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Science Fiction October 2013
"Please stop singing."
~ from Margaret Atwood's MaddAddam
New and Recently Released!
MaddAddam: A Novel - by Margaret Atwood
Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/03/2013
Share MaddAddam%3a A Novel ISBN-13: 9780385528788
ISBN-10: 0385528787
Science Fiction. In this conclusion to the Maddaddam trilogy, Toby, an adherent of the pacifist, Earth-worshipping God's Gardeners religion, must now protect the straggling survivors of a global pandemic. She's also responsible for the safety of the Crakers, the bioengineered humanoid species created by the same man who unleashed the deadly plague that nearly wiped out humankind. Meanwhile, her unexpected reunion with Zeb, the MaddAddamite bioterrorist who broke with their faith in favor of armed resistance against powerful corporate interests, further complicates matters. Although MaddAddam contains a helpful synopsis of the events of the previous novels, newcomers will want to start with Oryx & Crake, followed by The Year of the Flood.
New Earth - by Ben Bova
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/16/2013
Share New Earth ISBN-13: 9780765330185
ISBN-10: 0765330180
First Contact SF. In this sequel to Farside, the discovery of an Earth-like planet prompts expedition into deep space. Upon landing on Sirius C -- dubbed "NewEarth" -- the research team encounters a race of friendly and intelligent humanoid aliens who not only speak their visitors' language, but prove to be remarkably well-informed about Earth's history. Where (and how) did the inhabitants of NewEarth learn so much about human culture? What else do they know? And are they truly as benevolent as they appear? Find out in this suspenseful story of space exploration and adventure.
Shadows of the New Sun: Stories in Honor of Gene Wolfe - edited by J. E. Mooney and Bill Fawcett
Publisher: Tor
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/27/2013
Share Shadows of the New Sun%3a Stories in Honor of Gene Wolfe ISBN-13: 9780765334589
ISBN-10: 0765334585
Short Stories. An impressive roster of writers pay tribute to author Gene Wolfe in this collection of 18 short stories that draw inspiration from his work. William C. Dietz's "In the Shadow of the Gate" and Jody Lynn Nye's "The Dreams of the Sea" are set in the world of Wolfe's Book of the New Sun, while Marc Armani provides an inventive take on Wolfe's Latro series with "Soldier of Mercy." Michael Swanwick's "The She-Wolf's Hidden Grin" recasts "The Fifth Head of Cerberus" and Joe Haldeman reconfigures Wolfe's Nebula Award-winning novella The Death of Doctor Island with "The Island of the Death Doctor." Contributions by Neil Gaiman, David Brin, David Drake, and others round out the collection, which also includes two brand new short stories by Wolfe himself.
The Darwin Elevator - by Jason M. Hough
Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/30/2013
Share The Darwin Elevator ISBN-13: 9780345537126
ISBN-10: 0345537122
Post-Apocalyptic SF. When a virus decimates the human race, only the Australian city of Darwin remains immune to the contagion, thanks to its proximity to the space elevator installed by the very aliens who unleashed the plague. How exactly the elevator protects the survivors is a mystery, until a malfunction in its force field prompts Dr. Tania Sharmam to investigate and then to seek help from aircraft pilot Skyler Luiken, who's more accustomed to scavenging materials from the ruins of civilization than saving the remnants of humanity. The Darwin Elevator is the 1st book in the Dire Earth Cycle, followed by The Exodus Towers and The Plague Forge.
Post-Human Evolution
Darwin's Radio - by Greg Bear
Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/01/2000
Share Darwin ISBN-13: 9780345435248
ISBN-10: 0345435249
Hard SF. Virologist Christopher Dicken, anthropologist Mitch Rafelson, and microbiologist Kaye Lang are each desperately trying to unravel the secrets of a retrovirus dubbed SHEVA (after the Hindu god of destruction), which only infects pregnant women. In this compelling novel filled with "food for thought and nightmares" (Booklist), the three gradually uncover evidence that what has been regarded as junk DNA may have an evolutionary purpose -- one that might mean the end of the human race in its current form. SF readers who like believable characters, polished writing, and a bit of mystery should tune in to Darwin's Radio.
Germline - by T.C. McCarthy
Publisher: Orbit
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/26/2011
Share Germline ISBN-13: 9780316128186
ISBN-10: 031612818X
Military SF. Reporting for Stars and Stripes, journalist Oscar "Scout" Wendell embeds with a Marine battalion stationed in the mines of Kazakhstan, where rich mineral deposits have ignited a subterranean war fought by humans and genetically engineered "germline" super-soldiers. But even germline combatants like Sophie, whose biotech modifications have transformed her into a highly efficient killing machine, cannot stop the brutal and seemingly endless battles. Action-packed yet thought-provoking, Germline is the vivid and compelling 1st installment of the Subterrene War trilogy, followed by Exogene and Chimera.
Nexus - by Ramez Naam
Publisher: Angry Robot
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 12/18/2012
Share Nexus ISBN-13: 9780857662934
ISBN-10: 0857662937
High-Tech SF. Thanks to the nanotechnology breakthrough that is Nexus, humans can finally link up mind to mind -- for better or for worse. For every person who wants to enhance Nexus, there are others who want to destroy it or exploit it for personal gain. Although graduate student Kade Lane's only motive is scientific progress, his (illegal) efforts to improve the technology bring him to the attention of the U.S. government. Blackmailed into spying on a Chinese researcher suspected of using Nexus to develop a mind-control program, Kade must rely on operative Samantha Cataranes if he's to succeed in his mission and escape with his life. If you enjoy the high-tech thrill ride of Nexus, check out its sequel, Crux.
The Hermetic Millennia - by John C. Wright
Publisher: Tor
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 12/24/2012
Share The Hermetic Millennia ISBN-13: 9780765329288
ISBN-10: 076532928X
Far-Future SF. In this fast-paced, action-packed sequel to Count to a Trillion, posthuman Texas gunslinger Menelaus Illation Montrose has entered cryo-suspension to prepare himself for the arrival of the Domination of Hyades, the alien race that plans to invade in approximately 8,000 years. Unfortunately, Montrose's colleague Zimen "Blackie" Del Azarchel has decided that, instead of thwarting the takeover, he's going to spend the next several millennia developing a new slave race to serve their future alien overlords -- the better to consolidate his power behind the scenes. Can Montrose save the human race from itself before he has to save it again from the aliens?
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