Phoenix Phoenix: 1848 books

Jefferson Kopal, the privileged son of a wealthy family, knows he is a coward and a failure. He dreads appearing for and then barely passes the Space Navy test to qualify for service as an officer—something that has been an integral part of his family’s tradition.He is assigned to the remote...

Shelby Cheever is a spoiled brat. He is also the richest kid in the country. Actually, make that the universe. Bored with his all-the-amusements-money-can-buy life, he decides on a bit of interstellar action, Shelby-style. But it turns out life on a starship is not all fun and games. As part of a...

Scheming to get rid of obstacles, Josh Kerrigan’s step-aunt ships him and her autistic step-daughter to Solferino to work for Foodlines. Josh and Dawn join a small training group that is ostensibly doing scientific research and exploration under the watchful eye of the company.But as the...

"One of the most imaginative, exciting talents to appear on the sf scene in recent years."—Publisher's Weekly Charles A. Sheffield was an English-born mathematician, physicist and science fiction author, whose words are collected here in one of his most iconic short story collections...

There was once a man who had three sons, and nothing else in the world but the house in which he lived....

Charles and Kate were husband and wife. He left to do his work. She started to fry a sausage and thought she could get a beer while it cooked. In the cellar, drawing it, she realized the dog was loose and might eat the sausage, but the dog had already done so, and she chased it but could not catch...

A peasant begged some land from the king. When he and his daughter dug the field, they found a mortar made of gold. The daughter warned that if they gave it to the king for his kindness, he would ask for the pestle as well; the father gave it nonetheless, and the king asked for the pestle and put him in prison until he got it. ...

Leisha Camden is a genetically engineered “Sleepless.” Her ability to stay awake all the time has not only made her more productive, but the genetic modifications have also given the “Sleepless” a higher IQ and may even make them immortal. Are they the future of humanity? Or...

“One of the best of the year...a compelling novella about a once-famous actress and her devoted manager who get much more publicity of an unfortunate sort when they inadvertently become embroiled with an act of biological terrorism with potentially world-changing results.” — Gardner Dozois, Locus *Nominee for Best Novella for both Hugo and Nebula awards*

Two stories about artificial intelligence from one of the most respected names in hard science fiction. Multiple Hugo and Nebula winner Nancy Kress gives us a fascinating look into the evolution of artificial intelligence and the impact it has on human society.

Set in the near future, Nancy Kress’s 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.This is a world we can imagine very easily since the...

FBI Special Agent Robert Cavanaugh has been consigned to a backwater office in Southern Maryland where he can stay out of trouble. Yet trouble follows him as a special strain of malaria is discovered in Maryland that selectively kills African Americans with the sickle-cell trait. Melanie Anderson...

Judy Kozinski needs answers. Her husband, a prominent genetic scientist, has been found murdered and no one can find a motive.In Las Vegas, a showgirl sends a cryptic message to FBI agent Robert Cavanaugh from a murdered friend.How are the two related and what does it have to with the...

Two middle-class African American girls grow into teenagers at the turn of the 20th century (1916-1917). The times are much different than they are today. The older girl's sister fled the United States to find fame and fortune in another country (like Josephine Baker). She left behind a daughter,...