Science fiction

Book SynopsisHAIL BRISTOL: FORMER PRISONER, EMPRESS OF INDRANA, THE GALAXY''S ONLY HOPE.When Hail finally confronts the Farian gods, the last thing she expects to discover is that they''re part of the Hiervet, an alien race who once spread war throughout the galaxy long before humanity''s ancestors crawled out of the sludge of Earth''s oceans. The discovery carries with it dire news: the Hiervet are coming, eager to take revenge on those who escaped and they don''t care who gets caught in the crossfire.The fate of the galaxy is on the line and Hail will have to make one final gamble to leverage chaos into peace.Praise for the Farian War trilogy:''An exciting dose of space opera and political intrigue peppered with hard choices. Highly recommended.'' Booklist''Action and emotion-packed, folding political tension, personal relationships, and trauma into a vivid space opera that does not pull any punches.'' Library JournTrade ReviewAn EXCITING dose of space opera and political intrigue peppered with hard choices. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED * Booklist *ACTION and EMOTION-PACKED, folding political tension, personal relationships, and trauma into a vivid space opera that does not pull any punches * Library Journal *A rare balance of ACTION . . . TENSION, and quiet moments, keeping pages turning while deepening the portraits of Hail and the friends and foes around her. * Publishers Weekly *PERFECTLY EXECUTED. . . Science fiction with brains, and a buckload of heart. * The Eloquent Page *Twisty and clever and magnificent * Beth Cato, author of BREATH OF EARTH *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSharp, gripping, and disturbing, THE EDGE is the third book in The Anomaly Quartet.Years ago, a vast and mysterious object known as the Anomaly was discovered in deep space. All missions to explore and explain it failed.Now, the Anomaly has almost reached Earth, threatening to swallow the planet whole. On an orbital research station, a team of scientists desperatelysearch for a way to stop it or destroy it.One of the crew, Ali, has lost faith in the mission. Following the death of a close friend, her only interest is returning to the ground to her young son. But strange events, both inside the station and in the void beyond, force Ali to pursue a new mystery. And as the truth starts to make itself clear, as deadly secrets are uncovered, Ali is forced to ask if she can trust anybody: her crewmates, her friends even herself.Trade ReviewPraise for The Anomaly Quartet: ‘It's like an episode of Star Trek written by JM Coetzee’Guardian ‘THE EXPLORER has the dreamlike detachment of an Ishiguro novel’Financial Times ‘Beautifully written, creepy as hell. THE EXPLORER is as clever in its unravelling as it is breathlessly claustrophobic’Lauren Beukes, author of THE SHINING GIRLS ‘As you marvel at this twist-laden deep-space exploration thriller, it’s hard not to draw comparisons with Duncan Jones’ film Moon’Shortlist ‘A fascinating character study that could only exist in a science-fictional world’io9.com 'The SF novel everyone should read'Foyles

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe best fictional treatment of the possibilities and horrors of artificial intelligence that I've read' GuardianIn 1997 Laura Bow invented Organon, a rudimentary artificial intelligence.Now she and her creation are at the forefront of the new wave of technology, and Laura must decide whether or not to reveal Organon's full potential to the world. If it falls into the wrong hands, its power could be abused. Will Organon save humanity, or lead it to extinction?I Still Dream is a powerful tale of love, loss and hope; a frightening, heartbreakingly human look at who we are now and who we can be, if we only allow ourselves.Trade Review‘Smythe's most accomplished work… Utterly engrossing’ Observer Best Summer Books ‘Superbly evocative… a book about varieties of intelligence (human, artificial, moral and emotional) which showcases the novelistic one of its very smart and very talented creator’ Sunday Times ‘I Still Dream is amazing!’ Beth Lewis, author of Wolf Road ‘Sad, beguiling…a beautiful mixtape about what it is to be human, and alive, and to love another more than oneself’ Irish Times ‘A haunting meditation on the implications of AI, on intelligence itself, and on what it means to live and die in the age of technology. I Still Dream is a must-read for fans of David Mitchell, for anyone who’s ever used a smartphone, and for anyone who appreciates riveting plots and beautiful prose.’ Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven ‘A humane, thought-provoking and powerful book … superbly orchestrated … beautiful, involving, emotionally compelling’ Adam Roberts ‘One of the most affecting and brilliant books I've read this year … a huge achievement: toweringly ambitious, and yet beautifully controlled and crafted’ Sam Byers, author of Idiopathy ‘This is a visionary novel about what it is to be human. It is a startling look at intelligence, empathy and grief in the face of technology. Smythe has written his masterpiece’Nikesh Shukla, editor of The Good Immigrant and author of Meatspace ‘I STILL DREAM begins with melancholy nostalgia, before growing urgently contemporary and finally chillingly prescient. It is a strikingly intelligent book about intelligence itself: artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, and all the ways we watch each other. Having read it, you may wish to turn off your phone’ Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent

