New Releases by Poul Anderson

They answer to no planet. They bow to no authority. They are the Nomads—the Vikings of the void. For generations, the star-roaming clans have carved out a life of fierce independence among the galaxies, their mighty ships the only home they’ve ever known. At their annual secret gathering, grizzled captain Joachim brings a chilling warning: five of their ships have vanished without a trace, swallowed by a silent, unseen enemy in a desolate sector of space. This was no accident. It was a message. Meanwhile, back on Earth, stone-cold bureaucrat Trevelyan Micah sees the Nomads as an unruly threat to galactic stability. But when a terrifying pattern emerges—identical, impossible life forms sprouting across unrelated worlds—he’s forced into an uneasy alliance with the very people he scorns. The two mysteries are one and the same, pointing to an intelligence far beyond human understanding. At the heart of the storm is Sean, a young Nomad scarred by loss, who finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Ilaloa—a woman whose haunting beauty hides a secret that could either save them all or doom them. Caught between a silent, expanding alien force and a paranoid Earth government ready to shoot first and ask questions later, the Nomads must fight a war on two fronts. Can a band of outcasts uncover the galaxy''s darkest secret before they are crushed into oblivion? Can humanity face the unknown without destroying itself first? Dive into a classic space opera where the greatest frontier isn''t space—it''s survival.

Step into the boundless universe of "Amazing Tales Volume 68", an enthralling science fiction anthology meticulously curated as an extraordinary anthology offering unparalleled expedition. This extraordinary compilation transcends the ordinary, inviting you to journey through stories that illuminate the mysterious corridors of space, plumb the untouched depths of our oceans, and unravel the intricate tapestry of human and alien relationships. Dive into the cosmic intrigue of "Industrial Revolution", where forgotten technology and machine amnesia ignite a fierce war across the asteroid belt, testing the limits of interplanetary diplomacy. Meanwhile, "The Sensitive Man" plunges you into the enigmatic waters of an underwater city, where hidden abilities and a shadowy cabal threaten to upend the delicate balance of power. Venture across the Martian landscape in "Duel on Syrtis", a heart-pounding chase that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And let "Sentiment, Inc". touch your heart and provoke your thoughts, as it masterfully intertwines ambition with the nuances of romance. But the adventure doesn''t stop there. Traverse a series of interconnected sagas featuring the mysterious Simon Dalgetty, a character who confronts political machinations, survival challenges, and ethical quandaries across mesmerizing locales. The authors tackle timeless themes of identity, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. Whether you''re a devotee of space operas, dystopian landscapes, or the gripping allure of suspense and survival tales, "Amazing Tales Volume 68" promises a remarkable journey through the celestial and cerebral realms of science fiction. Prepare to be captivated, as this anthology elevates the genre to new heights with its vivid storytelling and limitless imagination.

The ''Poul Anderson - Sci-Fi Boxed Set'' encompasses a selection of narratives that exemplify the boundaries of science fiction, showcasing Anderson''s signature blend of insightful speculation and rich world-building. The collection features selected works that tackle complex themes such as the nature of humanity, the ethics of technological advancement, and the intricate tapestry of interstellar politics, all delivered in Anderson''s elegant prose. His storytelling is characterized by meticulous attention to scientific details, augmented by a philosophical depth that invites contemplation of humanity''s place in the cosmos, situating it firmly in the tradition of mid-20th-century speculative fiction. Poul Anderson (1926-2001) was a prolific writer whose career spanned several decades, during which he garnered numerous awards, including the Hugo and Nebula. His deep fascination with history, mythology, and science is often reflected in his writing, informing his intricate narratives and immersive universes. Anderson''s own experiences as a scholar and a veteran lent authenticity to his explorations of existential dilemmas and the moral implications of technological progress, themes that resonate throughout the boxed set. This anthology is highly recommended for both long-time fans of Anderson''s work and newcomers to the genre. Engaging with these stories not only entertains but also provokes critical thought on issues that remain relevant today, making the ''Poul Anderson - Sci-Fi Boxed Set'' an indispensable addition to any sci-fi enthusiast''s library. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works'' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions. - The Author Biography highlights personal milestones and literary influences that shape the entire body of writing. - A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation. - A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists. - A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work''s strengths. - Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author''s overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts. - Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection''s central themes.

