Science fiction: space opera

Book SynopsisDiscover hundreds of stormtrooper helmet designs with a deluxe art book, and customize your own unique helmet with this collector's set! In 2014, creatives from Lucasfilm, Disney, Industrial Light & Magic, Pixar, and Marvel Studios joined forces for an incredible artistic endeavor, the Star Wars Legion project. The task was simple-decorate, adorn, or transform a blank, vinyl stormtrooper helmet-but the result was extraordinary, with artists creating more than 200 radically unique helmets that were put on display at the Robert Vargas Gallery in 2014. Now, you can experience the Star Wars Legion project through a deluxe art book showcasing incredible helmet designs, and a customizable stormtrooper helmet.

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Book SynopsisHearts will race and anti-grav boots will fly in this scifi rom-com perfect for fans of WINTER''S ORBIT and THE RED SCHOLAR''S WAKE.Ruth Johnson and her sister Jules have been small-time hustlers on the interstellar cruise lines for years. But then Jules fell in love with one of their targets, Esteban Mendez-Yuki, sole heir to the family insurance fortune. Esteban seemed to love her too, until she told him who she really was, at which point he fled without a word. Now Ruth is set on revenge: disguised as provincial debutante Evelyn Ojukwu and set for the swanky satellite New Monte, she’s going to make Esteban fall in love with her, then break his heart and take half his fortune. At least, that''s the plan. But Ruth hadn''t accounted for his older sister, Sol, a brilliant mind in a dashing suit... and much harder to fool. Sol is hot on Ruth''s tail, and as the two women learn each other’s tricks, Ruth must decide between going after the money a

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024''This complex, engaging novel takes an unusual approach to the classic trope of aliens in our midst, with a warmth and intelligence reminiscent of Ursula K Le Guin''GUARDIANThe world is changing, and humanity must change with it. Rising seas and soaring temperatures have radically transformed the face of Earth. Meanwhile, Earth is being observed from afar by other civilizations . . . and now they are ready to make contact.Vying to prepare humanity for first contact are a group of dreamers and changemakers, including Peter Hendrix, the genius inventor behind the most advanced VR tech; Charyssa, a beloved celebrity icon with a passion for humanitarian work; and Kanoa, a member of a global council of young people drafted to reimagine the relationship between humankind and alien societies.And they may have an unexpected secret weapon: Owen, a pop megastar whose abili

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Book SynopsisIn Titan King, Volume 2, Eli Santos and his allies race to find the Flame Princess in order to heal their friend Calder and finally begin the Titan King Tournament!

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Book SynopsisHaving escaped the dangers of the Nameless with the Philosopher Stone data, Sean thought his troubles were over. Until he gets a call for help from his sister Brigid--his long-dead sister. Brigid is sparse on the details, but she needs Sean to go to the Republican city of Illin to retrieve something called a Purifier for her. Reeling from the desperate hope that his sister is alive, Sean aims for Illin, dragging his new companions, Tamara Gupta formerly a Republican soldier, and Indigo, the Minister responsible for the destruction of Sean's home, into the fray. But as usual, Sean hasn't quite thought this through. The three of them are all wanted by Republican authorities, and Illin happens to be on the same planet as Sean's old friend Senator Ketel. Y'know, the one who blackmailed and nearly murdered Sean. With every move Sean makes he discovers more intrigue, more people on his tail, and more ways that his little adventure could be the spark for war between the Republic and the Ministers. And to what end? Is it really his sister, a chance for family, and safety, on the other side?

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Book SynopsisIn the year 2255, of all the sentient beings in her universe, it was a woman named Salma, twenty years old, who was the first fully to see the object called Planet Nine. See with her own eyes, albeit moderated by her ship''s instruments. If not to recognise what it was, not yet.Not that the object turned out to be a planet, or the ''ninth'' of anything. Briefly thought to be a black hole, it suddenly changes, expands and sends a message. There is something waiting on its service. Something not quite human.As the ramifications of this event spread across the fracturing elements of humanity, it is clear that the small crew on the spot are at the centre of the most dramatic discovery in history. But theirs is not the only inexplicable event happening - impossibly, at exactly the same moment, a quasar appeared twenty-five thousand light years away, and now is heating up the solar system.If the enigma of the creation node is not solved quickly, there may be no one

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Book SynopsisRevenant-X is the terrifying second novel in a new trilogy of survival and exploration in deep space, from Clarke Award-nominated author David Wellington. FEAR THE DARK.The crew of the Artemis - led by Firewatch agent Alexandra Petrova - have survived the furious onslaught of the Basilisk and broken through the space blockade around Paradise-1. Now they can pursue their original mission and investigate why Earth''s first deep space colony has fallen silent. The answer seems obvious: the site is deserted.Or so they think. Some of the colonists remain. They''re no longer human. Petrova and her crew now face a desperate struggle to survive as they attempt to uncover the mystery of what has befallen the colony. If they fail, the darkness that has fallen over Paradise-1 will consume them.

