Download or read book The Ruby Dice written by Catherine Asaro and published by Baen. This book was released on 2008-01-01 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Two men, two empires. Jaibriol ruled the Eubian Concord: over two trillion people across more than a thousand worlds and habitats. Kelric ruled the Skolian Imperialate. War had come before—ten years ago, Jaibriol had lost his parents in the final battle of the Radiance War between the Concord and the Imperialate—and it might come again, devastating vast swathes of the galaxy. Neither Jaibriol nor Kelric wanted war, but neither was complete master of his realm. And each hid a secret that, if revealed, might be his downfall. Jaibriol was a secret psion, with telepathic abilities, and to be a psion in the Eubian Concord was to be a contemptible slave, eventually to be tortured for the pleasure of the slave’s owner. Kelric, years ago, had disappeared for nearly two decades. He had been a prisoner and slave on the planet Coban, part of neither empire, until he had managed to escape. And if the Skolian Imperialate knew of his captivity, there would be demands for vengeance, ravaging Coban—and killing the wife and children Kelric had left behind when he escaped. Neither man knew how much longer he could keep his secret—nor how much longer they could hold back the threat of a war that could incinerate hundreds of inhabited worlds.

Download or read book The Ruby Dice written by Catherine Asaro and published by Baen Publishing Enterprises. This book was released on 2008-01-01 with total page 574 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Roll the Dice of Empire! The Eubian Interstellar Concord. Dominating. Static. A pyramid of cosmic power built on the bones of slaves. Their opponents The freedom-loving, telepathic Skolian Imperialate. Now centuries of war come to head and a new galactic Dark Age looms as rival emperors -- related by blood, love, and an intrigue as deep as the space between stars _ take a desperate gamble to find a way through the carnage of battle to a new understanding. But first they'll have to keep their own heads off the chopping blocks of the enemy within. The latest and greatest entry in the star-spanning Skolian Saga! At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). A New SF Legend Re-makes Worlds! "[T]houghtful, engaging characters and an intriguing vision of the future." ¾Publishers Weekly on Nebula-award-winning Catherine Asaro's "Skolian Saga."

Download or read book Undercity written by Catherine Asaro and published by Baen Publishing Enterprises. This book was released on 2014-11-16 with total page 378 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: BOOK ONE IN A BRAND NEW SERIES by Nebula and Hugo Award Winner Catherine Asaro set in the world of her Skolian Empire universe. Major Bhaajan, a former military officer with Imperial Space Command, is now a hard-bitten P.I. with a load of baggage to deal with, and clients with woes sometimes personal, sometimes galaxy-shattering, and sometimes both. Bhaajan must sift through the shadows of dark and dangerous Undercity¾the enormous capital of a vast star empire¾to find answers. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About Catherine Asaros Skolian saga: _Entertaining mix of hard SF and romance.Ó¾Publishers Weekly _Asaros Skolian saga is now nearly as long and in many ways as compelling as Dune, if not more so, featuring a multitude of stronger female characters.Ó¾Booklist _Rapid pacing and gripping suspense.Ó¾Publishers Weekly

Download or read book Beyond the Ruby Veil written by Mara Fitzgerald and published by Hachette UK. This book was released on 2020-10-13 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A dark, queer YA fantasy that's perfect for fans of the Three Dark Crowns series. After Emanuela Ragno kills the one person in Occhia who can create water, she must find a way to save her city from dying of thirst. Emanuela Ragno always gets what she wants. With her daring mind and socialite schemes, she refuses to be the demure young lady everyone wants her to be. In her most ambitious move yet, she's about to marry Alessandro Morandi, her childhood best friend and the heir to the wealthiest house in Occhia. Emanuela doesn't care that she and her groom are both gay, because she doesn't want a love match. She wants power, and through Ale, she'll have it all. But Emanuela has a secret that could shatter her plans. In the city of Occhia, the only source of water is the watercrea, a mysterious being who uses magic to make water from blood. When their first bruise-like omen appears on their skin, all Occhians must surrender themselves to the watercrea to be drained of life. Everyone throughout history has given themselves up for the greater good. Everyone except Emanuela. She's kept the tiny omen on her hip out of sight for years. When the watercrea exposes Emanuela during her wedding ceremony and takes her to be sacrificed, Emanuela fights back ... and kills her. Now Occhia has no one to make their water and no idea how to get more. In a race against time, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the secrets of the watercrea's magic and find a way to save their people -- no matter what it takes.

