Bookbot

John Scalzi

    10 maja 1969
    John Scalzi
    Laundry Files: The Labyrinth Index
    Fuzzy Nation
    Old Man's War Boxed Set I: Old Man's War, the Ghost Brigades, the Last Colony
    Upadające imperium
    Ostatnia Imperoks
    Wojna starego człowieka
    • Wojna starego człowieka

      • 358 stron
      • 13 godzin czytania

      W dniu swoich siedemdziesiątych piątych urodzin John Perry zrobił dwie rzeczy. Najpierw odwiedził grób swojej żony. A potem wstąpił do armii. Ludzkość w końcu znalazła drogę do międzygwiezdnej przestrzeni – to dobra wiadomość. Zła wiadomość jest taka, że w kosmosie jest niewiele nadających się do zamieszkania planet – za to aż roi się tam od obcych, którzy chcą o nie walczyć. Wychodzi na to, że wszechświat jest dla człowieka wrogim miejscem. A więc – walczymy. Żeby obronić Ziemię (która może stać się celem ataku dla naszych nowych wrogów, jeśli dopuścimy ich zbyt blisko); walczymy również o nasz planetarny stan posiadania. Z dala od Ziemi, ta wojna trwa już od dziesiątków lat: jest brutalna, krwawa i nieubłagana.

      Wojna starego człowieka
      4,2
    • Ostatnia Imperoks

      • 310 stron
      • 11 godzin czytania

      Trzeci, finalny tom gwiezdnej sagi w konwencji space opery! Ludzkość traci dostęp do Nurtu. Systemy gwiezdne, a wraz z nimi miliardy ludzi zostają odcięte od cywilizacji. To było do przewidzenia, ale wciąż są tacy, którzy nie przyjmują tego do wiadomości i próbują żerować na upadającym imperium. Imperoks Grayland II w końcu odzyskała kontrolę i udało jej się uwolnić od wpływów osób zaprzeczających temu, co nadchodzi. Tyle że uzyskany nadzór może być bardzo kruchy. Grayland próbuje ocalić swoich ludzi przed niszczącą izolacją, jednak wciąż czyhają na nią wrogowie, którzy za wszelką cenę chcą ją zrzucić z tronu. Teraz ona i jej mała grupka sojuszników muszą nie tylko chronić ludzkość, ale również walczyć o własne życie. Czy Grayland uratuje wszystkich, czy może będzie ostatnią Imperoks?

      Ostatnia Imperoks
      4,0
    • Upadające imperium

      • 340 stron
      • 12 godzin czytania

      Pierwsza powieść nowej serii w konwencji space opera, osadzonych w całkowicie nowym uniwersum, napisana przez laureata nagrody Hugo, autora bestsellerów z listy New York Timesa: Wojna starego człowieka oraz Czerwone koszule. Naszym Wszechświatem rządzi fizyka, więc podróżowanie szybciej niż prędkość światła nie jest możliwe. Tak było, dopóki nie odkryto Nurtu pozawymiarowego pola, do którego możemy uzyskać dostęp w określonych punktach Czasoprzestrzeni, a ono niesie nas do innych światów, krążących wokół innych gwiazd. Ludzkość wyruszyła z Ziemi w kosmos i z czasem zapomniała o swoim rodzimym świecie, tworząc nowe imperium, Wspólnotę, której etos mówi, że żadna z placówek zamieszkanych przez człowieka nie jest w stanie przetrwać bez pozostałych. To stanowi barierę dla międzygwiezdnych wojen, ale też system kontroli władców nad imperium. Nurt jest wieczny, ale nie statyczny tak jak rzeka zmienia swój bieg, odcinając różne światy od reszty ludzkości. Kiedy przemieszczanie się Nurtu zostaje odkryte co może się zakończyć odizolowaniem wszystkich miejsc zamieszkanych przez człowieka poprzez uniemożliwienie podróży szybszych niż prędkość światła troje ludzi: naukowiec, kapitan statku kosmicznego oraz cesarzowa Wspólnoty, prowadzą wyścig z czasem, żeby zbadać co, jeśli w ogóle cokolwiek, da się uratować z międzygwiezdnego imperium, znajdującego się na krawędzi rozpadu.

