Science fiction: near future

Book SynopsisFROM THE RENOWNED CLASSIC SCI-FI WRITER AND AUTHOR OF THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS AND THE CHRYSTALIDS''Ingenious'' Evening StandardFrancis Saxover and Diana Brackley, two scientists investigating a rare lichen, discover it has a remarkable property: it retards the aging process. Francis, realising the implications for the world of an ever-youthful, wealthy elite, wants to keep it secret, but Diana sees an opportunity to overturn the male status quo by using the lichen to inspire a feminist revolution.As each scientist wrestles with the implications and practicalities of exploiting the discovery, the world comes ever closer to learning the truth . . .Trouble With Lichen is a scintillating story of the power wielded by science in our lives and asks how much trust should we place in those we appoint to be its guardians?Trade ReviewIngenious * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisThe This is the new social media platform everyone is talking about. Allow it to be injected into the roof of your mouth and it will grow into your brain, allow you to connect with others without even picking up your phone. Its followers are growing. Its detractors say it is a cult. But for one journalist, hired to do a puff-piece interview with their CEO, it will change the world forever.Adan just wants to stay at home with his smart-companion Elegy - phone, friend, confidante, sex toy. But when his mother flees to Europe and joins a cult, leaving him penniless, he has to enlist in the army. Sentient robots are invading America, but it seems Adan has a surprising ability to survive their attacks. He has a purpose, even if he doesn''t know what it is.And in the far future, war between a hivemind of AIs and the remnants of humanity is coming to its inevitable end. But one woman has developed a weapon which might change the course of the war. It''s just a pity sTrade ReviewAn utterly bonkers, structurally ambitious novel about love, immortality, and the technological singularity...The This isan accessible, frequently funny novel. * Locus Magazine *Ambitious and fragmentary. [The This is] fascinating...5 stars! * SFX Magazine *Sci-fi's most outrageous experimentalist...The Times' Book of the month. * The Times *Adam Roberts is easily the most interesting active science fiction author. He is the 21st century's equivalent of John Brunner - endlessly innovative. [The This is] intensely clever. * Brian Clegg, Popular Science *

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Book SynopsisDO NOT SURRENDER CONTROL.'Mindwalker is a cinematic gut punch of action and espionage. Sharp-edged, tense and thrilling, you'll be holding your breath until the last page' Tasha SuriEighteen-year-old Sil Sarrah is determined to die a legend. But with only twelve months left before the supercomputer grafted to her brain kills her, Sil's time is quickly running out. In the ten years she's been rescuing field agents for the Syntex corporation - by commandeering their minds from afar and leading them to safety - Sil hasn't lost a single life. And she's not about to start now. But when a critical mission goes south, Sil is forced to flee the very company she once called home.Desperate to prove she's no traitor, Sil infiltrates the Analog Army, an activist faction working to bring Syntex down. Her plan: to win back her employer's trust by destroying the group from within. Instead, she and the Army's reckless leader, Ryder, uncover a horrifying truth that threatens to undo all the good she's ever done.With her tech rapidly degrading and her new ally keeping dangerous secrets of his own, Sil must find a way to stop Syntex in order to save her friends, her reputation - and maybe even herself.'The thrill ride of a lifetime' Kat Dunn'Pure adrenaline shot straight into your veins' Jesse Q. Sutanto 'Utterly enthralling' Saara El-Arifi 'This book will leave you breathless' Vaishnavi Patel'Ridiculously thrilling' Claire Winn 'A vibrant thrill ride from start to finish!' Meg LongTrade ReviewMindwalker is a cinematic gut punch of action and espionage. Sharp-edged, tense and thrilling, you'll be holding your breath until the last page * Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne *Utterly enthralling with no time to catch your breath, Dylan plunges you into an unforgiving world full of tech, secrets and government control. With a plot that doesn't let you go and characters you don't want to let go, Mindwalker is aptly titled-it will continue to live in my mind rent free * Saara El-Arifi, author of The Final Strife *Mindwalker is pure adrenaline shot straight into your veins. The story grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go, and by the end, you'll be begging for another book from Dylan! On a deeper level, it's also a wildly important read that takes an incisive look at issues of consent. A must-read for both fans of sci-fi and those who think they don't like sci-fi! * Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of The Obsession and Dial A for Aunties *Deftly balancing break-neck action with reflections on consent, mortality, and what legacy we choose to leave behind, Mindwalker is here to grab you by the throat and pitch you head first into the thrill ride of a lifetime. Buckle up, kids, Sil Sarrah is a heroine for the ages * Kat Dunn, Author of Dangerous Remedy *Mindwalker is a brilliant rollercoaster of a ride for those who love sci-fi, those who are new to it, and everyone in between. Packed with incredible action and thought-provoking commentary, this book will leave you breathless * Vaishnavi Patel, author of Kaikeyi *Ridiculously thrilling. Mindwalker is an explosion of everything I love in sci-fi: breakneck pacing, badass characters, stunning twists, and a teched-out world. Buckle up and hang on * Claire Winn, author of City of Shattered Light *A vibrant thrill ride from start to finish! Dylan's sparkling debut is full of instant character favorites paired with a wickedly vivid, tech-filled world of intrigue, romance, and nonstop action. This story has something for everyone-it's truly the sci-fi fix I've been dying for! * Meg Long, author of Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves *Mindwalker is the fast-paced, smart and surprising sci-fi of your dreams. Dylan's writing is masterfully commercial, her characters are complex and compelling; it's impossible to stop reading once you've started * Sarah Underwood, author of Lies We Sing to the Sea *Mindwalker is the most exciting book I've read this year. It starts fast and just gets faster! Kate Dylan's debut is expertly crafted and reads like a high-budget TV show waiting to happen. I can't wait to read more from her * Ben Oliver, author of The Loop *A thrilling, fast-paced page-turner. The worldbuilding is inspiring - utterly inventive, intricate, and wonderfully believable. Definitely a must-read for all sci-fi fans * London Shah, author of The Light at the Bottom of the World *Mindwalker is everything I love in YA SciFi: a fierce protagonist fighting the odds in a world just beyond our own, quick-witted banter, a mysterious rebel love interest, and a ticking clock. Pure adrenaline! * Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace *Action-packed, whipsmart, and chrome shiny, Mindwalker combines deep questions about consent and technology with a propulsive plot and fascinating (if terrifying) near future world * L. R. Lam, Sunday Times bestselling author of Dragonfall, Goldilocks and Shattered Minds *MINDWALKER is a cyberpunk near-future tale filled with action and thrills which I thoroughly enjoyed ... combining a fast-paced story with some consideration of ethical issues around corporate propaganda, manipulation and fully informed consent. It is well-written, easy to read and holds the reader's attention to the end * BSFG Newsletter *Kate Dylan's thrillingly fast-paced, futuristic and original sci-fi debut might fall into the YA category, but it holds plenty of appeal for just about anyone who loves action-packed Marvel-esque plots, quick-witted banter and intriguing characters with murky morals * Culturefly *This SF YA debut boasts pin-sharp characterisation and nail-biting, swift-paced action * Guardian *Well written, with strong central characters, plenty of action and constant page-turning suspense * ParSec *This engaging, fast-paced story is set in a believable dystopian world in which most of humanity has been destroyed * Kirkus Starred Review *Christmas gift guide: 'It's hard to stop reading this high-tech, high-concept thriller' * The i *What to Read: 'This book could revive the dystopian genre and I will be flying the flag for that' * Stellar Magazine *

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Book SynopsisJourney across the cosmos in George R. R. Martin''s beloved sci-fi universe, the Thousand Worlds, as a ragtag group of conspirators embark on a mysterious mission to gain unfathomable fame and fortuneif only they can survive.Voyaging is an absolute delight as Raya Golden brings Martin's space opera to life.Neil Gaiman, author of The SandmanOn the distant planet Hro B'rana, the last words of a dying man echo through the halls of a run-down trading station.Nearly three hundred years later, a group of fortune seekers embark on a mission to unravel the mystery of the fabled Plague Star aboard a rickety trade ship called The Cornucopia of Excellent Goods at Low Prices. But their journey will be far more perilous than any of them could have imaginedwho will survive this deadly quest and battle it out for the final prize?A darkly comic meditation on our future as a species, Voyaging, Volume 1: The Plague Star is a sci-fi adventure story of intrigue, greed, deception, and of course cats.Adapted and vividly illustrated by Hugo Awardnominated artist Raya Golden, this thrilling and action-packed graphic novel brings the first story from #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author George R. R. Martin's classic collection Tuf Voyaging to life.

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Book SynopsisWhen death becomes entertainment, every life has a price. And Cassie West is about to find out how much hers is worth . . . Ready Player One meets Black Mirror in this stunning speculative thriller set in a future world in which virtual reality isn''t just a game, it''s daily life.Pinter''s accessible speculative story will appeal to fans of Ernest Cline''s enduring hit, Ready Player One Booklist Starred ReviewDark, gritty, and suspenseful . . . A spellbinding story Publishers Weekly on Past CrimesWow Lee Child on Hide Away Absolutely addictive Lisa Gardner on Hide Away You''ll burn through the pages David Baldacci on Hide AwayWelcome to Earth+. The year is 2037, and nearly all human interactions have migrated to the virtual world. Now, true crime fans don''t just listen to podcasts or watch documentaries - they participate in hyper-r

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A thrilling standalone science fiction space adventure from Philip K. Dick award-winning author S.J. MordenStrange radio signals are coming from Jupiter's largest moons. A natural phenomenon, or something else?Commander Mariucci and his hand-picked research team know they will have to muster all of their expertise, creativity and teamwork to survive the very harshest of conditions in orbit around the king of planets. But when they intercept a peculiar radio transmission, they have to investigate. Nothing should work in these impossible conditions, so what is sending the signal . . . and why? With a degrading ship and crew at breaking point, there's every chance they will tear themselves apart before they ever find the answer to the ultimate question - are we alone in the universe?And more importantly - what do we do if we aren't?

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Best Thriller Pick for 2023'Provocative, perceptive and ingenious' - A J Finn, author of The Woman in the Window Shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Book Prize, Going Zero is a high-concept thriller from Oscar-nominated screenwriter Anthony McCarten. Perfect for fans of I Am Pilgrim and The Circle.TWO HOURS TO VANISHTen people are selected to Beta test a ground-breaking piece of spyware. Pioneered by tech-wunderkind Cy Baxter, FUSION can track anyone on earth.ONE CHANCE TO WINGiven two hours to 'Go Zero' – disappear off-grid – each Zero has thirty days to elude the sophisticated Capture Teams sent to find them. Anyone that beats FUSION will receive $3 million. If Cy's system proves itself, he wins a $90 billion contract with the CIA to revolutionize surveillance forever.ZERO ALTERNATIVES TO LOSINGFor Zero 10, Kaitlyn Day, the stakes are higher than money, and far more personal than Cy could have imagined. Kaitlyn needs to win to get what she wants, and Cy will stop at nothing to realize his ambitions. When the game’s timer hits zero, there will only be one winner. . .'One of the best thrillers I've read in a long time… pure entertainment' – Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pendergast series'As fast-paced as it is timely. . . wickedly taut' - Graham Moore, author of The HoldoutReader Praise for GOING ZERO:‘I read it in a single day as it proved impossible to put down’‘***** a thrill ride right from the off’‘Twists and turns, prize money, tech, government contracts and lies. This book has it all’‘Fans of the techno-thriller will eat it up’‘As compelling as The Da Vinci Code and as fun and fast paced’‘***** Wow just wow! Absolutely loved this book’‘Hands down one of the best thrillers I’ve read lately’‘***** I cannot recommend this book highly enough’‘Had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down’‘All I can say is wow’Trade ReviewThat can-you-beat-the-system hook recalls the juggernaut likes of Ready Player One and Lost, but Going Zero outpaces them both, and dives deeper: it's a speculative-fiction classic in the vein (and even in the league) of I, Robot and Jurassic Park. Provocative, perceptive, and – no other word will do – ingenious. -- A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the WindowOne of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. Beyond pure entertainment is the truth this novel speaks about the disturbing times we live in. -- Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Cabinet of Dr. Leng and The Lost City of the Monkey GodAs fast-paced as it is timely. . . Anthony McCarten shoots a bullet through contemporary America with this wickedly taut conspiracy thriller. I'll never look at my phone the same way again. -- Graham Moore, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Days of Night and The SherlockianThe excitement is in the chase, which builds steadily. . . This well-written yarn proves that you don't have to have a blood bath to have an engaging thriller * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisWhat would you do if you found out that evil aliens had confused the human race so much they made their own planet toxic?A Planet in Peril will have you questioning everything you know about your planet and how you live your life!