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Book SynopsisIn this funny and sweet new book in the bestselling Darth Vader™ series, Eisner Award–winning author Jeffrey Brown offers an intimate look at the friendships between best pals in the Star Wars universe, from Darth Vader and the Emperor to Leia and her Ewok pals, Han and Chewie, C-3PO and R2-D2, the bounty hunters, and other favorite characters. Jealousy, birthday parties, lightsaber battles, sharing, intergalactic rebellion and more all come into play as Brown''s charming illustrations and humor irresistibly combine the adventures of our friends in a galaxy far, far away with everyday events closer to home.© and TM Lucasfilm Ltd. Used Under AuthorizationTrade Review"I really cannot recommend Darth Vader and Friends enough." -Making Star Wars

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Book SynopsisShadow of the Scorpion is a standalone prequel to Neal Asher’s explosive Agent Cormac series.Some secrets are too hard to bear . . . Following the human vs prador war, Ian Cormac signs up with Earth Central Security. He’s sent out to restore order on worlds devastated by alien bombardment. But he learns humanity can be far more dangerous – even those closest to him. Amidst the tragic ruins left by wartime atrocities, Cormac discovers in himself the cold capacity for violence. It’s a quality that’ll make him one of Earth’s top agents. Haunted by childhood memories of a sinister scorpion-shaped war drone, and the burden of losses he doesn’t remember, he’ll discover some hard truths. These will set him on a course of vengeance, where he’ll have to use all his hard-won skills just to stay alive.Trade ReviewThe Shadow of the Scorpion skillfully combines graphic action and sensitive characterisation and is Asher's most accomplished novel to date * Guardian *A powerhouse cocktail of lurid violence, evocative world-building and typically grotesque monsters, but it’s amazing how much emotion he’s also layered into what could have been a simplistic SF potboiler. Asking difficult questions while still delivering plenty of full-tilt adventure and widescreen action, this is top-notch stuff from an author well and truly at the top of his game * SFX *Ian Cormac is, it seems, here to stay in the collective consciousness of sci-fi literature… Thoroughly enjoyable stuff * SciFiNow *Full of giant explosions on alien worlds. It's also a well-plotted exploration of the way violence destroys everything, even memory * Io9 *The novel manages to raise some interesting points about what it means to be human in a society where the lines between man and machine have blurred: robots are capable of emulating emotions and humans may be technologically augmented and live indefinitely. When it is possible to have traumatic memories erased from the human brain, the novel questions the wisdom of doing so and suggests that memories and pain shape our psyche * The Book Bag *

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Book SynopsisHow would you survive on a planet that doesn''t spin?An awe-inspiring Planetary Romance from Terry Pratchett''s co-author on the Long Earth BooksThe very far future: The Galaxy is a drifting wreck of black holes, neutron stars, chill white dwarfs. The age of star formation is long past. Yet there is life here, feeding off the energies of the stellar remnants, and there is mind, a tremendous Galaxy-spanning intelligence each of whose thoughts lasts a hundred thousand years. And this mind cradles memories of a long-gone age when a more compact universe was full of light ...The 27th century: Proxima Centauri, an undistinguished red dwarf star, is the nearest star to our sun - and (in this fiction), the nearest to host a world, Proxima IV, habitable by humans. But Proxima IV is unlike Earth in many ways. Huddling close to the warmth, orbiting in weeks, it keeps one face to its parent star at all times. The ''substellar point'', wit

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Book SynopsisThe bravest soldiers. The toughest warriors. The ultimate survivors.Among the stars and across the vast expanses of space, the Galactic Civil War rages. On the battlefields of multiple worlds in the Mid Rim, legions of ruthless stormtroopers—bent on crushing resistance to the Empire wherever it arises—are waging close and brutal combat against an armada of freedom fighters. In the streets and alleys of ravaged cities, the front-line forces of the Rebel Alliance are taking the fight to the enemy, pushing deeper into Imperial territory and grappling with the savage flesh-and-blood realities of war on the ground.Leading the charge are the soldiers—men and women, human and nonhuman—of the Sixty-First Mobile Infantry, better known as Twilight Company. Hard-bitten, war-weary, and ferociously loyal to one another, the members of this renegade outfit doggedly survive where others perish, and defiance is their most powerful weapon against the deadliest odds. When orders come down for the rebels to fall back in the face of superior opposition numbers and firepower, Twilight reluctantly complies. Then an unlikely ally radically changes the strategic equation—and gives the Alliance’s hardest-fighting warriors a crucial chance to turn retreat into resurgence.Orders or not, alone and outgunned but unbowed, Twilight Company locks, loads, and prepares to make its boldest maneuver—trading down-and-dirty battle in the trenches for a game-changing strike at the ultimate target: the very heart of the Empire’s military machine.Trade ReviewImmensely enjoyable * Buzzfeed *As a new entry into the setting, it serves as a vibrant look into the lore backed with a solid story, showing the best and worst of both sides in this war * Starburst Magazine *It’s a real throwback to the 20,000 AD books of old, and seeing this style transplanted into the Star Wars universe is a real treat. In short, Twilight Companyis far better than what is essentially a piece of videogame tie-in merchandise has any right to be * SciFi Now *‘a compelling and realistic story…it is a character-driven story with each character having multiple layers that are slowly peeled away as the story progresses from battle to battle…Battlefront: Twilight Companyhas a truth of realism and purpose for its characters not seen often enough in the Star Wars galaxy.’ 4.5 stars * Star Wars Books & Comics *

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Book SynopsisA mysterious terrorist organization has carried out several attacks against the Federation and Klingon Empire. Tensions are running high in a region already crippled by conflict. The perpetrators are tracked to the Lembatta Cluster, a mysterious region of space whose inhabitants, the Renao, regard the Alpha Quadrant’s powers as little more than conquering tyrants. The Federation are desperate to prevent more bloodshed, and have sent their most powerful warship, the U.S.S. Prometheus, into the Cluster to investigate the threat before all-consuming war breaks out.