Read more less

Book SynopsisSet in a vividly realised world of elite Alphas and their weaker' Omega twins, it holds a mirror up to our obsession with perfection' GuardianPaloma's arrival, with news of Elsewhere and the possibility of a world free of the fatal bond between twins, has given Cass and the resistance a hope worth fighting for.But they are facing a Council more powerful and ruthless than Cass could ever have imagined, willing to unleash weapons from the long-buried past to maintain their power over Alphas and Omegas alike.As the stunning Fire Sermon trilogy comes to a close, a struggle has begun not only for the future of Elsewhere but for the future of the whole world. And what started with fire may end with fire.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE FIRE SERMON TRILOGY: ‘You have got to read these books, they are storytelling at its absolute finest’Starburst Magazine ‘A high tension tale of mistrust and dependency, injustice and optimism, told with poetic intensity’Daily Mail ‘This book is a thought-provoking whirlwind of a story, with a fab lead character, grisly politics and brave adventure. I loved it!’Jessie Burton, award-winning author of THE MINIATURIST

Read more less

Book SynopsisStories set in a variety of futures from the award-winning heir of Arthur C. Clarke: Traces gives a kaleidoscopic vision of the possibilities for humankind.There are visions of histories which differ from our own, either through small changes what if Germany had won WWI (Mittelwelt') or through a fundamental difference in physical laws what if Archimedes had been right in his clockwork-like cosmological vision (No Longer Touch the Earth').There are visions of futures in which people struggle to survive in a variety of bizarre environments (Downstream', The Blood of Angels'), or, weakened and powerless, inhabit the end of worlds (Inherit the Earth', George and the Comet').There are explorations of astonishing events of our own lifetimes, in particular the grand expansion into space (Zemlya', Moon Six', Pilgrim 7').These visions give an impression of the contingency of our everyday here-and-now, surrounded as it is by an infinite array of possible pasts, presents, and futures.Trade Review‘The most important living science-fiction writer in the country’THE TIMES ‘The best SF writer in Britain’SFX Praise for Stephen Baxter’s short fiction: ‘The stories are the purest distillation of hard SF. They add up to an essential collection’INTERZONE ‘A luminous collection . . . Baxter can overwhelm you with a traditional SF “sense of wonder” until your jaw drops’SFX ‘Baxter sends into free-fall the most awesome ideas in science fiction today … [He] reveals the mortal host in the machine.’THE TIMES

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe thrilling finale of the LIFEL1K3 trilogy from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Nevernight Chronicle and The Illuminae Files.Best friends have become enemies. Lovers have become strangers. And deciding whose side you''re on is a matter of life and death.For Eve and Lemon, discovering the truth about themselves and each other was too much for their friendship to take. As a new world war looms, they must navigate strained loyalties, unlikely alliances, and betrayals.Heartbreaking choices will reveal the true heroes . . . and they may not be who you think they are.Trade Review‘Kristoff's vivid world of grit, metal, and technology evokes all the senses, and his characters every emotion. This is a breathless, action-packed exploration of what humanity really means’Marie Lu, #1 NYT Bestselling Author of WARCROSS and THE YOUNG ELITES ‘Fierce friendships, brutal heartbreak, and the question of what makes us who we are–in the midst of a seriously awesome and terrifying post-apocalyptic world–make LIFEL1K3 your next favorite book. Trust me’Kiersten White, NYT Bestselling Author of AND I DARKEN ‘I'd like to live in the vivid and raw world of LIFEL1K3, if only I wasn't certain it would kill me. Jay Kristoff delivers an utterly unique and entirely brilliant story with his signature punch-to-the-gut writing that will leave you bruised but longing for more’Beth Revis, NYT bestselling author of STAR WARS: REBEL RISING and the Across the Universe trilogy

Read more less

Book SynopsisA thrilling space opera celebrated as one of science fiction's most profound explorations of diversity, THIS ALIEN SHORE is a modern classic of the genre.Jamisia, a young girl protected by biological brain-ware and troubled by multiple voices in her head, flees her comfortable life on a satellite when corporate raiders destroy the entire colony. To her horror, she learns that they were looking for her.Launched into the intrigues of the mysterious Gueran guild, mutant star-pilots who have a stranglehold on galactic commerce, Jamisia is desperate to avoid capture, and must form uncertain alliances with exotic strangers. Yet, as a rogue computer virus wreaks havoc across the galaxies it seems that humanity's future rests in her hands: but first she must unlock the deadly secret hidden inside her head.Against the rich and compelling backdrop of this epic story the author has succeeded in creating a truly unique character in Jamisia and placed her in a novel of fantastic diversity, and breaTrade Review“A cross between cyberpunk and Star Wars, it is likely to hold readers’interest tenaciously”Publishers Weekly “Very highly recommended”SF Review “One of my favourite writers”Amanda Foreman (author of GEORGIANA) – a surprise fan!

