Science Fiction Sci-Fi Books

Book SynopsisThe Record Keeper is a visceral and thrilling near-future dystopia examining past and present race relations. After World War III, Earth is in ruins, and the final armies have come to a reluctant truce. Everyone must obey the law—in every way—or risk shattering the fragile peace and endangering the entire human race. Arika Cobane is on the threshold of taking her place of privilege as a member of the Kongo elite after ten grueling years of training. But everything changes when a new student arrives speaking dangerous words of treason: What does peace matter if innocent lives are lost to maintain it? As Arika is exposed to new beliefs, she realizes that the laws she has dedicated herself to uphold are the root of her people’s misery. If Arika is to liberate her people, she must unearth her fierce heart and discover the true meaning of freedom: finding the courage to live—or die—without fear.Trade Review"This intellectually rich, emotional, and ruthlessly honest confrontation of racism proves Gomillion is a critically important new voice. " -- Publishers Weekly Starred Review "The Record Keeper--with its absorbing developments and clarion call to freedom--will hold its readership in thrall and have them waiting expectantly for the follow-up. " - Foreword Magazine Starred Review "A fierce and absorbing tale of a heroine finding her own power, set in an exquisitely crafted world...THE RECORD KEEPER deserves a place on your must-read list." -Christina Henry

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Book SynopsisNamed as one of `50 Writers You Should Read Now' by The Guardian. From the award-winning author of The Rift, Nina Allan, The Silver Wind is a remarkable narrative exploring the nature of time itself. A powerful tale of time travel, time lost, time regained and time disrupted. In this remarkable narrative, watches and clocks become time machines, vehicles to explore alternate realities, the unreliability of memory and roads not taken. Martin and Dora Newland – sometimes siblings, sometimes lovers and sometimes friends, both subject to the tricks and turns of time and fate. Owen Andrews – watchmaker, time traveller, government agent. Their stories interlock and interweave like the perfectly honed cogs of a watch mechanism to reveal an unsettling world of missed opportunities, broken connections and personal losses. Award-winning author of The Rift and The Dollmaker, Nina Allan once again demonstrates that she is a storyteller at the height of her powers.Trade Review"A twisting, haunting work of speculative fantasy, pulsing with the dull ache of a fading dream and intoxicating its audience with disorienting what-ifs.... Working through the eerie and mysterious locations of Nina Allan’s book requires concentration, imagination, and an eye for detail, but all are rewarded. This funky trek through time should not be missed." --Foreword Review"Allan’s prose is consistently ultra-lucid; unsentimental yet capable of evoking deep emotions; and simultaneously full of gravitas and the quotidian muck and mire of life. The characters in all their permutations are totally believable, and a sense of life’s multifarious possibilities—traps and evasions—radiates off them. Of course, the very architecture of the book brilliantly embodies and reflects the physics and metaphysics of her conception of time as well. Readers who cherish Wolfe’s The Fifth Head of Cerberus for its insidiously thrilling mind games now finally have a volume to stand proudly alongside that classic." - Locus"uncanny, strange, gripping" - BookRiot“A thoroughly thought-provoking déjà vu experience” - BookRiot

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Book SynopsisNamed as one of '50 Writers You Should Read Now' by The Guardian. From the award-winning author of The Rift, Nina Allan, this early novel cements her reputation as one of the most interesting contemporary speculative fiction writers. Ruby tells the story of Ruby Castle told in snapshots and fleeting glimpses and secret histories, in tales repeated and reinvented by those who fall under the horror film actress's spell: her childhood sweetheart, an antiquarian bookseller with a passion for magical artifacts, the mistress of the poet who was once Castle's lover, a young girl in a future Russia who dreams of the stars. Worlds collide, and the boundaries between the real and the fantastic begin to break down. Is Ruby Castle a living person or a collective fantasy? By the time the final page of Ruby is turned, the world that Castle created through her films has become dangerously indistinguishable from our own.

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Book SynopsisA collection of short stories from the award-winning author of The Rift and The Dollmaker, Nina Allan. This compilation brings together rarely seen tales spanning the vast breadth of Allan's writing career for the first time. It also includes a brand-new introduction and one never-before-published story. Locus has described Nina as 'a subversive writer... playing with both the familiar protocols of genre and with the nature of the reading experience itself.' This is a stunning collection from one of the most astute and innovative voices writing today.Trade ReviewPraise for The Art of Space Travel and Other Stories:"Nina Allan is a writer of rare talent. The Art of Space Travel addresses life’s biggest questions with such delicacy and tenderness that you won’t fear staring into the abyss." - Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger and The Deep"Nina Allan is a great writer of the fantastic, here to remind us how weird it is to be alive. Her stories have a quiet urgency to them; they are moving and gripping and wholly themselves. Their strangeness helps us make sense of our own. This is a rare collection, to read, to ponder, to treasure." - Francesco Dimitri, author of The Book of Hidden Things"I’m in awe of Nina Allan’s storytelling. Each richly detailed tale hints at a far wider world, and many contain stories with stories, realities within realities, warping genre boundaries yet retaining a focus on entirely believable characters and, often, the contemplation of loss. Put simply, these are some of the best modern short stories I’ve read." - Tim Major, author of Hope Island"One of the most able SF talents in science fiction." - The Times"Like Allan’s other tales, it has tendrils extending well beyond its borders, and we come away from The Art of Space Travel with the odd but exhilarating feeling that we’ve encountered a lot more stories than the 14 listed in the table of contents, as impressive as those are." - Locus Praise for Nina Allan:"A captivating exploration of community, tragedy and memory. Nina Allan's writing is enthralling". - Irenosen Okojie, on The Good Neighbours"A fantastic book" - Andrew O'Hagan, on The Dollmaker"Her literary sensibility fuses the fantastic and the mundane to great effect" - The Guardian, on The Dollmaker"A subversive writer…playing with both the familiar protocols of genre and with the nature of the reading experience itself" - Locus, on The Rift"Brilliantly ambiguous" - Tor.com, on The Rift"One of the best books published this year in any genre" - Strange Horizons, on The Rift

