Science Fiction Sci-Fi Books

Book SynopsisAmong the scattered islands that make up the water world of Windhaven, no one holds more prestige than the silver-winged flyers, romantic figures who cross treacherous oceans, braving shifting winds and sudden storms, to bring news, gossip, songs and stories to a waiting populace.Maris of Amberly, a fisherman''s daughter, wants nothing more than to soar on the currents high above Windhaven. So she challenges tradition, demanding that flyers be chosen by merit rather than inheritance.But even after winning that bitter battle, Maris finds that her troubles are only beginning. Now a revolution threatens to destroy the world she fought so hard to join - and force her to make the ultimate sacrifice...This early collaborative novel from George R. R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle is a masterclass of fantasy and storytelling.

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Book SynopsisIn the year ten billion A.D., Diaspar is the last city on Earth. Agelss and unchanging, the inhabitants see no reason to be curious about the outside world. But one child, Alvin - only seventeen and the last person to be born in Diaspar - finds that he is increasingly drawn to what lies outside the city walls. Even though he knows the Invaders, who devastated the world, may still be out there...Later rewritten, expanded and republished as The City and the Stars, this early novella by one of the greats of science fiction remains a powerful and evocative depiction of the future of humanity...

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Book Synopsis'Murakami meets Ready Player One' – Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld'A twisted trip through a cool digital wilderness of a mystery. This book sticks to your brain' – Norman Reedus, star of The Walking DeadWhat happens in the game, stays in the game . . . Rabbits is a secret, dangerous and sometimes fatal underground game. The rewards for winning are unclear, but there are rumours of money, CIA recruitment or even immortality. Or it might unlock the universe’s greatest secrets. But everyone knows that the deeper you get, the more deadly the game becomes – and the body count is rising. Since the game first started, ten iterations have taken place . . . and the eleventh round is about to begin.K can’t get enough of the game and has been trying to find a way in for years. Then Alan Scarpio, reclusive billionaire and alleged Rabbits winner, shows up out of nowhere. And he charges K with a desperate mission. Something has gone badly wrong with the game and K needs to fix it – before Eleven starts – or the world will pay the price.Five days later, Scarpio is declared missing.Two weeks after that Eleven begins, so K blows the deadline.And suddenly, the fate of the entire universe is at stake.Rabbits by Terry Miles is an electrifying, compulsive read based on the hit podcast from the Public Radio Alliance – perfect for fans of Stranger Things and Black Mirror.Trade ReviewA twisted trip through a cool digital wilderness of a mystery. This book sticks to your brain. Just read it already -- Norman Reedus, star of The Walking DeadA taut mystery play for a time of conspiratorial madness, a frightening romp that forcefully reminds us of the terrible plausibility of conspiratorial thinking -- Cory Doctorow, author of WalkawayRabbits is a remarkably assured debut, deftly written and laced with intrigue. It combines Haruki Murakami’s slice-of-life surrealness with the thrilling pace and pop-culture throwbacks of Ready Player One. I loved it -- Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the WyldRabbits chases the mysteries at the heart of gaming and popular culture. Cancel your evening plans and follow Terry Miles down the rabbit hole -- Max GladstoneRabbits is an addictive puzzle box of a book that'll have you obsessing over every little detail. Do not start this if you have plans that day – you'll just end up cancelling them -- Rob Hart, author of The WarehouseA fascinating blend of paranoia and plausibility, Rabbits takes gaming to the next level. This ambitious and intricate novel will have you looking over your shoulder – and questioning the results of your next Google search -- Alexandra Oliva, author of The Last OneMiles masterfully combines mystery, danger, and scientific theory to bring the game to life until readers are just as caught up in searching for the next clue as the characters themselves. It’s a wild ride and it proves impossible to put down -- Publishers Weekly starred reviewA twisty, timey-wimey roller coaster that morphs seamlessly from treasure hunt to conspiracy thriller to escape room. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Brilliant, breathless, and full of madness, Terry Miles makes you feel like you’re the one playing the game . . . and facing the consequences if you lose! -- Christopher Golden