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnd no one knows that if her enemies found her, they might destroy the entire world to get rid of her.Where peace is broken, may we mend it.Kel’s past intrudes in the form of a long-dormant Pale war machine, suddenly reactivated.Trade Review“There are big, exciting alien battles but also delightful psychic cats who prowl around La Sirena Negra. Valdes hits the perfect comedic tone, giving Eva equal parts snark and heart and filling the ship with fun supporting characters. The quest for the mechs provides lots of great action sequences with SF weaponry on strange planets. A comedic SF adventure that delivers on all three fronts.” — Kirkus Reviews on Fault Tolerance “Valdes seamlessly incorporates backstory throughout, making this installment friendly to newcomers looking for an adventure reminiscent of Transformers and Voltron. Returning readers will be delighted to reunite with the crew as Eva, her psychic cats, and her found family are pushed to confront ever-greater dangers in the lead-up to a thrilling climax. It’s as unconventional, tongue-in-cheek, and rip-roaring as fans expect.” — Publishers Weekly on Fault Tolerance “Valdes sprinkles humor and sarcasm liberally, bringing levity to the storyline. The plot moves briskly, with enough momentum to keep readers entertained from start to finish. Valdes blends found family, adventure, and humor to end a fun trilogy on a high note.” — New York Journal of Books on Fault Tolerance “Jam-packed with weird aliens, mysterious artifacts, and lovable characters... Eva and her family are Latinx and often include un-italicized Spanish in their dialogue, a rare find in a genre that usually uses whiteness as the default. A tremendous good time and an impressive debut.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on Chilling Effect “Featuring memorable Cuban-descended characters, this engaging space opera debut delivers a story that dances between hilarity and seriousness, with all the joy and frustration psychic cats can bring to the mix.” — Library Journal (starred review) on Chilling Effect

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is a time of great turmoil. The oppresive Empire is close to seizing complete control of the galaxy. The ragtag guerilla army of the Rebel Alliance fights on, striking wherever it can, but now something has come to light that could spell certain doom. Hidden in the Jedi ruins of Dantooine is a Holocron containing a list of high level Rebel sympathisers. If that list were to fall into the hands of Darth Vader, the Rebel Alliance would lose its most valued support - and possibly the way itself.As an Imperial bio engineer who frequently visits other worlds, Dusque Mistflier is the perfect cover for a Rebel who needs trio travel far and wide without arising suspicion. She agrees to help Rebel spy Finn Darktrin in his quest to recover the crucial Holocron. Despite help from Han, Luke and Leia the mission is fraught with peril. As their journey takes them into the fiery belly of the beast that is galactic civil war, Dusque and Finn will learn that the hardest part of all is fig

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn adventure classic of deep-sea volcanoes, giant squid and the renegade scientist Captain Nemo.Professor Aronnax embarks on an expedition to hunt down and destroy a menacing sea monster. However, he discovers that the beast is metal - it is a giant submarine called the Nautilus built by the renegade scientist Captain Nemo. So begins an underwater adventure that takes them from the South Pole to the submerged lost city of Atlantis.Trade ReviewUnbearably thrilling and romantic...full of Verne's gentle humour * Daily Mail *Among the deep-sea volcanoes, shoals of swirling fish, giant squid and sharks, Captain Nemo steers the Nautilus. Nemo is the renegade scientist par excellence, a man madly inventive in his quest for revenge * Sunday Telegraph *A tale of terror, suspense and wonder * Guardian *Fabulous...the pace is sharp and the story as dramatic and engaging as ever * Daily Express *Verne's imagination has given us some of the greatest adventure stories of all time * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE EXTRAORDINARY NEXT EPISODE IN THE STAR WARS GALAXY BEGINS HERE ...The Galactic Alliance is in crisis. Worse still, the very survival of the Jedi Order is under threat.In a shocking move, Chief of State, Natasi Daala, orders the arrest of Luke Skywalker for failing to prevent Jacen Solo''s turn to the dark side. But it''s only the first blow in an anti-Jedi backlash fueled by a hostile government and a media-driven witch hunt. Facing conviction, Luke must strike a bargain with the calculating Daala - his freedom in exchange for his exile from Coruscant and from the Jedi Order.Though forbidden to intervene in Jedi affairs, Luke is determined to keep history from being repeated. With his son, Ben, at his side, Luke sets out to unravel the shocking truth behind Jacen Solo''s corruption and downfall. But the secrets he uncovers among the enigmatic Force mystics of the distant world Dorin may bring his quest - and life as he knows it - to a sudden end. And all the whilTrade ReviewAs an opening salvo in the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, Outcast will do exactly what it was intended to: grab your attention and make you eager for more. Exceptional sci-fi writing, Allston has proved that the Star Wars franchise has plenty of life left in it, and Fate of the Jedi is a promising addition to the ever-growing Star Wars canon, improving on the quality of the excellent Legacy of the Force. * civilian-reader.blogspot.com *

