Science Fiction Sci-Fi Books

Book SynopsisAgent 47 might be the best assassin the Agency has ever had, but he''ll need all of his skill, cunning, and ruthlessness if he is to survive his toughest assignment yet.Since the devastating conclusion of Hitman: Blood Money, Agent 47 has been MIA. Now fans awaiting the return of the blockbuster video-game and film phenomenon can pinpoint the location of the world''s most brutal and effective killer-for-hire before he re-emerges in Hitman: Absolution.When the Agency lures him back with a mission that will require every last ounce of his stealth, strength, and undercover tactics, they grossly underestimate the silent assassin''s own agenda. Because this time, Agent 47 isn''t just going to bite the hand that feeds him ... he''s going to tear it off and annihilate anyone who stands in his way.

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Book Synopsis''She is unique. She is legend'' THE TIMES''Le Guin is a writer of enormous intelligence and wit, a master storyteller with the humor and the force of a Twain'' BOSTON GLOBE''Her stories will pass into legend, to touch many generations to come'' GUARDIANTHE UNREAL AND THE REAL is a two-volume collection of stories, selected by Ursula Le Guin herself, and spans the spectrum of fiction from realism through magical realism, satire, science fiction, surrealism and fantasy.Volume Two, OUTER SPACE, INNER LANDS, showcases Le Guin''s acclaimed stories of the fantastic, originally appearing in publications as varied as AMAZING STORIES, PLAYBOY, the NEW YORKER and OMNI, and contains 20 stories, including modern classics such as the HUGO AWARD-winning ''The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas'', NEBULA-nominee ''Nine Lives''; JAMES TIPTREE, JR MEMORIAL AWARD-winner (and HUGO and NEBULA-nominee) ''The Matter of Seggri''; NEBULA AWARD-winner ''SoliTrade ReviewTHE REAL AND THE UNREAL as a pair is brilliant to read, provocative, and handsomely written * Tor.com *Her worlds have a magic sheen . . . She moulds them into dimensions we can only just sense. She is unique. She is legend * THE TIMES *A tour de force * EVENING STANDARD *Ursula Le Guin is a chemist of the heart -- David Mitchell, author of CLOUD ATLASThe metaphorical language of fantasy has the capacity to touch us in the most profound ways. But many otherwise great fantasy writers, including J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, fall too easily into the traps of dogma and moral superiority, making their medicine sometimes hard to swallow. The stories of Ursula K. Le Guin manage the sublime trick of touching our hearts while also satisfying our cynical, modern minds. For this reason her stories will pass into legend, to touch many generations to come * GUARDIAN *I read her nonstop growing up and read her still. What makes her so extraordinary for me is that her commitment to the consequences of our actions, of our all too human frailties, is unflinching and almost without precedent for a writer of such human optimism. She never turns away from how flinty the heart of the world is. It gives her speculations a resonance, a gravity that few writers, mainstream or generic, can match -- Junot Diaz, PULITZER PRIZE-winning authorSecond of a two-volume set, this bare-bones collection focuses on SFWA GRAND MASTER Le Guin's overtly fantastic visions. Settings of 20 stories, all previously anthologised, include both the science fictional Ekumen, a community of worlds populated by humans shaped by the hubristic Hain of the distant past, to such fantastical realms as the West Reach, "where dragons breed on the lava isles." Le Guin's imagination ranges widely; the most interesting sequence involves the world Seggri, whose gender politics are charmingly different from ours but equally constrained. This short collection, offering samples from across Le Guin's career to date, shows why she has been a major voice in science fiction and fantasy since the 1960s * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *

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Book SynopsisA dieselpunk roleplaying game of action, mystery and mad science!Tomorrow City was one of the cities of the future, built to usher in a new age of prosperity, seizing upon scientific achievements at the dawn of the twentieth century. Then came the War. Radium-powered soldiers assembled, diesel-fuelled nightmares rolled off production lines, city fought city, and the world burned in atomic fire. We survived, barely. Tomorrow City still stands, an oil-stained beacon of hope, part-refuge, part-asylum. Beset by dangers from both within and without, a secret war now rages on its streets. Diesel-born monstrosities stalk the alleyways, air pirates strike from the wastelands, mad scientists continue their dark work, occultists manipulate the city's strange geometry, and secret societies plot in the shadows.Tomorrow City is a roleplaying game of dark science and dieselpunk action. Swift and simple character creation and an easy-to-learn dice pool system places t

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

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of the world after it ended . . . Five thousand years after the apocalyptic event known as The Death, Per Hiero Desteen - priest, telepath, assassin - has been working to find ancient information to save his people.The Brotherhood of the Unclean, a roving band of feral raiders, stage an unprecedented attack. They manage to nullify Hiero''s telepathic powers, and leave him vulnerable and alone in the wasteland that once was North America.Now he has to not only survive, but strike back and stop the Brotherhood before they can wipe the vestiges of civilisation from the face of the Earth . . . forever.The sequel to the beloved novel Hiero''s Journey, The Unforsaken Hiero takes us back into a world that has been irrevocably changed by the hubris of mankind, and the new races that rose to live in it.

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Book SynopsisIn space, something can hear you scream. And that something is coming.On her first adventure in outer space, Ruby learns that the universe is bigger, more colourful, and crazier than she could ever have imagined. She also learns that even the Doctor can feel afraid and that certain nightmares are all too realA new voice to Doctor Who fiction, Alison Rumfitt, presents the Target novelisation of Russell T Davies' first space adventure for the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday, as played by Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson.