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Book SynopsisThe Moon wants to kill you. It might not get there first.Luna is a gripping thriller about five corporate families caught in a bitter battle for supremacy in the harsh environment of the moon. It''s very easy to die on the moon, but with its vast mineral wealth it''s also easy to make your fortune. Following the fortunes of a handful of disparate characters, from one of the lowliest workers on the moon to the heads of one of the most powerful families, LUNA provides a vast mosaic of life on this airless and terrifying new home for humanity.This is SF that will be perfect for fans of Kim Stanley Robinson and Ken Macleod alike.''McDonald is one of the best world builders I''ve ever read'' - Tamora PierceReaders are being swept away by LUNA: NEW MOON:''It''s a great epic read. It''s also filled to the brim with imminently plausible science. Not a single thing was out of place''- Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ Trade ReviewIan McDonald is one of the very best SF writers in the world. His novels are fearless, brilliant wise...they illuminate and entertain spectacularly * Kim Stanley Robinson *I will read anything that man writes-he is the most underappreciated genius working in the field today * Cory Doctorow *Provocative, gripping and prancingly adult, it's a stunning example of how good science-fiction can be, and proof that McDonald is one of the best writers currently working in the genre * SFX *Luna: New Moon is a world that has been intricately woven together by its author. It's compelling and thought-provoking, and all without relying on overbearing sci-fi clichés. Brilliantly done. * Sci-Fi Now *Imagine Ben Bova's Farside mixed up with Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress and David Wingrove's Chung Kuo series but then re-imagined for the 21st century, with a sexed-up, more global viewpoint and you'll get an idea of Luna. I foresee great things for this book and award nominations a-plenty. Recommended. * SFF World *Luna is a remarkable novel! It is enormously clever and spectacularly visual and yet nothing overshadows the strength of its characterisation. A standout novel in a year that has been fantastic for science fiction. * For Winter's Nights *There's a lot of intrigue, some violence, rather more sex - healthily polymorphous and energetic, this - and all the pleasures of a cut-throat soap opera in space: a sort of Moon-Dome Dallas. -- Adam Roberts * The Guardian *In its gravitas and tension and, alas, tragedy, it's damn near Shakespearian. Add to that all the compulsive qualities of A Song of Ice and Fire, as I suggested in the header: a setting so brilliantly built and deftly embellished that buying into it isn't ever an issue; a vast cast of characters as satisfying and sympathetic individually as they are as part of McDonald's elaborate ensemble; and a plot composed of so many threads that you never know where it's going to go-except that when it ends, it's destined to end terribly. * Tor.com *Luna: New Moon is the best moon novel I've seen in many years...Inasmuch as it challenges one of the cherished master narratives of SF, in which the moon is only a stepping-stone, and despite what it owes to the tropes of '70s-era social melodrama, McDon­ald's novel has some formidable SF stingers not far beneath its densely textured surface. * Locus Mag *McDonald creates a complex and fascinating civilization featuring believable technology, and the characters are fully developed, with individually gripping stories. Watch for this brilliantly constructed family saga on next year's award ballots. * Publishers Weekly *Overall, it's a really good read - the environment is convincing, the characters wonderfully flawed and entirely believable, and the plot well-paced and gripping. It'll draw you into its world and refuse to let you out again. If you want to try an innovative piece of sci-fi, with a lot to say and a good means of exploring ways to say it, then this is the book for you. * SF&F Reviews *McDonald has created a totally believable setting and does it with a deft touch....This is one of the best Science Fiction novels to reach the shelves this year. Indulge yourself. * SF Crowsnest *"Luna: New Moon" is a refreshing and complex science fiction of the best kind - one that is universally clever and thought provoking, and one that stays with you long after you close the final page. * Upcoming 4 Me *Luna is a remarkable novel! It is enormously clever and spectacularly visual and yet nothing overshadows the strength of its characterisation. A standout novel in a year that has been fantastic for science fiction. * For Winter's Nights *This is masterful, adult SF and I can't wait to read the sequel. * BSFG *

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Book SynopsisPreviously published as THE PREFECT. A rollercoaster ride through the dark and turbulent universe of REVELATION SPACE: an interstellar thriller where nothing - and no one - is what they seem ...Tom Dreyfus is a Prefect, a policeman of sorts, and one of the best. His force is Panoply, and his beat is the multi-faceted utopian society of the Glitter Band, that vast swirl of space habitats orbiting the planet Yellowstone. These days, his job is his life.A murderous attack against a Glitter Band habitat is nasty, but it looks to be an open-and-shut case - until Dreyfus starts looking under some stones that some very powerful people would really rather stayed unturned. What he uncovers is far more serious than mere gruesome murder: a covert takeover bid by a shadowy figure, Aurora (who may once have been human but certainly isn''t now), who believes the people of the Glitter Band should no longer be in charge of their own destiny.Dreyfus discovers tTrade ReviewReynolds's narrative is truly breathtaking in scope and intricate in detail, making him a mastersinger of the space opera - THE TIMESThe span here is mind-boggling - GOOD BOOK GUIDEAlastair Reynolds occupies the same frenzied imaginative space as Philip K. Dick or A.E. Van Vogt; that he occupies it as a working scientist is what makes it so exciting - GUARDIANSpace Opera's current Janacek - TELEGRAPHAn adroit and fast-paced blend of space opera and police procedural, original and exciting - George R. R. Martin

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Book SynopsisExplore, salvage, and survive inside the Exclusion Zone in this near-future Eastern European-themed skirmish wargame.Zona Alfa is a set of simple, fast-play skirmish rules for scavenging, exploring, and surviving in a near-future, post-apocalyptic Eastern European setting. Players take on the role of bandits, mercenaries, and military units fighting over the blasted Exclusion Zone and its abandoned artifacts. Customize your fighters with a variety of weapons and specialisms to create your ideal warband. With extended rules for campaigns, character progression, terrain, and environmental hazards, Zona Alfa contains all the tools required to engaging in blistering firefights within the Exclusion Zone.