      Upadające imperium
      4,0
    • Fuzzy Nation

      • 304 strony
      • 11 godzin czytania

      An action-packed retelling of SF classic Little Fuzzy from bestselling author John Scalzi. When a down-on-his-luck prospector discovers a species of adorable cat-like bipeds, he becomes entangled in a battle to save them from a corporation's relentless greed.

      Fuzzy Nation
      4,2
    • Laundry Files: The Labyrinth Index

      A Laundry Files Novel

      • 368 stron
      • 13 godzin czytania

      The Lovecraftian Singularity has descended upon the world in The Labyrinth Index , beginning an exciting new story arc in Charles Stross' Hugo Award-winning Laundry Files series! Since she was promoted to the head of the Lords Select Committee on Sanguinary Affairs, every workday for Mhari Murphy has been a nightmare. It doesn’t help that her boss, the new Prime Minister of Britain, is a manipulative and deceptive pain in the butt. But what else can she expect when working under the thumb of none other than the elder god N’yar Lat-Hotep a.k.a the Creeping Chaos? Mhari's most recent assignment takes her and a ragtag team of former Laundry agents across the pond into the depths of North America. The United States president has gone missing. Not that Americans are alarmed. For some mysterious reason, most of the country has forgotten the executive branch even exists. Perhaps it has to do with the Nazgûl currently occupying the government and attempting to summon Cthulhu. It's now up to Mhari and her team to race against the Nazgûl's vampire-manned dragnet to find and, for his own protection, kidnap the president. Who knew an egomaniacal, malevolent deity would have a soft spot for international relations?

      Laundry Files: The Labyrinth Index
      4,2
    • The sixteen stories and two screenplays that make up Volume One of the Emmy(R) award-winning Netflix Original series Love, Death & Robots.Featuring best-selling authors and screenwriters from all over the globe, curated by filmmakers Tim Miller and David Fincher.Stories and screenplays byAlastair Reynolds, Alberto Mielgo, Claudine Griggs, David W. Amendola, Joe Lansdale, John Scalzi, Ken Liu, Kirsten Cross, Marko Kloos, Michael Swanwick, Peter F. Hamilton, Steven Lewis, and Vitaliy Shushko

      Love, Death and Robots
      4,2
    • The Consuming Fire

      • 316 stron
      • 12 godzin czytania

      The gripping sequel to John Scalzi's The Collapsing Empire.

      The Consuming Fire
      4,2
    • Starter Villain

      • 262 strony
      • 10 godzin czytania

      &b;>Inheriting a family business is never easy, especially when it involves underwater volcanoes, minions, talking cats ? and supervillains. &i;>Starter Villain&/i> is another page-turning adventure from &i;>New York Times&/i> bestseller John Scalzi.&/b>

      Starter Villain
      4,1
    • The Ghost Brigades are elite soldiers of the Colonial Defense Forces, created from the DNA of the deceased to carry out the toughest military operations. As humanity faces a new threat from three allied alien races, the CDF must uncover the motives of the traitorous scientist Charles Boutin, who possesses critical military secrets. Jared Dirac, a superhuman hybrid made from Boutin's DNA, is the key to accessing Boutin's electronic memories. However, when the memory transfer fails, Jared is assigned to the Ghost Brigades. Initially, he excels as a soldier, but as Boutin’s memories begin to emerge, Jared starts to understand the reasons behind Boutin’s betrayal. He must navigate his own identity while racing against time, as the alien alliance prepares an offensive that threatens humanity's existence. This sequel combines intense military action with profound moral questions about technology and identity, balancing personal drama with larger existential themes. Scalzi's narrative is rich with character development and philosophical undertones, making it a compelling military science fiction experience. The story explores themes of awakening, betrayal, and the implications of creating life, all while delivering a fast-paced and engaging plot.

      The Ghost Brigades
      4,1
    • B Team leader Lieutenant Harry Wilson counters hostile alien forces, angry humans and unpredictable elements from the universe in order to protect the interests of the Colonial Union.

