Heitere, mit rheinischem Humor versehene, skurrile, abgeschlossene Episoden aus dem Rheinland. Animalisch bringt Herr Melm mit einer derartigen Intensität den Schafen von Schäfer Kamps das Sprechen bei, dass dieser von nun an wochenlang das Gesprächsthema in der Dorfkneipe ist. Überhaupt stehen die Menschen im Umkreis von Herrn Melm vor recht seltsamen Problemen. Doch zum Glück sind die Melms irgendwann im Laufe der Jahre dazu übergegangen Probleme in Kategorien einzuteilen, denn sonst würden sie den Überblick verlieren. Eine typische Vertreterin von "leichten Problemen der Kategorie I" ist Frau Kuhfuss. Sie wird am Ende ihres Problems einen Fernsehreporter vor einem kümmerlichen Haufen Asche stehend zurücklassen. Er wird im Anschluss den Zuschauern verkünden, man hätte alles unter Kontrolle. Aber ist das wirklich so? Natürlich gibt es zwischen den einzelnen Kategorien auch fließende Übergänge und manchmal sogar Symbiosen. Ein typischer Vertreter dieser Kategorie von fließenden Übergängen war Heini. Er ging letztendlich eine Symbiose mit einer Gefängniszelle ein. Und in der Hicks AG erklärt Bauer Herbert dem Vorstand per Telefonkonferenz eine völlig neue Vertriebsstrategie, die in "Null Komma Nix" für explosionsartige Umsatzsteigerungen sorgt. Wer hätte gedacht, dass Mitte der 80er Jahre, in einer Zeit, in der Computer, Smartphones und das Internet noch nicht existierten, ausgerechnet die Stadtverwaltung der Stadt Düsseldorf einen der modernsten Telefoncomputer der Welt besaß? Ihr Computer war so modern, dass er sogar den Dialekt der hiesigen Bevölkerung verstand und sie außerdem noch zu ihren individuellen Belangen beriet. Zu dieser Zeit gab es weltweit nur einen Computer, der dazu im Stande war, der MELM 1.0
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Winner of the Nebula Award and British Fantasy Award for Best Novella Finalist for the Hugo Award, Locus Award, and World Fantasy Award for Best Novella "A window onto a beautifully developed world that widens the meaning of space opera." —The New York Times Once, the mindship known as The Shadow's Child was a military transport. Once, she leapt effortlessly between stars and planets, carrying troops and crew for a war that tore the Empire apart. Until an ambush killed her crew and left her wounded and broken. Now the war is over, and The Shadow's Child, surviving against all odds, has run away. Discharged and struggling to make a living, she has no plans to go back into space. Until the abrasive and arrogant scholar Long Chau comes to see her. Long Chau wants to retrieve a corpse for her scientific studies: a simple enough, well-paid assignment. But when the corpse they find turns out to have been murdered, the simple assignment becomes a vast and tangled investigation, inexorably leading back to the past--and, once again, to that unbearable void where The Shadow's Child almost lost both sanity and life... "[The Tea Master and the Detective] is a window onto a beautifully developed world that widens the meaning of space opera, one that centers on Chinese and Vietnamese cultures and customs instead of Western military conventions, and is all the more welcome for it." —Amal El-Mohtar, The New York Times "The Tea Master and the Detective is the Sherlock Holmes retelling I always wanted and now I have it. And I want so much more of it." —Ana Grilo, Kirkus "The Tea Master is an astonishing Holmesian mystery, in which Holmes is a woman and Watson is a spaceship. It is everything I wanted it to be. Tea, space, and mysteries within mysteries." —Mary Robinette Kowal "Ingenious… As a classical blend of far-future SF and traditional murder mystery, The Tea Master and the Detective should satisfy readers unfamiliar with the Xuya universe, but at the same time it's an intriguing introduction to that universe, much of which seems to lie just outside the borders of this entertaining tale." —Gary K. Wolfe, Locus "De Bodard constructs a convincingly gritty setting and a pair of unique characters with provocative histories and compelling motivations. The story works as well as both science fiction and murder mystery, exploring a future where pride, guilt, and mercy are not solely the province of humans." —Publishers' Weekly