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Book SynopsisEnvironmental disasters and uncontrolled AI armies have caused the human population of Earth to flee. They lie scattered across innumerable space stations and colonies, overcrowded and suffering. The Earth is cut off by the Interdiction Zone: a network of satellites to prevent anything getting into or out of the planet. The incredible cost of maintaining it has crippled humanity, who struggle under the totalitarian yoke of the Sol Commonwealth government, whose rich grow richer while the poor are on the brink of starvation. Many have been driven to the edge of society, yearning for freedom and taking any work offered, criminal and otherwise, in order to survive. The crew of the Arcus are just such people. A client has come to the table claiming to have the codes necessary to penetrate the Interdiction Zone. Once through, a world of priceless artifacts awaits, provided anyone crazy enough to make the run can be found. They've all heard the rumors - ships that have set down, pilfered the ruins of a museum or private collection, and escaped with enough priceless works to retire. Arcus Captain Lynch knows better - he's been on-world before, a brief and harrowing experience that he's in no hurry to relive. But fuel is running low and cred accounts even lower, and the Arcus' survival might depend on taking the job. Yet on arrival on Earth, the crew discovers that what remains on their world is not as they have been told, and the secrets they find are big enough to bring the entire Sol Commonwealth tumbling down...Trade ReviewPraise for the author"A fascinating take on life extension treatments that goes beyond 'nifty idea' to deal with the consequences, combined with a vividly written action-adventure.” Elizabeth Moon"Re-Coil is a slow-burn thriller that heats up to an intriguing set up of a transhumanist future and corporate skulduggery.” Glynn Stewart"Perfect for fans of Altered Carbon.” Gareth L. Powell"Re-Coil is an intriguing and fast-moving mix of bio-tech and space opera." L. E. Modesitt, Jr.“A thriller and a thinker that’s as much sci-fun as sci-fi.” The Sunday Sport Review“This non-stop action thriller pits workers against corporations and knows which side it’s on.” Morning Star"A classic story of a cover-up, told in a fun, fast-paced way... Fans of James S.A. Corey’s Expanse series will enjoy this tale of high-tech mystery and shifting loyalties." Booklist Review"Readers will be drawn in by the compassionate characters and captivating premise." Publishers Weekly“This is a story that kicks off at breakneck speed... A compelling, multi-layered sci-fi tale.” Culturefly

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Book SynopsisAnnie Oakley has always suspected there is something "uncanny" about herself, but has never been able to put a name to it. But when Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show goes on tour through Germany, Bill temporarily hires a new sharpshooter to be part of his "World Wide Congress of Rough Riders": a woman named Giselle, who also happens to be an Elemental Master of Air. Alongside this new performer, Annie discovers that she and her husband, Frank, are not simply master marksman, but also magicians of rare ability. As they travel and perform, Annie must use her newfound knowledge and rare skill to combat creatures of the night scattered across the countryside, who threaten both the performers and the locals. Annie's got her gun, and it's filled with silver bullets.

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Book Synopsis"A richly imagined eco-gothic tale." - The Guardian "Exquisitely realised." - The Times After the ravages of the Green Winter, Earth is a place of deep jungles and monstrous animals. The last of the human race is divided into surface dwellers and the people who live in the Upper Settlement, a ring perched at the edge of the Earth s atmosphere. Bearing witness to this divided planet is Pearl, a young techie with a thread of shuvani blood, who lives in the isolated forests of Gobari, navigating her mad mother and the strange blue light in the sky. But Pearl s stepfather promises her to a starborn called Arlo, and the world Pearl thought she knew will never be the same again. Set in the luscious landscape of Andalusia, this claustrophobic, dystopian reimagining of Wide Sargasso Sea is a fever dream, a blazing vision of self-destruction and transformation.Trade ReviewPraise for The Swimmers"A meticulously detailed novel set in a vivid, believable eco-dystopia... Womack draws in readers immediately with her dreamy depictions of the landscape and its dangers. At its heart, however, the novel is a probing examination of cultural and class differences. Readers will be captivated." – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review“A richly imagined eco-gothic tale.” – The Guardian"Exquisitely realised.” – The Times, 10 Best SF Books of 2021For Annihilation fans, the prose is fluid & gorgeously intimate. The questions of our future—a sea of plastic/the intersection of class & climate change—are explored on a tender, personal scale. G.V. AndersonWomack has an eye for both the beauty and the horror of the natural world. Like a strange fever dream, the world of The Swimmers is uncanny and unfamiliar, wonderfully compelling and utterly inescapable. One of my favourite books of the year. Helen MarshallJane Eyre meets Annihilation in this ingenious, bewitching novel. The prose is as lush and terrifying as the warped jungle Earth has become. This is speculative fiction at its best: thought-provoking, riveting, and gorgeously told. Jennie MelamedWomack is an exciting and endlessly inventive writer. I look forward to reading everything she writes. Naomi BoothWomack is a wonderful writer, and The Swimmers is a marvellous, heartbreaking exploration of the world we are busy creating, and the world we must then inhabit. Aliya WhiteleyPraise for The Golden KeyWith hints of the brooding Gothic of Rawblood and Rebecca, this wonderfully creepy historical novel makes it absolutely clear that Marian Womack is a rising star. Tim MajorAn intriguing and unsettling tale. . . Womack brings a great sense of the uncanny to the Fens. Alison LittlewoodThe Golden Key mesmerizes… A beguiling mystery that lingers long after reading. Katherine StansfieldA fey, unsettling vision of Norfolk, and London, that fans of The Essex Serpent will love... This book gives up its secrets like a puzzle box. G.V. AndersonA fascinating, unsettling tale that shifts, mutates and changes meaning much like the eerie ruined house in the fens at the centre of this weird and brilliant debut novel. Lisa TuttlePraise for Lost Objects Intriguing and illuminating… chockfull of interesting ideas about the natural world and ourselves. Jeff VanderMeerMarian Womack weaves together the lyricism of Angela Carter, the mad imagination of China Miéville, and the earthiness of Robert Macfarlane. Helen MarshallLuminous and disturbing as the unearthly things they describe, Marian Womack’s gorgeously written tales map the shifting boundaries between waking life and dream, past and future and our own profoundly unsettled present. Reading them left me with goosebumps, and the craving for more stories by this supremely gifted new writer. Elizabeth Hand