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Book SynopsisIt is a hundred millennia after Iron Gods. The Spin is nearing the end of its life. Its inhabitants are divided between those who live unknowingly in the relative paradise of one of hundreds of Virtual Realities vrealities and those who scrape a living in what remains of the real world.The massive servers needed to maintain the vrealities are draining the resources of the Spin. And an escalating, desperate and seemingly futile war has begun between those who tend the servers and those who believe they should be shut down, killing millions. But one amongst these unwitting combatants will discover the real nature of the vrealities and his role in their fate.From a remote star system, a being has been observing the Spin for several lifetimes. He is Skarbo the Horologist and he is about to die for the very last time. He has come to accept that he will never visit the object of his studies but is coerced into making one last journey. His final destinatio

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Book SynopsisAlphabet Squadron's hunt for the deadliest TIE fighters in the galaxy continues in this Star Wars adventure! News of the New Republic's victory still reverberates through the galaxy. In its wake, the capital ships of the newly legitimized galactic government journey to the farthest stars, seeking out and crushing the remnants of imperial tyranny. But some old ghosts are harder to banish than others. And none are more dangerous than Shadow Wing.Yrica Quell's ragtag Alphabet Squadron still leads the search for Shadow Wing, but they're no closer to their goal-and the pressure to find their quarry before it's too late has begun to shake them apart. Determined to finish the fight once and for all, Quell works with New Republic Intelligence's contentious Caern Adan and the legendary General Hera Syndulla to prepare the riskiest gambit of her starfighting career-a trap for Shadow Wing that could finish the chase once and for all. But in the darkness, their enemy has evolved. Soran Keize, last of the Imperial aces, has stepped into the power vacuum at the head of Shadow Wing, reinvigorating the faltering unit in their hour of need. Once adrift in the aftershocks of the war, Keize has found meaning again, leading the lost soldiers of his unit through to safety. The only thing standing in his way? The most mismatched squadron in the New Republic Navy, led by his former mentee: the traitor Yrica Quell.

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Book SynopsisKhemri learns the minute he becomes a Prince that princes need to be hard to kill-for they are always in danger. Their greatest threat? Other Princes. Every Prince wants to become Emperor and the surest way to do so is to kill, dishonor, or sideline any potential competitor. There are rules, but as Khemri discovers, rules can be bent and even broken.There are also mysteries. Khemri is drawn into the hidden workings of the Empire and is dispatched on a secret mission. In the ruins of space battle, he meets a young woman, called Raine, who challenges his view of the Empire, of Princes, and of himself. But Khemri is a Prince, and even if he wanted to leave the Empire behind, there are forces there that have very definite plans for his future.''Space battles! Political intrigue! Engineered warriors! Techno-wizardry! Assassins! Pirates! Rebels! Duels! Secrets, lies, sex and True Love! What more can anybody ask for?'' (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))''Nix''s fantaTrade ReviewEnough gadgets, escapes, battles, duels, deaths and near-death experiences to keep die-hard adventure story readers enthralled * Horn Book *Nix once again proves his mastery of speculative fiction * School Library Journal *Garth Nix's A Confusion of Princes is YA Foundation meets Dune * Tor.com *Exuberant and insightful. The rocket-powered pace and epic world-building provide an ideal vehicle for what is, at heart, a sweet paean to what it means to be human -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred ReviewSpace battles! Political intrigue! Engineered warriors! Techno-wizardry! Assassins! Pirates! Rebels! Duels! Secrets, lies, sex and True Love! What more can anybody ask for? -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Enough gadgets, escapes, battles, duels, deaths, and near-death experiences to keep die-hard adventure story readers enthralled. Happily, Khemri is also a thoughtful, winsome, and somewhat complex character, and his cheerfully self-deprecating tone and unpredictable choices make this romp entertaining on multiple levels -- Horn Book (starred review)Nix once again proves his mastery of speculative fiction [as] he manages to tell a tale that is grand in scope with vivid characters and imaginative technology -- School Library Journal (starred review)[An] exciting space opera * Publishers Weekly *Garth Nix's A CONFUSION OF PRINCES is YA FOUNDATION meets DUNE -- Tor.comKhemri's first person point of view, along with a fast-paced, action- and plot-driven story, is sure to appeal to fans of the Star Wars universe and any number of first-person shooter video games -- ALA Booklist