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Book SynopsisFormer Judge, Kyle Asher, returns from the penal colony on Titan after serving twenty years. Working as a third-class sludge technician he is determined to prove that he can still serve the city he swore an oath to, Judge Dredd is not so sure of him, and questions whether there is such a thing as a penitent man in a place like Mega-City One. However the SJS, the Judges Internal Affairs division, are determined to run Asher out of town, and Dredd wants to know the reason why.

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Book SynopsisWhen a one-night stand leads to a long-desired pregnancy, Susan will do anything to ensure her husband won’t find out … including the unthinkable. But when something horrendous is unleashed around the globe, her secret isn’t the only thing that is no longer safe…‘The first half is a high-concept thriller; the second edges into science fiction as a generation of genetically optimised children respond to the social pressures they are under … an astute, well-researched and convincing novel of ideas’ The Times'If you could create a "perfect" baby through genetic engineering, would you? A disturbing and interesting thriller, perfect for book club discussions' Nina Pottell, Prima‘A fantastic exploration of the ethics and allure of genetic engineering woven into a captivating, thought-provoking thriller. Provocative, pacy and scarily all-too-possible’ Philippa East––––––––––––An unthinkable decisionA deadly mistakeIn an all-too-possible near future, when genetic engineering has become the norm for humans, not just crops, parents are prepared to take incalculable risks to ensure that their babies are perfect … altering genes that may cause illness, and more…Susan has been trying for a baby for years, and when an impulsive one-night stand makes her dream come true, she’ll do anything to keep her daughter and ensure her husband doesn’t find out … including the unthinkable. She believes her secret is safe. For now.But as governments embark on a perilous genetic arms race and children around the globe start experiencing a host of distressing symptoms – even taking their own lives – something truly horrendous is unleashed. Because those children have only one thing in common, and people are starting to ask questions…Bestselling author of The Waiting Rooms, Eve Smith returns with an authentic, startlingly thought-provoking, disturbing blockbuster of a thriller that provides a chilling glimpse of a future that’s just one modification away…_____________‘An effective thriller that will keep you hooked to the very end … more than that, it’s a nuanced, believable examination of how human genetic engineering might play out...’ SFX Magazine ‘A brilliantly chilling work of speculative fiction – a disturbing but all-too-possible vision of the near future, where each of us gets to play God. Superb!’ Guy Morpuss‘Sharp, intelligent, frightening and original’ NB Magazine‘An eerily prophetic near-future viewed through a compassionately anchoring lens ... As tempting and tantalising a read as the vision of the future it presents’ SciFi Now‘This is what speculative fiction should be – plausible, pacy, and with a story that packs real emotional punch’ Louise Mumford‘When a writer’s work is compared to Michael Crichton’s, there’s reason to sit up and pay attention … a cautionary tale that’s full of thrills’ LoveReading ‘With jaw-dropping twists, high stakes and so much heart, this is a book that everyone will be talking about’ Awais Khan‘Fast-paced, emotional, disturbing. Lovers of cleverly plotted speculative fiction should jump on this’ Catherine McCarthy‘Eve Smith has done it again! A brilliant read’ J.M. Hewitt‘One of the most exciting writers around … master of the high-concept thriller’ Chris McDonald‘Eve Smith has crafted a world that feels not only lived-in, but utterly plausible’ Russel McLean‘Captivating’ Professor Joanna Verran‘Eve Smith is becoming the Jodi Picoult of speculative medical thrillers’ The Reading ClosetPraise for The Waiting Rooms*****‘Combines the excitement of a medical thriller à la Michael Crichton with sensitive characterisation and social insight in a timely debut novel all the more remarkable for being conceived and written before the current pandemic’ Guardian‘STUNNING and terrifying … The Waiting Rooms wrenches your heart in every way possible’ Miranda Dickinson‘Chillingly close to reality, this gripping thriller brims with authenticity … a captivating, accomplished and timely debut from an author to watch’ Adam Hamdy‘Engrossing and eye-opening, with heart-stopping plot twists … a stunning medical thriller set in a terrifying possible future’ Foreword Reviews For fans of Emily St John Mandel, Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen and Louise Dought

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Book SynopsisThe Spearhead Squadron has sustained heavy losses in the battle againstthe new Morpho. Among the dead is Shana, Shiden’s-Vice Captain. As Shiden swearsrevenge for her fallen comrade, Kurena, whose distress resulted in Shana’s death,loses her composure entirely. To make matters worse, the Morpho has fled into theHoly Theocracy of Noiryanaruse. Now, Shin and company must set foot into thismysterious nation that even the United Kingdom and the Federacy are wary of!

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Book SynopsisAn original full-length novel set in the Halo universe and based on the New York Times best-selling video game series! Find. Claim. Profit. In a post-Covenant War galaxy littered with scrap, it's the salvager's motto-and Rion Forge certainly made her mark on the trade. All she wanted was to grow her business and continue the search for her long-lost father, but her recent discovery of a Forerunner debris field at the edge of human-occupied space has now put her squarely in the crosshairs of the Office of Naval Intelligence and the violent remains of the Covenant. Each faction has a desire to lay claim to the spoils of ancient technology, whatever the cost, sending Rion and the crew of the Ace of Spades on a perilous venture-one that unexpectedly leads them straight into danger far greater than anything they've ever encountered...