Download or read book Starborn written by Catherine Asaro and published by Open Road Media. This book was released on 2023-08-15 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Following her heart, she left Earth behind—and now only she can save it . . . Tina Santis Pulivok never thought anyone would make sense of the strange way her mind could become saturated with other people’s moods. But then she met Althor, an empathic starfighter pilot from hundreds of years in the future. As their love grows, she leaves her Earth to join his universe where she has no ties except to Althor and their vulnerable marriage. Althor comes from a race of rare psions whose abilities are vital to the survival of humanity, making him coveted by three interstellar civilizations. His enemies sabotaged his starfighter and never expected him to return. Now he faces betrayals from every side. He and Tina become the targets of a merciless enemy who thrives on pain—and who will do anything to destroy the budding alliance between Althor’s people and Tina’s Earth . . . The completion of the thrilling interstellar adventure that began with Earthborn. Praise for Lightning Strike “From the L.A. barrios to the universe! Excellent.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune “A truly masterful accomplishment of world-building, an example of consummate craftsmanship and an impeccable feel for the technical and social possibilities that lie ahead of us. Hard science fiction fans can rejoice—the next superstar is here.” —Romantic Times

Download or read book The Down Deep written by Catherine Asaro and published by Baen Books. This book was released on 2024-07-02 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: DUST KNIGHTS: A NEW SERIES IN CATHERINE ASARO’S SKOLIAN EMPIRE A CITY DIVIDED For centuries The City of Cries—one of the most desired locales in the Skolian Imperialate—has existed by the thinnest of threads. On the dying world of Raylicon, the “haves” live in great luxury in Cries while the “havenots” scrape by, eking out a marginal existence in the notorious Undercity beneath the desert. Major Bhaajan, formerly of the Pharaoh's Army, knows both worlds. Born into the Undercity, she nevertheless has made a name for herself in the Imperialate. And now, she has the chance to help her people. HOPE FOR RECONCILIATION For the first time, a member of the Royal class wants to extend an olive branch to the Undercity. Hoping to build bridges, Colonel Lavinda Majda recruits Bhaaj and her Dust Knights to act as guides and bodyguards on a mission of goodwill to those who live below the surface of their parched world. THE DOWN DEEP But the problems of the Undercity run deeper than anyone knows. To help find peace, the Dust Knights must reach the most hidden rungs in that mysterious underground world, a place known only as the Down Deep, where the scars from centuries of distrust are greatest. There they will face an unseen enemy that may destroy the lives of everyone they know—and threaten interstellar civilization. At the publisher’s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

Download or read book The Bronze Skies written by Catherine Asaro and published by Baen Books. This book was released on 2017-09-05 with total page 418 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: TOUGH FEMALE P.I. EXPLORING THE UNDERWORLD OF A VAST STAR EMPIRE. Book two in a new series set in the world of Catherine Asaro's Skolian Empire series. Major Bhaajan achieved the impossible. Born to the Undercity, the slums below the City of Cries on the planet Raylicon, she broke free from crushing poverty and crime to become a military officer with Imperial Space Command. Now retired from military duty, she walks the mean streets of Undercity as a private investigator. And she is about to embark on her most challenging case yet. Summoned by no less than the Ruby Pharaoh herself, Major Bhaajan is tasked with finding a killer. But this is no ordinary murderer. The Ruby Pharaoh witnessed a Jagernaut cut down Assembly Councilor Tap Benton—which shouldn’t have been possible. The Jagernauts are the elite of the elite soldiers in the Imperial Space Command. What’s more, the spinal node implanted in all Jagernauts should have prevented the murder. But the Ruby Pharaoh is sure of what she saw, and she has reason to believe that the Jagernaut will kill again. Now, Major Bhaajan must hunt down a killer before it is too late. To do so, she must return to the one place on Raylicon she knows best: Undercity. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About prequel Undercity: "Asaro plants herself firmly into that grand SF tradition of future history franchises favored by luminaries like Heinlein, Asimov, Herbert, Anderson, Dickson, Niven, Cherryh, and Baxter. . .They don't write em like that anymore! Except Asaro does, with . . . up-to-the-minute savvy!"—Locus "[Baahjan], who starts out keeping an emotional distance from the people in the Undercity soon grows to think of them as her community once more. Asaro . . . returns to the Skolian empire's early history to tell Bhajaan's story."—Booklist "Asaro delivers a tale rich with the embedded history of her world and bright with technical marvels. Her characters are engaging and intriguing and there is even a bit of romance. What really touched my heart was Bhaaj's interaction with the children of the aqueducts. I spent the last fifty pages of the book sniffling into a tissue."—SF Crowsnet "I'm hooked, both on her writing and her Skolian universe. This book had everything I wanted: strong characters, a new and unique world, and a plot that isn't as simple as it first appears."—TerryTalk About Catherine Asaro’s Skolian saga: “Entertaining mix of hard SF and romance.”—Publishers Weekly “Asaro’s Skolian saga is now nearly as long and in many ways as compelling as Dune, if not more so, featuring a multitude of stronger female characters.”—Booklist “Rapid pacing and gripping suspense.”—Publisher’s Weekly