Dive into the enthralling universe of "Amazing Tales Volume 161", an anthology that delves into the complex themes of heroism, destiny, and the human spirit against vast cosmic backdrops. Each story weaves a unique tapestry, offering readers a glimpse into worlds where reality is as fluid as the stars themselves. In "To Make a Hero" by Randall Garrett, we meet Leland Hale, a man caught in a galaxy where history is as mutable as the shifting sands of time. This tale of crime and intrigue explores the concept of heroism through the lens of perception and truth, challenging readers to reconsider what makes someone a hero in a world where reality is always in flux. Transitioning from the mutable galaxy to the cold expanse of space, "The Band Played On" by Lester Del Rey follows Captain Thomas Murdock, a space-bound garbage collector. Murdock''s routine existence is upended by echoes of destiny that resonate through the storms he faces. Del Rey crafts a poignant narrative that melds the mundane with the celestial, prompting readers to ponder the true essence of heroism amidst the chaos of life. Lastly, "The High Ones" by Poul Anderson takes us aboard a starship where mutineers have severed ties with a Red-ruled Earth. Eben Holbrook, a skilled nucleonics engineer, finds himself amidst rising tensions and fractured alliances. As he battles his inner demons, Holbrook clings to a fragile hope, offering a gripping tale of endurance and the quest for freedom in the depths of space. "Amazing Tales Volume 161" invites readers on an unforgettable journey through the stars, where each story offers a distinct perspective on heroism and human resilience. With its rich narratives and compelling characters, this anthology is a testament to the boundless possibilities of science fiction storytelling.

In "Murder in Black Letter," Poul Anderson intricately weaves a tale of intrigue set in the richly imagined world of medieval science fiction. The narrative centers around the brutal murder of a prominent scholar, unleashing a cascade of political ramifications and dark secrets among the protagonists. Anderson''s literary style in this novella is characterized by meticulous world-building and complex character development, complemented by his trademark blend of speculative elements and nuanced social commentary. The intricacy of the plot is matched by a gripping pace, inviting readers to unravel the mystery while contemplating larger themes of knowledge, power, and morality. Poul Anderson was a prolific author whose ventures into science fiction and fantasy have rendered him a cornerstone of the genre. His academic background in mathematics and science shapes his meticulous storytelling approach, effectively marrying technical plausibility with rich narrative. "Murder in Black Letter" reflects Anderson''s fascination with the interplay between intellect and ethics, suggesting that his own intellectual pursuits play a significant role in the creation of this compelling work. This novella is highly recommended for readers who enjoy a masterfully crafted mystery with speculative underpinnings. Anderson''s unique ability to blend genres and present moral dilemmas will captivate not only aficionados of mystery but also those intrigued by the philosophical questions it raises. Prepare to be enthralled by a narrative that challenges perceptions and invites deep reflection.

Werewolf Steve Matuchek and witch Ginny Graylock defend America in this fantasy duology from the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author. Operation Chaos: In a world where magic is real, werewolf Steve Matuchek and powerful witch Virginia Graylock are paired together in the war to stop the invading Caliphate forces from taking over America. Their mission: stop the enemy from unleashing their superweapon—a genie in a bottle. And that is only the beginning of an adventure that will take them quite literally to Hell and back . . . " Operation Chaos was one of the truly fine fantasies of the 1970s, a fantasy whose magic was so splendidly engineered that you felt it was as logical—and as likely—as our real technology." —Harry Turtledove "A great read, from a master writer at the top of his game." —GirlsWithGuns.org Operation Luna: Now married with three rambunctious children, Steve and Ginny once again find themselves fighting for their country as they try to stop a plot to sabotage America''s first manned mission to the moon (in an alternate history timeline, that is). But they will need help from a loyal cadre of magical allies if they hope to avert a catastrophe . . . "An enjoyable tale by a veteran writer who knows exactly what he''s doing." — Publishers Weekly

Bold and ruthless, he was famed throughout the System as a big-game hunter. From the firedrakes of Mercury to the ice-crawlers of Pluto, he’d slain them all. But his trophy-room lacked one item; and now Riordan swore he’d bag the forbidden game that roamed the red deserts . . . a Martian!