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Book SynopsisFollowing Mindstar Rising and A Quantum Murder, The Nano Flower is the final book in Peter F. Hamilton's Greg Mandel trilogy – a page-turning science-fictional detective story.For fifteen years she has been the power behind England's economic renaissance. But this won’t help her now. Julia Evans, billionaire owner of Event Horizon, is in trouble. Her husband is missing. Rival companies claim to have acquired an incredible new technology – something impossibly superior to what has come before. So she has no time to notice a single flower, delivered anonymously. But this flower possesses genetic information millions of years in advance of any terrestrial DNA.Is it a cryptic alien message, or a poignant farewell token from her husband? One man is on the case to discover its origins: psi-boosted private detective Greg Mandel. But he won’t be alone in this desperate search. And, as Greg and Julia discover, being first in the race won’t be enough – not when the Nano Flower starts to bloom . . .Trade ReviewReaches another level of excellence . . . Brilliant -- LocusFully fleshed-out characters living in an immaculately imagined and executed near-future world, lush prose, crystal-sharp dialogue . . . Unreservedly recommended -- InterzoneA cracking good story, full of action and adventure . . . unputdownable -- Critical Wave

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Book SynopsisMeet Karl Glogauer, time traveller and unlikely Messiah. When he finds himself in Palestine in the year 29AD he is shocked to meet the man known as Jesus Christ - a drooling idiot, hiding in the shadows of the carpenter's shop in Nazareth. But if he is not capable of fulfilling his historical role, then who will take his place?

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Book SynopsisOctavia E. Butler said, “There’s nothing new under the sun, but there are new suns.”New Suns 2 brings you fresh visions of the strange, the unexpected, the shocking—breakthrough stories, stories shining with emerging truths, stories that pierce stale preconceptions with their beauty and bravery. Like the first New Suns anthology (winner of the World Fantasy, Locus, IGNYTE, and British Fantasy awards), this book liberates writers of many races to tell us tales no one has ever told.Many things come in twos: dualities, binaries, halves, and alternates. Twos are found throughout New Suns 2, in eighteen science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories revealing daring futures, hidden pasts, and present-day worlds filled with unmapped wonders.Including stories by Daniel H. Wilson, K. Tempest Bradford, Darcie Little Badger, Geetanjali Vandemark, John Chu, Nghi Vo, Tananarive Due, Alex Jennings, Karin Lowachee, Saad Hossain, Hiromi Goto, Minsoo Kang, Tlotlo Tsamaase, Rochita Loenen-Ruiz, Malka Older, Kathleen Alcalá, Christopher Caldwell and Jaymee Goh with a foreword by Walter Mosley and an afterword by Dr. Grace Dillon.Trade Review“A blockbuster miscellany.”—Aurealis“New Suns 2 offers a composite picture of the best work being done in genre fiction right now”—The Washington Post“Go get this book and enjoy it.”—Lightspeed Magazine“Shawl uses their penchant for inclusive representation to remind you of the radiance of a promised sun.”—LocusTable of Contents Foreword, Walter Mosley Ocasta, Daniel H. Wilson The Farmer’s Wife and the Faerie Queen, K. Tempest Bradford Juan, Darcie Little Badger Neti-Neti, Geetanjali Vandemark Equal Forces Opposed in Exquisite Tension, John Chu Silk and Cotton and Linen and Blood, Nghi Vo Suppertime, Tananarive Due Good Night Gracie, Alex Jennings A Borrowing of Bones, Karin Lowachee Chosen, Saad Hossain Home Is Where the Heart Is, Hiromi Goto Before the Glory of their Majesties, Minsoo Kang Haunted Bodies of WombMen, Tlotlo Tsamaase Dragons of Yuta, Rochita Loenen-Ruiz The Plant and the Purist, Malka Older The Fast Enough Human, Kathleen Alcalá Counting Her Petals, Christopher Caldwell Fever Dreams, Jaymee Goh Afterword, Grace Dillon

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Book SynopsisA queer, madcap, friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers time travelromance with the future of the world at stake,this charmingfantasytale is sure to satisfy fans ofLegends and Lattesby Travis Baldree.