      The Human Division
      4,1
    • The Last Colony

      • 336 stron
      • 12 godzin czytania

      Retired from his fighting days, John Perry serves as village ombudsman on Huckleberry, enjoying a peaceful life with his wife, Jane Sagan, and their adopted daughter. However, their past soon pulls them back into action when they are recruited to lead a new human colony populated by settlers from various worlds. This opportunity comes with a hidden agenda, as they are deceitfully stranded on an unfamiliar planet, becoming pawns in a dangerous political game aimed at undermining an alien coalition that opposes human expansion. Scalzi's third installment in this engaging series continues the story of John Perry, who has traded his enhanced military body for a simpler life. As they navigate their new roles, Perry and Sagan must confront the complexities of interstellar politics and warfare. The narrative is rich with twists and explosive action while maintaining a focus on personal compassion over blind patriotism. The couple's journey unfolds against the backdrop of a conflict between the human Colonial Union and the alien Conclave, showcasing the challenges and moral dilemmas they face. With a captivating blend of adventure and intrigue, this installment promises to keep readers engrossed in its human-scale storytelling.

      The Last Colony
      4,0
    • When the Moon Hits Your Eye

      • 336 stron
      • 12 godzin czytania

      In a whimsical twist of science fiction, the narrative explores the chaos that ensues when the moon transforms into cheese overnight. This light-hearted adventure follows the characters as they navigate the bizarre consequences of this cosmic change, blending humor with imaginative scenarios. The story offers a unique perspective on how such an absurd event could impact life on Earth, inviting readers to enjoy a fun and creative journey through an unexpected reality.

      When the Moon Hits Your Eye
      3,9
    • Head on: A Novel of the Near Future

      • 429 stron
      • 16 godzin czytania

      This large print edition from Thorndike Press is designed for readers who prefer or require larger text for easier reading. It caters to those seeking accessibility in literature while maintaining a focus on engaging narratives. The book promises to deliver a captivating story, enriched by clear and legible print, making it an ideal choice for readers of all ages who appreciate comfort in their reading experience.

      Head on: A Novel of the Near Future
      4,0
    • Head On

      • 336 stron
      • 12 godzin czytania

      The standalone follow-up to the New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed SF thriller, Lock In

      Head On
      4,0
    • The End of All Things

      • 400 stron
      • 14 godzin czytania

      "Humans expanded into space ... only to find a universe populated with multiple alien species bent on their destruction. Thus was the Colonial Union formed, to help protect us from a hostile universe. The Colonial Union used the Earth and its excess population for colonists and soldiers. It was a good arrangement ... for the Colonial Union. Then the Earth said: no more. Now the Colonial Union is living on borrowed time-a couple of decades at most, before the ranks of the Colonial Defense Forces are depleted and the struggling human colonies are vulnerable to the alien species who have been waiting for the first sign of weakness, to drive humanity to ruin. And there's another problem: A group, lurking in the darkness of space, playing human and alien against each other-and against their own kind -for their own unknown reasons. In this collapsing universe, CDF Lieutenant Harry Wilson and the Colonial Union diplomats he works with race against the clock to discover who is behind attacks on the Union and on alien races, to seek peace with a suspicious, angry Earth, and keep humanity's union intact ... or else risk oblivion, and extinction-and the end of all things."--Amazon.com

      The End of All Things
      4,0
    • &i;>The Kaiju Preservation Society&/i> is a thrilling standalone adventure from bestselling author John Scalzi. Jamie Gray embarks on the trip of a lifetime to protect enormous kaiju on an alternate Earth. But not all is safe in this human-free world . . .

      The Kaiju Preservation Society
      4,0
    • Lock in

      • 336 stron
      • 12 godzin czytania

      Science fiction. Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing worse than fever and headaches. 4% suffer acute meningitis, and 1% find themselves 'locked in' - fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus. 1% in the US is 1.7 million people 'locked in' - including the President's wife and daughter. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, 'The Agora', where the locked-in can interact with other humans. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, allowing those who are locked in to occasionally 'ride' these people and use their bodies as if they were their own. This skill is quickly regulated, licensed, bonded, and controlled. But will somebody be tempted to misuse it, for murder, for political power, or worse

      Lock in
      4,0
    • A hilarious, action-packed caper from New York Times bestselling author John Scalzi. When an interstellar diplomatic event goes horribly wrong, it's up to Harry Creek to find the unusual solution: a rare sheep. But he's not the only interested party . . .