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Book SynopsisThe Spin an ancient artificial cluster of eighty-eight planets and twenty-one suns is in decline.For millennia, the people of Three Quarter Circle Harbour have watched the stars from their world, hidden in a forgotten corner of the Spin. Now something in the sky has changed and it will set them on a course to war and destruction.Seldyan is one of the band of renegades that has broken out of the vast slave colony of the Hive. Hijacking one of the last of the Spin's great legacy warships, they wake its long-dormant intelligence and set a course that promises freedom.But as the ancient ships memory returns, with it comes a terrifying knowledge a dire warning about the future that has been concealed for ten thousand years . . .Trade ReviewBannister has the knack of making the extraordinary seem normal and the normal seem extraordinary. It all comes together in dazzling, pin-sharp storytelling, where humour. acute social commentary and some terrific aliens jostle together. -- Jamie Buxton * DAILY MAIL *Wonderful . . . a worthy successor to the potential realised in Creation Machine. There’s some really big ideas here. I suspect I am only just comprehending the true ambition of these books. I really like this series. -- Mark Yon * SFFWORLD *Ancient, brooding technologies...Renegade slaves in a stolen starships...In Bannister’s hands space opera lives on, gaudy and brutal and glorious. The Spin Doctor is back. -- STEPHEN BAXTERWith Bannister's debut novel, Creation Machine, we seemed to have struck a nugget of SF gold. With Iron Gods our luck continues and it seems that with this new author we may well have found a vein of the stuff. * CONCATENATION *

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Book SynopsisThe time has come to take the fight to the Lankies. Mars has been under Lanky control for more than a year. Since then, the depleted forces of Earth’s alliances have rebuilt their fleets, staffing old warships with freshly trained troops. Torn between the need to beat the Lankies to the punch and taking enough time to put together an effective fighting force, command has decided to strike now. Once again, seasoned veterans Andrew and Halley find themselves in charge of green troops and at the sharp tip of the spear as the combined military might of Earth goes up against the Lankies. But if there’s one constant in war, it’s that no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy…and the Lankies want to hold on to Mars as badly as humanity wants to reclaim it.

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Book SynopsisChristopher Paolini. Firstborn of Kenneth and Talita. Creator of the World of Eragon and the Fractalverse. Holder of the Guinness World Record for youngest author of a bestselling series. Qualified marksman in the Australian army. Scottish laird. Dodged gunfire . . . more than once. As a child, was chased by a moose in Alaska. Has his name inscribed on Mars. Husband. Father. Asker of questions and teller of stories.Trade ReviewPaolini makes the experiences of his well-shaded explorers vivid and gripping through smart worldbuilding and believable stakes. James S.A. Corey fans will be especially riveted -- Publishers Weekly on Fractal NoiseA powerful piece of SF, with intelligent writing and big ideas -- Adrian Tchaikovsky on To Sleep in a Sea of StarsPaolini’s impressive imagination has produced an action-packed SF adventure that zings along at hyperluminal speed, with Kira as one of the most memorable characters of the genre -- Peter F. Hamilton on To Sleep in a Sea of StarsRollicking pace, rapidly developing stakes . . . A fun, fast-paced epic that science fiction fans will gobble up -- Kirkus Reviews on To Sleep in a Sea of Stars

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Book SynopsisLearn about the Star Wars underworld in this thrilling, fully illustrated children's book detailing the galaxy's most infamous bounty hunters, from Boba Fett to Cad Bane! Join wily pirate Hondo Ohnaka to learn about the galaxy's shadowy underworld in Star Wars: The Secrets of the Bounty Hunters. Young fans will uncover fascinating stories about the most infamous denizens of scum and villainy, all accompanied by incredible artwork and interactive features, such as pop-ups, booklets, and lift-the-flap inserts.

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Book SynopsisFrom the award-winning author comes a gripping, fast-paced and fascinating science fiction adventure. Vividly imagined and sharply written, fans of Ann Leckie and Becky Chambers will be engrossed. When Nicola Mafalda's scout ship comes under attack, she's left deeply traumatised by the drastic action it takes to keep her alive. Months later, when an old flame comes to her for help, she realises she has to find a way to forgive both the ship and her former lover. Reckless elements are attempting to reactivate a giant machine that has lain dormant for thousands of years. To stop them, Nicola and her crew will have to put aside their differences, sneak aboard a vast alien megaship, and try to stay alive long enough to prevent galactic devastation.Trade ReviewPraise for Descendant Machine: “Descendant Machineis smoothly paced, engagingly crafted, and crammed full of a sense of wonder at the sheer scale of the universe. Whatever Powell has planned next, on this evidence, it’ll be well worth paying attention.”- SFX "A fast-paced and incisive story from one of the best British SF writers"-Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Shards of Earth "Descendent Machine has all the huge concepts that define great space operas tightly packed into a thrilling page-turner of a novel. The sheer breadth of ideas Powell manages to fit into the story is made all the more impressive by the deft pacing and focused characters. I devoured this book in a couple of days and had great fun doing it." -Nicholas Binge, author of Ascension "Gareth Powell rocks again!Descendant Machineis big concept made accessible by a masterful writer. Fun, weird, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining! Grab this now!"Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author ofKagen The Damned andV-Wars "Hits the ground running and doesn't stop until its universe-shaking final confrontation. Once again, Gareth Powell is writing at the top of his very considerable game. More like this, please."Dave Hutchinson, author of Cold Water Praise for Stars and Bones: "A novel with heart and ambition" SFX "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'sgifts 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 "Powell balances plot, action, and character development perfectly. This promising start will especially appeal to James S.A. Corey fans." Publishers Weekly, starred review "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'sStars and Bonesis shocking and beautiful-an electric, epic, and sometimes gruesome look at humanity facing its biggest challenge yet. Powellkeeps the pressure on and doesn't let go. I enjoyed it immensely.” Karen Osborne, author ofArchitects 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 SynopsisGloriously witty, keen and spirited J.J. Abrams, Director of Star Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerThe odds of me ever writing a book were approximately... Oh, never mind. My golden companion worries about such things - I don''t. I have indeed now written a book - telling my story, in my voice, not his - recognising that our voices and our stories are inextricably intertwined. When Star Wars burst on to the big screen in 1977, an unfailingly polite golden droid called C-3PO captured imaginations around the globe. But C-3PO wasn''t an amazing display of animatronics with a unique and unforgettable voiceover. Inside the metal costume was an actor named Anthony Daniels.In this deeply personal memoir, Anthony Daniels recounts his experiences of the epic cinematic adventure that has influenced pop culture for more than 40 years. For the very first time, he candidly describes his most intimate memories as the only actor to appear in every Star