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

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

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Book SynopsisA supplement for Stargrave that explores the ideas of artificial intelligence run amok, soulless cyborg killers, and cyberpunk hacking.Welcome to the Outlaw Technology Sector, a vast region of space cut off from the rest of the Ravaged Galaxy. Once a haven to criminals, political dissidents, and rogue scientists, it was overrun by an artificial intelligence intent on wiping out all organic life. Only through the combined might of the pre-Last War great empires was this menace brought down, and their retribution was terrible. Now the Outlaw Technology Sector is a dead place, a nightmare place. Navigational systems refuse to chart a course there, calling such paths death vectors'. But the independent crews survive by going where others fear to tread, and the Sector contains technology not found anywhere else Death Vector is a supplement for the Stargrave: Science-fiction Wargames in the Ravaged Galaxy, containing 8 new scenarios s

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Book SynopsisWhen I was younger I didn't know a thing about death. I thought it meant stillness, a body gone limp. A marionette with its strings cut. Death was like a long vacation - a going away. Storms and flooding are worsening around the world, and a mysterious immune disorder has begun to afflict the young. Sophie Perella is about to begin her senior year of high school in Toronto when her little sister, Kira, is diagnosed. Their parents' marriage falters under the strain, and Sophie's mother takes the girls to Oxford, England, to live with their Aunt Irene. An Oxford University professor and historical epidemiologist obsessed with relics of the Black Death, Irene works with a centre that specializes in treating people with the illness. She is a friend to Sophie, and offers a window into a strange and ancient history of human plague and recovery. Sophie just wants to understand what's happening now; but as mortality rates climb, and reports emerge of bodily tremors in the deceased, it becomes clear there is nothing normal about this condition - and that the dead aren't staying dead. When Kira succumbs, Sophie faces an unimaginable choice: let go of the sister she knows, or take action to embrace something terrifying and new. Tender and chilling, unsettling and hopeful, The Migration is a story of a young woman's dawning awareness of mortality and the power of the human heart to thrive in cataclysmic circumstances.

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Book Synopsis‘This strange story of love and loneliness, which explores how we all long to belong, is simply wonderful.’ Daily Mail When, in 1859, George Hills is pulled from the wreck of the steamship Admella, he carries with him the uneasy memory of a fellow survivor. Someone else – or something else – kept him warm as he lay dying, half-submerged in the freezing Southern Ocean, kept him bound to life. As George adapts to his life back on land, he can’t quite escape the feeling that he wasn’t alone when he emerged from the ocean that day, that a familiar presence has been watching him ever since. What the creature might want from him – his life? His first-born? Simply to return to its home? – will pursue him, and call him back to the water, where it all began.‘[A] singular novel . . . [From the Wreck] movingly explores themes of loss, loneliness and guilt.’ Guardian ‘An absorbing, disturbing read, full of deep currents and lurking fears.’ Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of The Children of TimeTrade ReviewThe power of this singular novel lies in Rawson’s ability to meld seemingly disparate narrative elements into a convincing whole that movingly explores themes of loss, loneliness and guilt. * Guardian *This strange story of love and loneliness, which explores how we all long to belong, is simply wonderful . . . Jane Rawson’s writing is uncannily good — an original blend of speculative fiction, chilling horror and emotional empathy, fluidly carrying the reader along on a remarkable journey. * Daily Mail *[A] superb novel . . . Rawson uses [the novel’s] set up to examine huge themes – the nature of existence and society, the symbiotic relationships between us all – but it’s also deeply personal and ultimately very moving. Extraordinary work. * Big Issue *An absorbing, disturbing read, full of deep currents and lurking fears. -- Adrian Tchaikovsky Arthur C Clarke Award-winning author of The Children of TimeFrom the Wreck is an utterly unique, fascinating story, richly and compellingly written. An impressive, absorbing reading experience that evokes empathy for Rawson’s unforgettable characters. -- Kate Mayfield, author of The Undertaker's Daughter[Rawson] has the rare talent of stretching our capacity to believe, while at the same time making us feel genuinely for the characters. There’s a beautiful quality of empathy here, light and aching . . . An intriguing tale whose humanity lingers warm long after the reading. * Australian *Rawson recreates a vanished historical world with utterly convincing characters . . . [Her] writing is mysterious, chilling and tender. The book is a sort of miracle. -- Lian HearnThis book had it all for me; originality, wonderful writing, a brilliant twisting plot, fantastic characters and some themes within it that you can really get your teeth into. -- Simon SavidgeIn this masterful novel, Jane Rawson combines the grim beauty of a dark fable with the gripping plot and breathtaking pace of a literary thriller. This captivating, otherworldly story will enchant you from start to finish. -- Jennie Melamed, author of Gather the DaughtersHaunting and marvellous . . . From the Wreck takes real historical events and bends them to its own ends in a manner I’ve not seen before, an imaginative leap that truly exemplifies the nature of radical speculation. -- Nina Allan, author of The RiftIntensely researched historical fiction . . . [From the Wreck] also has a cephalopod shapeshifting alien, so. SO, it’s remarkable . . . It’s dark and beautiful, and puzzling. -- Maria Dahvana Headley, author of The Mere WifeSomething approaching an old-fashioned historical yarn spliced with Cronenbergian body horror . . . The commonplace rubbing shoulders with the supernatural adds to the book’s considerations of mourning and absence a vivid hue . . . a genuine tension and sense of dread. * Sydney Morning Herald *Beautifully written. * SFX *