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Book Synopsis** EXCLUSIVE EPILOGUE IN PAPERBACK ONLY **''Curtis oozes charm and humour in this pacey debut, which will be devoured by fans of Fallout and Firefly'' TAMSYN MUIRA heartfelt queer romance in a high noon standoff with Earth''s uncertain future, full of love, loss, and laser guns. Perfect for fans of Becky Chambers and Mary Robinette Kowal. In the distant future, climate change has reduced Earth to a hard-scrabble wasteland. Saints and sinners, lawmakers and sheriffs, gunslingers and horse thieves abound. Folk are as diverse and divided as they''ve ever been - except in their shared suspicions when a stranger comes to town. One night a ship falls from the sky, bringing the planet''s first visitor in three hundred years. She''s armed, she''s scared . . . and she''s looking for someone.''I''m officially a member of the Grace Curtis fan club!''

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Book SynopsisThe squad you love is out of time. Prepare for the thrilling finale in the epic, bestselling Aurora Cycle series about a band of unlikely heroes who just might be the galaxy's last hope for survival.Trade ReviewPraise for the series: 'A beyond epic space adventure that will make a sci-fi fan out of anyone.' Alexandra Christo, author of To Kill a Kingdom and Into the Crooked Place 'A fusion of everything you love about the genre that adds up into something completely fresh.’ Samantha Shannon 'Brace yourself. You're about to be immersed in a mindscape that you'll never want to leave.' Marie Lu, author of Legend

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Book SynopsisRobot Dreams collects 21 of Isaac Asimov's short stories spanning the body of his fiction from the 1940s to the 1980s, exploring not only the future of technology, but the future of humanity's maturity and growth.

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times BestsellerWITNESS THE BIRTH OF THE RESISTANCEWhen the Rebellion defeated the Empire in the skies above Endor, Leia Organa believed it was the beginning to a lasting peace. But after decades of vicious infighting and partisan gridlock in the New Republic Senate, that hope seems like a distant memory.Now a respected senator, Leia must grapple with the dangers that threaten to cripple the fledgling democracyfrom both within and without. Underworld kingpins, treacherous politicians, and Imperial loyalists are sowing chaos in the galaxy. Desperate to take action, senators are calling for the election of a First Senator. It is their hope that this influential post will bring strong leadership to a divided galaxy. As the daughter of Darth Vader, Leia faces with distrust the prospect of any one person holding such a powerful positioneven when supporters suggest Leia herself for the job. But a new enemy may make this path Leia's Trade ReviewFrom the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Lost Stars comes a thrilling prequel to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, set roughly six years before the events of the film. * Publisher *An entertaining tale of intrigue and adventure * IGN *Star Wars: Bloodline isn’t just a great Star Wars book, or a great Leia book, or a great book; it’s a great introduction into the larger world of Star Wars in general. * Comicbook.com *Unmissable . . . Bloodline’s tense politics, vivid new characters, and perfectly characterized Leia make it feel as central to the Star Warsuniverse as one of the films * Tor.com *Gripping. . . Bloodline provides vital links between the Original Trilogy and The Force Awakens * NY Daily News *

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Book SynopsisEven a Time Lord can’t change the past.A wasteland. A dead world… No, there is a biodome, rising from the ash. Here, life teems and flourishes, with strange and lush plants, and many-winged insects with bright carapaces – and one solitary sentient creature, who spends its days watering the plants, talking to the insects, and tending this lonely garden. This is Inyit, the Last of the Kotturuh.In All Flesh is Grass we are transported back to The Dark Times. The Tenth Doctor has sworn to stop the Kotturuh, ending Death and bringing Life to the universe. But his plan is unravelling – instead of bringing Life, nothing has changed and all around him people are dying. Death is everywhere. Now he must confront his former selves – one in league with their greatest nemesis and the other manning a ship of the undead…

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Book SynopsisKaren Miller was born in Vancouver, Canada, but was raised in Sydney, Australia where she still lives today. She wanted to be a writer from early childhood, but that took some time to happen. While she was waiting she worked as a public servant, a receptionist, in the horse industry, in local government, in publishing, in telecommunications, as a college lecturer and ran her own science fiction/fantasy/mystery bookshop. She fell in love with Star Wars when she saw it on the big screen, the very first time it was released in 1977. That love affair has lasted her whole life. So far she's written six mainstream fantasy novels and two Stargate SG-1 tie-ins.

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Book SynopsisA powerful post-apocalyptic allegory of persecution and intolerance, the Penguin Modern Classics edition of John Wyndham''s science fiction masterpiece The Day of the Triffids contains an introduction by M. John Harrison.Nuclear war has devastated the world, bringing with it a host of genetic mutations. In the bleak, primitive society that has emerged from its ruins, any sign of deviation, no matter how small, is ruthlessly rooted out and destroyed. David lives in fear of discovery, for he is part of a secret group of children who are able to communicate with each other by transferring thought-shapes into each other''s minds. As they grow older, they feel increasingly isolated. Then one of them marries a ''norm'', with terrifying consequences.John Wyndham (1903-1969) the son of a barrister, tried a number of careers including farming, law, commercial art and advertising before writing short stories, intended for sale, in 1925. After serving in the Civil Service and the Army during the Second World War, he decided to try writing a modified form of Science Fiction, which he called ''logical fantasy''. Among his most famous books are The Day of the Triffids (1951), The Kraken Wakes (1953), The Chrysalids (1955), The Midwich Cuckoos (1957, filmed twice as Village of the Damned), Trouble with Lichen (1960), and Chocky (1968). If you enjoyed The Chrysalids, you might like Arthur Miller''s The Crucible, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.''One of those few authors whose compulsive readability is a compliment to the intelligence''Spectator

