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Iron Gods: (The Spin Trilogy 2)
by Andrew BannisterThe Spin, an ancient artificial cluster of eighty-eight planets and twenty-two suns – is in decline. The boundaries of the formerly prosperous Inside have shrunk to a mere eleven planets, their trade routes are cut off, and their last remaining source of income comes from selling the services of their vast industrial slave-colony – The Hive.Then a group of Hivers escape. Led by Seldyan, they steal the last remaining legacy battleship, reverse the trance that has been imposed on it for eight thousand years, and leave the Inside behind. Their destination: the free colony of Web City. However when they arrive they realise all is not well – a new green star has appeared in the sky, sparking the growth of a socially repressive cult which is quickly taking over, making Seldyan wonder if Web City is any improvement on the Hive.At the same time Harbour Master Hevalansa Vess, stripped of his role after the loss of the last ship, has his identity changed and is sent under cover in to the Hive to find out how Seldyan escaped. Wired into the living AI called the Mind Stack, he is forced to confront both his own past, and the institutionalised cruelty of the hierarchy he has been part of.While Seldyan and her crew try to discover what has caused the new green star, Vess must choose between loyalty to the system that has nurtured and promoted him, and his sympathy for the mass of people it treats as slaves. He must also work out how far he trusts Vut, the gestalt insect entity that increasingly represents his contact with the Inside. Meanwhile, the ancient ship, now with full access to its memories, has worked out the meaning of the green star for itself – and the existential threat to the Spin that it has been concealing for ten thousand years...
Stone Clock: (The Spin Trilogy 3)
by Andrew BannisterIt is a hundred millennia after Iron Gods. The Spin is at the end of its life and its diminished 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. But running the increasingly huge servers needed to maintain the vrealities is draining the last resources of the Spin, leading to conflict between those who tend the servers and those who believe they should simply be switched off, and so killing millions. There is one individual who divides his time between the real and the vrealities, finds himself caught up in this escalating and seemingly futile war. Meanwhile, in a remote star system, an ancient insectoid called Skarbo the Horologist observes The Spin. He has been doing so for several lifetimes. But now he notes the accelerating signs of decline in what he unfashionably considers to be a giant complex clock. And Skarbo too is about to die for the very last time. He had resigned himself to never visiting the object of his studies, but decides to make a last journey - travelling across a war-torn galaxy to what will be his final destination: the Spin. There he will learn of the artificial system's past - and its future - while there is one who will discover the real nature of the vrealities - and the part he has to play in their future . . . Returning to the extraordinarily-envisioned artificial planetary cluster called the Spin - Stone Clock is the third thrilling work of space opera from the acclaimed author of Creation Machine.
Our Memory Like Dust
by Gavin ChaitWhy do we tell stories? To hold on to what has been loved and lost, to create new myths, to explain and teach in ways that seep into memory.Shakiso Collard leads the evacuation from Benghazi as jihadis overwhelm the refugee camp where she works. On arrival in Paris, she is betrayed by her boss, Oktar Samboa, and watches in despair as those she illegally helped escape are deported back to the warzones of Libya. Elsewhere, Farinata Uberti – strongman CEO of Rosneft, the world’s largest energy company – arrives in London after triggering a violent insurrection in Tanzania to destroy a potential rival in the oil market. In the Sahara, an air convoy on its way to deliver billions of dollars of drugs and weapons to Ansar Dine jihadis crashes and is lost. A year later, having spent months in hiding, Shakiso travels to West Africa. She is there to lead the relief effort that are hoping to stop the 200 million refugees fleeing war and environmental collapse heading for a fortified and fragmented Europe.As the myths of these millions seeking new lives across the Mediterranean intrude into reality, Shakiso is drawn into the brutal clandestine fight against Rosneft’s domination of European energy supplies being conducted by the mysterious Simon Adaro. And, deep within the disorienting Harmattan storms of the desert, a group of jihadis have gone in search of the crashed convoy of planes - and a terror that could overwhelm them all.
