FREE/BARGAIN - Science Fiction, Fantasy - 2014

[koland]

Originally Posted by Dngrsone

I'm pretty sure it's free at Gutenberg Press all the time.

But not in the edition edited by Open Road...

[Dngrsone]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you mean "Project Gutenberg"? I haven't come across a publisher called "Gutenberg Press".

What you said... too early in the morning

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by crich70

Gulliver's Travels


Kobo It's free at present at Kobo.

And from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Gullivers-Trav...ndle+open+road

[Manabi]

Phoenix Pick's free book of for December is Tau Ceti by Kevin J. Anderson (with a sequel novelette by Steven Savile). This is the first book in a multi-author series called the Stellar Guild, and each novel includes a prequel, sequel or companion novelette, which is usually written by a different author than the author of the novel.

WINNER OF THE LIFEBOAT TO THE STARS AWARD 2013

The Beacon has spent generations reaching a home away from home, only to discover that Earth now has faster-than-light ships and a ruthless dictator who wants to lay claim to their dream. Can Captain Jorie Taylor stave off almost certain disaster and save their dream?

This is the first book in the critically acclaimed Stellar Guild series which pairs bestselling veteran authors with newer ones.

Additionally, they have two combo deals. The first one is $9.99+ and you get the free book above plus three additional books in the Stellar Series, listed below:

Reboots by Mercedes Lackey (prequel novelette by Cody Martin)

Spoiler:

What better way to deal with space travel than to man ships with creatures that regenerate or don't need air, or are immune to various maladies? But what are the consequences of squeezing werewolves, vampires and zombies into the tight confines of a spaceship?

"Film noir runs smack-dab into space opera in Lackey and Martin’s sequel to Reboots, which populated an SF universe with paranormal creatures. Principled Humph the Boggart is a down-on-his-luck private investigator on the Mos Eisley–esque, downtrodden Planet Mildred when a case neither he nor his partners can resist walks into the office." —Publishers Weekly

"The wonderful story, a clever mixing of the paranormal and space opera subgenres, is a classic tale of espionage. From the outset, Martin, through deft use of self-deprecating humor, makes Skinny Jim a sympathetic protagonist who the reader desperately wants to “survive.” Martin’s writing is easygoing and comfortable, his characters well rounded and personable, and the story’s conceit both familiar and exciting. One can easily see why Lackey, who shares many similar writing traits, would pick Martin as an author to watch. I’d certainly like to see more stories from Martin, particularly in this same universe with a broader range of paranormal beings" —Grasping for the Wind

"Really prefer my zombies, reboots, as non-thinking shambling munchers; however, this was a lot of fun. Comedic and made me laugh. Lots of derring-do and space opera." —GoodReads Review

"Inventive combination of paranormal and scifi with a quirky sense of humor. Loved it!" —GoodReads Review

On the Train by Rachel Turtledove (sequel novella by Rachel Turtledove)

Spoiler:

FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Turtledoves père and fille offer two stories set on a railroad-girt world. Harry Turtledove (Supervolcano) introduces Javan, a young man from the city of Pingaspor whose third-class ticket allows him to expand his worldview, and whose ambition allows him to make a life for himself in the narrow confines of the Train. Rachel Turtledove’s story describes the first-class travels of nanny Eli, hired by the Baroness Vasri, who becomes entangled in the world of the Directors of the Railroad and the slinkers who stow away. The world of the Train is insular even as it circles the planet, offering only fleeting glimpses into the wonders beyond, whether the ravages of war or the effects more magical regions have on the Train’s mechanism. The original setting and likable characters have a surprising number of possibilities that could easily be explored in future books.”

When the Blue Shift Comes by Robert Silverberg (sequel novella by Alvaro Zinos-Amaro)

Spoiler:

Life has spread across the stars, and everyone enjoys a long life. However, only those who are Earth-born are truly immortal. But what happens when the immortals of Earth are suddenly faced with their ultimate destruction?

Hanosz Prime, a near-immortal (though not truly so, not being of true Earth stock) travels to humanity’s ancient home to discover the ultimate answer to humanity’s end.

