Most Popular Books by Walter Jon Williams

George R. R. Martin''s Wild Cards classic adventure, in trade paperback for the first time: a dangerous superpowered gang rises to power and threatens the citizens of New York City Bloat, the boy-governor of the Rox, wanted to make Ellis Island a safe haven for Jokers, and made a choice to recruit the Jumpers, superpowered teen outcasts who could steal a man''s body in the blink of an eye. But under the leadership of Dr. Tachyon''s psychotic grandson, the Jumpers grow more vicious and uncontrollable every day, becoming the greatest threat the Wild Cards have ever faced.... Edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author George R. R. Martin, Jokertown Shuffle features the writing talents of Walton Simons, Chris Claremont, Lewis Shiner, William F. Wu, Victor Milan, Stephen Leigh, Melinda M. Snodgrass, and John Jos. Miller, along with previously unpublished stories from Carrie Vaughn and Cherie Priest. The Wild Cards Universe The Original Triad #1 Wild Cards #2 Aces High #3 Jokers Wild The Puppetman Quartet #4: Aces Abroad #5: Down and Dirty #6: Ace in the Hole #7: Dead Man’s Hand The Rox Triad #8: One-Eyed Jacks #9: Jokertown Shuffle #10: Dealer’s Choice #11: Double Solitaire #12: Turn of the Cards The Card Sharks Triad #13: Card Sharks #14: Marked Cards #15: Black Trump #16: Deuces Down #17: Death Draws Five The Committee Triad #18: Inside Straight #19: Busted Flush #20: Suicide Kings The Fort Freak Triad #21: Fort Freak #22: Lowball #23: High Stakes The American Triad #24: Mississippi Roll #25: Low Chicago #26: Texas Hold ''Em

Peleng is a planet ripe for the plucking, and Drake Maijstral is an Allowed Burglar rated in the Top Ten by the Imperial Sporting Commission. But what should be a simple case of breaking-and-plundering turns into an intergalactic crisis when Maijstral steals something so rare, so valuable, so utterly desirable, that everyone wants it— including well-armed Imperial spies, gun-toting human militias, a homicidal maniac with a very large sword, and a fanatical countess with a really, really nasty croquet habit. The Crown Jewels, by award-winning author Walter Jon Williams, is sophisticated science fiction comedy at its best.

"Jane Austen meets P.G. Wodehouse--- IN SPACE!" After years of struggle, Drake Maijstral has been rated Number One Burglar by the Imperial Sporting Commission. Surely by now he deserves a vacation— and he fully intends to take one, on Earth. But valuable items keep disappearing, and it’s clear that Maijstral, the master thief to end all master thieves, is being preyed upon by another expert burglar. Maijstral would very much like to solve this mystery, but unfortunately people keep challenging him to duels, and he’s become enmeshed in conspiracies laid by two very attractive, very dangerous ladies. And to make things worse, the corpse of Maijstral’s father has been stolen— a corpse that is dead, but still senile. Rock of Ages is the third hilarious Drake Maijstral adventure by the New York Times best-selling author Walter Jon Williams.

Short novels are movie length narratives that may well be the perfect length for science fiction stories. This collection presents the best-of-the-best short science fiction novels published in 2012 by current and emerging masters of this vibrant form. In "In the House of Aryaman, a Lonely Signal Burns," by Elizabeth Bear, Police Sub-Inspector Ferron investigates the murder of genetics engineer, Dexter Coffin, who has been turned inside out, in a cutting edge biomedical lab set in a not too distant future India. In Jay Lake''s"The Stars Do Not Lie," Morgan Abutti is soon in fear for his life when he tries to announce his discovery of something in the stars that contradicts the creation myth of a major religion on his planet. In "The Weight of History, the Lightness of the Future," also by Jay Lake, set in the author''s "Sunspin" series, the Howard Immortal, Before Michaela Cannon, and an untrustworthy shipmind investigate the cause of the Mistake, an alien attack on human civilization with an EMP weapon that occurred more than a thousand years ago and wiped out most of its technology. In "Sudden, Broken and Unexpected," by Steven Popkes, a burnt-out, talented musician is hired to help a world-class rock star divaloid, an electronic construct, prepare for her new world tour. There''s only one problem, the musician passionately despises divaloids. In Robert Reed''s"Eater-of-Bone," marooned human colonists, from the "Great Ship," fight for dominance on a planet inhabited by smaller, weaker, and less intelligent aliens. Finally, in "The Boolean Gate," by Walter Jon Williams, set in the 19th century, an elderly Samuel Clemens escapes his Mark Twain persona through his friendship with Nicola Tesla. As Tesla''s inventions come to fruition, Twain suspects that Tesla has opened up a gateway to an alien intelligence.