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Book Synopsis"This gripping thriller has everything: beautiful writing, shedloads of tension, family drama. It made me grateful for my fragile freedoms." Emily Koch, author of If I Die Before I Wake The world is suffering an infertility crisis, the last natural birth was over twenty years ago and now the only way to conceive is through a painful fertility treatment. Any children born are strictly monitored, and if you are deemed an unfit parent then your child is extracted. After witnessing so many struggling to conceive – and then keep – their babies, Kit thought she didn't want children. But then she meets Thomas and they have a baby girl, Mimi. Soon the small mistakes build up and suddenly Kit is faced with the possibility of losing her daughter, and she is forced to ask herself how far she will go to keep her family together.Trade Review'Dark Lullaby is hard-hitting, mournful and deeply affecting, reading like the offspring of Never Let Me Go and 1984, and it addresses universal fears about early parenthood without providing easy answers. I raced through it and when I’d finished, it made me hug my own children tight.' Tim Major, author of Hope Island."With fabulous world-building and a plot so tight you could bounce a quarter off of it, Dark Lullaby is a Handmaid's Tale for the modern world, about the ways our human need for love can serve as both society's salvation, and its undoing."Sarah Langan, author of Good Neighbors'This gripping thriller has everything: beautiful writing, shedloads of tension, family drama. It made me grateful for my fragile freedoms.' Emily Koch, author of If I Die Before I Wake “Dark Lullaby is a gripping story of love and desperation, of intimate and social structures, of sisterhood and motherhood that rings true as a bell. I devoured it.” Deirdre Sullivan, author of Perfectly Preventable Deaths"Polly Ho-Yen masterfully balances eerie, dream-like prose with a distressingly realistic portrayal of a world where reproductive right has become reproductive responsibility. To be a parent is to live with your heart outside your body and, through smart world-building, memorable characters and sharp insight, Dark Lullaby perfectly encapsulates the power and terror of that love." Dave Rudden, author of The Wintertime Paradox"A heart-wrenching and beautifully told novel, absolutely compelling, and scarily plausible. This is the best kind of speculative fiction: thoughtful, committed, alert to the outlines of a possible near-future, that inhabits your mind long after reading. One of the most important books to be published this year." Marian Womack, author of The Golden Key"An expertly crafted exploration of love and loss, with a truly haunting conclusion. Intimate, often poetic prose shines bright through the encroaching dread. Bleak, beautiful and bittersweet at every turn. I loved it." Martyn Ford, author of Every Missing Thing"Extrapolating from current trends in our surveillance society, it’s horrifyingly plausible" - The Guardian"I cannot praise this book enough...this book perfectly describes what women go through as mothers, vacillating between being so happy we have a child to feeling like we can’t do this and probably never should have." -Seattle Book Review 5 star Review

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Book SynopsisA stunningly inventive action-packed science-fiction epic adventure for fans of Becky Chambers and Ann Leckie from the multi BSFA award-winner, Gareth L. Powell. Seventy-five years from today, the human race has been cast from a dying Earth to wander the stars in a vast fleet of arks-each shaped by its inhabitants into a diverse and fascinating new environment, with its own rules and eccentricities. When her sister disappears while responding to a mysterious alien distress call, Eryn insists on being part of the crew sent to look for her. What she discovers on Candidate-623 is both terrifying and deadly. When the threat follows her back to the fleet and people start dying, she is tasked with seeking out a legendary recluse who may just hold the key to humanity's survival. Gareth L. Powell's Embers of War won 2018 BSFA Award for Best Novel and was shortlisted for the 2019 Locus Awards and the 2021 Seiun Awards in Japan. Its sequels, Fleet of Knives and Light of Impossible Stars, were both shortlisted for the BSFA Award for Best Novel, and Fleet of Knives was also shortlisted for the 2020 Locus Awards.Trade ReviewPraise for Stars and Bones: "Powell balances plot, action, and character development perfectly. This promising start will especially appeal to James S.A. Corey fans." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "With a strong heroine, some really imaginative supporting characters (including a talking cat), and a story that packs a serious emotional wallop, the novel spotlights Powell's gifts for character-building and plotting. He's already won two best-novel awards from the British Science Fiction Association, and it wouldn't be surprising to see this one getting a nomination, too." - Booklist "Gareth Powell drops you into the action from the first page and then Just. Keeps. Going. This is a pro at the top of his game." John Scalzi "A headlong, visceral plunge into a future equal parts fascinating and terrifying." Adrian Tchaikovsky "A gripping, fast-paced space opera that poses the unique question: what if instead of saving humanity, aliens decided to save the Earth?" Stina Leicht, author of Persephone Station "A grand scale adventure packed with fun banter, snappy prose, and masterful science." Essa Hansen, author of Nophek Gloss "An interstellar intelligence has a plan for Earth's future, but is humanity a part of it? Fast-paced and thoughtful, Stars and Bones leaves the reader well-fed with hearty helpings of mystery, suspense, adventure, and terror." Marina Lostetter, author of Noumenon "Gareth Powell's Stars and Bones is shocking and beautiful-an electric, epic, and sometimes gruesome look at humanity facing its biggest challenge yet. Powell keeps the pressure on and doesn't let go. I enjoyed it immensely." Karen Osborne, author of Architects of Memory "A vividly imagined, propulsive read. Filled with a loveable cast of characters. Powell's writing creates a rich tapestry of their voices and inner lives. I think readers will be thrilled by this story." Temi Oh, author of Do You Dream of Terra-Two? "Big ships, big ideas and big emotions. Thrilling space opera which is epic in scope, yet always rooted at the human level, as all the best sci-fi is." Emma Newman, author of Planetfall "An interstellar collision of massive ideas and startling originality." Zack Jordan, author of The Last Human "Stars and Bones crafts a future that finds hope in dark places." Valerie Valdes, author of Chilling Effect

