fb2An anthology of stories
“Martin has assembled an impressive array of writers… Progressing through the decades, Wild Cards keeps its momentum to the end… I’m looking forward to the next episodes in this saga of mutant Americana.” – Locus
“Well written and suspenseful and a good read… The authors had a lot of fun rewriting recent American history.” – Aboriginal Science Fiction
“Commendable writing… a zany premise… narrated with rueful humor and intelligence.” – Publishers Weekly
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The first fifteen volumes of the Wild Cards series concerned themselves primarily with aces (those given superhuman powers by the Wild Cards virus) and jokers (those whom the virus transformed into freaks and monsters). But in this all-new collection of Wild Cards stories, Deuces Down will focus on some characters less often in the spotlight: the deuces. In Wild Card slang, a deuce is an ace whose superpower is tiny, trivial, sometimes silly.
As with the other books in the series, Deuces Down is set in an alternate, shared-world universe. It's here that you'll find the never-before-told tales of the exciting 1969 World Series between the Baltimore Orioles and the Brooklyn Dodgers; the first moon landing, when the whole world wasn't watching; the Great New York City Blackout of 1977; and Grace Kelly's mysterious disappearance during the filming of The French Lieutenant's Woman.
Planet Worlorn, ein kosmischer Wanderer ohne Ziel, hatte eine kurze Blütezeit. Zivilisationen errichteten auf ihm gigantische Städte, zum Ruhm ihrer Kulturen, für rauschende Feste. Geblieben aber sind nur Geisterstädte…
Eines Tages tauchen die Männer von Hoch Kavalaan auf Worlorn auf. Sie führen ein fremdes Mädchen mit sich: Gwen Delvano, die ihren Körper keinem der Krieger verweigern darf. Dirk t’Larien besitzt einen Flüsterjuwel, in dem die Empfindungen seiner ersten Liebe gespeichert sind. Es erreicht ihn ein verzweifelter Hilferuf — jener Frau von Worlorn. Er eilt dorthin, ein Drama beginnt: Eine Frau, die sich nicht entscheiden kann — ein Mann, der seine verlorene Liebe sucht — Kavalaren in ihrem furchtbaren Haß — erbarmungslose Ritualvorschriften, tödliche Duelle, gnadenlose Jagden … Und Dirk t’Larien hat keine Ahnung von dem strengen Ehrenkodex der Kavalaren.
All new strange cases of death and magic in the city by some of the biggest names in urban fantasy.
In this all-new collection of urban fantasy stories, editors George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois explore the places where mystery waits at the end of every alley and where the things that go bump in the night have something to fear...
Includes stories by New York Times bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Diana Gabaldon, Simon R. Green, S. M. Stirling, and Carrie Vaughn, as well as tales by Glen Cook, Bradley Denton, M.L.N. Hanover, Conn Iggulden, Laurie R. King, Joe R. Lansdale, John Maddox Roberts, Steven Saylor, Melinda Snodgrass, and Lisa Tuttle.
From Star Trek to Star Wars, from Dune to Foundation, science fiction has a rich history of exploring the idea of vast intergalactic societies, and the challenges facing those living in or trying to manage such societies. The stories in Federations will continue that tradition. What are the social/religious/environmental/technological implications of living in such a vast society? What happens when expansionist tendencies on a galactic scale come into conflict with the indigenous peoples of other planets, of other races? And what of the issue of communicating across such distances, or the problems caused by relativistic travel? These are just some of the questions and issues that the stories in Federations will take on.
Abner Marsh, Flußschiffer auf dem Mississippi und ein Koloß von einem Mann, steht nach der Flutkatastrophe von 1857 vor dem wirtschaftlichen Ruin. Da bietet ihm der Aristokrat Joshua York die Partnerschaft an, um das schnellste Dampfschiff auf dem Mississippi bauen zu lassen. Für den Kapitän scheint sich ein Traum zu verwirklichen.
