Novel

Inhibitor Phase by Alastair Reynolds

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The novel “Inhibitor Phase” by Alastair Reynolds was published for the first time in 2021. It’s part of the Revelation Space series.

When a spaceship enters the system that includes the planet Michaelmas, the inhabitants of the small colony of Sun Hollow are alarmed. Their main fear is that it will attract the wolves, as they call the Inhibitors, the self-replicating machines that seek out humans to wipe them out from the universe.

The colony’s administrator, Miguel de Ruyter, sets out to intercept the spaceship and destroy it at all costs, the only constraint being the need to simulate an explosion caused by a malfunction that won’t attract the wolves. A cryogenic capsule is ejected from the spaceship and sends out a distress signal. Brought to Michaelmas, it contains what appears to be a normal woman, at least until she takes control of all the colony’s machines. Miguel de Ruyter’s only choice is to give in to her demand that he accompany her in search of a weapon to fight the Inhibitors.

Tripwire by Lee Gimenez

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The novel “Tripwire” by Lee Gimenez was published for the first time in 2021. It’s part of the J.T. Ryan series.

When briefcases containing small atomic bombs are stolen, the US president decides to entrust the investigation to a restricted group of people. There’s the serious suspicion that a traitor with a rank high enough to be able to reveal the top-secret location of the briefcases leads to a highly classified investigation.

With Erin Welch unable to participate after the death of her fiancé, the investigation must be led by J.T. Ryan, Alex Miller, and his CIA agent Rachel West. The explosion of one of the bombs causes thousands of deaths and serious consequences for the national economy.

Davy by Edgar Pangborn

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The novel “Davy” by Edgar Pangborn was published for the first time in 1964 as an expansion of two novelettes published in 1962.

Raised in an orphanage, Davy is a bond-servant and spent his early teen years working. He’s been taught only the bare minimum necessary to do his job, especially because the Holy Murcan Church maintains a tight grip on all knowledge, especially that which remains from the time before the atomic war.

Davy is curious about what exists beyond the microcosm he knows directly. He starts developing a certain skepticism about the Church’s teachings, and for this reason, he spares the life of a mutant he stumbles upon. When he unwittingly gets himself into serious trouble, he decides to escape, and his encounter with some people gives his life a new direction.

Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible by Marc Platt

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The novel “Cat’s Cradle: Time’s Crucible” by Marc Platt was published for the first time in 1992. It’s No. 5 in the “New Adventures” range by Virgin Publishing.

Reality seems to be disintegrating around the Seventh Doctor and Ace, to the point that even the Tardis doors seem to be out of place. Something has invaded the Tardis and begun to cause it to disintegrate, affecting everything around it. The Doctor, too, feels the effects of this disintegration on his mind.

On Gallifrey, the first timeship is making an experimental voyage with a crew aboard. The planet’s ruling Pythia has chosen a man as her successor and has secretly included him in the timeship’s crew. However, instead of returning, the ship collides with the Doctor’s Tardis.

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula Le Guin

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The novel “The Lathe of Heaven” by Ursula Le Guin was published for the first time in 1971. It won the Locus Award for best science fiction novel of the year.

When George Orr is caught using drugs prescribed to someone else, he’s forced to undergo psychiatric treatment to avoid serious legal problems. Initially, Dr. William Haber dismisses Orr as a disturbed man when he tells him that his dreams transform reality. However, when Haber examines Orr while he dreams using his special equipment, he realizes that the changes his patient has induced are real.

Dr. Haber considers the potential offered by George Orr’s power and wants to use it to improve the situation in an overpopulated world affected by climate change. Orr is frightened by the possible consequences of his dreams, which is why he had resorted to drugs that blocked his dreams. Dr. Haber, however, is determined to conduct experiments to change the world for the better.