Free/Bargain Science Fiction & Fantasy in December 2013

[AnemicOak]

Another Diesel $0.97 deal.

Halo: The Flood by William C. Dietz

REACH HAS FALLEN.
THE COVENANT WAR MACHINE RAGES ON.
HUMANITY’S LAST HOPE LIES WITH THE CREW OF THE PILLAR OF AUTUMN —THE INDOMITABLE CAPTAIN JACOB KEYES, STAFF SERGEANT AVERY JOHNSON, THE AI CORTANA, HUNDREDS OF FEARLESS MARINES . . . AND SPARTAN 117, THE MASTER CHIEF.
Having barely escaped the battle for Reach, the crew of the Pillar of Autumn is forced to make a jump into Slipspace in hopes of evading the vast alien alliance hell-bent on wiping out humanity. But their destination brings them to an ancient mystery and an even greater struggle.
In this far-flung corner of the universe floats a magnificently massive artificial ring world . . . a construct from a long lost race. The humans’ only hope of survival is to crash land on its surface and take the battle against the Covenant to the ground.
But they soon discover that this enigmatic ring world is much more than it seems. Built 100,000 years ago by a civilization known as the Forerunners, this “Halo” is worshipped by the Covenant---a sacred artifact that they hope will complete their religious quest for supposed transcendence. They will stop at nothing to control it.
Engaged in a fierce ground battle, Master Chief and Cortana go deep into the Halo Construct to uncover a dark secret; this enigmatic ring world is also the universe’s most dangerous weapon. Its purpose: the destruction of all sentient life. For the Forerunners built the Halo to battle the universe’s most vicious enemy---a virtually unstoppable and suddenly reawakened force known as The Flood.

At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

BTW, if anyone has figured out a way to find the cheap Macmillan deals (at least they all seem to be Macmillan) at Diesel please post details.

[slex]

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan is <$1 at Diesel.

[slex]

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card is <$1 at Diesel.

[slex]

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest is less than $1 at Diesel.

[itisbomb]

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke

is $2.99 at B&N

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jona...anthan+strange

Below is the blurb:
Susanna Clarke's brilliant novel is an utterly compelling, epic tale of nineteenth-century England and the way two very different magicians, who, as teacher and pupil and then as rivals, emerge to change its history. In the year 1806, in the throes of the Napoleonic Wars, most people believe magic to be dead in England--until the reclusive Mr. Norrell of Hurtfew Abbey reveals his powers and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another magician emerges; the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and the two join forces in the war against France. But as Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, he risks sacrificing not only his friendship with Norrell, but everything else that he holds dear. An international bestseller published in 31 countries, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a tour de force that has captured the imagination of readers worldwide.

[PurpleStar]

Originally Posted by slex

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan is <$1 at Diesel.

I bought that the other day since I am collecting Wheel of Time ebooks for a big re-read of the series. The other books are on sale too at diesel, though not that cheap. I do believe, though, that $3.91 is still too much for Crossroads of Twilight.

[AnemicOak]

A couple more Diesel deals...

Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer $0.97

The basis for the hit ABC TV series and the Aurora Award-winning novel that started it all!

FLASHFORWARD

Two minutes and seventeen seconds that changed the world

Suddenly, without warning, all seven billion people on Earth black out for more than two minutes. Millions die as planes fall from the sky, people tumble down staircases, and cars plow into each other.

But that’s the least of the survivors’ challenges. During the blackout, everyone experienced a glimpse of what his or her future holds—and the interlocking mosaic of these visions threatens to unravel the present.

The Forge of God by Greg Bear $0.97

On July 26th, Arthur Gordon learns that Europa, the sixth moon of Jupiter, has disappeared. Not hiding, not turned black, but gone. On September 28th, Edward Shaw finds an error in the geological records of Death Valley. A cinder cone was left off the map. Could it be new? Or, stranger yet, could it be artificial? The answer may be lying beside itóa dying Guest who brings devastating news for Edward and for Planet Earth. As more unexplained phenomena spring up around the globeóa granite mountain appearing in Australia, sounds emanating from the Earthís core, flashes of light amongst the asteroidsóit becomes clear to some that the end is approaching, and there is nothing we can do. In THE FORGE OF GOD, award-winning author Greg Bear describes the final days of the world on both a massive, scientific scale and in the everyday, emotional context of individual human lives. Facing the destruction of all they know, some people turn to God, others to their families, and a few turn to saviors promising escape from a planet tearing apart. Will they make it in time? And who gets left behind to experience the last moments of beauty and chaos on Earth? Nominated for a Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1987 and for Hugo and Locus Awards in 1988, THE FORGE OF GOD is an engrossing read, breathtaking in its scope and in its detail.