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Book SynopsisAn epic space opera trilogy featuring the gunrunner empress Hail Bristol, who must navigate alien politics and deadly plots to prevent an interspecies war.The battle for the throne is over. The war for the galaxy is just beginning. Hail Bristol, infamous galactic gunrunner and former runaway princess, never expected to inherit the throne of Indrana. But after avenging the murder of her family and cleansing the Empire of usurpers in a bloody civil war, the former outlaw must fulfill her duties to her people. Hail retires her gun and throws herself into the rebuilding of her Empire. Her hard-won peace is short-lived. When Indrana''s closest ally asks Hail to intervene in an interstellar military crisis, she embarks on the highest stakes diplomatic mission the Empire has ever faced. Caught between two alien civilizations at each other''s throats, she must uncover each side''s true intentions before all of humanity becomes collateral damage in a full-blownTrade ReviewFollows in the tradition of Ann Leckie's Ancillary series to produce a fast-paced story of political intrigue and gender issues held together by a tight plot and a cast of sympathetic characters. Behind the Throne is thought-provoking entertainment and great funTaut suspense, strong characterisation and dark, rapid-fire humour are the highlights of this excellent SF adventure debutThis debut ranks among the best political SF novels in yearsBehind the Throne is a politically charged and action-packed story, with a commanding woman at its centre. It's a wonderful start to a promising new sci-fi seriesWagers's exciting second Indranan War space epic keeps roaring, with plenty of action, tension, and constant interplay among the characters

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Book SynopsisIn a world where single combat determines the fate of nations, the Grievar fight in the Circles so that the rest can remain at peace. But given the stakes, things are never so simple. The Daimyo govern from the shadows and plot to gain an edge by unnaturally enhancing their Grievar Knights.Cego and his team enter year two at the world''s most prestigious combat school, the Lyceum. Though he''d like to focus on his martial studies, Cego feels the pull of his mysterious past and two missing brothers.Solara Halberd, daughter of the fighting legend, embarks on her own quest to bury the past. She must utilize every lesson her father taught her to explore unknown lands where evil lurks in the shadows. ''That rare book that fully satisfies me as an action fan'' Fonda Lee, author of Jade City, on The Combat Codes ''Darwin writes violence with the rhythm and surprise of a well-executed sonnet, wedding the smooth grace of choreography with the unflinching brutality of fists breaking bone. The fights are mesmerizing, layered like fascia, twitching and flexing and propelling the story toward a conclusion that both satisfies and opens the door to the next volume'' The New York Times on The Combat Codes''The Combat Codes is a great read for any fan of realistic martial arts fiction. The integration of a compelling sci-fi / fantasy plot and true-to-life martial arts action make for a unique story that any student of warfare is sure to enjoy'' Ryan Hall, UFC Fighter''The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin is a chimera blending Science Fiction and Fantasy to tell a vividly-realized tale both focused and sprawling. It''s a book about warriors written by a master of the martial arts, and the mastery shows. In its pages, expect to explore power, politics, and brutal violence, but I repeat myself'' Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

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Book Synopsis'The span here is mind-boggling, cosmos-spanning concepts, a breathtaking journey' GOOD BOOK GUIDE

