#get hari seldon out of my head!

[lnrdc]

daily (?) practice #1

[anundyingfidelity]

INTERROGATION GONE WRONG – Cleon XIII/Brother Day

Summary: Cleon XIII interrogates his statisticians about Hari Seldon's predictions. His in-turn maid remains there hearing the conversation, unbeknownst to him, knowing the answer - at least part of.

Pairing: Cleon XIII/Brother Day x female maid reader.

Word count: 2.9k.

Warnings: extremely dub-con, smut, abuse of power, forced orgasm, choking, fingering, degradation, p in v, creampie, not the soft aftercare you're waiting for. The author is also non native English speaker.

Notes: this is based on that scene of 1x04. This is the most non-con thing I've written ever. I gave my warnings. Also please watch Foundation lol, this show reminded me of how much I loved Lee Pace since like 2014. Once I'm in, I will never get out and I needed to write something for Cleon I love him he is an idiot.

☕ if you like my writing, support me with a ko-fi !

GEN MASTERLIST!

The man fell with a thud on the floor. You should be scared, surprised, trembling with fear, but this was not new behavior for you or anyone in the palace. Since Seldon's exile and the disaster shaking the Empire gradually, the response of the new Cleon was clearly expected after being a witness of a poor reunion and inconvenience with the staticians. More than a conversation, it felt like a judgment, a death one.

"Dining, now," he ordered passing by your figure on his way to leave the throne room. With a bow, you followed in an instant and ready to serve him.

Cleary, you could tell he was not in the good mood that day, already skipping the meal for breakfast with his brothers earlier; something that was out of the itineraries. Once a change of the routine happened, it meant something was off, so you thought. Demerzel was also not around, attending other meetings, so this left you alone with Empire, opening the door of the sole dining room the Brothers used privately, with the tall figure of Cleon XIII waiting impatiently for his midday meal and looking every move you made around the place to please him as fast as your feet allowed.

The cooks served the meal arranged from the menu after your order and they left as rapid as they came in, Brother Day dispatching them with a hand gesture once they were done. You took a couple of steps back, standing close to the table but ready in case he dispatched your presence as well.

"Not you, you stay," he commanded after sipping his wine for the first time, eyes focused on the plate he would eat.

"Yes, Empire."

You had to obligue, and that is what happened. You watched him from the corner of your eye, from time to time in silence, pretending to be unconcerned and collected, though that was far from being true. The whole meal time was eternal, specially that day. With no Brother Dawn nor Brother Dusk around for Brother Day to have a bland talk with, only the sound of fine cutlery clinking against porcelain as Empire ate. Boring, your head began to spin around, thinking in non-senses and theories of what you heard and read from Seldon's predictions of the fall. Empire was cruel, but it had you working, serving food to your plate, and probably that was enough. But it didn't stop your curiosity of learning further the philosophy of Hari Seldon.

When in front of Empire, your gaze seemed lost but your mind was working. You never said a single comment about studying Seldon's theory, of course. You were just a maid. Science and university never were a good pair for a woman who served the Empire. However, you still found the math behind his calculations as something intriguing and fascinating for some reason...

"Maid," the loud voice of the Emperor interrupted your daydream. "I said, wine."

The intense look on his eyes forced you to attend his order fast, serving more of the fermented liquid on the cup standing besides his plate.

His large hand took the cup when you filled it with wine and he sipped again, his eyes scanning you slow and deep. You knew he sensed something was wrong with you. Swallowing, you noticed he already had finished with his meal, so you finally you dared to speak.

"Can I retire your plate, Empire?"

"Is there something you want to share, maid?" he responded, blatantly ignoring your question and dragging your title like it was nothing but a shameful word to spill.

"At all, Empire," your voice came as a whisper.

Brother Day stood on his feet with such grace and started a slow walk towards your figure. You wanted to step away, but you feet were glued to the ground, so his tall and intimidating form washed over you soon.

"Speak," he instructed coldly. You started to tremble, unable to take off your scared eyes from him, bitting your bottim lip as he leaned. "Or do you want to be punished?"

His hand forced around your neck all of a sudden. As an act of reflection, you tried to pull back from his grip, but he was much stronger, having you in place and cutting your breath. "I know you hide enthusiasm around Doctor Seldon's theories," he whispered darkly on your ear. "I am not giving you a choice, speak!"

As he yelled down his last words, he pushed you harshly, body falling to the grown. Air filled your lungs once again and you coughed, sitting down and watching that he was coming closer with big steps. You dragged yourself on the floor using your hands and feet trying to not tangle yourself with the fabric of your dress. Fighting the tears on your eyes, your back touched the wall and sobbed. There was nowhere to go now. So you finally confessed.

"Your staticians would not give you a number because it's true!" you cried out. Brother Day stopped on his tracks just a couple of inches before you. "It's all true, Doctor Seldon is right. And it all began with the Star Bridge, I know you were a child when it happened because I was a child too when the crisis started. There is a probability, but is not zero," you said, recalling his words.

You saw his face changed. He was exhasperated already, but rage appeared in his eyes in a very visible way; a rage that you had yet to see from Empire. Fear took over you, afraid of what would happen next. Should you keep talking? Should you continue crying? Scream for nobody to come around for your sake? As you questioned yourself, he lowered himself to be at your level on the ground. Brother Day never sat down, but he was making sure to get under your skin. His powerful gaze had a quick effect to do that.

"Go on."

Too scared to speak, you opened your lips but no sound came out. Empire waited your words for a moment, scrutinizing your face. And still, nothing came. He grabbed your arm with a rough grip, forcing you to stand up, colliding with his body until your back hit the empty part of the table he had been eating in.

"You have ten seconds to continue or I will force everything that is in your head out of you, maid," Cleon threatened. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three-"

"I said it was probability," you shuddered. "Life is a probability by all means and Seldon knows that," you breathed, aware that Brother Day was feeling your shaking body under his piercing eyes. "I studied Doctor Seldon's psychohistory and theory for the last four years, learning math and other sciences on my free time on the library. So even if I don't posses a title, I know his hypothesis was only that at the time; a hypothesis can be null, but also be provable, and thus now is not untrue."

He slowly leaned away.

"So you say there is no error on Seldon's ecuation," he concluded, jaw clenching.

"None that I could find."

Brother Day paced in front of you, back and forth, hrad processing what he just heard. You could tell he was getting what he wanted, but nothing was what he really longed for. And what you found was nothing but the truth. Maths don't miss, it was useless to lie.

"How do you simply fall into a conclusion like that? Prophecies of the Empire declining into a dark age after centuries of rising. Of our legacy!" he stopped again and went back to your figure, trapping your body between himself and the dining table. You felt his breath when he leaned close, the smell of wine and fruits mixing with his cologne was intoxicating your nostrils as the last tears flowed down your cheeks. Sooner or later, you thought he was going to end up with your life. You had nothing left to lose by now.

"It's simple history and logic. Everything that goes up has to go down, even empires."

All you felt was his big palm slapping your face, your back hitting the edge of the table. A hurted moan filled the room, and he forced you to look at him grabbing your chin with the same strenght he had used on you all this time, like you were nothing more than a doll to play with as he pleased.

"In other circumstances, I would find you amusing," he breathed gainst your lips. The touch of his thumb on your cheek, wiping away your last tears, contrasted the roughness of his words, his body between your legs and his weight pressing you to lie down on the surface.

"Psychohistory words, not mine," you whispered, your hands running to wrap around his wrist, but his aura repelled instantly your touch. It was useless to keep trying. So here you were, ready for Brother Day to end with your life in just the blink of an eye. "Maybe Brother Dusk made a mistake," you continued, giving up on leaving the room alive. "Make Hari Seldon stay instead..."

Brother Day pressed further against you, almost crushing you with his significant huge frame.

"Such a talented brain and mouth, why don't I put you to good use? I think I deserve it."

He forcefuly turned you around until you were bending over the table, a loud gasp falling from your mouth. One of his hands making its way between your legs caused your thighs to press together, trying to stop him, but it was impossible, so you had nothing to do but beg.

"Please, Empire," you felt like crying again at his touch, his fingers cupping your clothed pussy in a slow motion. "Stop, please-"

"Shut up, whore," he grunted, rubbing his crotch against your ass and slammed your face with his free hand so you had your cheek lying against the cold surface. "I had enough from you."

Heartbeat rising, you tried with no results to escape from his body cage. The sway of your hips caused Empire to grow eager. His slender fingers pushed your panties aside, coating them with your own wetness, and that was certainly something you did not expect to be down there. He hummed in response, rubbing your folds, and you exhaled once he entered one finger.

Your body responded to his ministrations, his growing erection pressing against the curve of your ass while he played with your cunt as he wanted, easing a second digit inside your walls. Probably you should just give in by now as you felt your muscles tighten, already reaching your high. Almost. The first moan of pleassure escaped your throat and you regreted the answer of lust coming from your body the following instant, your palms holding yourself on the table.

His long digits fucked you faster and your legs trembled, his thumb played with your clit so deliciously you thought you were passing out soon. He leaned down until you could feel his breath on your neck.