A grand adventure by a Grand Master of science fiction, a Silverberg story in the tradition of the old classics, with an accompanying novella by up-and-coming writer Alvaro Zinos-Amaro.

The second deal costs $14.99+ and includes the above four books, plus two more books to finish out the entire Stellar Series. Additionally there's an unrelated novel. The extra books added in this bundle are:

The Aethers of Mars by Eric Flint (sequel novelette by Charles E. Gannon)

Spoiler:

“Solid.”—Publishers Weekly

Welcome to Mars…circa 1900. Cecil Rhodes rules Mars and is on his way to transforming the British Empire into his vision of a powerful force, managed by the “right” type of people.

But what of Savinkov…presumably on board the British aethership Agincourt, travelling from Earth to Mars? Savinkov is a legendary revolutionary and assassin and, with Russian secret agents hot on his heels, is reputedly planning something truly dramatic and Mars-shattering.

New Under the Sun by Nancy Kress (companion novelette by Therese Pieczynski)

Spoiler:

2013 Nebula nominee

A brand-new book by master storyteller Nancy Kress. Set in the near future, Nancy Kress’ story gives us a world increasingly hostile to new ideas as religious fundamentalism dictates social agenda and where the primary use of science is to bolster these very same uncompromising attitudes. Annabel Lee is a child of this society, but unique. She has been infected by a long-dormant alien parasite. But this “infection” may be the only hope for the world, if she can survive long enough.

“Kress at her best” —Publishers Weekly

And finally, Red Tide by Larry Niven

Spoiler:

Loosely based on Larry Niven's 1973 novella "Flash Crowd," Red Tide continues to examine the social consequences of the impact of having instantaneous teleportation, where humans can instantly travel long distances in milliseconds.

This is a theme that has fascinated the author throughout his career and appeared in his seminal work Ringworld, where the central character celebrates his birthday by instantly teleporting himself to different time zones, extending his birthday. The author also discussed the impact of such instantaneous transportation in his essay "Exercise in Speculation: The Theory and Practice of Teleportation."

Larry Niven is joined by two younger writers, Brad R. Torgersen and Matthew J. Harrington, as they take on this challenging idea and further develop the theories and concepts that Niven originally presented in "Flash Crowd."

All the bundles are listed on the same page as the freebie.

[hwlester]

Originally Posted by koland

But not in the edition edited by Open Road...

Exactly.

[itisbomb]

God's War
by Kameron Hurley

is $1.99 at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Gods-War-Dame-...kameron+hurley

Below is the blurb:
Shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and Nebula Award

Nyx had already been to hell. One prayer more or less wouldn't make any difference...

On a ravaged, contaminated world, a centuries-old holy war rages, fought by a bloody mix of mercenaries, magicians, and conscripted soldiers. Though the origins of the war are shady and complex, there's one thing everybody agrees on--

There's not a chance in hell of ending it.

Nyx is a former government assassin who makes a living cutting off heads for cash. But when a dubious deal between her government and an alien gene pirate goes bad, Nyx's ugly past makes her the top pick for a covert recovery. The head they want her to bring home could end the war--but at what price?

The world is about to find out.

[ATDrake]

Free from the author via KDP Select @ Amazon: (linkage for the lot)

The Blood Like Wine by Sarah A. Hoyt (ISFDB, Wikipedia), a fantasy short originally published in Dreams of Decadence #15 in 2001.

Her Baen-published science fiction novella is also still free (as is her Baen Free Library shapeshifter urban fantasy novel, which is not KDP Select, but available in all the usual stores).

Sylvie would do anything not to be poor ever again. Unfortunately, at the time of the French revolution, wealth might cost her her life, or at least her soul.

[ATDrake]

Free from the author via KDP Select @ Amazon: (linkage for the lot)

The Big Ship and the Wise Old Owl by Sarah A. Hoyt (ISFDB, Wikipedia), a science fiction novelette originally published in Baen's Going Interstellar anthology in 2012.

Her fantasy short from yesterday is still free, as is her usual Baen Free Library book.

In a generation ship, everyone knows one generation will eventually arrive at the new planet. Everyone knows it, but no one knows how long or how many generations they've been in the ship.

