeremiah Tombs is top of their hitlist.Its secrets could mean our survival . . .On the savage planet of Masada, one of the native aliens is spreading terror through the human population. It creates sculptures from its victims’ remains, earning it its nickname: the Technician. And only Jeremiah Tombs has survived an encounter. This sent him mad, but he may have learned something key to humanity’s survival – if he lives to remember it. Jeremiah was a member of a brutal regime, now deposed, and a radical sect still wants its revenge. The Technician buried something in Jeremiah’s mind about the alien Atheter, an entire race that committed suicide. However, in seeking to understand their disappearance, we may somehow be attracting the same fate. And to unlock Jeremiah’s secrets, Polity operatives must keep him alive.Trade ReviewThe Technician is no doubt one of the best new novels I have read this year. It's got a fantastic inner journey with fast-paced alien-world action. * Cybermage *I know that when a tale from him arrives that I’m going to get a story that I absolutely love. * Falcata Times *Neal Asher's books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain -- John Scalzi on The SoldierMagnificently awesome. Then Asher turns it up to eleven -- Peter F. Hamilton on The Soldier

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Book SynopsisNow in a new trade paperback edition for the Tor Essentials line, A Fire Upon the Deep is sure to bring a new generation of SF fans to Vinge''s award-winning works.A Hugo Award-winning Novel!Vinge is one of the best visionary writers of SF today.-David BrinThousands of years in the future, humanity is no longer alone in a universe where a mind''s potential is determined by its location in space, from superintelligent entities in the Transcend, to the limited minds of the Unthinking Depths, where only simple creatures, and technology, can function. Nobody knows what strange force partitioned space into these regions of thought, but when the warring Straumli realm use an ancient Transcendent artifact as a weapon, they unwittingly unleash an awesome power that destroys thousands of worlds and enslaves all natural and artificial intelligence.Fleeing this galactic threat,

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Book SynopsisIn the cold reaches of space, are they sowing the seeds of battle?Alan Saul is now part human and part machine, and our solar system isn't big enough to hold him. He craves the stars, but can't leave yet. His sister Var is trapped on Mars, on the wrong side of a rebellion. And Saul's human side won't let her die. He must leave Argus Station to stage a dangerous rescue – but mutiny is brewing on board.Serene Galahad is the earth’s latest dictator, with its full powers at her disposal – and she’ll do anything to prevent Saul from escaping her grasp. So she musters new warships, ready to unleash a terrifying display of interstellar violence. The previous ship sent to end Saul failed, and is now limping back to earth. One survivor is Clay Ruger, who is holding to ransom humanity’s greatest asset – seeds to rebuild a dying Earth. He’ll give them up if Galahad gives up her life. But will Galahad pay the price, to ensure humanity’s future?Jupiter War is the final book in the Owner trilogy by Neal Asher.‘This dizzying and unusually thoughtful space opera . . . The result is a challenging, extremely satisfying read' – Publishers Weekly‘Expertly ratchets up the narrative tension and excitement with high-tech mayhem and technological razzle-dazzle' – Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewThis is a dizzying and unusually thoughtful space opera . . . The result is a challenging, extremely satisfying read -- Publishers WeeklyJam-packed with . . . invention, and just downright, in-your-face, balls-to-the-wall action -- SFFWorldNeal Asher is a real SF professional, and you won’t be disappointed -- EarthianHivemindFast, furious, violent, slightly tongue-in-cheek (I think), and a whole lot of fun that makes 1984 seem like a children’s tea party . . . the start of another promising series from Asher. Go on, dive in, you won’t be disappointed -- British Fantasy Society on The DepartureThe Orwellian intro had me utterly hooked right from the start. I simply couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end -- WorldsInInk on The Departure

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Book SynopsisEarth is falling. Will our call for help be heard? The Saints of Salvation is the extraordinary conclusion to Peter F. Hamilton’s Salvation Sequence: a high-octane adventure from a master of the genre.'The most powerful imagination in science fiction' – Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the EarthLive in hiding – or die for freedomHumanity welcomed the Olyix and their utopian technology. But mankind was tricked. Now these visitors are extracting a terrible price.For two years, the Olyix have laid siege to Earth, harvesting its people for their god. One by one, cities are crumbling beneath their devastating weaponry. And while millions have fled to seek refuge in space, others continue to fight an apparently unwinnable war.As Earth's defeat draws near, a team attempts to infiltrate the Salvation of Life – the Olyix’s arkship. If it succeeds, those chosen will travel to a hidden enclave thousands of light years away. Once there, they must signal its location to future generations, to bring the battle to the enemy. Maybe allies scattered throughout space and time can join forces. Yet in the far future, humanity are still hunted by their ancient adversary. And as forces battle on in the cold reaches of space, hope seems distant indeed . . .The Saints of Salvation is the third and final book in the Salvation Sequence by Peter F. Hamilton.'A stirring finale' – Guardian'It delivers on every level' – Daily MailTrade ReviewPeter F. Hamilton brings his Salvation trilogy to a satisfying climax . . . a stirring finale -- GuardianThis is outstanding sci-fi, monstrous in scale both physical and temporal, with knock-out thrills and spills . . . It delivers on every level -- Daily MailA massive, knock-your-socks-off, bravura finish -- Locus MagazineA rousing, action-packed space opera that further cements his reputation as a master of the genre . . . Fans will be thrilled to see this series go out on a high note -- Publishers Weekly, starred reviewExceptional . . . shows a writer that is the master of his genre, delivering everything expected, and more. Highly recommended -- SFFWorldThe Saints of Salvation is exactly what I have come to expect from a Peter F. Hamilton novel – grand awe-inspiring celestial vistas and plots that manage to be both devilishly simple yet also fiendishly complex. I can confidently confirm you’ll find all that and more in his latest masterwork -- EloquentPageA satisfactory conclusion -- SFCrowsnestPrepare for science fiction on a truly galactic scale . . . This was an awe-inspiring read -- RunalongTheShelvesEverything readers of Salvation will have hoped for. A series emerging as a modern classic -- Stephen Baxter, author of Time, on Salvation LostThis is galactic-scale space opera . . . audacious, exciting, funny and just happens to have the most terrifying alien invasion concept I've ever encountered -- Alastair Reynolds, author of Revelation Space on Salvation LostSavage, brilliant and compelling. A masterclass in tension and spectacle -- Gareth L. Powell, author of Embers of War, on Salvation Lost

