Showing results for "Systems" in Anthologies & Short Stories

The world ends in a slew of blue notification boxes, bringing with it a game-like existence including monsters and Classes. Now, John has to make his way from Kluane National Park in the Yukon to Whitehorse through monster infested forests. But, that's not enough; because he'll need to help rebuild civilization itself around the System, aliens and monsters. And, as always, humanity will be its own greatest enemy.

Diagnosed as severely autistic at the age of three, Tito, nearly nonverbal, was brought up by his loving mother Soma, who taught him to read English and challenged him to write his own stories. The initial result was The Mind Tree, published in 2003, which Tito wrote between the ages of eight and 11. The Gold of the Sunbeams is an equally impressive, beautiful collection of stories, each prefaced by a charming note from Tito explaining how the story came into being.

Step into the visionary imagination of Ray Bradbury with this powerful collection of classic science fiction and speculative tales that helped define the Golden Age of the genre. The Selected Works of Ray Bradbury brings together seven unforgettable short stories that explore humanity’s hopes, fears, and moral crossroads against the vast backdrop of space, time, and the unknown.

My life took a turn I never expected on the day the world ended. Suddenly forced to fight in a bloody arena by a faceless System, I find the only way to survive is to win. I’m told that ten victories in the arena will give me my freedom, but if I’m going to get there, I’ll need a crack team of hardened allies to fight with me. What I got instead was a bratty college girl with a jealousy streak, a momma’s boy roommate who now inhabits the body of a piglet, and a devastatingly gorgeous teacher whose sword is as sharp as her tongue.

A Little Journey by Ray Bradbury is a poignant and quietly powerful science fiction short story that explores faith, aging, and the human hunger for transcendence. Written during Bradbury’s golden early-1950s period, the story follows Mrs. Bellowes, an elderly widow who joins a group of older women on what is promised to be a miraculous voyage to Mars—and ultimately, a path to God.

Step into the sharp, idea-driven imagination of Isaac Asimov with this carefully selected collection of classic short fiction.

Ten years ago, deep within a rift, a choice was granted. Defeat the Demon King and end the apocalypse. Or take his power for themselves and keep the rifts open. Sloan chose an ending. His party turned against him. They killed him. They split his legacy and belongings amongst themselves. They hid the truth. They profited. Those heroes who betrayed the world. Now he’s back. Reborn. Reincarnated in a world where the system is life.

Humanity has colonized over 500 planets under the not-always-benevolent administration of the Federation of Planetary States via the FED Army and Navy. Longstanding grievances over economic exploitation by Earth-based companies have grown into a full-scale rebellion, and attempted secession has been tried by many of the more successful colonies. The Rebels believe a peaceful separation is possible. The FEDs believe an easy and swift military resolution is available.

After saving the world and defeating his enemies, Sloan has gained an incredible title and unmatched power in the system. Enjoying a decade of peace, his calm life is suddenly disrupted, pushing him towards a new journey and a new mission. A new enemy, known only as the Architect has emerged, causing chaos and breaking the balance. As new rifts appear, Sloan must explore unknown realms, find strong allies, and learn ancient secrets to stop the Architect's plans.

Le narrateur visite un établissement psychiatrique dans le sud de la France, réputé pour son traitement révolutionnaire des maladies mentales, le système de la douceur.

Step into the twisted geometry of nightmare in H. P. Lovecraft’s The Dreams in the Witch House. When Walter Gilman, a student at Miskatonic University, rents a room in Arkham’s infamous Witch House, he believes its strange angles hide cosmic secrets. Gilman is drawn into a nightmare of black magic, forbidden mathematics, and sacrificial horror.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce is a gripping short story that masterfully blends psychological suspense with the brutal realities of war. Set during the American Civil War, the narrative follows Peyton Farquhar, a Southern planter condemned to hang from a railroad bridge for attempting to sabotage Union forces. As the noose tightens, Farquhar experiences a vivid and surreal escape that blurs the line between illusion and reality.

Earthmen Bearing Gifts by Fredric Brown is a gripping classic science fiction short story exploring humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization.

Explore one of literature’s most enduring short stories in The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton. Set in a semi-barbaric kingdom, this suspenseful tale follows a young man forced to choose between two doors—one hiding a beautiful maiden, the other a deadly tiger.