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Book SynopsisThe Future Is Oppression.Scions, sonko, landlords: whatever you call them, they're the super rich, the princes of capitalism, living off the labour – and the deaths – of the swarming masses and all too happy to see the world burn to preserve their luxurious lives.In three critically-acclaimed novellas, the "British master of science fiction" (Tor.com) takes you down into the mud and horror of a future battlefield, into the dust and burning heat of a scorched equator, into the grinding poverty of a newly-feudal village, with the folk who give their lives every day in the service of undeserving masters... and sows the seed of revolution.Collecting Tchaikovsky's critically acclaimed novellas Ironclads (2017), Firewalkers (2020) and Ogres (2022) for the first time, Terrible Worlds: Revolutions gives you three glimpses of hope for a better future.

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Book Synopsis''Ingenious, horrifying'' - Guardian It started with fireballs raining down from the sky and crashing into the oceans'' deeps. Then ships began sinking mysteriously and later ''sea tanks'' emerged from the deeps to claim people . . . For journalists Mike and Phyllis Watson, what at first appears to be a curiosity becomes a global calamity. Helpless, they watch as humanity struggles to survive now that water - one of the compounds upon which life depends - is turned against them. Finally, sea levels begin their inexorable rise . . . The Kraken Wakes is a brilliant novel of how humankind responds to the threat of its own extinction and, ultimately, asks what we are prepared to do in order to survive.Trade ReviewIngenious, horrifying * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisPeter F. Hamilton was born in Rutland in 1960 and now lives in Somerset. He began writing in 1987, and sold his first short story to Fear magazine in 1988. He has written many bestselling novels, including the Greg Mandel series, the Night's Dawn trilogy, the Commonwealth Saga, the Void trilogy, The Chronicle of the Fallers, the Salvation Sequence short story collections and several standalone novels including Fallen Dragon and Great North Road.Trade ReviewEverything readers of Salvation will have hoped for. A series emerging as a modern classic -- Stephen Baxter, author of TimeThis 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 SpaceSavage, brilliant and compelling. A masterclass in tension and spectacle -- Gareth L. Powell, author of Embers of War‘I found myself gripped by Salvation Lost, as I devoured it right to the scintillating end . . . a dazzling tale of humanity face-to-face and toe-to-toe with the ultimate enemy!’ -- Michael Cobley, author of The Seeds of EarthPacey, scary, heart-in-the-mouth thrilling, Salvation Lost is a total blast -- Ian McDonald, author of Cosmonaut KeepSalvation Lost is action-oriented hardcore science fiction at its page-turning best -- GuardianA startlingly fresh, vigorous and original cosmic saga. Highly enjoyable! -- Stephen Baxter on SalvationSalvation is a twisty and hugely satisfying SF thriller that opens a portal on a new and exciting series -- Alastair Reynolds on SalvationNo one offers action-packed, meticulous, suspenseful and consistent hi-tech futures better than Peter Hamilton, and Salvation cranks all of that up five notches -- David Brin, author of Sundiver, on SalvationExplosions! Assassins! Enigmatic aliens, spaceships and jump doors . . . Accept no substitutes, this is the real deal. You need Salvation, my friend. Everyone needs salvation -- Ian McDonald on SalvationThe classic Hamilton cocktail of techno-thriller, far-future vision and action adventure shaken to an intoxicating combination. A promising start to an ambitious new series. Science Fiction is in excellent hands -- Justina Robson, author of Keeping It Real, on SalvationSalvation is a space-opera intrigue with a cold shock of an ending that makes the sequel a matter of urgency -- Ken MacLeod on SalvationA vast, intricate sci-fi showstopper... the journey grips as hard as the reveal -- Daily Mail on SalvationHamilton handles massive ideas with enviable ease -- Guardian on SalvationExciting, wildly imaginative and quite possibly Hamilton’s best book to date -- SFX Magazine on Salvation, 5 starsThe owner of the most powerful imagination in science fiction -- Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the EarthThe phrase "modern master of science fiction" is not to be lightly bestowed. Peter F. Hamilton has earned it -- John Scalzi, author of Old Man's WarHis books seem to be getting better by the year. A master craftsman of huge imagination -- SFX

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Book Synopsis''The Sun Bird was beginning to travel fast, close to the edge of the whirlpool. They could look right down into the hollow of spinning water'' While flying over Africa''s New Sea, a water project in the heart of the Sahara desert, Mark Sunnet''s rocket plane crashes and is sucked through a hole in the desert floor into a strange, cavernous new world.There, he and his partner Margaret encounter the survivors of an ancient race of underground dwellers whose whole existence is now threatened. Captured and forced to live with other prisoners taken from the surface, the pair know that they must escape before the waters above drown them all . . .The Secret People, published in 1935, is John Wyndham''s first novel.''Perhaps the best writer of science fiction England has ever produced'' Stephen King

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Book SynopsisFROM THE AUTHOR BEHIND BRAND NEW APPLE TV HIT SHINING GIRLSWINNER OF THE 2011 ARTHUR C CLARKE AWARD''A major, major talent'' GEORGE R.R. MARTIN_______Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit and a talent for finding lost things. But when a little old lady turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheque, she''s forced to take on her least favourite kind of job - missing persons.Being hired by reclusive music producer Odi Huron to find a pop star should be her ticket out of Zoo City, the festering slum where the criminal underclass and their animal companions reside.Instead it catapults Zinzi deeper into the maw of a city twisted by crime and magic, where she''ll be forced to confront the dark secrets of former lives - including her own._______''Beukes is very *very* good. It feels effortless, utterly accomplished'' William Gibson''Beukes brings a secret tenderneTrade Review[Beukes] brings a secret tenderness and humanity to her off-kilter portrait of the here and now * Guardian *Lauren Beukes is very, *very* good. It feels effortless. Utterly accomplished -- William GibsonA fabulous outing from an extremely promising writer ... [It] has so much fabulous wordplay, imaginative settings and scenarios, and such a dark and cynical heart that I was totally riveted by it -- Cory DoctorowBeukes's energetic noir phantasmagoria ... crackles with original ideas ... Beukes skilfully employs all the twists of first-rate noir ... powerful indeed -- Jeff Vandermeer, New York TimesBeukes delivers a thrill ride that gleefully merges narrative styles and tropes, almost single-handedly pulling the "urban fantasy" subgenre back towards its groundbreaking roots * Publishers Weekly *Energetic and imaginative ... Packed with colour, dark humour and thought-provoking ideas, Zoo City is an absolute must for anyone with a taste for the wilder edges of the genre * SFX Magazine *Original and unputdownable * Cosmopolitan *An unpredictable and helluva awesome read * Heat *Lauren Beukes is Jeff Noon crossed with Raymond Chandler. I loved it, it's going to be huge -- Paul CornellI couldn't put this down. It's weird, thrilling, funny... filled with sleazy characters and lots of bad attitude -- Mike NicolAn unfamiliar land full of familiars, a broken Johannesburg peopled with damaged wonders... If our words are bullets, Lauren Beukes is a marksman in a world of drunken machine-gunners -- Bill WillinghamZoo City is pure originality ... a book that had me reading it revelling in Beukes' magical way with words * SF Signal *At times the witty and lyrical prose is sheer magic, the story captivating and the characters exotic, cruel and beautiful while the backdrop of Johannesburg seethes with hidden, lurking dangers around every corner, Zoo City is quite simply captivating * SciFi & Fantasy Books *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2023 Arthur C. Clarke Award!Terraforming - the megascale-engineering of a planet''s surface to one more Earth-like - is now commonplace across the Solar System, and Pluto''s is set to be the most ambitious transformation yet. Four billion miles from the Sun and two hundred degrees below zero, what this worldlet needs is light and heat. Through captured asteroids and solar mirrors, humanity''s finest scientists and engineers are set to deliver them.What nobody factored in was a saboteur - but who, and why? From the start, terraformer Lucian is intrigued by nine-year-old Nou, silent since a horrifying incident that shook the base and upended her family into chaos. If he could reach her, perhaps he could understand what happened that day - and what she knows about the secrets of Pluto. Nou possesses unspoken knowledge that could put a stop to the terraforming. Gripped by her fears, unable to trust her family, there is no one shTrade ReviewA scientific romance for a new era, and very welcome. The language and imagery are as perfectly formed as ice crystals. And Kissick had turned Pluto into a world as marvellous as Arrakis or Pandora * Stephen Baxter *Adventurous SF that pushes the envelope and asks big questions. Lucy Kissick is the next big thing in space. * Paul Cornell *[Lucy Kissick's] depictions of what it could be like on Pluto are thrillingly vivid...A rousing good story. * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe pulldogs, a group of people at the twilight of Western civilisation, undergo an anthropological transformation caused by the dissemination of nanites (nanorobots capable of assembling molecules to create matter). This technology changes the way they eat and gives rise to a culture which, while reminiscent of an ancient nomadic society, is creative and new. Liberation from the imperative of food, combined with the ability to 3D print objects and use cloud computing, makes it possible for the pulldogs to make a choice that seems impossible and anachronistic – a new life, but is it really an Arcadia? FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress.Trade ReviewThis is exciting stuff and is first rate futurism.” James Patrick Kelly, Nebula, Locus and Hugo Award winner"Our world is closing in. We're in danger of becoming parochial and tribal. This is why Francesco Verso is such an important voice in SF. Here's a writer and publisher from outside the anglosphere, not just reminding us that SFF is a global literature and a global language but working in tireless support of writers and literature from all across the planet. Listen to what he has to say." -- Ian McDonald"The Roamers is an urgent, impassioned work for our times that cements Francesco Verso’s place at the forefront of European SF writers working today. Not to be missed!" -- Lavie Tidhar

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Book SynopsisColonists from the entire solar system converge on the mother planet for the 2276 celebrations.Among the influx of humanity is Duncan Makenzie, scientist-administrator from the underground colony of Titan, one of the outer moons of Saturn. Makenzie is not just on Earth for the celebrations, though; he has a delicate mission to perform - for his world, his family and himself . . .

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Book SynopsisWhen three people suffer strokes after seeing dazzling lights over Edinburgh, then awake completely recovered, they’re convinced their ordeal is connected to the alien creature discovered on a nearby beach … an adrenaline-soaked, deeply humane, life-affirming first-contact novel from one of Scotland’s most revered authors… **Selected for BBC 2 Between the Covers 2023** ‘All the drive, curiosity and wonder of his crime and mystery novels … science fiction gains a new author’ Derek B Miller ‘If you read one life-affirming book this year, make sure it’s this one’ Nina Pottell, Prima ‘The main characters, their lives and their struggles, are portrayed very vividly. I was straight into this, just like a thriller’ Ivo Graham on Between the Covers –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Connecting will change everything… Lennox is a troubled teenager with no family. Ava is eight months pregnant and fleeing her abusive husband. Heather is a grieving mother and cancer sufferer. They don’t know each other, but when a meteor streaks over Edinburgh, all three suffer instant, catastrophic strokes... ...only to wake up the following day in hospital, miraculously recovered. When news reaches them of an octopus-like creature washed up on the shore near where the meteor came to earth, Lennox senses that some extra-terrestrial force is at play. With the help of Ava, Heather and a journalist, Ewan, he rescues the creature they call 'Sandy' and goes on the run. But they aren’t the only ones with an interest in the alien … close behind are Ava’s husband, the police and a government unit who wants to capture the creature, at all costs. And Sandy’s arrival may have implications beyond anything anyone could imagine… –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ‘This had all the makings of a film … such relatable characters. Writing a story about a mixed-race boy in the care system and two women so brilliantly is so impressive’ Sunetra Sarker on Between the Covers ‘So readable and accessible … I was really rooting for the characters’ Alan Davies on Between the Covers ‘A gateway book to SciFi … I loved it’ Sara Cox on Between the Covers ‘A sci-fi novel that is as moving as it is magical and mysterious. Doug Johnstone has hit it out of the park again’ Mark Billingham ‘A delicious, demanding departure from Doug Johnstone’ Val McDermid ‘Science fiction may be a departure for Johnstone, but he’s approached it like the crime thrillers that made his name, prioritising pace, tension and high stakes … a plea for empathy, compassion and perspective, and a celebration of our capacity to connect with one another, shot through with vivid characters and a sense of wonder’ Herald Scotland ‘An entertaining, fast-paced story of first contact … well told, with relatable characters and important themes making for an emotionally engaging read’ Guardian ‘A gloriously hopeful story and a perfect road trip movie just waiting to be made … I can’t recommend this highly enough’ James Oswald ‘An adrenaline-filled ride of a novel, laced with empathy and understanding for our instinctual need to connect' Rachelle Atalla 'Johnstone's mesmeric story artfully puts Scotland centre stage in a sci-fi drama that is as much about the smallness of mankind and the importance of kinship … Pay attention, Steven Spielberg! This could be your next film’ Marnie Riches ‘A clever and unusual read … I was on a journey with these characters, and completely transfixed’ Susi Holliday ‘Doug Johnstone held me spellbound with this mesmerising tale of wonder and hope’ Marion Todd ‘A heart-warming, fast-paced, often tense look at friendships that surpass all boundaries, and an exploration of the very basic need for connection and a place to belong … divine’ Jen Med’s Book Reviews What readers are saying ***** ‘I wish I could adequately convey how much I loved this book’ ‘A beautiful story … it brought me to tears’ ‘A masterpiece … compassionate, full of love and hope’ ‘An out-of-this-world, mesmerising first-contact story about the striking importance and impact of true connection’ ‘Riveting’ ‘High stakes, high adrenaline and somehow so gentle and moving. This is one of the most beautiful, extraordinary books I’ve ever read’ ‘I don’t think I’ll ever forget these characters’