"Fucking take it," he groaned, feeling your warm walls pulsing around his fingers.

Almost not having control over your body, your legs further opened, like his voice just ordered you to do it.

"Please, please..."

Again, you cried and begged, not sure of the reason. For pleassure, shame, mercy... Anything was possible at that moment as whimpers and moans fell from your mouth.

The sensation grew stronger down your belly, feeling him exploring your insides too deep, touching a place no man nor your fingers reached before. It happened repeatedly, it felt so sweet and sinful. Like something you never knew but you were sure would leave you aching for more. His fingers making you so drunk and pleading for a release, and the seconds that passed by were endless until you finally blissed out with a loud moan, convulsing by the work of his hand.

Brother Day gave himself a wicked smile, watching you squirm and gasp. Such a strong orgasm he ripped out of you. He pulled his fingers away from your pulsing cunt and admired your wetness coating them before he raised the skirt of your dress and took off your panties until they were hanging between your ankles.

You grimaced at the feel of his big palms rubbing your ass cheeks, parting them to get a view of your throbbing heat, still clenching around nothing. You could listen to him undoing his pants. He hissed, taking his hard lenght to rub the sensitive skin of your ass and his thick tip teased your slit, sliding slowly inside. You gasped at the sudden intrusion as he stopped from filling you up completely, feeling your tight cunt embracing him.

"Empire, please not this-"

"This is how I prefer you," Cleon whispered on your neck, you stopped your plea. "Submissive and quiet. You are not so bold now, are you?"

And he slowly entered your pussy further. You whined, nails scratching the fine material of the table. You were so tight and warm. He had to control himself of not pounding into you right away. Being filled up by the Emperor shouldn't arouse your body like this, but your heat welcomed his cock like it was the perfect missing piece of a puzzle.

"Are you a virgin, maid?" he asked, hips giving a couple of shallow, slow thrusts. Your hips moved in sink with his own, your nipples were now hard and erect against the surface, scratching the fabric of your bra and dress, giving up into heavenly bliss. Sweet mewls left your lips as he stretched your cunt. And it was oh, so long since you felt this full.

"No, Empire."

Your response was the green light. He started to rut into you. Rough. Even if your answer was to be different, you knew Empire would not care. He used to get away with what he wanted, and right now he wanted you. His own grunts made eco along with the sound of his skin hitting your ass, your moans escaping without any shame now. The small amount of discomfort he caused was transformed into pleassure and arousal, keeping his hands firmly on your hips.

"Then you can take it, you've done this before," he mocked, increasing his rough pace.

His grip was strong on your sides, you knew his fingers would leave marks on your skin once you finished. But nothing mattered, you decided, the only on your mind was reaching sweet climax and release. You could not escape from him, not ever. So your body and mind could go through it.

Cleon's eyes found the perfect spot of view to see his cock entering and sliding out your perfect pussy, his shaft glistening with your wetness and his own precum. He stopped and pulled out for a moment, teasing with entering and pulling out, watching himself sliding inside your body.

"Oh gods," he listened to your broken moan, breath hitching.

He again cupped your neck with his palm, fingers roaming around your throat, forcing your back to meet his chest. Your moans were cut by his firm hand, air being a privilige as seconds passed by. He sucked and bit the skin of your neck, burying his cock until his balls met your ass repeteadly, finding that sweet spot of yours.

"Cum," he ordered. "Cum or you will not breath again."

You knew you were close, but you needed it faster. You needed to breath, as good as his cock felt, fucking you and splitting you open, you still needed to make it until the end. Your fingers found your clit and played with your bud as Empire bucked his hips fast and rough. Finally, your muscles tensed and forced a hard orgasm out of you, walls pulsing around his dick. He grunted, not slowing his thrusts, softening the hand around your neck allowing you oxygen again.

"Merciful am I?" he groaned and you felt his seed painting your insides, cock throbing as he also came from his high.

"You are, Empire," you breathed out.

Your back arched and you held yourself on his hands and chest. You heard the sound of one of the chairs being taken out, being dragged by him until you felt he sat down, you on his lap with his cock still burried deep inside you. His slick cum ran down your inner thighs as he parted your legs, touching your abused cunt and clit, feeling how you were still connected. He rubbed your pussy in slow, gentle moves, collecting his cum mixed with your juices. He offered his fingers to your lips, so you licked them as he wished, sucking them clean. Your walls pulsed again.

"So obedient now," Cleon purred.

His hands undid your dress to free your chest, groping your tits as he pleased. He played with your nipples, just like he had played with all of you in a few minutes.

"What will happen to me?" you asked in a murmur.

"Such a pretty cunt you are," Brother Day began, tracing kisses on your shoulder. His voice made you shiver. "You would please me a lot as a cuncubine of the Gossamer Court."

You swallowed hard, not capable of speaking or fighting back. He felt your body tensing so he continued his speech in your ear. "No worries, I can play with you some more before it happens. And you will tell me everything you know about Seldon."

[daincrediblegg]

get to know your fanfic writer

tagged by @kittensmctavish (thankies my friend)

When did you post your first ever fanfic?

in the mid 00's... to fucking quizilla. may she rest in peace.

First Character(s) you wrote?

Oh god... that fuckin guy played by Michael Palin from A Fish Called Wanda and an oc I created (I was 13. so as you can see I have fucking always been like this about pathetic old men.)

Main Character(s) you’re currently writing?

Lady Terror and Francis Crozier (first and easily foremost. honestly I've written more shit for him in the last 8 months than I have for anyone in the last several years. it's a little ridiculous), Valery Legasov, Hari Seldon.

Character(s) you haven’t written about before but plan to write about soon?

I have been meaning to give some extra thought into certain crewmember's perspectives on Lady Terror and their interactions with her that I've been meaning to flesh out- the top 3 of those for me are Tozer, Hickey, and Irving/Hodge (I see them as part of the Lieutenant unit tbh), and some of the other men on Erebus as well. But also there are a few OC's within the Lady Terror family tree that I want to get to writing, as well as some from Crozier's family as well (who I've been faceclaim casting for months lmao).

Fandom(s) you’re currently writing?

Everyone under the beautiful Jared Harris umbrella, tbh. Primarily The Terror and Chernobyl with a little Foundation sprinkled in for flavor. Tomorrow? Who knows...

Platonic pairing(s) you’re currently writing?

Oh loads. I've been writing lots of interactions between lady terror and a big list of folks from the terror (mainly: Thomas Blanky, Silna, Jopson, Goodsir, JFJ, and many many others), but also lots of interpersonal stuff between others on the ships as well.

Romantic pairing(s) you’re currently writing?

(sing it with me if you know it) CROZIER X LADY TERROR!!! Going on like 8 months strong.

Your top AO3 tags?

Fluff, Angst, and Smut (and god damn if that doesn't sum me up)

Current platform you use for posting?

Tumblr primarily but if something feels fleshed-out enough I'll throw it up on Ao3 as well.

Snippet of the WIP you are currently working on?

hmmm... since I wanna try and get out the first section of one warm line out for tomorrow's crozier birthday celebrations... how about I tease some vampire stuff hm?

The Lady made short work of curling against Francis’ leg, leaning her head gently against his thigh and nuzzling at his knee as her arm snaked around his calf. She pressed a small kiss to the bony space there, and sighed at the feel of his hand when he reached out to brush through her hair gently, reclining at their mutual touches. But then her kisses grew in frequency, dotting further and further up his thigh. Francis chuckled. “You seem in want of something, Love.” he sighed, low, a smile in his voice as he tangled his fingers in her dark tresses. “Should I call Jopson?” “I’m not hungry,” she replied, pressing another kiss to the delicate skin near his hip, where she paused, dark eyes blown over black gazing up at him with a desire from under her eyelashes, “... not in that way.” Francis chuckled to himself at the prospect. It had been a moment since she’d had her way with him. And if she wanted this, he was certainly in no state to refuse her. “I see, ” he replied, leaning a little forward as his gaze softened. “What is it you crave, then, hm?”

Hmm... now who to tag...

@prismatica-the-strange @ashton-slashton @gaunt-and-hungry @jokerownsmysoul @charismat1c-megafauna... and anyone else who feels such a desire to do so? yeah.

[thatonegeekygirl]

do you guys want to see the good omens/foundation crossover i wrote for school? of course you do!!

“So,” Seldon said awkwardly, clasping his hands behind his back. “how’s your day been?” The man standing beside him turned his head. He wore a creamy coloured suit, brown checkered bow tie, and brown slacks, and made Seldon’s slick dark suit seem obtusely formal in comparison. His hair was white without being aged, and his face was neatly shaved and held wrinkles suggesting it often bore a cheerful smile. He was round though not heavyset, and a bit short. He held a kind of amiable and warm air about him that made Seldon feel as though at any moment he would pull out a kettle from his sleeve, and ask him how he liked his tea. 

The man smiled pleasantly. “Oh, you know how it is. Although, then again, I suppose you don’t.” He chuckled softly to himself, as if he were sharing a joke with an absent friend. “How about you, dear fellow?” Seldon nodded slowly. “Fine, fine, Mister…” “A.Z Fell!” The man held out a hand. “But you can just call me Aziraphale.”

