Science Fiction Sci-Fi Books

Book SynopsisSaved from a harsh life of destitution as an enslaved orphan, Mags has been recruited by the King's Own Herald as a spy. In this special appointment, Mags has thrived - he is well fed, educated and treasured for his unusually powerful Gift, an ability to Mindspeak and Mindhear anyone, regardless of whether they are Gifted. This makes him the ideal undercover agent for the king.After a year of careful investigation of the gem mines, it becomes clear that half of what was being produced has been disappearing. No one knows where the gems are going, or why. Mags must go undercover to find out. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he will confront old foes, and unearth a secret that goes to the heart of the nation of Valdemar.

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Book SynopsisThe multi-award-winning China Miéville has been called 'the equal of David Mitchell or Zadie Smith' (Scotland on Sunday), a writer whose 'inventiveness and precision is awesome' (Independent), and who writes with 'an imagination of immense power' (Guardian).In these twenty-eight short stories, glistening icebergs float above urban horizons; a burning stag runs wild through the city; the ruins of industry emerge unsteadily from the sea; and the abandoned generations in a decayed space-elevator look not up at the stars but down at the Earth. Ranging from portraits of childhood to chilling ghost stories, from dystopian visions to poignant evocations of uncanny love, with beautiful prose and melancholy wit, Three Moments of an Explosion is a breath-taking collection that poses searching questions of what it is to be human in an unquiet world. It is a humane and unsentimental investigation of our society, our world, and ourselves.Trade ReviewYou can't talk about Miéville without using the word "brilliant" . . . The writing, never less than excellent, takes many tones throughout the 28 stories, some showy, some not. Pastiche, when present, is so skilful that it can go unnoticed. Subjects of real weight are handled with unobtrusive ease but never glibly nor diminished by facetiousness . . . Fascinating, full of suggestion and implication, and beautiful. -- Ursula K. Le Guin * Guardian *If anyone doubted whether China Miéville had imagination to burn, proof of his indefatigable creative restlessness is to be found in this collection of short stories . . . This is a bumper collection overflowing with new visions of our beautiful, terrible world. -- Claire Allfree * Metro *Miéville . . . is gifted with an incomparable visionary imagination. In tale after tale in Three Moments of an Explosion you'll find a conceit so unusual, so disturbing, so arresting, that it takes your breath away. -- James Lovegrove * Financial Times *A gathering of dark nuggets of genius . . . Miéville is one of our most important writers, and this collection demonstrates his versatility and powerful imagination to stunning effect. -- David Barnett * Independent on Sunday *[A] fearsomely intelligent collection. * Daily Telegraph *The master of the New Weird. * Guardian *Award winner Miéville (Embassytown) moves effortlessly among realism, fantasy, and surrealism . . . His characters, whether ordinary witnesses to extraordinary events or lunatics operating out of inexplicable compulsions, are invariably well drawn and compelling. Above all, what the stories have in common is a sense that the world is not just strange, but stranger than we can ever really comprehend * Publisher's Weekly (Starred Review) *This collection fizzes with energy and experiment . . . When you put the book down, the world seems a richer, deeper and more frightening place. -- Tim Martin * New Statesman *Horror, noir, fantasy, politics, and poetry swirl into combinations as satisfying intellectually as they are emotionally. Miéville (Railsea, 2012, etc.) has a habit of building his narratives by taking a metaphor, often about a political or social issue, and asking what would happen if it were literally true . . . In less-capable hands, this method might result in mere gags or dead horses endlessly beaten. (Good thing this isn't a Miéville story, or you'd be wiping off bits of rotten horseflesh.) In Miéville's hands it ranges from clever to profound . . . Bradbury meets Borges, with Lovecraft gibbering tumultuously just out of hearing * Kirkus (Starred Review) *The 28 stories in China Mìéville's Three Moments of on Explosion . . . are familiarly strange, full of eloquent monstrosity. A burning stag runs through a city, icebergs float over towns. Miéville's vision has a fragmentary force, and this mosaic text does it proud. * New Scientist *Miéville - twice winner of the British Fantasy Award and three times winner of the Arthur C Clarke Award - is head and shoulders above other writers in this genre. * The Times *There is a baroque extravagance to China Miéville's imagination that is uniquely suited to a collection of short fiction . . . The rigour of his sentences, his thinking, his politics and humanity transform these set-ups from the merely eerie to the profoundly unsettling. -- Stuart Kelly * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisContinues the story begun in Dreadnaught, following the trials and tribulations of Admiral John 'Black Jack' Geary and Captain Desjani.

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

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Book SynopsisFOR THE FIRST TIME - ADAM JOURNEYS INTO THE FUTURE! Cursed by an old alchemist to live forever - unless struck from a weapon made of gold - Adam Eterno has gained the power to travel through the ages, fighting evil and injustice. Now Adam has been transported into a dystopian future where a cruel police regime led by Grunn the Grim, rule over the population with an iron fist... Written by Edward George Cowan (Robot Archie) and Chris Lowder (Dan Dare), with stunning art by Solano Lopez (Janus Stark), this book features Adam''s first adventures published in Lion.