Lament for the Fallen
by Gavin ChaitA strange craft falls from the stars and crashes into the jungle near an isolated West African community. Inside, the locals discover the broken body of a man unlike any they have seen before – a man who is perhaps something more than human.His name is Samara and he speaks with terror of a place called Tartarus – an orbiting prison where hope doesn’t exist.As Samara begins to heal, he also transforms the lives his rescuers. But in so doing, he attracts the attention of a warlord whose gunmen now threaten the very existence of the villagers themselves – and the one, slim chance Samara has of finding his way home.And all the while, in the darkness above, waits the simmering fury at the heart of Tartarus . . .
Artemis: A gripping, high-concept thriller from the bestselling author of The Martian
by Andy WeirEver had a bad day? Try having one on the moon...'Fascinating' Tim Peake, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ask an Astronaut------------------------------------------WELCOME TO ARTEMIS. The first city on the moon.Population 2,000. Mostly tourists.Some criminals.Jazz Bashara is one of the criminals. She lives in a poor area of Artemis and subsidises her work as a porter with smuggling contraband onto the moon. But it’s not enough.So when she’s offered the chance to make a lot of money she jumps at it. But though planning a crime in 1/6th gravity may be more fun, it’s a lot more dangerous…------------------------------------------What everyone's saying about this smart, high concept thriller: 'A smart, fun, fast-paced adventure that you won't be able to put down' Ernest Cline, bestselling author of Ready Player One'What a page turner!' Milda on Goodreads, 5 stars'Fast paced, high octane and highly entertaining' Chrys on Netgalley, 5 stars'Artemis does for the moon what The Martian did for Mars' Guardian'A first rate thriller, this had me hooked from beginning to end' Robert on Netgalley, 5 stars'An absolute must read' Lauren on Goodreads, 5 stars'A clever and action-fuelled story' Culturefly'For those who loved The Martian, you won't be disappointed' Liz on Netgalley, 5 stars
The Bear and The Nightingale: (Winternight Trilogy) (Winternight Trilogy #1)
by Katherine ArdenBeware the evil in the woods. . .In a village at the edge of the wilderness of northern Russia, where the winds blow cold and the snow falls many months of the year, an elderly servant tells stories of sorcery, folklore and the Winter King to the children of the family, tales of old magic frowned upon by the church.But for the young, wild Vasya these are far more than just stories. She alone can see the house spirits that guard her home, and sense the growing forces of dark magic in the woods. . .Atmospheric and enchanting, with an engrossing adventure at its core, The Bear and the Nightingale is perfect for readers of Naomi Novik's Uprooted, Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus, and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials.*****Now with over 100 5* reviews, readers are spellbound by this magical story:'This book stayed with me, I didn't want it to end''A beautifully written story''An entrancing story, which swept me up from the very first chapter''Full of magic'*Don't miss the next book in the Winternight trilogy - The Girl in the Tower - out now*
The Girl in The Tower: (Winternight Trilogy) (Winternight Trilogy #2)
by Katherine ArdenFor a young woman in medieval Russia, the choices are stark: marriage or a life in a convent. Vasya will choose a third way: magic...The court of the Grand Prince of Moscow is plagued by power struggles and rumours of unrest. Meanwhile bandits roam the countryside, burning the villages and kidnapping its daughters. Setting out to defeat the raiders, the Prince and his trusted companion come across a young man riding a magnificent horse.Only Sasha, a priest with a warrior's training, recognises this 'boy' as his younger sister, thought to be dead or a witch by her village. But when Vasya proves herself in battle, riding with remarkable skill and inexplicable power, Sasha realises he must keep her secret as she may be the only way to save the city from threats both human and fantastical...
Find Me: A Novel
by Laura Van BergThings I will never forget: my name, my made-up birthday…The dark of the Hospital at night. My mother’s face, when she was young.Things other people will forget: where they come from, how old they are, the faces of the people they love. The right words for bowl and sunshine…What is a beginning and whatis an end.Joy spends her days working the graveyard shift at a store outside Boston and nursing an addiction to cough syrup, an attempt to suppress her troubled past. But when a sickness that begins with silver blisters and memory loss and ends with death sweeps the country, Joy, for the first time in her life, seems to have an advantage: she is immune. At once a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of a dystopian future and a powerful exploration of loneliness.