They shook, and Seldon absentmindedly chose to avoid pointing out the fact that both names sounded nearly entirely alike.

“Seldon,” Seldon said. “Hari Seldon. You can call me Hari, or Seldon, or Hari Seldon, just for the love of Trantor don’t call me doctor.”

“Good to meet you, Hari, ” Aziraphale said with a smile. “I’ll refrain from calling you Doctor, of course, but if I may ask why do you have such an aversion to being referred to with your well-earned title?”

“It just doesn’t rub me the right way. I doubt I could explain it if I tried,” Seldon explained, shoving his hands into his pockets. “And I don’t mind being asked in the slightest. Afterall–” he gestured to the flashing panic button amongst the elevator's keypad. “--we may very well be stuck here a while.”

“Indeed we may.” Aziraphale checked his relic of a golden pocket watch. “It’s been nearly ten minutes already. Well, anyway, if we’re here for the foreseeable future, we may as well get to know one another. What do you do for a living, Hari?”

“I’m a mathematician,” Hair replied, expression darkening. “Although I often wish I wasn’t.”

“Whyever not?” Aziraphale asked, surprised. “It is my understanding that mathematics is a respectable and sought-after profession among humans.”

“Well, I suppose I don’t wish I wasn’t a mathematician. Rather that I hadn’t come up with one specific concept. If I’d just avoided straying from my studies on aerodynamics, if I’d never noticed the correlation between them and humanity, I would never have gotten into this mess in the first place!”

“What sort of mess?”

“The uncomfortable kind. You see, I developed a theory–and a theory it is only–that one could predict the statistical likelihood of future events through a combination of mathematical formulas and historical parallels. I called it psychohistory.” He sighed tiredly. “And in one trip from Helicon to Trantor I suddenly find myself mixed up in an arms race for the fate of the galaxy. Hummin seems to think I’ll come up with some grand ‘eureka!’ moment and discover the way to turn it from mere postulation to a practical reality. So far, though, I’ve got nothing greater than a few faint gut feelings. Not nearly enough substance to bet humanity’s future on.”

“Is Helicon your home planet?” Aziraphale asked mildly.

Grateful for the change in conversation, Seldon said, “Indeed it is. I don’t blame you if you’ve never heard of it. Trantorians who do are few and far between.”

“As a matter of fact, I have heard of it,” Aziraphale interjected genially, “although I can't claim I’m an educated Trantorian since I’m not one at all. It’s a small planet in the Arcturus sector, if I’m not mistaken. Quite well known among nearby worlds for its martial artists. You don’t happen to be one, do you? I’ve always wanted to meet a twister!”

“I’ve dabbled,” Seldon replied, surprised but delighted. “But wait, you're not from Trantor?”

“I am many things, but I am not Trantorian,” Aziraphale confirmed. 

“Where do you hail from, then?” Seldon inquired, curious.

“Oh, well…” Aziraphale waved a hand vaguely. “Around.”

Feeling as though he’d hit a nerve of some sort, Seldon fell silent, contemplating the odd man beside him and their conversation thus far. Aziraphale seemed unlike any person he’d met before, and Seldon had met plenty of peculiar personalities and cultures in his recent Hummin-induced travels. Perhaps it was simply that Aziraphale seemed far too nice. No human he’d had the pleasure of speaking to had been quite so genuinely good natured…In fact, now that he thought about it…

He turned his head subtly to look at Aziraphale. The man was now humming quietly to himself, some jaunty tune Seldon didn’t recognize, and swaying slightly back and forth. There didn’t seem to be any part of him that didn’t exude kind intentions and jovial mood. Even his outdated milk chocolate shoes declared their owner one of goodness. And he had said…

Seldon abruptly turned to face Aziraphale. “You’re not human at all, are you?” Aziraphale startled, and Seldon feared he’d crossed a line. Then, to his relief, Aziraphale ran a hand through his hair and smiled sheepishly. “No, Hari, I must admit I’m not. Should’ve known a lad as sharp as you would figure it out. Crowley’s always telling me not to chat with humans, but I just can’t help it! And you’re such a pleasant one too.”

“Well, what in the Emperor’s name are you then?” Seldon asked intently, resisting the urge to edge closer in examination. “Wait! Are you a robot? Is this Crowley a robot too?”

“No, no,” Aziraphale chuckled, “nothing like that, although I am sorry to disappoint. I’m an angel.”

“An…angel?” Seldon tilted his head.

“Oh, that’s right. I keep forgetting how long it’s been since humanity still believed in story tales...just think of me as a supernatural galactic supervisor,” Aziraphale clarified.

“Dors has told me about beings like you…” Seldon breathed in wonder. “She studies history, you know, and she’s quite good at it. But I never believed such things could be real! This changes…everything!” “I’m afraid, dear fellow, that you won’t remember enough of me to change much at all,” Aziraphale said apologetically. 

“What do you mean?” Seldon asked. 

“I truly am sorry, but Heaven doesn’t allow humans to go around declaring that entities like me exist. It tends to skew events a bit. The moment we step out of this elevator, you’ll believe you’ve been standing here alone this whole time. No worse for wear, either than a slight headache. It rarely happens anyway since few angels wish to spend any time speaking with humans at all. They don’t have much respect for mortals in general. It’s a shame, really,” Aziraphale mused wistfully, “I believe humans could teach us a great deal.”

The panic button suddenly emitted a chee note and blinked from a harsh red to a cheery blue.

“It seems as though they’ve managed to repair the mechanism,” Aziraphale said with a hesitant smile, as the elevator was gradually set into motion. “It’s been a refreshing conversation, my friend.” He held out his hand once more.

“And an enlightening one for me,” Seldon said as he took it, then continued somewhat desperately. “I really won’t remember this at all?”

“Perhaps a faint spark of emotion,” Aziraphale admitted, “if you’re lucky.”

“Then please,” Seldon said, “tell me. Am I doomed to search in vain for answers? Or is Hummin right? Do I find out how to use psychohistory for good?”

Aziraphale smiled, cupped a hand beside Seldon’s ear, and whispered his answer.

Then the elevator dinged and the doors opened.

Hari Seldon strode out of the elevator, grateful to be out in an open, bustling space after being enclosed in the tight chamber alone for so long. Checking the time on his watch, he glanced about in search of Dors, who’d told him to meet outside the elevators nearly fifteen minutes before the current time.

“Hari!” A familiar voice called. 

He spun around and a grin split his face. “Dors!” “What took you so long?” She asked, trying to be stern but unable to resist smiling back.

“The elevator broke down, believe it or not. Luckily they repaired it in somewhat short order. It was probably just an error in the programming, it happens from time to time when systems age,” Seldon explained. “Where are we off to now?” His stomach growled, and he smiled abashedly at Dors’ light laughter.

“I suppose we should get something to eat first,” she replied. She gestured to the right of the long hallway. “I know a place nearby that makes at least somewhat palatable food.” Dors began leading the way amongst the throng of people, and Seldon moved to follow,  but then paused as his eyes caught those of a man with creamy white hair. The man smiled knowingly at him, nodded once, and disappeared into the crowd. Seldon stared at the spot where he’d vanished.

“Hari? Hari!” Seldon snapped back to reality.

“What’s the matter? Do you see one of the Emperor’s men?” Dors asked, worried and alert.

“No, no…” Seldon said absently, “just…saw someone that reminded me of something I can’t quite remember…” “Perhaps it was just deja vu,” Dors suggested, “come on, a full stomach will surely help with whatever it is that's got you on edge.” Seldon nodded slowly and they once again began their walk to the restaurant.

“Did spending time alone in a broken elevator give you any time to contemplate psychohistory? Hummin is beginning to worry you won’t manage to come up with anything before the Emperor gets a hold of you,” Dors questioned.

“No, surprisingly not…” Seldon replied, glancing once more in the direction where the white-haired stranger had vanished. “But for some reason I find myself sure that everything will turn out fine.”

[angel-z]

Kneel for Your Emperor (Brother Day x Reader) 18+

(Content warning: Slight NSFW, Power Dynamic, Dom/Sub, Sexual Tension)

You had landed on Trantor along with your King's embassy half a century ago and you had taken quite a liking to the place, even amidst all the chaos with Dr Hari Seldon. You had wanted to take some time off from work, but as your planet's royal advisor, there were always things to be done. Peace treaties were made between your neighbouring planets and gifts were sent to the Galactic Empire. When things had somewhat calmed down, you took some time to rest before you had to make the trip back home.

Fortunately, since you were a well-known guest, you were allowed to roam the palace, under supervision. On one of your outings, you had made your way to an almost hidden waterfall. It was one of the most beautiful things that you've ever seen. You were about to make your way closer to it when you were called to the throne room. You took a deep breath and followed the servant there. When you got there, you saw Brother Day sitting alone in the room. You gave a small but warm smile and a bow and he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"You wanted to see me," you asked, trying to hide your surprise.

"Yes. I wanted to discuss something with you. That's why my brothers aren't present, at the moment."

