Science Fiction Fantasy First Life

Colton Beck has six months to live. He works for the Angor near Los Angeles, aware that any day could be his last. The Angor arrived 20 years ago, resolved to help mankind survive, but not everyone believes their motives are honorable. When the Angor offer humanity a colony world, Colton is determined to see another planet before his final breath. He’s been diagnosed with Xeno, a rare disorder that surfaced with the Angor’s arrival, but he won’t let this stop him.

Wildly original, funny and moving, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August is an extraordinary story of a life lived again and again from World Fantasy Award-winning author Claire North. Harry August is on his deathbed. Again. No matter what he does or the decisions he makes, when death comes...

Science Fiction Stories 3 is a mesmerizing anthology of science fiction short stories that transport readers to extraordinary realms, exploring dystopian futures, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and thrilling adventures in space. Discover the Unexpected Delve into the surreal with "You'll Haunt My Dreams," where dreamscapes and reality blur for Shelton and Tevis. Navigate a treacherous political landscape in "Recount," as characters face mysterious census takers with ulterior motives. Unravel the enigma of "Recipe For Death," a story that blends culinary arts with lethal consequences. Confront...

Science Fiction Stories 5 is a mesmerizing anthology that takes readers on a journey through the imaginative realms of science fiction. From dystopian futures to post-apocalyptic worlds and thrilling adventures in space, this collection explores the human condition and the mysteries of the universe with unparalleled depth. Embark on a Journey Beyond Imagination In "The Price of Beauty," follow Martin as he navigates the envy and resentment towards the advanced Earthmen and uncovers profound truths about humanity. Experience the psychological tension in "Weight of the Mind," where Amy Trout ...

Science Fiction Stories 6 by Various Authors is a captivating anthology of science fiction short stories that transport readers to extraordinary realms, exploring dystopian futures, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and thrilling adventures in space. Discover the Unknown Join Mitch in "Balanced Odds" as he navigates a futuristic world filled with danger and unexpected alliances. Embark on a perilous journey "Beyond Mars" with Timmons, a salesman exploring the inhabited planets and moons. Experience the haunting "Nightmares Above," where the line between reality and dreams blurs in a world above ...

Science Fiction Stories 4 by Various Authors is a spellbinding collection of science fiction short stories that transports readers to extraordinary realms, exploring dystopian futures, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and thrilling adventures in space. Discover the Extraordinary Experience the gripping "The Music Never Stopped" where Captain Thofas Stanton faces a stormy challenge on Yohnston Island. Uncover the enigma in "The Oldest Question" as scientists grapple with a profound mystery that could change the course of humanity. Navigate the futuristic society in "Refuse All Replacements" ...

Science Fiction Stories 10: An Anthology of Futuristic TalesDive into the imaginative worlds crafted by some of the finest authors in the science fiction genre. Science Fiction Stories 10 is a masterful collection of short stories that explore the depths of human creativity and the limitless possibilities of the future. From the politically charged to the deeply personal, each story in this anthology takes you on a journey through space, time, and the human condition. Witness the aftermath of a nuclear disaster in *Incendiary*, where the remnants of humanity struggle to rebuild. Join a ...

The gripping adventure of an alien society's disintegration. The first technological race in the early universe created an egalitarian society out of the ruins of planet-wide destruction. It lasted for three hundred years, quietly managed and manipulated by an AI. When a new leader seizes power, self-preservation becomes a struggle. An AI determined to maintain the status quo and a dangerous new leadership clash violently. A scientist, Daxx, and his biologist partner, Janna, are thrown into the fray when they discover a mutation that makes free, unlimited power a possibility. Both sides of ...

Science Fiction Stories 7 by Various Authors is a captivating anthology of science fiction short stories that transport readers to extraordinary realms, exploring dystopian futures, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and thrilling adventures in space. Discover the Unknown In "Cosmic Passage," follow Sanders as he navigates a spaceship mystery that challenges his leadership and sanity. Experience the psychological tension in "Journey," where Chilton Babin encounters a mystical child and embarks on an extraordinary adventure. Delve into "Bow Your Head!" and witness a world where societal norms are ...