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Book SynopsisFans of Firefly and Elizabeth Moon will lap up this action-packed military science fiction series. Welcome to the start of a thrilling new space adventure, starring female mercenary Deviana Morris . . .Deviana Morris isn''t your average mercenary. She has plans. Big ones. And a ton of ambition. One of those is going to get her killed one day - but not just yet. Not when she just got a job on a tiny trade ship with a nasty reputation for surprises. The Glorious Fool isn''t misnamed: it likes to get into trouble. And with a reputation for bad luck that makes one year as security detail on this ship equal to five years everywhere else - Devi knows she''s found the perfect way to get the jump on the next part of her Plan. But the Fool doesn''t give up its secrets without a fight, and one year might be more than even Devi can handle.Review for FORTUNE''S PAWN:''This book kicked ass . . . I just loved it!'' - FELICIA DTrade ReviewThis book kicked ass ... I just loved it! Felicia Day Bach does a good job of showing she's not just an unfeeling, feisty fighting machine, but has flaws and vulnerabilities in a light, fast-action space opera adventure which combines romance and military set pieces in equal measure GUARDIAN A compelling story that grabs you quickly and pulls you in SFX If you liked Star Wars, if you like the Kate Daniels series, and if you are waiting for Guardians of the Galaxy to hit the theaters, this is your book Ilona Andrews Devi is hands-down one of the best sci-fi heroines I've read in a long time RT BOOK REVIEWS Rollicking space opera starring a tough, sexy, armor-clad space chick ... [Bach] does a nice job of painting a scenario that, if familiar - think the space marines of the Alien franchise or the motley crew of Firefly - allows her plenty of room for action. And action aplenty is what she delivers ... Lots of fun KIRKUS REVIEWS Part military space opera, part star-crossed romance, all page-turner WEEKEND HERALD (AUSTRALIA) It's not often I get to use the words stunning and spectacular and superb all in the same sentence for a novel, but Fortune's Pawn is a novel that deserves all those epithets and more THE FOUNDING FIELDS

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Book SynopsisThe highly-acclaimed sequel to H G Wells's The Time Machine, from the heir to Arthur C. Clarke.Written to celebrate the centenary of the publication of H G Wells's classic story THE TIME MACHINE, Stephen Baxter's stunning sequel is an outstanding work of imaginative fiction.The Time Traveller has abandoned his charming and helpless Eloi friend Weena to the cannibal appetites of the Morlocks, the devolved race of future humans from whom he was forced to flee. He promptly embarks on a second journey to the year AD 802,701, pledged to rescue Weena. He never arrives. The future was changed by his presence and will be changed again. Hurling towards infinity, the Traveller must resolve the paradoxes building around him in a dazzling temporal journey of discovery. He must achieve the impossible if Weena is to be saved.Trade ReviewWINNER OF THE BSFA, JOHN W. CAMPBELL AND PHILIP K. DICK AWARDS ‘I’m almost tempted to say (I know this is blasphemy) that the sequel is better than the original …’Arthur C. Clark ‘Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein succeeded in doing it, but very few others. Now Stephen Baxter joins their exclusive ranks. The reaction is that which C. S. Lewis referred to when he described science fiction as the only genuine consciousness-expanding drug.’NEW SCIENTIST ‘Stephen Baxter really does stand on the shoulders of giants in order to see further than they did … THE TIME SHIPS is a brilliant piece of work. It is a sequel in the best possible sense’INTERZONE ‘The most important living science-fiction writer in the country’THE TIMES ‘The best SF writer in Britain’SFX

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Book SynopsisThe brilliant new post-apocalyptic collection by master anthologist John Joseph Adams, for the first time including new stories by the edgiest modern writers. The new post-apocalyptic collection by master anthologist John Joseph Adams, featuring never-before-published stories and curated reprints by some of the genre’s most popular and critically-acclaimed authors. In WASTELANDS: THE NEW APOCALYPSE, veteran anthology editor John Joseph Adams is once again our guide through the wastelands using his genre and editorial expertise to curate his finest collection of post-apocalyptic short fiction yet. Whether the end comes via nuclear war, pandemic, climate change, or cosmological disaster, these stories explore the extraordinary trials and tribulations of those who survive. Featuring never-before-published tales by: Veronica Roth, Hugh Howey, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Tananarive Due, Richard Kadrey, Scott Sigler, Elizabeth Bear, Tobias S. Buckell, Meg Elison, Greg van Eekhout, Wendy N. Wagner, Jeremiah Tolbert, and Violet Allen—plus, recent reprints by: Carmen Maria Machado, Carrie Vaughn, Ken Liu, Paolo Bacigalupi, Kami Garcia, Charlie Jane Anders, Catherynne M. Valente, Jack Skillingstead, Sofia Samatar, Maureen F. McHugh, Nisi Shawl, Adam-Troy Castro, Dale Bailey, Susan Jane Bigelow, Corinne Duyvis, Shaenon K. Garrity, Nicole Kornher-Stace, Darcie Little Badger, Timothy Mudie, and Emma Osborne. Continuing in the tradition of WASTELANDS: STORIES OF THE APOCALYPSE, these 34 stories ask: What would life be like after the end of the world as we know it?Trade Review“John Joseph Adams has curated an impressive selection of science fiction that is truly forward-thinking, from some of the most famous names in the business...Wastelands: The New Apocalypse has re-sparked my love for sf&f anthologies” - The Frumious Consortium“These stories are entertaining and action-packed; clever, creative, and sometimes even a little bit funny. It may be ironic to use the worst disasters we can imagine as a platform for escapism, but, as the Wastelands series shows, the apocalypse is one hell of an opportunity.” - Tor.com “As the editor of several apocalypse-themed anthologies...Adams has selected some of the best apocalyptic fiction to found anywhere. His brand-new follow-on in the Wastelands series, The New Apocalypse, continues this tradition.” - Kirkus Reviews“Titan and Adams have masterfully crafted a compendium of truly amazing tales that will shock you, thrill you, chill you, and leave you feeling surprisingly good about, of all things, the end of the world.” - The Bookish Beth“Highly recommended!” - Rising Shadow