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Book Synopsis''Extraordinary'' Philip PullmanFollowing one man''s journey from earth to an alien landscape of ethereal beauty and existential terror, A Voyage to Arcturus is a profound questioning of the nature of evil. Dreamlike and philosophical, this landmark cult novel has influenced generations of writers.''That shattering, intolerable and irresistible work'' C. S. Lewis''A Nietzschean Pilgrim''s Progress ... Lindsay''s engrossing book, a mixture of metaphysics and surreal dream-quest, stands as one of the great originals'' GuardianTrade ReviewThe book I think is most underrated: David Lindsey, A Voyage To Arcturus. -- Philip PullmanThat shattering, intolerable, and irresistible work -- C. S. LewisLindsay's engrossing book, a mixture of metaphysics and surreal dream-quest, stands as one of the great originals. * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''The greatest entertainer ever produced by science fiction'' J. G. BallardThese surreal, elegantly witty tales from one of the most esteemed writers of science fiction encompass indignant aliens, stranded space explorers, shapeshifters, a company that manufactures designer planets and a deadly hunting game in far-future New York.''Robert Sheckley is one of the great funny writers'' Douglas Adams''A writer not quite like any other whose forte is his own brand of strange and wonderful humour'' The New York Times''Genuinely funny SF'' Neil GaimanTrade ReviewRobert Sheckley is one of the great funny writers -- Douglas AdamsRobert Sheckley was writing genuinely funny SF before Douglas Adams was born ... It is a crime that most of his great short story collections from the 50s, 60s and 70s are out of print -- Neil GaimanRobert Sheckley is the greatest entertainer ever produced by modern science fiction . . . what a feast of wit and intelligence he lays out -- J.G BallardOne of science fiction's seminal humourists * The New York Times *One of the finest debut volumes ever published in the field, and contains several tales which have remained famous, including 'The Monsters' and the superb 'Specialist' ... Sheckley's stories are unfailingly elegant and literate * Science Fiction Encyclopedia *

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Book Synopsis''Doesn''t come any more stylish than this'' Sunday Telegraph-----THE FIRST BOOK IN THE BRIDGE SERIES - READ IDORU AND ALL TOMORROW''S PARTIES FOR MORESan Francisco in the nearish future.Ex-cop Berry Rydell''s lost one job he didn''t much like and landed another he likes even less. Some sunglasses - actually high-end kit infused with super-sensitive data - were stolen from a courier, and a man named Warbaby''s been charged with retrieving them. And Warnaby needs Rydell''s help.But, with SFPD Homicide involved, an abandoned bridge populated by freaks and misfits, and some weirdness involving the Republic of Desire and a ''Death Star'', it''s turning out to be a very strange and dangerous scene indeed . . .Can Rydell navigate this unsteady reality in time to save the city . . . and himself?William Gibson, author of the classic Neuromancer and creator of cyberpunk, Trade ReviewAn American Ballard, using the tropes of science fiction to satirical and productively alienating effect * Guardian *One of the first authentic and vital novels of the 21st century * Washington Post on Pattern Recognition *A major novelist who seems to be hitting his peak * Chicago Tribune *

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Book SynopsisBetween the end of Frank Herbert''s Dune and his next novel Dune Messiah lies a mystery: how a hero adored by a planet became a tyrant hated by a universe. Paul of Dune begins the story of those twelve fateful years and the wars of the jihad of Paul Muad''Dib. It is an epic of battle and betrayal; of love and idealism; of ambition and intrigue. Above all, it is the story of how Paul Atreides - who achieved absolute power when scarcely more than a boy - changes from an idealist into a dictator who is the prisoner of the bureaucrats and fanatics who surround him. Have you read Dune? And have you read Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson''s novels continuing the story? The latest are Hunters of Dune and Sandworms of Dune.Trade Review'[Herbert and Anderson] do a great job in investing the plot with heft and complexity and the narrative with pace and momentum, and conveying the sheer ferocity of the betrayals and duplicities . . . a rare, rattling page-turner that no Dune adherent will pass up.' * Kirkus Reviews on SANDWORMS OF DUNE *Frank Herbert would surely be delighted and proud of this continuation of his vision. * Dean Koontz *Those who long to return to the world of desert, spice and sandworms will be amply satisfied. * The Times *A triumphant climax to the history of the Dune universe. * Bookseller on THE BATTLE OF CORRIN *'For those of us who grew up with the world of spice and sand - how gratifying to revisit characters who felt like old friends, now brought to a satisfying conclusion.' * My Weekly on SANDWORMS OF DUNE *