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Book SynopsisAn alternate history first contact adventure set in the early 2000's, pitched as Arrival meets The Three-Body Problem, by video essayist Lindsay Ellis. By the fall of 2007, one well-timed leak revealing that the U.S. government might have engaged in first contact has sent the country into turmoil, and it is all Cora Sabino can do to avoid the whole mess. The force driving this controversy is Cora's whistleblower father, and even though she hasn't spoken to him in years, his celebrity has caught the attention of the press, the Internet, the paparazzi, and the government and redirected it to her. She neither knows nor cares whether her father's leaks are a hoax, and wants nothing to do with him until she learns just how deeply entrenched her family is in the cover-up, and that an extraterrestrial presence has been on Earth for decades. To save her own life, she offers her services as an interpreter to a monster, and the monster accepts. Learning the extent to which both she and the public have been lied to, she sets out to gather as much information as she can, and finds that the best way for her to find the truth is not as a whistleblower, but as an intermediary. The alien presence has been completely uncommunicative until she convinces one of them that she can act as their interpreter, becoming the first and only human vessel of communication. But in becoming an interpreter, she begins to realize that she has become the voice for a being she cannot ever truly know or understand, and starts to question who she's speaking for and what future she's setting up for all of humanity.

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Book SynopsisThe thrilling intergalactic adventures of the multiple Locus Award-winning Unstoppable series continue in the sequel to Victories Greater Than Death, from the international-bestselling author of All the Birds in the Sky. They'll do anything to be the people they were meant to be - even journey into the heart of evil. Rachael Townsend is the first artist ever to leave Earth and journey out into the galaxy - but after an encounter with an alien artifact, she can't make art at all. Elza Monteiro is determined to be the first human to venture inside the Palace of Scented Tears and become a princess - except that inside the palace, she finds the last person she ever wanted to see again. Tina Mains is studying at the Royal Space Academy with her friends, preparing to save the universe - and she's not the badass space hero everyone was expecting. These three young women are thrust into the hands of destiny, journeying into dark voids, navigating deadly spy missions, and facing impossible choices that could change all their lives forever. With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, they must discover their strength, whatever form it takes.

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Book SynopsisThe conclusion of the mind-blowing intergalactic Unstoppable series, the sequel to the Locus Award-winning Victories Greater Than Death and Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak, from the international-bestselling author of All the Birds in the Sky. THEY'RE THE GALAXY'S MOST WANTED - AND OUR ONLY HOPE When Elza became a space princess, she thought she'd be spending her time at the palace, wearing gorgeous couture and soaking up everything there is to know - but instead, she's on the run, with everyone hunting for her and her friends. Rachael followed her best friend Tina on the adventure of a lifetime - but now Tina's gone, and Rachael's the only one keeping her friends together, as they go on a desperate quest to save everyone from an ancient curse. Rachael, Elza and their friends have found one clue, one shining mysterious chance to stop the end of the world. And that takes them back to the second-to-last place they'd want to be: enlisting the aid of Captain Thaoh Argentian, the woman who stole Tina's body (and who now seems to be relishing a second chance at teenage chaos and drama, instead of living up to her legacy of an intrepid heroic commander). With only a ragtag band of misfits, crewmates, earthlings, friends, lovers (and one annoying frenemy), the Unstoppable Crew are up against the universe--and they soon find that in order to survive, they may have to cross a line they vowed never to cross.

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Book SynopsisMorbius the Living Vampire seeks to end his curse of a thirst for blood, and to stop a demonic cult from unleashing hell on Earth. SEEKING TO CURE HIS RARE BLOOD DISORDER, DR. MICHAEL MORBIUS INSTEAD CURSED HIMSELF WITH AN INSATIABLE LUST FOR HUMAN BLOOD. HE HAS BECOME THE LIVING VAMPIRE. While trying to cure his horrific condition, he has become allied with Amanda Saint, whose sister Catherine is one of the leaders of the Demon-Fire Cult. Also known as Poison-Lark, Catherine Saint has two goals above all else. She seeks to unleash all the powers of Hell on Earth, and to kill Morbius and Amanda. Morbius and Amanda follow the cult's trail to New York City, determined to stop Poison-Lark at any cost. But when they run afoul of an underground fight club that uses monsters as their pawns in the arena, Morbius becomes the star attraction, forced to kill or be killed...

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Book SynopsisBy the fall of 2007, one well-timed leak revealing that the U.S. government might have engaged in first contact has sent the country into turmoil, and it is all Cora Sabino can do to avoid the whole mess. The force driving this controversy is Cora’s whistleblower father, and even though she hasn’t spoken to him in years, his celebrity has caught the attention of the press, the Internet, the paparazzi, and the government―and redirected it to her. She neither knows nor cares whether her father’s leaks are a hoax, and wants nothing to do with him―until she learns just how deeply entrenched her family is in the cover-up, and that an extraterrestrial presence has been on Earth for decades. To save her own life, she offers her services as an interpreter to a monster, and the monster accepts. Learning the extent to which both she and the public have been lied to, she sets out to gather as much information as she can, and finds that the best way for her to find the truth is not as a whistleblower, but as an intermediary. The alien presence has been completely uncommunicative until she convinces one of them that she can act as their interpreter, becoming the first and only human vessel of communication. But in becoming an interpreter, she begins to realize that she has become the voice for a being she cannot ever truly know or understand, and starts to question who she’s speaking for―and what future she’s setting up for all of humanity.