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Book SynopsisGREEN EARTH takes the stories first told in FORTY SIGNS OF RAIN, FIFTY DEGREES BELOW and SIXTY DAYS AND COUNTING and combines them in a fully updated, compressed and compelling single volume.Trade Review‘One of the finest working novelists in any genre’GUARDIAN 'If I had to choose one writer whose work will set the standard for science fiction in the future, it would be Kim Stanley Robinson’NEW YORK TIMES Praise for the Science in the Capital series: ‘The BRAVE NEW WORLD of global warming … A narrative that is rich in closely observed characters and a wonderfully vivid sense of place … depicts a society sleep-walking towards the abyss’GUARDIAN ‘A funny, convincing, intelligent book’INDEPENDENT ‘Finely written and persuasively paints what may be – if climate change happens the way so many scientists fear’SFX

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Book SynopsisA damaged teenage tech prodigy meets an enigmatic waitress in a tiny Tokyo café, sparking an epic journey across Japan that will change everything, forever … a captivating, masterful novel with an extraordinary mystery at its heart… ‘Set against a tech heavy backdrop Beautiful Shining People blooms into an emotional and soulful tale that reckons with the isolation we can all feel as outsiders’ SciFi Now Book of the Month ‘That Beautiful Shining People isn’t just a slipstream novel with pretensions to being literature is in great part down to the deftness and tenderness with which Grothaus draws his central relationship … to let us explore a world of robots and deepfakes that’s just unfamiliar enough to be exotic’ SFX Magazine Book of the Month ‘A fascinating exploration of what it means to be human in a world where everything can be faked … wonderful, insightful and thoughtful’ James Oswald –––––––––––––This world is anything but ordinary, and it’s about to change forever… It’s our world, but decades into the future… An ordinary world, where cars drive themselves, drones glide across the sky, and robots work in burger shops. There are two superpowers and a digital Cold War, but all conflicts are safely oceans away. People get up, work, and have dinner. Everything is as it should be… Except for seventeen-year-old John, a tech prodigy from a damaged family, who hides a deeply personal secret. But everything starts to change for him when he enters a tiny café on a cold Tokyo night. A café run by a disgraced sumo wrestler, where a peculiar dog with a spherical head lives, alongside its owner, enigmatic waitress Neotnia… But Neotnia hides a secret of her own – a secret that will turn John’s unhappy life upside down. A secret that will take them from the neon streets of Tokyo to Hiroshima’s tragic past to the snowy mountains of Nagano. A secret that reveals that this world is anything ordinary – and it’s about to change forever… ––––––––––––– ‘Poetically written, every word of this adventure leaps off the page with passion. A wonderful and enlightening trip’ The Sun ‘Cyberpunk meets bildungsroman – a real joy’ Oscar de Muriel ‘Exquisite world-building, this book had me invested from the very first page. Vivid plot and irresistible characters and a real tug at the soul … you'll drown in it’ Lisa Bradley ‘A life-affirming, epic book about what it is to be human: to live, to dream, to hope, to love … at a time when we most need reminding of these things’ David F Ross ‘Totally engrossing from the start – the story, characters and settings will linger in your imagination long after you're finished … truly wonderful’ Jonathan Whitelaw ‘Masterful … truly breathtaking and achingly beautiful. It builds anticipation and suspense before coming together in a thrilling, captivating conclusion’ The Bookbag ‘Outstanding! Sci-fi showing how the past might impact on the future … a glimpse into a (very plausible) terrifying future’ Michael J Malone What readers are saying… ***** ‘A beautiful, emotional and thought-provoking read’ ‘A striking and strange novel – and a searing statement about the dangerously thin lines between utopia and dystopia’ ‘Just devastatingly beautiful’ ‘My book of the year … no question’ ‘Masterful storytelling’ ‘Grothaus has a bewitching ability to stop time in a moment, and then run seemlessly into action with unstoppable momentum’ ‘Succinctly captured the feeling of Japanese fiction. I was very much put in mind of Haruki Murakami or Toshikazu Kawaguchi’

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Book SynopsisFrom the Number One international bestselling author of Jurassic Park comes this classic Crichton page-turner, weaving together heart-pounding thrills with cutting-edge technology.In California, odd things are happening to unemployed scientist Jack Forman. His children tell Jack that strange men have visited the house. And Julia, his wife, isn''t helping she acts, even looks, somehow different.Deep in the Nevada desert, in the laboratory where Julia works, things are out of control. A swarm of rogue microbots, designed to reproduce and learn, is developing with a frightening speed that has the scientists battling to contain it.Only when Jack is called in to help does he discover the shocking truth the microbots have been programmed to behave as predators.And Man is the preyTrade Review‘One of the most ingenious, inventive thriller writers around … ‘Prey’ sees him doing what he does best – taking the very latest scientific advances and showing us their potentially terrifying underbelly. Another high-concept treat … written in consummate page-turning style … fascinating.’ Observer ‘This is Crichton on top form, preying on our fears about new technology and convincing us that we aren’t half as afraid as we should be.’ The Times ‘Mixing cutting-edge science with thrills and spills, this is classic Crichton.’ Daily Mirror ‘Reading Crichton is like taking a speed-reading course, your eyes flying across the page because you're completely gripped and desperate to know what’s going to happen next.’ Time Out 'Having written about dinosaurs in “Jurassic Park”, Crichton has gone to the other extreme by casting micro-robots as his latest villains…the race to combat the deadly swarm, which reminded me strongly of his first novel “The Andromeda Strain”, is as gripping as anything he's ever done'Mail on Sunday 'Riveting, masterly entertainment' Evening Standard 'Very good' Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisNeedle in a Timestack is Robert Silverberg at his very best - intelligent, inventive, and visionary. This collection showcases his talent for thought-provoking science fiction, ranging in themes from time travel to space travel, the media to mortality.In the titular story - now a feature film by Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley - a jealous ex-husband warps time in a vindictive attempt to destroy his former wife''s new marriage. Thirty-one identical sons have a shocking surprise for their mother in There Was an Old Woman. The prophetic The Pain Peddlers depicts reality TV in a way that allows viewers to revel in a voyeuristic, adrenaline-fueled rush. Also included are Silverberg''s Hugo Award-winning Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another, and the Locus Award winner The Secret Sharer, a Joseph Conrad-inspired tale of a ship captain drawn into a strange alliance with a stowaway.

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Book Synopsis'An intense, superbly crafted, edge of your seat thrill ride' Sylvain Neuvel, author of SLEEPING GIANTS If you could be ANYONE, who would you be? When a brilliant female scientist searching for an Alzheimer's cure throws a switch - and finds herself mysteriously transported into her husband's body, she will change her life - and the world - forever.Two decades later, 'flash' technology allows individuals the ability to transfer their consciousness into other bodies for specified periods, paid, registered and legal. Society has been utterly transformed by the process, from travel to warfare to entertainment. But beyond the reach of the law is a sordid black market called the darkshare, where desperate vessels anonymously rent out their bodies, no questions asked . . . for any purpose. Anami has her own reasons for using it, and they start with revenge.Like BLADE RUNNER crossed with GET OUT, Charles Soule's thought-provoking work of speculative fiction takes us to a world where identity, morality, and technology collide.Trade ReviewFast-paced and suspenseful. Soule's uncomfortable vision of the future will please readers of cutting-edge speculative fiction * Publishers Weekly *An intense, superbly crafted, edge of your seat thrill ride. I loved the two slowly converging storylines, not to mention the most dedicated, hardcore character I've read in a long, long time * Sylvain Neuvel, author of Sleeping Giants *A sharp, prescient investigation of the human mind inside a breakneck thriller that will have you riveted until the very last twist * Peng Shepherd, author of The Book of M *An imaginative, time-fragmented thriller about the bitter and potentially deadly consequences of body-snatching * Kirkus Reviews *A remarkable, consequential novel and a terrifying wake-up call * Susan Henderson, author of The Flicker of Old Dreams *Explosive * Booklist *A wonderfully mysterious thriller that proves Soule is as much a master of prose as he is of comic book script * Chuck Wendig, NYT bestselling author of Wanderers *This volatile and unpredictable novel will entertain and keep you guessing until the very end * New York Journal of Books *The Oracle Year has all of the elements of a straight-ahead Action thriller, while exploring faith, politics, and personal responsibility with heart and a sly, satirical wit straight out of the funny pages * B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog *

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Book SynopsisIn a world ravaged by climate change, a young woman's job of enforcing Britain's one-child policy is compromised when she discovers an illegal sibling on the ministry hit list, and that sibling is hers… `A tightly paced plot set in an all-too imaginable future … a page-turning, thought-provoking read´ Jo Callaghan ‘With echoes of V for Vendetta, ONE serves as a stark warning, challenging societal norms and individual sacrifices in the face of adversity’ SciFi Now Book of the Month ‘Pleasingly terrifying’ New Scientist `A terrifying vision of a global climate emergency, a jaw-dropping government conspiracy and some truly devastating twists … one hell of a speculative thriller´ Tom Hindle ––––––––––––––––––– One law. One child. Seven million crimes… A cataclysmic climate emergency has spawned a one-child policy in the UK, ruthlessly enforced by a totalitarian regime. Compulsory abortion of 'excess' pregnancies and mandatory contraceptive implants are now the norm, and families must adhere to strict consumption quotas as the world descends into chaos. Kai is a 25-year-old `baby reaper´, working for the Ministry of Population and Family Planning. If any of her assigned families attempt to exceed their child quota, she ensures they pay the price. Until, one morning, she discovers that an illegal sibling on her Ministry hit-list is hers. And to protect her parents from severe penalties, she must secretly investigate before anyone else finds out. Kai's hunt for her forbidden sister unearths much more than a dark family secret. As she stumbles across a series of heinous crimes perpetrated by the people she trusted most, she makes a catastrophic discovery that could bring down the government … and tear her family apart. ––––––––––––––––––– `Eve Smith is a master storyteller for our troubled times´ Simon Conway `Chillingly plausible … both thrilling and deeply moving´ Philippa East `All too convincing and scientifically plausible … as much a warning as an entertainment´ Paul E. Hardisty `Amazing, beautiful writing, jam-packed with clever ideas´ Helen Fitzgerald `Gripping, frightening and deep … a very brilliant, masterful book´ Sarah K. Jackson `Simmering with great intelligence and insight that never fails to be terrifyingly and thrillingly plausible´ James Goodhand `A visionary storyteller´ Awais Khan `A gripping and pacy thriller set in an all too plausible and terrifying future´ David Beckler `Meticulously crafted, no detail is overlooked … so authentic it doesn't feel speculative at all´ Sarah Sultoon `Raises troubling issues about the balance between saving the planet and our individual human rights … brilliant!´ Guy Morpuss `Pulse-pounding and heart-rending in equal measure, this book is a tour-de-force´ Louise Mumford `A powerful warning and a gripping thriller´ Greg Mosse `A chilling, poignant novel that holds a mirror up to our world … sensational´ Vikki Patis `Gripping and unsettling´ Shen Yang `Compulsive and addictive´ Adam Simcox `Another taut and terrifying thriller from Eve Smith´ Louise Swanson `A terrifying, yet plausible read. Too scary to imagine in reality, and yet…´ Heather Fitt `Horrifying and gripping in equal measure … a jaw-dropping glimpse of the catastrophe around the corner … Astonishing´ Lucy Martin

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Book SynopsisA landmark book in the fields of science fiction and feminism.Four women living in parallel worlds, each with a different gender landscape. When they begin to travel to each other''s worlds each woman''s preconceptions on gender and what it means to be a woman are challenged.Acclaimed as one of the essential works of science fiction and an influence on William Gibson, THE FEMALE MAN takes a look at gender roles in society and remains a work of great power.