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Book SynopsisGoodreads Choice Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is a masterful epic science fiction novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of the Inheritance Cycle, Christopher Paolini.'Action-packed SF adventure that zings along at hyperluminal speed' – Peter F. HamiltonKira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds.Now she’s awakened a nightmare.During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move.As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn’t at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human.While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest and final hope . . .Praise for Christopher Paolini and his work: 'Christopher Paolini is a true rarity' – Washington Post'An authentic work of great talent' – New York Times Book Review'A breathtaking and unheard of success' – USA Today'Christopher Paolini makes literary magic' – PeopleTrade ReviewA powerful piece of SF, with intelligent writing and big ideas -- Adrian TchaikovskyPaolini’s impressive imagination has produced an action-packed SF adventure that zings along at hyperluminal speed, with Kira as one of the most memorable characters of the genre -- Peter F. HamiltonRollicking pace, rapidly developing stakes . . . A fun, fast-paced epic that science fiction fans will gobble up -- Kirkus ReviewsPaolini populates this universe with a large cast of interesting and relatable characters . . . lending the story a sincere emotional depth. Highly recommended for fans of James A. Corey's The Expanse series and for fantasy fans willing to try space opera -- Booklist starred reviewFans of all kinds, one can be sure, will come to question, and stay to explore -- Washington PostGreat space opera with rockets on -- Daily MailAn authentic work of great talent -- New York Times Book Review on Christopher PaoliniA true rarity -- The Washington Post on Christopher PaoliniA breathtaking and unheard of success -- USA Today on Christopher PaoliniPaolini make[s] literary magic -- People on Christopher Paolini

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Book SynopsisWeaponized is a thrilling far-future space opera by acclaimed science fiction author Neal Asher, a standalone adventure set in the expansive Polity universe.A bright new future for humanity – or a dark and inescapable past.Ursula has lived twice the normal human lifespan, courtesy of the latest technology. But now she’s struggling to find excitement and purpose, so signs up to the Polity’s military. She excels in weapons development, and progresses rapidly up the ranks. But after botching a powerful new ammunition test, she’s dismissed from service.Hunting for a simpler, more meaningful existence, the ex-soldier heads for the stars. And after founding a colony on the hostile planet of Threpsis, Ursula finally feels alive. Then deadly raptors attack and the colonists are forced to adapt in unprecedented ways. The raptors also raise a deeply troubling question: how could the Polity have missed these apex predators? And alien ruins? Meanwhile, biophysicist Oren has formed his own survival plan – one he’ll pursue at any cost.As a desperate battle erupts to consume the planet, Ursula finds she must dig deep into her past to ensure humanity’s future.Trade ReviewGleeful but superbly controlled action-adventure -- The TimesNeal Asher’s books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain -- John Scalzi, author of The Kaiju Preservation SocietyMagnificently awesome. Then Asher turns it up to eleven -- Peter F. Hamilton, author of the Salvation Sequence, on The SoldierA richly imagined, exotic world, non-stop action and unimaginable stakes -- Yoon Ha Lee, author of Ninefox Gambit, on The Soldier

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Book SynopsisA world of peaceful aliens conquered by bloodthirsty yumens, their existence is irrevocably altered. Forced into servitude, the Athsheans find themselves at the mercy of their brutal masters. Desperation causes the Athsheans to retaliate against their captors, abandoning their strictures against violence. In defending their lives, they endanger the very foundations of their society. Every blow against the invaders is a blow to the core of Athsheans'' culture. And once the killing starts, there is no turning back.Winner of the 1973 Hugo award for Best Novella, and nominated for many others, The Word for World is Forest is part of Le Guin''s ''Hainish Cycle''. It explores a future history of Earth and pacifistic ideals in its depictions of violence, colonialism and resistance.''A simple story that, like most things Le Guin wrote, packs a powerful emotional and critical punch''- Tordotcom''Deeply moving and shocking by tTrade ReviewThe slender book is fairly simplistic, but it's still compelling and thought-provoking. * SFX *It's a compact tale, a masterclass by a powerful writer who fashions a lean narrative where others might have produced a much larger, bloated tome, and yet for all the brevity Le Guin delivers not just a narrative but a believable alien world and society in short yet compelling scenes. * FORBIDDEN PLANET *