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Book SynopsisThe psychopathic SJS Judge Pin murders officers that fall short of her standards, and Judge Dredd is in her sights in this collection of stories featuring flesh-eating Kleggs, hijacking ape gangs and out of control war robots reprogrammed by insane accountants in tales ranging from deathly serious to outrageously funny, all from one of the most popular contemporary Dredd writer/artist teams; Rob Williams and Chris Weston.Trade Review***** - SFX10/10 - Flickering Myth"Williams and Weston deliver again and again ... another essential Dredd volume for your collection." - comicon.com"Can we just stop whatever we’re doing for a moment and talk about Chris Weston? This guy knows how to draw some comics." - Tegan O'Neil, The Comics Journal

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Book SynopsisComparable to Tolkien at his best' WASHINGTON POSTInstantly recognised as a modern fantasy classic, Stephen Donaldson's uniquely imaginative and complex THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT, THE UNBELIEVER became a bestselling literary phenomenon that transformed the genre.Twice before, Thomas Covenant had been summoned to a strange, magical other-world. Twice he had been forced to join with the Lords of Revelstone in their war against Lord Foul, the ancient enemy of the Land.Now, Covenant returns once more to find the Lords besieged and helpless while the forces of Lord Foul ravage the Land. In this darkest hour, Covenant gathers his allies for a desperate journey to the very heart of the enemy's power.Trade ReviewJOHN W. CAMPBELL AND BRITISH FANTASY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR ‘The Thomas Covenant saga is a remarkable acheivement which will certainly find a place on the small list of all true classics’WASHINGTON POST ‘Something entirely out of the ordinary … you’ll want to go straight through Lord Foul’s Bane, The Illearth War and The Power that Preserves at one sitting’THE TIMES ‘An irresistible epic … imagination, heroism, excitement, made all the more real by Donaldson’s deft handling of the rich history of the Land’CHICAGO DAILY NEWS

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Book SynopsisWhat if John F. Kennedy survived?President Nixon, with the help of former president JFK, has just green-lit NASA's first manned expedition to Mars.Aboard, Natalie York, a geologist who risks everything she loves for the chance to go to space; Phil Stone, former X-15 test pilot; and Ralph Gershon, a Vietnam War hero intent on being the first African American to reach another planet.Exploring mankind's presence in the extra-terrestrial expanse, VOYAGE chronicles the incredible story of what could have been.Trade Review‘The most important living science-fiction writer in the country’THE TIMES ‘The best SF writer in Britain’SFX Praise for The NASA Trilogy: ‘VOYAGE is, quite simply, a brilliant book . . . skilfully constructed and enthrallingly told’SFX ‘Baxter handles a complex and gripping plot with his customary aplomb… The ending will blow your mind. Buy TITAN, read it – and then go out and buy everything else that Baxter has ever written’NEW SCIENTIST ‘A plausible tale of America’s last gasp at interplanetary exploration… Stephen Baxter proves what a cosmic thinker he is’WASHINGTON POST

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Book SynopsisFifty years afterThe Andromeda Strainmade Michael Crichton a household name and spawned a new genre, the technothriller the threat returns, in a gripping sequel that isterrifyingly realistic and resonant.THE EVOLUTION IS COMINGIn 1967, an extraterrestrial microbe designated the Andromeda Strain came crashing down to Earth and nearly ended the human race. A team of top scientists worked valiantly to save the world from an epidemic of unimaginable proportions. In the ensuing decades, research on the microparticle continued. And the world thought it was safe.Deep inside Fairchild Air Force Base, Project Eternal Vigilance has continued to watch and wait for the Andromeda Strain to reappear. And now, a Brazilian terrain-mapping drone has detected a bizarre anomaly of otherworldly matter, bearing the tell-tale chemical signature of the deadly microparticle.With this shocking discovery, a diverse team of experts hailing from all over the world is dispatched to investigate the potentially Trade Review‘The Andromeda Evolution is both a kick ass sequel and a loving tribute to one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written. Daniel H. Wilson has taken up Crichton's mantle and reinvented the techno-thriller, by continuing the tale that invented that genre. This is a meticulously crafted adventure story, packed with action, mystery, wonder, and just enough hard science to scare the hell out of you. So good!’ Ernest Cline, author of Ready Player One ‘The structure of the novel reads as if the reader has been granted access to a top-secret file that provides an overview of the incident, which follows the exact layout of Crichton's classic novel. Wilson invokes the best of that story, and updates everything with terrific flair’ Mail Online ‘Does a good job of mixing hard science and thrills’ The i “Ingenious…. Wilson is a good choice for carrying the master’s work forward….The episodes set in outer space are particularly thrilling…. Would make Crichton proud” Washington Post ‘Tautly told, often exciting and tense’ SFX magazine ‘Satisfyingly amplifies the original’ Financial Times ‘A terrifyingly realistic and resonant thriller’ The Herald Sun ‘Terrific…Deftly blends science, suspense, and character interaction in a way that will be familiar to Crichton’s fans…In every way, this is a wonderful sequel to a classic novel, written in the spirit of Crichton but in Wilson’s own powerful voice’ Booklist ‘Fans of the original techno-thriller won’t be disappointed’ Publishers Weekly Praise for Michael Crichton: ‘A gripping and entertaining read’ Sunday Times ‘Exciting … a master storyteller’ Sunday Telegraph ‘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 ‘Terrific fun. The pages whip by’ Independent