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Book SynopsisA gripping introduction to the world of Peter F. Hamilton’s Commonwealth Saga, Misspent Youth is set in the near-future, over three hundred years before Pandora’s Star and Judas Unchained. For fans of Iain M. Banks and Stephen Baxter.Jeff Baker is granted the gift of eternal youth. However, it’s not all it seems . . .It is 2040 and, after decades of research, we can finally rejuvenate a human being. At seventy-eight years old, Jeff Baker – renowned inventor and philanthropist – has given the world much of his creative genius. He’s therefore selected as first choice for this gift.At first, rejuvenation feels like a miracle. Until the glow begins to fade. Personal relationships start to break down and the world waits for more brilliant new work. Living the dream will come at a cost, but can Jeff pay the price?‘The owner of the most powerful imagination in science fiction’ – Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the Earth‘Hamilton handles massive ideas with enviable ease’ – GuardianTrade ReviewThe owner of the most powerful imagination in science fiction -- Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the EarthThe phrase “modern master of science fiction” is not to be lightly bestowed. Peter F. Hamilton has earned it -- John Scalzi, author of The Kaiju Preservation SocietyHamilton handles massive ideas with enviable ease -- GuardianWe’ve said it before but let’s say it again: nobody does BIG SF quite like Hamilton -- SFX

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Book SynopsisTalking fridges, human clone farms, flying shopping malls we must be in the Michael Marshall Smith zone. A world all too close to our ownSpares human clones, the ultimate health insurance. An eye for an eye but some people are doing all the taking.Spares the story of Jack Randall: burnt-out, dropped out, and way overdrawn at the luck bank. But as caretaker on a Spares Farm, he still has a choice, and it might make a differenceif he can run fast enough.Spares a breathless race through strange, disturbing territories in a world all too close to our own.Spares it's fiction. But only justTrade Review‘Comic, cruel, twisted and surreal’EMPIRE ‘Some books stretch the imagination. This one mugs it’DAVID BADDIEL ‘Tense, exciting and at times very, very funny… He’s worth every penny’TIME OUT ‘Witty, hard-edged and coruscatingly imaginative… Compellingly off-kilter’NEW SCIENTIST ‘Spares blurs imaginative surrealism and hard-bitten horror with a storytelling skill that can only be described as pure genius’VENUE ‘A compulsively readable melding of hardboiled narrative and hardware invention’PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

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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 SynopsisMachine learning, AI and large language models tell us that the future is with us now. This thrilling collection of science fiction stories gathers the fears and opportunities prompted by responsive chatbots to reveal the struggles of the Machine Age, affecting both humanity and artificial intelligence. With stories from open submissions and classic tales we examine the interplay between automation, humankind, and what it is to be human. The stories encourage us to think of human and machine development in the same terms. What is it like to emerge from childhood as an adult? What was it like to be at the mercy of elemental forces in ancient times? Are we truly in control of our climate now? Are machines the future, or a dangerous distraction? Are thinking machines inevitable? There's so much to explore in this fascinating new book. New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Rachel Aukes, Stewart C. Baker, Hal Bodner, Kushal Chatterjee, Vivian Chou, Matthew Chrulew and Stelarc’s Prosthetic Head, P.A. Cornell, Yelena Crane, E.J. Delaney, Derek Des Anges, Louis Evans, Paige E. Ewing, Shannon Fay, Sydney Paige Guerrero, K. Lynn Harrison, Emily Inkpen, Akis Linardos, Mary Liu, K.G. McAbee, Corbett McKinney, Adam Mitchell, Jason Sabbagh, M.C. St. John, Antonia Rachel Ward, Nemma Wollenfang, and Ramez Yoakeim. These appear alongside classic work by Karel Čapek, E.T.A. Hoffman, Franz Kafka, Damon Knight, Mary Shelley, H.G. Wells, and more. The gorgeous editions of Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

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Book SynopsisA preliminary to Dick's masterwork, Valis, in which Phil appears as an explicitly named autobiographical character for the first time. Soon to be a major new film.As America gasps in the stranglehold of a skull-crushing totalitarian regime, a supernatural intelligence speaks from the starsARAMCHEK the word scratched in the sidewalk of the President's childhood home.ARAMCHEK the name of the subversive society with no official membership' whose sole purpose is to overthrow the American government.ARAMCHEK the word printed on a book which contains the President's signature a book in the hands of a Communist Party organiser.ARAMCHEK the name of a woman who may hold the key and who has only weeks to live.Will the agents of the omniscient Valis succeed in their mission of liberation? Or will the seek-and-destroy tactics of President Ferris F. Freemont extend the mind-numbing grip of the Antagonist across the parameters of the free world?In Radio Free Albemuth, his last novel, Philip K. DicTrade Review‘An engrossing, non-stop excursion into a believable vision of hell’Publishers Weekly ‘The most brilliant sci-fi mind on any planet’Rolling Stone

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Book SynopsisSharp, gripping, and disturbing, THE EDGE is the third book in The Anomaly Quartet.Years ago, a vast and mysterious object known as the Anomaly was discovered in deep space. All missions to explore and explain it failed.Now, the Anomaly has almost reached Earth, threatening to swallow the planet whole. On an orbital research station, a team of scientists desperatelysearch for a way to stop it or destroy it.One of the crew, Ali, has lost faith in the mission. Following the death of a close friend, her only interest is returning to the ground to her young son. But strange events, both inside the station and in the void beyond, force Ali to pursue a new mystery. And as the truth starts to make itself clear, as deadly secrets are uncovered, Ali is forced to ask if she can trust anybody: her crewmates, her friends even herself.Trade ReviewPraise for The Anomaly Quartet: ‘It's like an episode of Star Trek written by JM Coetzee’Guardian ‘THE EXPLORER has the dreamlike detachment of an Ishiguro novel’Financial Times ‘Beautifully written, creepy as hell. THE EXPLORER is as clever in its unravelling as it is breathlessly claustrophobic’Lauren Beukes, author of THE SHINING GIRLS ‘As you marvel at this twist-laden deep-space exploration thriller, it’s hard not to draw comparisons with Duncan Jones’ film Moon’Shortlist ‘A fascinating character study that could only exist in a science-fictional world’io9.com 'The SF novel everyone should read'Foyles

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Book SynopsisGripping' MARGARET ATWOOD''A fabulous, witty writer on the digital world' SUNDAY TIMES''A little Atwood, a little Gibson, all Alderman, it's brilliant and I loved it'' LAUREN BEUKESThe latest novel from the Women's Prize-winning, bestselling author of The Power, The Future is a white-knuckle tour de force and dazzling exploration of the world we have made and where we are going.Lai Zhen is about to die. As an Internet-famous survivalist, she's spent her life prepping for the end of the world. But now, desperate and cornered in a mall in Singapore, she's mad she might go out not knowing what the hell is going on. If she makes it out alive, what kind of a future will be waiting for her?Across the world, Martha Einkorn works the room at a gathering of mega-rich companies hell-bent securing a future just for them. Covert weapons, private weather, technological prophecy, when Martha fled her father's compound she may have left the cult behind, but if the apocalyptic warnings of his fox and Trade Review'Gripping … about to sweep the charts' Margaret Atwood 'Alderman has crafted characters readers will want to follow wherever they go—even to the end of the world. A smart, engrossing fable about digital technology and human community' Kirkus Starred Review ‘Alderman has gone from promising young author to publishing phenomenon, a writer gifted with the double Midas touch of commercial success and literary prestige … Alderman is a fabulous, witty writer on the digital world’ Sunday Times ‘This is a terrific novel that, for all its dystopian elements, may even make you optimistic about what lies ahead’ SFX Magazine 'The endless intrigue and surprising twists keep the pages turning' Publishers Weekly 'Playful, incisive, horribly relevant and surprisingly hopeful, The Future is a thrill ride that’s also a powerful manifesto. A little Atwood, a little Gibson, all Alderman, it’s brilliant and I loved it' Lauren Beukes, bestselling author of The Shining Girls 'It is the genius of Naomi Alderman to embed a smart and thought-provoking meditation inside a page-turner of a book. This is one wild (and thoughtful) ride' Karen Joy Fowler, bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves 'How can a novel of big ideas be such compulsively readable entertainment? A nail-biting love story and a witty page-turner about the pros and cons of human civilization, The Future is a wow' Emma Donoghue, bestselling author of Room 'The Future couldn't be more timely, or more welcome … a rollicking, fun-packed thriller with juicy stakes, constantly escalating twists, and a cast of characters who feel like they already exist somewhere out there in our fragile, free-wheeling present' Alastair Reynolds, author of Eversion

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Book SynopsisJohn Marrs is an author and former journalist based in London and Northamptonshire. After spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now the bestselling author of: The One, The Passengers, The Minders, What Lies Between and When You Disappeared.Trade ReviewA page-turning and thought-provoking read * Daily Mirror *Skilfully evokes a future Britain . . . Marrs also excells when it comes to worldbuilding . . . a socially aware novel packed with thought-provoking questions * SFX Magazine *Clever, compelling and terrifyingly plausible. A near future nightmare that grips from the first page and never let’s go. The Marriage Act is a brilliant examination of relationships and the power we let others have over us. And talk about a page-turner. This one will leave you with paper cuts! -- C. J. Tudor, author of A Sliver of DarknessJohn’s creative, high-concept thrillers never fail to keep me furiously turning the pages and The Marriage Act is no exception. Pacy and packed full of tension, the book kept me constantly guessing as the thought-provoking plot about marriage and everything that comes with it unfolded in the most sinister of ways . . . dark, immersive speculative fiction at it’s very best! -- Sarah Pearse, author of The Retreat and The SanatoriumA scarily plausible alternative future with a truly twisted narrative. Tensely plotted and terrifyingly imagined - it’ll put you off marriage and modern technology for life! -- Harriet Tyce, author of Blood OrangeChilling thriller * Daily Mail *Original thriller with lots of surprises * My Weekly *The king of near-future what ifs is back with a smart and chilling page-turner. Twisty, unsettling, scarily believable and thought provoking, this is his best yet. -- Ellery Lloyd, author of The ClubFour couples navigate an increasingly claustrophobic world in this razor sharp and chillingly plausible tale from the masterful John Marrs * Woman's Own Magazine *One of the most exciting original thriller writers -- Simon Kernick, author of Good Cop Bad CopAn absolute blinder of a book . . . another gripping page turner. -- Claire Allan on The Marriage ActI really loved it… a plot that had me guessing all the way through. A triumph. -- Justin Myers on The Marriage ActMarrs is brilliant at twists . . . for the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides -- Peter James, author of Picture You DeadJohn Marrs can do no wrong. Like Huxley and Orwell before him, Marrs manages to take real life sanctities and twist them into something terrifyingly plausible. All hail the master of the speculative thriller! -- Jack Jordan, author of Sunday Times bestseller Do No HarmAnother savagely clever near-future thriller. Provocative, terrifying and compulsive. If you loved The One, you'll love this! -- Cara Hunter, author of Hope to DieA tense, thrilling read – I found it impossible to put down. It’s dark and twisted, and I loved it -- Alex Michaelides, bestselling author of The Silent PatientDark, twisted, and full of surprises -- Mark Edwards, bestselling author of Her to Stay and The RetreatClever, original, and impossible to put down. The Marriage Act had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. John Marrs is a master of suspense. -- Jeneva Rose, international bestselling author of The Perfect MarriageThis was a brilliantly tricksy read. -- Liz Nugent, author of Strange Sally Diamond

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Book SynopsisThe second in the epic Chronicles of the Invaders trilogy by bestselling author John Connolly, and Jennifer Ridyard. For fans of THE 5TH WAVE and I AM NUMBER FOUR.She is the trophy of a civilization at war with itself.He is its rebel captive.Separated by millions of light years, their dreams are united.And they will risk everything to make their world - all worlds - right again.EMPIRE. The second in the epic Chronicles of the Invaders series.Trade ReviewDensely plotted and decidedly grown-up, this is YA fiction for readers who are bored of fluff and sparkles - SFXIf you enjoy exciting reads, regardless of your age, you'll enjoy this one - The BookbagHead and shoulders above its competition in the genre - Mass Movement