When Malachi Baker stumbles into an offer of apprenticeship from the esteemed and powerful Occultist Orykson, he's left in shock and jumps at the chance to learn... Even if it means taking out a few loans. Unfortunately, his new teacher sees him more as a tool than a student. He has set Malachi near-impossible goals before he becomes worthy of Orykson's full attention, and Malachi's innate power is only somewhat above average. Worse, it turns out that Orykson has enemies more powerful than Malachi had ever imagined—and now their attention has landed solidly on him.

Captain Mead sold his banking gig for space raising his children between Earth and Pluto for over a decade. With all but one of them moved on, and with business on the upswing, it's time to hire. When an overqualified young man lands on his ramp eager for work, he ignores the shady history on his resume, especially since his past has its own flaws. After a boring decade of living as a trading merchant, the Sol System heats up in more ways than one.

Jonathan Strahan, the award-winning and much lauded editor of many of genre's best known anthologies, is back with his 11th volume in this fascinating series, featuring the best science fiction and fantasy. With established names and new talent, this diverse and ground-breaking collection will take the listener to the outer reaches of space and the inner realms of humanity with stories of fantastical worlds and worlds that may still come to pass.

“Short stories have to accomplish a nearly impossible magic trick: to introduce a world often much stranger than our own and make you care about it in a matter of pages,” writes R. F. Kuang in her introduction. “The most important part of this magic trick is just a willingness to get weird...

Milly is incredibly excited to go to Unicorn School, a school that accepts only the best and the brightest. There’s only one problem: she isn’t a unicorn! She’s a donkey in a party hat. Milly first feels uncomfortable but eventually learns that she and the others at the school have more in common than it might have seemed.

The best science fiction and fantasy stories of 2021, selected by series editor John Joseph Adams and guest editor Veronica Roth. This year’s selection of science fiction and fantasy stories, chosen by series editor John Joseph Adams and bestselling author of the Divergent series Veronica Roth...

When out-of-shape IT technician Roen wakes up and starts hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumes he’s losing it. He isn’t. As of last night, he has a passenger in his brain - an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Over the millennia his people have trained human heroes to be great leaders, to advance our species at a rate far beyond what it would have achieved on its own. Split into two opposing factions - the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix - the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries.

Science fiction is a portal that opens doors onto futures too rich and strange to imagine. Fantasy takes us through doorways of magic and wonder. For more than a decade award-winning editor Jonathan Strahan has sifted through tens of thousands of stories to select the best, the most interesting, the most engaging science fiction and fantasy to thrill and delight readers.

Utopia~ A new world was the mission. A secret civilization no one knew about changed everything. When Dr. Delilah Dweck, a decorated physician, boards the first manned mission to Mars, she's chasing the dream of discovery. Alongside her is an astrobiologist, Dr. Jacob Stern, and a handpicked team of elite scientists, each prepared to leave Earth behind forever. Their mission: to build a permanent colony and turn the barren red planet into humanity's next home. Mars holds secrets far older—and far stranger—than anyone could have imagined. Beneath the dust lies a thriving ancient ...

More thrilling stories from this popular series. Titles include: "The Last Days of Earth" by George C. Wallace, "Contamination Crew" by Alan E. Nourse, "The Memory of Mars" by Raymond F. Jones, "A Traveler in Time" by August Derleth, "The Colonists" by Raymond F. Jones, "Doubletake" by Richard Wilson, "Stamped Caution" by Raymond Z. Gallon, "Success Story" by Robert Turner and "Disqualified" by Charles L. Fauntenay.

Watch out - the Earth just fell into a dark sun's orbit! Or maybe you'd rather visit a theme park called Hell? These are just two of the strange and unnerving tales you'll find in this collection of great science fiction and fantasy stories.