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Book SynopsisA shapeshifting alien race invades the Marvel Universe in this exciting re-imagining of the bestselling comic book event from the author of one of its original tie-ins. WHO DO YOU TRUST? The shapeshifting alien race known as the Skrulls have infiltrated every branch of the Marvel Universe, from S.H.I.E.L.D., to the Avengers, and even interplanetary defence force S.W.O.R.D. As the New Avengers watch leader of the Hand, Elektra, transform into a Skrull after her death, they come to realise that an attack is coming, one that has been planned for many years. From heroes to villains, anyone could be a Skrull in disguise. Uncertain of who to trust, the team tries desperately to unite against an unseen foe. But it is too late. The invasion has begun. A crashed ship in the Savage Land. A prison break at the Raft. Thunderbolts Mountain under attack. And an armada of Skrull ships approaching Earth. Scattered and hopeless, heroes and villains alike must team up to fight a war they never saw coming, the fallout of which will change the face of the Marvel Universe as we know it. BASED ON THE BESTSELLING MARVEL EVENT BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS AND LEINIL FRANCIS YU.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE AUTHOREasily my favorite thing to spring out of Secret Invasion so far. – IGN, on Cornell’s Captain Britain and the MI:13 runThis book is a strong follow-up, a good standalone story, and an excellent read for fans of dark urban fantasy. - Publishers Weekly on The Severed StreetsNo one balances the lighthearted and the unnerving more deftly than Cornell. --Daniel Abraham, co-author of The ExpanseAn elegant, elegiac examination of identity, fictionality, God and humanity itself--but also a very, very funny story about a crew of dopes. I love them all, except Bob. (In actuality Bob sort of broke my heart!) --Tamsyn Muir, author of the Locked Tomb seriesA scream disguised as a giggle. Reading Rosebud is like going on an absurdist romp through a sunlit meadow with Douglas Adams, only to suddenly realize that you're deep in the forest and ol' Dougie has just slipped a knife between your ribs. --Peter Watts, author the Firefall series and the Rifters seriesCutting-edge science fiction from a writer at the very top of their game. --Gareth L. Powell, author of Embers of WarA true voyage of the imagination, simultaneously mind-wrenching and laugh-out-loud funny. --Adrian TchaikovskyPaul Cornell re-imagines the classic SF idea of first contact and turns it upside down and inside out--and then twists it into a multi-dimensional thing of wonder. --Michael Cassutt, writer for Z-Nation and co-author of The Astronaut MakerHe's gone and written a novel too! I suspect it will be just as good as everything else he's written, and that's not fair at all. - George R. R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones.An irresistible blend of guns, gangsters, cops and monsters - Ben AaronovitchAt once epic and terribly intimate. This is the story of a village, not a city, and all the more powerful for that; not all big fantasy needs an urban setting. Beautifully written, perfectly cruel, and ultimately kind. This is Cornell at the height of his craft. — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of the InCryptid and October Daye seriesRich in charm... local politics and witchcraft writ small and personal, but large in consequence. [Cornell] adeptly describes the emotion of magic; its effects and internal ignition of wonder. The feel of being exposed to magic for the first time and the feel of doing magic and having it done to you have never been better described in any story. — Bill Willingham, author of Fables and Down the Mysterly RiverMasterfully creepy and sinister, all the more so for taking place in the beautifully drawn English countryside. — Jenny Colgan, author of Doctor Who: Into the NowhereCornell brilliantly delineates not only the insular milieu of rural England but the brutal materialism of Thatcher's Britain, in a slow-building novel of retribution and cycles of abuse. Superb. --The GuardianThis is what horror ought to be: primal, personal, and powerful. Gloriously gutting. Chalk is like nothing I've ever read before, or am ever likely to read again. Well, you can just come over here and rock me to sleep tonight.--New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuireExcellent, petrifying and awful in all the right ways... Hand over mouth in parts. Strongly recommended. --Kieron Gillen, author of The Wicked & The Divine and PhonogramRaw and dark... powerful and inventive. Terrific. --Kurt Busiek, Harvey and Eisner Award winning creator of Astro CityHoly Shit! I love this fucking book! This book kept me up way too late reading it, and then I couldn't sleep the rest of the night. OMG what a book. Intense and horrific and gorgeous. Damn, dude. I mean... damn. -- Diana Rowland, author of the White Trash Zombie series.Chalk is a raw, blistering, horror-ride through the hell of adolescence and the despair of abuse. It is honest and hard-hitting, often uncomfortable to read, yet wonderfully crafted. Gritty realism rubs up against dark folk horror, and the result is a unique literary experience you won't forget in a hurry. -- Gary McMahon, author of The Concrete Grove and The Grieving StonesChalk is a chilling, compelling tale of youthful violence and ancient evil. --Lucy A. Snyder, author of While the Black Stars BurnHarrowing, astonishing and beautiful. Read it instantly. -- Laurie Penny, author of Everything Belongs to the FutureA pitch-perfect blend of familiar cruelties, pop culture and otherworldly horror, Cornell's stand-alone novel has a power all its own. --RT Top Pick, 4 1/2 StarsChalk bleeds atmosphere... the type that gets under your skin... a creeping horror, the ancient meshing with the modern, a sickening sense of dread cresting like a dark wave that, sooner or later, must hit the shore... --Forbidden Planet InternationalChalk is a hugely evocative novel... one of the books of the year. Highly recommended. --Ginger Nuts of HorrorCornell weaves human and supernatural horror together in powerful and disturbing ways. --Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisFollowing the smash-hit sci-fi comedy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is the second part in Douglas Adams' multi-media phenomenon and cult classic series. If you've done six impossible things this morning, why not round it off with breakfast at Milliways, the Restaurant at the end of the Universe?Which is exactly what Arthur Dent and the crew of the Heart of Gold plan to do. There's just the small matter of escaping the Vogons, avoiding being taken to the most totally evil world in the Galaxy and teaching a space ship how to make a proper cup of tea.And did anyone actually make a reservation?Follow Arthur Dent's galactic (mis)adventures in the rest of the trilogy with five parts: Life, the Universe and Everything, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish, and Mostly Harmless.Trade ReviewOne of the greatest achievements in comedy. A work of staggering genius -- David WalliamsDazzlingly inventive -- Caitlin MoranFizzing with ideas . . . Brilliant -- Charlie BrookerI haven’t known many geniuses in my life. Some brilliantly smart people, but only a tiny handful would I class as geniuses. I would class Douglas, because he saw things differently, and he was capable of communicating the way he saw things, and once he explained things the way he saw them, it was almost impossible to see them the way you used to see them -- Neil GaimanIt changed my whole life. It's literally out of this world -- Tom BakerHitchhiker’s is packed with that unique energy, all barmy and bristling and bold. This book can be witty, iconoclastic, godless, savage, sweet, surreal, but above all, it dares to be silly. Fiercely, beautifully silly -- Russell T. Davies, writer and producer of Doctor WhoHe had almost a Wodehousian style and some of his phrases and jokes entered our language. He changed the way people spoke -- Stephen FryThere has never been another writer remotely like Douglas Adams. He discovered a completely new genre – scientific wit – and having discovered it he raised it to dizzying heights -- Tony RobinsonQuite good I suppose, if you like brilliantly entertaining books written with a touch of imaginative genius -- Griff Rhys JonesVery occasionally a book comes along that changes the way you laugh and what you laugh about -- Richard DawkinsOne of the world’s sanest, smartest, kindest, funniest voices * Independent on Sunday *Magical . . . read this book * Sunday Express *Sheer delight * The Times *

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Book Synopsis"Shy" Hunt and the tech team from McAllen Integrations thought they'd have an easy job--set up environmental systems for the brand new Hasanova Data Solutions colony, built on the abandoned ruins of a complex known as "Charybdis." There are just two problems: the colony belongs to the Iranian state, so diplomacy is strained at best, and the complex is located above a series of hidden caves that contain deadly secrets. When a bizarre ship lands on a nearby island, one of the workers is attacked by a taloned creature, and trust evaporates between the Iranians and Americans. The McAllen Integrations crew are imprisoned, accused as spies, but manage to send out a distress signal... to the Colonial Marines. Alien: Into Charybdis TM & (c) 2019 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.Trade ReviewPraise for Alien: The Cold Forge:;;The Cold Forge is simply the most original and gripping Alien novel I've had the pleasure of reading for a long time.;-Aliens vs. Predator Galaxy;;An intense ride through a story that may sound familiar but manages to constantly subvert-and surpass-expectations;-Dread Central;;No book or film has portrayed the people behind the Weyland-Yutani Corporation as more vile and despicable as author Alex White has envisioned them.;-Borg.com;;Alex White's story would make a damn fine movie in itself.;-Set the Tape;;Alex White weaves an enthralling tale of humanity at its best and worst, wrapped in the life or death struggle all Alien fans have come to cherish... I can say with certainty this is the best book I have read from Titan Books.;--MovieNooz;;Praise for Alex White:;;A clever fusion of magic and sci-fi makes this book a total blast. I was hooked from page one.;-V.E. Schwab, author of A Darker Shade of Magic on A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe;;[The Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe is] a fast-paced adventure with charismatic characters and formidable enemies in a realized universe of greed and power;-Booklist;;Fast, compelling, epic in scope, with stakes that just keep getting higher and tension that mounts and mounts to the breaking point.;-Locus on A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy ;;[Every Mountain Made Low is] a good story, in a world I want to see more of, with an ambitiously portrayed main character - I enjoyed it, and I'd recommend you give it a try.;-Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reviews;;[Every Mountain Made Low] is an all-nighter and it's worth it as the ending is quirky (just like the rest of the book). I cannot wait to read Alex White's next novel.;-Night Owl Reviews