You took another deep breath and braced yourself for whatever he wanted to talk about.

'You've been here for quite some time, isn't that right?"

"Yes, Empire. 50 years I've been on Trantor."

"And in those 50 years, would you say we've grown accustomed to each other?"

The question caught you off guard and your eyes made their way to the floor as you pondered for a moment. He took this opportunity to stand up from his throne and walk over to you.,

"Look at me," he said, gently.

You raise your head to look at him. He moved closer and lightly held his fingers underneath your chin.

"You are not to look down in my presence. I think very highly of you so I do not want you to look at my feet. Is that understood," he asked in a firm, yet warm tone.

"Yes, Empire."

He rubbed his thumb up and down across her chin.

"Would you do whatever I asked you to?"

You felt your ears grow hot as you said, "Within reason, Empire."

He dropped his hand and lazily looked around. He messed with the cuff of his sleeve before responding.

"Would you kneel for me?"

The heat moved down to your cheeks and neck and you felt your heart start to race. "Yes, Empire. I would."

He turned around and walked back to his throne, gesturing for you to follow him. Once he sat down, he slowly looked you up and down.

"I want you to kneel without breaking eye contact."

It took all your willpower not to show how much your legs were starting to tremble as you slowly got on your knees. You watched as his eyes look down and it just made your heart beat faster. He thought for a moment before getting up again. Once he was inches from her, he held his hand out to brush the back of his knuckles against your cheek.

"You look so beautiful like this," he softly remarked.

He let his hand move down and his thumb brushed across her lips and he felt her suck in her breath. He closed his eyes and let out a low moan before moving his hand away.

"Are you busy, this evening," he asked.

"I am always busy, Empire."

You silently cursed at how breathy your voice had become, hoping he didn't hear it.

"I'd like to see you in my quarters, after dinner. Can you do that for me?" He knelt down and lifted your chin, bringing his face closer to yours. He was so close, you could feel his breath against your lips.

"Yes. I can do that, Empire."

"Excellent."

He moved back and held his hand out for you to take it. You placed yours in his and he helped you up. He placed his free hand on your waist, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I look forward to seeing you then," he said with a wink.

Tagging: @briefgalaxycat, @dreamyjaguar, @omg-hellgirl, @snakesofindia-sursesaji, @catz4ever

(I haven't written in a long time and this is my first fic of this series so comments would be greatly appreciated. I hope you all enjoyed reading this ^^)

[daneelsolivaw]

Below, the first part of my AU fic that occurs after Prelude to Foundation. Can be interpreted in either of my AUs, either with Elijah being an android or being human and miraculously kept alive by fate itself. Not important! All that matters here is the fluff. Enjoy, and prepare for part 2! Will be on AO3 shortly. 

Elijah let out a satisfied sigh. After a long series of months leading the young mathematician Hari Seldon around Trantor, they were finally able to rest.  Daneel had taken a leave in the palace, easily admissible now that Cleon would have Hari Seldon working for him, and wouldn’t have to go to the palace, barring emergencies, for an entire week. 

He sat on the single couch of their studio apartment, idly scrolling through various new sources and chuckling when he came across an editorial posted by Daneel, scathing in such a way that stood in great contrast to his actual character. There was no window with the dawn shining in to signify it was morning, but the digital clock on the wall across the room showed that it was 5:30 am. 

Daneel was currently at their shared apartment, dressed in his guise as Chetter Hummin (he was not relieved of these particular responsibilities for the week), but noticeably acting more fluid, more naturally, than he did around strangers. Elijah reflected on how the brightness of his husband’s being seemed to illuminate the room better than any old window ever could. 

“I see you’re in the news again.”

Daneel put down the small cake he was decorating in the kitchen and looked towards Elijah.

“Why is that?”

Elijah made his way around the corner leading into their small kitchenette, glancing down at a small glowing tablet. 

“Complaining about the recent comments made by Cleon I alluding to his indifference towards the outer worlds. But they’re blaming you, naturally.”

“Surprising. I thought they would have started complaining so much sooner. Although you should not be surprised that I am the target of the vitriol of the masses. I wouldn’t have it any other way, in my current position.” 

“I don’t like to see anyone hold you in such disdain.”

Daneel gave a small smile, continuing his task at hand. “If I were on the other side of the Imperial throne, I would hold a similar disdain for the government. Regardless of any improvements over the previous ruling class.”

“I, for one,” he gave his husband a soft peck, “Think that everyone would love you if they got to know you.”

“Is that so?” Another small smile. 

 “I’m almost certain.Think they’d like your cakes, too.”

“It certainly makes it easier when there is only one person that you’re required to please.”

“Required is a bit of a strong term, I think, Daneel.” 

“I would like to make a good first impression,” he paused, reflecting, “I fear that his initial impression of me was derailed by the persona I was forced to employ. Although he did seem very receptive to the idea of meeting together now that he is fully aware of both of our identities.” 

They were to host a small get-together with Hari Seldon and their daughter, Dors Venabili, in the afternoon ahead. It was just a week ago that Hari had deciphered Daneel’s true identity, in succinct detail, and further details were elaborated upon by Daneel. It was beneficial for their cause, and for Psychohistory, that Hari knew the truth, but if they wanted this relationship to be of merit, they would have to spend more time together. And getting to know each other properly. 

Daneel had personally stated to Elijah that he felt some insecurity about the way he had presented himself now being so contradicted by his true nature and personality. While there were obvious intersections, his persona as Chetter Hummin, as with most personas, did not represent his whole self, and he would prefer that he conversed with Hari as himself rather than in a disguise, especially since Seldon could see through this disguise now so easily. Additionally, because it was more comfortable for Daneel to do so. 

Elijah nodded. “Right, and it’ll be good to get to know him better myself. For obvious reasons. You’ve seen the way he looks at Dors.”

“I have. And the way that she looks at him in turn.” 

“Suggesting, in my mind, that perhaps this is what this meeting is really about. And that maybe,” Elijah put a hand over his husband’s, “We aren’t the only ones trying to make a good impression.”

“Perhaps.” Daneel said, leaning in for a kiss, which Elijah readily accepted. Breaking apart, Elijah noticed the nervous look on Daneel’s face had persisted. He decided to delve deeper.

“Hey,” Elijah extended a hand, which Daneel returned, gripping somewhat tightly, “I understand that it’s unusual for us to have someone who knows the truth. The truth is a delicate thing, especially when you have to conceal it for so long.”

Elijah sighed. “But that’s just it. This is an opportunity where we can just be ourselves with someone who admires you, Daneel, and who shares the same goals. And in any case, haven’t you already proven yourself to Seldon? He seems to really trust you with very little influence.”

Nodding, Daneel relinquished his duty and leaned into his husband’s arms. It was peculiarly these things, regarding human interactions and pleasing others, that were often the most difficult for Daneel to handle. He still possessed the lingering sense of a need to serve the individual, regardless of the years. “No influence. I have completely held my mental abilities back. I see no further reason to utilize them. And I do not want to,” he sighed in a human fashion, “I want Seldon to appreciate his work for what it is and feel truly compelled to help the galaxy. It is important that this matters to him as much as it matters to me.”

“Then you’re in luck. He’s on our side, and I think we’ll make a good team.” He wrapped his arms around his husband’s waist, “All four of us.” 

“Oh?” Daneel cocked his head in a characteristic manner, then continued working at the cake, still being held loosely within Elijah’s arms, “That is another  matter. Dors will be staying with us for the next couple of days. I was able to assist her in achieving a momentary leave from the university. I know how much you miss her. You haven’t had the opportunity to see her as much as I have recently.”

“It’ll be nice to have her around. She keeps life interesting.”

“She and Hari both share an idiosyncratic sense of spontaneity. It’s enough to get them into trouble more often than I desire, but it has been no surprise to me that they’ve become close. Are you doing anything interesting today?”

“No work. I’ve got some papers to review. Could be doing that right now, but I’m not,” another small kiss, “There are more important things to do until... what time do you leave again?”

Daneel smiled. “Not for a couple of hours.” He gave his husband a mischievous look. “Why do you ask?”

“Maybe do I have a couple of plans, at least for the next few hours. If you’d like to join me?”

The android, more commonly red-haired but at the moment whose hair was dark brown, turned 180 degrees and wrapped his arms around his husband in return. 

“I’d love to.”

-----------------------

Later that day, while sitting in one of the keenly-maintained parks within the Imperial district. Elijah received a incoming message from Dors. 

As a precaution, he put up a distortion field, then answered her call. 

A hologram quickly faded in in front of him, amusingly unseen by surrounding passerbys. Occasionally, a person would walk by and would pass straight through her image, causing momentary distortion. 

She greeted him with an enthusiastic digital grin. “Hello Elijah. I hope all is well with you.” 

Elijah grinned, adjusting a bit in his seat to he could be more level with the projection of Dors’s hologram. “Always. I certainly hope you’re not calling to cancel.”

“Not at all! Hari and I are both very excited to come over tonight, and I, of course, for the days following that you have given me permission to stay with you. Hari has been a bit anxious about the whole ordeal, of course. He was never close with his own family and I think a family dynamic such as ours is unfamiliar to him.”