Download or read book Genreflecting written by Diana Tixier Herald and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2019-05-24 with total page 506 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Librarians who work with readers will find this well-loved guide to be a treasure trove of information. With descriptive annotations of thousands of genre titles mapped by genre and subgenre, this is the readers' advisor's go-to reference. Next to author, genre is the characteristic that readers use most to select reading material and the most trustworthy consideration for finding books readers will enjoy. With its detailed classification and pithy descriptions of titles, this book gives users valuable insights into what makes genre fiction appeal to readers. It is an invaluable aid for helping readers find books that they will enjoy reading. Providing a handy roadmap to popular genre literature, this guide helps librarians answer the perennial and often confounding question "What can I read next?" Herald and Stavole-Carter briefly describe thousands of popular fiction titles, classifying them into standard genres such as science fiction, fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and mystery. Within each genre, titles are broken down into more specific subgenres and themes. Detailed author, title, and subject indexes provide further access. As in previous editions, the focus of the guide is on recent releases and perennial reader favorites. In addition to covering new titles, this edition focuses more narrowly on the core genres and includes basic readers' advisory principles and techniques.

Download or read book Carnelians written by Catherine Asaro and published by Baen Publishing Enterprises. This book was released on 2011-10-01 with total page 451 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Two emperors navigate an uneasy peace, while a powerful trader guild does everything in its power to bring on war. And as if Kelric, the Skolian Imperator, didn't have enough problems, his own brother¾who happens to be a rock star of galactic proportions¾has a hit song that calls the traders out as the hidebound blueblood jerks they are, and pleads for an end to centuries of war. Kelric and his Eubian Trader Empire counterpart Jabriol attempt finally to meet in a public summit and sign a treaty that will save billions of lives and end the grinding, millennium-long war. But assassins lurk everywhere, and intrigue is afoot as the baroque old order has no intention of giving up its war-bought privilege and power without a fight to the death¾and they don't care if they take the rest of galactic civilization down with them. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

Download or read book Primary Inversion written by Catherine Asaro and published by Open Road Media. This book was released on 2022-09-27 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first book in the Skolian Empire saga by the Nebula Award–winning author. “Fast, smart, speculative . . . another stellar debut.” —Los Angeles Daily News Soz Valdoria, a bioengineered fighter pilot—and first in line for the military command of her people—has found refuge with her squad on the sanctuary planet of Delos. It offers a respite from the war that rages between her Skolian people and their enemies, the Traders. Looking for rest and relaxation, they must still be on their guard for the Trader soldiers who also visit the sanctuary. In a bar, they confront the worst of the worst: an Aristo from the Trader ruling caste, seemingly on the prowl for a “provider” he can use for his barbaric impulses. His presence takes Soz back to her days as a prisoner of war, when she became the plaything of a sadistic and soulless Aristo. And yet something is off about this Aristo. Unable to ignore her instincts, Soz searches the city until she finds him in a secured mansion. Breaching its fortifications and eluding its guards, she discovers a devastating truth: this man is no true Aristo. He is a genetic anomaly like Soz, one of the few people who can handle the massive neurological demands of the psibernet, the technological marvel that gives the Skolians their only advantage over the Traders. This false Aristo, this sheep in a wolf’s clothing, is heir to the Trader throne. The emperor created him for one reason—to take control of the Skolian network and conquer Soz’s people. But Soz has never felt such a connection as she does to this Trader heir. It may prove her—and the universe’s—undoing . . . “This is one of the best SF first novels in years.” —Booklist

