From School Library JournalAdult/High School-Set in the same vast time scale and future as Coalescent (2003) and Exultant (2004, both Del Rey), Transcendent can be read independently. Michael Poole is a middle-aged engineer in the year of the digital millennium (2047) and Alia is a recognizably human (but evolved) adolescent born on a starship half a million years later. Michael still dreams of space flight, but the world and its possibilities are much diminished due to environmental degradation. The gifted teen has studied Michael's life, for the Poole family played a pivotal role in creating the human future, and thus her world. Through seemingly supernatural apparitions, Alia bridges time to communicate with Michael as they determine the future of humanity. The Pooles are a troubled family, and readers will appreciate the conflict between Michael and his son as they are forced to find common ground in a struggle to reverse the final tipping point of global warming. Teens will also understand Alia's alarm, and her growing determination to choose her own destiny, when she is selected to join the Transcendents and is rushed into their unimaginable post-human reality. This is visionary, philosophical fiction, rich in marvels drawn from today's cutting-edge science. A typical paragraph by Baxter might turn more ideas loose on readers than an entire average, mundane novel does, but all this food for thought is delivered with humor and compassion. Experienced SF readers will enjoy sinking their teeth into the story, while general readers who have enjoyed near-future, science-based suspense novels such as those by Michael Crichton will discover here that science fiction can set a higher, much richer standard than what they've experienced before.-Christine C. Menefee, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ReviewPraise for Stephen BaxterCoalescent“Utterly fascinating . . . constantly surprising . . . Coalescent reveals a new side to Baxter’s vast talent.”–Locus“A gripping read . . . Baxter continues to prove that he has phenomenal insight into humanity, giving us not only an inspired book, but more to think about in regards to our own evolution.”–SF Site“[Baxter excels] at both action-packed storytelling and philosophical speculation.”–Library JournalExultant“Baxter has an uncanny gift for mixing a punchy, cyberpunk cynicism with his resolutely hard SF story base. . . . [Exultant] rivals Asimov in its boundless vision for the future evolution of humanity.”–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Striking . . . chilling . . . [with] a triumphant conclusion.”–Starburst“Technically brilliant and downright exciting.”–SFX MagazineFrom the Hardcover edition. Views: 59
Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Terlain... A beautiful nymph-turned-warrior had a terrible choice to make. Two years ago, Aries fell in love with her best friend Claire's brother, and soon after, he left her in the dust. Now he's back. But in a world that's been turned upside down, and for a girl whose heart has turned to stone, is there any place left for happily ever after? Views: 59
Kim can't wait for her cousin Mia and her Siamese cat, Bibi, to come visit. But when they turn up, neither cousin nor cat are half as nice as Kim remembers! Mia and her cat proceed to make Kim's week a terrible one. . . but when Kim discovers a tiny silver kitten in her gardening shed, things seem to get magically better. Views: 59
Some mistakes have far-reaching consequences, most secrets are better left untold, and bad neighbors can make your life hell… If these walls could talk… When Kate inherits her aunt’s aging Florida home, financial woes and sheer desperation cause her to set aside a decade-old vow to never again set foot in the sunshine state. But Kate will soon find that her new home is full of shadows and secrets. Views: 59
1988 and the band Bushmaster is on its 4th album and 2nd US tour. Vince and Hamish started the band, Bushmaster, as young college students. Now, Vince's nastiness has caused someone to exact the ultimate revenge, death. After coercing Lori into marrying him, Hamish isn't sure just how long she will stick around. His focus has been on keeping his wife happy and getting out of the band. He has a recording date in Glasgow. But, in Los Angeles, Vince is murdered.Hamish's artist wife, Lori, may have been involved with Vincent before Hamish met and convinced her to marry him. Is she involved? Hamish must find the killer. But when he finds the murderer will he be forced to protect that person?In a race to find the answer before the police, MacGrough has to use every resource he can, including the wife he fears may have had a hand in the murder.Lori had already been burned by one man. Can she trust her Scottish keyboard playing husband to respect her career? Will their marriage survive... Views: 59
Cayson finally prepares to come home to join the rest of his family. But when Laura comes to say goodbye, it's an awkward meeting.Slade and Trinity continue trying to have a baby but everything doesn't go according to plan.Dee and Theo spend more time together, but Slade says something that might put a halt to their developing relationship. Views: 59
Tiga and friends are famous throughout Sinkville for their part in the Witch Wars competition, but there's so much more of Sinkville to discover! Now, Ritzy City's Top Witch Peggy Pigwiggle has asked Tiga and Fran to make a TV documentary about the most interesting witches in town – with Fluffanora helping out as fashion adviser. But whilst Tiga enjoys making the documentary, she can't help but feel there's something going on behind her back ... This hilarious companion story sits alongside the main Witch Wars series as a standalone title, and is full of character profiles, facts and activities to fascinate fans and give them everything they need to create their very own Witch Wars party. Views: 59