The Summer of Impossible Things: An uplifting, emotional story as seen on ITV in the Zoe Ball Book Club
by Rowan ColemanIf you could change the past, would you?*As seen on ITV in The Zoe Ball Book Club*'Beautiful, well-written...I got goosebumps' Alex Jones'Portrayed 1977 so brilliantly...it would make an amazing movie' Zoe Ball -----------------------------------------------How far would you go to save the person you love?Luna is about to do everything she can to save her mother's life.Even if it means sacrificing her own.A beautiful novel about family, courage, sacrifice and love in all its guises from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Memory Book-----------------------------------------------With over 150 5* reviews, this is what readers are saying about this irresistible page-turner:'Best book of the year for me''It's a poignant but ultimately life-affirming journey''A wonderful novel, full of love and friendship and vitality''This story was magical and I loved it''Truly outstanding storytelling''A book that really stayed with me'
The End of the World Running Club
by Adrian J WalkerThe Number One Bestseller and featured on Simon Mayo's Radio 2 Book Club'A real find' STEPHEN KINGTHE ULTIMATE RACE-AGAINST-TIME THRILLERWhen the world ends and you find yourself stranded on the wrong side of the country, every second counts.No one knows this more than Edgar Hill. 550 miles away from his family, he must push himself to the very limit to get back to them, or risk losing them forever...His best option is to run.But what if your best isn’t good enough?An original and powerful post-apocalyptic thriller, perfect for fans of The Martian
The Penitent Damned (The Shadow Campaigns #5)
by Django WexlerFrom the author of The Thousand Names, The Shadow Throne and The Price of Valour comes a prequel short story set in the world of the Shadow Campaigns. Also contains an extract of The Thousand Names, Book One of The Shadow Campaigns.Alex is a master thief, with dark magic to give her an edge. When she goes up against Duke Orlanko's Concordat secret police, though, she may have taken on more than she bargained for...
The Shadow of Elysium (The Shadow Campaigns #4)
by Django WexlerFrom the author of The Thousand Names, The Shadow Throne, and The Price of Valour comes a new novella set in the world of the Shadow Campaigns.The wagons travel north across the mountains, carrying cargo of great value: Hamveltai glass and porcelain; Deslandai jewelry in heavy iron strongboxes; fine cloth from the cities of the Old Coast. And Abraham.Bound and tied, guarded day and night, Abraham has been stolen from his village, from the arms of the man he loved. He is being sent to the fortress-city of Elysium to serve a dark and ancient order, the Priests of the Black. They have discovered the secret he kept all his life: that inside him dwells a demon which allows him to heal…and to kill.But Abraham is not alone. A young woman named Alex, similarly possessed, rides with him. And as a bond grows between them, they begin to wonder if they can turn the demons that have damned them into their salvation.Also contains an extract from The Thousand Names, Book One of The Shadow Campaigns.
Infernal
by Mark De Jager'If Jack Reacher came to Westeros and started beating the hell out of everybody, you’d have Mark De Jager’s Infernal ... daring, dangerous, and full of surprises' Sebastien de Castell, author of Traitor's BladeNO MEMORIES. NO MERCY.Stratus wakes alone, with no memory of his past. All he knows is his name and that he is not human. Possessing immense strength, powerful sorcery and an insatiable hunger, he sets out across a world blighted by dark magic.Hunted by relentless enemies, Stratus must learn who – and what – he truly is, or risk plunging the world into ruin...
Woman on the Edge of Time: A Novel (A\women's Press Classic Ser.)
by Marge PiercyOften compared to Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid’s Tale and Naomi Alderman's The Power – Woman on the Edge of Time has been hailed as a classic of speculative science fiction. Disturbing and forward thinking, Marge Piercy’s remarkable novel will speak to a new generation of readers.After being unjustly committed to a mental institution, Connie Ramos is contacted by an envoy from the year 2137, who shows her a utopian future of sexual and racial equality and environmental harmony.But Connie also bears witness to another potential outcome: a dystopian society of grotesque exploitation. One will become our world. And Connie herself may strike the decisive blow...The classic feminist science fiction novel – reissued on its 40th anniversary with a new introduction by the author.