Elijah nodded his head. “I’m sure it’s unfamiliar in many ways. It might help to say that he’s not the only one who’s nervous.”

“I could guess. You wouldn’t believe how often I’ve communicated with Daneel in the past 24 hours. He really reveres Hari and their interaction is important to him. I told him that there is nothing to worry about. Hari is a total dork-- it doesn’t take much to impress him. I mean this with love, naturally.”

“He reminds me a lot of myself when I was his age.”

Dors smirked. “Or now, depending upon who you ask.”

“Fair point.” Both remained quiet after this, Elijah noticing that Dors was shifting a bit nervously in her seat. He figured a question was coming, and through all of his years of experience, he could guess what it was about. 

Dors broke the silence. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to ask, but I suppose it’s worth a shot. Do you think it would be alright if Hari stayed with us for the next few days. I know you don’t exactly have the largest apartment, but we could work out another lodging arrangement if necessary. I just want to take advantage of the time all four of us can spend together.”

Bingo. “Of course he can. We have a couch, if that’s sufficient. Not really much else. We do have our own kitchen now, which Daneel is thrilled about.”

“Completely sufficient. Hari is low-maintenance, I’m sure he can manage. Do you think Daneel will be okay with this?”

Elijah wave a hand. “Of course. Absolutely no problem at all. Just let us know anything we can do to make Hari more comfortable. Or let me know, because Daneel will go all out and Hari might end up feeling too comfortable and moving in with us. Not that we’d mind.”

“Oh, I understand completely. Thank you so much, Elijah. I, we, are looking forward to seeing you both tonight.”

The connection cut. Elijah’s thoughts immediately went to the next few days, and what it would be like to have someone so young, and human, around the apartment. It will be interesting, for many reasons. Most pertinent, to see how Seldon’s relationship with Dors would develop. 

Distracted by his thoughts, Elijah put away the papers he was reading and prepared to head home. There were more important things to work on this afternoon. 

,

“ 

[ninja-muse]

Science Fiction Recommendation Masterpost

$ for LGBT characters £ for characters of colour € for characters with disabilities * for problematic content ! for #ownvoices

(all based on my slightly spotty memory, so feel free to correct if I’ve missed something)

Does not include time travel, superheroes, or alternate history.

Classics

1984 - George Orwell

Winston is a patriot, until a chance encounter and his job altering history start him thinking. Big Brother, it turns out, isn’t acting in his best interests.

A Canticle for Leibowitz - Walter Miller

In the centuries after a nuclear war, a group of desert monks have devoted themselves to preserving scientific knowledge with the hope of someday rebuilding civilization.

The Chrysalids - John Wyndham *

In a Newfoundland rife with religious fundamentalism and genetic mutation, a boy, his cousin, and his sister must hide their telepathy or risk everything to live freely.

Dune - Frank Herbert $*£*

Even before fleeing to the open desert of Arakkis and its taciturn worm-riding nomads, Paul Atreides’ life was fraught with danger. Now he must use his understanding of people and politics to weather everything his world can throw at him, including sandstorms, a baron with a grudge, and those who want him to be a prophesied hero.

Foundation - Isaac Asimov

Hari Seldon has designed a program that predicts the paths of civilization. What better way to test it than to start a utopian colony at the furthest edge of known space?

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

Victor Frankenstein is fascinated by anatomy and determined to prove resurrection possible. Once he succeeds, he’s equally determined to get as far from the sentient corpse as he can, when all the Creature wants is a hug and someone to talk to.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

When Arthur Dent woke up, he thought the bulldozer levelling his house was the worst his day could get. By teatime, he’s halfway across the galaxy on a ship that runs on probability, with his alien best friend, the two-headed President of the Galaxy, and a depressed robot—and things are just getting started.

I, Robot - Isaac Asimov

A series of short stories that outlines the evolution of robotic technology and society around it.

The Planet of the Apes - Pierre Bowles

An astronaut crashes on an alien planet populated by sentient, speaking great apes. They put him in a zoo until he proves he’s not an animal. A brilliant examination of race and what it means to be human.

Space Opera

the Expanse series - James S.A. Corey $£€

Humanity has colonized the solar system, but hasn’t fixed its other problems. The Belters are disenfranchised and preparing a rebellion. Earth and Mars are in a paranoid arms race. Corporations can do just about anything they want. Throw in a terrifying virus, an alien threat, and a space crew who do the right thing and damn the consequences, and things are about to get very interesting.

Fortuna - Kristyn Merbeth - $ - *

Scorpia Kaiser is a screw-up, the family pilot, and out to prove she has what it takes to take over smuggling operations from Mama. Corvus Kaiser, exiled from his family to fight a war he doesn’t believe in, is finally coming home. Then a smuggling deal goes massively south and suddenly, what was going to be a difficult time becomes much, much worse.

the Saga series - Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples $£€

An inter-species family flees the military powers tearing the galaxy apart. Their luck goes up. Their luck goes down. They meet the best and worst the galaxy can offer—and through it all, a little girl grows up. A nuanced look at prejudice, hope, and love.

the Shieldrunner Pirates series - R.E. Stearns $£€

A lesbian couple arrives at the pirate base on Barbary Station expecting a welcome to the crew, but are assigned to take out the murderous station A.I. instead. As much about social skills and interpersonal dynamics as it is about guns and hacking.

the Vorkosigan Saga - Lois McMaster Bujold $*£€

How do you solve a problem like Miles Vorkosigan? He’s too smart for his own good, too impulsive and progressive for his military culture, surely too disabled to amount to anything. And he (and his accidental mercenary fleet) are going to prove everyone wrong. Dryly witty and generally feminist.

Horror, Apocalypses, and Dystopias

The Rampart Trilogy - M.R. Carey $£€

Koli wants more than his future offers, starting with becoming a Rampart, with control of ancient technology. His attempts to change his cards send him on an unforgettable journey of discovery.

Devolution - Max Brooks $£€

An elite sustainable community outside Seattle finds itself stranded after Mount Rainier erupts—and there are creatures in the forest. Hairy ones, with big feet.

The Girl with All the Gifts - M.R. Carey £

Melanie gets up, goes to school, eats her food, and idolises her teacher just like any pre-teen. However, when her school’s attacked by Hungries and she, her teacher, a doctor, and the surviving soldiers have to flee, Melanie begins to realise she’s … not exactly normal after all.

The Giver - Lois Lowry

When Jonah turns twelve, his regimented community assigns him to apprentice to the Keeper of Memories. The memories Jonah receives throw everything he knows into question, and he must choose between the quiet life laid out for him and the emotion and independence he’s discovering.

The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood

In a world where most women are sterile, Handmaids are stripped of their identity and given out as surrogate wombs. This is Offred’s story of oppression, resistance, and escape.

the Hunger Games trilogy - Susanne Collins £€

In an America where teens fight to the death for entertainment and the survival of their District, Katniss Everdeen volunteers—and finds herself the unwilling face of the rebellion.

Into the Drowning Deep - Mira Grant $£€ !

Was the terror on the Atargatis a hoax? Are there mermaids deep in the Pacific? A ship full of scientists has been sent to find out. They are not prepared.

the Newsflesh trilogy - Mira Grant $£€ *

A generation after the zombie apocalypse, humanity’s secure behind blood tests and heightened security and Georgia and Shaun Mason, and their Newflesh team, have been hired to blog the Presidential campaign, which is perfect until the first outbreak. Conspiracies, mad and sane science, and social critique ensue.

the Parasitology trilogy - Mira Grant $£€

Sal awoke from her coma to a family she didn’t remember, a body that wouldn’t respond, and restrictions on her autonomy that seriously chafe. Now she’s on her feet and resisting, but at the worst time. People are starting to die from their miracle-cure tapeworm implants and it’s looking like Sal’s implant might be … different.

the Passage trilogy - Justin Cronin £

A century ago, a virus turned most of humanity into bloodsucking monsters or food. Now the descendants of a group of survivors must strike out across a wasteland, looking for a safe new home. Better and darker than it sounds. Christian overtones.

The Space Between Worlds - Mikaiah Johnson $£ !

Cara’s climbed out of the toxic slums and into a job as a traverser, visiting parallel worlds and capturing data. She’s this close to having all her dreams—and then she uncovers a murder.

Other

Blindsight - Peter Watts

An independent observer is sent on a first contact mission, but the aliens and the secrets on board push him into a completely different role. About perception and ethics more than anything else, and I nearly “shelved” it in the horror section.

Congo - Michael Crichton £*

A team of scientists push deep into the African jungle in search of a society of mythical sentient gorillas, but the jungle pushes back.

The Diamond Age, or, a Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer - Neal Stephenson £€

An inventor misplaces a one-of-a-kind book. A girl from the slums finds it and it changes her life. A nearly Dickensian future full of hope, tenacity, vim, and nanotech.

Eifelheim - Michael Flynn

An alien ship crashes in the medieval Black Forest and the village priest, steeped in heretical philosophy and medieval science, must intercede between the survivors and the peasants who see only demons.

