FREE/BARGAIN — Science Fiction & Fantasy

[bob.f]

Originally Posted by maddz

Usually it's me, but I wasn't well last week, and there wasn't much that wasn't a repeat.

<snip>

Many thanks

[maddz]

Originally Posted by bob.f

Many thanks

No problem; I only picked up the Vera Nazarian from the monthly deal and the Margaret Atwood from the first in series deal. Most of the others were repeats to us or something we weren't interested in...

[ZodWallop]

The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton is $1.99 at Amazon US.

Harry Benson suffers from violent seizures. So violent that he often blackouts when they take hold. Shortly after severely beating two men during an episode, the police escort Benson to a Los Angeles hospital for treatment. There, Dr. Roger McPherson, head of the prestigious Neuropsychiatric Research Unit, is convinced he can cure Benson with an experimental procedure that would place electrodes deep in his brain’s pleasure centers, effectively short-circuiting Harry's seizures with pulses of bliss. The surgery is successful, but while Benson is in recovery, he discovers how to trigger the pulses himself. To make matters worse his violent impulses have only grown, and he soon escapes the hospital with a deadly agenda. . .

[Tarana]

Pursuit of the Pankera by Robert Heinlein $2.99 Amazon only

Robert A. Heinlein wrote The Number of the Beast, which was published in 1980. In the book Zeb, Deety, Hilda and Jake are ambushed by the alien “Black Hats” and barely escape with their lives on a specially configured vehicle (the Gay Deceiver) which can travel along various planes of existence, allowing them to visit parallel universes.

However, unknown to most fans, Heinlein had already written a “parallel” novel about the four characters and parallel universes in 1977. He effectively wrote two parallel novels about parallel universes. The novels share the same start, but as soon as the Gay Deceiver is used to transport them to a parallel universe, each book transports them to a totally different parallel world.

From that point on the plot lines diverge completely. While The Number of the Beast morphs into something very different, more representative of later Heinlein works, The Pursuit of the Pankera remains on target with a much more traditional Heinleinesque storyline and ending, reminiscent of his earlier works.

The Pursuit of the Pankera was never published and there have been many competing theories as to why (including significant copyright issues in 1977). Over time the manuscript was largely forgotten but survived in fragments. A recent re-examination of these fragments, however, made it clear that put together in the right order they constituted the complete novel.

And here it finally is: Robert A. Heinlein’s audacious experiment. A fitting farewell from one of the most inventive science fiction writers to have ever lived: a parallel novel about parallel universes as well as a great adventure pitting the forces of good versus evil only the way Heinlein could do.

https://smile.amazon.com/Pursuit-Pan...dDbGljaz10cnVl

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Tarana

Pursuit of the Pankera by Robert Heinlein $2.99 Amazon only

I picked the book up through the Kickstarter campaign and it is enjoyable. I seem to remember that William H. Patterson's outstanding biography of Heinlein stated that Virginia Heinlein did not like the original book and so Heinlein wrote The Number of the Beast.

[Dr. Drib]

^ This book has gotten some horrible reviews, but I may go ahead and purchase it. I used to be a big fan of Robert A. Heinlein, having read almost everything he's written.

[GlennD]

It was pleasant to read some Heinlein that I hadn't already experienced multiple times. But it's flawed in some ways that much of his later work is flawed. I'll leave it at that for spoilerish reasons. It certainly wouldn't be where I would start if you've been curious about Heinlein or wanting to read some works by the old SF masters.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by GlennD

It was pleasant to read some Heinlein that I hadn't already experienced multiple times. But it's flawed in some ways that much of his later work is flawed. I'll leave it at that for spoilerish reasons. It certainly wouldn't be where I would start if you've been curious about Heinlein or wanting to read some works by the old SF masters.

The two issues I had was that I read and enjoyed The Number of the Beast though it was not my all time favourite Heinlein and obviously, there is a massive overlap between the two books so I found myself going that's not how it should happen happened. The second issue basically was that it was more than a little pedantic at time which was an issue I have with Robert A. Heinlein's writing probably since Stranger in a Strange Land. I kept thinking what an strong editor would have done to The Pursuit of the Pankera. Overall, I would say that I actually enjoyed The Pursuit of the Pankera more than The Number of the Beast--it was more of a Heinlein book if that makes sense.

[Tarana]

The Prince Commands - Andre Norton $1.99 Amazon, Kobo and B&N
(Full title: The Prince Commands: Being Sundry Adventures of Michael Karl, Sometime Crown Prince & Pretender to the Throne of Morvania)
This is geared towards the younger crowd. My sister said she read this when she was 12 or 13.
Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Prince-Comm...1974225&sr=8-1
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-prince-commands

I know this was listed a few days ago - still on special for those who missed it.
1Q84 By Haruki Murakami $1.99 Amazon, Kobo and B&N
Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/1Q84-Vintag...1974538&sr=8-1
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/1q84-6

[salty-horse]

Riverland by Fran Wilde is $2.99 on Amazon.com
YA portal fantasy. Won a Nebula award last month.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by salty-horse

Riverland by Fran Wilde is $2.99 on Amazon.com
YA portal fantasy. Won a Nebula award last month.

Recommended. Warning that it deals with child abuse (mental/emotional), but it is really well done. It is also a finalist for the Lodestar Award for Best YA Book (which is presented alongside the Hugos).

[curtw]

Originally Posted by salty-horse

Minor Mage by T. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon) is $0.99 on Amazon.com
YA novella.

I can't tell from the excerpt or the reviews. Is the humor more towards the "Xanth" end of the spectrum, or "Artemis Fowl?"

[maddz]

Originally Posted by curtw

I can't tell from the excerpt or the reviews. Is the humor more towards the "Xanth" end of the spectrum, or "Artemis Fowl?"

Haven't got that one, nor have I read Artemis Fowl, but the other Vernons I have the humour is nowhere near Xanth. I'd say the humour is seriously weird - check out her Twitter feed - Kingfisher & Wombat: https://twitter.com/UrsulaV?ref_src=...Ctwgr%5Eauthor

[DNSB]

Not sure if this is valid here but as many of you know, Mike Resnick passed away after a lengthy illness. His family has sold their home and are auctioning off many of the items in his collection which includes many first edition signed books. Plus a slew of other memorabilia.

See Resnick Estate: Sci-Fi Writer's World on etbh.com (Everything but the house).

The blurb for the auction reads:

Born in Chicago in 1942, Mike Resnick always wanted to be a writer. During his prolific career he wrote over 40 science fiction novels, 150 stories, 10 story collections, and edited more than 30 anthologies. Mike’s list of awards and recognitions is lengthy as well; they include 5 Hugo Awards, a Nebula Award, and more than 30 other awards. He was the Guest of Honor at Chicon 7, the 70th Worldcon.
Mike met his soul mate Carol, married at 19, then spent nearly 58 years side by side. In fact, when it came to his writing, Mike once said that “Nothing goes out without Carol (my wife) seeing it, editing it, and making suggestions."
Please enjoy perusing this unique estate featuring otherworldly art, sci-fi collectibles, books and a peek into Mike & Carol Resnick’s wonderful world.

A bit of a weird mix but I've put in bids on some of the books.

[Dr. Drib]

^ I looked at the company that's holding the auction. Be VERY careful. There are some very negative comments.