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Book SynopsisA powerful dystopian novel from a writer who experienced firsthand the dehumanising conditions of Soviet Russia, Ayn Rand''s Anthem includes an introduction by Leonard Peikoff in Penguin Modern Classics.Equality 7-2521 is a man apart. Since The Great Rebirth it has been a crime in his world to think or act as an individual. Even love is forbidden. Yet since his childhood in the Home of the Infants, Equality 7-2521 has felt that he is different. When he is sent by The Council of Vocations to work as a road sweeper, he stumbles upon a link to the old world that gives him the spur to break free. First published in England in 1938, Ayn Rand''s short dystopian novel crystallizes the ideas of individualism and competition that would make her name.Ayn Rand (1905-82), born Alisa Rosenbaum in St. Petersburg, Russia, emigrated to America with her family in January 1926, never to return to her native land. Her novel The Fountainhead was published in 1943 and eventually became a bestseller. Still occasionally working as a screenwriter, Rand moved to New York City in 1951 and published Atlas Shrugged in 1957. Her novels espoused what came to be called Objectivism, a philosophy that champions capitalism and the pre-eminence of the individual. If you enjoyed Anthem, you might also like Yevgeny Zamyatin''s We, available in Penguin Classics.''She created a new credo for all individualists''The Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisIn The Machine Crusade the story of the battle between humans and the thinking machines continues from where it began in The Butlerian Jihad. The first battle was a victory. But the war is just beginning . . .Trade Review'Congratulations to Herbert and Anderson for transporting us back to this richly excavated world...A spicy melange treat for both new and long-time fans of the series' Billy Dee Williams (of Star Wars, Lady Sings the Blues etc)House Harkonnen is compulsive reading. I certainly enjoyed meeting pardot Kynes and Liet, learning more about the Freman, as well as Gurney Halleck, Duncan Idaho and the Lady Jessica. Such vile villains...and such a fascinating description of splendid places. * Anne McCaffrey on House Harkonnen *Those who long to return to the world of desert, spice and sandworms will be amply satisfied * The Times *'Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson succeed in weaving their own intricate saga. Dune: House Atreides does its predecessors justice.' USA TodayHouse Atreides is a terrific prequel, but it's also a first-rate adventure on its own. Frank Herbert would surely be delighted and proud of this continuation of his vision. * Dean Koontz *'In writing a prequel to what is arguably the best science fiction novel of all time, Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson set themselves a monumental task. They succeed brilliantly. This cynical old critic found himself engrossed from page one, and eagerly looks forward to the rest of the series. Buy it now!' Dave Wolverton (NYT bestselling author)'All these characters and themes will be familiar to fans of the original Dune novels. But new twists added by Herbert and Anderson will have fans, both old and new, turning pages. Having done their research well, Herbert and Anderson have succeeded in laying out the foundation for a new trilogy that will amplify the original novels and stand firmly as a class act in its own right.' - Dorman T Schindler, St Petersburg Times on HA'This book is written in a style so close to the original that it is hard to believe Frank Herbert did not direct it through some mysterious genetic link - maybe he did. Did I like it? Hey, I'm a Dune addict myself. I can't wait for the sequel to the prequel' - Mark Graham, Rocky Mountain News on HA...a rousing story that juggles eight or so plot lines with ease. The first of a trilogy, the book is written so that those who have never read Dune can strat right here with the prequel.' - Michael Glitz, New York Post on HA'The author's research and passion for the material have served them well. Dune: House atreides captures the essence of Dune while illuminating further the workings of Frank Herbert's universe' - Seattle Times'Dune: House Atreides is packed with action, great story lines and twists within twists about favorite Dune villains and heroes. The result is a winning combination that keeps the two in stride with Frank Herbert's vision.' - Beyond the Cover.'...a compelling story that will transport readers back to the world that changed science fiction forever' - Tattered Times, Denver, Colarado'In a word satisfying: all Dune fans will want to investigate, newcomers will be tempted, and it should promise fresh interest in the magnificent original series' - Kirkus'. . . Herbert and Anderson have met the challenge admirably. Within a web of relationships in which no act has simple or predictable consequences, they lay the foundations of the Dune saga . . . Even readers new to the saga will be able to follow it easily as the narrative weaves among the many interconnected tales. A TERRIFIC READ IN ITS OWN RIGHT . . . Will inspire readers to turn, or return, to its great predecessor.' Publishers Weekly'This trilogy stands alone...will appeal to Dune fans, and sci-fi addicts.' Bournemouth Daily Echo on THE MACHINE CRUSADE

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisBob Howard used to fix computers for the Laundry - the branch of the British Secret Service that deals with otherworldly threats - but those days are over. He''s not only been promoted to active service but actually survived missions against cultists, enemy spies and tentacled horrors from other dimensions. Willingly or not, he''s on his way up in this dangerous organisation.When a televangelist with connections to 10 Downing Street seems able to work miracles, the Laundry takes an interest. But an agency that answers to the Prime Minister can''t spy on him themselves, and Bob''s shadowy superiors come up with a compromise - they hire ''freelancers'', with Bob in charge.British citizens who discover the occult are either forcibly recruited by the Laundry or disposed of, and Bob''s never heard of freelancers before. Officially they don''t exist. Anyone who''s big and bad enough to remain independent is going to be hard to handle, and Bob''s not too sure that the one-wTrade ReviewBrilliantly disturbing and funny at the same time -- Ben Aaronovitch, author of RIVERS OF LONDONCharles 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 Ellis, author of TransmetropolitanStross at the top of his game - which is to say, few do it better -- KIRKUSAlternately chilling and hilarious -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLYFerociously enjoyable -- SFX

