Science fiction: apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic

Book SynopsisAs the human race dwindles and declines, which of its great creations will inherit the Earth? And which will claim the stars?Trade Reviewan underrated writer who is worthy or reassessment. * SFFWORLD.COM *just about any work by Simak deserves to be considered a classic and City is no exception, it's a unique perspective on the race of man and a fantastic read. * SFBOOK.COM *

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Book SynopsisAn epic tale for fans of Justin Cronin, THE HUNGER GAMES and Cormac McCarthy. The final part in the PURE trilogy.Partridge has escaped the safety of his father''s empire and left the Dome, where his people - the Pures - have sheltered for so long. He has ventured into the destroyed world inhabited by the Wretches, who live crippled by their injuries. Pressia, a Wretch, is desperate to decode the secrets of the past and, together with Partridge, she must seek out the answers that will save all their futures. But Partridge''s actions will not be forgiven. As the Dome unleashes horrifying vengeance upon the Wretches, Partridge has no choice but to return to face the darkness that lies there, leaving Pressia to continue searching for the truth that will change the fate of the world for all time.Trade Review'A great, gorgeous novel, boundless in its imagination. You will be swept away' * Justin Cronin, New York Times bestselling author of The Passage *'Discomfiting and unforgettable' * The New York Times *'A post-apocalyptic thrill ride, filled with wildly inventive characters whose journey of struggle and revolution manifests as a fast-paced narrative full of promise and hope. As visceral and kinetic as it is socially relevant, PURE is bursting with imagination and epic adventure. Baggott is here to stay. And we are all the beneficiaries' * Steven Schneider, producer of Paranormal Activity I and II *'A dark adventure that is both startling and addictive at once. Pressia Belze is one part manga heroine and one part post-apocalyptic Alice, stranded in a surreal Wonderland where everyone and everything resonates with what has been lost. Breathtaking and frightening. I couldn't stop reading PURE' * Danielle Trussoni, bestselling author of ANGELOLOGY *