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

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

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

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Book Synopsis''Aliens, adventure, mystery, and big ideas in a thoroughly fresh package'' Andy Weir, author of The MartianSarya is the galaxy''s worst nightmare: a Human.But most days, she doesn''t feel like the most terrifying creature in the galaxy. No, most days, she''s got other things on her mind. Like hiding her identity among the hundreds of alien species roaming the corridors of Watertower Station. Or making sure her adoptive mother doesn''t casually eviscerate one of their neighbors. Again.And most days, she can almost accept that she''ll never know the truth about why humanity was deemed too dangerous to exist, or whether she really is - impossibly - the lone survivors of a species destroyed a millennium ago. That is, until an encounter with a bounty hunter leaves her life and her perspective shattered.Thrown into the universe at the helm of a stolen ship, Sarya begins to uncover an impossible truth. Humanity''s death and her oTrade ReviewAliens, adventure, mystery, and big ideas in a thoroughly fresh package * Andy Weir, author of The Martian *The Last Human plays out like a kill squad of Bene Gesserit on a spree in Peter Hamilton's Confederation, using a Hitchhiker's Guide to navigate . . . easily the most fun read I've had all year! * Clint McElroy, co-author of The Adventure Zone series *The Last Human delivers characters who spring from the page with empathy, danger, cryptic motives and chills, all of it amid plenty of action and mystery, in a galaxy of wondrous possibilities * David Brin, author of The Postman *The Last Human is a very funny novel, full of compelling ideas, engaging dialogue and fascinating species and technology, and we hope to see more of the galaxy Jordan has created * SciFiNow *Full of witty dialogue and wild alien characters . . . A spirited sci-fi romp full of fun ideas and imaginative worldbuilding * SFX *A highly accomplished postmodern space opera . . . Unique and thrilling * Locus *

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Book SynopsisNeal Asher is on top form in Cowl, his fast-paced space opera.Cowl was a human.Now he's the nightmare you never imagined . . .In the far-future, the Heliothane Dominion triumphed after a bitter war. But some enemies escaped into the past, to wreak havoc across time. The worst is Cowl – originally human, until artificially-forced evolution made him something else entirely.Polly is unprepared for her involvement with Nandru Jurgens. He’s a Taskforce soldier, now hunted by killers. Nor can Polly resist the alien 'tor' she’s compelled to attach to her arm. But when she’s dragged through time, she learns fast. Tack has a tor fragment embedded in his wrist – a bloody reminder of Heliothane’s government. As their vat-grown assassin, he’s no stranger to violence. But the extent of this mission is different.Meanwhile, a beast hunts its targets through time’s alternate dimensions. This is Cowl's pet tor – and it’s eager to feed.Trade ReviewIn Cowl Neal Asher seems to be doing to the time-travel adventure what he has been doing to space opera and planetary romance: to pump it full of performance-enhancing substances and send it crashing through a gigantically expanded version of its traditional milieu, exploding the big sets and sending body parts flying in all directions. * Locus *Neal Asher's books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain -- John Scalzi on The SoldierThe Soldier provides everything we demand from Asher: a beautifully complex universe where AIs, aliens and post-humans scheme and struggle – magnificently awesome. Then Asher turns it up to eleven -- Peter F. Hamilton on The SoldierThe whole impressive, ingenious enterprise hurtles along at a high-octane clip while swinging with nonchalant abandon between horror and comedy: call it black slapstick. In sum: a blast * Kirkus on The Skinner *His easy style and intriguing plot make for a great story that treats the reader as an adult rather than an educationally subnormal adolescent * The Times on The Skinner *

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Book SynopsisWeaponized is a thrilling far-future adventure by acclaimed science fiction author Neal Asher.A bright new future for humanity – or a dark and inescapable past.Ursula has lived twice the normal human lifespan, courtesy of the latest technology. But now she’s struggling to find excitement and purpose, so signs up to the Polity’s military. She excels in weapons development, and progresses rapidly up the ranks. But after botching a powerful new ammunition test, she’s dismissed from service.Hunting for a simpler, more meaningful existence, the ex-soldier heads for the stars. And after founding a colony on the hostile planet of Threpsis, Ursula finally feels alive. Then deadly raptors attack and the colonists are forced to adapt in unprecedented ways. The raptors also raise a deeply troubling question: how could the Polity miss these apex predators? And alien ruins? Meanwhile, biophysicist Oren has formed his own survival plan – one he’ll pursue at any cost.As a desperate battle erupts to consume the planet, Ursula finds she must dig deep into her past to ensure humanity’s future.Trade ReviewGleeful but superbly controlled action-adventure -- The TimesNeal Asher’s books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain -- John ScalziMagnificently awesome. Then Asher turns it up to eleven -- Peter F. Hamilton on The SoldierA richly imagined, exotic world, non-stop action and unimaginable stakes -- Yoon Ha Lee on The Soldier

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Book SynopsisTim-21, Telsa and Quon finally escape the Machine Moon and head out on a quest to find the ancient robot who may hold the key to the Harvesters. Meanwhile Andy and his rag-tag team close in on Tim, but their fragile alliance is shattered by Driller's revealtions. A new chapter of the heartfelt Sci Fi epic begins here by superstar creators JEFF LEMIRE and DUSTIN NGUYEN Collects issues 17 through 21.