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Book SynopsisShadow of the Scorpion is a standalone prequel to Neal Asher’s explosive Agent Cormac series.Some secrets are too hard to bear . . . Following the human vs prador war, Ian Cormac signs up with Earth Central Security. He’s sent out to restore order on worlds devastated by alien bombardment. But he learns humanity can be far more dangerous – even those closest to him. Amidst the tragic ruins left by wartime atrocities, Cormac discovers in himself the cold capacity for violence. It’s a quality that’ll make him one of Earth’s top agents. Haunted by childhood memories of a sinister scorpion-shaped war drone, and the burden of losses he doesn’t remember, he’ll discover some hard truths. These will set him on a course of vengeance, where he’ll have to use all his hard-won skills just to stay alive.Trade ReviewThe Shadow of the Scorpion skillfully combines graphic action and sensitive characterisation and is Asher's most accomplished novel to date * Guardian *A powerhouse cocktail of lurid violence, evocative world-building and typically grotesque monsters, but it’s amazing how much emotion he’s also layered into what could have been a simplistic SF potboiler. Asking difficult questions while still delivering plenty of full-tilt adventure and widescreen action, this is top-notch stuff from an author well and truly at the top of his game * SFX *Ian Cormac is, it seems, here to stay in the collective consciousness of sci-fi literature… Thoroughly enjoyable stuff * SciFiNow *Full of giant explosions on alien worlds. It's also a well-plotted exploration of the way violence destroys everything, even memory * Io9 *The novel manages to raise some interesting points about what it means to be human in a society where the lines between man and machine have blurred: robots are capable of emulating emotions and humans may be technologically augmented and live indefinitely. When it is possible to have traumatic memories erased from the human brain, the novel questions the wisdom of doing so and suggests that memories and pain shape our psyche * The Book Bag *

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestseller and Hugo Award-winner John Scalzi, Agent to the Stars is a brilliantly witty first-contact story unlike any other.Showbiz is about to go interstellarAs an ambitious young agent, Thomas Stein knows all about the art of the deal, even if his actors aren’t quite A-list material. But he’s about to receive some out-of-this-world clients – literally. The space-faring Yherajk have come to Earth to talk interstellar peace. One problem: they’re also hideous, and smell like rotting fish.For Stein, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the hottest name in Hollywood. Or on the planet. Yet it’s one thing to land a client’s blockbuster film role – and quite another to negotiate for an entire alien race. He’ll need every ounce of his charm, wit and wiles. But even with these considerable talents, can he really give the Yherajk the makeover they need to shine on the world’s stage?Praise for John Scalzi:‘John Scalzi is the most entertaining, accessible writer working in SF today’ – Joe Hill‘Scalzi is one of the slickest writers that SF has ever produced’ – Wall Street Journal

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Book Synopsis A beautiful and terrifying novel about family, faith, and the search for home (San Francisco Chronicle), set amidst a community of UFO cultists in middlest America. As regular guests on late-night radio shows, Dash and Dot are the world''s most in-demand lecturers on the topic of UFOs and alien abduction. They believe that we are all descended from M31, the nearest galaxy to ours, and divide their time between life on the road and a decommissioned church in the Midwest. A radar dish on its steeple and a spaceship in its sanctuary complete the modern nuclear-family setting. When a couple of UFO groupies arrive at the church with their own agenda, everything changes, brought to a head by their strange beliefs and the timeless difficulties of modern life. Dash and Dot set out on their last trip, their ultimate journey, with a destination that no one could foretell. Written with a fevered vividness and immediacy, M31: A Family Romance has been hailed as a devastatingly forceful accomplishment from a star of the first magnitude (the Washington Post).

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Book SynopsisHoney the genetically engineered bear starts a revolution on the Red Planet in the new novel from the Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of Children of Time. WELCOME TO HELL CITY, MARS Jimmy Martin has a sore head. He's used to smuggling illegal data in his headspace. But this is the first time it has started talking to him. The data claims to be a distinguished academic, author and civil rights activist. It also claims to be a bear. A bear named Honey. Jimmy has nothing against bioforms – he's one himself, albeit one engineered out of human stock – and works with them everyday in Hell City, building the future, staking mankind's claim to a new world: Mars. The problem is that humanity isn't the only entity with designs on the Red Planet. Out in the airless desert there is another presence. A novel intelligence, elusive, unknowable and potentially lethal. And Honey is here to make contact with it, whether Jimmy likes it or not. Praise for Bear Head: 'An unashamedly thrilling escapade' The Times 'Funny, appalling, gruesome and uplifting... Propelled by a cracking plot that balances dystopian satire with a palpable sense of moral peril' Daily Mail 'An absolute whammy of a read, and a must for anyone who enjoys a smart, fast-paced, hugely entertaining blast of speculative fiction... This is one of those books where you can just throw yourself and abandon yourself to a fabulous story, knowing you will be entertained throughout' LoveReading 'A rousing good read' Guardian 'If you're a fan of Black Mirror, this classic dystopian book will have you hooked within the first few pages. Smart, fast-paced, and razor-sharp, this book is surprisingly funny while still remaining deeply thought-provoking' Daily ExpressTrade ReviewAdrian Tchaikovsky's dissection of Thompson's appeal and ghastly genius is the thoughtful highlight of this unashamedly thrilling escapade. You don't need to have read Dogs of War to enjoy Bear Head – but why deny yourself the pleasure? * The Times *Funny, appalling, gruesome and uplifting (often at the same time), Bear Head is propelled by a cracking plot that balances dystopian satire with a palpable sense of moral peril * Daily Mail *An absolute whammy of a read, and a must for anyone who enjoys a smart, fast-paced, hugely entertaining blast of speculative fiction... Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning Adrian Tchaikovsky has successfully combined weighty, thought-provoking moments, with a Trump-like baddie, full-on action and smirky humour... This is one of those books where you can just throw yourself and abandon yourself to a fabulous story, knowing you will be entertained throughout' * LoveReading *A rousing good read * Guardian *A thought-provoking novel... Bear Head is a triumph. Its story is fascinating, with unexpected events occurring throughout. It's a novel filled with compassion and characters that are very easy to empathize with' -- Geek DadAdrian Tchaikovsky has done another marvellous job of humanising his bioform characters: bears, dogs and other animals with varying amounts of modifications and intelligence. Their attitudes and thought-processes are extrapolated in thoughtful and interesting ways and we are even offered an insight into the way that a distributed intelligence would work... A thrilling and fun sequel to Dogs of War that expands the universe in new and profound directions' * SF Crowsnest *A wonderfully strange blend of a story that sits somewhere between Total Recall and Johnny Mnemonic with just a touch of Animal Farm thrown in for good measure... With a prescient focus on political landscapes and how manipulations of them can manifest on both sides of an argument, Bear Head works just as well as a thought-provoking science fiction as it does a political thriller' * SciFiNow *Adrian Tchaikovsky's talent in creating imperfect, believable characters has always been one of his strengths and this continues here... It combines superb storytelling, emotion and leaves the reader thinking long after finishing. If you like intelligent SF, I can't recommend this enough' * Birmingham SF *If you're a fan of Black Mirror, this classic dystopian book will have you hooked within the first few pages. Smart, fast-paced, and razor-sharp, this book is surprisingly funny while still remaining deeply thought-provoking * Daily Express *A fast-paced, two-planet, head romp with plenty of humour and more than a smattering of cyber-punk. It's more than a tad political too, touching on legal rights, abuse of power, control and suppression... Largely fun and thoughtful, though occasionally gruesome and unsettling' * Concatenation *