The Martian - Andy Weir £

Mark Watney wakes up to find he’s been left behind on Mars. Fortunately he’s a botanist, he’s smart, and he has potatoes. A thrilling survival story paired with hilariously explained science that will leave you believing it already happened.

Passage - Connie Willis €

Joanna Lander is a psychologist studying near-death experiences, which is hard when you never know who in the hospital will have one. When a new (and cute) neurologist finds a way to induce them, she turns to the closest subject she can find—herself. The most heart-wrenching of Willis’s novels.

Shine - Jetse de Vries, ed. £

An anthology of optimistic, uplifting science fiction, with stories ranging from space opera to solarpunk and everything in between.

Snowcrash - Neal Stephenson £

Hiro Protagonist is the hacker’s hacker. There’s a virus in the Metaverse that’s killing people and he’s on the case. At least when he’s not delivering pizza. Both glorious cyberpunk and a send-up of the same.

[allbestnet]

What are the best science fiction novels?

1. Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1)) by Orson Scott Card (1985; 375 pages)

Hugo Award for Best Novel (1986), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1985)

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast.

2. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (1979; 224 pages)

“The quality of any advice anybody has to offer has to be judged against the quality of life they actually lead.”

“Simple. I got very bored and depressed, so I went and plugged myself in to its external computer feed. I talked to the computer at great length and explained my view of the Universe to it," said Marvin. "And what happened?" pressed Ford. "It committed suicide," said Marvin and stalked off back to the Heart of Gold.”

Seconds before Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together, this dynamic pair began a journey through space aided by a galaxyful of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed, ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian (formerly Tricia McMillan), Zaphod’s girlfriend, whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; and Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he’s bought over the years.

Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? For all the answers, stick your thumb to the stars!

3. Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #1) by Dan Simmons (1989; 481 pages)

Hugo Award for Best Novel (1990), Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1990)

“In the beginning was the Word. Then came the fucking word processor. Then came the thought processor. Then came the death of literature. And so it goes.”

On the world called Hyperion, beyond the law of the Hegemony of Man, there waits the creature called the Shrike. There are those who worship it. There are those who fear it. And there are those who have vowed to destroy it. In the Valley of the Time Tombs, where huge, brooding structures move backward through time, the Shrike waits for them all. On the eve of Armageddon, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set forth on a final voyage to Hyperion seeking the answers to the unsolved riddles of their lives. Each carries a desperate hope—and a terrible secret. And one may hold the fate of humanity in his hands.

4. Dune by Frank Herbert (1965 ; 592 pages)

Herbert's evocative, epic tale is set on the desert planet Arrakis, the focus for a complex political and military struggle with galaxy-wide repercussions. Arrakis is the source of spice, a mind enhancing drug which makes interstellar travel possible, and therefore the most valuable substance in the galaxy. When Duke Atreides and his family take up court there, they fall into a trap set by his rival, Baron Harkonnen. The Duke is poisoned, but his wife and her son Paul escape to the vast and arid deserts of Arrakis, which have given it the name Dune. They join the Fremen, natives of the planet who have learnt to live in this harsh and complex ecosystem. But learning to survive is not enough - Paul's destiny was mapped out long ago and his mother is committed to seeing it fulfilled.

5. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (1968 ; 208 pages)

“You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity. At some time, every creature which lives must do so. It is the ultimate shadow, the defeat of creation; this is the curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life. Everywhere in the universe.”

It was January 2021, and Rick Deckard had a license to kill. Somewhere among the hordes of humans out there, lurked several rogue androids. Deckard's assignment--find them and then..."retire" them. Trouble was, the androids all looked exactly like humans, and they didn't want to be found!

6. Foundation by Isaac Asimov (1951 ; 296 pages)

“Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.”

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”

“For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future -- to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire -- both scientists and scholars -- and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for a future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.

But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. Mankind's last best hope is faced with an agonizing choice: submit to the barbarians and be overrun -- or fight them and be destroyed.”

7. Ready Player One (Ready Player One #1) by Ernest Cline (2011 ; 374 pages)

Prometheus Award for Best Novel (2012)

“In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.”

8. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932 ; 288 pages)

“But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.”

Brave New World is a dystopian novel written in 1931 by English author Aldous Huxley, and published in 1932. Largely set in a futuristic World State of genetically modified citizens and an intelligence-based social hierarchy, the novel anticipates huge scientific developments in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation, and classical conditioning that are combined to make a utopian society that goes challenged only by a single outsider.

9. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953 ; 159 pages)

“Ray Bradbury’s internationally acclaimed novel Fahrenheit 451 is a masterwork of twentieth-century literature set in a bleak, dystopian future.

Guy Montag is a fireman. In his world, where television rules and literature is on the brink of extinction, firemen start fires rather than put them out. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden.

Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family.” But then he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television.

When Mildred attempts suicide and Clarisse suddenly disappears, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known. He starts hiding books in his home, and when his pilfering is discovered, the fireman has to run for his life.”

10. The Martian by Andy Weir (2012; 387 pages)

“ABOUT THE MARTIAN

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?”

11. Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984; 288 pages)

“The Matrix is a world within the world, a global consensus-hallucination, the representation of every byte of data in cyberspace...

Henry Dorsett Case was the sharpest data-thief in the business—until a vengeful ex-employer crippled his nervous system. Now a mysterious new employer has recruited him for a last-chance run. The target: an unthinkably powerful artificial intelligence orbiting Earth. With a dead man riding shotgun and Molly, mirror-eyed street-samurai, to watch his back, Case embarks on an adventure that ups the ante on an entire genre of fiction.”

12. Artemis by Andy Weir (2017; 320 pages)

“Jazz Bashara is a criminal.

Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent.

Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first”

13. The Time Machine by H. G. Wells (first published 1895, 128 pages)

“Nature never appeals to intelligence until habit and instinct are useless. There is no intelligence where there is no need of change.”

So begins the Time Traveller’s astonishing firsthand account of his journey 800,000 years beyond his own era—and the story that launched H.G. Wells’s successful career and earned him his reputation as the father of science fiction. With a speculative leap that still fires the imagination, Wells sends his brave explorer to face a future burdened with our greatest hopes...and our darkest fears. A pull of the Time Machine’s lever propels him to the age of a slowly dying Earth. There he discovers two bizarre races—the ethereal Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks—who not only symbolize the duality of human nature, but offer a terrifying portrait of the men of tomorrow as well. Published in 1895, this masterpiece of invention captivated readers on the threshold of a new century. Thanks to Wells’s expert storytelling and provocative insight, The Time Machinewill continue to enthrall readers for generations to come.

14. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (1992)

“One of Time’s 100 best English-language novels • A mind-altering romp through a future America so bizarre, so outrageous—you’ll recognize it immediately

In reality, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for Uncle Enzo’s CosoNostra Pizza Inc., but in the Metaverse he’s a warrior prince. Plunging headlong into the enigma of a new computer virus that’s striking down hackers everywhere, he races along the neon-lit streets on a search-and-destroy mission for the shadowy virtual villain threatening to bring about infocalypse. Snow Crash is a mind-altering romp through a future America so bizarre, so outrageous…you’ll recognize it immediately.”

15. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman (1974)

“The Earth's leaders have drawn a line in the interstellar sand--despite the fact that the fierce alien enemy they would oppose is inscrutable, unconquerable, and very far away. A reluctant conscript drafted into an elite Military unit, Private William Mandella has been propelled through space and time to fight in the distant thousand-year conflict; to perform his duties and do whatever it takes to survive the ordeal and return home. But "home" may be even more terrifying than battle, because, thanks to the time dilation caused by space travel, Mandella is aging months while the Earth he left behind is aging centuries...”

16. 2001 : A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke (first published 1968)

On the Moon, an enigma is uncovered.

So great are the implications of this discovery that for the first time men are sent out deep into our solar system.

But long before their destination is reached, things begin to go horribly, inexplicably wrong...

One of the greatest-selling science fiction novels of our time, this classic book will grip you to the very end.

17. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin (first published 2007)

1967: Ye Wenjie witnesses Red Guards beat her father to death during China's Cultural Revolution. This singular event will shape not only the rest of her life but also the future of mankind. Four decades later, Beijing police ask nanotech engineer Wang Miao to infiltrate a secretive cabal of scientists after a spate of inexplicable suicides. Wang's investigation will lead him to a mysterious online game and immerse him in a virtual world ruled by the intractable and unpredicatable interaction of its three suns. This is the Three-Body Problem and it is the key to everything: the key to the scientists' deaths, the key to a conspiracy that spans light-years and the key to the extinction-level threat humanity now faces.

18. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (1950)

The three laws of Robotics: 1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

But what happens when a rogue robot's idea of what is good for society contravenes the Three Laws?

19. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem (first published 1961 | 224 pages)

A classic work of science fiction by renowned Polish novelist and satirist Stanislaw Lem.

When Kris Kelvin arrives at the planet Solaris to study the ocean that covers its surface, he finds a painful, hitherto unconscious memory embodied in the living physical likeness of a long-dead lover. Others examining the planet, Kelvin learns, are plagued with their own repressed and newly corporeal memories. The Solaris ocean may be a massive brain that creates these incarnate memories, though its purpose in doing so is unknown, forcing the scientists to shift the focus of their quest and wonder if they can truly understand the universe without first understanding what lies within their hearts.