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Book SynopsisPrequel novel to the upcoming Netflix series, Cowboy Bebop. Discover the origins of the classic rivalry between Spike and Vicious amongst the dark underbelly of Mars, 2161! The year is 2161. The Red Dragon Crime Syndicate is king, and for all those lucky enough to be members of this crime family, life is damn good. Well, not for everyone... For two entry-level gangsters in Tharsis City, Mars, life in the Syndicate isn't quite all guns and glamour. That's right. Long before they were mortal enemies, Spike Spiegel and Vicious were just two friends clawing their way up the crime ladder and trying to have a little fun while doing it. But when an opportunity to pull a job for their boss arises, it's make or break time. Literally. All they have to do is deliver a suitcase. How hard could it be? You ready for some history tellin'...space cowboy?Trade Review"A good read–and consider it a must-read for Cowboy Bebop fans and anyone looking for an Altered Carbon or Firefly-type space Western setting" Borg.com

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Book SynopsisAugust 2558. Rion Forge was once defined by her relentless quest for hope amidst the refuse and wreckage of a post-Covenant War galaxy years spent searching for family as much as fortune. But that was before Rion and the crew of her salvager ship Ace of Spades encountered a powerful yet tragic being who forever altered their lives. This remnant from eons past, when the Forerunners once thrived, brought with it a revelation of ancient machinations and a shocking, brutal history. Unfortunately, the Ace crew also made dire enemies of the Office of Naval Intelligence in the process, with the constant threat of capture and incarceration a very real possibility. Now with tensions mounting and ONI forces closing in, Rion and her companions commit to this being’s very personal mission, unlocking untold secrets and even deadlier threats that have been hidden away for centuries from an unsuspecting universe....

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Book SynopsisA Clockwork Orange and RuPaul's Drag Race meet Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in this fabulous dystopian fable about fashion, family and feckless billionaires. Simone is one of the Glitterati, the elite living lives of luxury and leisure. Slave to the ever-changing tides - and brutal judgements - of fashion, he is immaculate. To be anything else is to be unfashionable, and no one wants to be unfashionable, or even worse, ugly... When Simone accidentally starts a new fashion with a nosebleed at a party, another Glitterati takes the credit. Soon their rivalry threatens to raze their opulent utopia to the ground, as no one knows how to be vicious like the beautiful ones. Enter a world of the most fantastic costumes, grand palaces in the sky, the grandest parties known to mankind and the unbreakable rules of how to eat ice cream. A fabulous dystopian fable about fashion, family and the feckless billionaire class.Trade Review"A fabulously twisted journey of self discovery, but inside the visual extravaganza there beats a dark, human heart - Glitterati is a many-hued delight." — Aliya Whiteley, award-winning author of The Beauty and The Loosening Skin"Glitterati is a strange, bright wonder of a book that begins as a playful satirization of the world of couture and ends as a finely-cut lens into the habits of the modern world."—Cassandra Khaw, author of Nothing But Blackened Teeth"Fabulous! A sensory powder keg of a book that bursts with wit, poise and oh-so cutting-edge style. Literary but feather-light, this is the most elegant and charming thing you’ll read all year. It had me grinning from ear to ear the whole way through." — Josh Winning, author of The Shadow Glass"Glitterati promises to be your new obsession... a world of fashion, backstabbing, baubles, and ice cream, in which compulsive, light-as-air storytelling hints and teases at the seriously dark dystopia behind it all. I absolutely loved this book." — Ally Wilkes, author of All the White Spaces"A scintillating dive into Langmead's kaleidoscopic imagination." — Stark Holborn, author of Ten Low"High fashion meets dark satire in this hilarious dystopia of manners. As heart-warming as it is razor-sharp. I laughed so hard I spat out my Dom Perignon – read it before everyone else does!'' — J. L Worrad, author of Pennyblade

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Book SynopsisThe human race is at a crossroads; we know that we are not alone, but details about the alien presence on Earth are still being withheld from the public. As the political climate becomes more unstable, the world is forced to consider the ramifications of granting human rights to non-human persons. How do you define "person" in the first place? Cora Sabino not only serves as the full time communication intermediary between the alien entity Ampersand and his government chaperones, but also shares a mysterious bond with him that is both painful and intimate in a way that neither of them could have anticipated. Despite this, Ampersand is still keen on keeping secrets, even from her, which backfires on both of them when investigative journalist Kaveh Mazandarani, a close colleague of Cora's estranged whistleblower father, witnesses far more of Ampersand's machinations than anyone was meant to see. Since Cora has no choice but to trust Kaveh, the two must work together to prove to a fearful world that intelligent, conscious beings should be considered persons, no matter how monstrous-looking, powerful, or malicious they may seem. Making this case is hard enough when the public doesn't know what it's dealing with, and it will only become harder when a mysterious flash illuminates the sky, marking the arrival of an agent of chaos that will light an already unstable world on fire.

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Book SynopsisAn atmospheric Gothic ghost story, where The Silent Companions meets Daphne du Maurier in South America and a woman faces the darkness bestowed by vengeance. "A phantasmagoric mixture of M. R. James, The Shining and The Turn of the Screw set among the otherworldly Argentinian Pampas." - EDWARD PARNELL, author of Ghostland Winter 1913. Ursula Kelp, a young English gardener, has come to Argentina to restore the gardens of Las Lagrimas. The long-abandoned estate lies deep in the Pampas, the vast empty grasslands of South America where the wind blows without end. Despite warnings from the locals of terrible things that once happened there and the evil that lingers, Ursula sets out to her new post full of hope. Yet when she arrives, all is not as promised. The garden is an untameable wilderness, the staff hostile. Setting to work, Ursula is disturbed by the crunch of footsteps on empty gravel paths, while from the nearby forest comes the frenzied chop of an axe when no one is there. But it is only as she unlocks the secrets of the place that Ursula comes to understand the true horror she is facing. For lurking in the trees - watching her, waiting for her - is a malevolent force that wants Las Lagrimas for itself.

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Book SynopsisWithin the Eastern Empire, Duke Kordas Valdemar rules a tiny, bucolic Duchy that focuses mostly on horse breeding. Anticipating the day when the Empire's exploitative and militant leaders would not be content to leave them alone, Korda's father set out to gather magicians in the hopes of one day finding a way to escape and protect the people of the Duchy from tyranny. Kordas has lived his life looking over his shoulder. The signs in the Empire are increasingly dire. Under the direction of the Emperor, mages have begun to harness the power of dark magics, including blood magic, the powers of the Abyssal Planes, and the binding and "milking" of Elemental creatures. But then one of the Duchy's mages has a breakthrough. There is a way to place a Gate at a distance so far from the Empire that it is unlikely the Emperor can find or follow them as they evacuate everyone that is willing to leave. But time is running out, and Kordas has been summoned to the Emperor's Court. Can his reputation as a country bumpkin and his acting skills buy him and his people the time they need to flee? Or will the Emperor lose patience, invade to strip Valdemar of everything of worth, and send its conscripted people into the front lines of the Imperial wars?