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Book SynopsisWhen the inhabitants of a peaceful world are conquered by the bloodthirsty yumens, their existence is irrevocably altered. Forced into servitude, the Athsheans find themselves at the mercy of their brutal masters.Desperation causes the Athsheans, led by Selver, to retaliate against their captors, abandoning their strictures against violence. But in defending their lives, they have endangered the very foundations of their society. For every blow against the invaders is a blow to the humanity of the Athsheans. And once the killing starts, there is no turning back.Trade ReviewThe slender book is fairly simplistic, but it's still compelling and thought-provoking. * SFX *It's a compact tale, a masterclass by a powerful writer who fashions a lean narrative where others might have produced a much larger, bloated tome, and yet for all the brevity Le Guin delivers not just a narrative but a believable alien world and society in short yet compelling scenes. * FORBIDDEN PLANET *

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Book SynopsisTHE VETERAN BRITISH SPACE PILOT, DAN DAREcontinues his 2000 AD adventures through a hostile universe. Together with his hardened crew, Dan pilots the mighty Space Fortress into battle against the most dangerous entities the galaxy has to offer including giant water worms, an evil doppelganger and the terrifying menace of the Mekon!Known amongst 2000 AD fans for its controversial ‘non-ending’, this volume features the iconic artwork of Britain’s first Comics Laureate, Dave Gibbons.

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Book SynopsisARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD FINALIST 2022Drink down the brew and dream of a better Earth.Skyward Inn, within the high walls of the Western Protectorate, is a place of safety, where people come together to tell stories of the time before the war with Qita.But safety from what? Qita surrendered without complaint when Earth invaded; Innkeepers Jem and Isley, veterans from either side, have regrets but few scars.Their peace is disturbed when a visitor known to Isley comes to the Inn asking for help, bringing reminders of an unnerving past and triggering an uncertain future.Did humanity really win the war?This is Jamaica Inn by way of Jeff Vandermeer, Ursula Le Guin, Angela Carter and Michel Faber, a beautiful story of belonging, identity and regret.Trade Review“Its triumph lies in the way Whiteley uses the metaphor to examine the tortured process of love and attachment.” -- The Guardian * The Guardian *“A murky delirium of sinuous language and unnerving storytelling that will delight both experienced genre fanatics and literary fiction lovers alike.” * Kirkus *“Whiteley has a penchant for describing the disturbing… a surreal and disquieting post-apocalyptic consideration of the roles we place ourselves in.” -- The Barnes and Noble SF&F Blog * The Barnes and Noble SF&F Blog *"A story of the future that is an appeal to the present. The best kind of science fiction. A novel of its time, confronting current and terrible misjudgements with which humanity assures its own demise. All made startling by a typical Whiteley strangeness." -- Adam Nevill, author of The Reddening and Wyrd and Other Derelictions"Whiteley [is] one of the most original and provocative voices in contemporary science fiction." -- Nina Allen, author of The Rift“Visceral and unsettling - I loved it” -- G. V. Anderson, award-winning speculative fiction author"Intense and consuming writing, constantly challenging expectations." -- Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of Children of Time“The absolute best kind of philosophical SF, & indisputable inheritor of Le Guin. Aliya Whiteley forces us to confront difficult ideas, but they are important, and will become even more so. Exactly what SF should do.” -- Marion Womack, author of The Golden Key"Clever and touching: a book of cosmic scope but with real characters and a human heart." -- Chris Beckett, author of the award-winning Dark Eden series"A powerful and surprising examination of colonialism and its unintended consequences. Highly recommended." -- Helen Marshall, author of The Migration“Skyward Inn is an experience. Whiteley is a strong voice in speculative fiction and readers will be delighted and unsettled by her novels for years to come.” -- The Nerd Daily -- Kibby Robinson * The Nerd Daily *"Whiteley takes the reader on a cryptic journey of trust, identity and knowing your place in the world." -- Starburst Magazine -- Fred McNamara * Starburst Magazine *"A moving and thought provoking tale, completely unlike anything I’ve read before." -- The Bibliophile Chronicles * The Bibliophile Chronicles *"There are some books that are simply beautiful. And Skyward Inn by Aliya Whiteley is one of those." -- Libri Draconis * Libri Draconis *"Whiteley's trademark subtle surrealism shines." -- Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *"A melancholy and compellingly weird tale of identity in crisis." -- SFX -- Will Salmon * SFX *“Skyward Inn feels like an instant classic of the genre.” -- The Guardian -- Lisa Tuttle * The Guardian *"A beautifully realised story, with achingly engaging prose." -- The British Fantasy Society * The British Fantasy Society *"Rarely has a writer who is not Philip K. Dick had so much fun building a world only to take it apart." -- LA Times -- Noah Berlatsky * LA Times *"A vital contribution to modern speculative fiction and a novel to be read and reread and pondered at length.” -- The Fantasy Hive -- Jonathan Thornton * The Fantasy Hive *"A unique work of literary and speculative excellence." -- SciFiNow -- Bert Peterson * SciFiNow *"When it comes to misdirection, Aliya Whiteley is the very devil." -- The Times -- Simon Ings * The Times *The Times SF Book of the Month * The Times *"Whiteley explores questions of identification, attachment and belonging, tying everything together in a wonderfully surreal and weirdly uplifting denouement." -- The FT -- James Lovegrove * The FT *"Skyward Inn is a quietly disarming and beautiful book that masterfully blends literary conventions with science fiction." -- Dark Matter Magazine -- Alexander Pyles * Dark Matter Magazine *"A book to take solace in." * Locus Magazine *

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Book SynopsisHumankind may have won the battle, but a new threat looms larger than ever before… Earth’s armed forces have stopped the Lanky advance and chased their ships out of the solar system, but for CDC officer Andrew Grayson, the war feels anything but won. On Mars, the grinding duty of flushing out the twenty-meter-tall alien invaders from their burrows underground is wearing down troops and equipment at an alarming rate. And for the remaining extrasolar colonies, the threat of a Lanky attack is ever present. Earth’s game changer? New advanced ships and weapons, designed to hunt and kill Lankies and place humanity’s militaries on equal footing with their formidable foes. Andrew and his wife, Halley, both now burdened with command responsibilities and in charge of more lives than just their own, are once again in humanity’s vanguard as they prepare for this new phase in the war. But the Lankies have their own agenda…and in war, the enemy doesn’t usually wait until you are prepared. As Andrew is once again plunged into the chaos and violence of war with an unyielding species, he is forced to confront the toll this endless conflict is taking on them all, and the high price of survival…at any cost.Trade Review“Frontlines is earnest, optimistic, and fun, even as it deals with subject matter that’s intrinsically grim. It’s a story that strikes the perfect balance between escapism and serious reflection, and it’s the perfect military sci-fi series to escape into for a week or two.” —The Verge