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Book Synopsis''Reminiscent of The Martian and World War Z'' PIERCE BROWNA twenty-story-tall metallic figure appears in the middle of Regent''s Park. The caretakers at London Zoo notice it first at around 4am. The figure, or robot, bears a great resemblance to the UN robot known as Themis . . . Who made Themis? It''s been ten years since Themis - a giant alien metal robot - was revealed to the world by Dr Rose Franklin. It now stands at the heart of the Earth Defense Corps - in case the makers of Themis return to claim it. Why did they leave it here? Rose and her team are still seeking answers to Themis''s origins when a second and even bigger robot appears in London''s Regent''s Park. A military response backfires, reducing half the city to bare earth. And what if they come back? As more robots appear across the world, Rose knows it''s a race against time to discover where they''ve come from,Trade ReviewA superb, powerful follow-up -- SciFiNow * - *Praise for Sleeping Giants * - *Reminiscent of The Martian and World War Z, Sleeping Giants is a luminous conspiracy yarn that shoots for (and lands among) the stars * Pierce Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Red Rising *This stellar début novel...masterfully blends together elements of sci-fi, political thriller and apocalyptic fiction * Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) *As high-concept as it is, Sleeping Giants is a thriller through and through. . . . One of the most promising series kickoffs in recent memory * NPR *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewSpectacular, skilled and moving... It is supremely and alarmingly relevant to our life today -- Fay WeldonIntensely readable and touching * Sunday Telegraph *I loved this book, by turns funny and tragic ... It's worth the cover price alone for the moonlit cricket match on the village green one night before the world is due to end. Magical -- Jeff Noon * Spectator, Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisFleabag meets I Am Legend in this extraordinary novel of one woman's survival in the face of the end of the world . . . December 2023. The human race has fought a deadly virus and lost. The only things left from the world before are burning cities and rotting corpses.But in London, one woman is still alive.Although she may be completely unprepared for her new existence, as someone who has spent her life trying to fit in, being alone is surprisingly liberating.Determined to discover if she really is the last survivor on earth, she sets off on an extraordinary adventure, with only an abandoned golden retriever named Lucky for company.Maybe she'll find a better life or maybe she'll die along the way. But whatever happens, the end of everything will be her new beginning.***'A riotous, black-humoured tonic' Independent'A masterpiece of modern fiction' Sophie Cousens'Fresh, frank, funny' Elizabeth Kay'Brilliant. Creepy, witty, laugh-out-loud and shudder-inducing' Harriet Walker'Harrowing, unflinching and uplifting' Jennifer Saint'Original, brutal, funny and hugely addictive!' Emma Cooper***A 5 star read!'I LOVED this book. I scurried through it in one sitting, couldn't stop reading it for the life of me. Then at the end I cried because it was over' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'It reads like a dream . . . with every single word perfectly plotted to create a story like no other. Sometimes I laughed, sometimes I cried, but I always related and I never wanted it to end' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'From the very first page of this book I knew it was going to be a winner . . . This is a story of strength, determination and self discovery' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'If I could have made a list of all the things that I'd want an apocalypse novel to include, this book would check off every single box' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Terrifying, appalling, gory, explicit, laugh out loud funny and practically every other known emotion. This book has it all' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade ReviewI adored this book . . . It's about who you are with nobody to witness you, what it means to be human, and how to live (the answer is getting plastered in Harrod's, something we can all relate to) * Gillian McAllister *Brilliant. Creepy, witty, laugh-out-loud and shudder-inducing -- Harriet Walker, author of The New GirlA fresh, frank, funny and surprisingly uplifting book about the end of the world * Elizabeth Kay, author of Seven Lies *Finished this last night and haven't stopped thinking about it since! Possibly my fave read of 2020 - sharp, funny, emotional and a refreshingly different take on a post-apocalyptic world * Lisa Hall *Really fun . . . like a dystopian Bridget Jones' Diary with echoes of Shaun of the Dead * Kate Sawyer *Scary, emotional - and truly a novel for our times! * The Sun *I haven't been so consumed by a book for a long time. This is a masterpiece of modern fiction, which I have raced through it in a few days. It has consumed my thoughts and will stay with me for a long time * Sophie Cousens *This post-apocalyptic rollercoaster ride is full of belly-aching humour and the touching tale of a woman faced with the end of the world * Magic FM Book Club *This dystopian novel is very funny, super-gory but a testament to the human spirit, which is also oddly life-affirming * Red Magazine *I inhaled it in two sittings * Stylist *Fast-paced, tragic, wholesome and laugh-out-loud funny, Clift's debut has left me grateful for the little things, excited for what else she has to offer - and making plans for my apocalypse bunker * On Magazine *Thoroughly enjoyable and warmly recommended. Think of it as a literary version of 28 Days Later: terrifying, convincingly constructed, heart-pounding at times, often blackly funny * Irish Independent Review *Amazing. Unsettling and dark and SO clever. One of the most unnerving books I've ever read * Cressida McLaughlin *If you want something super original and mad and at times, both moving and VERY FUNNY, this is it * Cesca Major *Last One At The Party is brilliant and creepy, yet surprisingly funny and feminist * Press Association *A compelling, engaging, enthralling novel that keeps the reader turning the pages * Lancashire Times *Funny but harrowing, unflinching and uplifting and so cinematic. I really loved it * Jennifer Saint *You need to read this one. Darkly witty, but also deeply moving, this is a brilliant debut * Best Magazine *A phenomenal book!!!! I've just finished it and am blown away . . . original, brutal, funny and hugely addictive! I just know I'm not going to be able to stop thinking about it for a long time * Emma Cooper *Bethany Clift's Last One at the Party stands out as a bold and humorous take on the [pandemic-based fiction] genre. -- Bea Carvalho * Belfast Telegraph *Tense * Grazia *Funny and profanity-laden, you could call this "Bridget Jones Does the Apocalypse" * Financial Times *A true pandemic page-turner, with a satisfactorily chilling end . . . * The Irish Times *Plenty of style, originality and verve * Irish Sunday Independent *Clift's novel is a riotous, black-humoured tonic to get you through this latest national lockdown * Independent *There are no holds barred in this cracking, remorselessly funny debut * Daily Mail *Clift has written a story that feels uniquely personal to its female protagonist. For all her lows, there are genuine highs, and for all her fears, there are wonders to counterbalance the desolation of her situation. * Culture Fly *Very relatable - an incredibly up-to-date feel * SFX Magazine *I obsessively read Last One at the Party - a novel about a horrifying pandemic which ends up being about female resourcefulness and the power of love * Julie Cohen *Reading it will either help your mental health or provide extra nightmare fuel. Maybe both. * The New Zealand Listener *The novel expertly walks the line between profane and thoughtful, and is as much about the why of surviving as it is about the how * FT.com *A true pandemic page-turner, with a satisfactorily chilling end * TheGloss.ie *A joyful, gutwrenching car crash of remorse, pluck, gross indulgence and shopping * Daily Mail *So dark. So funny. So mad . . . A truly epic, apoca-f*cking-lyptic read * Beth Morrey *Unforgettable and original and so many other things. Touching and poignant, crude and strangely voyeuristic, timely and deeply relatable. It had the power to make me reflect about so many things. Loved it. Five stars for sheer originality * Allie Reynolds *Intense and fun and gruelling, I just couldn't put this novel down * Jenny Colgan *Clift's gripping dystopia is terrifying but edged with anarchic humour * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe end of the world has been avoided—for now. With Miri and her team of extracted heroes still on the run, Mother, the disgraced former head of the British Secret Service, has other ideas… While Mother retreats to her bunker to plot her next move, Miri, Ben, Safa and Harry travel far into the future to ensure that they have prevented the apocalypse. But what they find just doesn’t make sense. London in 2111 is on the brink of annihilation. What’s more, the timelines have been twisted. Folded in on each other. It’s hard to keep track of who is where. Or, more accurately, who is when. The clock is ticking for them all. With nothing left to lose but life itself, our heroes must stop Mother—or die trying.