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Book SynopsisThe long-awaited founding of Valdemar comes to life in this new series from the New York Times bestselling author and Grand Master of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Baron Valdemar and his people have found a temporary haven, but it cannot hold all of them, or for long. Trouble could follow on their heels at any moment, and there are too many people for Crescent Lake to support. Those who are willing to make a further trek by barge on into the West will follow him into a wilderness depopulated by war and scarred by the terrible magics of a thousand years ago and the Mage Wars. But the wilderness is not as "empty" as it seems. There are potential friends and rapacious foes.... ....and someone is watching them.

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Book SynopsisPrepare a holiday feast with this cookbook inspired by Life Day, the galaxy-wide celebration of family, friendship, and hope. Originating on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk, Life Day has since spread its message of fellowship and love to every corner of the galaxy, making it the perfect holiday to celebrate with a delicious family meal!

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Book SynopsisStar Wars: Luke Skywalker and The Secrets of the Jedi is the ultimate in-universe guide to the world of the Jedi, transporting young readers to a galaxy far, far away through interactive features, fascinating facts, and captivating insights. With thrilling original illustrations and amazing special features including lift-the-flaps, textures, and more, Star Wars: Luke Skywalker and The Secrets of the Jedi is guaranteed to thrill the saga's legions of young fans.

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Book SynopsisH.P. Lovecraft was a pioneer of modern horror fiction, his uncanny tales melding haunting gothic prose with colossal fantasy. This collection brings together 25 of his ''Dream Cycle'' tales which take place in an alternate dimension that is visited through dreams. These include: • Polaris • The Case of Charles Dexter Ward • The Color Out of Space • The Outsider • The Cats of UltharLovecraft has inspired countless horror and science fiction writers, including Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and China Miéville, and his storytelling remains enthralling, vivid and terrifying.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.

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Book SynopsisWith a ruthless sect of humanity intent on wiping out their species, five intrepid heroes must think like their enemies in this epic SF adventure. They thought the Sturm were dead. They were wrong. Centuries after their defeat, the enemy has returned with an overwhelming attack on the fringes of human space. On the brink of annihilation, humankind's only hope is a few brave souls who survived the initial onslaught: Commander Lucinda Hardy, commander of the Royal Armadalen Navy's only surviving warship; Booker3, a soldier of Earth, sentenced to die for treason; Alessia, a young royal forced to flee when her home planet is overrun and her entire family executed; Sephina L'trel, the leader of an outlaw band. And, finally, retired Admiral Frazer McLennan, the infamous hero of the first war with the Sturm, who hopes to rout his old foes once and for all – or die trying. These five flawed, reluctant heroes must band together to prevail against a relentless enemy and near-impossible odds. For if they fail, the future itself is doomed.Trade ReviewGripping... Birmingham alternates between gut punches and laugh-out-loud humor, with some gore and thought-provoking philosophy thrown in for good measure... Plenty of twists, sharp turns, and fateful encounters will keep readers guessing and turning pages. This jarring, engrossing story of a species-wide fight for survival is recommended for all science fiction readers' * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Canters along at a good clip, dashing off insane cannibals, exploding warships, detached heads, and cartwheeling body parts, with occasional transfusions of dark comic relief. Some highlights: McLennan appears stark naked to greet a bunch of pompous bigwigs; in a riotous bar scene, Sephina and crew, Yakuza, and Sturm all blaze away at each other; Booker's dismay at being loaded into a mechanical hedge trimmer... Frenetic action viewed in a black fun-house mirror' * Kirkus *There are few works of sci-fi today that put readers on the edge of their seats as well as giving them food for thought, and Birmingham succeeds at both' * New York Journal of Books *Fantastic... A fast-paced, exciting space adventure that I definitely recommend!' * Fred Weasley Died Laughing (BookTube) *PRAISE FOR JOHN BIRMINGHAM: 'Glorious excitement and meticulous density' Sci-Fi.com, on Axis of Time. 'The action is nonstop, the characters very real – and very different from each other – and, to coin a phrase, it makes you think' -- S.M. Stirling, on Final Impact

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Book SynopsisCenturies after they were defeated and exiled to dark space, The Sturm have returned. The Sturm, an empire of species purists, have returned from the farthest reaches of Dark Space to wage a war against what they call mutants and borgs: any human being with genetic or neural engineering. In a sneak attack on the galaxy-spinning networks, they overwhelmed almost all of humanity's defenses, blasting dark code that transformed anyone connected to the system into a mindless psychotic killer. The Sturm's victory seemed complete, their final triumph inevitable, until one small band of intrepid, unlikely heroes struck back. Commander Lucinda Hardy and Admiral Frazer McLennan used the Armadalen Navy's final surviving warship to fend off the Sturm, destroying the massed power of an entire Attack Fleet. With brilliant tactics, this ragtag crew sent the Sturm running, managing to save Princess Alessia, the sole surviving heir to the gigantic Montanblanc Corporation and perhaps Earth's only remaining senator. Now left with the remains of a fallen civilization, they must work together to rebuild what was lost and root out the numberless enemies of Earth. The Sturm invaders remain vastly more powerful – and they may not be the only threat lurking in the darkness of space...Trade ReviewCanters along at a good clip, dashing off insane cannibals, exploding warships, detached heads, and cartwheeling body parts, with occasional transfusions of dark comic relief. Some highlights: McLennan appears stark naked to greet a bunch of pompous bigwigs; in a riotous bar scene, Sephina and crew, Yakuza, and Sturm all blaze away at each other; Booker's dismay at being loaded into a mechanical hedge trimmer... Frenetic action viewed in a black fun-house mirror' * Kirkus Reviews *There are few works of sci-fi today that put readers on the edge of their seats as well as giving them food for thought, and Birmingham succeeds at both * New York Journal of Books *PRAISE FOR JOHN BIRMINGHAM: 'Birmingham's gripping novel launches readers into a genocidal interstellar war amid sudden violence and dark humor... Birmingham alternates between gut punches and laugh-out-loud humor, with some gore and thought-provoking philosophy thrown in for good measure... Plenty of twists, sharp turns, and fateful encounters will keep readers guessing and turning pages. This jarring, engrossing story of a species-wide fight for survival is recommended for all science fiction readers' Publishers Weekly (starred review), on The Cruel Stars. 'Glorious excitement and meticulous density' Sci-Fi.com, on Axis of Time. 'The action is nonstop, the characters very real – and very different from each other – and, to coin a phrase, it makes you think' -- S.M. Stirling, on Final Impact