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Book SynopsisA startling and majestic epic from Jack McDevitt, the Nebula Award-winning author of the Alex Benedict and the Priscilla Hutchins novelsA working stargate dating back more than ten thousand years has been discovered on a Sioux reservation. Travel through the gate currently leads to three equally mysterious destinations: (1) an apparently empty garden world, quickly dubbed Eden; (2) a strange maze of underground passageways; or (3) a space station with a view of a galaxy that appears to be the Milky Way.The race to explore and claim the stargate quickly escalates, and those involved divide into opposing camps who view the teleportation technology either as an unprecedented opportunity for scientific research or a disastrous threat to national - if not planetary - security. One thing is for certain: questions about what the stargate means for humanity''s role in the galaxy cannot be ignored.Especially since travel through the stargate isn'Trade ReviewJack McDevitt is that splendid rarity, a writer who is a storyteller first and a science fiction writer second. In his ability to absolutely rivet the reader, it seems to me that he is the logical heir to Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke * Stephen King *'Why read Jack McDevitt?' The question should be: 'Who among us is such a slow pony that s/he isn't reading McDevitt? * Harlan Ellison *You should definitely read Jack McDevitt * Gregory Benford *A real writer has entered our ranks, and his name is Jack McDevitt * Michael Bishop, Nebula-winning author *

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Book Synopsis''Hilarious and heartwarming . . . my shields are at full strength and my heart is ready for Eva''s next adventure'' Patrick Weekes, Lead writer at BioWare (Dragon Age, Mass Effect)A debut space opera that features an irresistible foul-mouthed captain and her misfit crew . . .Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra cruise the galaxy delivering small cargo for even smaller profits. When her sister is kidnapped, Eva must undergo a series of dangerous missions to pay the ransom. But Eva may lose her mind before she can raise the money. The ship''s hold is full of psychic cats, an amorous fish-faced emperor wants her dead, and her engineer is giving her a pesky case of feelings. The worse things get, the more she lies, raising suspicions and testing her loyalty to her found family.To free her sister, Eva will risk everything: her crew, her ship, and the life she''s built on the ashes of her past misdeeds. But when the domTrade ReviewA downright compelling voice . . . a talented debut * LOCUS *

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With an Introduction and Notes by Dr Andrew Frayn, Lecturer in Twentieth-Century Literature and Culture at Edinburgh Napier University.In these two compelling novels H.G. Wells imagines terrifying futures in which civilisation itself is threatened.The narrator of The War of the Worlds is quick to discover that what appeared to be a falling star was, in fact, a metallic cylinder landing from Mars. Six million people begin to flee London in panic as tentacled invaders emerge and overpower the city. With their heat-ray, killing machines, black gas, and a taste for fresh human blood, is there anything that can be done to stop the Martians?In The War in the Air, naive but resourceful Bert Smallways is thrilled by speed and fascinated by the new flying machines. His curiosity sweeps him away by accident into a German plan to conquer America, beginning with the destruction of New York. The ease of movement in aerial warfare means that nothing and nobody is safe as Total War erupts, civilisation crumbles, and Bert's hopes of getting back to London to marry his love seem impossibly distant.

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Book SynopsisThomas Jerome Newton is an extraterrestrial from the planet Anthea, which has been devastated by a series of nuclear wars, and whose inhabitants are twice as intelligent as human beings. When he lands on Earth - in Kentucky, disguised as a human - it''s with the intention of saving his own people from extinction. Newton patents some very advanced Anthean technology, which he uses to amass a fortune. He begins to build a spaceship to help the last 300 Antheans migrate to Earth. Meanwhile, Nathan Bryce, a chemistry professor in Iowa, is intrigued by some of the new products Newton''s company brings to the market, and already suspects Newton of being an alien.As Bryce and the FBI close in, Newton finds his own clarity and sense of purpose diminishing. Inspiring adaptations starring David Bowie and Chiwetel Ejiofor, The Man Who Fell To Earth brought Walter Tevis wide recognition and critical acclaim. It was nominated for the Hugo aTrade ReviewBeautiful science fiction...(Newton) acquires a moving, tragic force as the stranger, caught and destroyed in a strange land... The story of an extraterrestrial visitor from another planet is designed mainly to say something about life on this one * NEW YORK TIMES *An utterly realistic novel about an alien human on Earth ... realistic enough to become a metaphor for something inside us all, some existential aloneness -- Norman SpinradTevis writes ... with power and poetry and tension * WASHINGTON POST *One of the finest science fiction novels of its period -- J R Dunn, author of Full Tide of Night

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Book SynopsisWHAT WILL BECOME OF US?In the deep future beyond the burn line of the Anthropocene and the extinction of humanity, the city states of an intelligent species of bear have fallen to a mind-wrecking plague. The bears'' former slaves, a peaceable, industrious and endlessly curious people, believe that they have inherited the bounty and beauty of their beloved Mother Earth. But are they alone?After the death of his master, a famous scholar, Pilgrim Saltmire vows to complete their research into sightings of so-called visitors and their sky craft. To discover if they are a mass delusion created by the stresses of an industrial revolution, or if they are real - a remnant population of bears which survived the plague, or another, unknown intelligent species.Risking his reputation and his life, Pilgrim''s search for the truth takes him from his comfortable home in the shadow of a great library to his tribe''s former home on the chilly coast of the far south, and the ga