Read more less

Book SynopsisChristie Golden is the award-winning author of 28 novels and over a dozen short stories in the fields offantasy, science fiction, and horror. Her media tie-in works include launching the Ravenloft line in 1991 with Vampire of the Mists, over a dozen Star Trek novels, and the Warcraft novel Lord of the Clans. She can be found at www.christiegolden.com.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fascinating and prescient account of a future dominated by capitalist greed and mechanical forceA troubled insomniac in 1890s England falls suddenly into a sleep-like trance, from which he does not awake for over two hundred years. During his centuries of slumber, however, investments are made that make him the richest and most powerful man on Earth. But when he comes out of his trance he is horrified to discover that the money accumulated in his name is being used to maintain a hierarchal society in which most are poor, and more than a third of all people are enslaved. Oppressed and uneducated, the masses cling desperately to one dream - that the sleeper will awake, and lead them all to freedom.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. R

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Few travelled in these days, for, thanks to the advance of science, the earth was exactly alike all over. Rapid intercourse, from which the previous civilization had hoped so much, had ended by defeating itself. What was the good of going to Peking when it was just like Shrewsbury?'', The Machine Stops, E. M. Forster.This anthology provides a selection of science-fiction tales from the close of the ''Romantic'' period to the end of the First World War. It gathers together classic short stories, from Edgar Allan Poe''s playful hoaxes to Gertrude Barrows Bennett''s feminist fantasy. In this way, the book shows the vitality and literary diversity of the field, and also expresses something of the potent appeal of the visionary, the fascination with science, and the allure of an imagined future that characterised this period. An excellent resource for those interested in science fiction, and also an essential volume for understanding the development of the genre. In his introduction, Michael Newton draws together literary influences from Jonathan Swift to Mary Shelley, the interest in the irrational and dreaming mind, and the relation of the tales to the fact of Empire and the discoveries made by anthropology. He also considers how the figure of the alien and non-human ''other'' complicated contemporary definitions of the human being.Trade ReviewThese are some of my initial impressions on this useful collection...It is a great mystery just what captivates readers in a story and these ghostwriters have certainly achieved the pinnacle of this craft. * Pennsylvania Literary Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction Note on the Texts Select Bibliography A Chronology of the Origins of Science Fiction Mary Shelley: The Mortal Immortal Edgar Allan Poe: The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion Nathaniel Hawthorne: Rappaccini's Daughter Edgar Allan Poe: The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar Fitz-James O'Brien: The Diamond Lens George Eliot: The Lifted Veil Grant Allen: Pausodyne: A Great Chemical Discovery Frank R. Stockton: The Water-Devil. A Marine Tale H. G. Wells: The Crystal Egg Rudyard Kipling: 'Wireless' Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: The Hall Bedroom H. G. Wells: The Country of the Blind E. M. Forster: The Machine Stops Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The Terror of Blue John Gap Jack London: The Red One Gertrude Barrows Bennett: Friend Island W. E. B. Dubois: The Comet Explanatory Notes

Read more less

Book SynopsisBryan Talbot was born in 1952. He has worked on underground comics, science fiction and superhero stories such as Judge Dredd and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight. His books include Alice in Sunderland, Dotter of Her Father's Eyes (with Mary Talbot), the first graphic novel to win the Costa biography award, and the Grandville series.Trade ReviewA solid conspiracy caper with bursts of Tarantino-like mayhem...a witty romp in a vividly realised topsy-turvy world. * Times Literary Supplement *Utterly delightful...It's a playful, allusive book in which there's a witty touch or deliciously knowing in-joke on almost every page...beautifully rendered, throughout, the glossy gorgeousness fills your eyes. * The Times *A gorgeously coloured steampunk fantasy. * Metro *Think Wind In The Willows meets 1920s film noir, a combination you never knew you needed… From political conspiracies to serial killings, this is all set in an alternate present day where Britain lost the Napoleonic Wars and the entire Royal Family were executed... It’s a really compelling setting for any story, but the detective mystery element brings it all together. To me, this is perfect fodder for a Wes Anderson-style stop-motion film series. It’s funny, eerie, and altogether very surreal. -- Megan McGill * Den of Geek *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis''One of Japan''s most venerated writers'' David MitchellIn this unnerving fable from one of Japan''s greatest novelists, a recluse known as ''Mole'' retreats to a vast underground bunker, only to find that strange guests, booby traps and a giant toilet may prove even greater obstacles than nuclear disaster.''As is true of Poe and Kafka, Abe creates an unexpected impulsion. One continues reading, on and on'' New Yorker''Abe''s depiction of the deadly game of survival is hilarious but at the same time leaves us with a chilling sense of apprehension about the brave new world that awaits us'' Los Angeles TimesTrade ReviewA large, ambitious work about the lives of outcasts in modern Japan and such troubling themes as ecological destruction, old age, violence and nuclear war * The New York Times Book Review *Abe's depiction of the deadly game of survival is hilarious but at the same time leaves us with a chilling sense of apprehension about the brave new world that awaits us * Los Angeles Times *As is true of Poe and Kafka - two writers whose influence does seem apparent - Abe creates on the page an unexpected impulsion. One continues reading, on and on * New Yorker *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Canavan is an excellent critic and formidable researcher, and this book, written in accessible, quick-moving prose, is rich with perspectives and ideas. The best sections detail the stories Butler didn’t publish or complete, using those fragments to dive deeper into the texts that she finished. Like all good criticism, the book is both authoritative and invitational. Read it and you’ll marvel at the arguments and feel invited to develop your own." --New York Times "For those of us who cannot make the journey to the archive, Octavia E. Butler serves as a more-than-adequate substitute and entry into this treasure trove of Butler's writings."--Los Angeles Review of Books "A must-read for scholars of [science fiction], Canavan's scholarship is both a work of sharply dedicated research and a loving tribute to one of [science fiction’s] most creative geniuses. Highly recommended."--Library JournalTable of ContentsTitle pageContentsList of IllustrationsAcknowledgmentsChronologyIntroduction: Beginning at the EndChapter 1. Childfinder (1947–1970)Chapter 2. Psychogenesis (1970–1976)Chapter 3. To Keep Thee in All Thy Ways (1976–1980)Chapter 4. Blindsight (1980–1987)Chapter 5. The Training Floor (1987–1989)Chapter 6. God of Clay (1989–2006)Chapter 7. Paraclete (1999–2006)Conclusion: Unexpected StoriesAppendix: “Lost Races of Science Fiction” by Octavia E. Butler (1980)Octavia E. Butler BibliographyNotesBibliography of Secondary SourcesIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrapped in a London laboratory during a worker uprising, a physicist and war veteran awakens 150 years lateron the eve of a new Dark Age!In The People of the Ruins, Edward Shanks imagines England in the not-so-distant future as a neomedieval society whose inhabitants have forgotten how to build or operate machinery. Jeremy Tuft is a physics instructor and former artillery officer who is cryogenically frozen in his laboratory only to emerge after a century and a half to a disquieting new era. Though at first Tuft is disconcerted by the failure of his own era's smug doctrine of Progress, he eventually decides that he prefers the postcivilized life. But, when the northern English and Welsh tribes invade, Tuft must set about reinventing weapons of mass destruction. One of the most critically acclaimed and popular postwar stories of its day, The People of the Ruins captured a feeling that was common among those who had fought and survived the Great War: haunted by trauma and guilt, its pr