A novel of the fierce Norse warrior who would become the lusty and powerful Viking king Harald Hardrede from a Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author. At seventeen, Harald Sigurdharson—one day to be called Hardrede—tastes the bitter nectar of blood and battle for the first time, and from that day forward he will forever crave the intoxicating brew of war. Though he knows it is his destiny to conquer and to rule, he is still young and the throne he covets is beyond his grasp. In the meantime, the wide world beckons. Setting out from Norway after a great series of mercenary adventures in Sweden and Russia, the now towering seven-foot-tall Harald arrives at Constantinople on the Golden Horn. In the heart of an empire choking on its own intrigues and excesses, as a member of the Varangian Guard—the foreign warriors entrusted with the safety of the Byzantine emperor—and a tireless suitor to an enticing beauty from a powerful clan, Harald carves out his legend in flesh, bone, and blood. But his true path stretches to the other side of the world, for he must ultimately return to Norway, his homeland, to claim his royal birthright. Grand Master of Science Fiction Poul Anderson begins an epic trilogy of historical fiction with this novel, bringing to life the eleventh-century conqueror who was known as the last Viking. The Last Viking Trilogy The Golden Horn (#1) The Road of the Sea Horse (#2) The Sign of the Raven (#3)

Humans and their genetically altered descendants struggle to find their place in a universe controlled by a benevolent artificial intelligence in this brilliant classic of future speculation On a far-future Earth, a linked system of artificial intelligences called the cybercosm runs the planet and the universe far more efficiently than any flesh and blood ruler ever could, in essence rendering the human race obsolete. On the Earth''s moon, genetically engineered Lunarians carrying the DNA of Dagney Beynac—a descendant of the legendary Anton Guthrie, founder of the powerful and visionary Fireball Enterprises—struggle to preserve their lives, their freedom, and their satellite''s resources in the face of threats posed by encroaching humans and controlling machines. Over a span of five centuries, tensions have increased in the wake of the political and technological revolutions that reshaped their universe. And suddenly radical change is in the offing once more, as a secret kept hidden since the earliest days of Lunar colonization is about to be revealed—one that could effectively shut down the cybercosm and plunge the universe into chaos. Poul Anderson advances the worlds-shattering circumstances he so brilliantly introduced in Harvest of Stars, creating a vision of the future that is at once astonishing, provocative, and troubling. A true science fiction classic, The Stars Are Also Fire explores deep questions about the nature, complexity, and worth of humankind in an unforgettable novel considered by many to be Anderson''s masterpiece.

Space explorers returning to an unrecognizable Earth after five millennia away find themselves caught up in a deadly political power game on a planet racing toward intergalactic war Five thousand years have passed since the interstellar spacecraft Explorer left Earth, and now Edward Langley and his two crewmates are returning home. The faster-than-light mission that took only a year for Langley, Matsumoto, and Blaustein has cost them the only world they ever knew. This future Earth is unrecognizable, its global society ruled by a benevolent, all-powerful computer and divided into a strict class structure of masters and slaves. Though war has been eradicated for generations, tensions between the powers on Earth and colonists on Centaurus over mineral mining are rapidly reaching a violent breaking point. The homecoming of three astronauts from the distant past should have no bearing on the present political situation. But the crewmembers did not come back alone—and the alien visitor who accompanied them holds the key to victory or total defeat. One of the most acclaimed of the Golden Age science fiction masters, Poul Anderson has written a provocative and enthralling tale of the future that incorporates his trademark blend of hard science, sociology, and humanism. At once thrilling and thought provoking, No World of Their Own is classic speculative fiction at its page-turning best, as only the incomparable Anderson could imagine it.