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"Dark and moody in the absolute best way." — Peter Clines, New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Room and Paradox Bound Augment phase technology was rare. The last appearance of anything resembling phase technology was fifteen years ago. I knew the date… It was the date of the Doctor Dimension repo. In a world full of "Augments"—humans who use technology to imbue themselves with superpowers of every sort—being an average man would seem a good way to keep out of trouble. Not so for repo man Gayle Harwood. It's his job to seize enhancements from Augments who fall behind on the payments for their high-tech advantages. And they rarely part with them easily. Now an infamous job Gayle was a part of long ago has come back to haunt him. An incredibly powerful piece of tech that was supposed to have been turned over to the government is being used again. People are dying, and those in power are convinced Gayle knows something about it. Unfortunately, they're right. And unless Gayle can uncover the sinister secrets of the past and find whoever has hijacked the lost tech and stop them, no superpower in the world is going to be enough to save him… PRAISE FOR NINE TENTHS "Nine Tenths is a fast-moving, frenetic, first-rate novel about the people with real power." — Simon R. Green, New York Times bestselling author "Nine Tenths is a fantastic blend of the superhero fantasy and the hard-boiled detective. Jeff Macfee is a writer to watch." — Stephen Blackmoore, author of Suicide Kings "Fast-paced, gritty, and suspenseful, Nine Tenths gives a fresh spin to hardboiled detective fiction with a thrill ride into the world of superhero repo." — Meg Gardiner, author of the UNSUB series
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"Epstein imbues this alternate history with elements of fantasy and folklore to create a heady, transportive read."—Shelf Awareness A spoiled prince who might become a hero. A tired soldier, in love with his country and the man he serves. A revolutionary, risking her life for justice. And a woman who commands the wind and snow, and whose owl-amber eyes promise everything you've dreamed of… Allison Epstein's Let the Dead Bury The Dead unfolds an alternate history of nineteenth-century Imperial Russia, where politics, idealism, intrigue, and desire weave plots that reach from the meanest back alley to the grand Winter Palace… Fifteen miles from St. Petersburg, the tsar's younger son, Felix, chases pleasure in social exile. When Sasha, his beloved personal guard, arrives home from war, both men expect a peace of their own at last. But Sasha returns carrying a strange woman he rescued from freezing in the tsar's wood. Sofia Azarova soon captivates Felix with tales of suffering in Petersburg and insinuates that the prince can save his people. She teases Sasha about his conviction that she is no mortal, but a vila, a folktale come to life. And in a cramped Petersburg apartment, Sofia urges on Marya, right-hand woman of a rebel group torn between idealism and bloodshed. None of them understand Sofia's full intent. But as she guides them together, their lives will change forever… Praise for Let the Dead Bury The Dead "Epstein weaves a sweeping love story set against the backdrop of a cleverly reimagined Imperial Russia, glittering, gritty, and pushed to the very edge of rebellion by a dark creature of legend, a delightfully powerful femme fatale that will seduce anyone who meets her—or destroy them."—Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, author of The Witch and the Tsar "Epstein's unique retelling is richly enhanced by Slavic folklore, and the confusion between duty to family or country is expertly portrayed. Historical fiction fans will be spellbound."—Publisher's Weekly "A vividly imagined tapestry of turbulent times."—Kirkus
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When the White Fire passed through the city of Amenkor a thousand years ago, it brought insanity and ruin…until the death of the Mistress, the ruler of Amenkor and the wielder of the Skewed Throne. Now, the ethereal Fire has come again, beginning the same spiral of destruction once more. And it has touched everyone. Including Varis, a young girl barely surviving in the slums of the city. Able to see the world in a wash of reds and grays, she can sense danger and evil in others, the only thing keeping her alive. When the White Fire comes again, it changes her as it changes everyone in the city. The slums become even more dangerous as the city and its Mistress begin to sink into madness. In response, Varis is forced to become an assassin, trained and guided by Erick, one of the Seekers, the elite guard of the Mistress and protectors of the Skewed Throne. But what can gutterscum like Varis do to stop the destruction of everything she has ever known? The only thing that worked the last time: The Mistress of Amenkor must die. ************ Praise for The Skewed Throne: "This novel grips the reader with a swift-moving tale of political intrigue and economic survival in a world where the most dangerous secrets are never forgotten." —Publishers Weekly "[The Skewed Throne is] A gritty, edgy, unsettling book. This tough young woman makes her choices in a world where good and evil often look like twins. I was riveted by her story!" — Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Song of the Lioness series