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Book SynopsisFrom visionary author C. T. Rwizi comes the epic journey of four people on a distant planet who face the ultimate test of loyalty, friendship, and duty in the rising tide of war. A corporate aristocracy descended from Africa rules a colony on a distant planet. Life here is easy—for the rarified and privileged few. The aristocrats enjoy a powerful cybernetic technology that extends their life spans and ensures their prosperity. Those who serve them suffer under a heavy hand. But within this ruthless society are agents of hope and change. In a secret underwater laboratory, a separatist cult has created a threat to the aristocracy. The Primes are highly intelligent, manipulative products of genetic engineering, designed to lead a rebellion. Enabling their mission are the Proxies, the Primes’ bodyguards and lifelong companions bound to their service. When the cult’s hideout is attacked, Proxies Nandipa and Hondo rush to the rescue. As they emerge with their Primes onto the surface, however, everything they’d been led to believe about their world is shattered. Nandipa and Hondo will risk it all to honor their oath of absolute loyalty. But when the very people they’re tasked to protect turn on each other, the Proxies must decide between those they were built to serve and the freedom to carve out their own destinies. And the fate of their planet may rest in their choice.Trade Review“Rwizi’s exciting novel captures the political maneuvering and danger of the Hunger Games series with a universe fans of Nnedi Okorafor’s Binti books will enjoy.” —Booklist “A remarkable new talent.” —Tor.com

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Book SynopsisLaser-sharp zingers and out-of-this-world puns pile up at an astronomical pace in this zero gravitas sci-fi spoof from the author of Witches Be Crazy. Never meddle with unidentified spying objects . . . The year is: The Future. Mars and Earth are like that divorced couple who don’t exactly like each other but have at least stopped fighting in public. Floating somewhere in between them, amid all the garbage and Gene Roddenberry’s ashes, a transport vessel called the SS Jefferson is homeward bound. Its crew might have even made it on time for once, too… Captain Cox is no stranger to encountering the odd pickle in space, but when a tantalizingly derelict ship crosses paths with the Jefferson, he unwittingly parks in the middle of a NASA-ty interplanetary squabble. Faced with a marauding Martian and a squad of snobby secret agents, Cox and crew embark on a mad scramble across the solar system, to save themselves from either murder-via-space rifle of imprisonment in the notorious Guantanamo Docking Bay. Maybe they’ll also get around to dealing with the biological weapon that accidentally wound up in their fridge, too.Trade ReviewPraise for Astro-Nuts:"Draws liberally from the grand tradition of Firefly, Monty Python, and Spaceballs . . . the entire novel is about the laughs, which are plentiful. Space opera fans looking for something light and fluffy will find this suits perfectly."—Publishers Weekly "An irreverent trip into the cosmos. Suit up—it's a hell of a ride!"—Edward Zajac, author of A Swift Kick in the AsteroidsPraise for Logan J. Hunder “Hunder’s engaging debut cleverly skewers traditional fantasy tropes with two seemingly unbeatable (and unconventional) protagonists, and the nonstop action will keep readers flipping the pages late into the night. Suggest to fans of Tom Holt who appreciate his mix of humor and imagination.” —Library Journal, starred review and Debut of the Month for July 2015 “Fast moving and original … This is a wild fantasy adventure.” —Piers Anthony, New York Times-bestselling author of the Xanth series “Sometimes wry, sometimes laugh-out-loud hilarious, Logan J. Hunder’s Witches Be Crazy skewers fantasy tropes and hoists them high on their own petard (whatever a “petard” is).” —Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times-bestselling author of the Dan Shamble, Zombie PI series “Hilarious! Not since Elvendude have I enjoyed anything so much.” —Sherrilyn Kenyon, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Fantasy Lover and the Dark-Hunter series “It’s clever, it’s entertaining, and it has its uproariously funny moments. . . I have no doubt that Witches Be Crazy will garner a lot of fans. . . this is the kind of book with 'dedicated cult following' written all over it, much like other parodic classics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail or The Princess Bride.” —The BiblioSanctum