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Book SynopsisAcross seven original tales from master of science fiction Peter F. Hamilton, Manhattan in Reverse offers captivating glimpses into incredible worlds – with characters old and new.'Each short story has enough ideas for a whole novel' – Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the EarthFollowing the events of Judas Unchained, Paula Myo returns. In the title story Manhattan in Reverse, the detective is on the case of a species believed to be without sentience – until it attacks the human colonisers. And, in The Demon Trap, Paula is dispatched to investigate a terrorist attack – and a motive that will be hard to unravel. Elsewhere, Watching Trees Grow tells of a murder in an alternative 1800s Oxford, and The Forever Kitten raises questions of eternal youth – and the sacrifices required to pursue it.With all his usual brilliantly conceived storytelling, Peter F. Hamilton’s talents are on full display in Manhattan in Reverse.Trade ReviewA rare collection from one of sci-fi’s more engaging storytellers -- Sunday TelegraphHamilton is often associated with space operas unusual even in that genre for both scale and mass; one of the best stories here, “Watching Trees Grow”, depicts the human race’s expansion out from its home world as the background to an immortal Javert’s inexorable solution to a whodunit. He also usefully reminds us that it is possible for people of somewhat conservative views to be humane; the title story is an effective puzzle concluding in a moral point that does not only apply to alien planets -- TLSThe collection’s highpoint is the excelled novella “Watching Tress Grow”, set in an alternate reality in which Rome never fell and most citizens are immortal -- GuardianIf you’re looking for a collection of truly well-written and engaging short science fiction stories, then Manhattan in Reverse is a great read -- SciFiNowWith all his usual imagination for futuristic technology, complexity of character and brilliantly conceived storytelling Peter F. Hamilton shows through this collection of work what it is that makes him Britain's number one science fiction writer . . . Peter F. Hamilton is at the top of his game and this short story collection just reinforces that fact. If you are a fan you will absolutely love this collection, but newcomers will find this an excellent introduction to his work without having to commit to a full-length novel. Highly recommended -- WordsinInkThe stories here show many of Peter’s strengths, highlighting key human themes in a variety of different settings in an entertaining way. There are those great ideas, still: super-technology, evolution, planets connected by wormholes, alien biology and habits. However, here the typical widescreen baroque of those larger epic narratives have been replaced by something a little more focused and intimate, but these are still engaging and fun -- SFFWorld

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Book SynopsisFrank Herbert''s classic SF tale of an insect menace threatening the USAFirst published in 1973, Frank Herbert''s vivid imagination and brilliant view of nature and ecology have never been more evident than in this classic of science fiction.America is a police state, and it is about to be threatened by the most hellish enemy in the world: insects.When the Agency discovered that Dr Hellstrom''s Project 40 was a cover for a secret laboratory, a special team of agents was immediately dispatched to discover its true purpose and its weaknesses - it could not be allowed to continue. What they discovered was a nightmare more horrific and hideous than even their paranoid government minds could devise.A stunning work from the acclaimed author of Dune, the series which inspired the 2021 Denis Villeneuve epic film adaptation, Dune, starring Oscar Isaac, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Josh Brolin.Trade Review... a glorious mix of actio and intruige ... a book that will leave you both thinking and talking about it for a long time after you've finished. Nine and a Half out of Ten * GRAEME'S FANTASY BOOK REVIEW *a pretty unique piece of fiction, powerful and reflective... 5/5 * SFBOOK.COM *

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Book Synopsis''It doesn''t matter. I have books, new books, and I can bear anything as long as there are books.''Fifteen-year-old Morwenna lives in Wales with her twin sister and a mother who spins dark magic for ill. One day, Mori and her mother fight a powerful, magical battle that kills her sister and leaves Mori disabled. Devastated, Mori flees to her long-lost father in England. Adrift, outcast at boarding school, Mori retreats into the worlds she knows best: her magic and her books. She works a spell to meet kindred souls and continues to devour every fantasy and science fiction novel she can lay her hands on. But danger lurks... She knows her mother is looking for her and that when she finds her, there will be no escape.Trade ReviewAmong Others is a wonder and a joy. Jeff Vandermeer, New York Times If you love SF and fantasy, if reading it formed your teen years, if you do remember the magic you used to do, if you remember the absolute joy of first discovering those books, then read this. -- Robin Hobb Funny, acute, and impassioned -- Ursula K. Le Guin A hymnal for the clever and odd - an inspiration and a lifeline to anyone who has ever felt in the world, but not of it. Cory Doctorow Most fantasies evade opportunities to make the impossible plausible, to give magic accountability in a realistic setting and moral and emotional weight in a modern novel. Jo Walton accepts the double challenge and meets it with courage and skill ... Among Others is a funny, thoughtful, acute and absorbing story all the way through, but in the magic parts it is more than that. -- Ursula K. Le Guin Guardian Possibly earning itself the Book of the Year title is Jo Walton's thought provoking Among Others, which stays with you for a long time after reading. It is the story of a young girl from a magical family who is sent to a mundane boarding school and, through her discovery of classic SF novels, has her mind and world expanded. Independent on Sunday A lovely story, unlike anything I've ever read before: funny, touching, and gently magical. -- Patrick Rothfuss There are the books you want to give all your friends, and there are the books you wish you could go back and give your younger self. And then there's the rare book, like Jo Walton's Among Others, that's both. io9.com Among Others is about a young girl brought up in a magical family who is sent to a mundane, non-magical school; a captivatingly told mirror image of Harry Potter. The Guardian I don't believe I've seen, either in fiction or in memoir, as brilliant and tone-perfect an account of what discovering SF and fantasy can mean to its young readers... Remarkable. -- Gary K. Wolfe Locus Beautifully crafted... Among Others calls to those who desire a wild, magical world in place of the one they have but eventually learn that their own lives are the greatest story of all. Bloomsbury Review Compelling... Never deigning to transcend the genre to which it is clearly a love letter, this outstanding (and entirely teen-appropriate) tale draws its strength from a solid foundation of sense-of-wonder and what-if. Publishers Weekly, starred review

