Book picks similar to
A Plague of Dreams by John Gregory Hancock


short-stories
band-of-dystopian-authors-and-fans
for-review
sci-fi

CINDRELLA


Checkerboard Press - 1990
    When the original version of this book was published in 1985, Publishers Weekly called it "a treasure for all ages," and The New York Times declared, "Fairy-tale aficionados will be mesmerized." For this hardcover reissue, Susan Jeffers retouched her pen-and- ink and dye illustrations, making them even richer. Her brilliant artwork is showcased in a new interior design featuring a fifth-color gold border. Embossed gold foil type on the jacket of this large-format picture book trumpets the arrival of the girl who went from rags to riches.

Visions of Distant Shores: An Andre Norton Collection


Andre Norton - 2010
    In most of Norton's works, alienated outsiders undertake a journey through which they realize their full potential. Many planets in the books are Earth-like places, where humans can live without special protection, and have extensive flora and fauna which are described in considerable detail and often have substantial bearing on the plot.On February 20, 2005, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, which had earlier honored her with its Grand Master Award in 1983, announced the creation of the Andre Norton Award, to be given each year for an outstanding work of fantasy or science fiction for the young adult literature market, beginning in 2006. Nobody today is telling better stories of straight-forward interstellar adventure.Included in this volume:Book One: Storm Over Warlock - Stranded on the alien world of Warlock, Shann Lantree's expedition camp has been wiped out by the Throgs, beings so alien that humans have yet to communicate with them. Lantree must quickly learn how to survive under harsh conditions while being chased by the Throgs -- and how to distinguish the real from the dreamed when he meets the mysterious Wyverns. A satisfying and mature novel which readers will seize upon if they want to enjoy a good adventure story...Book Two: Star Born - When the oppressive global dictatorship of Pax took over Earth they put a stop to space exploration. Still, a few rebels escaped in the sleeper ships to found free new colonies -- or perish in the attempt. Those few colonists that reached inhabitable worlds were cut off for centuries, and in that isolation and freedom they developed the mysterious mental powers that "civilization" had all but destroyed...Book Three: Star Hunter - Somewhere on the jungle world of Jumala, there was a man in hiding--a man whose mind had been reconditioned with another's brain pattern and for whom there was a fabulous reward. Star Hunter is a thrill-packed account of that other-worldly game of hide-and-seek between a man who did not know all his own powers and an interstellar safari that sought something no man had a right to find...Book Four: Plague Ship - A fast-moving suspense tale, full of unusual detail and unexpected turns. Several highlights make the book really shine: the sunset gorp hunt on the reefs of an oily sea; a raid on an asteroid's emergency station; and a landing in the Big Burn, resulting in an encounter with the mutant life-forms that reside there...Book Five: Voodoo Planet - Dane Thorson of the space-trader 'Solar Queen' found himself embroiled in a desperate battle of minds between the rational science of the spaceways and the hypnotic witchcraft of the mental wizard that ruled the Voodoo Planet...Book Six: The Gifts of Asti - Varta, the last priestess of Asti, lives alone with Lur, a telepath of the lizardfolk, in Asti's isolated mountain retreat. Decadent Memphir has long since drifted away from the austere paths of Asti, and now the barbarians of Klem are sacking the city, and the smoke of its burning drifts up to the temple...Book Seven: The People of the Crater - "Send the Black Throne to dust; conquer the Black Ones, and bring the Daughter from the Caves of Darkness." These were the tasks Garin must perform to fulfill the prophecy of the Ancient Ones--and establish his own destiny in this hidden land!This are the original and unabridged versions of these tales.

Funscreen


Craig A. Falconer - 2013
    The question is... who's watching who?When the government's new private welfare system begins rewarding unemployed viewers for watching the right kind of ads, Roger Birch welcomes a Funscreen into his home. Like millions of others, Roger and his family soon depend on ad-viewing income for their survival. Unlike millions of others, the events of one uncomfortable evening leave Roger aware of the government's shadier reasons for investing in Funscreens. With HD cameras hidden behind a 60-inch glass veil, the answer was staring him in the face all along...

