Winner of the Compton Crook Award From a new voice in the tradition of Lauren Beukes, Ian McDonald, and Nnedi Okorafor comes The Prey of Gods, a fantastic, boundary-challenging tale, set in a South African locale both familiar and yet utterly new, which braids elements of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and dark humor. In South Africa, the future looks promising. Personal robots are making life easier for the working class. The government is harnessing renewable energy to provide infrastructure for the poor. And in the bustling coastal town of Port Elizabeth, the economy is booming thanks to the genetic engineering industry which has found a welcome home there. Yes—the days to come are looking very good for South Africans. That is, if they can survive the present challenges: A new hallucinogenic drug sweeping the country . . . An emerging AI uprising . . . And an ancient demigoddess hellbent on regaining her former status by preying on the blood and sweat (but mostly blood) of every human she encounters. It’s up to a young Zulu girl powerful enough to destroy her entire township, a queer teen plagued with the ability to control minds, a pop diva with serious daddy issues, and a politician with even more serious mommy issues to band together to ensure there’s a future left to worry about. Fun and fantastic, Nicky Drayden takes her brilliance as a short story writer and weaves together an elaborate tale that will capture your heart . . . even as one particular demigoddess threatens to rip it out.

The world still needs heroes. Are you with us? Enter the first-ever original novel for Overwatch, the worldwide gaming sensation from Blizzard Entertainment! In the technologically advanced African city of Numbani, in the not-so-distant future, humans live in harmony with humanoid robots known as omnics. But when a terrorist tries to shatter that unity, a hero named Efi Oladele rises! Efi has been making robots since she was little -- machines to better her community and improve people's lives. But after she witnesses Doomfist's catastrophic attack on the city's OR15 security bots, Efi feels the call to build something greater: a true guardian of Numbani.While Doomfist sows discord between humans and omnics, Efi engineers an intelligent and compassionate robot, Orisa, named after the powerful spirits who guide her people. Orisa has a lot to learn before she's ready to defeat Doomfist, but Efi has some learning to do, too, especially when it comes to building -- and being -- a hero. With Doomfist rallying his forces, and the military powerless to stop him, can Efi mold Orisa into the hero of Numbani before it's too late?This action-packed novel features the fan-favorite characters Efi, Orisa, Doomfist, and Lúcio in an all-new, original story straight from the minds of the Overwatch game team and critically acclaimed author Nicky Drayden!

The Compton Crook Award-winning author weaves her trademark blend of science fiction and dark humor in this dazzling story that continues the imaginative saga begun in Escaping Exodus, in which a society lives in the belly of a beast—and an entire civilization's survival depends on a pair of uneasy allies who must come together for one epic battle. Nearly a thousand years removed from Earth, the remnants of humanity cling to existence inside giant, space faring creatures known as the Zenzee. Abused and exploited by humans for generations, these majestic animals nearly went extinct, but under the command of its newly minted ruler, Doka Kaleigh, life in the Parados I has flourished. Thanks to careful oversight and sacrifice by all of its crew, they are now on the brink of utopia, and yet Doka’s rivals feel threatened by that success. The Senate allowed Doka to lead their people believing he’d fail spectacularly—a disaster that would cement the legitimacy of their long-standing matriarchy. Despite vocal opposition and blatant attacks on his authority, Doka has continued to handle his position with grace and intelligence; he knows a single misstep means disaster. When a cataclysmic event on another Zenzee world forces Doka and his people to accept thousands of refugees, a culture clash erupts, revealing secrets from the past that could endanger their future. For Doka, the stakes are bigger and more personal than ever before—and could cost him his reign and his heart. He has fallen for the one woman he is forbidden to love: his wife, Seske. Doka and Seske must work closely together to sway the other Zenzee worlds to stop their cycles of destruction. But when they stumble upon a discovery that can transform their world, they know they must prepare to fight a battle where there can be no winners, only survivors.

“A sweeping, smart, stunning story that dazzles brighter than a star system . . . a true gem to be treasured” from the author of Minecraft: The Dragon (Booklist, starred review). Earth is a distant memory. Habitable extrasolar planets are still out of reach. For generations, humanity has been clinging to survival by establishing colonies within enormous vacuum-breathing space beasts and mining their resources to the point of depletion. Rash, dreamy, and unconventional, Seske Kaleigh should be preparing for her future role as clan leader, but her people have just culled their latest beast, and she’s eager to find the cause of the violent tremors plaguing their new home. Defying social barriers, Seske teams up with her best friend, a beast worker, and ventures into restricted areas for answers to end the mounting fear and rumors. Instead, they discover grim truths about the price of life in the void. Then, Seske is unexpectedly thrust into the role of clan matriarch, responsible for thousands of lives in a harsh universe where a single mistake can be fatal. Her claim to the throne is challenged by a rival determined to overthrow her and take control—her intelligent, cunning, and confident sister. Seske may not be a born leader like her sister, yet her unorthodox outlook and incorruptible idealism may be what the clan needs to save themselves and their world. “Don’t be alarmed—that dizzy pleasurable sensation you’re experiencing is just your brain slowly exploding from all the wild magnificent worldbuilding in Nicky Drayden’s Escaping Exodus. I loved these characters and this story, and so will you.” —Sam J. Miller, Nebula-Award-winning author of Blackfish City