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Book SynopsisSouth takes place in a USA ravaged by Civil War. It's been thirty years since the first wind-borne viruses ended the war between North and South - and still they keep coming. Every wind brings a new and terrifying way to die. The few survivors live in constant fear, hiding from the wind - and from each other. In this harsh Southern expanse, brothers Garrett and Dyce Jackson are on the run from brutal law-enforcers. They meet Vida, a lone traveller on a secret quest. Together, they will journey into the dark heart of a country riven by warfare and disease. This is the story of Dyce and Vida. This is the story of end-time. This is the story of The Cure and how it came too late. This is the story of South.Trade ReviewDark and beautiful and surprising. I loved it. * Lauren Beukes author of The Shining Girls *South is an absolute blinder of a book. With its cracking pace, unforgettable characters, deliciously gruesome premise and you-won't-see-them-coming twists, if this doesn't make 'book of the year' shortlists, I will eat my Stetson. The Sisters Brothers meets The Stand, it's a post-apocalyptic genre game changer. * Sara Lotz *There are echoes of Cormac McCarthy's The Road and Stephen King's The Stand, plus graphic violence and heart-stopping action set pieces, but what lifts South above many recent examples of the subgenre is Owen's pared-down prose, slick narrative and the sensitive depiction of Dyce and Vida's relationship. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisWhen her cousin and wife fail to return from a walk, this story takes a sinister turn to a quest of survival A woman takes a holiday in the Austrian mountains, spending a few days with her cousin and his wife in their hunting lodge. When the couple fails to return from a walk, the woman sets off to look for them. But her journey reaches a sinister and inexplicable dead end. She discovers only a transparent wall behind which there seems to be no life. Trapped alone behind the mysterious wall she begins the arduous work of survival.This is at once a simple account of potatoes and beans, of hoping for a calf, of counting matches, of forgetting the taste of sugar and the use of one's name, and simultaneously a disturbing dissection of the place of human beings in the natural world.**PERFECT FOR FANS OF THE YELLOW WALLPAPER, STATION ELEVEN AND THE MARTIAN**VINTAGE EARTH is a collection of novels to transform our relationship with the natural world. Each one is a work of creative activism, a blast of fresh air, a seed from which change can grow. The books in this series reconnect us to the planet we inhabit - and must protect. Discover great writing on the most urgent story of our times.Trade ReviewIt's a novel that contrives to be, by turns, utopian and dystopian, an idyll and a nightmare... Every joint and sinew of the story is restless with a sense of threat * London Review of Books *Brilliant in its sustainment of dread, in its peeling away of old layers of reality to expose a raw way of seeing and feeling. Doris Lessing once remarked that only a woman could have written this novel, and it's true... I've read The Wall three times already and am nowhere near finished -- Nicole KraussIt makes you sick, because, if she wasn't a woman, everyone would be reading it, like Robinson Crusoe -- Sheila Heti, author of 'Motherhood' and 'Pure Colour'Totally gripping -- Daniel Swift * Spectator, *Books of the Year* *An extraordinarily interesting writer, always underappreciated -- Elfriede Jelinek

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Book SynopsisJoanna. Jeannine. Janet. Jael.Four women, four worlds, four vastly different societies.When these women are suddenly able to communicate with each other through the boundaries of dimensions, they are confronted with what could have been if one thing changed in history. And they find themselves looking at their own worlds with new eyes. Acclaimed as one of the essential works of science fiction, The Female Man examines gender roles in society and remains a work of great power. It won a retrospective James Tiptree Jr. Award and a 2002 Gaylactic Spectrum Hall of Fame award.''A stunning book, a work to be read with great respect. It''s also screamingly funny'' - San Francisco Review of Books''She was brilliant in a way that couldn''t be denied''- The New Yorker''It''s a gorgeous book, frankly, and well worth any reader''s time'' - Tor.comWelcome to The Best Of The Masterworks: a selection of the finest in science