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Book SynopsisIf I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novella written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1886.London lawyer John Gabriel Utterson decides to investigate the appearance of the brutish and evil Edward Hyde, which leads him back to his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll.The Legend Classics series:Around the World in Eighty DaysThe Adventures of Huckleberry FinnThe Importance of Being EarnestAlice''s Adventures in WonderlandThe MetamorphosisThe Railway ChildrenThe Hound of the BaskervillesFrankensteinWuthering HeightsThree Men in a BoatThe Time MachineLittle WomenAnne of Green GablesThe Jungle BookThe Yellow Wallpaper and Other StoriesDraculaA Study in ScarletLeaves of GrassThe Secret GardenThe War of the WorldsA Christmas CarolStrange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeHeart of DarknessThe Scarlet LetterThis Side of ParadiseOliver TwistThe Picture of Dorian GrayTreasure IslandThe Turn of the ScrewThe Adventures of Tom SawyerEmmaThe TrialA Selection of Short Stories by Edgar Allan PoeGrimm Fairy TalesThe AwakeningMrs DallowayGulliver's TravelsThe Castle of OtrantoSilas MarnerHard Times

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Book SynopsisIn 2023, the Accelerated Regeneration Compound (ARC) was created: a serum that stimulates regrowth of human tissue – and which quickly drew notice from the United States government. In 2035, 'Project Golem' was created: Five genetically augmented super-soldiers, imbued with ARC…Twenty years later, the world is finally beginning to recover from the effects of the 'Turmoil': a near-apocalyptic collision of terrorist attacks, brushfire wars, economic collapse, industrial accidents, and internal disorder and uprisings across the globe. Here and there, rumors circulate of 'giants in black' who fought against the worst violence – and then suddenly disappeared, hidden or dead.Cut off from the Project, a small group of surviving Golems has spent the past five years in hiding. In that time, they have been seeking out others of their kind, trying to bring them together in a community all their own. They know nothing of their lives before the Project – if those even existed.Now, however, two of them are setting out on a journey to find answers. But the truth of their origins goes far deeper than they could ever believe. And there are some in the covert world they left behind who will kill to keep this truth buried…

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Book SynopsisOnce he was Hero of the Beach...and of the Doom Patrol.

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Book SynopsisZlorn Marjaestk is a small, shy, unassuming Surellian man who wants nothing more than to live his mediocre life in peace and anonymity. But fate has other plans for him, and he was given a mission. The mission was simple: carry a message to another planet, and then come home. What could go wrong?

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Book SynopsisA The Telegraph and Observer Book of the Year. This prose and poetry tour de force of storytelling has the narrative punch of a novel. It is a new departure for the poet, and for poetry itself. It takes the reader into the not-too-distant future: an artificial intelligence rules the world, and a working-class family use their wits to live off the land. William Letford blends prose and his inimitable poetry: sci-fi and hunter-gatherer are merged into a coherent story in the pages of a stonemason's journal. 'You won't see the best of a Macallum until you put something in their fist,' says Letford, introducing the family. 'Joiner, nurse, stonemason, hairdresser, plumber, gardener. Lorna even repairs vintage watches. That's the quantum mechanics of manual labour.' We join the Macallum family as they combine their skills to reconnect with the land in a world where the empowered are hell-bent on creating a new utopia. Joe, the stonemason, records in his journal the struggles and successes of a carnival of characters. They hurl grace and humour at a future that is being shaped by a single, powerful entity. Letford's storytelling is gritty and beautiful. 'A Macallum, it seems to me now, is made to move, to think on the run. The sofas in our houses were sinkholes. The actors on a fifty-two-inch flat screen - shadows on a cave wall.'Trade Review'The pleasure I have gained from William Letford's poems... will, I am confident, stay with me for ever.' - Nicholas Lezard, Guardian; 'William Letford is the future of Scottish poetry.' - Mark Buckland, Cargo Publishing

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Book Synopsis'An entertaining shoot-'em-up, replete with epic starship battles, court intrigue and Machiavellian betrayals' Guardian It has been eight centuries since the beacon system failed, sundering the heavens. Rising from the ashes of the collapse, cultures have fought, system-by-system, for control of the few remaining beacons. The Republic of Chaonia is one such polity. Surrounded by the Yele League and the vast Phene Empire, they have had to fight for their existence. After decades of conflict, Queen-Marshal Eirene has brought the Yele to heel. Now it is time to deal with the Empire. Princess Sun, daughter and heir, has come of age. In her first command, she drove a Phene garrison from the beacons of Na Iri – an impressive feat. But growing up in the shadow of her mother – a ruler both revered and feared – has been no easy task. While Sun may imagine that her victorious command will bring further opportunity to prove herself, it will in fact place her on the wrong side of court politics. There are those who would like to see Sun removed as heir, or better yet, dead. To survive, the princess must rely on her wits and companions: her biggest rival, her secret lover, and a dangerous prisoner of war.Trade ReviewA maelstrom of palace intrigue, interstellar back-stabbing, devious plots, treachery, blistering action, ferocious confrontations – and a heroine for the ages... Enthralling, edge-of-your-seat stuff hurtling along at warp speed. Grab!' * Kirkus Reviews *Elliott launches a space opera trilogy with this impeccable coming-of-age adventure... Rich with history, tongue-in-cheek humor, cultural references, and vibrant characters, this highly entertaining series launch will have readers clamoring for more' * Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW *A sweeping saga of a fierce and indomitable conqueror and her companions, this is breathtaking and mindblowingly good -- Aliette de Bodard, Nebula Award-winning author of The Tea Master and the DetectiveNon-stop action! Space battles! Intrigue! This is the kind of space opera that I love best – but Elliott does it even better -- Ann Leckie, Clarke, Nebula, & Hugo-award winning author of Ancillary JusticeA complex political thriller and an action-packed coming of age story, wrapped up in a grand, sweeping space opera... This is a story that manages to be both brilliantly character-driven and breathlessly exciting... If ambitious, expansive, detailed space opera is your thing, and you like a novel with masses of brilliant female characters that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, Unconquerable Sun comes highly recommended' * Grimdark Magazine *This entertaining shoot-'em-up, replete with epic starship battles, court intrigue and Machiavellian betrayals, is book one of the Sun Chronicles * Guardian *The far-future culture depicted here is a nice fusion of East Asian and Hellenistic influences, with polyamory and pansexuality normalised, and women to the fore... A vigorous narrative pace and some vivid action scenes' * Financial Times *If you like Space Opera, then this is a book which not only ticks all the boxes but makes for a very enjoyable read. There is intrigue, there are space battles, there are rivals who might be allies, and friends who may betray you ...[An] exciting read. The worldbuilding is excellent and there is a fast-paced and engrossing plot * Birmingham SF Group *