Box of Terror (4 book horror box set)


Michael Bray - 2016
     There is something for every horror fan in this four book set, from a psychological terror featuring a repairman from hell, to a bloody tale of betrayal and vampires to a tale of a man hiding himself away for his own safety and a child pushed too far by the school bullies. One novel, one novella, two short stories. From the bestselling author of horror and suspense, Michael Bray, this three book set is a perfect introduction to his work and will appeal to fans of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Bentley Little, Shaun Hutson and James Herbert. Praise for included tiles: Digs into the depth of the readers fear and plays on it.' 'Wild, weird, and wonderfully imaginative!' 'In the spirit of Stephen King, Michael Bray has created a page turning gem. If you love horror, you need to read this story.' 'The story itself was dark and shocking' 'This is one of the best horror stories I have read in ages! It is absolutely grisly, gruesome and nasty' 'A great moral tale with a sting, and a bite, a chop, the odd missing foot and various other nasties.' KEYWORD SEARCH TERMS: Horror Horror box set Horror collection

Asleep in Armageddon


Ray Bradbury
    

Carson Mach: The Complete Series


A.C. Hadfield - 2021
    1000+ pages of explosive, military space opera action, filled with characters that leap off the page. Carson Mach, a former war hero turned freelancer, is seeking to revive his fortunes. Heeding a call from a friend in the Commonwealth government, he's tasked with a series of missions that few would ever agree to, much less with eagerness. But Carson Mach is a special kind of risk-taker and is known for cleaning up the quadrant's dregs in his unique, chaotic way. With few resources and overwhelming odds, Mach must reunite some of his old buddies: tech specialists, military veterans, assassins, and puzzling AIs, and form them into an elite fighting force. If he fails, the threats to the Commonwealth may spell the end for millions of lives. This is his last chance. Should he fail, he'll either be dead or back in the gutter with no more favors to call in and few friends ready to lend a hand. From hunting down mythical ships and recovering powerful artifacts to preventing the Commonwealth's center of power from falling to the enemy, Carson Mach and his ragtag crew of the starship Intrepid must do the extraordinary if they're to succeed. That's if they don't tear each other apart first. Experience this complete Military Space Opera series from Amazon Bestseller A.C. Hadfield. It's perfect for fans of Jamie McFarlane, JN Chaney and Jay Allan. This boxset contains three full-length novels: Book 1: The Atlantis Ship Book 2: The Lost Voyager Book 3: The Terminal War

Attack of the Fire Dragons


Amma Lee - 2015
    Isamu has known Seiko since they were toddlers. They don’t remember a time when they didn’t know each other. They are the best of friends. Seiko takes care of Isamu and he takes care of her too. You can travel with Isamu and Seiko as they have amazing adventures and meet up with the dragons of fire, water, and earth. Some of the dragons are friendly and some are not! In their first adventure, The Attack of the Fire Dragons, they meet the evil Sultan and his lead fire dragon, Fuego. Sultan has destroyed their village and kidnapped their parents. He wants the villagers to build a castle in his honor. The fire dragons have left clues on their path and Isamu and Seiko follow the clues to find the island where Sultan has their parents imprisoned. With the help of Luna the magical water dragon, they find a unique way to battle and overpower the evil villain Sultan. Will they rescue their parents in time? You will find out if you read their story.

Alien Prince's Bond


Sophia Sebell - 2020
    Now I belong to a brutal alien race who only see me as a fertile womb.I’m claimed by the Prince of the Khuvex, a devastatingly handsome colossus with blue skin and rippling muscles. I should be terrified. I should be planning my escape.But without Prince Tacien’s claim, I’d be snapped up in an instant—claimed, bred, used, and thrown away.What’s worse is I’m not even sure I want to run. Prince Tacien is fiercely protective. I’m unsure what my future holds with him, but I know he’d kill before he let anyone lay a hand on me. Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m starting to think he’d do anything for me.But before he can secure his claim over me as his mate for life, his vicious brother intervenes. He challenges Tacien for his title and all of his holdings. Including me.If both of the terrifying aliens kill each other, I might have a chance at freedom. So why do I find myself desperately wishing Tacien will win the right to claim me? To breed me…

Survive (Live Free or Die #1)


Shawn Underhill - 2017
     Set against the backdrop of the isolated forests north of New Hampshire's White Mountains, while camping on family land, Tom and Lori Thornton (and their dog, Buck) find themselves in a sudden SHTF scenario. No cellular service. Dangerous roads. Limited supplies. And far more questions than answers. After the shocking murder of Tom's uncle by a band of looters, the couple's already faltering marriage reaches the breaking point amid the chaos. Trust and loyalties are challenged, old friendships are put to the test, and while immediate answers and solutions elude them, they must rely on raw instincts in order to survive.