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Book Synopsis'Ingenious and compelling' THE TIMES, BOOKS OF THE MONTH 'Mind-bendingly clever and utterly gripping' DAILY MAIL It's 1962 and physics student Grace Pulansky believes she has met the man of her dreams, Robert Jones, while serving up slices of pecan pie at the local diner. But then the FBI shows up, with their fedoras and off-the-rack business suits, and accuses him of being a bomb-planting mass-murderer. Finding herself on the run with Jones across America's Southwest, the discoveries awaiting Gracie will undermine everything she knows about the universe. Her story will reveal how scores of lives - an identity-swapping rock star, a mourning lover in ancient China, Nazi hunters in pursuit of a terrible secret, a crazed artist in pre-revolutionary France, an astronaut struggling with a turbulent interplanetary future, and many more - are interconnected across space and time by love, grief, and quantum entanglement. SpanninTrade ReviewMind-bendingly clever and utterly gripping * DAILY MAIL *Ingenious and compelling * THE TIMES, BOOKS OF THE MONTH *A fascinating and assured debut * THE GUARDIAN *A book designed to be more than the sum of its parts, and one that achieves that because love is the thing that binds it together. Vitally fresh. * DOMINIC NOLAN *With strong echoes of David Mitchell, Haruki Murakami or Emily St John Mandel...this is a madcap ride to somewhere new with thrills to spare and a gallery of truly fascinating characters. One for the ages. * CRIME TIME *A trans-dimensional, kaleidoscopic mystery-box of a novel.... wholly and riotously original. Haddon is a mad scientist of genre and his epic is a tour de force -- PETER HO DAVIES

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Book SynopsisLondon. Early 21st Century. A Conservative government is in power in the UK, bringing increased wealth disparity, an ever-more militant police state, and rising civil discontent as the wealthy govern for themselves rather than the people.But BREAKTHRU - a pharmaceutical company turned religious cult - have the answer. They call it Kairos.Kairos allows the user to not just see a different world, but shape the world to their very will. Perfect for a cult of like-minded individuals. Disastrous when it is exposed to the general public. As disparate groups of people try to shape the world into their own image, reality itself is placed under threat. With society so divided, is there any way to pull the world back together?Written in 1988, this remarkably prescient book received great critical acclaim.

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Book SynopsisWINNER of the WRITERS' GUILD BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD: A riveting, thought-provoking speculative literary novel exploring the impact of the AI revolution through the eyes of three very different young women.Lal, Janetta and Rose are living in a time of flux. Technological advance has brought huge financial rewards to those with power, but large swathes of the population are losing their jobs to artificial intelligence, or auts, as they're called. Unemployment is high, discontent is rife and rumours are swirling. Many feel robbed - not just of their livelihoods, but of their hopes for the future. Lal is languishing in her role at a coffee shop and feeling overshadowed by her quietly brilliant sister, Janetta, whose Ph.D. is focused on making auts empathetic. Even Rose, Lal's best friend, has found a sense of purpose in charismatic up-and-coming politician Alek.When vigilantes break in to the coffee shop and destroy their new coffee-making aut, it sets in motion a chain of events that will pull the three young women in very different directions.Change is coming - change that will launch humankind into a new era. If Rose, Lal and Janetta can find a way to combine their burgeoning talents, they might just end up setting the course of history.Trade ReviewImportant ideas are wrapped in an absorbing, character-driven novel that's also a thought-provoking consideration of the ways we might cope with something that is already happening all around us. * LISA TUTTLE, The Guardian *Mind-bending * CAROLE STIVERS, bestselling author of THE MOTHER CODE *A disquieting take on Big Tech's plans for the future of work * GWYNETH JONES, author of the Arthur C. Clarke-winning BOLD AS LOVE *If you like small, intimate fiction that asks very big questions, this is the perfect novel for you * FANFIADDICT *Smoothly written * FINANCIAL TIMES *a beautifully written, thought provoking novel * MUSE'S BOOK JOURNAL *Fans of relational narratives will enjoy the interactions of the three protagonists while there is also intellectual AI debate for those science fiction readers more drawn to ideas over people * SFBOOK REVIEWS *Lee gives the reader a massive amount to ponder as well as delivering a brilliantly written and absorbing story about some very real people * BLUE BOOK BALLOON *Incredibly thought provoking * A LITTLE HAZE BOOK BLOG *This is a thoughtful, interior-focused story...like Ishiguro's Klara And The Sun * SFX MAGAZINE *A slickly written and enjoyable novel * SFCROWSNEST *Thoughtful... provides much food for thought * PAR SEC MAGAZINE *Lee has created a story that feels relevant and poignant for a world on the brink of automating so many parts of our working lives * BOOKS IN STEEL CITY *A thought-provoking novel * THERESA SMITH WRITES *Eli Lee can write description and emotion beautifully * BOOKS BY YOUR BEDSIDE *Often bleak, A Strange and Brilliant Light is also sad, hopeful, funny, and brilliant, such that I expect to see it on a lot of award lists. This quiet, thoughtful novel, almost entirely led by flawed but amazing women, has a lot to say about the world we're about to be living in. It will, I hope, inspire many to think long and hard about what we want our future to be like. * BSFA *

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Book SynopsisRadio Life: a gripping adventure and a riveting political thriller: The Commonwealth, a post-apocalyptic civilisation on the rise, is locked in a clash of ideas with the Keepers . . . a fight which threatens to destroy the world . . . again.When Lilly was first Chief Engineer at The Commonwealth, nearly fifty years ago, the Central Archive wasn't yet the greatest repository of knowledge in the known world, protected by scribes copying every piece of found material - books, maps, even scraps of paper - and disseminating them by Archive Runners to hidden off-site locations for safe keeping. Back then, there was no Order of Silence to create and maintain secret routes deep into the sand-covered towers of the Old World or into the northern forests beyond Sea Glass Lake. Back then, the world was still quiet, because Lilly hadn't yet found the Harrington Box.But times change. Recently, the Keepers have started gathering to the east of Yellow Ridge - thousands upon thousands of them - and every one of them determined to burn the Central Archives to the ground, no matter the cost, possessed by an irrational fear that bringing back the ancient knowledge will destroy the world all over again. To prevent that, they will do anything.Fourteen days ago the Keepers chased sixteen-year-old Archive Runner Elimisha into a forbidden Old World Tower and brought the entire thing down on her. Instead of being killed, though, she slipped into an ancient unmapped bomb shelter where she has discovered a cache of food and fresh water, a two-way radio like the one Lilly's been working on for years . . . and something else. Something that calls itself 'the internet' . . .Trade ReviewOne of the most captivating epics I've read in ages, evoking a convincing sense of fragile social structure reminiscent of China Miéville at his best, in combination with a philosophical underpinning that lends real weight to the stakes. It reads like Mad Max as imagined by Neal Stephenson. It's luxuriantly immersive, truly transporting in a way that is invaluable during these trying times * CHRIS BROOKMYRE, bestselling author of FALLEN ANGEL, on RADIO LIFE *If like me you loved Norwegian by Night, and American by Day, dive straight into Radio Life. It's a post-apocalyptic exploration of how we rebuild, but much more than that, it's a gripping, clever, frightening, funny adventure. Trust me, it's a good one * Val McDermid, Sunday Times Number One bestselling author of Still Life *A smart and thought-provoking piece of work * FINANCIAL TIMES, Pick of the Best New Science Fiction *His world-building is enthralling; hundreds of tiny details enchant as he renders our civilisation strange by showing it through retrospective eyes * SUNDAY TIMES *An ambitious detour into pure science fiction * CRIME TIME *A complex mosaic novel filtered through the viewpoints of a large cast that builds a convincing picture of a future world riven by opposing ideologies * THE GUARDIAN *Strong central women drive the story, which is often witty and always pulls you onto the next page. Radio Life is a return to form with (pun intended) knobs on * THE BIG ISSUE *Sure Derek Miller's novels are smart and full of heart and savvy . . . he's as dedicated as any writer I know to the proposition that readers should enjoy themselves, should delight in the experience of life and language. If our hearts get broken along the way, so much the better. * Richard Russo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of EVERYBODY'S FOOL *Disturbing and philosophical, the reliable Derek B. Miller's latest shares its theme with Robert Harris's brilliant The Second Sleep * WEEKEND SPORT *A powerful, multi-layered political thriller set in a post-apocalyptic civilisation * CHOICE magazine *Witty, intelligent, thought-provoking and immensely entertaining . . . I know it is only January, but this is surely a candidate for the best novel of 2021 * SHOTS MAGAZINE *Philosophical, humorous, and heart-breaking in equal measure, Radio Life is a novel that grabs you from the very beginning and never lets up * If These Books Could Talk *Miller is a talented storyteller and one you start reading you are hooked * Annarella *The book is gloriously readable from its opening sentence . . . I loved it. I just loved it * Blue Book Balloon *A highly engaging near future novel that is very enjoyable to read but will also have youthinking * Science Fiction Book Club *An immersive and absorbing read * Bookphace *As daring in execution as imagination, this adventure tale crackles with heart, charm and dark honesty * Shelf Awareness on THE GIRL IN GREEN *A page-turner that is both funny and sad, intelligent and full of hope. This is a must read from a writer of extreme talent and compassion * Jon Page, Pages & Pages Booksellers (Australia) on NORWEGIAN BY NIGHT *A lot of thought-provoking ideas but also this is wildly entertaining with lots of relationship drama and a good dose of edge-of-the-seat action * Liz Loves Books *What astonishes and impresses me about Miller's books is how witty and entertaining they are in moments, and yet deeply resonant and meaningful as well. Whether tackling issues of war or race, Derek Miller goes to the heart of matters affecting how we as a civilisation live * Sheryl Cotleur, Copperfield's Books on AMERICAN BY DAY *It's an adventure written in cinemascope! * Evening Standard *Comparable with Hugh Howey's Wool, Radio Life is a deeply thought-provoking novel about redemption and history. A book I can't recommend highly enough. * GeekDad *Miller creates a fascinating yet credible setting, fills it with realistic characters and sets them on an unpredictable path. There's action and excitement, politics, philosophy and wisdom, a bit of nostalgia and ample laugh-out-loud moments to occasionally relieve the tension. Interesting, thought-provoking and often funny, this one is likely to appeal to fans of the genre * MARIANNE VINCENT, GoodReads Librarian *Offers an escape into an interesting and well-described world, and raises some interesting questions about the role of knowledge and mass communication for good and evil in our society, about whether censorship is ever a good idea, and how to choose what information needs to be preserved * STORGY *Ultimately and refreshingly, this is an optimistic book... It is excellent, well-written SF read that will appeal to many * Birmingham Science Fiction Group *A touching and gripping novel of a future full of possibilities * SFCROWSNEST *