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Book SynopsisIn the baron’s icebound castle, a parasite is spreading . . . From Hiron Ennes, Leech is an atmospheric Gothic horror, perfect for fans of Jeff VanderMeer and Silvia Moreno-Garcia.'Unique and utterly assured, I will follow this writer anywhere' – Gillian Flynn, author of Gone GirlIn an isolated chateau, as far north as north goes, the baron’s doctor has died. The Interprovincial Medical Institute sends out a replacement. But when the new physician investigates the cause of death, which appears to be suicide, there’s a mystery to solve. It seems the good doctor was hosting a parasite. Yet this should have been impossible, as the physician was already possessed – by the Institute.The Institute is here to help humanity, to cure and to cut, to cradle and protect the species from the horrors their ancestors unleashed. For hundreds of years, it has taken root in young minds and shaped them into doctors, replacing every human practitioner of medicine. But now there’s competition. For in the baron’s cold castle, already a pit of secrets and lies, the parasite is spreading . . .These two enemies will make war within the battlefield of the body. Whichever wins, will humanity lose again?‘A wonderful new entry to Gothic science fiction, impeccably clever and atmospheric. Think Wuthering Heights . . . with worms!’ – Tamsyn Muir, author of Gideon the NinthFeatured in The Times Best Sci-Fi Books and Winner of The Sydney J. Bounds Award for Best Newcomer at the British Fantasy Awards 2023.Trade ReviewSo much more than the horror story it may sound like. This is The Thing meets The Alienist, and to call it merely horror is a disservice . . . So unique and utterly assured, I will follow this writer anywhere going forward. -- Gillian Flynn, author of Gone GirlA wonderful new entry to Gothic science fiction, impeccably clever and atmospheric. Think Wuthering Heights . . . with worms! -- Tamsyn Muir, author of Gideon the NinthLeech isn’t like anything I’ve read before. Superb writing, interesting and fresh ideas, skilful execution. Highly recommended. I’ll be reading anything Hiron Ennes writes from now on -- Tade Thompson, author of RosewaterWhat a unique book! Surprising turns and staggering ideas – all woven together by beautiful writing. This is one to remember -- Tim Lebbon, author of The SilenceI didn’t know a book could perfectly convey the concept of a distributed intelligence, alive and aware of each of its proxies, but Leech is proof anything is possible in good hands -- Cassandra Khaw, author of Nothing But Blackened TeethIf you’ve ever wondered what would happen if David Cronenberg and Edgar Allen Poe bumped into each other at the same parasitological conference, here’s your answer -- Peter Watts, author of BlindsightEnnes spins classic Gothic horror and fascinating science fiction into a creation that is disturbing, horrifying, and impossible to turn away from -- Brom, author of the Sandman Slim seriesLeech is wonderful, with a truly unique protagonist, a goeey, squicky post-apocalyptic setting, and a dose of Gormenghast gothic. Perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and The Traitor -- Django Wexler, author of The Shadow Campaigns seriesA tense, disturbing work of Gothic horror that embraces difficult themes of power, abuse, agency and raw survival in an unforgettably apocalyptic setting. Gory, shocking, raw – and utterly humane -- Kameron Hurley, author of The Light BrigadeHiron Ennes's debut is an intricate, well-observed marooned-community thriller -- The TimesUniquely compelling -- Financial Times

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Book Synopsis'Original, timely, terrifying' CHRIS WHITAKER'Brilliant, profoundly unsettling' DAILY MAILWHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WATER RUNS OUT?THE WORLD IS RUNNING OUT OF WATER.With supply in the cities drying up, Aida is forced back home to live with her mum at their rural Scottish farm. The border is closed. Tensions are close to breaking point. For now, Aida and her mother have just enough to get by.But then suspicious strangers arrive asking for help, Aida and her family face a terrible decision. How much water can they afford to share? AND THEN THE TAPS ARE TURNED OFF.Can they survive long enough for the rain to come?Completely compelling, devastating and thought-provoking, Thirsty Animals takes us on a captivating journey of survival and self-discovery.'Beautifully written, vivid and unflinching, it confirms Atalla as a real talent' DOUG JOHNSTONE'A master of slow-burning tension and unease . . . The pace of the story builds to an unputdownable conclusion, and the characters will stay with the reader for a long time' CAILEAN STEEDTrade ReviewThirsty Animals is a hard-hitting speculative thriller, equal parts terrifying and compassionate. Beautifully written, vivid and unflinching, it confirms Atalla as a real talent * Doug Johnstone *Original, timely, terrifying. Thirsty Animals takes a brutal yet deeply heartfelt look at survival, and kindness, and just how difficult it can be for the two to coexist at the extremes * Chris Whitaker *Rachelle Atalla's second novel has shown her once again to be a master of slow-burning tension and unease. Thirsty Animals is terrifyingly believable, and functions both as a warning against overconsumption and division, while also providing a hopeful message about the redemptive possibilities of community. The pace of the story builds to an unputdownable conclusion, and the characters will stay with the reader for a long time * Cailean Steed *this is one seriously brilliant and thought-provoking read * Heat *This brilliant, profoundly unsettling second novel will secure Atalla's place as an extraordinary writer, and a poet of controlled bleakness * Daily Mail *Atalla knows how to ramp up tension expertly, and Thirsty Animals comes to a dramatic, unexpected but satisfying conclusion * Big Issue *Compelling, unsettling and emotive, this is an exciting story of survival and self-discovery * Candis *A disturbing and compelling book * SFX *A prophetic book, offering the reader both a deeply unsettling glimpse into our possible future and a comforting reminder of how resilient humans can be. I was utterly captivated by the story, especially Atalla's characters who are richly drawn and incredibly relatable. Atalla has an uncanny knack of both revealing the best and the worst of humanity. She's quickly establishing herself as a writer for these unsettling times * Jan Carson *Thirsty Animals is one of those perfect reads. Compulsive and profound in equal measure, it is both page-turning thriller and philosophical disquisition on what it means to be human rolled into one. A dystopian triumph that confirms Atalla as a major talent, this chilling and believable second novel is horrifyingly brilliant in the best possible way * Mary Paulson-Ellis *Atalla writes with humanity and with such pace that at times, you find yourself gasping for breath. Even if you think apocalyptic fiction is not your bag, you might be surprised by Thirsty Animals. I was. * The Herald *