Nia, a ship board engineer finds out in the confines of the ship, society has become too conformist and the leaders too powerful. It is not in their best interests that the ship should arrive or that their charges should ever leave.

Which is why it's a good thing that Nia and her friends can read the clues left in children's rhymes about an old secret deep within the ship.

[ATDrake]

Free from the small press startup via KDP Select @ Amazon:

Quantum Zoo edited by D.J. Gelner & J.M. Ney-Grimm, a themed anthology of science fiction & fantasy stories, mainly by newbie-looking writers, but which has a contribution by Bridget McKenna (ISFDB), editor of Aeon magazine.

From a ghost park to a time-travel penitentiary of murderers to a menagerie of Egyptian deities, Quantum Zoo presents 12 compelling stories involving 12 very different living exhibitions. Including a wonderfully atmospheric tale by Hugo- and Nebula-nominated Bridget McKenna.

Free again from the author via KDP Select @ Amazon:

The Helmsman: Director's Cut Edition by Bill Baldwin (ISFDB, Wikipedia), 1st in his eponymous milSF epic space opera series, revised from its original 1985 Warner paperback.

Originally published in 1983, when the novel sold thousands of copies in its first printing, The Helmsman is the starting point for Bill Baldwin's epic, eight-part militaristic space opera - The Helmsman Saga. Using actual histories of World Wars I and II as template, the novel chronicles the adventures of StarSailor and extraordinary Helmsman Wilf Brim during an epoch of discord and outright war among various star-nations within our own galaxy.

This special, "Director's Cut" Edition is heavily re-written, a la George Lucas' rewrite of the Star Wars Trilogy, to bring it more in line with later novels in the series, as well as existing "Director's Cut" Editions of Galactic Convoy, The Trophy; the five other "Director's Cut" editions to come; and the continuation novel now in the works: The Turning Tide.

The novel begins as Brim—a 21-year-old SubLieutenant in the Imperial Fleet—arrives at the Eorean Starwharves, a maintenance complex within the planet-spanning Fleet base on watery Gimmas-Haefdon. On first assignment since receiving his commission, Brim is fresh from The Helmsman's Academy, where he weathered years of torment from wealthy classmates because of his impoverished background. Heretofore, the Academy had been a "private club" for the scions of Imperial wealth; however, enormous numbers of casualties during the present war with the League of Dark Stars has called for desperate measures to expedite replacement of these losses.

[ATDrake]

Bargain @ 99 cents for today only (Dec 8th) according to the newsletter from Open Road Media (couponable @ Kobo, price should be the same in the other usual Canada & US stores, may also be discounted in other regions, etc):

Life in the West by multiple Hugo & BFSA-winner Brian W. Aldiss, OBE (ISFDB, Wikipedia), 1st in his Squire Quartet, originally published in 1980. This appears to be a series of sfnal-ish psychological thrillers (the 4th one is set in the future; Kobo actually files this 1st one in the Romance section, and Amazon under Political Satire, so YMMV).

Now with a New Introduction by the Author!

Thomas C. Squire, creator of the hit documentary series Frankenstein Among the Arts, one-time secret agent and founder of the Society for Popular aesthetics, is attending an international media symposium in Sicily. It is here that he becomes involved with lovely, but calculating Selina Ajdina. Alongside the drama of the conference is the story of Squire's private life - the tale of his infidelity, the horrifying circumstances surrounding his father's death and the threatened future of his ancestral home in England.

Selected by Anthony Burgess as one of the 99 best novels published since 1939.

ORM are also having a 1-day sale bargain on 10 1st-in-series sf/fantasy novels for $1.99 each.

These are the Kindle Sci-Fi/Fantasy deal of the day over at Amazon, but should be price-matched in the usual other stores (couponable @ Kobo).
[Linking to member who has affiliate links is not allowed - MODERATOR]

I have about half of these already from previous Fictionwise sales, and I especially recommend John DeChancie's Castle Perilous which is very funny (the later books moreso than this starter), Barbara Hambly's Dragonsbane which is truly excellent and a long-time favourite of mine in paperback, and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough's The Godmother has an entertaining take on modern-day fairy tales.