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the fourth volume in the Why I Write series, the iconic Samuel Delany remembers fifty years of writing and shaping the world of speculative fictionTrade ReviewPraise for Samuel R. Delany: “Delany’s prismatic output is among the most significant, immense and innovative in American letters.”—Jordy Rosenberg, New York Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe girls of SAO are back! Liz, Silica, and Leafa, with their new friend Lux--having ruined their clothes in their previous adventure--go to see Ashley, a survivor of Sword Art Online and a legendary master tailor. The price for Ashley''s skills is a high one, and in order to pay the tailor, the girls end up in a swimsuit contest! But naturally, this isn''t just any swimsuit contest. Will Lux, Liz, Silica, and Leafa get away with their wardrobes and dignity intact?!

Read more less

Book SynopsisKirito and Sinon''s battle with Death Gun is over, but mere weeks later, something strange is afoot in the next-generation VRMMO ALfheim Online. A new dualist with a custom sword skill is defeating all comers--including Kirito! But when Asuna goes to face this dualist, she receives something she never expected: An invitation to an exclusive guild! But what is their aim? The Mother''s Rosario arc begins!

Read more less

Book SynopsisSeiji Nomi is a mysterious new student whose skillful use of Brain Burst abilities in the real world has boosted him to astonishing heights of achievement (not to mention astonishing heights of jerkitude). When his wings are stolen by Seiji''s cunning and ability, Haruyuki suffers a crushing defeat. Stripped of his greatest ability, will Haruyuki ever be able to rise again...?

Read more less

Book SynopsisHe never asked for this power. Kojou Akatsuki used to be an ordinary high school boy--but that wasbefore he became the Fourth Primogenitor, the most powerful vampire of all time. Worse--he doesn''t even remember how it happened. Middle schooler Yukina Himeragi, meanwhile, is the Attack Mage sent to observe him--and to stop him if he gets out of control. But was it really a good idea to send a cute girl to observe a massively powerful vampire boy whose abilities activate whenever he gets aroused? And on an artificial island populated with all manner of demonic individuals, each with their own designs on the Fourth Primogenitor--?!

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe friend of my friend is my enemy?!Akatsuki (an ordinary high school boy and incidentally the world''s mightiest vampire) is finally getting used to daily life with Yukina Himeragi, the attack mage whose job it is to observe him. But his peaceful life is interrupted by the appearance of Dimitrie Vattler, an envoy from the European primogenitor known as the Lost Warlord. Vattler''s enough of a problem, but it turns out he''s got his own watcher, who''s friends with Yukina--and who wants Kojou dead. Worse, their arrival is only the prelude to the emergence of a dark conspiracy that threatens the entirety of Itogami Island!

Read more less

Book SynopsisKirito and Sinon''s battle with Death Gun is over, but mere weeks later, something strange is afoot in the next-generation VRMMO ALfheim Online. A new dualist with a custom sword skill is defeating all comers--including Kirito! But when Asuna goes to face this dualist, she receives something she never expected: An invitation to an exclusive guild! But what is their aim? The Mother''s Rosario arc begins!