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Book SynopsisTwo 19th century stage illusionists, the aristocratic Rupert Angier and the working-class Alfred Borden, engage in a bitter and deadly feud; the effects are still being felt by their respective families a hundred years later.Working in the gaslight-and-velvet world of Victorian music halls, they prowl edgily in the background of each other''s shadowy life, driven to the extremes by a deadly combination of obsessive secrecy and insatiable curiosity.At the heart of the row is an amazing illusion they both perform during their stage acts. The secret of the magic is simple, and the reader is in on it almost from the start, but to the antagonists the real mystery lies deeper. Both have something more to hide than the mere workings of a trick.******''I can''t believe how far the two of them went to prolong their feud of pranks. It was great seeing two professionals unwilling to harm their craft still work around all the little niceties to get at one anotherTrade ReviewStylish, enigmatic and enthralling ... Highly recommended. * SFFworld.com *

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Book SynopsisBy the author of BLADE RUNNER and MINORITY REPORT

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

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Book SynopsisThis epic masterpiece is a radical landmark in modern literature, reissued with a foreword by poet Ishion Hutchinson to mark Wilson Harris' centenary.'An exhilarating experience ...

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Book SynopsisThe multiple Eisner Award-winning series returns with a spacefaring adventure about fake news and genuine terror. Get ready for the most shocking, most impactful SAGA storyline yet. Collects SAGA #49-54

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award***Paradise-1, David Wellington''s gripping new survival horror set in the deepest reaches of space, is out now***''An edge-of-your-seat tale of first contact'' Gareth L. Powell''A terrifying tour de force . . . Gripping authenticity and an uncompromising white-knuckled pace'' James Rollins''Timely and terrifying, The Last Astronaut propels us deep into the mysteries of space . . . breathless, compulsive reading'' Christopher GoldenA huge alien object has entered the solar system and is now poised above the Earth. It has made no attempt to communicate.Out of time and options, NASA turns to its last living astronaut - Commander Sally Jansen, who must lead a team of raw recruits on a mission to make First Contact. But as the object reveals its secrets, Jansen and her crew fiTrade ReviewTimely and terrifying, The Last Astronaut propels us deep into the mysteries of space for a near-future SF/horror hybrid that's breathless, compulsive reading. This book deserves to be the one you see everyone reading on the subway or at the beach. Carve out the time to read it in one sitting. An absolutely stellar effort from David Wellington * Christopher Golden *Gripping authenticity and an uncompromising white-knuckled pace . . . A terrifying tour de force * James Rollins *A suspenseful, fast-paced story of first contact with an alien object that could destroy all life on Earth . . . A race against time to save humankind, a veteran astronaut trying to make things right, and an utterly strange and genuinely horrifying alien world to explore - this story's got everything * Kirkus *Wellington's terrifying exploration of near-future alien contact layers a shocking 'what if' onthe bones of current science and space exploration . . .Wellington creates a gripping storythat reveals its horrors one inexorable, plausible detail at a time. Readers will beriveted-and will want to keep all the lights on. * Publisher's Weekly *[A] fast-paced near-future tale of discovery and mystery . . . Reads like a darker, more horrific version of The Martian * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisYukari is dull. He doesn't even stand out enough to be bullied - he's just a generally lower-middle-class kid. He's in love with Misaki, the most popular girl in school. There's just one problem: He's 15, one year away from receiving his government-assigned marriage partner. He normally wouldn't have the courage to defy the law, but his sickly classmate Ririna still believes in love, and won't stop goading him into confessing his feelings!