On a post-nuclear Earth, visionaries who dream of reaching for the stars attempt to revive the forbidden technology that destroyed their world. A Grand Master of Science Fiction Centuries ago, humankind was nearly destroyed in a nuclear apocalypse. Many generations have passed since that terrible time, and the remnants of civilization have re-formed into separate, vastly different societies. The dominant culture of a widely diminished Earth, the ecologically sensitive Maurai hold fast to their belief that "non-green" science is an unacceptable evil. But the reborn dream of space flight harbored by a forward-thinking few could herald the revival of the nuclear technology that once ravaged the planet and its people—and the powerful Maurai Federation will take every step necessary, no matter how drastic, to prevent doomsday from dawning again. An enthralling work of speculative fiction from a winner of the Nebula and Hugo Awards, Orion Shall Rise is a feat of world-building and a sobering view of tomorrow by one of the twentieth century''s most revered science fiction masters. Poul Anderson''s monumental tale combines science, anthropology, philosophy, and global politics with breathtaking action and adventure, offering an ingeniously unique and provocative vision of humankind''s all-too-possible destiny. This ebook includes the bonus story "The Sky People." Praise for Poul Anderson "One of science fiction''s most influential and prolific writers." — The Daily Telegraph "Anderson has produced more milestones in contemporary science fiction and fantasy than any one man is entitled to." —Stephen Donaldson "Anderson, far more than many newer science fiction writers, takes the trouble to envision a genuinely strange, complex future for mankind." — The Washington Post

Winner of the British Fantasy Award: The ancient legend of the Danish Viking king is retold in a tale of vengeance, battles, magic, and monsters. In the court of the Anglo-Saxon king, a visiting storyteller regales the assembled nobles with the enthralling tale of her faraway land''s most revered hero: the Viking Hrolf Kraki. Born of an incestuous union into a royal family with a history of violence, jealousy, usurpation, and murder, Hrolf assembled a loyal band of the mightiest champions in the realm and expanded his small kingdom through wisdom, courage, and conquest. Unbeaten on the battlefield, his great deeds and victories became legends throughout the North as he ushered in an era of peace and prosperity. But Hrolf''s desire for vengeance was ever the warrior-king''s driving force, as he sought the truth about his father''s murder. This obsession would threaten Hrolf''s life and his rule—and ultimately bring his great kingdom to ruin. Poul Anderson, one of the acknowledged giants of twentieth-century fantasy, employs his unparalleled storytelling talents to bring Denmark''s great Viking king to life. A saga that predates the stories of King Arthur and his knights and Shakespeare''s Hamlet, while echoing the Oedipus and Beowulf myths, the Norse legend of Hrolf Kraki takes on a new and breathtaking richness in this classic novel the Guardian described as "full of thrills."

A young man from the twentieth century is recruited to fight in a war that rages throughout time in this classic science fiction adventure from a multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning master. College student, ex-marine, and martial artist Malcolm Lockridge is in prison awaiting his trial for murder when he receives an unexpected visit from an extraordinarily beautiful woman named Storm. Claiming to be a representative of the Wardens, a political faction from two thousand years in the future, Storm offers the astonished young man a proposition: freedom in return for his assistance in recovering an unspecified lost treasure. But it is not long before Malcolm realizes that, in truth, he''s been recruited as a soldier in the Wardens'' ongoing war against their rivals, the Rangers. And this war is different from any that has ever been fought, because the battlefield is not a place but time itself. Traveling backward and forward through corridors connecting historical epochs separated by thousands of years, Malcolm is soon embroiled in a furious conflict between the forces of good and minions of evil. But the deeper he is pulled into this devastating time war, the clearer Malcolm''s ultimate role in humankind''s destiny becomes, causing the troubled young soldier from the twentieth century to question whether he''s been chosen to fight on the side of good or evil . . . and if such a distinction even exists.