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe saga of Sword Art Online continues with three side stories set during the Aincrad and Alfheim eras. The game of death took its toll on every player in a different way--when one turns up dead on the fifty-seventh floor, the game''s afoot, and it''s up to Asuna and Kirito to crack the case. There''s also the story of how Kirito got his Excalibur sword in Alfheim (with a little help from his friends). And when the game of death first began, Kirito learned a difficult lesson--one he would never forget.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first book in a bold, new, planet-hopping, treasure-hunting science fiction series that blends the lightning-pace of The Fast and the Furious with the fun characters of Firefly.

Read more less

Book Synopsis The rag-tag crew of the Capricious hunts down rogue AI, ancient colony ships, and the biggest treasure in the universe in this pulse-pounding space adventure for fans of Firefly and The Expanse. The crew of the Capricious seems to leave a trail of devastation wherever they go. But with powerful enemies in pursuit and family and friends under attack planetside, there''s no time to worry about all that. Ensnared by the legend of Origin, humanity''s birthplace, and a long-dead form of magic, the Capricious takes off on a journey to find the first colony ship . . . and power that could bring down gods. Read the incredible space-fantasy series that V. E. Schwab calls A total blast! The Salvagers A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy The Worst of All Possible Worlds

Read more less

Book SynopsisNow you see her, now you don''t!As a child, Tsubomi Kido rarely spoke. Just as she starts to find herself, with help from her older sister, tragedy strikes her home. When death approaches, Kido discovers the Kagerou Daze, where she meets a mysterious woman who grants her a powerful gift...or curse. In the outside world of the present, the Mekakushi-dan gathers their combined strength to unravel the mystery that''s ensnared them all!

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisGo back in time to when everyone's favorite Catstronaut, Waffles, was a kitten! Fans of Narwhal and Jelly will love this fun, cat-tastic early graphic novel series.   Waffles and Pancake are at Cape CatNaveral, waiting to watch a CatStronauts shuttle launch. But when the liftoff is delayed, the kittens and their family go home to pass the time. Dreaming of joining the CatStronauts one day, they decide to build a rocket themselves before a snack. Space waits for no cat! But when it doesn’t launch, Grammers may have the answer they’re looking for….and it may involve lunch.    Together the kittens launch themselves into problem-solving with hilarious creativity. Time for takeoff!Read more in the Waffles and Pancake series: Planetary-YumFlight or Fright

Read more less

Book SynopsisGo back in time to when everyone's favorite Catstronaut, Waffles, was a kitten! Fans of Narwhal and Jelly will love this fun, cat-tastic early graphic novel series. Prepare for lift off! Waffles and his sister Pancake are about to spend three days at Space Cat Camp—a fun, science-packed training experience for future CatStronauts. Pancake can’t wait to learn about satellites, space shuttles, and all things outer space, but Waffles is feeling a little homesick. How can he enjoy his time at camp when all he wants is his dad-cat?   With some new friends and the power of teamwork, these kittens will be ready to pounce on any challenges ahead!Read more in the Waffles and Pancake series:Planetary Yum Flight or Fright Failure to Lunch

Read more less

Book SynopsisDespite their youth, sorrow stalks Kano, Kido, and Seto. Their strange powers prevent them from fitting in at their orphanage, so finally, they escape. The trio is taken in by the Tateyama household, where the cheerful Ayano lives--but the peace is short-lived...

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt''s been just two months since they were trapped in the game of death that is Sword Art Online, and Kirito and Asuna continue their struggle at the vanguard of progress through the game. The fifth floor of Aincrad is a mazelike ruin, and the two dare to take pleasure in raiding it for the treasure it contains. Upon returning to the fourth floor, it''s time to do some questing on behalf of the Elf Lord Yofilis - but here begins Asuna''s discontent, for in doing so they will have to face her least favorite monster ever...

Read more less

Book SynopsisKirito might not be around, but that doesn''t mean the girls aren''t still ready for adventure. The fetching lasses of Sword Art Online--Leafa, Silica, Liz, and Lux--are back for a third volume, and they''re determined to make the most of their virtual youth!

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat makes for a true magical girl?Just a few short weeks ago, sixteen magical girls were pulled into the new Magical Girl Raising Project, a video game-like world where they must work together to survive. But between the formations of factions, high tensions, and even a mysterious murder, trust and cooperation have proved difficult. As the heroines enter the final phase, can they band together and succeed? Or will their fear and weakness tear them apart?And what is the master of this game truly after...?