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Book Synopsis“I’ve been waiting, all this time, for my life to begin. Maybe it’s time to stop waiting. Maybe it’s time to start living.”Chance. Misfortune. Coincidence. These are the weapons of choice for the Doctor’s latest enemies. And those enemies are very, very hungry…For Ruby Sunday, this Christmas Eve is a birthday she’ll never forget. It’s the day she joins the Doctor onboard a Goblin ship. The day she learns of dangers from beyond the universe. The day her life really begins… or, perhaps, the day it ends.The Target novelisation of the first full adventure featuring the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, and the introduction of his new best friend, Ruby Sunday played by Millie Gibson. Russell T Davies’ original script has been novelised by up-and-coming literary talent Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for the Sun Eater series"Empire of Silence is epic science fiction at its most genuinely epic. Ruocchio has made something fascinating here, and I can't wait to see what he does next." —James S.A. Corey, New York Times-bestselling author of The Expanse novels"Christopher Ruocchio's Empire of Silence is epic-scale space opera in the tradition of Iain M. Banks and Frank Herbert's Dune, without being a clone of either of them. His is a welcome new voice in science fiction." —Eric Flint, author of the bestselling 1632 series"Empire of Silence has the sweep and political complexity of Dune (though no sandworms). It builds to a blazing climax, followed by a satisfying conclusion. I recommend the book." —David Drake, bestselling author of the RCN Series"Empire of Silence is a rich tapestry of future history and worldbuilding, a galactic-sized story of a hero, a tyrant, but portrayed as a man." —Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times-bestselling author of The Dark Between the Stars "Empire of Silence packs in action and erudition in equal measure. This is a gripping first installment in a space opera that delivers both high-adrenaline thrills and hard-earned wisdom about the human spirit." —D.J. Butler, author of Witchy Eye"A richly imagined epic, briskly and vividly told." —R.M. Meluch, author of the Tour of the Merrimack series "A craftsman of rare ability, Christopher Ruocchio lures you into a future filled with danger, action, irony, vaulting prose, and a few, precious dollops of hope." —David Brin, author of Earth and The Postman "With the scope of Dune and a confessional, first-person voice that puts us into the mind of a possible madman, this is space opera at its most riveting and grandiose." —B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Review"Space opera fans will savor the rich details of Ruocchio’s far-future debut, which sets the scene for a complicated series.... Readers who like a slow-building story with a strong character focus will find everything they’re looking for in this series opener." —Publishers Weekly"Although stretched across a vast array of planets, the story line is often more focused on the intimate than on the expanse, giving it a wonderful emotional punch. This wow book is a must for fans of Pierce Brown and Patrick Rothfuss." —Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisOn a distant Earth colony, an orphaned survivor of an alien invasion discovers that the greatest world-ending dangers aren’t behind her. It’s been eight years since an alien invasion drove a small surviving group of settlers to seek refuge in an underground shelter. Cut off from the rest of humanity, the ragtag band has maintained a narrowly functioning colony due to communal effort and salvage runs. Alex Archer has her own duties as a dog handler. While this off-world colony may be harsh, Ash, Alex’s black shepherd raised to sense threats, makes living in it a little nicer. But the tenuous hide-and-seek with the monstrous species known as the Lankies is about to come to an end for Alex and her close-knit crew of soldiers, techs, and friends. When a salvage operation goes catastrophically wrong, the Lankies home in on the humans. With hopes of a rescue long faded, all Alex has left is will—and the fear that there’s so much more to lose.Trade ReviewKloos has created a believable universe and a fast-moving story of resilience, rescue, and reintegration that reads like a combination of John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War (2004) and Andy Weir’s The Martian (2014).” —Booklist “Kloos is well on his way to becoming one of the genre’s best assets.” —io9 “There is nobody who does [military science fiction] better than Marko Kloos.” —George R. R. Martin

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Book SynopsisChristopher Paolini. Firstborn of Kenneth and Talita. Creator of the World of Eragon and the Fractalverse. Holder of the Guinness World Record for youngest author of a bestselling series. Qualified marksman in the Australian army. Scottish laird. Dodged gunfire . . . more than once. As a child, was chased by a moose in Alaska. Has his name inscribed on Mars. Husband. Father. Asker of questions and teller of stories.Trade ReviewPaolini makes the experiences of his well-shaded explorers vivid and gripping through smart worldbuilding and believable stakes. James S.A. Corey fans will be especially riveted -- Publishers Weekly on Fractal NoiseA powerful piece of SF, with intelligent writing and big ideas -- Adrian Tchaikovsky on To Sleep in a Sea of StarsPaolini’s impressive imagination has produced an action-packed SF adventure that zings along at hyperluminal speed, with Kira as one of the most memorable characters of the genre -- Peter F. Hamilton on To Sleep in a Sea of StarsRollicking pace, rapidly developing stakes . . . A fun, fast-paced epic that science fiction fans will gobble up -- Kirkus Reviews on To Sleep in a Sea of Stars

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the thrilling science-fiction epic Children of Time, which won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award. Eyes of the Void is the second high-octane instalment in Adrian Tchaikovsky's Final Architecture space opera trilogy.‘One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction’ – Christopher PaoliniWhat waits in the shadows as we fight our greatest foe?After one great battle, the Architects disappeared. Yet humanity’s fragile peace is brief. For, forty years later, the galaxy’s greatest alien enemy has returned. This time, the artefacts that preserved entire worlds from destruction are ineffective. And no planet is safe.The Human Colony worlds are in turmoil as they face extinction. Some believe alliances with other species can save them. Others insist humanity must fight alone. But no one has the firepower or technology to ensure victory, as the Architects loom ever closer.Idris spent decades running from the last war’s horrors. Yet as an Intermediary, altered to navigate deep space, he’s one of humanity’s only weapons. He’s therefore forced back into action. With a handful of allies, Idris must find something – anything – to stop the Architects’ pitiless advance. But to do so, he must return to the nightmare of unspace, where his mind was broken and remade. What he discovers there will change everything.Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky:‘[Adrian] writes incredibly enjoyable sci-fi, full of life and ideas’ – Patrick Ness, author of The Knife of Never Letting Go‘Brilliant science fiction’ – James McAvoy on Children of Time‘Full of sparkling, speculative invention’ – Stephen Baxter, author of the Xeelee Sequence on The Doors of EdenTrade ReviewA thoughtful, sweeping space adventure -- SFX Magazine on Shards of EarthA rip-roaring space opera featuring starship battles, genetically enhanced superhumans and multiple weird and wonderful aliens . . . I can't wait to read the next one -- New Scientist on Shards of EarthBreathtaking scope and vision. Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers -- Gareth L. Powell on Children of Ruin

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Book SynopsisA high-octane sci-fi adventure, Jack Four is a standalone novel set in Neal Asher's acclaimed Polity Universe. Thrilling and fast-paced, it's perfect for fans of Alastair Reynolds and Stephen Baxter.Created to die – determined to live . . .Jack Four – one of twenty human clones – has been created to be sold. His purchasers are the alien prador want him for one thing: their experimentation program. But there is something different about Jack.The prador’s king has been mutated by the Spatterjay virus into a monstrous creature, along with his children. They were infected by the virus during the last humans-versus-prador war, now lapsed into an uneasy truce. But the prador are always looking for new weapons – and their experimentation program might give them the edge they seek.Suzeal trades human slaves out of the Stratogaster Space Station. She thinks the rewards are worth the risks, but all that is about to change. The Station was once a zoo, containing monsters from across known space. All the monsters now dwell on the planet below, but they aren’t as contained as they seem. And a vengeful clone may be the worst danger of all . . .‘Neal Asher’s books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain’ – John Scalzi, author of the Old Man’s War series'Magnificently awesome. Then Asher turns it up to eleven' – Peter F. Hamilton, author of Salvation, on Asher's The Soldier Trade ReviewNeal Asher’s books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain -- John Scalzi, author of The Kaiju Preservation SocietyMagnificently awesome. Then Asher turns it up to eleven -- Peter F. Hamilton, author of The Reality Dysfunction on The SoldierA richly imagined, exotic world, non-stop action and unimaginable stakes -- Yoon Ha Lee, author of Ninefox Gambit, on The Soldier