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Book Synopsis''AN EXCEPTIONAL BLEND OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS, HARD SCIENCE, AND FIRST CONTACT'' Michael Mammay, author of the Planetside series''MACLEOD''S BEST BOOK TO DATE'' SFXScience fiction legend Ken MacLeod begins a new space opera trilogy by imagining humankind on the precipice of discovery - the invention of faster-than-light travel unlocks a universe of new possibilities, and new dangers.When a brilliant scientist gets a letter from herself about faster-than-light travel, she doesn''t know what to believe. The equations work, but her paper is discredited - and soon the criticism is more than scientific. Exiled by the establishment, she gets an offer to build her starship from an unlikely source. But in the heights of Venus and on a planet of another star, a secret is already being uncovered that will shake humanity to its foundations.Discover this ground-breaking new space opera from multi-award winning author Ken MacLeodPraise for Ken MacLeod:''If you like science fiction, you will love this. . . a rollicking good read'' Scotsman ''MacLeod is up there with Banks and Hamilton as one of the British sci-fi authors you absolutely have to read'' SFX''Prose as sleek and fast as the technology it describes. . . watch this man go global'' Peter F. Hamilton on Star Fraction''Ken MacLeod has an enviable track record of extrapolating from current trends to produce mind-bending novels of ideas'' GuardianAlso by Ken MacLeod:Lightspeed Beyond the Hallowed SkyFall RevolutionThe Star FractionThe Stone CanalThe Cassini DivisionThe Sky RoadEngines of LightCosmonaut KeepDark LightEngine CityCorporation Wars TrilogyDissidenceInsurgenceEmergenceNovelsThe Human FrontNewton''s WakeLearning the WorldThe Execution ChannelThe Restoration GameIntrusionDescentTrade ReviewAn exceptional blend of international politics, hard science, and first contact -- Michael Mammay, author of PLANETSIDEMacLeod is up there with Banks and Hamilton as one of the British sci-fi authors you absolutely have to read -- SFXScience fiction's freshest new writer . . . MacLeod is a fiercely intelligent, prodigiously well-read author who manages to fill his books with big issues without weighing them down -- SalonMacleod's best book to date -- SFX (starred review)If you like science fiction, you will love this. . . a rollicking good read -- Scotsman

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Book SynopsisThe officially sanctioned graphic novel prequel to the cult 1982 science fiction movie Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott. Co-written by the Oscar nominated writer of Blade Runner 2049, Logan, and Murder on the Orient Express Michael Green and New York Times Bestselling author Mike Johnson. It is 2027 and Blade Runner Ash continues to hunt the streets of the rain-soaked dystopian world of Los Angeles for renegade Replicants, but this time she's trying to protect as many as she can find...Trade Review"The mythology-expanding story is backed by artist Guinaldo's evocative depiction of the rain-sodden eco-catastrphine that is 2029 LA. Violent (including an eye-gouging) but supremely stylish" - Total Film “Johnson and Guinaldo have managed to hit that nostalgic sweet spot of familiarity and extension with a strong third act helping to elevate the story enough to warrant further exploration” - SciFi Now“The artwork is fantastic. There’s a dark gritty feel to it that also feels just as faithful to the films . . . You can practically hear the soundtrack of the original 1982 film playing in the background" - The Hashtag Show

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Book SynopsisNight chills are seizing the men and women of Black River, driving them to terrible acts.Glenn drove the Land Rover into a stone wall at just over 100mph. Alice stuck a meat fork through her hand and pinned it to the chopping board. Brenda took off all her clothes. She did whatever she was told. They were compelled by a fear too great to be remembered, enslaved by a power no man should ever wield.Trade ReviewTumbling, hallucinogenic prose... "Serious" writers might do well to examine his technique. The story does not move so much as rocket up the gloomy highway with the reader in violent pursuit - New York TimesFast and furious...like a hospital trolley on a toboggan run - Mail on SundayScary. Koontz can really spook, and his dialogue and pacing rival the best - New York Post

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Book SynopsisSuper-intelligent AI Gods rule the galaxy. Their algorithms determine the rewards you reap before and after death. But the Gods give and the Gods take away. And Yasira has never been good at Gods...Trade Review“The Outside is spooky, high-stakes, mind-bending Science Fiction.”“The Outside is a fresh and mind-bending mix of cosmic horror and space opera, a compelling story that spans from the deeply personal to the vast mysteries of time and space. Unsettling and gorgeous, this is like nothing I have read before and the book I have been longing for without knowing it.”“The Outside is a beautiful, stark reclamation of unknowable horror. Hoffman layers thoughtful worldbuilding and rich prose to build a stunning story of power, ambition and personal agency. I couldn’t put The Outside down for fear of what might happen while I was looking away.”"The Outside is a powerful, striking debut, and Ada Hoffmann is an author to watch.""Hoffmann has created a beautifully immersive world, an intoxicating blend of science and divinity that held me captive from page one.""A stunningly imagined novel!""The Outside starts with a bang and ratchets everything up from there,""Hoffmann confidently layers morality and disability rights into a breezily told adventure that bursts with sheer fun.""Ada Hoffmann’s The Outside feels like it was made to order for us""Truly operatic stuff.""The Outside is a gripping examination of the battle between good and evil on a grand scale""The Outside is a science-fiction suspense novel like no other.""The Outside is a definite mind-bender, serving up shock and awe from the start.""Deeply embedded in sci-fi history, The Outside reimagines old stories in new, exciting, #ownvoices ways.""The Outside is a fantastic debut. I can’t wait to see what Hoffman does next.""exciting and gripping space opera""Readers who like an unlikable narrator will enjoy spending time in the other characters' points of view."

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Book SynopsisThis classic collection includes the title story, acclaimed as Asimov's single finest Robot tale, and now made into a Hollywood movie starring Robin Williams. Each of the eleven stories here sparkle with characteristic Asimov inventiveness and imagination.