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Severed Streets is the second urban fantasy in the Shadow Police series by bestselling Doctor Who writer, Paul Cornell.Summer in London: a city in turmoil. The vicious murder of a well-known MP is like a match to tinder but Detective Inspector James Quill and his team know that it's not a run-of-the-mill homicide. Still coming to terms with their new-found second sight, they soon discover that what is invisible to others - the killer - is visible to them. Even if they have no idea who it is. Then there are more deaths. The bodies of rich, white men are found in circumstances similar to those that set the streets of London awash with fear during the late 1800s: the Whitechapel murders. Even with their abilities to see the supernatural, accepting that Jack the Ripper is back from the dead is a tough ask for Quill's team. As they try to get to grips with their abilities and a case that's spiralling out of control, Quill realizes tha

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe blood feud between Duke Leto of Caladon and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen reaches its climax, as the emperor Shaddam - leader of House Corrino - is finally forced to curb the powerful Harkonnens or risk losing his own throne. Menawhile, Duke Leto''s beautiful concubie, the Bene Gesserit temptress Jessica,- has conceived the boy who become Paul Atreides (the hero of Dune), defying the express orders of her superiors. The book culminates in a war - on Dune, on the oppressed planet Ix, in space - that will alter the balance of power for a generation.Trade ReviewHouse Atreides is a terrific prequel, but it's also a first-rate adventure on its own. Frank Herbert would surely be delighted and proud of this continuation of his vision. * Dean Koontz on House Atreides *Those who long to return to the world of desert, spice and sandworms will be amply satisfied. * The Times on House Atreides *Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson succeed in weaving their own intricate saga. Dune: House Atreides does its predecessors justice. * USA Today on House Atreides *Succeeds admirably * The New York Times Book review on House Harkonnen *House Harkonnen is compulsive reading. I certainly enjoyed meeting pardot Kynes and Liet, learning more about the Freman, as well as Gurney Halleck, Duncan Idaho and the Lady Jessica. Such vile villains...and such a fascinating description of splendid places. * Anne McCaffrey on House Harkonnen *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHEAVEN IS A PRISON. HELL IS A PLAYGROUND.Ross Baker is an overworked scientist developing medical technology for corporate giant Neurosphere, but he''d rather be playing computer games than dealing with his nightmare boss or slacker co-workers.He volunteers as a test candidate for the new tech - anything to get out of the office for a few hours. But when he emerges from the scanner he discovers he''s not only escaped the office, but possibly escaped real life for good. He''s trapped in Starfire - a video game he played as a child - with no explanation, no backup and, most terrifyingly, no way out.Trade ReviewA fascinating, fast-paced but thoughtful blend of science fiction and techno-thriller -- Iain M. BanksFunny jokes, characters you can empathise with and devastatingly employed swear words -- Ed Byrne (Comedian)Christopher Brookmyre hits another high score with this brilliant, fast-paced gamer's nightmare -- Charles StrossOne of the funniest writers in Britain * Guardian *BEDLAM is what Brookmyre does best -- Diana Gabaldon

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Deadmen are back...But so are the demons who have broken free of their eternal prison and are bent on mankind''s destruction. The worst of the lot is Vine, determined to claim their lives for taking hers. She will see the world burn . . . and has the perfect lure to destroy them all. One of their own.Kalder Dupree has never known a day of mercy. Born to the cruelest of mer-races, he sacrificed himself for his crew and is in Vine''s hands. He expects no mercy or rescue.Yet Cameron Jack is determined to set Kalder free. As a Hellchaser, it''s her calling, and she cannot allow even a not-so-innocent to be tortured for an act of kindness that spared her damnation.To defeat evil, it sometimes takes an even worse evil, and Cameron is willing to do whatever she must to make this right. If Vine thought she had her hands full before, she hasn''t seen anything nearly as powerful as Cameron''s resolve.Death Doesn''t Bargain isTrade ReviewKenyon (Born of Legend) puts the lie to the old adage "Dead men tell no tales" in the jam-packed, appealing first book of her Deadman's Cross historical fantasy series * Publishers Weekly on Deadmen Walking *Kenyon gives readers scrumptious heroes - still with a dark edge and dangerous powers . . . she creates a world full of depth and intelligent details . . . and gives her stories an underpinning and a foundation in authenticity without sacrificing the breathless pace of her plots - no small feat! * Romantic Times *Kenyon delivers the goods readers have come to expect, and more * Booklist *A delicious balance of suspense and sensuality * Publishers Weekly (on STYXX) *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Epic adventures, fantastical creatures and an epic romance. What''s not to love?'' Fortress of Books''Angels. Demons. Sirens. Goddesses. The undead. Pirates. Mermen. Dragons. This book has it all!'' Goodreads reviewer_________One step into the Dark-Hunter world and you''ll never turn backBorn the beautiful daughter of a poor cobbler, Valynda Moore learned early in life that beauty was its own form of a curse in a world ruled by ruthless men who would use any means to take what they wanted. And the stakes were never higher than the night when one man went so far as to steal her very soul and condemn her to live eternity in the body of a living straw doll.Now she has one chance to be human again. To have her soul restored to a flesh-and-blood body. But only if she betrays everyone she holds dear, and breaks every vow she''s made.To her, the choice is simple. She''d never hurt her friends. Be