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Book SynopsisA clone has been the victim of a savage killing. The investigation may uncover a threat to humanity's very existence. Great North Road is a standalone adventure from science fiction star Peter F. Hamilton, the author of The Night's Dawn trilogy. For fans of Philip K. Dick and Kim Stanley Robinson.In Newcastle, AD 2142, Detective Sidney Hurst attends a brutal murder scene. The victim is one of the wealthy North family’s clones, but the most disturbing aspect is how he died. Twenty years ago, a North clone billionaire and his household were slaughtered in the exact same manner, on the tropical planet of St Libra. The only member of the household left alive, Angela Tramelo, received the blame. Was Angela wrongly convicted back then? She’d never wavered under interrogation – claiming she alone survived an alien attack.With St Libran bio-fuel now powering Earth's economy, investigating this alien threat becomes top priority. A vast expedition is mounted via the planet’s Newcastle gateway – including Angela Tramelo, grudgingly released from prison. But the expedition is cut off, deep within St Libra's rainforests. Then the bloodshed begins . . .Trade ReviewA great big sprawling enjoyable science fiction read. Does what it says on the tin. I finally closed it with a sense of satisfaction -- Neal Asher, author of WeaponizedComplex world-building, harrowing back-story and good payoffs -- Sunday TelegraphThe author controls a cast numbering more than fifty, multiple complex plot lines, speculation on the science of wormhole technology and cloning, and arrives at a dénouement that is far more than just the resolution of a murder mystery -- GuardianHamilton’s latest standalone tale is a whopper -- SFXWe’ve said it before, but few SF writers handle BIG books with Hamilton’s aplomb -- SFXThis sci-fi mystery novel is ideal for fans of both genres and may well lure reluctant mystery buffs to explore sci-fi or send sci-fi buffs towards some great detective novels . . . a doozy of a story that handles both genres with satisfying results -- Michael Glitz, Huffington PostHamilton has once again shown why he is one of the best writers in the field today . . . if you want a stand-alone sci-fi novel to get lost in, you can’t go wrong with Great North Road -- Walker of Worlds

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Book SynopsisThe strange and wonderful tale of man’s experiences on Mars, filled with intense images and astonishing visions. Now part of the Voyager Classics collection.Trade Review‘The bitter irony of The Martian Chronicles is both stark and shocking’ Guardian ‘The laureate of science fiction’ Manchester Evening News ‘The king of science fiction’ Mail on Sunday ‘Bradbury has a remarkable range of intensity and vision’ Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisIt all comes down to thisFrom NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ian Douglas comes the jaw-dropping finale to his adrenaline-fueled military sci-fi Solar Warden series.The Saurians have an agenda: dominance over Earth. Operating from the shadows, they plant conspiracy theories and instil fear among the human population. Too weak in numbers to militarily conquer a world they believe to be their own, they seek to revive Nazi ideologies to gain absolute control.With his species in danger, Commander Mark Hunter and his Joint Space Strike Team must join forces with time travelers and government psychics if they stand a chance at saving their planet.As if that weren't challenge enough, Hunter's girlfriend has been kidnapped in a bid to control him. Now he has just one chance to find her before the Saurians bring the entire base crashing down around him.Hunter and his crew will require a miracle, and even that might not be enough . . .Trade Review PRAISE FOR THE STAR CARRIER SERIES: ‘Douglas knows his SF’PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ‘The action is full-blooded and almost non stop, yet the well-developed background is surprisingly rich and logical … As immersive as it is impressive’KIRKUS (starred review)

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Book SynopsisA thrilling space opera celebrated as one of science fiction's most profound explorations of diversity, THIS ALIEN SHORE is a modern classic of the genre.Jamisia, a young girl protected by biological brain-ware and troubled by multiple voices in her head, flees her comfortable life on a satellite when corporate raiders destroy the entire colony. To her horror, she learns that they were looking for her.Launched into the intrigues of the mysterious Gueran guild, mutant star-pilots who have a stranglehold on galactic commerce, Jamisia is desperate to avoid capture, and must form uncertain alliances with exotic strangers. Yet, as a rogue computer virus wreaks havoc across the galaxies it seems that humanity's future rests in her hands: but first she must unlock the deadly secret hidden inside her head.Against the rich and compelling backdrop of this epic story the author has succeeded in creating a truly unique character in Jamisia and placed her in a novel of fantastic diversity, and breaTrade Review“A cross between cyberpunk and Star Wars, it is likely to hold readers’interest tenaciously”Publishers Weekly “Very highly recommended”SF Review “One of my favourite writers”Amanda Foreman (author of GEORGIANA) – a surprise fan!

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Book SynopsisDavid Zindell is one of the finest talents to appear since Kim Stanley Robinson and William Gibson perhaps the finest' Gene WolfeWhat happens when a man tasked with developing perfect memory forgets the most important thing in the universe?After a cataclysmic stellar war, peace has come to the trillion human beings who live on the Civilized Worlds. In Neverness, the City of Light, the pilots of the Order of Mystic Mathematicians resume their ancient quest to discover the real purpose of the human race. Crucial to their success will be a mastery of the One Memory, believed to hold the secret of how humanity might evolve.Thomas Rane is the Order's Lord Remembrancer. He has become the teacher to a new generation of humans called the Asta Siluuna the star children and so has a crucial part to play in the development of the human race. But at the end of the war, his beloved the mysterious and beautiful Maria died.Memory is strange, and Rane comes to believe that Maria might have surviveTrade Review PRAISE FOR DAVID ZINDELL ‘David Zindell is one of the finest talents to appear since Kim Stanley Robinson and William Gibson — perhaps the finest’Gene Wolfe ‘NEVERNESS streaked across the firmament as one of the great romantic epics of modern SF’Locus ‘Philip K. Dick would have been proud to conjure up such philosophies’Manchester Evening News

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This ambitious series opener from Douglas...throws military sci-fi tropes and time-honored conspiracy theories into a blender to create a bonkers alternate present...Douglas gleefully combines an eclectic mix of conspiracies, among them Roswell Greys, humanoid lizards, and space-faring Nazis, while launching his characters into intergalactic battles with the skillful combat sequences fans well expect.” -- Publishers Weekly on Alien Secrets“Douglas does a good job keeping the action rolling along. The rapid-fire pace is just what some readers are looking for...The end sets up the next adventure in a very good way...There is more action and adventure to come, and that is a good thing.” -- SFRevu on Alien Secrets“The action is full-blooded and almost nonstop, yet the well-developed background is surprisingly rich and logical.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on Earth Strike

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