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

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, In the Lives of Puppets is a queer retelling of the Pinocchio tale, inviting you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.‘A deeply stirring journey through a world of extraordinary robots’ – Chuck Tingle, Hugo-shortlisted author of Camp Damascus*A New York Times, Sunday Times and Indie Bestseller**Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction*In a small home, built into the branches of a tree, live a human named Victor and three robots. These are a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, a small vacuum desperate for love and attention, and a fatherly inventor-android named Giovanni Lawson. Together they’re a family, hidden and safe.Then Vic salvages an unfamiliar android labelled ‘HAP’. He learns that Hap and Gio share a dark past, where they hunted humans. And Hap unwittingly gives away Gio’s location. Before they know it, robots from Gio’s former life arrive – to capture and return the android to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams.The rest of the unconventional family must travel across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommissioning. Or worse, reprogramming. Along the way, Vic must decide if he can handle his feelings for Hap – even if they come with strings attached.Inspired by Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, In the Lives of Puppets is a masterful standalone fantasy adventure from the author who brought you The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door.Trade ReviewGlorious, a thoroughly entertaining and deeply stirring journey through a world of extraordinary robots. The characters here are so vibrant, and the story proves that love stretches well beyond the world of humans -- Chuck Tingle, author of Camp DamascusTJ Klune has created an enchanting tale of Pinocchio in the end times, offering up hard truths alongside humor, kindness, love and, most important, hope -- P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of DjinnI dare say I am yet to read more humane robots than I’ve encountered in In the Lives of Puppets . . . One can’t help but fall in love with this book -- T. L. Huchu, author of The Library of the DeadReaders who loved Klune’s previous works will find plenty of the author’s trademark charm, heart, and bittersweet -- Library Journal, Starred ReviewA wholly charming post-robot-apocalypse retelling of Pinocchio. Speculative fiction readers will fall in love with this whimsical, bittersweet fable -- Shelf Awareness, Starred ReviewI loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect -- V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue on The House in the Cerulean SeaThe House in the Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It’s a beautiful book -- Charlaine Harris, author of Dead Until Dark on The House in the Cerulean Sea

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

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Book SynopsisThe casino party is finally underway, and everyone involved in the Flying Pussycat and Mist Wall incidents has gathered at the new Ra’s Lance hotel. Is there a shadowy figure pulling the strings behind the scenes, or is it fate? Meanwhile, the Martillo family has been hit by Melvi, the Runorata family’s dealer. Amid the confusion, Firo heads to the casino fueled by anger and determination... And so the gamble begins!

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Book SynopsisA thrilling anthology of short stories from Star Trek Explorer magazine, collected for the first time! Featuring tales by Una McCormack, Gary Russell, Michael Carroll, John Peel, Chris Dows, Chris Cooper, and Greg Cox. This incredible collection features illustrated stories starring iconic characters such as Will Riker, Benjamin Sisko, Jonathan Archer, and Kate Pulaski, plus fan-favourite alien enemies including the Borg. Stories included are: Control by John Peel A take starring Jonathan Archer and his loyal dog, Porthos. The Guardian by Gary Russell A prelude to the classic episode “What are Little Girls Made Of?” The Disavowed by Christopher Cooper The crew of the Enterprise lose all memory of William Riker! Paghabi by Chris Dows Guinan is invaded by a sinister force. Pulaski 2.0 by Greg Cox Doctor Katherine Pulaski experiences life as an android. The Expert by Gary Russell A family is torn apart when the Borg strike. Scramble by Greg Cox A return to the noir world of Dixon Hill The Mission by James Swallow Espionage runs rife aboard Deep Space 9. Things Can Only Get Better by Una McCormack Kira Nerys and Garak discuss their opposing ideologies. Frontier Medicine by Michael Carroll Doctor Julian Bashir embarks on a career defining adventure. By Special Request… by John Peel Miles O’Brien and Julian Bashir enjoy some rest and recreation… with a difference! The Victim by John Peel Garak moves in for the kill, but can he pull the trigger? You Can’t Buy Fate by Keith R.A. Candido A first contact mission doesn’t go according to plan. Summer Days Can Last Forever by Michael Collins The dull 1950’s town of Patterson creek is livened up by some unusual visitors.

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Book SynopsisJeremiah Bourne is in greater danger than he realises.As Jeremiah is swept from his crumbling home in Blackfriars in 2019, to the same house but in 1910, he suddenly faces two questions: how did he get here, and how can he get back to his own time?On his quest for answers, he encounters a cast of comic characters and situations: a coven of free-thinking spiritualists, a futuristic residents’ association, warring street gangs, eugenic scientists, aggressive domestic servants and a nudist magistrate.But his activities have alerted a community of time travellers from the future, who set out to capture and investigate him. Who can Jeremiah trust to help him? And could there be a link between his time-travelling gift and his mother’s sudden disappearance when he was only nine? Will he inadvertently lead the wrong people to her?This electrifying first instalment of Nigel Planer’s Time Shard Chronicles trilogy takes a new and original look at the possibility of time travel as it catapults you into a thrilling journey across London and through time.Trade Review 'Witty and smart ... He's managed to invent characters who invade your heart. Dazzling and very funny. I loved it' Miriam Margolyes 'Witty, charming and extremely clever. It makes you laugh, it makes you think and, of course, you can't put it down. Already looking forward to the next one' Tim McInnerny 'Nigel is a brilliant writer, he is ingenious – and very funny. Jeremiah Bourne in Time is such a great concept, from the get-go, it is mind-opening and leads us down a really fascinating path . . . through time. Very cool' Anthony Head 'Imaginative romp through time and memories via a biscuit tin, a nudist and a chatty parrot! Delightful time-travel shenanigans! Get lost in time and find your new favourite temporal traveller' Rhianna Pratchett 'Not just freewheeling, Pratchett-esque, time-travelling fun, but also a fascinating ramble through the psychogeography of Edwardian London' Bob Fischer, Fortean Times 'Funny, perceptive and hugely readable. Nigel’s new novel is as good and as original as I expected it to be, which is very' Ben Elton 'Nigel's delightful style, wit and often profound observations carry this fascinating story along at a pace. An actual page turner, even if the pages are virtual' Robert Llewellyn