      The Android's Dream
      3,9
    • Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, and Andrew is even more delighted when he's assigned to the ship's xenobiology laboratory. Life couldn't be better - although there are a few strange things going on

      Redshirts
      3,9
    • Agent to the Stars

      • 365 stron
      • 13 godzin czytania

      Thomas Stein is one of Hollywood's hottest agents - and he's about to receive the clients of a lifetime. But negotiating for an entire alien race has its challenges. This is a fast-paced, witty read of galactic proportions from bestselling author John Scalzi.

      Agent to the Stars
      3,9
    • METATROPOLIS

      • 288 stron
      • 11 godzin czytania

      Set in a shared urban future, this collection features five original tales crafted by some of the most exciting emerging voices in modern science fiction. Each story explores unique themes and perspectives, reflecting the complexities of a futuristic society while showcasing the innovative storytelling styles of its authors. Readers can expect a blend of imagination and thought-provoking narratives that push the boundaries of the genre.

      METATROPOLIS
      3,7
    • The fourth book in John Scalzi's exciting sci-fi series which started with Old Man's War.

      Zoe's Tale
      3,8
    • Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded

      A Decade of Whatever, 1998-2008

      • 368 stron
      • 13 godzin czytania

      On September 13, 1998, John Scalzi sat down in front of his computer to write the first entry in his blog Whatever--and changed the history of the Internet as we know it today. What, you're not swallowing that one? Okay, fine: He started writing Whatever and amused about 15 people that first day. If that many. But he kept at it, for ten years and running. Now 40,000 people drop by on a daily basis to see what he's got to say. About what? Well, about whatever: Politics, writing, family, war, popular culture and cats (especially with bacon on them). Sometimes he's funny. Sometimes he's serious (mostly he's sarcastic). Sometimes people agree with him. Sometimes they send him hate mail, which he grades on originality and sends back. Along the way, Scalzi's become a best-selling, award-winning author, a father, and a geek celebrity. But no matter what, there's always another Whatever post to amuse and/or enrage his readers. Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded collects some of the best and most popular Whatever entries from the first ten years of the blog – a decade of Whatever, presented in delightfully random form, just as it should be. * Winner of the 2009 Hugo Award for Best Non-Fiction Book * Introduction by Star Trek actor Wil Wheaton

      Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded
      3,7
    • The rough guide to sci-fi movies

      • 325 stron
      • 12 godzin czytania

      The Rough Guide to Sci-Fi Movies is a comprehensive guide to the ''final frontier'' of film. It explores our fascination with space exploration, time travel, fantastical worlds and alternative futures. This guide explains how everything from the philosophy of Plato to classic Victorian tales and cult comic books have helped to create one of cinema''s most engaging genres. Discover the classics from Mexico, Russia and Japan, not forgetting the Anime science fiction tradition, along with everything else you need to know from Metropolis to Star Wars, via Blade Runner, 2001 and Alien. The Rough Guide to Sci-Fi Movies is your essential guide to a galaxy of film unbounded by time or space.

      The rough guide to sci-fi movies
      3,4
    • Mash Up

      Stories Inspired by Famous First Lines

      • 432 strony
      • 16 godzin czytania

      Pride and Prejudice meets Macbeth by way of Moby Dick and a dollop of the speculative, in this hugely entertaining anthology where authors such as John Scalzi get inspiration for short stories from the first lines of famous works of literature. Edited by hugely respected anthologist Gardner Dozois, the collection includes stories by John Scalzi, Tad Williams, Elizabeth Bear and many others.