20. A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M Miller (first published 1959 | 334 pages)

In a nightmarish ruined world slowly awakening to the light after sleeping in darkness, the infant rediscoveries of science are secretly nourished by cloistered monks dedicated to the study and preservation of the relics and writings of the blessed Saint Isaac Leibowitz. From here the story spans centuries of ignorance, violence, and barbarism, viewing through a sharp, satirical eye the relentless progression of a human race damned by its inherent humanness to recelebrate its grand foibles and repeat its grievous mistakes. Seriously funny, stunning, and tragic, eternally fresh, imaginative, and altogether remarkable, A Canticle for Leibowitz retains its ability to enthrall and amaze. It is now, as it always has been, a masterpiece.

21. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (2014 | 443 pages)

Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space—and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe—in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.

22. Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke (first published 1953 | 218 pages )

Without warning, giant silver ships from deep space appear in the skies above every major city on Earth. Manned by the Overlords, in fifty years, they eliminate ignorance, disease, and poverty. Then this golden age ends--and then the age of Mankind begins....

23. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (first published 1897)

This masterpiece of science fiction is the fascinating story of Griffin, a scientist who creates a serum to render himself invisible, and his descent into madness that follows.

24. Red Mars (Mars Trilogy #1) by Kim Stanley Robinson (first published 1993)

John Boone, Maya Toitavna, Frank Chalmers, and Arkady Bogdanov lead a mission whose ultimate goal is the terraforming of Mars. For some, Mars will become a passion driving them to daring acts of courage and madness; for others it offers and opportunity to strip the planet of its riches. And for the genetic "alchemists, " Mars presents a chance to create a biomedical miracle, a breakthrough that could change all we know about life...and death.

25. Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson (first published 1999 | 1139 pages)

Cryptonomicon zooms all over the world, careening conspiratorially back and forth between two time periods--World War II and the present. Our 1940s heroes are the brilliant mathematician Lawrence Waterhouse, crypt analyst extraordinaire, and gung-ho, morphine-addicted marine Bobby Shaftoe. They're part of Detachment 2702, an Allied group trying to break Axis communication codes while simultaneously preventing the enemy from figuring out that their codes have been broken. Their job boils down to layer upon layer of deception. Dr. Alan Turing is also a member of 2702, and he explains the unit's strange workings to Waterhouse. "When we want to sink a convoy, we send out an observation plane first... Of course, to observe is not its real duty--we already know exactly where the convoy is. Its real duty is to be observed... Then, when we come round and sink them, the Germans will not find it suspicious."

26. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick (1962)

Hugo Award for Best Novel (1963)

It's America in 1962. Slavery is legal once again. The few Jews who still survive hide under assumed names. In San Francisco the I Ching is as common as the Yellow Pages. All because some 20 years earlier the United States lost a war, and is now occupied jointly by Nazi Germany and Japan.

27. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein (1961)

Hugo Award for Best Novel (1962), Prometheus Hall of Fame Award (1987)

“Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy - in fact, they are almost incompatible; one emotion hardly leaves room for the other.”

The Hugo Award-winning and controversial science fiction masterpiece from Robert A. Heinlein, the New York Times bestselling author of Starship Troopers. Valentine Michael Smith is a man raised by Martians. Sent to Earth, he must learn what it is to be human. But his beliefs and his powers far exceed the limits of man, and his arrival leads to a transformation that will alter Earth's inhabitants forever...

28. The Martian Chronicles by Ray D Bradbury (1950)

Bradbury's Mars is a place of hope, dreams and metaphor - of crystal pillars and fossil seas - where a fine dust settles on the great, empty cities of a silently destroyed civilization. It is here the invaders have come to despoil and commercialize, to grow and to learn - first a trickle, then a torrent, rushing from a world with no future toward a promise of tomorrow. The Earthman conquers Mars...and then is conquered by it, lulled by dangerous lies of comfort and familiarity, and enchanted by the lingering glamour of an ancient, mysterious native race.

29. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (1966)

“I don’t know what’s worse: to not know what you are and be happy, or to become what you’ve always wanted to be, and feel alone.”

The story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment seems to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance--until Algernon begins his sudden, unexpected deterioration. Will the same happen to Charlie?

30. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (Published in 1897)

With H.G. Wells’ other novels, The War of the Worlds was one of the first and greatest works of science fiction ever to be written. Even long before man had learned to fly, H.G. Wells wrote this story of the Martian attack on England. These unearthly creatures arrive in huge cylinders, from which they escape as soon as the metal is cool…

31. Ringworld by Larry Niven (1970)

A new place is being built, a world of huge dimensions, encompassing millions of miles, stronger than any planet before it. There is gravity, and with high walls and its proximity to the sun, a livable new planet that is three million times the area of the Earth can be formed. We can start again!

Hugo Award for Best Novel (1971), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1970), Locus Award for Best Novel (1971)

32. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein (1966)

It is a tale of revolution, of the rebellion of a former penal colony on the Moon against its masters on the Earth. It is a tale of a culture whose family structures are based on the presence of two men for every woman, leading to novel forms of marriage and family. It is the story of the disparate people, a computer technician, a vigorous young female agitator, and an elderly academic who become the movement's leaders, and of Mike, the supercomputer whose sentience is known only to the revolt's inner circle, who for reasons of his own is committed to the revolution's ultimate success.

The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson (1995)

The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer is a postcyberpunk novel by Neal Stephenson. It is to some extent a science fiction coming-of-age story, focused on a young girl named Nell, and set in a future world in which nanotechnology affects all aspects of life. The novel deals with themes of education, social class, ethnicity, and the nature of artificial intelligence.

34. A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge (1992)

Thousands of years hence, many races inhabit a universe where a mind's potential is determined by its location in space, from superintelligent entities in the Transcend, to the limited minds of the Unthinking Depths, where only simple creatures and technology can function. Nobody knows what strange force partitioned space into these "regions of thought," but when the warring Straumli realm use an ancient Transcendent artifact as a weapon, they unwittingly unleash an awesome power that destroys thousands of worlds and enslaves all natural and artificial intelligence. Fleeing the threat, a family of scientists, including two children, are taken captive by the Tines, an alien race with a harsh medieval culture, and used as pawns in a ruthless power struggle. A rescue mission, not entirely composed of humans, must rescue the children-and a secret that may save the rest of interstellar civilization.

35. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (1974)

Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action. he will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have isolated his planet of anarchists from the rest of the civilized universe. To do this dangerous task will mean giving up his family and possibly his life. Shevek must make the unprecedented journey to the utopian mother planet, Anarres, to challenge the complex structures of life and living, and ignite the fires of change.

36. The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (1974)

In 3016, the 2nd Empire of Man spans hundreds of star systems, thanks to the faster-than-light Alderson Drive. No other intelligent beings have ever been encountered, not until a lightsail probe enters a human system carrying a dead alien. The probe is traced to the Mote, an isolated star in a thick dust cloud, & an expedition is dispatched. In the Mote the humans find an ancient civilization--at least one million years old--that has always been bottled up in their cloistered solar system for lack of a star drive. The Moties are welcoming & kind, yet rather evasive about certain aspects of their society. It seems the Moties have a dark problem, one they've been unable to solve in over a million years.

37. The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

In this pulse-quickening novel, Alfred Bester imagines a future in which people "jaunte" a thousand miles with a single thought, where the rich barricade themselves in labyrinths and protect themselves with radioactive hit men - and where an inarticulate outcast is the most valuable and dangerous man alive. The Stars My Destination is a classic of technological prophecy and timeless narrative enchantment by an acknowledged master of science fiction.

[swipestream]

Short Reviews – …And Now You Don’t (Part 1 of 3), by Isaac Asimov

…And Now You Don’t, by Isaac Asimov, was serialized in three parts beginning with the November 1949 issue of Astounding. It was later anthologized as the second half of the book “Second Foundation”. It can be read here at Archive.org.

It is exactly as exciting as it looks.

This is it, guys! One of the touchstone sagas of Campbell’s Astounding and the Golden Age of Science Fiction. A hallmark series of one of the Big Three of Science Fiction: Isaac Asimov’s Foundation!

And, oh my god, this boring as crap!

40-odd pages of the first installment of “…And Now You Don’t”, and nothing happens!

Chapter 1: A girl writes a term paper on the Seldon Plan.

Chapter 2: Two telepathic egg-heads from the Second Foundation have a conversation about the Seldon Plan.

Chapter 3: Five non-telepathic egg-heads have a conversation about the Seldon Plan and the possible existence of and interference by a Second Foundation.

Chapter 4: Having done some math during chapter 3 when the First Foundation egg-heads were talking, the Second Foundation egg-heads have a conversation about the results of the aforementioned equations and their bearing on the Seldon Plan.

