The Velvet Glove

SF writer and editor Harry Harrison explores a not-too-distant future where robots -- particularly specialist robots who don't know their place -- have quite a rough time of it. True, the Robot Equality Act had been passed -- but so what? New York was a bad town for robots this year. In fact, all over the country it was bad for robots. . . .
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Born

Twenty years ago scientists made some remarkable discoveries with genetics and the ability to perfect the babies we gave birth to. Ten years ago the governments of the world made a hard choice, earth or people. Nine weeks ago the choices they made came full circle. Fourteen days ago the truth of their mutations leaked out into the borderlands and other areas. Yesterday the worst thing they ever made learned about what she was. Today she's coming for them and she knows about the strengths they gave her. Tomorrow she plans on destroying everything. She plans on starting with her own creator. Her own father. Mature readers recommended
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Invasion Day

On his tenth birthday, a boy living on the moon asks his grandpa about the blue planet glowing in the forever-night sky, and why they live the way they do. A short story by the author of We, The Watched.A woman is kidnapped off the streets of NYC, a terrible thing on any day, but this is the beginning of the awakening of the Avatar. Or is he? John Fleuric, a software creator, becomes the center of attention of all involved when power, energy, sex, and death, weave their existence as they become joined in a vision of the Universal Plan and the fate of everyone.From Boca Raton, to New York City, to Roanoke, Virginia, this book is a metaphysical journey; an awakening awareness as the struggles of the universe are revealed through a diverse group of people who have been connected by fate.Energy and power abound in a battle to understand what the universe is trying to tell them and what the fate of mankind will be.With every vibration of energy upon one of the seven chakra the group slowly awakens to the building blocks of existence, laying out choices of paths they may or may not take.A young woman, Jackie, a Coast Guard Petty Officer draws the attention of street preachers in New York, who believes she is involved with the coming of a new Messiah.Bernie who had only met Jackie is intrigued but unsure why.Jamal the prophet of the coming black messiah.John a software creator becomes the center of attention of all involved when power, energy, sex, and death, weave their existence as they become joined in a vision of the Universal Plan and the fate of everyone.Sex, violence, and revelations into the mind of creation are keyed into the reader as their own Chakra's awaken. Everyone who reads this book will experience an awakening triggered by their life and their energy.
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The Mayan Prophecy

Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912. Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010. Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2026. But all three have been given a second chance—to work for an agency that no one knows exists. Its purpose: to prevent time travel destroying history... When Maddy finally unlocks fragments of the secret that Becks has been holding on to, the TimeRiders start to piece together their true purpose. Racing through time to connect the clues, the team discover a Mayan tribe and an ancient relic provides a vital link to the past... and future. But not all the TimeRiders can cope with the discovery, and one threatens to bring them all down if they can act out their revenge...
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Gaia's Brood

Airships, floating cities, and Steampunk adventure. Let the fabulous Nina Swift sweep you into her incredible dystopian future. Join the fabulous Nina Swift ducking and diving her way through a dystopian future via friendship, adventure, betrayal, and assassins. As Nina dives into the mystery of her mother’s past, she discovers the greatest secret of the age.The day after Nina Swift’s twenty-first birthday, she sets out to retrace her famous mother’s final, fatal journey.Within days she’s wanted for murder, arson, manslaughter, and piloting an unlicensed airship. Suddenly, everyone, including the psychopathic Lieutenant Borker, wants a slice of her. Literally.Join the fabulous Nina Swift ducking and diving her way through a dystopian future via friendship, adventure, betrayal, and assassins. As Nina dives into the mystery of her mother’s past, she discovers the greatest secret of the age.Appreciation for Gaia’s Brood:"This is probably the most amazing indie story I’ve ever read. The descriptive words used paint the picture so vividly it’s almost as if I’m watching a movie and the words simply help narrate. Incredible!" Lyrical_love22 (Wattpad fan)“Gaia’s Brood is incredibly well crafted! Can’t stop reading it.” @Alkinea (Author of the Blue and Green Fairy Tales).
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Anything but Dreams