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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 SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for The Ice Lion"With this engrossing series launch, Gear conjures a vivid postapocalyptic world.... This mesmerizing adventure through a world destroyed by climate change is sure to have readers hooked." —Publishers Weekly"Gear brings her vast knowledge of prehistoric cultures to this climate-fiction tale with beautiful and engaging worldbuilding.... A loose, beautiful tapestry of a tale." —Kirkus Reviews"Written by both a master storyteller and scientist, it’s a chilling tale of a different climate change." —Amazing Stories"The icy setting, with its mountains and ocean, provide a cold backdrop to the warmth of the peoples, whose lives are going to be inescapably altered when paths cross and the past is excavated." —Whiskey with my Book

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the British Science Fiction Association award for best novel, and the Kitschies Red TentacleMarine biologist Hana Ishikawa is racing against time to save the coral of the Great Barrier Reef, but struggles to fight for a future in a world where so much has already been lost.Seventeen-year-old Judith Holliman escapes the monotony of Sydney Town during the nineteenth century, when her naval captain father lets her accompany him on a voyage, unaware of the wonders and dangers she will soon encounter.Telma Velasco is hunting for a miracle in a world ravaged by global heating: a leafy seadragon, long believed extinct, has been sighted. But as Telma investigates, she finds hope in unexpected places.Past, present and future collide in this powerful elegy to a disappearing world - and vision of a more hopeful future.Trade ReviewA rich and brilliant novel about the connectedness of humanity in itself and with its world: beautifully written and compellingly drawn, layering history, present day and the future with brilliancy and power. It's a novel about the climate crisis, but it's a naturalist's novel too, with some wonderfully, vividly observed writing about sealife from coral to sharks and seahorses. Just marvellous * Adam Roberts, author of The Thing Itself *A beautifully crafted love letter to our endangered coral reefs. E.J. Swift confirms her reputation for writing elegant, heartfelt and compelling eco-fiction * Anne Charnock, Arthur C. Clarke award-winning author of Dreams Before the Start and Bridge 108 *Beautifully realised, vivid versions of past, present and future combine in The Coral Bones to powerful effect. It gave me much to think about. I won't forget it * Aliya Whiteley, author of Skyward Inn and The Loosening Skin *E.J. Swift pulls no punches in this beautiful and terrifying yet boldly hopeful novel. The wonder of the Great Barrier Reef is laid out for us via a vivid multi-dimensional tour through the lenses of past, present and future' * Vicki Jarrett, author of Always North *A thoughtful, immersive, very human story that speaks to current fears and hopes for our world * Guardian *E.J. Swift's The Coral Bones is a piercing and acute novel which cannot leave you indifferent. It rages like a stormy ocean, but it also offers you a serene picture of the world's beauty - something not to be lost * British Fantasy Society *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for The Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse:"The book is damn hilarious. It's less Tanya Huff and more Phule's Company in the best possible way. It's witty and sharp, it sneaks in some social commentary, and it skates just on the right side of the line between clever absurdity and complete chaos." —Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author"A high-stakes romp full of interstellar hi-jinks and pulse-pounding action. Jim Hines's space janitors are the unlikeliest crew of heroes ever to save a galaxy." —Lisa Shearin, New York Times-bestselling author of the Raine Benares novels"It's like Guardians of the Galaxy meets MacGyver, with zombies." —Howard Tayler, Hugo-winning author of Schlock Mercenary“Jim Hines is one of the funniest, and most fun, writers in our genre! Terminal Alliance skewers science fiction tropes and takes on a wild romp through an original universe.” —Tobias S. Buckell, author of the Xenowealth series“Terminal Alliance was a really fun read. Mops is a great POV character, and I enjoyed the way that the maintenance crew got to be the heroes—but also they didn't just pick up the controls of the ship and fly around as though it were super easy.” —Ann Leckie, Nebula- and Hugo-winning author of Ancillary Justice“I enjoyed Terminal Alliance very much. It’s a spunky, irreverent interstellar romp with most unlikely heroes and frequent laugh-out-loud moments. I look forward to more adventures featuring this delightful cast of galactic janitors.” —Marko Kloos, author of the Frontlines series“Like the slightly demented love child of Douglas Adams and Elizabeth Moon, Terminal Alliance is clever, silly, full of surprises, and unfailingly entertaining. Apparently Jim C. Hines is capable of being funny in every genre.” —Deborah Blake, author of the Baba Yaga series“Hines (Libriomancer) delivers a fantastic space opera that doesn’t skimp on the action and excitement but pairs it with a hefty dose of slightly scatological humor. The author is especially clever in having Mops and her team leverage cleaning tools and a knowledge of spaceship plumbing to fight their enemies.” —Library Journal (starred)"[Terminal Alliance] is also good science fiction: a solid premise, an expansive universe, a compelling history, a strong and varied cast of characters, pulse-pounding action, and a galactic crisis with high stakes. The fact that it’s funny is icing on a rich and delicious cake. Clever, and should appeal to fans of Douglas Adams and John Scalzi." —Booklist"Subtle absurdist humor permeates the narrative, derived from faulty translations, cultural references without context, and unconventional solutions to problems. Clever characterization and action-packed moments round out this thoroughly satisfying outing." —Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe end... is only the beginning. After a mysterious global event known only as 'The Change', six strangers wake up in an underground research facility where they learn that they're part of the Extinction Trials – a scientific experiment to restart the human race. But the Extinction Trials harbours a very big secret. And so does the world outside. From A.G. Riddle, the Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestselling author with nearly five million copies sold worldwide in twenty languages, comes an epic standalone adventure with a surprise ending unlike anything you've ever read before.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR A.G. RIDDLE: 'This is apocalyptic sci-fi at its best. Plot and character are masterfully woven together and the action – which is anything but frozen – sling-shots from stage to stage like an intergalactic spaceship' Daily Mail, on The Solar War. 'A complex, multi-stranded narrative spanning 700 pages that reads like a superior collaboration between Dan Brown and Michael Crichton' * Guardian, on Pandemic *