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Book SynopsisThe second book in The Sun Chronicles trilogy, a galactic-scale, gender-swapped space opera series inspired by the life of Alexander the Great. Shrewd, brutal, relentless and patient, Queen-Marshal Eirene has led the Republic of Chaonia from the brink of annihilation to the edge of victory. One by one, her enemies have fallen in defeat, and now she is ready to push her battle-hardened fleets into territories long controlled by the mighty Phene Empire. But her victories are not without cost. The Republic has endured decades of conflict, with factions simmering beneath the surface, waiting for their chance to boil. The Phene know this. While they might not be able to defeat the Queen-Marshal in open battle, there are other ways to strike back. And on the eve of Eirene’s attack on the rich and populous Karnos System, they will. In the aftermath, Eirene’s daughter, Princess Sun, will face her greatest challenge yet. Can she escape her mother’s shadow and forge her own legend, despite all that’s arrayed against her? Reviews for the Sun Chronicles: 'Epic starship battles, court intrigue and Machiavellian betrayals' Guardian 'Enthralling, edge-of-your-seat stuff hurtling along at warp speed' Kirkus 'Not only is this action-packed with fascinating women characters, there is very inventive world-building and twisty turny political scheming' Book Riot 'Non-stop action! Space battles! Intrigue! This is the kind of space opera that I love best – but Elliott does it even better' Ann Leckie 'Breathtaking and mindblowingly good' Aliette de BodardTrade ReviewPicks up where volume one left off, offering more devious manoeuvring and spaceship battles * SFX *An absorbing story set in an intricate universe written with the consummate skills Elliott has honed through her career * ParSec Magazine *PRAISE FOR UNCONQUERABLE SUN: 'A maelstrom of palace intrigue, interstellar back-stabbing, devious plots, treachery, blistering action, ferocious confrontations – and a heroine for the ages... Enthralling, edge-of-your-seat stuff hurtling along at warp speed. Grab!' Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW. 'Elliott launches a space opera trilogy with this impeccable coming-of-age adventure... Rich with history, tongue-in-cheek humor, cultural references, and vibrant characters, this highly entertaining series launch will have readers clamoring for more' Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW. 'A sweeping saga of a fierce and indomitable conqueror and her companions, this is breathtaking and mindblowingly good' Aliette de Bodard, Nebula Award-winning author of The Tea Master and the Detective. 'Non-stop action! Space battles! Intrigue! This is the kind of space opera that I love best – but Elliott does it even better' -- Ann Leckie, Clarke, Nebula & Hugo Award-winning author of Ancillary Justice

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Book Synopsis'In A Song for a New Day, liberty and creative endeavour are compromised by political and socioeconomic reality. Pinsker presents a frighteningly real near-future US [and] movingly charts Rosemary's coming-of-age story as her world and Luce's collide' Guardian BEFORE Luce is on the road. Success is finally within grasp: her songs are getting airtime; the venues she's playing are getting larger. But mass shootings, bombings and now a strange contagion are closing America down around her... AFTER Rosemary is too young to remember the Before. She's grown up in a world where proximity to others is not only unusual, it is also illegal. Life as she knows it is entirely online, virtual. But now she's on the road, in the real world, searching for something that, until a few weeks ago, she never knew existed.Trade ReviewSarah Pinsker has written a wonderful epic about music, community, and rediscovering the things that make us human -- Charlie Jane Anders, author of All the Birds in the SkyThe combination of technothriller, rock-and-roll novel, and rebellion in a dystopian world make for a riveting, sweet, funny, angry, gorgeous read -- Cory Doctorow, author of WalkawayA compelling book about the importance of music – and any sort of art – in a world where it seems like the least essential thing. This is an expertly drawn post-catastrophe world peopled by compassionately written characters -- Ann Leckie, author of Ancillary MercyAn all-too plausible version of the apocalypse, rendered in such compelling prose that you won't be able to put it down... A lively and hopeful look at how community and music and life goes on even in the middle of dark days and malevolent corporate shenanigans' -- Kelly Link, author of Get it TroubleWoven through Pinsker's meticulously crafted future of technology-enabled isolation and corporate-consumerist powerlessness is a stirring anthem against the politics of fear. A dazzling tale told in multiple voices, with not a single note out of place. This is the lyrical protest song that we have always needed, perhaps more so now than ever -- Ken Liu, author of Grace of KingsCements Pinsker's status as a rising star in the world of speculative fiction... A gorgeous novel that celebrates what can happen when one person raises her voice' * Kirkus Reviews *This excellent debut novel by Nebula winner Pinsker establishes her as an astonishingly impressive writer of day-after-tomorrow SF... This tale of hope and passion is a remarkable achievement' * Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW* *In A Song for a New Day, liberty and creative endeavour are compromised by political and socioeconomic reality. Pinsker presents a frighteningly real near-future US... Pinsker movingly charts Rosemary's coming-of-age story as her world and Luce's collide' * Guardian *

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