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Book SynopsisAlex Schwartz had a great job and a promising future - until he caught an unfortunate bout of vampirism, and agreed (on pain of death) to join the Laundry, Britain''s only counter-occult secret intelligence agency.His first assignment is in Leeds - his old hometown. But the thought of telling his parents he''s lost his job, let alone their discovering his ''condition'', is causing Alex almost as much anxiety as his new lifestyle of supernatural espionage.His only saving grace is Cassie Brewer, a student from the local Goth Festival who flirts with him despite his fear of sunlight (and girls). But Cassie has secrets of her own - secrets that make Alex''s night life seem positively normal . . .James Bond meets H. P. Lovecraft in the latest occult thriller from Hugo Award winner Charles Stross, in a series where British spies take on the supernatural.Trade ReviewCharles Stross owns this field, and his vast, cool intellect has launched yet another mad, sly entertainment that will strangle the hell out of anything else on offer right now -- Warren EllisBrilliantly disturbing and funny at the same time -- Ben Aaronovitch

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Book SynopsisThe first volume in the Vatta''s War series - action-packed military SF from the Nebula Award winning author of The Speed of Dark.Ky Vatta is a highly promising military cadet with a great future ahead of her, until an insignificant act of kindness makes her the focus of the Academy''s wrath. She is forced to resign, her dreams shattered.For the child of a rich trading family, this should mean disgrace on a grand scale. And yet, to her surprise, Ky is offered the captaincy of a ship headed for scrap with its final cargo.Her orders are absolutely clear, but Ky quickly sees potential profit in altering the journey. Because, whatever the risks, it''s in her blood to trade - even if the currency is extreme danger.''I thoroughly enjoyed Trading in Danger and wholeheartedly recommend it'' THE BOOK SMUGGLERSTrade Reviewfast-paced and compelling - SF REVIEWSI thoroughly adored Trading in Danger and wholeheartedly recommend it - THE BOOK SMUGGLERS

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Book SynopsisFirst a legendary radio series, then a bestselling book, now a blockbuser movie, the immensely successful Hitch Hiker''s Guide to the Galaxy needs no introduction. Reissued to coincide with the film''s release, this hardback omnibus edition include all five parts of the trilogy, incorporating for the first time, Mostly Harmless, along with a guide to the guide and essential notes on how to leave the planet.This single hardback edition is indispensable for any would-be galactic traveller and for old and new fans of Douglas Adams, Doctor Who and bestselling science fiction books.Trade ReviewIt's science fiction and it's extremely funny...inspired lunacy that leaves hardly a science fiction cliche alive. * Washington Post *The feckless protagonist, Arthur Dent, is reminiscent of Vonnegut heroes, and his travels afford a wild satire of present institutions. * Chicago Tribune *Very simply, the book is one of the funniest SF spoofs ever written, with hyperbolic ideas folding in on themselves. * School Library Journal *A sci-fi book, packed full of adventure and humour * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisTerry Pratchett (Author) Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. In all, he was the author of over fifty bestselling books which have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood for services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any.www.terrypratchettbooks.comStephen Baxter (Author) Stephen Baxter is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers of science fiction and a multi-award winner. His many books include the classic Xeelee sequence, the Time's Odyssey novels (written with Arthur C. Clarke) and Time Ships, a sequel to H. G. Wells's The Time Machine, aTrade ReviewInspired . . . something of the poetry and visionary wildness of an author such as Jeff VanderMeer . . . enthralling and thought-provoking in equal measure. -- Ned Denny * DAILY MAIL *Intricately described . . . gently immersive . . . Baxter's scientific grounding will make you dwell once more on that chilling quantum idea that to exist is to be observed . . . if you've been following the series from the beginning, this last chapter will make you cry, all on its own. -- Jenny Colgan * GUARDIAN *One of the unexpected delights of the later Pratchett career . . . a novel that comes across as a love letter to science fiction itself, one suffused with a Clarke-like optimism about the future. Baxter, you'd guess, is saluting two old friends here. -- Jonathan Wright * SFX magazine *A fine and fitting testament to the work of one of our greatest and much-missed writing legends, and a reminder that in the likes of Stephen Baxter, British science fiction remains in safe-hands. -- David Barnett * THE i NEWSPAPER *