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Book SynopsisA hugely compelling, dark, offbeat adventure from the bestselling author of ROTHERWEIRD.'A deeply strange but also deeply compelling world' Blue Book BalloonThe world has become a dangerous place: the atmosphere has turned toxic, destroying almost all life, and most of humanity too. Survivors live in domes protected by chitin shields, serving one or other of the last two great companies. A long period of uneasy collaboration between Tempestas and Genrich is about to end, and they have very different visions for mankind's future. Far from these centres of power stands the Museum Dome, home to mankind's finest paintings and artefacts and their curator, a young man, Fogg, who has laboured for three years without a single visitor.Then a single mysterious pill - a momenticon - appears in the Museum and triggers a series of bewildering events, embroiling Fogg and his unexpected new companions in a desperate fight against the dark forces which threaten to overwhelm all that remains.And time is running out.'Compelling and enrapturing . . . captures the reader from the first page to the last. A five-star read' Grimdark Magazine'One of the UK's most intriguing imaginations. Momenticon is whimsical science fiction at its finest' Geek Dad Trade ReviewA history-tragic-comedy all rolled into one, Rotherweird is intricate and crisp, witty and solemn: a book not unlike other books, but with special and dangerous properties. Line by line, silent and adroit, it opens a series of trap-doors in the reader's imagination * HILARY MANTEL, two-time Man Booker prize winner, on ROTHERWEIRD *One of the UK's most intriguing imaginations. His novels remind me very much of Neal Stephenson and this book put me in mind of Josiah Bancroft's Selin Ascends. These comparisons I make as an absolute compliment. Momenticon is whimsical science fiction at its finest: a satisfying jigsaw where the bigger picture doesn't become visible until the final piece is slotted into place * GEEK DAD on MOMENTICON *Sheer post-apocalyptic weirdness . . . Momenticon is wild but fun * PILE BY THE BED on MOMENTICON *It feels non-stop: constantly splitting the protagonists up and bringing them together again, delivering a series of growing climaxes and then leaving readers hanging for a concluding second volume * PILE BY THE BED on MOMENTCION *One of the most unique books I've read . . . compelling and enrapturing story that captures the reader from the first page to the last. Caldecott managed to craft something that is utterly his own . . . a five-star read * GRIMDARK MAGAZINE on MOMENTICON *A book that is unlike anything else you have read * SF BOOK REVIEWS on MOMENTICON *Momenticon is a strange dreamlike tale that was just wonderful * MUSEBOOKS on MOMENTICON *Caldecott's prose is very readable, and his world very inventive * SFX MAGAZINE on MOMENTICON *A gripping and enthralling trip into a phantasmagorical world * ANNA RELLIX on MOMENTICON *Lean into the weirdness and you're bound to find something you love! Caldecott is in a league of his own. His style is distinct, his voice unmistakable * SHARON CHOE, Read Between the Lines, on MOMENTICON *Momenticon packs an enormous lot in, keeping its protagonists (and the reader) on their toes . . . and taking both into a deeply strange but also deeply compelling world * BLUE BOOK BALLOON on MOMENTICON *Ingenious . . . an enjoyable romp * SFCROWSNEST on MOMENTICON *Has the arbitrary and rather hallucinogenic atmosphere of the Alice in Wonderland books * BRITISH SCIENCE FICTION ASSOCIATION on MOMENTICON *Baroque, Byzantine and beautiful - not to mention bold. An enthralling puzzle picture of a book * M.R. CAREY, author of the bestselling The Girl With All The Gifts, on ROTHERWEIRD *Compelling * THE GUARDIAN on ROTHERWEIRD *Magnificent * MIDNIGHT BLUE on WYNTERTYDE *Darkly hypnotic * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH on WYNTERTYDE *A rip-roaring adventure through a brilliantly weird and wonderful dystopian landscape. I can't imagine what'll happen in the next book but I can't wait to find out! * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Weird, mad and utterly bloody brilliant. Caldicott's latest offering to offbeat fantasy is not to be missed. Featuring his trademarked style, absurdist humour and a cast of larger-than-life characters, this was a joy to read * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *I thoroughly enjoyed the journey in to Caldecott's world. I read this book in 3 days, no mean feat as it is detailed but totally absorbing . . . It is simply brilliant. Congratulations to the author * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Momenticon is wild but fun and works within its own crazy frame of reference. The trick is to accept the fantastical premise . . . it feels non-stop, splitting the protagonists up and bringing them together again, delivering a series of growing climaxes and then leaving readers hanging for an anticipated concluding second volume * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Caldecott is marvellously imaginative in his intricate dystopian world-building . . . This is a wonderfully entertaining, compelling and immersive fantasy read, with plenty of suspense and tension, in which Caldecott successfully creates an equally engaging and original a world as Rotherweird. Highly recommended * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Momenticon was one of the books I was most looking forward to reading this year, and it has not disappointed even those high expectations . . . Anyone who enjoys fantasy adventure books will love these . . . The end leaves things up in the air, ready for a sequel - I'm already desperate to get my hands on it! * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *After the brilliant Rotherweird trilogy, it would likely take something extraordinary to reach the same heights or even surpass it. Thankfully with Momenticon, the author has turned out an exceptionally spellbinding novel that transcends the norm and enters the realms of the sublime * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Momenticon is the first in a wonderful new series by Andrew Caldecott. What a mind this man must have! I experienced this book as a warning about what will happen when climate change finally goes up a few gears * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *This book was strange and I adored it. When I saw Alice in Wonderland meets Station Eleven I knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. This was a wild ride of a read . . . When I finished I just sat staring and thinking it is definitely one of those books. Well written with a great atmosphere and compelling storyline and well-developed characters. I couldn't put it down . . . A great read * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Caldecott successfully creates an equally engaging and original a world as Rotherweird. Highly recommended. * GOODREADS REVIEWER *Momenticon is a perplexing and brilliant story full of literary and artistic rabbit holes and quirky characters. It ends on a cliffhanger and I want to continue this journey for sure. * GOODREADS REVIEWER *I'm not sure there are enough words that can accurately describe this weird, brilliant, funny and adventurous read. * GOODREADS REVIEWER *A rip-roaring adventure through a brilliantly weird and wonderful dystopian landscape. I can't imagine what'll happen in the next book but I can't wait to find out! * GOODREADS REVIEWER *

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Book SynopsisIt is 2027. August Helm is thirty years old. A biochemist working in a lab at the University of Chicago, he is swept off his feet by the beautiful and entirely self-assured Amanda Clark. Animated by August’s consuming desire, their relationship quickly becomes intimate. But when he stumbles across a liaison between the director of his lab and a much younger student, his position is eliminated and his world upended.August sets out to visit his parents in Words, an unincorporated village in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Here, he reconnects with several characters from his past: Ivan Bookchester, who now advocates for “new ways of living” in an age of decline; Hanh, formerly known as Jewelweed, who tends her orchard and wild ginseng, keenly attuned to new patterns of migration resulting from climate change and habitat destruction; and Lester Mortal, the aging veteran and fierce pacifist who long ago rescued her from Vietnam. Together, the old friends fall back into a familiar closeness.But much as things initially seem unchanged in the Driftless, when August is hired to look after Tom and April Lux’s home in Forest Gate, he finds himself in the midst of an entirely different social set, made up of wealthy homeowners who are mostly resented by the poorer surrounding communities, and distanced in turn by their fear of the locals. August soon falls head over heels for April, and different versions of his self collide: one in which the past is still present in tensions and dreams, another in which he understands his desire as genetically determined and chemically induced, and then a vaguely hoped-for future with April. When Lester is diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, Ivan comes clean on a ghastly past episode, and April makes a shocking revelation, a series of events ensues that will change all involved forever. As approachable as it is profound in exploring the human condition and our shared need for community, this is a story for our times.Trade ReviewPraise for Painting Beyond Walls“An impressive and beautiful novel . . . Painting Beyond Walls joins Driftless and Jewelweed to shape the second half of an impressive career. Characters from his earlier novels appear prominently in this book, as does its setting, the Driftless Region of southwestern Wisconsin. . . . In his first book, The Last Fair Deal Going Down, Rhodes created a city beneath Des Moines, a sub-city. Before he enters it, the protagonist tells his sister, ‘I’ll write you a giant novel . . . a book that is the inside of me, a great, sprawling ironclad prodigy of emotion.’ David Rhodes, a Midwestern treasure, has now written six such novels.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune“Terrific . . . Fans of Rhodes will appreciate the return to fictional Words, Wisconsin, and the familiar cast of characters that populate the unincorporated village. They’ll recognize Rhodes’ voice, as singular and lyrical as ever, and his distinct style; often waxing profound for page after luxurious page before suddenly punching out a hilarious one-liner. Rhodes continues to explore the human condition in profound but unpretentious ways.”—Madison Magazine“David Rhodes, a Wisconsin resident, takes characters from his widely-praised novel Driftless and Jewelweed and imagines them into the future in Painting Beyond the Walls. In doing so, he reinvents the ‘Midwestern pastoral’ genre, confronting questions of science, technology, power, evolution and the effects of a rapidly changing society on a rural area.”—Pioneer Press“Rhodes’ novels about the small, modest town of Words, Wisconsin, are in accord with the place-anchored, morally and spiritually inquisitive fiction of Kent Haruf and Marilynne Robinson even as this fourth installment, set in the very near future, takes a surprising turn. . . . Rhodes is rhapsodic in his descriptions and compassionate and wise in his observations, while his endearing, caring characters speak in peculiarly formal, even academic dialogue and the audacious plot veers into speculative territory and postulates . . . thought-provoking hope.”—Booklist, starred review"A thought-provoking meditation on human relationships at the cellular level as well as our relationship to Earth, the cosmos, and life itself. . . . Rhodes has a knack for writing acute psychological realism; these characters live and breathe, and by the time the novel ends we feel like we know them. Additionally, several story arcs reveal a humanistic, righteous indignation regarding the violence toward women so endemic to Western civilization, and characters frequently engage in thought-provoking discussions of everything from cellular science to sexual politics and world economies. The epilogue recalls Michel Houellebecq's The Elementary Particles, albeit much more optimistic. Although elements of the novel are adjacent to the near-future sci-fi writers like Kim Stanley Robinson, Rhodes is primarily concerned with the timeless human phenomena of love, loss, origins, family, and community."—Kirkus Reviews“In his new novel, David Rhodes returns to the Midwest with this tale set in the near-future about humanity’s relationship with each other, with nature, and with the self. Written in lyrical and melancholy prose, Rhodes once again proves why he is one of our best writers writing about our physical and metaphysical connection with each other and our environment.”—Bennard Fajardo, Politics & Prose Bookstore, Washington, DC“David Rhodes’s prose is as captivating as ever in Painting Beyond Walls. Not only are his characters masterfully drawn, but the obvious joy of language is a thrill to read. His words are so easy to get lost in that there is almost a disconnect when closing the book—one needs a few seconds to reattune to reality after spending time in Rhodes’s world. It helps that his vision of the near future is extremely believable and though one doesn’t necessarily want to be going through some of what he puts his characters through, there is no doubt that his world-building is spectacular.”—Jesse Hassinger, Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA“A new novel by David Rhodes is a cause for celebration! . . . ­In Painting Beyond Walls, Rhodes deftly explores the importance of community and connectedness; the human condition, particularly the presence of evil in the world; and how wealth can be used to better the world. And, interestingly in this time when many deny the validity and importance of science in human life, he tackles that issue head on. It’s not too much of a spoiler to say that the problems our world currently faces, such as climate change and overpopulation, find remedy in the world of this book through science . . . the complex characters, beautiful descriptions and a view of the future will challenge your understanding of science and where we are headed as a species. And then, like me, you may want to reread Driftless and Jewelweed to be reminded of the backstory of Painting Beyond Walls. Welcome back, David Rhodes!”—Sally Wizik Wills, Beagle and Wolf Books & Binder, Park Rapids, MN“Gus is a young research scientist who was raised in the Driftless region of southwest Wisconsin and has spent ten years away in college and working for research labs in Chicago. In a short period of time, he finds out that his job is discontinued, his love relationship is over, and his lease is ending. With all of his possessions in the trunk of a rental car, he returns to Wisconsin in the hopes of planning a new future. Gus is plagued by sexual desires that don't lead to satisfying relationships. He's trying to find answers by studying cell behavior to explain why he doesn't feel whole. He connects with old childhood friends and mentors, adapts a different philosophy, and then one day he discovers his perfect mate. But there's a price to pay if they'll be together, and you'll never see it coming. A cast of memorable characters are presented at a pleasant pace, interspersed with extra details to keep you immersed in the numerous directions that the novel takes. It speaks to family, friendship, community, and an endearing description of what mature love relationships can be. Rhodes was diagnosed with stage-four cancer in the midst of writing this book. The extra time it took to write it, along with the quality of the prose, made for an intriguing and satisfying read. A master storyteller."—Todd Miller, Arcadia Books, Spring Green, WI“David Rhodes is a writer who has helped sustain the appeal of literary fiction due to his unique style and lyrical narration. His characters are so believable they become members of our own community; we share their hopes and fears, their pain, and their joy. His previous novels (at least five) revealed a gift for understanding human nature well beyond his years and this latest book set a few years into our future (2027) is sterling. If you’re a follower of Rhodes’ career, you’ll be delighted to know he has returned with a new story set in the Midwest. If you are not familiar with his work, this is a great way to get acquainted. You’ll be glad you did.”—Linda Bond, Auntie’s Bookstore, Spokane, WA“David Rhodes has a beautiful, almost mesmerizing way with words. The story unfolds at a human pace; with characters that are complex and compelling. I don’t know if August got into my head or Rhodes put me into August’s head; either way, I felt at one with August as he navigated his way through romances and friendships and the inevitable changes that have come to the small rural hometown to which he’s returned after ten years in Chicago. . . . I’d gladly recommend this book to readers looking for immersive literary fiction! David Rhodes is a master storyteller.”—Pat Rudebusch, Orinda Books, Orinda, CAPraise for David Rhodes“‘A new, hitherto unknown novelist swam into my ken,’ Floyd Dell wrote in his autobiography more than forty years ago, about a time back further still when Sherwood Anderson pressed a manuscript into his hands. American readers can now enjoy a similar shock of recognition by picking up David Rhodes.”—New York Times Book Review“One of the best eyes in recent fiction belongs to the novelist David Rhodes. Rhodes’ eye, like any fine novelist’s, is accurate both about literal detail and about metaphorical equivalencies. The most important point, however, is that nothing in Rhodes’ vision is secondhand.”—John Gardner, from On Becoming a Novelist“A brilliant writer.”—Cleveland Plain-Dealer“Wildly imaginative.”—Saturday Review“Rhodes writes with both symphonic grandeur and down-to-earth humility.”—BooklistPraise for Jewelweed“A generous ode to the spirit’s indefatigable longing for love.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune“A master of nuance, Rhodes picks up on those ‘inaudible rhythms’ that drive human actions.”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel“Emits frequent solar flares of surprise and wonder.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer“An impressive and emotionally gratifying novel.”—Library Journal“A rhapsodic, many-faceted novel of profound dilemmas, survival, and gratitude.”—BooklistPraise for Driftless“The best work of fiction to come out of the Midwest in many years.”—Chicago Tribune“A profound and enduring paean to rural America. Radiant in its prose and deep in its quiet understanding of human needs.”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel“Each of these stories glimmers.”—New Yorker“Moves at a stately pace as it offers deep philosophy and meditative asides about life in Words, Wisconsin, in the Driftless zone -- which is to say, about life on earth.”—NPR, “All Things Considered”“A symphonic paean to the stillness that can be found in certain areas of the Midwest. The writing in Driftless is beautiful and surprising throughout, and it’s this poetic pointillism that originally made Rhodes famous.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune“Few books have the power to transport the way Driftless does, and it’s Rhodes’s eye for detail that we have to thank for it.”—Time Out Chicago“A fast-moving story about small town life with characters that seem to have walked off the pages of Edgar Lee Masters’s Spoon River Anthology.”—Wall Street Journal“Encompassing and incisive, comedic and profound, Driftless is a radiant novel of community and courage.”—Booklist, 2008 Editor’s Choice (starred)“A wry and generous book. Driftless shares a rhythm with the farming community it documents, and its reflective pace is well-suited to characters who are far more comfortable with hard work than words.”—Christian Science Monitor, Best Novels of 2008“Rhodes’ first novel in over 30 years is set in a rural area of Wisconsin so remote and forgotten that it’s left off the map. Most of the residents have chosen to be isolated from the world around them and one another. Nevertheless, their concerns—the meaning of spirituality, family, love, and desire—are global and universal. The characters and their struggles come vibrantly alive.”—Library Journal (starred)Table of ContentsOrientation Familiarity Trouble Going Back Remembering Jet Lag The Saws Working Wood The Glass Eye The Home Place Going In Settling In The Flat Worm Dogs Play Shampoo Insects Whittling Car Jacking Player Piano Divine Madness Visitors Violated Hot Biscuits Femicide Snow Links and Linkage Living Bookends The Service Gene Circling We Grew Up Together Climax Epilogue Acknowledgements