Download or read book The Last Hawk written by Catherine Asaro and published by Open Road Media. This book was released on 2022-09-27 with total page 496 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Powerful characterization and intriguing scientific concepts . . . an elegant subtlety and a far-reaching sense of destiny that carries [Asaro] to the highest rank of master storyteller.” —Romantic Times Reeling from a battle, pilot Kelric Valdoria crash-lands his Jag starfighter on Coba, the closest safe planet he can find after a Trader squad cripples his ship. Although the military of Kelric’s people have given Coba Restricted status, Kelric sees no reason for such draconian measures to isolate the seemingly benign world. While recovering, the dashing Kelric becomes the target of affection for high-powered women in Coba’s matriarchal society, including Deha Dahl, an Estate Manager, and young Ixpar Karn, the chosen successor of the Minister. Distracted by their flirtations, Kelric doesn’t at first realize the Restricted status of the planet was their own choice—and that they can’t risk letting him go. However, Kelric’s internal biomech system is failing, causing his brain to malfunction. His only hope is to escape. But when his attempt fails, ending in the death of a guard, he must face a trial that could mean his execution, unless he can win the trust of the people who both covet and fear him . . . “Well-written, entertaining, classic science fiction fun.” —The Plain Dealer “Impossible to put down.” —L. E. Modesitt, Jr., New York Times–bestselling author “A smoothly absorbing space opera that mixes high-tech gimmickry with galactic politics and plenty of romance.” —Publishers Weekly

Download or read book The Desperate Dwarf written by Ian Irvine and published by Santhenar Trust. This book was released on 2019-05-03 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over a million copies of Ian Irvine’s fantasy novels sold. It’s not easy to be a hero when your bum is the size of an airship and you’re bobbing around the ceiling, mocked by angry dwarves. Mellie has stolen the unluckiest charm in Wychwold and can’t get rid of it. Pook has an insane plan to rescue the Collected children. The demons Nuckl, Spleen and Tonsil are after Ike’s innards. And the Fey Queen, Emajicka, is coming to tear out his worst nightmare. Only Ike can save Grimmery. But first he has to win a contest with a lying, cheating scoundrel – the desperate dwarf, Con Glomryt. Reviews of Grim and Grimmer “The funniest horror story you’ll read in a long while – Ian Irvine is a master of fantasy and this is the best yet.” Good Reading “An extraordinary fantasy world. Fast and furious and very funny.” Reading Time “A fun adventure for upper-primary readers. Recommended.” Bookseller and Publisher “The Grasping Goblintakes the two reluctant heroes on a very wild ride. A grand adventure.” Aussiereviews.com “I gasped and laughed my way through these three books.” Dee White, Kid’s Book Capers. “A wonderful tale. Delightfully dark and delicious.” Jacq Ellem, hittheroadjacq.com “The fun explodes off every page.” Richard Harland, multi-award winning author of Worldshaker. “Fantasy genius Ian Irvine manages to create a world which is believable, thrilling and funny all rolled into one.” Aussiereviews.com on The Headless Highwayman

Download or read book The Grim and Grimmer Box Set written by Ian Irvine and published by Santhenar Trust. This book was released on 2019-05-11 with total page 760 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The complete Grim and Grimmer humorous fantasy quartet for primary readers. It’s not easy to be a hero when your bum is the size of an airship and you’re bobbing around the ceiling, mocked by angry dwarves. The Fey Queen, Emajicka, is stealing the children of Grimmery for her Collection. She bathes in their nightmares to relieve her own. There is one nightmare she wants most of all. If Ike had stayed home that Tuesday, he would not have been expelled from school, betrayed a princess or robbed a murderous queen. He would not have been tied to an insane imp desperate to eat his liver. He certainly would not have floated across a strange land on an impossible rescue mission, powered by exploding manure. Nor would he have tried to escape via that disastrous troll-bum door. But can he ever escape the Nightmare Queen? Reviews “The funniest horror story you’ll read in a long while – Ian Irvine is a master of fantasy and this is the best yet.” Good Reading “Entertainingly written in an energetic, descriptive style. An extraordinary fantasy world. Fast and furious and very funny.” Reading Time “Irvine has great fun creating his world. Funny and fast-paced, Ike’s story reads briskly, leavened with a little horror and a dash of scatological humour. A fun adventure for upper-primary readers. Recommended.” Bookseller and Publisher “The Headless Highwaymanis the first book in the Grim and Grimmer series from fantasy genius Ian Irvine, who manages to create a world which is believable, thrilling and funny all rolled into one.” Aussiereviews.com “The Grasping Goblintakes the two reluctant heroes on a very wild ride. Very funny too, as well as dangerous, gory and grotty. A grand adventure.” Aussiereviews.com “I gasped and laughed my way through these three books. Action packed.” Dee White, Kid’s Book Capers. “A wonderful tale. Delightfully dark and delicious.” Jacq Ellem, hittheroadjacq.com “Fantasy genius Ian Irvine manages to create a world which is believable, thrilling and funny all rolled into one.” Aussiereviews.com on The Calamitous Queen