Nominated for both the Hugo and Nebula Award, City on Fire returns to the world-city of Metropolitan, a city dominated by plasm, the magical substance capable of both creation and destruction. With her help, Aiah’s lover Constantine has established himself in the metropolis of Caraqui, a nation dominated by corrupt officials, gangsters, and the genetically altered known as the “twisted.” Here they hope to create a revolution in the cosmic order--- but first they must fend off treachery, war, and the threat of Taikoen, the “hanged man,” a deadly creature that lives within plasm itself. Aiah must fight not only for her revolution and for her place in the world, but for Constantine’s very soul.

The empire of the Shaa had lasted 10 millennia. 10,000 years of terror, infinite violence and oppressive, brutal order, legitimised by The Praxis, the harsh code of ethics that they imposed on the races they conquered. But the Shaa began to commit ritual suicide when it became clear that their near immortality came at a price. For each Shaa there would come a time when their vast minds were no longer capable of absorbing new information: their memories were full. Now the Shaa are no more, but the terror and violence are only beginning. The death of the last of the Shaa leaves the galaxy-wide empire leaderless, and into this power vacuum flow the pretenders to the throne: the Naxids, oldest client race of the Shaa, who believe themselves inheritors of the empire; and a frail alliance of the remaining races, including humanity. And so, the story of a dread empire''s fall begins...

“Williams knows exactly what to do with Quillifer, and it''s hugely entertaining.” —Locus “Walter Jon Williams is always fun, but this may be his best yet, a delight from start to finish, witty, colorful, exciting and amusing by turns, exquisitely written.” —George R. R. Martin “Chock full of derring-do, blood and thunder, swashbuckling, and other good stuff evocative of Rafael Sabatini, Sir Walter Scott, and the penny-bloods.” —Paul Di Filippo, author of The Big Get-Even Quillifer—now a member of the nobility—finds himself further immersed in court politics as the outcast princess Floria is suddenly in a position of power with a rebellion stoked by a certain brilliant tactician, in this thrilling sequel to Quillifer. Rogue. Joker. Lover. Reluctant conspirator. The ambitious young Quillifer was been knighted for services to the crown, but was then banished from court by a queen who finds him obnoxious. Now, after a two-year voyage to improve his fortunes, Quillifer returns to court and is plunged immediately into a maelstrom of intrigue that triggers duels, plots, amours, and rollicking adventure. Bounding back and forth from the high councils of state to the warm bed of his mistress, Quillifer must exert every ounce of seductive charm and low cunning in order to survive. Queen Berlauda’s foreign husband brings war in his wake, along with a clutch of officials who enforce the royal will with violence, torture, and judicial murder. A dragon menaces the realm, and political conspiracy threatens the life of Quillifer’s young patroness, Princess Floria. It’s the traditional job of a knight to fight dragons and rescue princesses, but Quillifer is hardly a traditional knight, and he brings to the job an array of unorthodox skills that dazzles his swarm of rivals, seduces their wives, and threatens the realm. But there’s a greater menace to Quillifer than deadly political intrigue, for once again he finds himself hunted by the cruel, beautiful, and vengeful goddess Orlanda.