Four explorers from different backgrounds are marooned in space—and must unite to escape their floating prison—in this novel by a Nebula Award winner. In the twenty-third century, when humankind has spread itself throughout the cosmos, with many intergalactic colonies teetering on the brink of open revolt against the hated ruling Protectorate, a team of four is transported by a miraculous technology onto the deep-space vessel Southern Cross. Hailing from vastly different backgrounds, philosophies, and worlds, Ryerson, Nakamura, Sverdlov, and Maclaren have been entrusted to explore a long-dead star located light-years beyond where humanity has previously traveled. But venturing too close to the target proves disastrous when the black sun''s magnetic field permanently obliterates their only means of returning home. Suddenly, four strangers, two hailing from a privileged Earth and two from oppressed galactic colonies, must put aside their differences and work together to somehow find a way out of an impossible situation before time runs out, or die together at the farthest edge of a cold and merciless universe. A remarkably thoughtful and profoundly moving novel of survival in the darkest reaches of outer space, The Enemy Stars is a work of great power and insight by multiple Hugo and Nebula Award winner Poul Anderson, one of the legendary greats of golden-age science fiction.

Nebula and World Fantasy Award Finalist: A fantastic tale of intrigue, love, war, magic, and swashbuckling adventure set in an alternate universe where fairies mingle freely with Englishmen and all of Shakespeare''s fictional characters are real Welcome to an alternate civil-war-torn seventeenth-century England—a world where Hamlet once brooded and Othello jealously raged. Here faeries and sprites gambol in English woods, railroads race across the landscape while manned balloons float above the countryside, and the most respected historian of all is one William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon. The year is 1644, and the war between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers rages. When Rupert, nephew of King Charles I, is taken captive by Cromwell''s troops and imprisoned in a Puritan home, he is immediately smitten with the beautiful Jennifer Alayne, his captor''s niece. Escaping with the help of his newfound beloved and the loyal trooper Will Fairweather, Rupert leads Jennifer deep into the forest, where the faerie folk who dwell there have a vested interest in the outcome of the great and bloody conflict. Though the lovers must soon part—with the prince undertaking a dangerous mission for his magical benefactors that could turn the tide of war—Rupert and his lady love will be forever joined by the rings presented to them by King Oberon and Queen Titania. And despite the strange, twisting pathways and turbulent seas they are destined to encounter, they will always be able to find each other again . . . as long as their love remains true. Nominated for the World Fantasy Award and winner of the Mythopoeic Award, Poul Anderson''s A Midsummer Tempest is a titanic achievement—a delightful alternate-history fantasy that brings the fictional worlds of Shakespeare''s plays to breathtaking life with style, wit, and unparalleled imagination.

In a thrilling collection of hard science fiction stories, a master of speculative fiction envisions a volatile future when Earth''s colonies throughout the galaxy attempt to break free from home-world rule On a spaceship rocketing toward the stars, an official council meets to discuss how to censor history for the benefit of a new generation in space—which stories to preserve and which ones to discard forever . . . Golden-age hard science fiction luminary Poul Anderson approached the future with a mixture of excitement, hope, and skepticism. In Tales of the Flying Mountains, the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award winner offers stories from a new war of independence and beyond—portending a time when a North American government on Earth will take up arms against its own rebellious children colonizing the cosmos, then exploring the shape of the universe in the war''s aftermath. Firmly based in hard science and human nature, here are seven excursions into a distant tomorrow, from the tense saber rattling preceding the hostilities to the establishment and growth of the independent Asteroid Republic. Whether he''s spinning an imaginative yarn about the courageous crew of an unarmed state-of-the-art commercial space station using every resources at hand to battle a military incursion from the home world or chronicling a space colony''s desperate gamble to thwart a government takeover by moving an entire asteroid, Anderson builds truly breathtaking worlds and imagines astonishing yet eminently credible future scenarios while infusing his unforgettable tales with intelligence, compassion, surprise, and humanism.