[ATDrake]

Free from the author via KDP Select @ Amazon:

The Moonshawl by Lambda, Locus, & BFSA-nominated British author Storm Constantine (ISFDB, Wikipedia), a newly-written standalone novel in her very popular Wraeththu series (Wikipedia entry) of fantasy-flavoured science fictional post-apocalyptic stories exploring a society of post-human evolved hermaphrodites, which started in 1989 and has since acquired a cult following and a role-playing game, as well as garnering Constantine most of her award-noms.

Ysobi har Jesith embarks upon a job far from home, where his history isn’t known – a welcome freedom. Hired by Wyva, the phylarch of the Wyvachi tribe, Ysobi goes to Gwyllion to create a spiritual system based upon local folklore, but he soon discovers some of that folklore is out of bounds, taboo...

Secrets lurk in the soil of Gwyllion, and the old house Meadow Mynd, home of the Wyvachi leaders. The house and the land are haunted. The fields are soaked in blood and echo with the cries of those who were slaughtered there, almost a century ago. In Gwyllion, the past doesn’t go away, and the hara who live there cling to it, remembering still their human ancestors. Tribal families maintain ancient enmities, inspired by a horrific murder in the past.

Old hatreds and a thirst for vengeance have been awoken by the approaching feybraiha – coming of age – of Wvya’s son, Myvyen. If the harling is to survive, Ysobi must help him confront the past, lay the ghosts to rest and scour the tainted soil of malice. But the ysbryd drwg is strong, built of a century of resentment and evil thoughts. Is it too powerful, even for a scholarly hienama with Ysobi’s experience and skill?

The Moonshawl, an artefact of protection, was once fashioned to keep Wyvachi heirs from harm, but the threads are old and worn, the magic fading, and its sacred sites – which might empower it once more – are prohibited. Only by understanding what the shawl symbolises and how it once controlled the ysbryd drwg can Ysobi even attempt to prevent the terrible tragedy that looms to engulf the Wyvachi tribe.

‘The Moonshawl’ is a standalone story, set in the world of Storm Constantine’s ground-breaking, science fantasy Wraeththu mythos.

[bgalbrecht]

Amazon's deal of the day today includes over 20 Arthur C. Clarke books (some coauthored) for $1.99. Clarke daily deal

[ATDrake]

X-link to the Kids/YA megathread:

Bargain @ $1.99 for Canadians only from HarperCollins (not on sale in UK, different edition in US) in multiple stores: The Land of Ingary Trilogy by the late Diana Wynne Jones, whom I really shouldn't have to link credentials for if you've been paying any attention to British fantasy at all, a 3-book omnibus edition of Howl's Moving Castle and its two sequels. May be a time-limited deal; I suspect that this might be the Kobo Canada Daily Deal for Dec 11th, which they haven't yet put up on the frontpage.

[Brendan Moody]

Weightless Books' one-day sale for this week is on six SFF titles: three by Kage Baker (Ancient Rockets, essays on early SF films; The Hotel Under the Sand, a children's novel; and In the Company of Thieves, a collection of stories from her Company universe), plus Chesya Burke's collection Let's Play White, Douglas Warrick's collection Plow the Bones, and the Paula Guran-edited anthology Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales.

[ATDrake]

Free from the author('s republishing consortium) via KDP Select @ Amazon:

Venom by Rob Swigart (ISFDB), 3rd in his Chazz Koenig/Thriller in Paradise series of sfnal preventing-bio-disaster crime techno-thrillers starring the eponymous molecular biologist and his Hawaiian cop buddy, this installment originally out from St. Martin's Press in 1991. We've previously received the 2nd in series free as well.

EVERY COP'S WORST NIGHTMARE...

As darkness gathers above the gorgeous Hawaiian island of Kauai, a small ship drifts into harbor, unpowered and in danger of running aground. On board are seven bodies. Lieutenant Cobb Takamura soon traces the death ship's route and the cause of death to an exotic venom.

As he navigates the tricky waters of international politics, biologist Chazz Koenig tries to isolate the poison. But they can't stop two more women from being brutally murdered. A killer is loose in the island paradise, and as he assumes various guises he moves closer to the families of the men who pursue him.