He, She and It
by Marge PiercyIn the middle of the twenty-first century, life as we know it has changed for all time. Shira Shipman's marriage has broken up, and her young son has been taken from her by the corporation that runs her zone, so she has returned to Tikva, the Jewish town where she grew up. There, she is welcomed by Malkah, the brilliant grandmother who raised her, and meets an extraordinary man who is not a man at all, but a unique cyborg implanted with intelligence, emotions - and the ability to kill...From the critically acclaimed author of Woman on the Edge of Time, comes another stunning novel of morality and courage. A Pygmallion tale for the modern age, this classic feminist speculative novel won the Arthur C Clark Award.
Doctor Who: The History Collection (Doctor Who Ser.)
by Gareth RobertsThe Doctor, Romana and K-9 are hoping for a holiday in London in the sweltering summer of 1930. But the TARDIS is warning of time pollution. And that’s not the only problem. What connects the isolated Sussex resort of Nutchurch with the secret society run by the eccentric Percy Closed? Why has millionaire Hepworth Stackhouse dismissed his staff and hired assassin Julia Orlostro? And what is the truth behind the infernal vapour known only as Zodaal? With the heat building, the Doctor and his friends set out to solve the mysteries. An adventure set in 1930s London, featuring the Fourth Doctor as played by Tom Baker and his companions Romana and K-9.
Doctor Who: The History Collection (DOCTOR WHO #244)
by David BishopWhen gangster Tommy Ramsey is released from prison, he is determined to retake control of his East End territory. But new arrivals threaten his grip on illegal activity in the area. An evangelical minister is persuading people to seek redemption for their sins. A new gang is claiming the streets. And a watchmender called Smith is leading a revolt against the Ramsey Mob's protection racket. When Tommy strikes back at his enemies, a far more terrifying threat is revealed. Within hours the city's air turns into nerve gas and thousands succumb to the choking fumes. London is dying... An adventure set in 1950s London, featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee and his companion Sarah Jane Smith.
Doctor Who: The History Collection (DOCTOR WHO #222)
by Justin Richards Steve ColeWhen a squadron of RAF Hurricanes shoots down an unidentified aircraft over Turelhampton, the village is immediately evacuated. But why is the village still guarded by troops in 2001? When a television documentary crew break through the cordon looking for a story, they find they've recorded more than they'd bargained for. Caught up in both a deadly conspiracy and a historical mystery, retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart calls upon his old friend the Doctor. Half-glimpsed demons watch from the shadows as the Doctor and the Brigadier travel back in time to discover the last, and deadliest, secret of the Second World War. An adventure set partly in the Second World War, featuring the Sixth Doctor as played by Colin Baker and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.
Doctor Who: Doctor Who
by Trevor Baxendale‘I do hope you’re all ready to be terrified!’The Phaeron disappeared from the universe over a million years ago. They travelled among the stars using roads made from time and space, but left only relics behind. But what actually happened to the Phaeron? Some believe they were they eradicated by a superior force… Others claim they destroyed themselves.Or were they in fact the victims of an even more hideous fate?In the far future, humans discover the location of the last Phaeron road – and the Doctor and Clara join the mission to see where the road leads. Each member of the research team knows exactly what they’re looking for – but only the Doctor knows exactly what they’ll find.Because only the Doctor knows the true secret of the Phaeron: a monstrous secret so terrible and powerful that it must be buried in the deepest grave imaginable…
Doctor Who: Big Bang Generation
by Gary Russell“I'm an archaeologist, but probably not the one you were expecting.”Christmas 2015, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Imagine everyone's surprise when a time portal opens up in Sydney Cove. Imagine their shock as a massive pyramid now sits beside the Harbour Bridge, inconveniently blocking Port Jackson and glowing with energy. Imagine their fear as Cyrrus "the mobster" Globb, Professor Horace Jaanson and an alien assassin called Kik arrive to claim the glowing pyramid. Finally imagine everyone's dismay when they are followed by a bunch of con artists out to spring their greatest grift yet. This gang consists of Legs (the sexy comedian), Dog Boy (providing protection and firepower), Shortie (handling logistics), Da Trowel (in charge of excavation and history) and their leader, Doc (busy making sure the universe isn't destroyed in an explosion that makes the Big Bang look like a damp squib). And when someone accidentally reawakens The Ancients of the Universe - which, Doc reckons, wasn't the wisest or best-judged of actions – things get a whole lot more complicated…