Charlie Stuart, young scion of the Scottish royal family, long nourished a secret desire for adventure - an escape from his dreary books, his sheltered life. When his father realized that, for Charlie to grow into the full Stuart heritage he must face the rigors of the real world, the young man''s dreams had a chance of coming true. But Charlie''s private fantasies had never included Talyina, a planet 200 light-years from earth and ruled by a ruthless usurper. And he had never envisioned himself as a galactic savior. Yet, young Charlie, late the classroom dreamer, suddenly found himself the only man in the galaxy capable of averting inter-planetary war!

Captain Sir Dominic Flandry was a top man in the Intelligence Corps of the Imperial Terrestrial Navy. He knew that on the outer edges of the empire, civilisation was spread hideously thin. The stars faded towards barbarism, with the great evil Empire of Merseia beyond. But there were times when Flandry abandoned his senior position of command to go out into the field. Then he operated like the cool and brilliant agent he was, a ruthless, highly-trained professional. And in these three fast-moving adventures Captain Dominic Flandry shows that a space-age secret agent has to stay on top of the job - or succumb to nameless horrors.

Before there was an England, there was Roma Mater . . . Before King Arthur, there was the King of Ys . . . In the wild and eldritch time between the fall of Rome and the rise of our own age, the kingdom of Ys was ruled by the magic of The Nine and the might of the king, their husband. How the Nine conspired with their gods to bring him to them, though he belonged to Mithras and to Rome, is only the beginning of an enchanted saga that weaves together Celtic myth with distant memories of Roman Britain - and adds a magic of its own.

A dozen years had passed since Mark Fraser and his family had fled to Ganymede, hoping to find the peace and freedom which had eluded them on Earth. Now violence and terror had pursued them to their new-found home: Captain Swayne and his battleship Vega had made landfall on Ganymede and were using its resources to build missiles with which to hold Planet Earth to ransom. For the second time, Mark Fraser was a marked man, running for his life. His only chance of escape was to a third planet: Jupiter. But as Fraser knew only too well, Jupiter itself was the scene of conflict and carnage. And so far no human being had ever breathed its atmosphere and lived to tell the tale!

Included in this volume are "An Infinite Summer," by Christopher Priest; "The King''s Wishes," by Robert Sheckley; "Manna," by Peter Phillips; "The Long Remembering," by Poul Anderson; "Try and Change the Past," by Fritz Leiber; "Divine Madness, by Roger Zelazny; "Mugwump 4," by Robert Silverberg; "Secret Rider," by Marta Randall; and "The Seesaw," by A.E. van Vogt.

1. Poul Anderson is one of science fiction’s most popular writers, and this generous volume of his best work, with wide-ranging themes and settings, will attract his thousands of fans and win him many new ones. 2. Included is a complete novel, After Doomsday, and a number of equally exciting short novels. 3. Long-time Anderson fans will welcome old friends, and newer Anderson fans will find a host of prime, classic SF by one of the field’s very best. 4. Advertising in Locus, more. From the aftermath of World War III to a world inherited by robots, where humans are unwelcome ... from a handful of human survivors on a starship desperately searching for other ships carrying survivors of the destruction of the entire Earth by an unknown enemy, who may strike again at any time, to another starship hurtling through the cosmos at a speed so close to that of light—and unable to slow down—that relativistic effects make millennia fly by for each tick of the clock onboard . . . from a team striving to make Venus habitable for humans to a group of men who find the ominous secret behind a new quasi-religious philosophy that is sweeping the world. . . . The wide-ranging imagination and exciting storytelling of Poul Anderson brings many different worlds to vivid life in a great volume of his best stories that will thrill all fans of science fiction.

