Peter Watt draws upon a lifetime of varied experiences, from soldier to police sergeant and advisor, to craft compelling narratives. His works, shaped by living and working alongside diverse communities globally, delve into profound human questions. Watt's style is direct and unvarnished, often exploring the complexities of relationships and societal issues. Readers can expect stories rich with authenticity and a deep understanding of the human condition.
Exploring the profound implications of first contact, this book delves into how such an event—whether on Earth, in space, or on another planet—would reshape our understanding of technology, philosophy, and humanity itself. It examines the potential cognitive dissonance society might face upon discovering a new form of sentience on Earth, challenging existing beliefs and prompting a reevaluation of our place in the universe.
The collection features over 50 unpredictable essays and revenge fantasies from a Hugo Award-winning author and former marine biologist, presenting a unique voice characterized as a savage dystopian optimist. This intriguing perspective challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while remaining irresistibly engaging, even when it might be unwise to do so.
"This--THIS--is the cutting edge of science fiction." --Richard K. Morgan, author of Altered Carbon She believed in the mission with all her heart. But that was sixty million years ago. How do you stage a mutiny when you're only awake one day in a million? How do you conspire when your tiny handful of potential allies changes with each shift? How do you engage an enemy that never sleeps, that sees through your eyes and hears through your ears and relentlessly, honestly, only wants what's best for you? Sunday Ahzmundin is about to find out.
After an unexplained moment of surveillance by an alien intelligence no further contact has been made for twenty-five years. But all this is about to change. For a man hiding in the Oregon desert is about to play a key role in the next stage of human evolution.
It's the eve of the 22nd century and the beginning of the end. Humanity splinters into strange new forms with every heartbeat: hive-minds coalesce, rapture-stricken, speaking in tongues; soldiers forgo consciousness for combat efficiency; a nightmare human subspecies has been genetically resurrected; half the population has retreated into the ersatz security of a virtual environment called Heaven. And it's all under surveillance by an alien presence that refuses to reveal itself. Daniel Bruks has turned his back on it all, taking refuge in the Oregon desert. As an unaugmented, baseline human he's an irrelevance, a living fossil for whom extinction beckons. But he's about to find himself an unwilling pilgrim on a voyage to the heart of the solar system that will bring the fractured remnants of mankind to the biggest evolutionary breakpoint since the origin of thought. 'If you only read one science fiction novel this year, make it this one!... it puts the whole of the rest of the genre in the shade... It deserves to walk away with the Clarke, the Hugo, the Nebula, the BSFA, and pretty much any other genre award for which it's eligible. It's off the scale... F**king awesome!' Richard Morgan. 'State-of-the-art science fiction: smart, dark and it grabs you by the throat from page one' Neal Asher.
Exploring the intersection of technology and human conviction, these edgy tales delve into the complexities of science and the unknown. The narratives blend beauty and danger, offering a mix of dark, satirical, and introspective themes that challenge perceptions of reality and alienation.
Set in a reimagined Manhattan, the narrative explores a city transformed by new leadership that challenges the status quo. As power dynamics shift, characters navigate the complexities of ambition, loyalty, and survival in a rapidly changing urban landscape. The story delves into the consequences of this new governance, highlighting themes of control, resistance, and the quest for identity amidst turmoil. Through a gripping plot and rich character development, the book paints a vivid picture of a metropolis at a crossroads.
NYC 2023. Terrifying alien invaders stalk the streets and a nightmare plague strikes down the city's myriad inhabitants with brutal epidemic speed. The city's systems are in chaos, its streets and skyline are smashed and in flaming ruin. The battle is on against the lethal, armoured, bipedal war machines that stalk ravaged New York.