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Book Synopsis“This beautiful book is shot through with such tenderness and humanity, such love and courage and beauty and hope, that it feels almost like a prayer.” —Margaret Renkl, author of Late MigrationsA timely, powerful story of survival set in the not-too-distant future, reminding us to always hold on to hope, even in the worst of times. With fires devastating much of America, Lark and his family first leave their home in Maryland for Maine. But as the country increasingly falls under the grip of religious nationalism, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe, not just from physical disasters but also persecution. The family secures a place on a crowded boat headed to Ireland, the last place on earth rumored to be accepting American refugees. Upon arrival, it turns out that the safe harbor of Ireland no longer exists either—and Lark, the sole survivor of the trans-Atlantic voyage, must disappear into the countryside. As he runs for his life, Lark finds two equally lost and desperate souls: one of the last remaining dogs, who becomes his closest companion, and a fierce, mysterious woman in search of her lost son. Together they form a makeshift family and attempt to reach Glendalough, a place they believe will offer protection. But can any community provide the safety that they seek? Lark Ascending is a moving and unforgettable story of friendship and bravery, and even more, a story of the ongoing fight to protect our per­sonal freedoms and find our shared humanity, from a writer at the peak of his powers.Trade Review“I was sucked into this urgent story where survival in the not-too-distant future depends on forging connections with strangers and nurturing tenderness and hope within. An essential, heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting read.”—Michelle Gallen, author of Factory Girls and Big Girl, Small Town “With Lark Ascending, the gifted Silas House has, with the most deft and masterful touches, forged a quite terrifying and all-too-plausible glimpse of our near future and somehow imbued it with almost impossible quantities of poetry and humanity. A gripping story of endurance, suffering and loss, but also of overwhelming love, loyalty and hope, the result is a hugely impressive feat of the imagination . . . A beautiful, haunting piece of work, and a compulsive read.”—Billy O'Callaghan, author of Life Sentences and The Dead House“In Lark Ascending, Silas House casts an irresistible spell, conjuring a near future that is both familiar and unbearable, illuminating the brutality and suffering that our own thoughtless age seems determined to invoke. But Lark Ascending is not merely, or even mainly, a tale of pain and grief. This beautiful book is shot through with such tenderness and humanity, such love and courage and beauty and hope, that it feels almost like a prayer.”—Margaret Renkl, author of Late Migrations “I was sucked into this urgent story where survival in the not-too-distant future depends on forging connections with strangers and nurturing tenderness and hope within. An essential, heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting read.”—Michelle Gallen, author of Factory Girls and Big Girl, Small Town “With Lark Ascending, the gifted Silas House has, with the most deft and masterful touches, forged a quite terrifying and all-too-plausible glimpse of our near future and somehow imbued it with almost impossible quantities of poetry and humanity. A gripping story of endurance, suffering and loss, but also of overwhelming love, loyalty and hope, the result is a hugely impressive feat of the imagination . . . A beautiful, haunting piece of work, and a compulsive read.” —Billy O'Callaghan, author of Life Sentences and The Dead House“In Lark Ascending, Silas House casts an irresistible spell, conjuring a near future that is both familiar and unbearable, illuminating the brutality and suffering that our own thoughtless age seems determined to invoke. But Lark Ascending is not merely, or even mainly, a tale of pain and grief. This beautiful book is shot through with such tenderness and humanity, such love and courage and beauty and hope, that it feels almost like a prayer.”—Margaret Renkl, author of Late Migrations “A dystopian classic, finding new notes of peril and possibility in the once-and-future homeland of Ireland and giving us the kind of richly observed alternative family that humanity of any era would call savior. It also has the best dog ever, excepting my own. Don’t miss this one.” —Louis Bayard, author of Jackie and Me “Silas House has always served as an ancestor from the past who has stepped into the present with rich lessons in tow. But with Lark House reveals himself to be an oracle from the future who has come back to illuminate our lived moment with a snapshot of what the years ahead could hold. The vision is terrifying and spare, but in House’s capable and delicate telling, it is also beautiful and compelling. Lark marks a stunning turn in House’s career, taking him from the Appalachian Mountains to a post-apocalyptic Atlantic crossing, but I have no doubt that readers will follow Silas House wherever he goes, whether into the past or headlong into the future.” —Wiley Cash, New York Times bestselling author of When Ghosts Come Home “I was sucked into this urgent story where survival in the not-too-distant future depends on forging connections with strangers and nurturing tenderness and hope within. An essential, heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting read.”—Michelle Gallen, author of Factory Girls and Big Girl, Small Town “With Lark Ascending, the gifted Silas House has, with the most deft and masterful touches, forged a quite terrifying and all-too-plausible glimpse of our near future and somehow imbued it with almost impossible quantities of poetry and humanity. A gripping story of endurance, suffering and loss, but also of overwhelming love, loyalty and hope, the result is a hugely impressive feat of the imagination . . . A beautiful, haunting piece of work, and a compulsive read.” —Billy O'Callaghan, author of Life Sentences and The Dead House“Just astonishing . . . Terrifying, moving, beautiful, instructive, and haunting. I have never been more deeply moved by a novel.” —Lee Smith, author of Dimestore “In Lark Ascending, Silas House casts an irresistible spell, conjuring a near future that is both familiar and unbearable, illuminating the brutality and suffering that our own thoughtless age seems determined to invoke. But Lark Ascending is not merely, or even mainly, a tale of pain and grief. This beautiful book is shot through with such tenderness and humanity, such love and courage and beauty and hope, that it feels almost like a prayer.”—Margaret Renkl, author of Late Migrations “A dystopian classic, finding new notes of peril and possibility in the once-and-future homeland of Ireland and giving us the kind of richly observed alternative family that humanity of any era would call savior. It also has the best dog ever, excepting my own. Don’t miss this one.” —Louis Bayard, author of Jackie Me “Silas House has always served as an ancestor from the past who has stepped into the present with rich lessons in tow. But with Lark House reveals himself to be an oracle from the future who has come back to illuminate our lived moment with a snapshot of what the years ahead could hold. The vision is terrifying and spare, but in House’s capable and delicate telling, it is also beautiful and compelling. Lark marks a stunning turn in House’s career, taking him from the Appalachian Mountains to a post-apocalyptic Atlantic crossing, but I have no doubt that readers will follow Silas House wherever he goes, whether into the past or headlong into the future.” —Wiley Cash, New York Times bestselling author of When Ghosts Come Home “I was sucked into this urgent story where survival in the not-too-distant future depends on forging connections with strangers and nurturing tenderness and hope within. An essential, heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting read.”—Michelle Gallen, author of Factory Girls and Big Girl, Small Town “With Lark Ascending, the gifted Silas House has, with the most deft and masterful touches, forged a quite terrifying and all-too-plausible glimpse of our near future and somehow imbued it with almost impossible quantities of poetry and humanity. A gripping story of endurance, suffering and loss, but also of overwhelming love, loyalty and hope, the result is a hugely impressive feat of the imagination . . . A beautiful, haunting piece of work, and a compulsive read.” —Billy O'Callaghan, author of Life Sentences and The Dead House“In Lark Ascending, Silas House casts an irresistible spell, conjuring a near future that is both familiar and unbearable, illuminating the brutality and suffering that our own thoughtless age seems determined to invoke. But Lark Ascending is not merely, or even mainly, a tale of pain and grief. This beautiful book is shot through with such tenderness and humanity, such love and courage and beauty and hope, that it feels almost like a prayer.” —Margaret Renkl, author of Late Migrations and Graceland, At LastKentucky Poet Laureate Southern Literary Award Winner Nautilus Award Winner – Gold Indie BestsellerSalon Favorite Book of 2022Booklist Editors' Choice of 2022Garden and Gun Best Southern Book of 2022 Indie Next List PickLos Angeles Times' Most Anticipated Fall 2022Lambda Literary's Most Anticipated Fall 2022 —AwardsKentucky Poet Laureate Southern Literary Award Winner Nautilus Award Winner – Gold Indie BestsellerSalon Favorite Book of 2022Booklist Editors' Choice of 2022Garden and Gun Best Southern Book of 2022 Indie Next List PickLos Angeles Times' Most Anticipated Fall 2022Lambda Literary's Most Anticipated Fall 2022 “Silas House has always served as an ancestor from the past who has stepped into the present with rich lessons in tow. But with Lark House reveals himself to be an oracle from the future who has come back to illuminate our lived moment with a snapshot of what the years ahead could hold. The vision is terrifying and spare, but in House’s capable and delicate telling, it is also beautiful and compelling. Lark marks a stunning turn in House’s career, taking him from the Appalachian Mountains to a post-apocalyptic Atlantic crossing, but I have no doubt that readers will follow Silas House wherever he goes, whether into the past or headlong into the future.”—Wiley Cash, New York Times bestselling author of When Ghosts Come Home“A postapocalyptic epic that is quiet and lyrical…an emotional testament to the power of hope.”—Booklist (starred review)“Truly harrowing, yet even more deeply affecting and tender. . . This is very much a book about connection, family, and, above all else, hope. It is this deep hopefulness that allows House’s novel to transcend the constraints of some other dystopian novels. . . Lark Ascending is full of rich colors and sounds and images, brimming with the majesty of life.”—Chapter16.org“Amazing… powerful, and prescient.” —Dallas Voice“A fiercely visceral reading experience.”—Publishers Weekly“A cleareyed and engaging apocalyptic yarn.”—Kirkus Reviews“Lark Ascending’s beautiful language and imagery, combined with the emotional heft of the story, drew me in from the first paragraph.”—Literary Hub“The not-too-distant dystopia of House’s latest becomes a vehicle for the author to tell a compelling story about a refugee crisis. Because House takes the story out of a contemporary context, readers can more easily empathize with the novel’s refugees rather than focusing on real-world quandaries.”—Library Journal“Silas House’s “Lark Ascending” is a dystopian classic, finding new notes of peril and possibility in the once-and-future homeland of Ireland and giving us the kind of richly observed alternative family that humanity of any era would call savior. It also has the best dog ever, excepting my own. Don’t miss this one.”—Louis Bayard, author of Jackie and Me“The narrator of House’s seventh novel is a young gay man who’s escaped a near-future America knocked sideways by climate change and right-wing militias. His destination is Ireland, working off little more than a rumor that an Edenic safe haven isn’t far over the horizon. House works with some familiar dystopian tropes, but the book is distinguished by his lyrical, earthy tone.”—Los Angeles Times (Most Anticipated Fall Book)“I was sucked into this urgent story where survival in the not-too-distant future depends on forging connections with strangers and nurturing tenderness and hope within. An essential, heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting read.”—Michelle Gallen, author of Factory Girls“Just astonishing . . .terrifying, moving, beautiful, instructive, and haunting. I have never been more deeply moved by a novel.”—Lee Smith, author of Dimestore“With Lark Ascending, the gifted Silas House has, with the most deft and masterful touches, forged a quite terrifying and all-too-plausible glimpse of our near future and somehow imbued it with almost impossible quantities of poetry and humanity. A gripping story of endurance, suffering and loss, but also of overwhelming love, loyalty and hope, the result is a hugely impressive feat of the imagination . . . A beautiful, haunting piece of work, and a compulsive read.” —Billy O'Callaghan, author of Life Sentences and The Dead House“The greatest Southern novel of the year.”—Georgia Public Broadcast / Salvation South"A poignant tale... Lark Ascending is full of such magic."—Southern Literary Review"Exciting, hopeful, and beautiful."—Alabama Public Radio / Don Noble's Book Reviews"This is a story of the dangers of both flight and immigration, survival enabled by chosen families, and the grace of humanity amid chaos. I had to read some sentences several times over to fully appreciate the beauty of the writing."—Kathleen Lance, Denver Reader, Denver Post“Silas House’s apocalyptic parable strikes the heart powerfully because of the eerie parallels to now… Lushly written”—Bowling Green Daily News