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Book SynopsisLONDON CAN DRAIN THE LIFE OUT OF YOU . . .Bob Howard is an intelligence agent working his way through the ranks of the top secret government agency known as ''the Laundry''. When occult powers threaten the realm, they''ll be there to clean up the mess - and deal with the witnesses.There''s one kind of threat that the Laundry has never come across in its many decades, and that''s vampires. Mention them to a seasoned agent and you''ll be laughed out of the room.But when a small team of investment bankers at one of Canary Wharf''s most distinguished financial institutions discovers an arcane algorithm that leaves them fearing daylight and craving O positive, someone doesn''t want the Laundry to know. And Bob gets caught right in the middle.Trade ReviewBrilliantly disturbing and funny at the same time -- Ben Aaronovitch, author of RIVERS OF LONDONCharles 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 Ellis, author of TransmetropolitanStross at the top of his game - which is to say, few do it better -- KIRKUSAlternately chilling and hilarious -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLYFerociously enjoyable -- SFX

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Book SynopsisWhen Admiral Kylara Vatta and a ship full of strangers were marooned on an inhospitable arctic island, they uncovered secrets that someone on Ky''s planet was ready to kill to keep hidden. Now, the existence of the mysterious arctic base has been revealed, but the organisation behind it still lurks in the shadows, doing all it can to silence her.It is up to the intrepid Ky to force the perpetrators into the light, and uncover decades'' worth of secrets - some of which lie at the very heart of her family''s greatest tragedy.Trade ReviewCold Welcome was my first Elizabeth Moon, and what an excellent surprise it was . . . I can't wait to try moreI absolutely loved Elizabeth Moon's latest novel . . . Moon held me on the edge of my seat, completely captivated throughout. The writing flowed beautifully; it was calculating, it was informative and paced superbly but, most importantly it was thrillingWritten with an energy and pace that demands your attentionGorgeous . . . I galloped through them . . . I don't know when I enjoyed a trilogy so muchPacked full of adventure and intrigueA swirl of familial politics and interstellar intrigue . . . Moon's great strength is her characters

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Book SynopsisThe year is 2067. The city of Rosewater is chaotic, vibrant and full of life - some of it extra-terrestrial.The charismatic mayor, Jack Jacques, has declared Rosewater a free state, independent to Nigeria. But the city''s alien dome is dying. Government forces await its demise, ready to destroy Rosewater''s independence before it has even begun.And in the city''s quiet suburbs, a woman wakes with no memory of who she is - with memories belonging to something much older and much more alien.Praise and accolades for Rosewater:Winner of the inaugural Nommo Award for Best Novel, Africa''s first award for speculative fictionShortlisted for the Kitschie Award for Best Novel 2019John W. Campbell Award finalist for Best Science Fiction Novel''A magnificent tour de force'' Adrian Tchaikovsky''Smart. Gripping. Fabulous!'' Ann Leckie''Mesmerising'' M. R. CareyTrade ReviewAs strange, vivid and intricate as the alien biosphere at its heart, Rosewater is a fabulous book and Tade Thompson is a writer of enormous heart and talent. Just brilliant -- Dave HutchinsonA fiercely weird, breathtaking biopunk tale of alien invasion, Rosewater is ambitious and smart and very, very cool -- Tasha Suri, author of EMPIRE OF SANDMesmerising. There are echoes of Neuromancer and Arrival in here, but this astonishing debut is beholden to no-one -- M. R. Carey, author of THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTSSmart. Gripping. Fabulous! -- Ann LeckieRosewater asks you uncomfortable questions about what is right, what is wrong, what you'll tolerate, and what is human -- Mike BrooksA magnificent tour de force, skilfully written and full of original and disturbing ideas -- Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of CHILDREN OF TIMEYou've never been anywhere like Rosewater. And you've never seen an alien invasion like this. Tade Thompson will take you someplace incredible, full of unforgettable characters and deep insight. Rosewater cements his place as one of our boldest and most exciting new writers -- Sam J. MillerIn addition to providing a gritty and intricately plotted science fiction mystery, Thompson's opening of the Wormwood Trilogy considers what it means to be human -- BooklistHugely satisfying . . . a darkly beautiful gem -- SFXHard-edged and utterly compelling -- i newspaperBreathtakingly smart prose -- SEATTLE REVIEW OF BOOKSMind-expanding and utterly addictive -- Mark Haddon, author of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