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Book SynopsisA haunting vision of a post-apocalyptic England.Trade Review'Greybeard is one of those hidden gems, a rare find that makes you kick yourself for not discovering it sooner, a masterful piece of literary science fiction and a poignant tale of human mortality.' (5/5 stars) * SFBOOK *brilliant and highly recommended * SFFWORLD.COM *

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Book SynopsisThis all-new Target novelisation is based on the televised version of The Pirate PlanetThe hugely powerful Key to Time has been split into six segments, all of which have been disguised and hidden throughout time and space. Now the even more powerful White Guardian wants the Doctor to find the pieces. With the first segment successfully retrieved, the Doctor, Romana and K-9 trace the second segment of the Key to the planet Calufrax. But when they arrive at exactly the right point in space, they find themselves on exactly the wrong planet - Zanak.Ruled by the mysterious 'Captain', Zanak is a happy and prosperous planet. Mostly. If the mines run out of valuable minerals and gems then the Captain merely announces a New Golden Age and they fill up again. It's an economic miracle - so obviously something's very wrong...For a much expanded version based on Douglas Adams' first draft scripts, check out BBC Books' hardback edition of The Pirate Planet".

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Book SynopsisThe return of the famous shared-world superhero books created and edited by fantasy titan George R.R. Martin.In the aftermath of World War II, the Earth's population was devastated by a terrifying alien virus. Those who survived were changed for ever. This is the story of that world.Theodorus was a dreamer.As a child, he dreamed of aeroplanes, rockets and outer space. When the wild card virus touched him and transformed him into a monstrous snail centaur weighing several tons, his boyhood dreams seemed out of reach, but a Witherspoon is not so easily defeated. Years and decades passed, and Theodorus grew to maturity and came into his fortune . . . but still his dream endured.But now when he looked upward into the night sky, he saw more than just the Moon . . . he saw a joker homeland, a refuge where the outcast children of the wild card could make a place of their own, safe from hate and harm.An impossible dream, some said. Others, alarmed by the prospect, brought all their power to beTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE WILD CARDS SERIES: “Deep and complex”Starburst “Perhaps the most original and provocative of the shared worlds books.”Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn "Martin has assembled an impressive array of writers. . . . Progressing through the decades, Wild Cards keeps its momentum to the end."Locus "The shared-world series known as Wild Cards has had a long and illustrious history of contributors and achievements." SciFi.com

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Book SynopsisThe Road meets Waiting for Godot: powerful, unforgettable, unique' Melissa Harrison, author of At Hawthorn Time.Doggerland is a superbly gripping debut novel about loneliness and hope, nature and survival set on an off-shore windfarm in the not-so-distant future.His father's breath had been loud in the small room. It had smelled smoky, or maybe more like dust. He had knotted and unknotted a strap on the bag he was holding he must have been leaving to go out to the farm that day. I'll get out,' he'd said. I'll come back for you, ok?' The boy remembered that; had always remembered it. And, for a time, he'd believed it too.'In the North Sea, far from what remains of the coastline, a wind farm stretches for thousands of acres.The Boy, who is no longer really a boy, and the Old Man, whose age is unguessable, are charged with its maintenance. They carry out their never-ending work, scoured by wind and salt, as the waves roll, dragging strange shoals of flotsam through the turbine fields. LTrade Review‘Ben Smith has created a vision of the future in which the world ends with neither a bang nor a whimper but just rusts gradually into the sea. I found it both terrifying and hugely enjoyable, as well as tremendously moving. Ben Smith's writing is incredibly precise; working with a restricted palette of steel greys and flaking blues, he paints the boundaried seascape with vivid detail. This is a story about men and fathers, the faint consolation of routine, and the undying hope of finding out what lies beyond the horizon. I absolutely loved it’ Jon McGregor, author of Reservoir 13 ‘This is an emotionally compelling book … Embedded deep within Doggerland we also sense a cry of protest against our violated landscape and a celebration of the mysteries of its ancient formation. The novel belongs in a literary tradition of reflection on and solidarity with English nature, reaching back through Robert Macfarlane to Edward Thomas, Richard Jefferies and John Clare. It is a haunting story and could break the prejudice against speculative fiction often reflected in prize lists.’ Alan Warner, Guardian ‘These claustrophobic, contained lives are reminiscent of Beckett or perhaps Pinter … The prose is simple, at least on the surface, but the cadence of the sentences, their honed style, is perfectly matched to its barren, sinister setting. Smith writes boredom and unease brilliantly, but also has the steel to write action sequences with verve and precision … It is a debut of considerable force, emotional weight and technical acumen that weaves its own impressive course’ Guardian ‘There’s a patience and rhythm deep in the prose – this is going to make a mark’ Cynan Jones, author of The Dig ‘Quietly thrilling, deeply strange and incredibly imaginative, it's a visceral, all-too believable act of retrieval, a gripping vision of what lies ahead of us’ Philip Hoare, author of RISINGTIDEFALLINGSTAR

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Book Synopsis Law & Order meets Men in Black in this graphic novel adaptation of a TV pilot script by the author of A Game of Thrones. Ideal for fans of Saga. Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE: ‘Of those who work in the grand epic fantasy tradition, Martin is by far the best’TIME MAGAZINE ‘Colossal, staggering…Martin captures all the intoxicating complexity of the Wars of the Roses or Imperial Rome’SFX ‘Martin’s style is so vivid that you will be hooked within a few pages’THE TIMES ‘I always expect the best from George R.R. Martin and he always delivers’ROBERT JORDAN