Chapter 5: After further discussion, it is determined that the stuttering Stanley of First Foundation egg-heads will go off to the Mule’s world and look into possible Second Foundation interference with the First Foundation under false pretenses. The girl from chapter one, however, had been spying in on daddy’s plans to save the once-and-future galactic empire and stowed away on the dork’s space-ship.

To be continued!

Depicted: The Second Foundation

For those who don’t know, Foundation was Asimov’s chronicles of a galactic empire, particularly the period between the first and second (think the conflict period between the early and latter Han, only in space, over several centuries, and apparently very boring). Hari Seldon had a master plan to ensure that the period between the collapse of one galactic empire and the resurrection of a second empire was only a matter of a single millennia rather than 30-odd millennia.

A very simplified version is the First Foundation would work hard works while a Second Foundation would think hard thinks, and eventually, the thinky men of the Second Foundation would be able to step in and be the psycho-science think masters of the new galactic empire the First Foundation had built and maintained the framework for. Unfortunately, it would be disaster if the First Foundation found out about the Second Foundation or develop advanced thinky-thinks for themselves, because then the First Foundation might get lazy or something.

The teenage girl writing a term paper on the previous serials was seriously not the worst way to catch readers up on the backstory, and had the space and verbiage been significantly less between her recap interrupted by a mysterious stranger showing up to talk to her father about the Second Foundation and her sneaking onto a space ship to go investigate the mystery, there might be a worthwhile story that could be told here. But lord all mighty, this was slow as chunks! And the guy who’s set up to be the point-man for the adventure with the gal is such a loser that he’s barely even a character until the last chapter of the installment! The mysterious stranger who came in through the girl’s window is just there to deliver the message; after the egg-heads’ conversation about what needs to be done re: the Second Foundation, will he even be important anymore? Who knows!?

As an editor myself, I DO see the potential in this story, but John W. Campbell was not the sort of dude who would say “Maybe three chapters of people sitting around talking is a bit much between the chapter introducing the heroine and the heroine going off unto adventure…” to rein a brother in.

I’ll maintain what I’ve said in the past about Asimov—I absolutely love every piece of non-fiction I’ve read by him. He was a smart man and a talented essayist with a knack for making scientific concepts accessible to the curious layperson. But he is also probably one of the worst fiction writers I have ever read.

Short Reviews – …And Now You Don’t (Part 1 of 3), by Isaac Asimov published first on https://medium.com/@ReloadedPCGames

[lnrdc]

meat!hari ✨

[ishouldreadthat]

  I’ve been thinking about doing this for awhile.  Science fiction is such an incredibly rich genre, but it’s hard to figure out where to start!  Whether you’ve been a fan of sci-fi TV and movies or just curious to dip a toe into a new genre, I promise that there’s something out there for you!

  The following is a list of science fiction books tailored to people who want to start reading sci-fi.  I’m not listing YA books here because honestly there are so many people out there who are far more knowledgeable about YA than me.

  I want to start with the classics

Foundation or I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

  You can’t get much more classic than Asimov.  I’ve included two very different books here because it all depends on what you like.  There are other great early sci-fi writers, but I have only read a few and find some of their work a little problematic for a modern audience (ahem, Stranger in a Strange Land).

If you want a space opera (sprawling, epic stories that focus more on drama.  Think Star Wars), Foundation is a great place to start:

  For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future — to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire — both scientists and scholars — and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for a future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.

But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. Mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing choice: submit to the barbarians and be overrun — or fight them and be destroyed.

  Full of twists and turns, Foundation was written as a series of vignettes in the late 1940’s.  It’s incredible to look back and see just how much Asimov influenced modern science fiction in all its forms. Some people find him to be a bit dated and dull, but I didn’t think this was the case at all.  There are three books in the original trilogy, but Asimov went back and expanded the series later in life so you’ll have plenty of reading material.

  If you’re more into the tech side of things, I, Robot is a great place to start:

  The three laws of Robotics:

1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

With these three, simple directives, Isaac Asimov changed our perception of robots forever when he formulated the laws governing their behavior. In I, Robot, Asimov chronicles the development of the robot through a series of interlinked stories: from its primitive origins in the present to its ultimate perfection in the not-so-distant future–a future in which humanity itself may be rendered obsolete.

  If you’ve seen the movie, throw that out of your head before you start.  The film bears little resemblance to the book.  I, Robot features nine short stories that tie into the life and career of robopsychologist Susan Calvin.  It’s an absolutely brilliant read and incredibly accessible due to its short story format.

  I want space action!  Things should be blowing up, characters should be in mortal peril, and the continued existence of mankind should be in jeopardy!  No one is safe!

The Expanse by James S. A. Corey

  Maybe you’ve seen the (excellent) TV show.  Maybe you’ve heard about these books, but are find the length daunting.  Just stop right now and pick up these books:

  Humanity has colonized the solar system – Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond – but the stars are still out of our reach.

Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for – and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why.

Detective Miller is looking for a girl. One girl in a system of billions, but her parents have money and money talks. When the trail leads him to the Scopuli and rebel sympathizer Holden, he realizes that this girl may be the key to everything.

Holden and Miller must thread the needle between the Earth government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secretive corporations – and the odds are against them. But out in the Belt, the rules are different, and one small ship can change the fate of the universe.

  The Expanse is more than just the book equivalent of a summer blockbuster.  While it is an incredibly fast and easy read, it still has a huge amount of depth.  It deals with xenophobia, political machinations, war, conspiracy, and yes, the potential downfall of mankind.  Now I’ll admit that I’ve only read the first two, but I plan to grab the rest of the series.  Do yourself a favor and do the same.

    I’m more into romance than sci-fi

Hold Back the Stars by Katie Khan

  Hold Back the Stars is one of my favorite books of 2017 so far (you can read my ravings here), and with good reason.  Yes, it is a romance.   Yes it is a beautiful book.  But it is SO much more than that:

  Trapped in the vast void of space, Carys and Max have only ninety minutes of oxygen left to live. None of this was supposed to happen. After a freak accident, Carys and Max are left adrift in space with nothing to hold onto but each other. As they fall, they can’t help but look back at the world they left behind. A world whose rules they couldn’t submit to, a place where they never really belonged; a home they’re determined to get back to because they’ve come too far to lose each other now. While their air ticks dangerously low, one is offered the chance of salvation—but who will take it?

  This book has many moving parts that make up the fantastic story.  The US and Middle East have been destroyed, and Europe has become a utopia.  Two characters fall in love against the rules of society.  The writing style and story structure are so wonderfully refreshing.  I’m not ashamed to say I cried like a baby.

    I’m not so keen on battles and action sequences.  I like long character arcs and development.

Long Way to a Small Angry Planet and A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

  Becky Chambers is a new favorite author and both her books are just wonderful (you can see my review of The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet and A Closed and Common Orbit here).  I had never thought of sci-fi as being the perfect genre for ‘comfort reads’, but oh boy did she prove me wrong.  In addition to having the best book titles, she defies the expectations of action-heavy sci-fi:

  Somewhere within our crowded sky, a crew of wormhole builders hops from planet to planet, on their way to the job of a lifetime. To the galaxy at large, humanity is a minor species, and one patched-up construction vessel is a mere speck on the starchart. This is an everyday sort of ship, just trying to get from here to there.

But all voyages leave their mark, and even the most ordinary of people have stories worth telling. A young Martian woman, hoping the vastness of space will put some distance between herself and the life she‘s left behind. An alien pilot, navigating life without her own kind. A pacifist captain, awaiting the return of a loved one at war.

Set against a backdrop of curious cultures and distant worlds, this episodic tale weaves together the adventures of nine eclectic characters, each on a journey of their own.

  Although they’re loosely connected, I highly recommend you read The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet first.  It’s less of a straight narrative and more of a loose collection of vignettes and stories that happen during this year-long long haul journey.  It’s a beautiful story filled with a huge variety of cultures, is LGBTQ-friendly, and has enough science and technology to please any level of sci-fi reader.  It’s a hard book to explain, just do yourself a favor and read it.

  Okay, I’m seriously a beginner.  Give me something a little closer to home with science that’s easy to understand

The Martian by Andy Weir

  The Martian!  I think many people have seen, or at least heard of, the fantastic film starring Matt Damon.  It’s a great adaptation of a great book, but reading the book is well worth it:

  Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. 

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive — and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. 

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first. 

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills — and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit — he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him.

  The Martian is funny, tense, and incredibly accessible.  This was one of the first sci-fi books that really got me into the genre.  The science is definitely there, but I had absolutely no trouble understanding it.  The Martian is a great gateway into the science fiction genre and I highly recommend it.

  There’s a whole bunch of other recommendations I have, but I think they’ll just make this post way too long!  Keep an eye out for part 2 coming sometime in the future.  Also, let me know if you want me to do more beginners guides!  I’ve read pretty much every genre under the sun, so give me a shout if you’d like more recommendations!

  Have you read any of these books?  Do any of them take your fancy?  Let me know!

    *All copy is courtesy of Goodreads

From Isaac Asimov to Andy Weir: A Beginner's Guide to Science Fiction Part One #bookbloggers I've been thinking about doing this for awhile.  Science fiction is such an incredibly rich genre, but it's hard to figure out where to start!