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Book Synopsis***WINNER OF THE LOCUS AWARD FOR BEST ILLUSTRATED AND ART BOOK***This extraordinary collection celebrates the dazzling worldbuilding of Iain M. Banks, one of the most important and influential writers in modern science fiction.Faithfully reproduced from notebooks he kept in the 1970s and 80s, these annotated original illustrations depict the ships, habitats, geography, weapons and language of Banks'' Culture series of novels in incredible detail.''Superb - well worth it for the hardcore fans. This is an incredibly well put-together collection of drawings, diagrams, notes and schematics from one of the all-time greats of science fiction and space opera. This book looks absolutely stunning and the quality is extraordinarily high. It was well worth the wait'' Waterstones bookseller review''The Culture: The Drawings pulls together his art work for the first time, and it''s clear he was a very good draughtsman. Maps of alien archipelagos. Sketches of spaceships and guns and castles and tanks . . . This isn''t an archive of ideas so much as the melting pot from which ideas came'' The Times''Banks was a dude who loved his whisky and his amateur draftsmanship has some of the character of cask spirit: raw and unrefined but heady and intoxicating'' Eurogamer''The Culture series is incredible and this book goes to show how the books could be so intricate and consistent. He designed the whole universe by hand'' Reader reviewPraise for the Culture series:''Epic in scope, ambitious in its ideas and absorbing in its execution'' Independent on Sunday ''Few of us have been exposed to a talent so manifest and of such extraordinary breadth'' New York Review of Science Fiction''Banks''s sci-fi, at its best, is staggeringly inventive, beautifully written, dramatic and often very funny. His stories are packed with ideas, warships with minds very much of their own, alien races, charismatic drones and intergalactic politics'' New Scientist ''Jam-packed with extraordinary invention'' Scotsman ''Banks has created one of the most enduring and endearing visions of the future'' GuardianThe Culture series: Consider Phlebas The Player of Games Use of Weapons The State of the Art Excession Inversions Look to Windward Matter Surface Detail The Hydrogen Sonata Other books by Iain M. Banks: Against a Dark Background Feersum Endjinn The Algebraist***Also, look out for the Deluxe ''Special Circumstances'' Edition of The Culture: The Drawings. This ultimate, limited collector''s edition includes an exclusive, numbered, cloth-bound edition of The Culture: The Drawings in a sumptuous presentation case, a booklet of original Culture-inspired artwork, specially commissioned 3D printing files and many other Culture-inspired features***Trade ReviewSuperb - well worth it for the hardcore fans. This is an incredibly well put-together collection of drawings, diagrams, notes and schematics from one of the all-time greats of Science Fiction and Space Opera. This book looks absolutely stunning and the quality is extraordinarily high. It was well worth the wait * Waterstones bookseller review *The recent publication of behind-the-curtain coffee table tome The Culture: The Drawings [collates] his earliest conceptual designs for what would become his signature sci-fi creation. Banks was apparently a habitual scribbler and doodler, conjuring crude but detailed geographical maps, architectural drafts, spaceship designs, weapons prototypes and the sketched-out foundations for an entire glyph-based language . . . His amateur draftsmanship has some of the character of cask spirit: raw and unrefined but heady and intoxicating * EUROGAMER *A beautiful book. If you enjoy The Culture, have been immersed in it and moved by it, I doubt you will be disappointed in the book * Reader review *Banks has created one of the most enduring and endearing visions of the future * GUARDIAN *Jam-packed with extraordinary invention * SCOTSMAN on The Culture series *Epic in scope, ambitious in its ideas and absorbing in its execution * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY on The Culture series *Few of us have been exposed to a talent so manifest and of such extraordinary breadth * NEW YORK REVIEW OF SCIENCE FICTION *The first glimmerings of the Culture emerged from young Banksie's schoolboy doodlings. The Culture: The Drawings pulls together his art work for the first time, and it's clear he was a very good draughtsman. Maps of alien archipelagos. Sketches of spaceships and guns and castles and tanks. Although the contents are arranged by broad themes (Locales, Ships, Transport, Weaponry and the rest), there has been (wisely, I think) no attempt to explain the material further. What is that Second World War-era battle tank doing on the ramparts of Thra-dra-Ostlehep? Who knows? This isn't an archive of ideas so much as the melting pot from which ideas came * THE TIMES *

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Book SynopsisFrom science fiction visionary Annalee Newitz comes The Terraformers, a sweeping, uplifting, and illuminating exploration of the future.Destry''s life is dedicated to terraforming Sask-E. As part of the Environmental Rescue Team, she cares for the planet and its burgeoning eco-systems as her parents and their parents did before her.But the bright, clean future they''re building comes under threat when Destry discovers a city full of people that shouldn''t exist, hidden inside a massive volcano.As she uncovers more about their past, Destry begins to question the mission she''s devoted her life to, and must make a choice that will reverberate through Sask-E''s future for generations to come.A science fiction epic for our times and a love letter to our future, The Terraformers will take you on a journey spanning thousands of years and exploring the triumphs, strife, and hope that find us wherever we make our home.'

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAnne McCaffrey, one of the queens of science fiction, knows exactly how to give her public what it wants * The Times *