As our 88th issue was coming together, I noticed that we have a pair of jungle adventure novels—the first Bomba the Jungle Boy story, as well as Tarzan and the Lost Empire. So I’m going to bill it as a “Special Jungle Warrior Issue” and just add that it’s a fun one. #88 also includes two original mysteries (Mark Thielman, N.M. Cedeño) plus a bunch of other great modern and classic stories (Fritz Leiber! Day Keene! George O. Smith!). I would have gladly bought Anna Tambour’s story for Weird Tales when I was editing WT—don’t forget to check it out. (It falls somewhere between fantasy, crime, and Rod Serling’s the Twilight Zone. And we are super happy to welcome back Acquiring Editor Cynthia Ward, who brings us the Walter Jon Williams tale this time. We look forward to many more selections from her. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “License to Kill,” by Mark Thielman [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Burgled Bushels,” by Hal Charles. [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Short-Term Murder,” by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Dead Men Do Tell Tales,” by Day Keene [short story] Bomba the Jungle Boy, by Roy Rockwood [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Lethe,” by Walter Jon Williams [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “I Killed for a Lucky Strike,” by Anna Tambour [short story] “Atomic Bonanza,” by George O. Smith “Martians Keep Out!” by Fritz Leiber [short novel] Tarzan and the Lost Empire, by Edgar Rice Burroughs [novel]

Thank you, Mr. Vance / Dean Koontz -- Preface / Jack Vance -- The True vintage of Erzuine Thale / Robert Silverberg -- Grolion of Almery / Matthew Hughes -- The Copsy Door / Terry Downling -- Caulk the witch-chaser / Liz Williams -- Inescapable / Mike Resnick -- Abrizonde / Walter Jon Williams -- The Traditions of Karzh / Paula Volsky -- The Final quest of the Wizard Sarnod / Jeff Vandermeer -- The Green bird / Kage Baker -- The Last golden thread / Phyllis Eisenstein -- An Incident at Uskvesk / Elizabeth Moon -- Sylgarmo''s Proclamation / Lucius Shepard -- The Lamentably comical tragedy (or the laughably tragic comedy) of Lixal Laoavee / Tad Williams -- Guyal the Curator / John C. Wright -- The Good magician / Glenn Cook -- The Return of the Fire Witch / Elizabeth Hand -- The Collegeum of Mauge / Byron Tetrick -- Evillo the Cunning / Tanith Lee -- The Guiding nose of Ulf?nt Banderoz / Dan Simmons -- Frogskin cap / Howard Waldrop -- A Night at Tarn House / George R.R. Martin -- An Invocation of incuriosity / Neil Gaiman.

Plasma ist Leben und Tod Plasma ist die geheimnisvolle Energie, die durch den Untergrund der erdumspannenden Stadt strömt. Es ist die magische Kraft, die alles in Bewegung hält und die mit lebenden Organismen interagiert. Wer diese Kraft meistert, kann ebenso heilen wie töten. Plasma ist deswegen die Quelle der politischen Macht auf dem Planeten. Als Aiah, eine farbige Außenseiterin im Polizeidienst, in den Ruinen eines unterirdischen Terminals eine offenbar unendliche Plasmaquelle entdeckt, weiß sie, dass sie finanziell ausgesorgt hat. Aber sie weiß auch, dass sie fortan ein verdammt gefährliches Leben führen wird ...