[itisbomb]

Imager: The First Book of the Imager Portfolio
by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

is $2.99 at

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Imager-First-B...eywords=Imager

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/imager

B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/imag...=1&usri=imager

Below is the blurb
Imager is the beginning of a whole new fantasy in a whole new magical world from the bestselling creator of Recluce. Although Rhennthyl is the son of a leading wool merchant in L’Excelsis, the capital of Solidar, the most powerful nation on Terahnar, he has spent years becoming a journeyman artist and is skilled and diligent enough to be considered for the status of master artisan—in another two years. Then, in a single moment, his entire life is transformed when his master patron is killed in a flash fire, and Rhenn discovers he is an imager—one of the few in the entire world of Terahnar who can visualize things and make them real.

He must leave his family and join the Collegium of Imagisle. Imagers live separately from the rest of society because of their abilities (they can do accidental magic even while asleep), and because they are both feared and vulnerable. In this new life, Rhenn discovers that all too many of the “truths” he knew were nothing of the sort. Every day brings a new threat to his life. He makes a powerful enemy while righting a wrong, and begins to learn to do magic in secret. Imager is the innovative and enchanting opening of an involving new fantasy story.

[odo]

Ack-Ack Macaque by Gareth L. Powell is 0.98 pounds at Rebellion Store

http://www.rebellionstore.com/products/ackack_macaque

[stutzj]

The Wretched of Muirwood series are .99 each for today only as part of the daily deal:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=amb_link...d_i=1000677541

I've read half of The Wretched of Muirwood, and I think its a fairly well written coming of age story which I've been enjoying quite a bit. Worth it IMO if you are looking for some good entertaining light fantasy in the vein of the Pyrdain Chronicles or the Redwall series.

[odo]

Phoenicia's World by Ben Jeapes 0.98 pounds at Rebellion Store (only today)

http://www.rebellionstore.com/produc...enicias_worlds

[pdurrant]

Amazon UK has six books by Neil Gaiman on special offer today:

Stardust, Neverwhere, American Gods, Anansi Boys and Smoke and Mirrors are all £1.49

His new children's book, Fortunately, the Milk... is £1.09

[HarryT]

More temptation from Amazon! I see that I bought "Neverwhen" on 21st Dec 2012, so it was probably in the Kindle Daily Deal then, but I paid £1.99 for it, compared to the £1.49 it's now on sale for. Picked up the other 5 books.

I notice that "Fortunately, the Milk..." is described as a "Kindle Edition with Audio/Video". I've never encountered one of those before; I'll be interested to see what the multimedia enhancements to it are. Curiously it works on all my registered apps and devices EXCEPT the Windows 8 Kindle App (it works on K4PC).

[HarryT]

Also in today's Amazon UK Kindle Daily Deal is "Malice", by John Gwynne, published by Tor:

Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon.

Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant-clans were broken in ages past, their ruined fortresses still scar the land. But now giants stir anew, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of giant wyrms.

Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. Sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield. Then there will be a war to end all wars. High King Aquilus summons his fellow kings to council, seeking an alliance in this time of need. Prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust.

Never heard of the author, but it has excellent reviews, so worth a punt at £1.49.

EDIT: Rather curiously, it has almost 80 5* and 4* reviews on "amazon.co.uk" (together with 6x3* and 2x2*), whereas on "amazon.com" it has a very small number of reviews, almost all negative. Strange that there should be such a difference of opinion between the two sites!

[Little.Egret]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Also in today's Amazon UK Kindle Daily Deal is "Malice", by John Gwynne, published by Tor:

Never heard of the author, but it has excellent reviews, so worth a punt at £1.49.

EDIT: Rather curiously, it has almost 80 5* and 4* reviews on "amazon.co.uk" (together with 6x3* and 2x2*), whereas on "amazon.com" it has a very small number of reviews, almost all negative. Strange that there should be such a difference of opinion between the two sites!

Biography
I was born in Singapore while my dad was stationed there in the RAF. Up until he retired that meant a lot of traveling around, generally a move every three years or so.

I live with my wife and four wonderful (and demanding) children in East Sussex. Also three dogs, two of which will chew anything that stands still. I have had many strange and wonderful jobs, including packing soap in a soap factory, waitering in a french restaurant in Canada, playing double bass in a rock n roll band, and lecturing at Brighton University.

British and a first novel so most of his fans are Brits ?