Often described as “Poems for people who don’t like poetry,” this observant, engaging, and heartfelt collection will pick you up and whisk you along the gamut of emotions from exuberant happiness, to deep loss, with frequent stops at the ecstatic, as well as the absurd. These poems wonderfully capture snippets of life in an original and clever manner.Warriors of Gaia tells the epic story of a future world and the girl bound by her sacred pledge to save it…Erin Taylor, a high school junior, never planned to be a savior, but a combination of outrageous circumstances casts her in that role. She and her friends must free their people from slavery in a cruel and dangerous future world. Opposing them is The Court, which will go to any lengths to stop them. In the tradition of Hunger Games, this is a tale of a small band of teens who dare to challenge the most powerful institution on earth.
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Sandkings

When Simon Kress returned to his home planet of Baldur from an offworld business trip, he was amused to find that his tank of Earth piranhas had cannibalized themselves into extinction, and of the two exotic animals that roamed his estate, only one remained. Now, in search of some new pets to satisfy his cruel pursuit of amusement, Simon finds a new shop in the city where he is intrigued by a new lifeform he has never heard of before... a collection of multi-colored sandkings. The curator explains that the insect-like animals, no larger than Simon's fingernails, are not insects, but animals with a highly-evolved hive intelligence capable of staging wars between the different colors, and even religion - in the form of worship of their owner. The curator's warning to Simon about the regularity of their feeding, unfortunately, was not taken seriously... Contents: - The Way of Cross and Dragon - Bitterblooms - In the House of the Worm - Fast-Friend - The Stone City - Starlady - Sandkings
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Dark Christmas Tales

Five short stories taking a darker look at the Christmas period. In this time of overwhelming Xmas cheer, constant barrage of festive music & films, television filled with adverts demanding the perfect Christmas, these stories offer an alternative. Take a break from the festivities, settle down by the fire, and read these five stories. Ideal for a cold, dark, silent Christmas night.Five short stories taking a darker look at the Christmas period. In this time of overwhelming Xmas cheer, constant barrage of festive music & films, television filled with adverts demanding the perfect Christmas, these stories offer an alternative. Take a break from the festivities, settle down by the fire, and read these five stories. Ideal for a cold, dark, silent Christmas night. THE SNOWMAN Peter is a troubled young boy, the victim of a merciless bully. The only escape is the yearly visits of his brother at Christmas. His brother won't be coming home this Christmas. Killed in action. Facing a bleak future alone, Peter has only one option left. Continue the tradition, in memory of his brother. Build The Snowman. THE CHRISTMAS REVOLUTION Kap is an elf working nightmare shifts in Santa's workshop. Unable to take it any more, Kap sets in motion a plan to escape from his slavery. Can he lead a revolution that will free the elves from their evil oppressor - Father Christmas? A DOG IS FOR LIFE A deadly new flu epidemic hits Britain. Transmitted by man's best friend. The message goes out. Kill your dog or you will die. Can Fred, a miserable old alcoholic, murder his only friend to save his own life? THE CHRISTMAS TREE An ancient being awakens to find itself imprisoned by an inferior race. WINTER'S BRIDE In a village of eternal summer, a young girl discovers the horrible price paid to keep winter at bay. Can she escape the fate chosen for her that leads only to a cold, dark future?
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Byzantium, Book 1: Dead Men's Road

In Byzantium Book One: Dead Men’s Road, a beautiful woman tasked with delivering a sealed package to the Invisible College in Byzantium is pursued by merciless bandits, relentless undead, and a charming scoundrel who has nothing to lose.Award Winning Author I. A. Watson, one of the most prolific voices in New Pulp, takes readers into a world of history of fantasy, one marred with magic, monsters, and mystery in his exclusive original Pro Se Single Shot Signatures Series Byzantium.In a world where Christianity never arose to sweep away the old magics, where sorcerer-guilds and necromancer-kings rule amidst the Roman ruins, Kirkgrim the Wanderer joins a caravan train across war-torn wasteland to the world's most corrupt city. The reluctant hero finds himself trapped with travelers, refugee orphans, deserter soldiers, a beautiful hunted sorceress, and one mad viking, amidst civil war, religious zealots, brutal reavers, and a growing zombie army - guarding a secret that could bring the last vestiges of civilization crashing down in flames.In Byzantium Book One: Dead Men’s Road, a beautiful woman tasked with delivering a sealed package to the Invisible College in Byzantium is pursued by merciless bandits, relentless undead, and a charming scoundrel who has nothing to lose.
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Feedback