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Book Synopsis''Vonnegut looked the world straight in the eye and never flinched'' J. G. BallardThis bitterly funny Cold War satire on the end of the world expresses our deepest fears of Armageddon, and has become a counter-culture classic.''A satirist with a heart, a moralist with a whoopee cushion'' Jay McInerney''The closest thing we had to a Voltaire'' Tom Wolfe''The time to read Vonnegut is just when you begin to suspect that the world is not what it appears to be. He is not only entertaining, he is electrocuting'' The New York Times

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Book SynopsisZero Dark Thirty meets The Social Network in this “clever…gritty” (Ken Liu, author of The Grace of Kings) science fiction thriller about artificial intelligence, sentience, and labor rights in a near future dominated by the gig economy—from Hugo Award nominee S.B. Divya.Welga Ramirez, executive bodyguard and ex-special forces, is about to retire early when her client is killed in front of her. It’s, 2095 and people don’t usually die from violence. Humanity is entirely dependent on pills that not only help them stay alive but allow them to compete with artificial intelligence in an increasingly competitive gig economy. Daily doses protect against designer diseases, flow enhances focus, zips and buffs enhance physical strength and speed, and juvers speed the healing process. All that changes when Welga’s client is killed by The Machinehood, a new and mysterious terrorist group that has simultaneously attacked several major pill funders. The Machinehood operatives seem to be part human, part machine, something the world has never seen. They issue an ultimatum: stop all pill production in one week. Global panic ensues as pill production slows and many become ill. Thousands destroy their bots in fear of a strong AI takeover. But the US government believes the Machinehood is a cover for an old enemy. One that Welga is uniquely qualified to fight. Welga, determined to take down the Machinehood, is pulled back into intelligence work by the government that betrayed her. But who are the Machinehood, and what do they really want? A “fantastic, big-idea thriller” (Malka Older, Hugo Award finalist for The Centenal Cycle series) that asks: if we won’t see machines as human, will we instead see humans as machines?Trade Review“With clever invention and astute observation popping from every paragraph, Machinehood takes you on a thrilling ride through a gritty, panoramic future that showcases intelligence in all its manifestations, humanity in all its potentialities, the infinite grace of ourselves as well as of our creations.” —Ken Liu, author of The Grace of Kings and The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories “From the opening manifesto to its ingenious technologies, Machinehood builds an inspiring and believable vision of the future that is both thought-provoking and hopeful. It will leave you wishing that tomorrow could arrive a little sooner.” —Ray Kurzweil, bestselling author, pioneering inventor, and renowned futurist * “This stunning near-future thriller from Divya (Runtime) tackles issues of economic inequality, workers’ rights, privacy, and the nature of intelligence. . . . Crack worldbuilding and vivid characters make for a memorable, page-turning adventure, while the thematic inquiries into human and AI labor rights offer plenty to chew on for fans of big idea sci-fi. Readers will be blown away.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “A fantastic big-idea thriller, with plenty of action, and substantive, important perspectives on what the future might look like.” —Malka Older, author of Infomocracy, and the Hugo-finalist Centenal Cycle “Divya has created a richly imagined and eerily familiar world . . . confronting urgent questions about humans’ place in a society increasingly run by AIs.” —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThe last survivors of the human race escaped a ruined Earth. Eos seemed perfect at first. Warm. Hospitable. Safe from the grid. But everything isn't as it seems. The planet's first settlers have disappeared. As Dr James Sinclair digs into the mystery of the lost colony, he discovers a series of spheres buried on Eos. Are they the key to finding the lost colonists? Or are they responsible for their deaths? Or are they a sign of something else altogether? Just as James is unravelling the secrets of the spheres, a storm hits Eos, and in the middle of the chaos, a new danger emerges – a threat no one saw coming... With time running out to save the colonists, James and Emma will face their hardest choice yet in the final pulse-pounding instalment in The Long Winter trilogy. Praise for A.G. Riddle: 'Reads like a superior collaboration between Dan Brown and Michael Crichton' Guardian on Pandemic 'Riddle keeps the focus on characters rather than technological marvels' Publishers Weekly 'Apocalyptic sci-fi at its best.The action sling-shots from stage to stage like an intergalactic spaceship' Daily MailTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR A.G. RIDDLE: 'This is apocalyptic sci-fi at its best. Plot and character are masterfully woven together and the action – which is anything but frozen – sling-shots from stage to stage like an intergalactic spaceship' Daily Mail. 'A complex, multi-stranded narrative spanning 700 pages that reads like a superior collaboration between Dan Brown and Michael Crichton' Guardian, on Pandemic. 'Well-constructed and tightly wound as a fine Swiss watch – Departure non-stop action, an engaging plot and, of course, wheels within wheels' Diana Gabaldon, bestselling author of Outlander. 'If you're after a fun apocalyptic science fiction thriller to take your mind off some of the reality of life on Earth then you're in the right place with Winter World' * For Winter Nights *

