Contemporary Science Fiction

The science fiction genre has become increasingly influential in mainstream popular culture, evolving into one of the most engaging storytelling tools we use to think about technology and consider the shape of the future. Along the way, it has also become one of the major lenses we use to explore important philosophical questions. The origins of science fiction are most often thought to trace to Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, a story born from a night of spooky tale-telling by the fireside that explores scientific, moral, and ethical questions that were of great concern in the 19th century - and that continue to resonate today.

First contact with a mysterious race of aliens reveals an unusual request; a family's pet dog comes to grips with the newly bestowed gift of human-like intelligence; a poet, in danger and alone on a distant world, makes unlikely allies; hundreds of years in the future, a famous hermit lives in the sea above the now-underwater Harvard University; former friends navigate unsteady peace between human refugees and the technologically superior race that saved them; in a future where human life can be infinitely extended through cybertronic rebirth, one woman declines immortality. 

With The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume Six, award-winning editor Neil Clarke provides a year-in-review and 33 of the best stories published by both new and established authors in 2020. 

With The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume 3, award-winning editor Neil Clarke provides a year-in-review and 27 of the best stories published by both new and established authors in 2017. 

Keeping up-to-date with the most buzzworthy and cutting-edge science fiction requires sifting through countless magazines, e-zines, websites, blogs, original anthologies, single-author collections, and more - a task accomplishable by only the most determined and voracious readers. For everyone else, Night Shade Books is proud to introduce the latest volume of The Best Science Fiction of the Year, collecting the finest that the genre has to offer, from the biggest names in the field to the most exciting new writers.

Watch out - the Earth just fell into a dark sun's orbit! Or maybe you'd rather visit a theme park called Hell? These are just two of the strange and unnerving tales you'll find in this collection of great science fiction and fantasy stories.

Four sci-fi short stories where you'll find good computers, people who regret their past, and an explanation for something you're familiar with.

A colony survives among the icy rings of a planet, hiding from alien robots determined to destroy them … at a remote site on the edge of the Arctic Circle, a group of scientists, engineers, and physicians gather to gamble humanity’s future on one last-ditch experiment … a man who can’t feel pain has been bioengineered to be a killing machine, but he refuses to give in to his fate … a man is contacted by three future versions of himself, each trying to save their world from destruction. 

The best of the year's science fiction and fantasy stories as selected by the multiple award-winning editor Jonathan Strahan. Distant worlds, time travel, epic adventure, unseen wonders, and much more! The best, most original and brightest science fiction and fantasy stories from around the globe from the past 12 months are brought together in one collection by multiple award winning editor Jonathan Strahan.

Incredible Science Fiction: Amazing Tales from the 50's and Beyond, Volume Two collates a collection of some of the very best science-fiction stories published in the '50s together. All these stories (with the exception of The Anatomy of Fear) are now in the public domain and were original published in various science-fiction magazines that were very popular in the 1950s. This is a lovingly curated collection of some of the very best stories published during this time. This collection includes a further story from the Hugo Award-nominated Rog Phillips.

Paragon altered Bianca’s memory. The Directorate turned her into a weapon. Seventeen-year-old Bianca Pond is the ultimate fighting machine. But when a ghost from her past comes back to haunt her, Bianca faces her toughest challenge yet...justice for all, or her own personal vengeance. (extra)ORDINARY runs parallel with events from the Powers series, giving readers a glimpse into the transformation that redefined Bianca’s loyalties - and love - in the months after Ugene’s escape.

Jonathan Strahan, the award-winning and much lauded editor of many of genre's best known anthologies, is back with his 11th volume in this fascinating series, featuring the best science fiction and fantasy. With established names and new talent, this diverse and ground-breaking collection will take the listener to the outer reaches of space and the inner realms of humanity with stories of fantastical worlds and worlds that may still come to pass.

Nachdem der Seelie König Torin sie versehentlich beinahe umgebracht hätte, findet sich Ava überraschend am Hof des Kummers wieder - ihrer wahren Heimat und Reich von Königin Mab. Denn wie sich nun herausstellt, ist Ava eine Unseelie und damit eine Feindin von Torin und seinem Reich. Aber auch hier wird Ava nicht mit offenen Armen empfangen und als auch noch Torin am Hof des Kummers eintrifft, um die Frau, die er liebt, zurückzuholen, werden beide von Königin Mab gefangengenommen.

Without magic to protect Ashoka's borders, time is running out. The whole country is at risk from enemy territory Lyria, suspected to be experimenting with dangerous magic. And nobody feels the threat more so than Maharani Vira, who is desperate to prove herself a worthy leader. But finding the Ivory Key, her one hope of discovering a new source of magic, has only led to more mysteries to unravel. So when her own Council turns on her, Vira once again needs her siblings' help. If together they found the key, maybe together they can restore Ashoka to its former glory.

Эллиот Шторм и представить не могла, что ее размеренная жизнь так кардинально изменится за пару дней. В субботу она теряет отца, а в понедельник умирает сама, защищая одноклассницу от вооруженных грабителей. Но судьба дает Элли второй шанс. Девушка становится одной из немногих, для кого смерть оказалась только началом: секретная армия W.I.S.H. предлагает ей вступить в уникальный отряд бойцов, которых готовят к войне против фантомов. Эти трехметровые безликие существа—угроза для человечества, и только подростки, обладающие сверхспособностями, могут одолеть их.

Henry und Hannes landen ganz plötzlich in dem Jahr, in dem der erste Tempus die Zeitmaschine erfunden haben soll. Doch dieser verhält sich ganz anders, als sie es erwartet hätten. Er setzt die beiden unvermittelt vor die Tür. Verloren stehen Henry und Hannes auf der Gerberstraße, gestrandet im Jahr 1612. Die Zeitmaschine ist unerreichbar und die Situation scheint aussichtslos. Durch Zufall treffen sie auf einen berühmten Astronomen. Wird er ihnen helfen, in ihre eigene Zeit zurückzukehren?

From a master of contemporary fiction, a tale of bohemian youth on the make in Mexico City Two young poets, Jan and Remo, find themselves adrift in Mexico City. Obsessed with poetry, and, above all, with science fiction, they are eager to forge a life in the literary world--or sacrifice...

Diana's life was in a rut - she hated her job, she was perpetually single, and she needed a place to live. But then the perfect apartment came along. It seemed too good to be true - because it was. As it turns out, the apartment was already inhabited - by monsters.

If he can no longer trust his allies, where can he turn before the world falls to chaos and destruction? Liam McCurdy has fought alongside the People of the Storm for decades, especially when the covert group of powered individuals recently overcame the Shadow, an enemy with similar abilities. Liam thought they could finally go back to normal, recruiting and helping those who gain superpowers as well…but something’s wrong. His closest friends start acting strange. He soon realizes that words and actions aren’t what they seem.

Paignton gets Lost is the story of a young girl, Karen, who has been befriended by a magical toy Gorilla called Paignton, who she bought with her birthday money during a visit to Paignton Zoo. When Karen and her family visit London, Paignton is stolen by a shoplifter and abandoned...