Perfect for fans of James Dashner\'s The Maze Runner, Feedback is the heart-stopping sequel to Variant—which Pittacus Lore, author of I Am Number Four, praised as "an intense journey with some of the most shocking twists and turns I\'ve ever read."Benson Fisher escaped from Maxfield Academy\'s deadly rules and brutal gangs. He thought that the worst was over.But now Benson is trapped in a different kind of prison—a town filled with familiar faces. Classmates from Maxfield who Benson had seen die. Friends he was afraid he had killed.They are all pawns in the school\'s twisted experiment, held captive and controlled by an unseen force. And while Benson struggles to figure out who, if anyone, can be trusted, he discovers that Maxfield Academy\'s plans are darker than anything he imagined—and they may be impossible to stop.
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A Gift From Earth

A solitary mountain rises from the searing, toxic blackness of the planet. The organ banks are the centre of this world. To them the subservient colonists contribute living limbs, and from them the overlords obtain the vital parts that keep them alive.
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Tangents

Even though he can remember being at his sister's wedding, he's not in a single photo, even though he's certain he posed in them. The voices beg the question; what if it wasn't *his* sister's wedding? What if he accidentally crossed into a parallel reality?And if he did, how will he get home?He's wondering if he's been dead this whole time, like Bruce Willis. In the Sixth Sense, that is, not generally. He's pretty sure Bruce Willis hasn't been dead this whole time.Even though he can remember being at his sister's wedding, he's not in a single photo, even though he's certain he posed in them. The voices beg the question; what if it wasn't *his* sister's wedding? What if he accidentally crossed into a parallel reality?And if he did, how will he get home?
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The Barbarians

The Barbarians is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Algis Budrys is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of Algis Budrys then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.
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Dreamsongs. Volume II

Even before the enormous success of A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin had secured his reputation as one of the most exciting storytellers of our time. The second of two thrilling collections, Dreamsongs: Volume II continues the story of his amazing journey from a young writer to a #1 New York Times bestselling force of nature. Whether writing about werewolves, wizards, or outer space, George R. R. Martin is renowned for his versatility and expansive talent, as demonstrated in this dazzling collection. Dreamsongs: Volume II contains acclaimed stories such as the World Fantasy Award winner “The Skin Trade,” as well as the first novella in the Ice and Fire universe, The Hedge Knight—plus two early screenplays. Featuring extensive author commentary, Dreamsongs: Volume II is an invaluable chronicle of a writer at the height of his creativity—and an unforgettable reading experience for fans old and new. “Science fiction, fantasy and horror fans alike will be blown away by the diversity and quality of stories. . . . This extraordinary collection is one to cherish.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)   “Dreamsongs is the ideal way to discover . . . a master of science fiction, fantasy and horror. . . . Martin is a writer like no other.”—The Guardian (U.K.)   PRAISE FOR GEORGE R. R. MARTIN “Of those who work in the grand epic-fantasy tradition, Martin is by far the best. In fact . . . this is as good a time as any to proclaim him the American Tolkien.”—Time “Long live George Martin . . . a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers.”—The New York Times   “I always expect the best from George R. R. Martin, and he always delivers.”—Robert Jordan
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The Buried Giant

From the author of Never Let Me Go and the Booker Prize-winning *The Remains of the Day* The Romans have long since departed and Britain is steadily declining into ruin. But, at least, the wars that once ravaged the country have ceased. Axl and Beatrice, a couple of elderly Britons, decide that now is the time, finally, for them to set off across this troubled land of mist and rain to find the son they have not seen for years, the son they can scarcely remember. They know they will face many hazards—some strange and otherworldly—but they cannot foresee how their journey will reveal to them the dark and forgotten corners of their love for each other. Nor can they foresee that they will be joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and a knight—each of them, like Axl and Beatrice, lost in some way to his own past, but drawn inexorably toward the comfort, and the burden, of the fullness of a life’s memories. Sometimes savage, sometimes mysterious, always intensely moving, Kazuo Ishiguro’s first novel in a decade tells a luminous story about the act of forgetting and the power of memory, a resonant tale of love, vengeance, and war. From the Hardcover edition.
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