“Spellbinding . . . a harrowing and impressive tale of twisted prophecy, identity, and cataclysmic change.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review In a land similar to South Africa, twin brothers are beset by powerful forces beyond their understanding or control in this thrilling blend of science fiction, horror, magic, and dark humor from the author of The Prey of Gods. Auben Mutze has more vices than he can deal with—six to be exact—each branded down his arm for all the world to see. They mark him as a lesser twin in society, as inferior, but there’s no way he’ll let that define him. Intelligent and outgoing, Auben’s spirited antics make him popular among the other students at his underprivileged high school. So what if he’s envious of his twin Kasim, whose single vice brand is a ticket to a better life, one that likely won’t involve Auben. The brothers’ strained relationship threatens to snap when Auben starts hearing voices that speak to his dangerous side—encouraging him to perform evil deeds that go beyond innocent mischief. Lechery, deceit, and vanity run rampant. And then there are the inexplicable blood cravings. . . . Auben needs to rid himself of these maddening voices before they cause him to lose track of time. To lose his mind. And to lose his . . . TEMPER “Drayden is an amazing writer and deft plotter. The twists are unexpected and never feel contrived, just as the novel explores real-world issues without sounding preachy.” —Library Journal “The world-building is deliciously lush and complex.” —Booklist, starred review

Take flight with the ender dragon in this official Minecraft novel! When a desert town is threatened by illager raids, a young adventurer turns to a newborn dragon to save her home. Zetta is the best potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. Okay, maybe she’s the only potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. And maybe her potions don’t exactly work like they’re supposed to all the time. But when her village is menaced by a pack of illagers, only Zetta can see that the traditional ways won’t keep Sienna Dunes safe anymore. Zetta journeys to her eccentric aunt’s workshop outside town to search for an answer and finds a lot more than she bargained for. A mysterious egg hatches into a scaly creature with purple eyes, black wings, and poisonous breath. It can’t possibly be the mythical ender dragon . . . can it? And if it is, can Zetta raise it to be the savior her village needs? The threat of the illagers is growing fast, and Zetta’s accidental dragon is growing even faster. With the help of her two best friends and her daydreaming little cousin, Zetta must train the scariest (and scaliest) baby in the Overworld. But when the dragon is fully grown, will it save Sienna Dunes? Or will it spell the village’s end?

Everyone has their eyes set on the black depths of space...but what about the deep abysses of the ocean? What dark monsters swim unseen beneath the waves? What ancient wonders lie hidden, waiting to be discovered? What sirens call, either here on Earth or in the icy waters of a far off planet...or even at the bottom of a wine glass? So much remains to be explored below the surface, where light fades and the pressure kills. Here are seventeen stories from today's leading science fiction and fantasy authors that take us into those depths, whether we want to or not. Join Seanan McGuire, Michael Robertson, Esther Friesner, F. Brett Cox, Wendy Nikel, Marsheila Rockwell & Jeffrey J. Mariotte, Jody Lynn Nye, Bill Kte'pi, Jenna Rhodes, Susan Jett, James Van Pelt, J.D. Koch, Misty Massey, A. Merc Rustad, David Farland, Sara M. Harvey, and Nicky Drayden as they explore unfathomable trenches, underwater volcanoes, and abyssal plains. Take the plunge...into the Deep End!

The Bards and Sages Quarterly features original short speculative fiction from both new and established authors. Our writers include first-time authors, Pushcart Prize nominees and Nebula award winners. With each issue, our goal is to bring readers the most inclusive collection of speculative fiction available. In this issue An interview with Visions of Mars author Eric S. Rabkin on Why Speculative Fiction Matters. An intergalactic con artist realizes too late that some words, when taken literally, have deadly outcomes in Found in Translation. A copper dragon's goal to dance in Swan Lake stumbles over an obvious problem in The Dream A demonic detective investigates the murder of a fallen angel in Faces of the Fallen Plus more original stories.

Jediná Zetta dokáže ve vesnici ohrožované hordou loupeživých illagerů vyrábět magické lektvary, ale ani její vědomosti nestačí. Vypraví se proto do tetiny alchymistické dílny, kde spatří, jak se z podivného vejce vylíhne šupinatý tvor s křídly. Může to být mládě mytického draka z Endu? Snad by ho Zetta mohla vycvičit, aby se stal ochráncem, jakého vesnice potřebuje.

Zetta è la migliore fabbricante di pozioni a Sienna Dunes. D'accordo, forse è l'unica fabbricante di pozioni a Sienna Dunes. E forse le sue pozioni non funzionano proprio come dovrebbero, ma Zetta deve solo fare pratica. Cosa non semplicissima, visto che nel suo villaggio la magia è malvista e sconsigliata. Ma quando Sienna Dunes viene presa di mira da un'orda di predoni, Zetta sembra l'unica a rendersi conto che le tecniche di difesa tradizionali non sono sufficienti. Per questo decide di partire alla ricerca della zia, esperta alchimista che ha lasciato il villaggio anni prima, e farsi insegnare l'arte delle pozioni. A casa della zia, però, Zetta trova ben più di ciò che si aspettava: uno strano uovo si schiude davanti a lei, rivelando una creatura piena di scaglie, dagli occhi viola e le ali nere. Non può essere l'enderdrago di cui parlano le leggende... vero? Eppure quando la creatura diventa sempre più grande e la minaccia dei predoni si avvicina, Zetta comincia a pensare che forse proprio il drago potrebbe essere la soluzione. Ma è davvero ciò che serve per salvare il villaggio? Oppure decreterà la fine di Sienna Dunes?