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Book SynopsisA gripping, compulsive thriller set in a future where the cure for ageing has been discovered… to devastating consequencesTrade Review‘Drew Magary's haunting first novel imagines a postmodern dystopia that would seem far-fetched if it didn't seem so possible. The End Specialist will make you regret ever wondering, even secretly, what it would be like to live forever’-Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak and A Few Seconds of Panic ‘As insanely entertaining as it is ambitious, The End Specialist takes us into an America set in the next few years and coming apart under the onslaught of a dreadful new plague – that of human immortality. Magary possesses an explosive imagination and let loose in The End Specialist, he creates an alternate history of the near future that feels real and is probably inevitable’-Evan Wright, author of Generation Kill ‘This thoughtful novel cleverly explores the consequences of having a long-term lease on life, from the mundane to the profound … Fascinating’-Publisher’s Weekly

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Book SynopsisEVOKES CLASSICS OF THE GENRE . . . THROWING IN ELEMENTS OF MAD MAX AND INDIANA JONES'FINANCIAL TIMESIn a world transformed by technological disaster, the last survivor of the Guild of Historians and his wisecracking mercenary companion once again find themselves searching for a missing child with unfathomable abilities.Battling through a brutal future and returning to the dangerous City of Towers, they will need brains, heavy weapons, and a whole lot of luck to survive.But they are also haunted and hunted by shadows of the past. The story of a scientist who survived the end of the world holds deadly secrets. And a ruthless assassin from another era is on their trail.Stunningly creative and breakneck-paced, book two of The Tarakan Chronicles is a science fiction adventure like no other.Trade ReviewPraise for THE LOST PUZZLER: ‘Evokes classics of the genre…throwing in elements of Mad Max and Indiana Jones’SFX ‘A coming-of-age story with a difference…intriguing and involving’DAILY MAIL ‘Evokes classics of the genre such as Jack Vance’s Dying Earth series and Gene Wolfe’s The Book of the New Sun, throwing in elements of Mad Max and Indiana Jones…a virtuoso performance’FINANCIAL TIMES ‘Readers looking for a crafty puzzle that descends into the twisty depths of loyalty and betrayal will enjoy this far-future adventure’PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ‘A rich and vivid future Earth that’s inventive and attention-grabbing in equal measure’SFX ‘This rich dystopian world includes snippets of technology that perplex most of the characters, a steady mix of storytelling and action, and intense character development that makes the book hard to put down’BOOKLIST

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Book SynopsisFor decades, George R.R. Martin bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire and creator of A GAME OF THRONES has collaborated with an ensemble of science fiction and fantasy icons to create the amazing Wild Cards universe.Tales of Love & Lust from the World of the Wild Cards An alien virus has ravaged the world. Survivors may draw an ace and receive superpowers, or the joker and become bizarrely mutated. And yet love still reigns supreme.In this fantastical collection of all-new stories A jewel thief seduces a popular actor just so she can track down a long-lost treasure A teenager trapped in the body of a giant snail attempts to win his love A man discovers his purpose in life after meeting a beautiful butterfly woman. A young hero by the name of Hero McHeroface finds solace in the arms of an astrologer hiding her own unique powersSuperheroes and villains do battle over the human heart in this anthology set in the Wild Cards universe.Contributors: Kevin Andrew Murphy, Christopher RTrade Review PRAISE FOR THE WILD CARDS SERIES ‘Deep and complex’STARBURST ‘Perhaps the most original and provocative of the shared worlds books’Peter S. Beagle, author of THE LAST UNICORN ‘Martin has assembled an impressive array of writers. . . . Progressing through the decades, Wild Cards keeps its momentum to the end’LOCUS 'Delightfully imaginative speculation'TORONTO STAR 'A treat for any fan of superhero stories'PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'New readers and fans of the long-running series will both love the fast-paced plotting and the ever-expanding history of the Wild Card virus on this alternate Earth, where even the superheroes are human'SHELF AWARENESS ‘The shared-world series known as Wild Cards has had a long and illustrious history of contributors and achievements’ SCIFI.COM

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisHailed as “an extraordinary novel of men at war” (The Washington Post) this is the book that inspired the TNT television series starring Eric Dane, Rhona Mitra, Adam Baldwin and Michael Bay as Executive Producer. The unimaginable has happened. The world has been plunged into all-out nuclear war. Sailing near the Arctic Circle, the U.S.S. Nathan James is relatively unscathed, but the future is grim and Captain Thomas is facing mutiny from the tattered remnants of his crew. With civilization in ruins, he urges those that remain—one-hundred-and-fifty-two men and twenty-six women—to pull together in search of land. Once they reach safety, however, the men and women on board realize that they are earth’s last remaining survivors—and they’ve all been exposed to radiation. When none of the women seems able to conceive, fear sets in. Will this be the end of humankind?