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Book SynopsisOn steamy Pryan, never-ending sunlight and plentiful rain have created a jungle so vast that humans and elves dwell high in the trees and only dwarves live anywhere near the ground. From the treetops the aristocratic elves sell weapons to the other races, whose incessant warfare sends a steady steam of profits and essential resources skyward. Now, generations of dissent and race hatred will not heal -- not even under the threat of annihilation at the hands of legendary Titans. Armed with little more than their wits and prophecy, an elf, a human, and a dwarf must unite to try to save the world from destruction.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing Inspector Dreyfus - one of Alastair Reynolds most popular characters - this is a fast paced SF crime story, combining a futuristic setting with a gripping tale of technology, revolution and revenge.One citizen died a fortnight ago. Two a week ago. Four died yesterday . . . and unless the cause can be found - and stopped - within the next four months, everyone will be dead. For the Prefects, the hunt for a silent, hidden killer is on . . .Alastair Reynolds has returned to the world of The Prefect for this stand-alone SF mystery in which no one is safe. The technological implants which connect every citizen to each other have become murder weapons, and no one knows who or what the killer is - or who the next targets will be. But their reach is spreading, and time is not on the Prefects'' side.Trade Reviewa novel that works brilliantly as a space adventure and also reads, touchingly, almost as an atheist's reflection on why a kind of optimistic agnosticism may be a useful approach to finding contentment * SFX *A tremendously assured read, a fast-paced page-turner that delivers a well thought out story. * GUARDIAN *An utterly involving thriller, with a mystery that unfolds under steely control. * DAILY MAIL *It's grand, involving and full of light and wonder. Poseidon's Wake is one of the best sci-fi novels of the year * Sci-Fi Now *his finest moment yet and a glorious conclusion of the trilogy. A wonderful book and best that British SF has to offer at the moment * Upcoming 4 Me *Reynolds has not only rise to the challenge, but upped the ante. * SFX *Although a long book, with so much story to fit in there is a brevity to the text which makes it an easy read which can be enjoyed as a standalone even though it satisfactorily revisits and resolves the majority of the threads from the previous novels * Geek Chocolate *Intriguing speculation about human identity and potential. * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *Possibly the best space opera I've read. * SF REVU *a well realised sci-fi universe, with plausible character * SF&F Reviews *Having completed the trilogy I now want to return to its beginning and re-read. Alastair Reynolds is one of my very favourite authors, every book is a much-anticipated event, and withPoseidon's Wake he shows yet again why that is. I loved every single page. * For Winter's Nights *Reynolds combines depth in characterization and dazzling hard-science applications to keep the reader turning pages. * BOOKLIST *Transhumans, talking elephants, inscrutable aliens and good old fashioned spaceship fights all contribute to a breathtaking adventure * THE SUN *A vivid universe with beautiful settings and engaging, dynamic characters ...Fans of sf will definitely want to pick up this title, especially if they also enjoy mysteries or police procedurals. * LIBRARY JOURNAL *A revelation that satisfies the demands of SF and mystery. * LOCUS *If you're looking for a cracking sci-fi mystery, pick this one up. * SF AND F REVIEWS *Incredible story telling and all plaudits are greatly deserved. * GEEK SYNDICATE *Cerebral but gripping, Elysium Fire is a must for Reynolds fans and a recommended read. * SCIFINOW *A well-paced, complex story replete with intrigue, invention and an optimism uncommon in contemporary SF * The Guardian *

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Book Synopsis'The most human of all Stapledon's novels' Brian AldissTrade ReviewSirius is a somewhat poignant journey, incalculably emotive and immeasurably introspective, a true masterpiece of literary (science) fiction. * SFBOOK.COM *

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Book SynopsisThe war had been going on for nearly a year and the Sirian Empire had a huge advantage in personnel and equipment. Earth needed an edge. Which was where James Mowry came in. If a small insect buzzing around in a car could so distract the driver as to cause that vehicle to crash, think what havoc one properly trained operative could wreak on an unsuspecting enemy. Intensively trained, his appearance surgically altered, James Mowry is landed on Jaimec, the 94th planet of the Sirian Empire. His mission is simple: sap morale, cause mayhem, tie up resources, wage a one-man war on a planet of eighty million. In short, be a wasp. First published in 1957, WASP is generally regarded as Eric Frank Russell''s finest novel, a witty and exciting account of a covert war in the heart of enemy territory.

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Book SynopsisChief Inspector Brett Nightingale and Sergeant Beddoes find the body of Princess Olga Karukhin, who fled from Russia at the time of the Revolution. Taking place in the three days leading up to Christmas, Nightingale's enquiry takes him to a gramophone shop and a jewellers, culminating in the wrapping of the mystery on Christmas Eve.