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Book SynopsisNOW UPDATED to include material on the Discworld books up to Raising Steam.Most of us grow up having always known to touch wood or cross our fingers, and what happens when a princess kisses a frog or a boy pulls a sword from a stone, yet sadly some of these things are now beginning to be forgotten.Trade ReviewOne of the most interesting and critically underrated novelists we have... The Folklore of Discworld - co-authored with the eminent folklorist Jacqueline Simpson - emphasises his irreverence and drollery * The Times *Pratchett is, like Mark Twain, or Jonathan Swift, not just a great writer but also an original thinker... funny, exciting, lighthearted and, like all the best comedy, very serious * Guardian *Simpson provides depth to the real-world analogues of the Discworold characters, and the text becomes a neatly integrated discussion of folklore, belief systems and the like in both worlds... well written and will raise a smile... a fine Hogswatch present. * Fortean Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''A triumph'' Independent''Literary alchemy'' SFX1916: the Western Front. Private Percy Blakeney wakes up. He is lying on fresh spring grass. He can hear birdsong, and the wind in the leaves in the trees. Where has the mud, blood and blasted landscape of No Man''s Land gone?2015: Madison, Wisconsin. Cop Monica Jansson is exploring the burned-out home of a reclusive (some said mad, others dangerous) scientist when she finds a curious gadget - a box containing some wiring, a three-way switch and a...potato. It is the prototype of an invention that will change the way Mankind views his world for ever.And that is an understatement if ever there was one...____________________This is the first novel in the Long Earth series.''The Long Earth series deserves a place on the bookshelves of hardcore SF fans and general readers alike'' Independent on SundayTrade ReviewBy turns thrillingly expansive, joyously inventive and utterly engrossing *****. * SFX magazine *An absorbing collaborative effort from two SF giants...a marriage made in fan heaven - Pratchett's warmth and humanity allied to Baxter's extraordinarily fertile science-fictional imagination...there's much to enjoy...a charming, absorbing and somehow spacious piece of imagineering -- Adam Roberts * GUARDIAN *The idea of parallel Earths is one of the most enduring that science fiction has given us, but rarely has it been explored with quite so much gusto as in this new novel by two of the giants of British speculative fiction...a triumph...accessible, fun and thoughtful -- David Barnett * INDEPENDENT ****** Literary alchemy...In the hands of Pratchett and Baxter, the possibilites are almost infinite...a story that revels in big ideas...you can sense the excitement of the authors as they toy with the labyrinthine possibilities of their premise, and it's infectious...thrillingly expansive, joyously inventive and utterly engrossing * SFX *[Pratchett] succeeds in working seamlessly with Baxter...adding a welcome shot of fun to the world of science fiction -- Alison Flood * SUNDAY TIMES *

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Book SynopsisWalter Tevis is the acclaimed author of The Hustler, The Man Who Fell to Earth and The Queen's Gambit. 'A moral tale that has elements of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Superman and Star Wars' LA TIMESTrade ReviewA moral tale that has elements of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Superman and Star Wars * LA TIMES *Science fiction's great neglected master, one of the definitive bridges between sf and literature -- Al Sarrantonio[Tevis's novels] are at once fables, parables, social satire - adventure stories of a kind. They are also simultaneously, as is much of our greatest literature, comic and tragic ... they're uniquely of their time and of all times -- James TallisA moving examination of people discovering the wonders of human thought and human love * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *

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Book SynopsisJean le Flambeur is out of prison, but still not free. To pay his debts he has to break into the mind of a living god. But when the stakes are revealed, Jean has to decide how far he is willing to go to get the job done.The sequel to Hannu Rajaniemi''s extraordinary debut novel is set to build on the extravagant promise of one of the most exciting new voices to come out of the genre this century.Trade ReviewIts great virtue arguably lies in its very strangeness. * SFX MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisThe Michael Moorcock Collection continues with this threesome of standalone adventures, all exploring various aspects of the Eternal Champion and the Multiverse. The stories include a frantic dash across a frozen hell on a dangerous ship, the story of one man''s lonely five-year journey towards the stars, and a terrifying vision of a future where every version of Earth in the multiverse is in danger.Contains THE WRECKS OF TIME, THE ICE SCHOONER and THE BLACK CORRIDOR.Trade ReviewThe greatest writer of post-Tolkien British fantasyA triumph of mature talent and imagination - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

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Book SynopsisA fast-moving mystery adventure by one of the world's greatest ever SF writers.

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Book SynopsisDescribed by Robert Silverberg as containing 'The most terrifying pages in any SF novel I have ever read', ROGUE MOON is the disquieting story of what happens when monstrous scientific ambition is matched by human obsession.Trade ReviewThis study of the human psyche has an incredible amount of power which when combined with the study of relationships and exploration of that final frontier - the inevitable truth that is death - creates a unique and breathtaking novel that simply has no equal, a true classic in every sense. -- Antony Jones * SFBOOKREVIEWS blog *

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Book SynopsisWhen a man who claims to be from outer space is brought into Manhattan Institute, the mental ward seems to be just the place for him. Calling himself 'prot', he says that he is an inhabitant of the planet K-PAX. Setting a departure date - August 17th at 3.31am - on which he plans to return home on a beam of light. Is he really extraterrestrial?Trade ReviewA man is brought into the mental ward of the Manhattan Institute after claiming to come from outer space. He maintains that he is an inhabitant of planet K-PX, a perfect world without wars, government or religion where every being co-exists in perfect harmony. And he sets a departure date when he will return home on a beam of light - which keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

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Book SynopsisThe book every George R.R. Martin fan has been waiting for: a magnificent collection of the best-selling author's most evocative short fiction, including Nightflyers - soon to be a Netflix TV series!

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Book SynopsisAn elegant, elegiac examination of identity, fictionality, God and humanity itselfTamsyn MuirA multilayered, locked-room science fiction novella from Paul Cornell in which five digital beings unravel their existences to discover the truth of their humanity.The crew of the Rosebud are, currently, and by force of law, a balloon, a goth with a swagger stick, some sort of science aristocrat possibly, a ball of hands, and a swarm of insects.When five sentient digital beingscondemned for over three hundred years to crew the small survey ship by the all-powerful Companyencounter a mysterious black sphere, their course of action is clear: obtain the object, inform the Company, earn lots of praise.But the ship malfunctions, and the crew has no choice but to approach the sphere and survey it themselves. They have no idea that this objectand the transcendent truth hidden withinwill change the fate of all existence, the Company, and themselve

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