Top Science Fiction eBooks

Olympos eBook by Simmons, Dan

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Beneath the gaze of the gods, the mighty armies of Greece and Troy met in fierce and glorious combat, scrupulously following the text set forth in Homer's timeless narrative. But that was before one observer -- Twenty-first Century scholar Thomas Hockenberry -- stirred the bloody brew; before an enraged Achilles joined forces with his archenemy Hector; and before the fleet-footed mankiller turned his murderous wrath on Zeus, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, and the entire pantheon of divine manipulators.

Now, all bets are off.

Dan Simmons, the multiple-award-winning author of The Hyperion Cantos, returns with the eagerly anticipated conclusion to his critically acclaimed, Hugo Award-nominated sf epic Ilium. A novel breathtaking in its scope and conception, Olympos ingeniously imagines a catastrophic future where immortal ""post-humans"" high atop the real Olympos Mons on Mars restage the Trojan War for their own amusement even while the sad remnants of mortal humankind are forced to confront their ultimate annihilation.

For untold centuries, those few old-style humans remaining on Earth have never known strife, toil, or responsibility, each content to live his or her allocated hundred years of life in unquestioning leisure. But virtually overnight and for reasons beyond their comprehension, the world around them has changed forever. The voynix -- terrible and swift creatures that once catered to their every need -- are now massing in the millions with but one terrifying purpose: the total extermination of the human race.

Having traveled farther and learned more of the wondrous and terrible truth of their world than any others of their kind, Ada and Daeman -- with the aid of the crafty and mysterious warrior once called Odysseus, now called Noman -- must marshal the pathetic defenses of Ardis Hall in anticipation of the onslaught of the murderous voynix. And they must do so without Harman, Ada's lover and the father of her unborn child, who wanders the Earth on a great odyssey of his own. Harman seeks nothing less than the limitless knowledge necessary to defeat Setebos, an unspeakable, otherworldly monster who feeds on horror, and whose arrival heralds the end of all things.

And meanwhile, back on Mars ...

The vengeful rebellion of Achilles -- and the intervention of sentient robots from Jovian space, determined to prevent a potentially universe-obliterating quantum catastrophe -- has set immortal against immortal, igniting a civil war among Olympian gods that may send all things in Heaven and Earth and everywhere in between plummeting straight to Hell.

A monumental work that blurs the often arbitrary line between great sf and serious literature, Dan Simmons's Olympos -- together with its extraordinary predecessor, Ilium -- sets new standards for the genre, confirming his reputation as one of the most original authors currently working in the field of speculative fiction.

Singularity Sky eBook by Stross, Charles

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

"This much-anticipated debut novel is set 400 years in the future-and in the wake of perfected time travel, the ultimate advancements in technology and information, and the groundbreaking development of Artificial Intelligence. Is this all a great step for humanity? Or will it be our ultimate downfall? Singularity Sky is a truly visionary novel of the future, and already its author, Charles Stross, has become the most talked-about new voice in science fiction... "

Virtually Hers eBook by Low, Gennita

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

He can't get her out of his head...literally. Virtually, Book 2 In Helen "Hell" Roston's elite black ops world, failure isn't listed as an option in the rule book. As the leading guinea pig in a dangerous combination of virtual reality training and a mind-altering serum, though, every day offers a thousand ways to blow it. And the very real sexual chemistry that sizzles between Hell and her trainer is messing with her head even more. COS Commando Jed McNeil is an expert in mind manipulation games. He's been chosen to be Hell's monitor and anchor in the Super Soldier Spy program. Trained to compartmentalize his needs and feelings in an assignment, he's unprepared by how much Hell affects him. When the experimental serum gives Helen incapacitating headaches, her pain throws Jed into protect-at-all-costs mode. A position the fiercely independent Hell would rather die than be in. But with a rogue CIA faction out to sabotage the program, Hell has no choice-even if it makes her head explode. It's trust Jed, or die. Book 1 of this series was published by the Mira imprint of Harlequin. Warning: Contains scenes of voyeuristic hanky panky, bad guys that feed off mind-blowing sexual energy, a heroine who knows how to get her kick-ass on, and a hero who gives as good as he gets.

The Night's Dawn Trilogy eBook by Hamilton, Peter F.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Customer Review: Science fiction at its best. Detailed plot, amazing philosophical diversions, quite involving. Recommended as one of the best around.

Halo: The Fall of Reach eBook by Nylund, Eric S.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

As the bloody Human-Covenant War rages on Halo, the fate of humankind may rest with one warrior, the lone SPARTAN survivor of another legendary battle... the desperate, take-no-prisoners struggle that led humanity to Halo&#8212;the fall of the planet Reach. Now, brought to life for the first time, here is the full story of that glorious, doomed conflict.While the brutal Covenant juggernaut sweeps inexorably through space, intent on wiping out humankind, only one stronghold remains&#8212;the planet Reach. Practically on Earth&#8217;s doorstep, it is the last military fortress to defy the onslaught. But the personnel here have another, higher priority: to prevent the Covenant from discovering the location of Earth.Outnumbered and outgunned, the soldiers seem to have little chance against the Covenant, but Reach holds a closely guarded secret. It is the training ground for the very first &#8220;super soldiers.&#8221; Code-named SPARTANs, these highly advanced warriors, specially bioengineered and technologically augmented, are the best in the universe&#8212;quiet, professional, and deadly. Now, as the ferocious Covenant attack begins, a handful of SPARTANs stand ready to wage ultimate war. They will kill, they will be destroyed, but they will never surrender. And at least one of them&#8212;the SPARTAN known as Master Chief&#8212;will live to fight another day on a mysterious and ancient, artificial world called Halo....