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Book SynopsisIn Sunreach, after a planet-destroying Delver suddenly appears in the sky of Detritus and vanishes just as suddenly, FM knows that the last free human society got lucky. Her Skyward Flight companion Spensa figured out how to draw this Delver away, but it won''t be so easy next time. Humanity has to be prepared . . . In ReDawn, Alanik has recovered from the shock of answering a distress call and finding a planet of humans making a stand against the Superiority, only to be dismayed to discover they''re considering a peace overture from their enemy. Worse, when she returns to her home planet of ReDawn, she find her own people falling into exactly the same trap. With her mentor captured, she turns to her new friends to help: can Alanik, FM, Jorgen and Rig coax an ancient technology into life in time to save both their planets from disaster?And in Evershore, the government of Detritus is still in disarray following Superiority treachery, and no word

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Book SynopsisEvent Horizon meets Brave New World in this extraordinary new science fictional thriller from Adam Roberts

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Book SynopsisThe world ended. People survived.Per Hiero Desteen was a priest, a telepath-and a highly trained killer. Five thousand years after the apocalyptic event known only as The Death, Hiero is tasked with finding the secrets of the old world, which could protect his civilisation from massing enemies. The planet is not the same as it used to be. Mutations have changed the way humans and animals live together, the holocaust known as The Death. The Brotherhood of the Unclean wants to wipe out all traces of surviving human society, allowing anarchy to rule the wasteland that once was North America.Hiero''s journey takes him into the heart of the Brotherhood''s territory. The danger is great if he is caught . . . but even the smallest chance that humanity could be saved is worth the risk.

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Book Synopsis“Beautifully written, wonderfully paced, with characters I care about—this book has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the second in this trilogy to see what happens next.” —Carmen Acevedo Butcher, PhD, poet and award-winning translator of The Cloud of Unknowing, Practice of the Presence by Brother Lawrence, and Hildegard of Bingen.   It's 2056 and international oligarchs have pushed the world to the precipice of ecological, economic, and nuclear catastrophe. But two philanthropists have teamed up to establish a long-term colony on Mars.  Could this daring outpost be the next chapter in the story of the human race? Assembling a crack team of experts including scientists, engineers and ecologists, the colony begins to establish a viable outpost on our nearest planet. But the team quickly run into problems as they bear the responsibility of creating a new humanity. Can they work out what has gone wrong before it's too late? And will the passengers of the last voyage from Earth bring what's needed for this fledging community to flourish?This first volume in a thrilling new trilogy from Brian McLaren, explores what it means to be human and what would we choose to bring with us or leave behind, if we were to start all over again.  

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Book SynopsisThe gripping final instalment in the Sleeping Giants trilogy - perfect for fans of Ready, Player One, The Martian and Transformers. ________ We always thought the biggest threat to humanity would come from the outside. We were wrong . . . Ten years ago, alien robots descended to Earth killing one hundred million people. And when they retreated, they took brilliant scientist Rose Franklin and her team with them. Now, after nearly ten years on another world, Rose and the Earth Defence Corps manage to escape - only to find that a devastating new war has begun. This time, it''s between humans. As the human race looks set to destroy itself, Rose and her comrades must find a way to unite Earth. The stakes couldn''t be higher, as the aliens intend to finish the annihilation they started . . .Praise for the Sleeping Giants trilogy: ''This year''Trade ReviewPure, unadulterated literary escapism featuring giant killer robots and the looming end of mankind. In a word: unputdownable * Kirkus Reviews *Kick-ass, one-on-one robot action combines with mind-bending scientific and philosophical speculation * Booklist *Superb * SciFiNow *This year's The Martian. So good and so eerie * Buzzfeed *A sheer blast from start to finish -- Blake CrouchA winning combination of briskly paced action and futuristic dystopia * RT Book Reviews *

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Book SynopsisA rowan tree with mysterious and unique powers is extending its grip over humanity, and investigative writer Valentina Garnier is caught up in a battle between supernatural forces and the federal government.Prize-winning investigative writer Valentina Garnier loves a good story, so when she learns that CIA director Agnes Pendalon wants her to travel to Kunashir Island in Russia''s easternmost province, she jumps at the chance. Top scientists, political aides, CIA agents and even the vice president''s daughter have made mysterious trips to the island in recent weeks, and all have come back changed . . . When Val arrives in Kunashir, she is mesmerized by a magical rowan tree and its leaves that turn to golden threads, encircling the visitors. Something incredible and transformational is happening in front of her . . . With the CIA determined to hunt down this unknown force and everyone affected by the rowan, is a new battle for the future o

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Book SynopsisScience Fiction wargame rules for large skirmishes, based on the popular Rampant system.Xenos Rampant is a setting agnostic, large skirmish, miniature wargame for fighting science fiction battles using 28mm figures. Developed from the popular Lion Rampant ruleset, the core mechanics featured within will be instantly recognisable to those familiar with the other Rampant systems, while still being accessible to new players. Xenos Rampant contains all the rules, army lists, and scenarios required to fight science fiction battles as well as a whole host of subgenres including: post-apocalyptic, weird war, near future. So, whatever your science fiction preference, the rules can cover it just let your imagination run rampant.

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