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Tess and Shade are my new favourite romance couple'' Entertainment WeeklyTHEY NEVER WANTED TO BE HEROESCaptain Tess Bailey and Shade Ganavan are still the galaxy''s Most Wanted, and with revolution in the wind and the universe on the brink of catastrophic war, the situation couldn''t be more desperate. Despite the Dark Watch scouring the known sectors for them, rebel leaders have handed the crew of the Endeavor a delicate and dangerous mission: break into Starbase 12 and free renowned scientist Reena Ahern. She''s the only one who stands a chance of tipping the odds in their favour for the first time in decades.BUT PULLING OFF THE IMPOSSIBLE IS WHAT THEY DO BESTThe clock is ticking. But as their attraction builds and secrets are revealed, Tess and Shade must decide if they trust each other enough to execute this impossible prison break. They could change the course of history, but they''ll be risking everyTrade ReviewThe Nightchaser space opera continues with tons of action, romance, pathos, and fascinating worldbuilding. Another brilliant odyssey from Bouchet * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''The story progresses nimbly, with plenty of tension and excitement and Card''s usual well-developed characters'' - KIRKUS REVIEWS on EARTH UNAWARE''Literate prose and superlative characterisation . . . excellent'' - BOOKLIST on EARTH UNAWAREHUMANS THOUGHT THEY WERE ALONE IN THE GALAXY. UNTIL NOW.A hundred years before Ender''s Game, humanity is slowly making its way out to the planets of the solar system, exploring and mining asteroids.The ship El Cavador is far from Earth, in the deeps of the Kuiper Belt, beyond Pluto. When the ship''s telescopes pick up a fast-moving object coming in-system, they''re unsure what to make of it. Little do they know that this object is the most important thing to happen to the human race in a million years. It''s humanity''s first contact with an alien race. The First Formic War is about to begin.Book one of the First Formic War - a thrilling space adventurTrade ReviewA standout tale of sf adventure that gives Ender series fans fascinating backstory to the classic Ender's Game LIBRARY JOURNAL The story progresses nimbly, with plenty of tension and excitement and Card's usual well-developed characters KIRKUS REVIEWS Literate prose and superlative characterisation ... excellent BOOKLIST

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe third novel in a new space adventure set in the world of Ender's Game - a classic science fiction novel now a major motion picture.Trade ReviewCard and Johnston intensify their complex intergalactic mythos with emotional intensity and widening thematic scope. Everyday desires are as deadly as the Formics' flesh-eating acid in this collision of space opera and big-bug epic. This breakneck thriller is a dark and lively addition to the Enderverse PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Read more less

Book SynopsisA SOLDIER''S MISSION IN A WORLD GONE TO HELL: SURVIVE, RESCUE, REBUILDNothing has gone according to plan.To Captain Lee Harden, Project Hometown feels like a distant dream and the completion of his mission seems unattainable.Wounded and weaponless, he has stumbled upon a group of survivors that seems willing to help. But a tragedy in the group causes a deep rift to come to light and forces him into action. In the chaos of the world outside, Lee is pursued by a new threat: someone who will stop at nothing to get what he has.This is the second book in the bestselling Remaining series, telling a gritty tale of survival, perseverance and fighting to get back what has been lost.Trade ReviewSurvival horror at almost its very best ... Molles and Orbit are certainly onto a winner in a series that deserves to be seen by genre fans be it online or on paper The Book Bag These are my current favorite post-apocalyptic zombie novels! ... I love how this series builds fantastic characters and poses them with and against one another in super believable situations. I can believe this future...The action is detailed and vivid Boing Boing Anxiety and building desperation fuel this debut zombie thriller ... Sharply targeted sentences depict an acutely human action hero who wrestles his anxiety ... Molles's precise construction gives readers ample reason to return Publishers Weekly A well written, taut adventure novel with characters that definitely make a mark SF Crowsnest

Read more less

Book SynopsisNOBODY DOES IT BETTER . . .Dr Mo O''Brien is an intelligence agent at the top secret government agency known as ''the Laundry''. When occult powers threaten the realm, they''ll be there to clean up the mess and deal with the witnesses.But the Laundry is recovering from a devastating attack and when average citizens all over the country start to develop supernatural powers, the police are called in to help. Mo is appointed as official police liaison, but in between dealing with police bureaucracy, superpowered members of the public and disgruntled politicians, Mo discovers to her horror that she can no longer rely on her marriage, nor on the weapon that has been at her side for eight years of undercover work, the possessed violin known as ''Lecter''.If this wasn''t bad enough, a mysterious figure known as Dr Freudstein is committing heists and sending increasingly threatening messages to the police. Who is Freudstein and what is he planning?Trade ReviewBrilliantly disturbing and funny at the same time -- Ben Aaronovitch, author of RIVERS OF LONDONCharles Stross owns this field, and his vast, cool intellect has launched yet another mad, sly entertainment that will strangle the hell out of anything else on offer right now -- Warren Ellis, author of TransmetropolitanStross at the top of his game - which is to say, few do it better -- KIRKUSAlternately chilling and hilarious -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLYFerociously enjoyable -- SFX

Read more less