The Dreaming Void eBook by Hamilton, Peter F.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Customer Review: The human race has always looked to something greater than itself...whether through the morphing fabrication of each eras belief in God or in the brutal honesty of science. Peter Hamilton mixes the complexity of the future human condition with a reality so shocking and gripping, it will keep you turning pages and always hungry for more.

The Accidental Time Machine eBook by Haldeman, Joe

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Customer Review: You don't need a whole lot of willing suspension of disbelief to enjoy this story. Time travel, if it actually ever occurs (has occurred, will occur??), will probably be the result of an accident of some sort. And that's the plot of this story in a nutshell. Every twist in the plot is the result of a time accident. It's predictable, but the science is not so bad as to be implausible and the characters are well-drawn and believable. The conundrums of time travel are explored but that doesn't stop the action! I recommend it.

Pandora's Star eBook by Hamilton, Peter F.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Customer Review: Wonderful follow up to Night's Dawn Trilogy. Couldn't put my eReader down. Hamilton at his best. Have purchased all his novels, waiting for more !

Dragonsdawn eBook by McCaffrey, Anne

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

The dragonmakersThe beautiful planet Pern seemed a paradise to its new colonists --until unimaginable terror turned it into hell. Suddenly deadly sporeswere falling like silver threads from the sky, devouring everything --and everyone -- in their path. It began to look as if the colony, cutoff from Earth and lacking the resources to combat the menace, wasdoomed.Then some of the colonists noticed that the small, dragonlike lizardsthat inhabited their new world were joining the fight against Thread,breathing fire on it and teleporting to safety. If only, they thought,the dragonets were big enough for a human to ride and intelligent enoughto work as a team with a rider...And so they set their most talented geneticist to work to create thecreatures Pern so desperately needed -- Dragons!<HR>"Anne McCaffrey 'remains a master of the well-told tale.'" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CHICAGO SUN-TIMES"Few are better at mixing elements of high fantasy and hard sciencefiction in a narrative that disarms skepticism by it open embrace ofthe joys of wish fulfillment." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW"This is must reading for fans of the The Dragonriders of Pernseries..." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; SAN DIEGO TRIBUNE<HR>Cover art by Michael Whelan<HR>

By Heresies Distressed eBook by Weber, David

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Now the battle for the soul of the planet Safehold has begun. The Kingdom of Charis and the Kingdom of Chisholm have joined together, pledged to stand against the tyranny of a corrupt Church. The youthful Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm has wed King Cayleb o

Flashforward eBook by Sawyer, Robert J.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Robert J. Sawyers award-winning science fiction has garnered both popular and critical acclaim. The New York Times Book Review called Frameshift filled to bursting with ideas, characters and incidents. His novels are fixtures on the Hugo and Nebula ballot

Gears of War: Jacinto's Remnant eBook by Traviss, Karen

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Based on the blockbuster Xbox game, this is the stunning story of the men and women who stood between a planet and total destruction–and now have to face the consequences of their actions.

After a brutal fifteen-year war for survival, the Coalition of Ordered Governments is forced to destroy mankind’s last city in a final bid to stop the Locust Horde. As the survivors flee Jacinto, they must contend with the last of the Locust, bent on vengeance, as they struggle to stay alive in an icy wilderness. Marcus Fenix, Dom Santiago, and their fellow Gears fight to get Jacinto’s refugees to a safe haven, but find themselves in a lawless new world where the enemy is human–and as desperate and dangerous as any grub.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Star Wars: Boba Fett: A Practical Man eBook by Traviss, Karen

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Customer Review: One of a selection of Star Wars novels that were only ever released in ebook format, this one sits very early in the New Jedi Order series and explains how the Yuuzhan Vong fist entered the Star Wars galaxy and their early dealings with the Mandalorian bounty hunters and more specifically the ever practical Boba Fett. You read the story of Yuuzhan Vong hiring the Mandalore as their tame mercenaries and how Boba Fett and the other Mandalore realise that some times, regardless of how many credits you are getting, you need to fight for the other side.

Gears of War Aspho Fields eBook by Traviss, Karen

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

For the first time, fans of the blockbuster Gears of War video games get an in-depth look at Delta Squad’s toughest fighters–soldier’s soldier Marcus Fenix and rock-solid Dominic Santiago–as well as a detailed account of the pivotal battle of the Pendulum Wars.

As kids, the three of them were inseparable; as soldiers, they were torn apart. Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago fought alongside Dom’s elder brother Carlos at Aspho Fields in the epic battle that changed the course of the Pendulum Wars. There’s a new war to fight now, a war for mankind’s very survival. But while the last human stronghold on Sera braces itself for another onslaught from the Locust Horde, ghosts come back to haunt Marcus and Dom. For Marcus–decorated war hero, convicted traitor–the return of an old comrade threatens to dredge up an agonizing secret he’s sworn to keep.

As the beleaguered Gears of the Coalition of Ordered Governments take a last stand to save mankind from extermination, the harrowing decisions made at Aspho Fields have to be re-lived and made again. Marcus and Dom can take anything the Locust Horde throws at them–but will their friendship survive the truth about Carlos Santiago?

From the Paperback edition.

Judas Unchained eBook by Hamilton, Peter F.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 35:10:16 GMT

Customer Review: Superb sequel to Pandora's Star. Author's imagination and plot can only be admired. Once started, has to be finished. Have all of Hamilton's novels, waiting for the 3rd in the Void series as well. Highly recommended