To the Stars and Back: Space Opera to Cyberpunk 5 Book Box Set


C.F. Barnes - 2015
    If you like fun, adventure, and interesting tech, you’ll be sure to love something within this collection. Comprising three full length novels, and two novellas, these stories will keep you entertained for many hours. Warning: Readers might not want to come back to the real world after adventuring through these stories. Hollow Space: Venture Forced to hyperjump during a brutal ambush, Sara Lorelle, navigator of the the last human colony ship, discovers they’ve jumped to somewhere that shouldn’t exist. Trapped inside a pocket universe known only as Hollow Space, where technology inexplicably fails, Sara and her crew have to face the lethal politics of their only destination: Haven—a decrepit space station, home to hostile aliens and rival factions that soon sees the Venture crew up to their necks in trouble. With their only hope placed in Tairon Cauder, a reckless scoundrel, they will battle impossible species, confront their fears, and uncover ancient and terrible secrets. In a place where those who shoot first live the longest, the Venture crew will have to push their limits if they are to save themselves and the human race from extinction. Hollow Space: Shadowkill Kina wants to be an assassin—to join the mysterious Wraiths and secure her future on the space station of Haven. A place where it’s kill or be killed and career options are limited. But Haven is not your granddad’s space station. It’s rotten to the core and every scumbag is out for one thing only: themselves. With just her two daggers for protection, Kina is thrown into the darkness to confront a pack of bounty hunters eager to end her ambitions—and life. Code Breakers: Alpha In a post-apocalyptic future, humanity survives within a single domed city run by a shadowy benefactor known only as The Family. Each week the death lottery claims more lives and Gerry Cardle, head of the lottery, inexplicably finds himself the next on the list. Something's wrong with the system. A deadly artificial intelligence has breached security. Gerry has just 7 days to live. Forced off the grid, Gerry has to do the unthinkable: willingly leave the city. What he finds in the abandoned lands will shatter his perception of what it means to be human. Everything he had been told before was a lie. Code Breakers: Beta The fanatical Red Widows sweep destruction across the abandoned lands. Their aggression threatens to destroy the city Gerry had risked his life to save. Petal, the woman Gerry has come to love is dying. The despotic cabal, The Family, demand he brings her to them, but she's missing, running from the Widows, searching for the truth of her origins before it's too late. When their paths cross, Petal and Gerry will hold the fate of humankind in their hands—if they can survive the malevolent digital entity that stalks them from the shadows. The Daedalus Code When agents Phaedra and Aegeus of New Crete's Intelligent Data Enforcement Agency are tasked to find five missing Artificial Intelligence students, their single lead takes them to a notorious hacker known as 'The Cretian.' With his help, they uncover a terrible truth: Ariadne, one of the students, is involved with a rogue AI program called The Daedalus Project. The AI is out of control, people are going missing, and a great swathe of the world’s data is being secured within its digital labyrinth.

Collision


Peter Cawdron - 2016
    For hundreds of years, the danger of collision has been ignored as mere crackpot theories, until now, and now it's too late. Collision is a short story commissioned by Vanquish Motion Pictures for development in film and television, and is the first in a series of character-rich, mystery-driven science fiction grounded in science fact.

The Death Clock


J. Rock - 2010
    She started seeing them when she got on the bus that morning. She didn't know what they meant...until she saw them run out...

Clockwork Fagin (Free Story from Steampunk!)


Cory Doctorow - 2011
    Where scientists and schoolgirls, fair folk and Romans, intergalactic bandits, utopian revolutionaries, and intrepid orphans solve crimes, escape from monstrous predicaments, consult oracles, and hover over volcanoes in steam-powered airships. In Steampunk!, fourteen masters of speculative fiction, including two graphic storytellers, embrace the genre's established themes and refashion them in surprising ways and settings as diverse as Appalachia, Ancient Rome, future Australia, Canada's Muddy York Toronto, and alternate California. Get a preview of the anthology by sampling one of these inventive tales for free - Cory Doctorow's "Clockwork Fagin," in which orphans use the puppet of a dead man to take control of their lives.

Demon's Night


Guido Henkel - 2009
    But is the paranormal investigator prepared to duel a full-fledged demon on a Hell-bent mission to create chaos and catastrophe throughout the earth, a fiend determined to wreak more death and destruction than his even more ominous Master?This is the first volume of a series of Gothic horror adventures where Jason Dark, a fearless and resourceful ghost hunter, sets out to solve a supernatural mystery. Doing so he follows in the mold of a Sherlock Holmes combined with elements of the occult and paranormal detective genre.Written by Guido Henkel, the designer who brought Germany's famed "Das Schwarze Auge" series to computer screens, this supernatural series is filled with enough mystery, drama, suspenseful action and Gothic dread to transport you to the sinister, fog-shrouded streets of Victorian England.Your encounter with the extraordinary awaits.

The Man on the Stairs


Miranda July