Download or read book The Quantum Rose written by Catherine Asaro and published by Open Road Media. This book was released on 2024-07-30 with total page 446 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of the Nebula Award, this science fiction adventure “features sound characterization, straightforward plotting, abundant world building detail, and almost as much humor” (Booklist). As the young ruler of a destitute province burdened by obsolete technology, Kamoj Argali must marry to save her people from starvation. She has managed to make peace with her betrothal to the arrogant leader of a wealthy neighboring province. Then Havyrl Lionstar, a mysterious visitor to their land, steps in to claim Kamoj as his wife, sowing chaos in their lives. In this science fictional retelling of a classic folk tale, Havryl appears as a beast to Kamoj’s people. But what is the truth behind his strange, erratic behavior? In dealing with the upheavals he brings to their world, Kamoj discovers that the universe is much larger than she ever understood. This new edition contains a revised, expanded version of the essay that appeared in the original book, in which Catherine Asaro explains how she found inspiration for The Quantum Rose while earning her doctorate at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, where she studied the quantum theory of scattering processes. “A freestanding page-turner as a romance, with a hard science fiction framework.” —Publishers Weekly “Bolsters [Asaro’s] reputation for skillfully putting classic romance elements in an sf setting.” —Booklist “Fans of futuristic romance will revel in the delights of a top notch romantic adventure set against an impeccably crafted, richly imagined background.” —Romantic Times “Sturdy and absorbing.” —Kirkus Reviews “Asaro plants herself firmly into that grand SF tradition of future history franchises favored by luminaries like Heinlen, Asimov, Herbert, Anderson, Dickson, Niven, Cherryh, and BaxterBaxter.” —Paul Di Filippo, Locus

Download or read book Earthborn written by Catherine Asaro and published by Open Road Media. This book was released on 2023-08-15 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From a Mayan village to an L.A. barrio to a chance to reach the stars . . . Part One of “a space adventure for the twenty-first century” (Nancy Kress, Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author). Not much surprises waitress Tina Santis Pulivok on the streets of East LA—until the night when, on her way home from her waitressing job, she meets a man working on a strange, glowing box. Still, she thinks he must be one of those Caltech students who’s into role-playing games. Until his mind reaches out to hers . . . Althor is definitively in the wrong place at the wrong time. An Imperial Space Command pilot, he was headed to a reception in Washington DC and somehow ended up here, though he’s not quite sure where here is. As Tina helps Althor get his bearings, they realize he’s in more trouble than he thought. He left his home base in 2328—and now it’s 1987. At least he still has his starfighter, shrouded and in orbit above the Earth. But when the military gets their hands on the ship, he and Tina must race to reclaim it before it detonates itself—taking a huge chunk of California along with it . . . Praise for Lightning Strike “From the L.A. barrios to the universe! Excellent.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune “A truly masterful accomplishment of world-building, an example of consummate craftsmanship and an impeccable feel for the technical and social possibilities that lie ahead of us. Hard science fiction fans can rejoice—the next superstar is here.” —Romantic Times

Download or read book Fire and Blood written by Diane Morgan and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2007-11-30 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ruby is the world's most precious and rare stone. For the ancient Hindus, the ruby was Rajnapura: the Gem of Gems, at whose heart surges an eternal, unquenchable flame. Yet, for all its rarity and beauty, the ruby has always been a slightly sinister stone. Indian legend says the ruby was born from the blood of a demon. Indeed, the ruby is very close to a wild, living being: fiery, passionate, and dangerous. It has been at the center of love and wars, a symbol of passion, greed, and strong magic. Ancient sages and modern crystal healers have credited it with strange powers—from the granting of prophetic insight to protecting one from bullets. It has long been part of the human journey: coveted, fought over, and feared. Morgan considers all the beautiful and terrifying facets of this magnificent stone: scientific, economic, mythological, and spiritual. She discusses the great stones and great heists of the ruby world—and the famous fakes, too—the great Black Prince and renowned Timur. She closes with a discussion of the making of synthetic rubies and the laser beam.

Download or read book The Feathered Lover Feathered Book 1 written by Tabitha Levin and published by Tabitha Levin. This book was released on 2013-02-27 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ruby Kelly just saw one of the wild men with wings for the first time in her life. He'd been captured, tied up, and was now being held in the stables at the same Inn she was staying. She had to get a closer look. She crept downstairs toward the stable window. His chest was smooth and bare, and it glistened with sweat from his recent struggle. Butterflies erupted in her stomach when he looked her way. Did he see her? Now she had two options, free him and risk the wrath of the thugs who caught him, or pretend she never saw him at all. Neither would be easy. Novel Classification: Fantasy paranormal romance between human woman and man with wings.