Doch während der Jungfernfahrt der Fiebertraum entpuppt sich Joshua York zum Entsetzen Marshs als Vampir, und der Plan, als schnellster Dampfschiffkapitän in die Geschichte einzugehen, tritt in den Hintergrund, denn York fährt den Fluß hinab, um die Letzten seiner kranken alten Rasse zu sammeln und sie vom Erbe ihrer blutgierigen Leidenschaft zu befreien. Zuvor jedoch muß er den mächtigen Blutmeister Damon Julian besiegen, einen Vampir voll animalischem Magnetismus, der den roten Durst seines Nachtvolks durch Mord und Heimtücke zu löschen versucht.
Und mit jedem Flußkilometer sinkt Abner Marshs Schiff tiefer in einen blutigen Alptraum jenseits der Realität.
Eens waren ze geliefden, Dirk t’Larien en Gwen Delvano, nu is hun relatie verleden tijd. Tot Dirk reageert op de roep van een fluisterjuweel, een smeekbede die hem naar de verre wereld Worlorn voert — het is een duistere, stervende wereld die wordt bevolkt door ten dode opgeschreven overlevenden van wat ooit een bloeiende beschaving was. Op Worlorn vindt Dirk zijn geliefde Gwen terug, opgesloten in een kooi van jade en zilver. Zij is de gevangene van Jaantony, een heerser die in onmin leeft met zijn eigen volk omdat hij er sociaal onacceptabele opvattingen op na houdt. Onvermijdelijk kruist Dirks pad dat van Jaantony en zijn geslepen rechterhand. En voor het goed en wel tot hem doordringt wat er allemaal gebeurt, vormt Dirk de prooi in een meedogenloze jacht van bloeddorstige wezens voor wie een mensenleven van geen enkel belang is.
Quand Dirk T’Larien reçoit le joyau-qui-murmure, des souvenirs douloureux resurgissent. Il se demande pourquoi son amour perdu, la belle Gwen, fait ainsi appel à lui si longtemps après leur rupture. Espérant renouer avec elle, il embarque sur le premier vaisseau à destination de Worlorn pour arracher Gwen aux violents chevaliers Kavalars.
Haviland Tuf un negutator interstelar cinstit, dar de mica anvergura. El gaseste, din intamplare, o nava de germinare, veche de secole si lunga de cateva mile, care apartinuse Corpului Pamantean al Inginerilor Ecologici, o organizatie candva foarte puternica. Pe nava — folosita initial ca arma ucigatoare — sunt pastrate secretele unei stiinte uitate intre timp, iar instalatiile sale functioneaza suficient de bine pentru a crea, modifica genetic sau clona orice planta sau animal dintr-un fond de miliarde de specii, unele binefacatoare, altele distructive.
Execentricul, dar moralul Tuf se transforma in inginer ecologic si foloseste comorile navei sale pentru a rezolva problemele ce chinuie coloniile omenesti indepartate — de la foamete la serpi de mare…
Today, in order to honor the magnificent career of Jack Vance, one unparalleled in achievement and impact, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN and GARDNER DOZOIS, with the full cooperation of Jack Vance, his family, and his agents, suggest a Jack Vance tribute anthology called Songs of the Dying Earth, to encourage the best of today's fantasy writers to return to the unique and evocative milieu of The Dying Earth, from which they and so many others have drawn so much inspiration, to create their own brand-new adventures in the world of Jack Vance s greatest novel.
Half a century ago, Jack Vance created the world of the Dying Earth, and fantasy has never been the same. Now, for the first time ever, Jack has agreed to open this bizarre and darkly beautiful world to other fantasists, to play in as their very own. To say that other fantasy writers are excited by this prospect is a gross understatement; one has told us that he'd crawl through broken glass for the chance to write for the anthology, another that he'd gladly give up his right arm for the privilege that's the kind of regard in which Jack Vance and The Dying Earth are held by generations of his peers.
For many of us, the Ace Double Novels of the ’50s and ’60s have long been a source both of pleasure and nostalgia. This new double volume from Subterranean Press stands squarely in that distinguished tradition, offering a pair of colorful, fast-paced novelettes from one of the most popular writers currently working in any genre: George R. R. Martin.
Starlady takes place on a planet called Thisrock and depicts a Darwinian society populated by thieves, whores, cutthroats, pimps, and assorted lost souls. It is a tale of love, loss, vengeance, and ambition written with great economy of means, and with a narrative intensity that never, ever lets up.