"Quillifer''s archenemy, the beautiful and vengeful goddess Orlanda, predicts his inescapable fall from power, and Quillifer has to admit that she may be right. Quillifer has risen high at court. The butcher''s son is now a lord, and now is the confidential agent of the state, the caretaker of the kingdom''s secrets, and the secret lover of the young and brilliant Queen Floria. He finds himself surrounded by perils. The nobles are at odds with one another, but united in despising Quillifer. Someone has brought deadly poison into court, and Quillifer fears the Queen may be the intended victim. Another assassination plot is aimed at Quillifer himself, and an enemy nation has landed troops intending to topple Floria by force. Quillifer must solve every mystery, meet every danger, and discover every secret in order to guard himself and his love, Floria, from the dangers that beset them"--

Wesen so mächtig wie Götter Die Aristoi sind gottgleiche Wesen. Sie leben in der Wirklichkeit ebenso wie in virtuellen Realitäten, sind Meister der Bio- und der Nanotechnologie und beherrschen die Manipulation der Materie absolut. Das Wohlergehen der Menschen, ihrer Vorfahren, ist ihr höchstes Anliegen. Sie tun alles, um dafür zu sorgen, dass es ihnen gut geht – auch wenn das bedeutet, den Menschen ihr Schicksal vorzuschreiben. Aber einigen ist dieses Dasein zu ereignislos. Sie lieben den Nervenkitzel und die Lust an der Gewalt, und sie lassen die Menschen ihre Macht spüren, indem sie ganze Planeten mit Terror und Tod überziehen. Als Aristos Gabriel die Ermittlungen gegen die Abtrünnigen aufnimmt, gerät der Kosmos aus den Fugen ...

Revised, Improved, and at a Better Price! “Walter Jon Williams has succeeded in creating the perfect contemporary space opera, revved up and ready to take the SF genre by force with all the artistry and panache one could ask for.” --Enigma “This is a hugely fun ride. It has empires crashing, civil wars, aliens, humans, scheming clans, plucky young heroes and villains fighting battles in huge starships--- what more can you ask for?” --Alien Online Following the Naxid revolt, the Empire of the Shaa has collapsed into defeat and chaos, leaving the star-crossed lovers Martinez and Sula light-years apart. While Martinez raids deep into enemy territory, he must solve a deadly mystery that threatens the integrity of his command. And Sula, stranded in the enemy-occupied capital, is forced to weld human and alien, law-abiding and criminal elements into an improvised army capable of striking at the very heart of rebellion. Only when they have clawed their way from the depths of defeat can Martinez and Sula meet in a blazing reunion that will determine whether the empire can survive. “Walter Jon Williams has been compared to writers as diverse as Patrick O’Brian and Jane Austen; both comparisons, bizarrely, make sense. This is classic space opera, elegantly written and beautifully plotted.” --Guardian

Fantascienza - racconto lungo (26 pagine) - Da un maestro delle ucronie una divertente variazione sul mito del grande Elvis Presley Il ragazzo sa di avere avuto un fratello che era proprio come lui, se non per il fatto che è un angelo. Erano gemelli – gemelli identici, infatti i loro alluci avevano le stesse impronte digitali – e il più vecchio visse mentre il più giovane era nato morto. La madre del ragazzo dice che questo fatto lo rende speciale, che persino prima di nascere aveva reso suo fratello un angelo. Inizia così (in realtà c’è un breve brano introduttivo prima), con queste frasi toccanti e intriganti, uno dei migliori racconti di storia alternativa di Walter Jon Williams, che sarà poi ripreso anche nella classica raccolta annuale fatta da Gardner Dozois dei migliori titoli apparsi nell’anno precedente (si era nel 1994). Williams è sempre stato un amante del “what if”, delle infinite possibilità offerte dalle ucronie alla fantasia degli autori di fantascienza. Stavolta ci presenta un ritratto umano e affascinante di un Elvis Presley assai diverso da quello che abbiamo conosciuto.... Apparso sulla prestigiosa antologia Alternate Outlaws, curata dal compianto Mike Resnick, Elvis il Rosso è uno dei nuovi racconti di Walter Jon Williams che abbiamo acquisito e che pubblicheremo in questa collana, dopo Emersione, Elegia per angeli e cani e Il giorno dell’incarnazione, La Piramide Sommersa della Dinastia Tang, Argonautica. Nato nel 1953 a Duluth nel Minnesota, Walter Jon Williams si è laureato in letteratura inglese all''università del Nuovo Messico, dove attualmente vive e lavora. Autore di una ventina di romanzi, tra cui ricordiamo Hardwired (1986), La voce del vortice (1987), Stazione Angelica (1989), Aristoi (1992), Metropolitan (1995), di sceneggiature cinematografiche e televisive e di numerosi racconti, ha vinto due volte il premio Nebula, la prima nel 2001 con il racconto Daddy''s world e, successivamente, nel 2004, con L''era del flagello (The Green Leopard Plague), pubblicato in Italia nella collana Odissea Delos. Autore eclettico e dotato, Walter Jon Williams ha attraversato varie fasi nella sua carriera. Dopo un inizio influenzato da Roger Zelazny, è poi diventato uno degli esponenti di spicco del cyberpunk degli inizi degli anni novanta con il gradevole I guerrieri dell''interfaccia (Hardwired), per poi raggiungere la piena maturità con opere come La voce del vortice, Stazione Angelica, Aristoi.