      Mash Up
    • Kdo nesní o nečekaném dědictví po neznámém bohatém strýci? Ale když se s ním pojí i zločinecké doupě na sopečném ostrově, supervýkonné lasery a zvířecí špehové, může vás takové dědictví i stát život… Být padouchem totiž neznamená se jen maniakálně smát s kočkou na klíně,zatímco předhazujete cizí agenty žralokům. Každý úspěšný padouch má i mocné nepřátele… Charlie je rozvedený zastupující učitel, který žije s kočkou v domě, který mu nepatří a odkud ho chtějí vystrnadit jeho nevlastní sourozenci, aby dům mohli prodat. Když zemře jeho miliardářský strýc Jake, se kterým se neviděli skoro třicet let, a zanechá mu svou pozůstalost, Charlieho život nabere nečekané obrátky. Od nastražených bomb přes superinteligentní kočky a odborářské delfíny až po tajné organizace světových padouchů, Charlie musí poznat svět svého strýce dřív, než za nečekané dědictví zaplatí cenu nejvyšší. Jeho strýc totiž vyhlásil válku všem ostatním superpadouchům – a je na Charliem, aby ji tak či onak dovedl do konce. Ve světě, kde je člověk člověku vlkem… vsaďte na kočky.

      Padouchem snadno a rychle
      4,0
    • Крах Потока, межзвёздного пути между планетами Междузависимости, ускорился. Целые звёздные системы — и миллиарды людей — становятся отрезанными от остальной человеческой цивилизации. Этот крах был предсказан научными прогнозами… и всё же, даже когда доказательства очевидны и непреложны, многие всё ещё пытаются рационализировать, отложить и извлечь выгоду из последних дней одной из величайших империй, которые когда-либо знало человечество. Императрица Грейланд II наконец-то завоевала контроль над своей империей у тех, кто ей противостоит и кто отрицает реальность этого краха. Но «контроль» — это скользкое понятие, и даже когда Грейланд стремится спасти как можно больше своих людей от обнищания и изоляции, силы, противостоящие её правлению, сделают последнюю, отчаянную попытку свергнуть её с трона и власти любыми средствами. Грейланд и её уменьшающийся список союзников должны использовать все доступные им средства, чтобы спасти себя и всё человечество. И всё же этого может быть недостаточно. Станет ли Грейланд спасителем своей цивилизации… или последним императрицей, носившей корону?

      Разорванное пространство
      4,2
    • Pozemský diplomat způsobí meziplanetární incident, když zabije mimozemského diplomata, a to zcela… neobvyklým… způsobem. Aby nedošlo k vyhlášení války, pozemská vláda musí najít stejně tak neobvyklý objekt: druh ovce („Sen androidů"), který je nedílnou součástí korunovačního ceremoniálu mimozemské rasy. Vláda se obrací na Harryho Creeka, bývalého policistu, válečného hrdinu a hackera nebývalých kvalit. Ten s pomocí Briana Javny, přítele z dětství, jehož osobnost a schopnosti jsou zakódovány v umělé inteligenci, prohledává Zemi, aby našel onu vzácnou bytost...

      Sen androidů
      3,4
    • Člověk dosáhl hvězd... jen aby je našel obydlené tvory dychtícími zničit lidstvo. Na jeho ochranu vznikla Koloniální unie, využívající přelidnění Země jako zdroje pro své bojové jednotky a kolonizování planet. Dokonale fungující systém... ale pouze do chvíle, kdy pozemšťané řekli: „A dost“. Koloniální unii zbývá pár desetiletí, než její vojenská síla poklesne a osídlené planety skončí bez ochrany. Agresivní rasy vyčkávají. Avšak ve vzdálených koutech galaxie se připravuje rychlejší plán. Neznámé síly podnítí řadu konfliktů, které vyústí v bezprostřední válku. Poručík Harry Wilson se spolu s diplomaty snaží co nejrychleji zjistit, kdo stojí za zničujícími útoky na Koloniální unii a mimozemské rasy, a zároveň nastolit příměří s nedůvěřivou a rozzlobenou Zemí. Pokud neuspěje, hrozí zapomnění, vyhubení a naprostý konec všeho...

      Válka starého muže: Konec všech věcí (brožovaná)