Fast-Friend takes a fresh new look at an enduring human dream: travel to the stars. With consummate narrative skill, and with a visionary’s sensibility, Martin tells an unforgettable story of longing and transcendence, a story suffused with images at once beautiful and terrifying, mysterious and profound.
Un magnífico barco “Sueño del Fevre”, está dispuesto a vencer a todos los aspirantes al título “Reina del Mississipi”. Es un sueño hecho realidad para su capitán Abner Marsh, una magnífica propiedad para el extraño Joshua York. Pero para este último es principalmente un medio contra su terrible enemigo Damon Julian, el maestro del último enclave de una vieja raza que emerge durante la noche y cuyo placer y necesidad se sacian con sangre humana. Sueño del Fevre es una novela de vampiros, especialmente interesante para los que creen que todo estaba dicho sobre el tema.
Wezwany przez Gwen, swą dawną ukochaną, na festiwalowy świat Worlorn, Dirk t’Larien przekonuje się, że duma światów zewnętrznych położonych poza Welonem Kusicielki bardzo się zmieniła i jest teraz umierającą planetą. Gwiazdozbiór Kręgu Ognia świeci coraz słabiej i Worlorn ponownie podejmuje samotną wędrówkę przez mrok międzygwiezdnych przestrzeni.
Gwen jest obecnie związana z Jaanem Vikarym, jednym z dumnych Kavalarów, którzy władają Worlornem zgodnie ze swym opartym na przemocy kodeksem. Gdy jednak planeta pogrąża się w mroku, ich brutalna, pusta cywilizacja zaczyna się załamywać.
„Światło się mroczy” to powieść zawierająca piękny opis obcych światów i kultur, to mroczna opowieść o przemocy, złamanych obietnicach, samozniszczeniu i obsesyjnej lojalności.
From legendary editor Ellen Datlow, Tails of Wonder collects the best of the last thirty years of science fiction and fantasy stories about cats from an all-star list of contributors.
Explosive and provocative battles fought across the boundaries of time and space—and on the frontiers of the human mind.
Science fiction's finest have yielded this definitive collection featuring stories of warfare, victory, conquest, heroism, and overwhelming odds. These are scenarios few have ever dared to contemplate, and they include:
-"Superiority": Arthur C. Clarke presents an intergalactic war in which one side's own advanced weaponry may actually lead to its ultimate defeat.
-"Dragonrider": A tale of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern, in which magic tips the scales of survival.
-"Second Variety": Philip K. Dick, author of the short story that became the movie Blade Runner, reaches new heights of terror with his post apocalyptic vision of the future.
-"The Night of the Vampyres": A chilling ultimatum of atomic proportions begins a countdown to disaster in George R. R. Martin's gripping drama.
-"Hero": Joe Haldeman's short story that led to his classic of interstellar combat, The Forever War.
-"Ender's Game": The short story that gave birth to Orson Scott Card's masterpiece of military science fiction.
. . . as well as stories from Poul Anderson, Gregory Benford, C. J. Cherryh, David Drake, Cordwainer Smith, Harry Turtledove and Walter John Williams.
Guaranteed to spark the imagination and thrill the soul, these thirteen science fiction gems cast a stark light on our dreams and our darkest fears—truly among the finest tales of the 20th century.
The Hedge Knight, published in the first Legends, takes place in the last days of Good King Daeron's reign, about a hundred years before the opening of the first of the Ice and Fire novels, with the realm at peace and the Targaryen dynasty at its height. It tells the story of the first meeting between Dunk, a hedge knight's squire, and Egg, a boy who is rather more than he seems, and of the great tourney at Ashford Meadow.
“When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth!”
From White Zombie to Dawn of the Dead, Resident Evil to World War Z, zombies have invaded popular culture, becoming the monsters that best express the fears and anxieties of the modern west. Gathering together the best zombie literature of the last three decades from many of today’s most renowned authors of fantasy, speculative fiction, and horror, including Stephen King, Harlan Ellison, Robert Silverberg, George R. R. Martin, Clive Barker, Poppy Z. Brite, Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Joe R. Lansdale, The Living Dead covers the broad spectrum of zombie fiction.