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #39. It’s hard to believe BCW is 39! As with every magazine, our goals include not just entertaining our readers, but making every issue better than the last. I finally feel like we’re on top of production methods, and the contents keep offering a selection of great stories for every reader’s taste. (If you can’t find something you love here, I’d be very surprised.) From classic pulp fiction to modern SF and mysteries (not to mention our ventures into adventure fiction and westerns), we cover all the bases. Here''s the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Last Seen Heading East” by Joseph S. Walker [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Little Boy Is Missing,” by Saul Golubcow [short story] “A Secret Admirer,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “A Close Shave,” by Art Taylor [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Case of Angus Blair, by Hulbert Footner [novel] The Affair in Death Valley, by Clifford Knight [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Last Ride of German Freddie,” by Walter Jon Williams [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “The Rat Aloft,” by John Gregory Betancourt [short story] “A Question of Salvage,” by Malcolm Jameson [novella] “The Secret of Kralitz,” by Henry Kuttner [short story] “The Monster-God of Mamurth,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story]

"Walter Jon Williams kills every damn time." ---Junot Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Steward is a Beta- a clone. In his memories, he''s an elite commando for an orbital policorp- but because his Alpha never did a brain-scan update, Steward''s memories are fifteen years out of date . . . and in those fifteen years, everything has changed. An interstellar war destroyed the company that held his allegiance. His wife has divorced him, along with the second wife that he can''t even remember. Most of his comrades died in a useless battle on a world called Sheol, and those who survived are irrevocably scarred. An alien race has arrived and become the center of a complex and deadly intrigue. And someone has murdered him. "Fast-moving, hard-driving, with a robust well-handled plot . . . a stirring and heartening performance." - Kirkus Reviews "Walter Jon Williams proves that he is a master of action, character and galaxy-spanning plots." - Fantasy Review "A combination of fast action, gritty realism, and high-tech polytechnics that is certain to be popular with Williams'' growing audience." -Booklist. "(Williams) is a master of the intricate yet fast-paced plot- the essence of thrillers and novels of political intrigue." -Locus

“Well-developed characters, an intriguing plot and a clear-eyed view of the double-edged sword called change make [AMBASSADOR OF PROGRESS] an engrossing book...” LIBRARY JOURNAL “Williams has an above-average knack for fast pacing, gritty realism, and high-tech details.” BOOKLIST An interstellar catastrophe has left humanity scattered on dozens of primitive worlds. Fiona is an emissary to one such world, charged with helping the inhabitants of Echidne rise from barbarism. But once she’s arrived on the planet, she finds herself in the middle of a war... the Brodaini, the world’s most ferocious warriors, have risen in revolt against their overlords. The combat soon threatens to become a war of extermination. Fiona is a neutral. But Echidne is proving a perilous place for neutrals...

This is a landmark anthology of four original novellas by the reigning masters of alternate history. Set in different eras, different places, and different times, these forays into "what might have been" showcases the stunning breadth and far-reaching possibilities the genre represents.