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Book SynopsisThe most famous catastrophe novel of the twentieth century, John Wyndham''s The Day of the Triffids, published as a Penguin Essential for the first time.''When a day that you happen to know is Wednesday starts off by sounding like Sunday, there is something seriously wrong somewhere.''When a freak cosmic event renders most of the Earth''s population blind, Bill Masen - one of the lucky few to keep his sight - finds himself trapped in a London jammed with sightless mobs who prey on those who can still see. But another menace stalks blind and sighted alike. With nobody to stop them the Triffids - walking carnivorous plants with lethal stingers - rise up as humanity stumbles and falls . . .Trade ReviewOne of those books that haunts you for the rest of your life * Sunday Times *Has captivated readers for over half a century * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''Bad Island is an extraordinary, unsettling document: a silent species-history in eighty frames, a mute future archive. I can imagine it discovered in the remnants of a civilisation; a set of runes found amid the ruins. Stark in its lines and dark in its vision, Bad Island reads you more than you read it'' Robert Macfarlane''I''ve read lots of Stanley''s stuff and it''s always good and I am in no way biased'' Thom Yorke, lead singer of Radiohead From cult graphic designer and long-time Radiohead collaborator Stanley Donwood comes a starkly beautiful graphic novel about the end of the world.A wild seascape, a distant island, a full moon. Gradually the island grows nearer until we land on a primeval wilderness, rich in vegetation and huge, strange beasts. Time passes and things do not go well for the island. Civilization rises as towers of stone and metal and smoke, choking the undergrowth and the creatures who once moTrade ReviewBad Island is an extraordinary, unsettling document: a silent species-history in eighty frames, a mute future archive. I can imagine it discovered in the remnants of a civilisation; a set of runes found amid the ruins. Stark in its lines and dark in its vision, Bad Island reads you more than you read it. * Robert Macfarlane *

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Book Synopsis''WATCH THOU FOR THE MUTANT!'' It is many years since God sent the Tribulation to punish the forebears for their sins, and in the rural settlement of Waknuk David Strorm''s father decries any and all blasphemies against nature. Little does he realise that David and his cousin Rosalind, have their own secret aberration which would label them as mutants. But as they grow older it becomes more difficult to conceal their differences from the village elders. Soon they face a choice: wait for eventual discovery, or flee to the terrifying and mutable Badlands. . .''An outstanding success'' New York Times Trade ReviewPerfect timing, astringent humour . . . One of the few authors whose compulsive readability is a compliment to the intelligence * Spectator *Remains fresh and disturbing in an entirely unexpected way * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''We defy you to pick up The Last and put it back down'' Stylist ''Extraordinary'' Emily St John Mandel, Station ElevenTWENTY SURVIVORS. ONE HOTEL. ONE KILLER.------ The world as we know it has ended. You and nineteen other survivors hole up in an isolated Swiss hotel. You wait, you survive. Then you find the body. One of your number has blood on their hands. The race is on to find the killer. Before the killer finds you.... Finished Station Eleven and Contagion and looking for your next pulse-pounding, speculative read? Look no further than The Last. This Waterstones Thriller of the month will sweep you into a world of fascinating characters and compulsive mystery.------ ''One of those books you can''t stop reading, but don''t want to end'' TM Logan, The Holiday''Dark, compelling, original'' CJTrade ReviewThe Last is a brilliantly executed novel, and the questions Jameson poses-who will be with you at the end of the world, and what kind of person will you be?-are as haunting as the plot itself. This is a chilling and extraordinary book -- Emily St John Mandel, author of 'Station Eleven'Dark, original, compelling -- CJ Tudor, author of The Chalk ManIt is Jameson's portrayal both imaginative and plausible, of how her characters adapt to their new life that makes her novel such compulsive reading * Daily Telegraph *A clever, original, scarily plausible white-knuckle read -- Erin Kelly, bestselling author of 'He Said, She Said'A brilliantly imagined tale of suspicion, betrayal and survival in a world on the brink of extinction. One of those books that you can't stop reading - but don't want to end -- TM Logan, bestselling author of 'Lies'Stephen King meets Agatha Christie, in this fantastic and highly original novel that I'll be recommending to readers for a long time to come. I loved every second of it! This is *the* book of 2019 -- Luca Veste, author of 'The Bone Keeper'Chillingly nightmarish - a gripping read -- Sophia Tobin, author of 'The Silversmith's Wife'Gripping, and thoroughly and frighteningly believable. I could not put this book down -- Jennie Melamed, author of 'Gather the Daughters'Jameson does an excellent job of exploring what nuclear war would mean for us . . . exploring what it would mean to live in a place where consequences no longer existed. * Observer *We defy you to pick up The Last and put it back down * Stylist *

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