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Book SynopsisA whirlwind fantasy classic set in the richest world imaginable, with unforgettable characters and the highest stakes The Walls of Air is the second book in Barbara Hambly's epic Darwath Trilogy.Once upon a time, Gil and Rudy lived simple lives.Until they met Ingold, Gil was an ordinary PhD candidate and Rudy was a drifter, whiling away his life riding motorcycles under the California sun. But wizards have a way of complicating things. Ingold brought them across the Void, where an evil known as the Dark threatened to devour civilization whole.Civilization's hopes rested on an infant prince, and to protect him Gil and Rudy had to draw on newfound powers she as a warrior, he as a wizard. With Ingold's help they escaped the Dark, and led a hardy band of survivors to a far-away keep, where humanity could be safe for a time.But now that time is past, they have been found, and there is nowhere to hide from the Dark.Trade ReviewPraise for Barbara Hambly: ‘Wondrous’Brandon Sanderson ‘This is literary alchemy of the highest order, and it confirms Hambly’s place as one of the best new fantasists’Locus ‘An enviable and intricate talent’Janny Wurts

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Book SynopsisBOOK 2 OF THE RUNES OF WAR SAGAThe adventure beginsCaspar travels South into Belbidida with his companions Hal and Brid, straight into the heart of the New Faith, the enemy of Brid's Goddess. The trio trail Vaalakan spies, seeking out the Druids Eye the Egg- in all its glory. The Eggs power alone can keep the fortress of Torra Alta safe.But in the land of the Inquisition, all trace of ancient lore has been stamped out, including a sect of mute priestesses known as the Keepers. As the fate of Torra Alta hangs in the balance, Caspar must race to find the Lost Runes the Keepers guarded, or the Eye may never be found Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR JANE WELCH “A blockbuster fantasy”SFX “As intriguing as anything Tolkien dreamed up.”Starburst “Wonderful author, in the Robert Jordan mould”The Bookseller

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

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Book SynopsisTwenty-one years have passed since the defeat of the Empire at the Battle of Endor and the deaths of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. But now the New Republic faces new threats to its peace and prosperity: a charismatic firebrand is inciting war between two planets...reports of rogue Jedi Knights practising vigilante law are sowing seeds of mistrust and fear...and beyond the Outer Rim, a mysterious alien race is mounting an invasion. Against chaos from within and an enemy unlike any other without, can the heroes who overthrew the Empire triumph again?

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Book SynopsisBorn in Chicago in 1942, Michael Crichton first trained as a doctor before going on to become one of the most successful writers in the world. In 1994 he achieved a feat unmatched by any other writer: by having simultaneously a number one TV series, book and movie with, respectively, ER (which he created), Disclosure and Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, on its release the highest-grossing film of all time. He also directed several movies, including The Great Railway Robbery with Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland. His high-concept thrillers were international bestsellers, and in total his books have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. He died in 2008.Trade ReviewA fascinating, splendidly documented thriller * The New Yorker *A brilliantly achieved and all-too-believable modern Frankenstein * Book-of-the-Month Club News *

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Book Synopsis''You''ll never be happy until you can think and feel and look like other people . . .'' Jael 97 is an Alpha. Deemed over-privileged for her beauty, she is compelled to report to the Ministry of Facial Justice, where her face will be reconstructed. For Jael lives in the New State, created out of the devastation of the Third World War. Under the rule of the Darling Dictator, citizens must wear sackcloth and ashes, and only a 17.5% quotum of personality is permitted to each. Anything that inspires envy is forbidden.But Jael cannot suppress her rebellious spirit. Secretly, she starts to reassert the rights of the individual, and decides to hunt down the faceless Dictator.''An exquisitely entertaining fantasy'' ObserverTrade ReviewAn exquisitely entertaining fantasy * Observer *The most exciting and exhilarating of Mr Hartley's novels * Listener *A brilliant projection of tendencies already apparent in the post-war British welfare state . . . Hartley was a fine writer with a strong moral sense -- Anthony BurgessHartley spares us nothing; each horrid detail of this nightmare world is expertly driven home -- Peter Quennell

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Book Synopsis''A piece of invention as original as any of Tolkien''s or C.S. Lewis''s'' New Statesman''I have gone to look for a lion.'' In a world where lions have become extinct, the map-maker Jachin-Boaz nevertheless abandons his wife and son to find one, leaving just this note. But his decision has unexpected consequences. He will be pursued by his son, Boaz-Jachin, and by something else: a tawny-skinned, amber-eyed beast from another place and time, a bringer of life and death.''Magic at work ... Funny as well as beautiful'' Irish Times''Hoban is unclassifiable, thank goodness. His narrative is so minutely and compellingly realistic that after a time you cease to notice that he has stood reality on its head'' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewMagic at work ... Funny as well as beautiful. * Irish Times *Amazingly, the mythology is sustained in totally modern terms, desolate, comic and urban. * Time Out *A piece of invention as original as any of Tolkien's or C.S. Lewis's. * New Statesman *Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy. -- John Self * The Guardian *Mr. Hoban is unclassifiable, thank goodness. His narrative is so minutely and compellingly realistic that after a time you cease to notice that he has stood reality on its head. * Sunday Times *

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

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