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author Gareth L. Powell, the second book in the critically acclaimed Embers of War space opera series. The former warship Trouble Dog and her crew follow a distress call from the human starship Lucy's Ghost, whose crew have sought refuge aboard an abandoned generation ship launched ten thousand years before by an alien race. However, the enormous vessel contains deadly secrets of its own. The Marble Armada calls for recovered war criminal Ona Sudak to accompany its ships as it spreads itself across the Human Generality, enforcing the peace with overwhelming and implacable force. Then Sudak's vessel intercepts messages from the House of Reclamation and decides the Trouble Dog has a capacity for violence which cannot be allowed to endure. As the Trouble Dog and her crew fight to save the crew of the Lucy's Ghost, the ship finds herself caught between chaotic alien monsters on one side, and on the other, destruction at the hands of the Marble Armada.Trade ReviewPraise for Embers of War: "An explosive finale with strong series potential." - Publishers Weekly; "Deep and juicy in the details... a morality play within a space opera, with literary-style character exploration in thriller-style structure and pacing." - New York Journal of Books; "Powell has a good line in striking images and pulpy set-pieces, while the final third of the novel builds to a satisfyingly large-scale climax, and sets up a status quo that hints at some promising directions for the rest of the saga." - SFX; "This is a true space opera, full of suspense, and mystery, and stuff blowing up real good--but it's the humanity of Powell's vision that truly makes it something special." - Barnes & Noble ; "Vivid and sharp, and at times grittily poetic." - Locus Magazine; "Embers of War is a thoroughly exciting pageturner, full of characters and personalities I couldn't get enough of, and it sets up the next novel in the series beautifully." - For Winter Nights; "A space odyssey you are sure to fall in love with." - FangirlNation Magazine; "This is space opera the way it was meant to be: epic in scope, with plenty of exciting action and a cast of larger-than-life characters featuring, at its core, one of the most intriguing characters to appear in science fiction in many a long year -- a self-aware spaceship that once was a warship, and must learn again how to wage war. Wonderful stuff." - Winnipeg Free Press; "Don't read Embers of War because you like Clarke, or Banks. Read it because you enjoy reading pace-y complex space adventures. Or space battles. Or sentient ships and impressive world building. Or well written characters. Or dogs. Or read it because you like Gareth L Powell's other work. Or for Nod, if nothing else. But do read it, because before long blurbs will be comparing new and upcoming works with Gareth L Powell." - SFFWorld; "I think my favorite bit was how it was written. They was just a...I'm not even sure how to describe it, a higher quality of style, in the way it was written. There was an eloquence that I don't always find in books, yet I found within these pages, that I appreciated and admired. I would have enjoyed the book for the writing alone (but lucky for me, the story was pretty fantastic, too)." - Erlebnisse; "A first-rate author of space opera and alternate history." - SFRevue; "Gareth L. Powell's work has lost none of its engaging action, but has gained depth and nuance." - Hugo Award Book Club; "This book delivers." - Jaine Fenn; "This is an excellently paced adventure that swells with energy and force, upping the stakes at every turn of the page. It also manages to consider some heady and relevant questions as it jumps in and out of hyperspace." - BookPage; "A fantastic space opera with tight prose, fast pacing, and unforgettable characters." - Looking Glass Reads

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Book SynopsisThe fourth original novel tying into the critically acclaimed and much-missed Firefly series from creator Joss Whedon. On an Outer Rim moon, Captain Malcolm Reynolds ends a card game the lucky winner of an old map covered in mysterious symbols. The former owner insists it's worthless; back on Serenity, River Tam is able to interpret it. River claims the map points the way to one of the Arks: legendary generation ships that brought humans from Earth-That-Was to the 'Verse. The salvage potential alone is staggering. As the crew approach the aged floating ship, they find it isn't quite as dead as it first seemed. The closer they get, the more agitated River becomes. She claims something is waiting on board, something powerful, and very angry...

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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 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 SynopsisTen Low and her ragtag comrades take on an ultra-rich tycoon who owns entire planets in this high-octane clash of law and lawlessness across the stars, for fans of Gideon the Ninth, Anne Leckie and Becky Chambers. Who controls the future, controls it all... Ten “Doc” Low is a medic with a dark past, riding the wastes of the desert moon Factus, dispensing medicine to the needy and death to those who cross the laws of the mysterious Seekers. Cursed by otherworldly forces, she stays alone to keep herself safe, and to keep others safe from her... But when she experiences a terrifying vision of conflict and the deaths of those she once called friends, she must drag herself back to the land of the living to stop a war before it begins. With rebellion brewing, the Accord’s grip on the Outer Moons weakening and a sinister tycoon buying up all land in sight, Ten must find allies where she can and face the past in order to save the future. The cost will be greater than she could ever have imagined... A wild, adrenaline-packed, whip-smart crash of storytelling and shoot-outs, ideal for fans of Becky Chambers' Wayfarers and Alex White's Salvagers.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR STARK HOLBORN AND TEN LOW "I loved Ten Low. Combining the taut characterisation and clever wit of Stark Holborn's spectacular Westerns with some splendidly inclusive and innovative sci-fi, this is a wonderful fusion of Firefly and Joanna Russ, with a Ennio Morricone soundtrack." - Joanne Harris, best-selling author of Chocolat, The Gospel of Loki and many more "Mad Max meets Firefly - and that's awesome" - Claire North, award-winning author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August "A fantastic, punchy SF action story, full of blood and grit and bitter pasts" - Adrian Tchaikovsky, award-winning author of Children of Time, Dogs of War and many more. "Stark Holborn continues to impress. Great characters and a blistering pace" - Gareth Powell, award-winning author of the Embers of War series "The future of space westerns, TEN LOW showed me the most vibrant desert world since Dune. A stunning blend of pulp and literary exploration leaves the old guard masters in the dust." - Alex White, author of the Salvagers trilogy "Stark Holborn's writing is clever, original and thrilling" - R. J. Barker, author of The Bone Ships and Age of Assassins "An action-packed SF adventure with an intriguing majority female cast? OH, HELL YES!" - Stina Leicht, author of Persephone Station "I loved this from beginning to end. There are furious fight-scenes, down-and-dirty characters and incredible world-building. Stark Holborn grabs you by the throat on page one and never lets you go!" - Cavan Scott, bestselling and award-winning author "A gritty space western that fans of The Mandalorian should lap up. As always, Stark Holborn makes us feel immediately for the characters to the point where we'll follow them through hell. And we do." - Paul Cornell, author of the Shadow Police and Witches of Lychford series "Holborn shows what a rich imagination she has" - The Times "Packed with wildly memorable female characters and the pacey prose keeps things whip-cracking along." - SFX

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