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Ancient powers stir all across the domains of the defeated Khatrimantine Empire. Its last defiant defenders have won a great victory and a new, young emperor has been crowned. A harsh, unseasonal winter has shrouded the land. In the icy north, the Shadowking Byrnak musters his forces, determined to crush the Imperial remnants and their allies. But his freedom to act is hampered by the intrigues of the other four Shadowkings, while a ghostly fragment of the Lord of Twilight haunts them all. If fulfilled, his dread destiny will devour the foundations of the world... The barbarian Mogaun are born to ice and snow and are no strangers to winter campaigns, as Tauric's advisors know full well. Despite reservations, Tauric's general, Ikarno Mazaret, knows they must stand and fight, against the ravaging winter, against the pitiless Mogaun, and against the dark destiny of the Lord of Twilight. So the onslaught begins, and the faces of Day join in the dance of might, and every turn tempts fate while every step skirts the edge of doom. REVIEWS "...one of the most gritty, grimy and evocative fantasy worlds... There's none of the sanitised fairytale fantasy world here." -- Eternal Night on SHADOWGOD "SHADOWKINGS, was brutal, cruel and realistic in a way genre usually avoids. SHADOWGOD, his second, is not only lighter, it is better... and makes good use of the world Cobley has created... writing to rival David Gemmell." -- Jon Courtenay-Grimwood (Guardian)
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"A rare and remarkable achievement: the Holiness of the Trinity made accessible to anyone who's open--to anyone who breathes." EUGENE PETERSON Have you ever read a book that traced the path of an inspired life—a life we all long for—not just from the mountaintop or in the monastery, but in real life—inspired life—in the gritty rhythm of our ordinary days? This revised anniversary edition of Fresh Air captures the poignant stories of a husband and father, the provocative insight of a renowned scholar, and the down-to-earth strategies of a gifted teacher. The result is stunning. In this profound and winsome book, you will discover the life and work of the Holy Spirit in the rhythm of everyday life, because the Holy Spirit is timeless and always relevant. Filled with fresh insight about the beauty and mystery that is the Holy Spirit, drawn from Jack's depth of personal experiences over a lifetime of faith, this new edition of Fresh Air is a go-to guide for anyone who wants to meet the Holy Spirit for the first time, as well as for those who: - Are looking for new inspiration for a truly spirit-led life - Need to take in a fresh breath of the spirit's life-giving wind - Long for a bolder inspired relationship with the Holy Spirit "I've never found a more comprehensive treatment of the Holy Spirit. I return to Fresh Air time and again to be renewed in my devotion." —FR. DAVE DWYER, Busted Halo
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Fourth title in Titan Books' Marvel fiction reissue program, featuring the classic Deadpool story: PawsMARVEL'S HYPERACTIVE ASSASSIN IN HIS FIRST FULL-LENGTH NOVEL! HIS TARGET: PUPPIES THAT BECOME GIANT MONSTERS. WAIT. PUPPIES? IS THAT RIGHT? CAN WE DO THAT?Marvel's popular Merc with a Mouth stars in an original novel of the Marvel Universe! Blending gritty action with hard-hitting humor, this witty tome is guaranteed to ARRGGH GLAK MMMPPH *...Sorry Marvel, somethin' happened to your copy guy. This is Deadpool speaking! Like he said, this is my first prose novel, and they got this dude Stefan Petrucha to write it. He's good people—he's written novels (Ripper, Dead Mann Walking) and lotsa comics (X-Files, Nancy Drew, Power Rangers). But here's the problem: This book is about puppies. Puppies that turn into big nasty monsters. And then I gotta kill 'em. Thing is, I like killing people—the ones that deserve it, anyway—but even I won't kill puppies. No way. So that's what we call a character dilemma…DEADPOOL, COME HOME!
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