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Book SynopsisA woman tries trying to find her way home in a world decimated by earthquakes, but there are people determined to stop her and harvest her DNA.Alice wakes up in the Los Angeles Quake Zone in 2025 having no idea how she got there. As her memories slowly return, she finds she''s being hunted by several armed groups intent on capturing her alive.At the same time, Este, a survivor of the quakes that destroyed Los Angeles, makes a living as a pathfinder for salvage teams in the city. Este rescues Alice from her pursuers and learns there is something not quite right about her - Alice is convinced it is 2003.Aided by Este''s occasional boyfriend Wilfredo and her dog Casey, Este and Alice try to evade those chasing Alice and discover why they value her so highly, all while trying to reunite her with her family as the earthquakes around the world grow worse.

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Book SynopsisIn the future, AI are everywhere. They are our employers, our employees, our friends, lovers and even our children. Over half the human race lives online. But in the Caspian Republic, the last true human beings have made their stand, and their repressive, one-party state is locked in perpetual cold war with the outside world.Security Agent Nikolai South is tasked with escorting a dead journalist’s widow through the virulently anti-AI and repressive Caspian Republic. But as they delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the death and the secrets it uncovers, South must choose between his loyalty to his country and his conscience.Trade Review"The world of the Caspian Republic is drawn with precision worthy of Philip K. Dick and the plot, with its gripping twists and turns, is worthy of comparison with Le Carré at his best. Rarely does such an exciting and innovative new voice emerge, both refreshing the genre and reminding the reader of what made them fall in love with it in the first place." -- Jessica Traynor, essayist and poet“A gripping and intriguing debut.” -- Amelia Mellor, author of The Grandest Bookshop in the World"A propulsive science fiction thriller... richly imagined [and] expertly told." -- Kevin Power, author of Bad Day in Blackrock and White City"Part spy thriller, part dark dystopian, When The Sparrow Falls is a complex examination of identity, technology, power, and control." * The Nerd Daily *"An impressive debut" * ParSec Magazine *"A witty, playfully philosophical exploration of what it means to be human in a digital age." * SFX *“An original and gripping thriller.” * The Guardian *"A gripping and unsettling work of science fiction." * SciFiNow *“Mixes Cold War nostalgia with smart thinking about artificial intelligence and spiritual identity.” -- The Times Sci-Fi Book of the Month * The Times *“A complex, sometimes profound novel.” -- The FT * The FT *"The fast-paced and engaging plot, and the extraordinarily interesting political dynamics of the setting make for one of the best debut novels of the year." * The Hugo Book Club Blog *

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Book Synopsis"Afifi’s staggering and un-put-downable debut offers a fresh and feminist-forward take on cloning [...] This riveting debut is a must-have for any sci-fi fan."— Publishers Weekly starred review of Book 1 in the series Amira Valdez’s adventures continue in the sequel to The Sentient, as she finds herself in unprecedented danger. The ruthless new leader of the fundamentalist Trinity Compound seeks to understand his strange neurological connection with Amira and unleash an army on an unstable North America. The first human clone has been born, but thanks to the mysterious scientist Tony Barlow, it may unlock the secret to human immortality – or disaster. Together, Amira and Barlow form an uneasy alliance in pursuit of scientific breakthroughs and protection from shared enemies. But new discoveries uncover dark secrets that Barlow wants to keep hidden. FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePressTrade ReviewPraise for The Sentient, Book 1 in the series: "Afifi’s staggering and un-put-downable debut offers a fresh and feminist-forward take on cloning [...] This riveting debut is a must-have for any sci-fi fan." — Publishers Weekly starred review "Afifi’s first novel is a science fiction noir [...] The worldbuilding is a particular strength, as every locale feels well-realized and lived-in. This is an excellent book for fans of Mira Grant and Michael Crichton, or readers who love a thrilling narrative and welcome moral and philosophical questions in their science fiction." — Booklist "Nadia Afifi is a brand-new voice, and one you should become familiar with [...] Exciting, mesmerizing, and full of cutting-edge science, 'The Sentient' is an excellent beginning to what’s sure to be a successful career." — Analog SF “Honestly, this book was big on character, big on plot, and a well written science fiction piece, all good things I love as a bookworm and a scientist!” — The Nerd Daily "A piece of ethical excellency, a cry of freedom, and a thought-provoking debut is what Nadia Afifi has delivered for those who love to plunge into the gray morality of stories, as well as the riveting explorations of science fiction and the theory of the multiverse." — Bookwyrm's Guide to the Galaxy

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Book SynopsisTeenager Ruben, entrusted with a time travelling cube, must save the world... it's not just a toy. The Cube has been brought to Earth by a time-travelling, biomechanical, shape-shifting alien dude, from a badass murderous nation, from a dusty corner of the cosmos, who are hell-bent on the annihilation of all breathing life forms. This alien nation needs somewhere new to live and Earth fits their requirements almost perfectly, once they have evicted the current tenants. The powerful object becomes the centre of a jealous and deadly power struggle and is nearly destroyed in a war between royal Hungarian twin brothers circa 898A.D. in Central Europe. Remains of the damaged Cube pass down through the generations, until it falls into the hands of young, twenty-first- century, Ruben Novak. Ruben is your average teenager about to spend his summer vacation surfing, swimming, and hanging out at the beach in L.A. with his girlfriend. His preordained destiny, written many hundreds of years ago, means the fun must stop and his gap year will have to wait. However, part of the alien cleansing process has already begun, with a ring of detonating spore bombs dumping deadly DNA-altering nano-particles high up in the upper atmosphere. The atomic clock is ticking, and Ruben hasn't even had breakfast yet. Guided by a powerful Overlord alien being, via the Cube, he will travel through time on five dangerous adventures to collect the remnants of the device needed to restore its full functionality and solve the ultimate puzzle: how to preserve life on Earth. At every twist and turn Ruben will be pursued by the mysterious and deadly Time-Warriors who are determined to take the Cube from him. They are a well-organised team of merciless henchmen whose actions are being directed, through time. Ruben's mission is critical; only he and the Cube will prevent the total annihilation of life on Earth

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Book SynopsisA virulent disease carried by foxes is spreading across Europe. In London an urgent cull is underway, spearheaded by Frank Smith, the young master of the Hyde Park Hunt. But for Britain's paranoid Prime Minister, fox flu is a chance to foist the ultimate in surveillance technology on an unsuspecting population: the Mulberry Tree system, secretly bought from the Chinese. When biochemist Christophe Hardy discovers the conspiracy, he finds himself caught up in a chase which starts in Beijing and ends in Northumbria involving animal rights activists, a beautiful female missionary, high-society Chinese assassins, and the world most innovative catering venture, the Pu Dong Pudding Company.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2023 Hugo Award for Best NovelJurassic Park meets Parks & Recreation in The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi, a thrilling, fast-paced adventure set on an alternate Earth – perfect for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky and Michel Crichton.‘John Scalzi is the most entertaining, accessible writer working in SF today’ – Joe Hill, author of The FiremanA Financial Times Book of the YearThey're big, they're bad and they're about to become extinct . . .Jamie’s dream was to hit the big time at a New York tech start-up. Jamie’s reality was a humiliating lay-off, then a low-wage job as a takeaway delivery driver. During a pandemic too. Things look beyond grim, until a chance delivery to an old acquaintance. Tom has an urgent vacancy on his team: the pay is great and Jamie has debts – it’s a no-brainer choice. Yet, once again, reality fails to match expectations. Only this time it could be fatal.It seems Tom’s ‘animal rights organization’ is way more than it appears. The animals aren’t even on Earth – or not our Earth, anyway. In an alternate dimension, massive dinosaur-like creatures roam a tropical, human-free world. And although Kaiju are their universe’s largest and most dangerous animal, they need support to survive.Tom’s ‘Kaiju Preservation Society’ wants to help. However, others want to profit. Unless they’re stopped, the walls between our worlds could fall – and the consequences would be devastating.Trade ReviewA more ethical Jurassic Park meets the camaraderie of Parks and Recreation in this wonderfully witty and refreshingly earnest adventure yarn . . . Sure to delight -- Publishers WeeklyBubbles with . . . banter and snarky humour -- Kirkus ReviewsAn escapist delight -- The TimesSheer geeky pleasure from start to finish -- Financial TimesHugely enjoyable, intelligent and good-humoured fun -- GuardianHis most entertaining [novel] . . . a huge success -- SFXJohn Scalzi is the most entertaining, accessible writer working in SF today -- Joe Hill on Old Man's WarScalzi is one of the slickest writers that SF has ever produced -- Wall Street Journal on Old Man's WarRousing storytelling and satisfying intrigue . . . an engaging, well-crafted sci-fi drama -- SFX on The Collapsing EmpireScalzi is not producing didactic fiction; he’s telling a great story -- Huffington Post on Lock InClever dialogue, fast-paced story and strong characters -- The Times on the Old Man's War seriesAn incredible imagination -- LA Times on The Consuming Fire

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Book SynopsisA masterful evocation of the future of nationhood and technology from the master of British science fiction. A stunning new edition of a modern classic.The titan of science fiction.' TelegraphForty years has passed and Europe' now refers to vast swathes of the Earth: a unified super-state that has just enacted a successful space mission, landing people on Jupiter's Moon and spurring the people at home to look at their lives and what they've made of the world.Global warming ravages the planet, where shrunken coasts endure huge tidal attacks while inland ideological wars continue. Technology has advanced to the point where androids assist with menial work but are conscious enough to be baffled by humanity's weaknesses. So much is different but very little has changed.Told through a network of relatives, lovers, friends, a president (and those sent to assassinate him), Super-State looks to the future while exploring the most timeless human challenges with huge wit and precision. A satirTrade Review‘Aldiss is a magician’ Sunday Times ‘The titan of science fiction.’ Telegraph ‘Brian Aldiss is one of the most influential – and one of the best – SF writers Britain has ever produced.’ Iain M Banks ‘The best contemporary writer of science fiction.’ Guardian ‘One of the truly prophetic figures of the space age… the colossus of science fiction’New Yorker ‘Once again he demonstrates the power of his imagination.’ Daily Mail

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