Flandry, here a captain, undergoes a series of adventures: He is abducted by the Scothians, an alien race hoping to invade the Terran Empire; rescues the Emperor''s kidnapped granddaughter; meets Aycharaych, his nemesis in league with the Merseians; and investigates a previously unencountered alien race that has invaded the distant colonial world of Vixen.

With this new novel, science fiction and fantasy grandmaster Poul Anderson has crafted a powerful story of a mighty queen, magic, and the mastery of ancient nations. Blending characters both historical and mythological, Mother of Kings is the tale of Gunnhild, Queen of England and Norway, who loomed so large in the tenth century-at the end of the Age of the Vikings-that she became a figure of legend, even of myth. As a child of just seven summers, Gunnhild finds herself fascinated with the powers of a witchwoman who is a concubine of her father''s, a powerful Norse chieftain. She also finds another fascination in handsome and lordly Eirik, son of their king. When her mother dies, Gunnhild promises, "I will never yield," and that, "through me, our blood shall flow greatly." Gunnhild has learned from her chieftain father the way the powerful use the weak. But there are other lessons and other powers she seeks. Sent away to learn the magic of a pair of shamans, Gunnhild becomes a Spaewife-a knower of the Gods, a master in the ways of witchcraft and sorcery. Aided by her new abilities, Gunnhild marries Eirik. She is destined to become queen, and her magic is a fearsome complement to Eirik''s strength. But Eirik''s enemies are cunning, and Gunnhild is soon without his might. If Gunnhild can keep the promise she made as a child to never yield, her family''s blood will flow greatly, and the sons she bore Eirik will each become a king. Her own struggles, though, are far from over . . . .

Now in trade paperback, the landmark epic by one of the greatest SF writers of the century

From the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grandmaster, a new novel of classic science fiction adventure Mystery, discovery, and wonder on a cosmic scale are the core of Anderson’s latest novel. Lissa, a human Earth woman, and her partner, “Karl,” a giant alien academic who resembles Tyrannosaurs—are interstellar archaeologists investigating the remote and uncharted planet Jonna. There, they seem to have hit the jackpot. For on that distant world they’ve discovered an immense artifact that may have been left by the mysterious beings called the Forerunners. This race predated all the known cultures in the starfaring galaxy and vanished long before any other intelligent species had taken to the stars. But Lissa and Karl aren’t the first to have made the discovery on Jonna. On the far-off world the archaeologists cross paths with the two freebooters whose plans for motives towards the arcane object are not purely scientific. Their discovery may be the best preserved relic of the ancient beings yet found. Other artifacts from the Forerunners—once reverse engineers—have revolutionized entire fields of technology, reaping huge financial rewards. If the same holds true for this newest discovery, Lissa realizes, only she and Karl stand between the seemingly friendly freebooters and what could be the treasure of a lifetime.

A grand adventure of the mighty thewed barbarian, from one of Fantasy’s biggest names Conan, The name has inspired generations, one that resounds through time immemorial. Yet it all began with a handful of stories from Robert E. Howard. In the decades since, there have been feature films, television and comic book series, and numerous spin-off novels. In 1979, Poul Anderson—winner of a staggering eight Hugo and three Nebula Awards—wrote what is regarded as one of the finest adventures in the canon of Conan: Conan the Rebel. Conan the barbarian and Belit, his raven-haired beauty, lead a band of savage pirates striving to free Belit’s people from the iron grip of an evil reptile god and its cruel minions. Striking at the heart of tyranny, Conan must break the chains of oppression before eternal darkness claims them all.

On a planet settled by women, the descendants have long awaited the arrival of mysterious people called "men". But when one arrives, he is nothing like the godlike beings of their legends. Obviously, he is an alien space monster, and must be eliminated.

When SETI astronomers stumble upon evidence of a highly advanced starfaring civilization, an expedition made up of a motley assortment of scientists is put together to investigate, but their journey could have unexpected ramifications.

The Fleet of Stars sees the return of Anson Guthrie, Poul Anderson''s iconoclastic hero from Harvest of Stars. Suspecting a conspiracy to suppress humankind''s fr.