Doctor Who: Royal Blood
by Una McCormack“The Grail is a story, a myth! It didn’t exist on your world! It can’t exist here!”The city-state of Varuz is failing. Duke Aurelian is the last of his line, his capital is crumbling, and the armies of his enemy, Duke Conrad, are poised beyond the mountains to invade. Aurelian is preparing to gamble everything on one last battle. So when a holy man, the Doctor, comes to Varuz from beyond the mountains, Aurelian asks for his blessing in the war.But all is not what it seems in Varuz. The city-guard have lasers for swords, and the halls are lit by electric candlelight. Aurelian’s beloved wife, Guena, and his most trusted knight, Bernhardt, seem to be plotting to overthrow their Duke, and Clara finds herself drawn into their intrigue... Will the Doctor stop Aurelian from going to war? Will Clara’s involvement in the plot against the Duke be discovered? Why is Conrad’s ambassador so nervous? And who are the ancient and weary knights who arrive in Varuz claiming to be on a quest for the Holy Grail…?
Doctor Who and the Zarbi
by Bill StruttonAffected by a strange force, the TARDIS is dragged down to the desolate planet of Vortis. Until they can discover what is holding them there, the Doctor and his friends are trapped on the planet… The Doctor, Ian and Vicki are captured by the Zarbi – huge ant-like creatures controlled by the parasitic alien Animus. Meanwhile, Barbara runs into a group of Menoptra, butterfly-like creatures that have been driven from their home planet by the Animus, and plan to return with an invasion force. But the Zarbi know their plans and are waiting for the Menoptra...This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 13 February-20 March 1965. Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell with his companions Barbara, Ian, and Vicki
Doctor Who and the Web of Fear
by Terrance DicksThe TARDIS is engulfed by a mysterious web-like substance in space. Breaking free, the Doctor and his companions Jamie and Victoria land in the London Underground system. But a spreading killer mist has meant that London has been evacuated. The Great Intelligence is back – and its robot Yeti are roaming the streets and the underground tunnels. The Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria team up with an army unit working with their old friend Professor Travers to combat the menace. They soon realise, however, that someone in the group must be working for the Intelligence. With time running out, the Doctor and his friends realise they can trust no one… This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 3 February-9 March 1968.Featuring the Second Doctor as played by Patrick Troughton with his companions Jamie and Victoria
Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion
by Malcolm HulkeThe Doctor and Sarah arrive in London to find it deserted. The city has been evacuated as prehistoric monsters appear in the streets. While the Doctor works to discover who or what is bringing the dinosaurs to London, Sarah finds herself trapped on a spaceship that left Earth months ago travelling to a new world… Against the odds, the Doctor manages to trace the source of the dinosaurs. But will he and the Brigadier be in time to unmask the villains before Operation Golden Age changes the history of planet Earth and wipes out the whole of human civilisation? This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 12 January–16 February 1974.Featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee with his companion Sarah Jane Smith and UNIT
Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks
by Terrance DicksThe Time Lords have a mission for the Doctor. Together with Sarah and Harry, he finds himself stranded on the war-torn planet Skaro where the conflict between the Thals and the Kaleds has been raging for a thousand years. Chemical and biological weapons have started a cycle of mutation among the planet’s inhabitants that cannot be stopped. But Kaled scientist Davros has perfected a life support system and travel machine for the creature he knows his race will ultimately evolve into – the Dalek. The Doctor must stop the creation of the Daleks, or perhaps affect their development so they evolve into less aggressive creatures. But with Davros’s plans to destroy the Thals and to wipe out any dissenters among his own ranks in progress, is the Doctor already too late? This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 8 March–12 April 1975.Featuring the Fourth Doctor as played by Tom Baker with his companions Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan