Mature Science Fiction

The best science fiction scrutinizes our culture and politics, examines the limits of the human condition, and zooms across galaxies at faster-than-light speeds, moving from the very near future to the far-flung worlds of tomorrow in the space of a single sentence. Neil Clarke has selected the short science fiction (and only science fiction) best representing the previous year's writing, showcasing the talent, variety, and awesome "sensawunda" that the genre has to offer.

The science fiction genre has become increasingly influential in mainstream popular culture, evolving into one of the most engaging storytelling tools we use to think about technology and consider the shape of the future. Along the way, it has also become one of the major lenses we use to explore important philosophical questions. The origins of science fiction are most often thought to trace to Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, a story born from a night of spooky tale-telling by the fireside that explores scientific, moral, and ethical questions that were of great concern in the 19th century - and that continue to resonate today.

No electricity. No running water. No food. No end in sight. If life as you knew it changed in an instant, would you be prepared? In A. American’s first novel, Going Home, readers were introduced to Morgan Carter, the resourceful, tough-as-nails survivalist who embarks on a treacherous 250-mile...

எனது இரண்டு வருட உழைப்பில் உருவான நாவல் இது. நான் மிகவும் மூழ்கிப்போய், ஒரே நினைப்பில் ஒரு விஞ்ஞானியை போல் பல மாதங்கள் ஆராய்ச்சி செய்து எழுதிய கதை என்றும் கூறலாம்.

It’s finally happened. I’ve surrendered myself to my father and the beasts who would pay to own me. I did it to protect my friends and my mates, but I’d NEVER guessed that the one mate who resented me the most would betray me so brutally.

Scholomance has been saved…for now. But the war with the elder gods is just beginning. Cole and his coven must meet with the High Wicca Court and then prepare their Academy for the next attack. But the elder gods have underestimated just how much Cole wants to see them all dead, and it is a mistake they will pay dearly for.

Jacob and his band of succubi have made it to the Fourth Circle of Hell, but that was the easy part. In order to defeat Azazel on his own home turf, Jacob will need to hone his powers and level up before he takes on the Demon Lord of War. And what better way to do that than competing in demonic jousts, going head to head with the dragon Leviathan, and giving the Circle’s most renowned pirate a run for his money? The throne is so close, and Jake’s going to do whatever it takes to seize it.

I will break out of Darkmore Penitentiary. But I was a fool to think that it would be so simple. And now with more and more Fae relying on me to get them out of this slice of hell, I find myself unable to do a damn thing. Mason Cain stabbed me in the back and left me to rot in the dark. So now I have another goal in mind before I escape this place, because no one messes with the Queen of the Oscura Clan and lives to tell the tale. The moment I get out of here, my sights will be set on him.

An incubus disguised as a high school girl puts a disturbing spin on the teacher/student fantasy. An engineer creates a robot with unexpected consequences during the end of the world. A man becomes the pet of alien invaders. From stories of aliens in other worlds to those living among us, these tales will move you out of your comfort zone and open you up to experiencing something - or someone - completely different.

With a new alliance established with the sun-elves, Jack turns his attention to improving his tribe’s perimeter defences and commanding the new ship they have acquired. But after a run-in with a beautiful stowaway, Jack ends up crossing paths with a vicious gang of mercenaries in search of the very woman he is protecting. And with the help of new companions, the Arakin Tribe begins freeing slaves, but not without coming face-to-face with their most psychopathic foe yet…

Two Spicy Stories in one book. In Having the Dae’mon’s Baby, Ketha decides to skip the Contraception Center and get pregnant the old fashioned way—by letting her new Kindred Bodyslave penetrate her. But will she get more than she bargained for? In Her Kindred Dom, Addison decides she wants her stern Kindred boss as her Daddy Dom, but will the big Beast Kindred give her more than she can handle?

Wenn er dich berührt, bist du tot! Düstere, packende Urban Fantasy in Londons dunklen Ecken für Fans von Laura Kneidl und Sarah J. Maas. "Die Macht der Liebe kann Monster erschaffen oder das Einzige sein, was sie besiegt." Wenn die Schatten sich erheben, lauf! Die junge Willow hätte die Warnungen besser beherzigen sollen, als sie den Job in dem verstaubten Buchladen in der hintersten Ecke Londons annahm. Denn offensichtlich hat Mr. Hunt, der merkwürdige alte Ladenbesitzer, ein Geheimnis.

Resurrected to dominate or die again, Andric was much like anyone else, further along in his life than he wanted to be—much further along and waiting to finally become the main character of his own story. Fate had a funny joke for him, though. He died. Unexpectedly, he was given the strangest of plot developments—he resurrected in what seemed to be a GACHA game, being given another chance on another world, one where he could redefine himself, starting with an unknown class, of all things. Andric can only roll with it, since there isn’t another choice. It’s time to start again.

Twenty-four hours later, Brawley is a power mage with two incredible women and one hell of a mission statement. Next stop: Miami, where flesh mages party hard in Heaven and Hell, an underground nightclub featuring wild sex and brutal fighting side-by-side. If Brawley opens his Carnal strand, he’ll gain super strength, speed, and healing. Meanwhile, everyone is hunting him, including mafia hit men, government agents, and a voluptuous bounty hunter harboring a dark secret only Brawley can solve...if he lives that long.

Göttern etwas abzuschlagen war noch nie eine gute Idee! Das weiß auch Ash Rodan. Deshalb nimmt er einen Auftrag der Unterweltsgöttin Hel an, obwohl er sich eigentlich auf die Frau konzentrieren will, die ihn seit ihrer ersten Begegnung in ihren Bann gezogen hat. Überglücklich folgt Lucy Hastings Ashs Einladung, mit ihm ein romantisches Wochenende in Rom zu verbringen. Das Leben der beiden wird gehörig durcheinandergewirbelt, als sie unfreiwillig in einen Streit der Götter hineingezogen werden und sie plötzlich nicht nur um ihre Liebe kämpfen, sondern auch gegen Gegner antreten müssen, die Lucy bisher nur aus Mythen und Legenden kannte.

After nearly two months out away from Pine Lake and the women in his life, Chris is finally ready to head back. Feeling like he's conquered his demons, or at least won a decisive battle against them, and learned some crucial things about himself and his relationships, he's eager to return home and continue his life there. But it's going to be a long walk, and although he isn't too concerned about the day-to-day difficulties of traveling across the frozen wilderness, he's nervous about traveling with the four women he's picked up while out finding himself.

What started out as a relatively simple encounter with two highly attractive women trying to survive in the frozen wilderness is now rapidly becoming more complicated for Chris. His relationship with Lara and Susan is growing into something much more complex and emotional, and on top of that, Jessica has just arrived on their doorstep with her daughter Hannah. She reveals that she has left her neglectful husband for good, and consequently needs a place to stay.

Акреон - последний город на Земле. В нем правят свои законы и порядки, а Харди Кейн стоит на страже его безопасности. Единственное, что отделяет город от кромешного ада - высокий барьер. И однажды Харди окажется по ту сторону. Там не выживают. Единственный, кто может помочь вернуться обратно, еще вчера был врагом.

Andrew hunts monsters as a member of the Non-Human Investigative Corps, and he's very good at his job. Unfortunately, the skills he honed to keep the peace aren't much use in the cutthroat world of city politics, and a recent civil ruling is forcing the integration of the once exclusively human NHIC!

Doc Holyday never expected to be in a new world with a new name, but Lady Luck made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Her deal came with perks; he gained the ability to heal and he could periodically avoid taking damage from any single attack. Lady Luck had assured him that the list of perks would grow over time. The offer also came with a major drawback, however - Doc had to help save the world. While that would be a tall order for anyone, Doc was never one to back down from a challenge.