by Elizabeth Bear (2011)
Rife with intrigue and betrayal, heroism and sacrifice, Grail brings Elizabeth Bear’s brilliant space opera to a triumphant conclusion. At last the generation ship Jacob’s Ladder has arrived at its destination: the planet they have come to call Grail. But this habitable jewel just happens to be populated already: by humans who call their home Fortune. And they are wary of sharing Fortune—especially with people who have genetically engineered themselves to such an extent that it is a matter of debate whether they are even human anymore. To make matters worse, a shocking murder aboard the Jacob’s Ladder has alerted Captain Perceval and the angel Nova that formidable enemies remain hidden somewhere among the crew. On Grail—or Fortune, rather—Premier Danilaw views the approach of the Jacob’s Ladder with dread. Behind the diplomatic niceties of first-contact protocol, he knows that the deadly game being played is likely to erupt into full-blown war—even civil war. For as he strives to chart a peaceful and prosperous path forward for his people, internal threats emerge to take control by any means necessary.
Andre Norton
The tramp-freighter spaceship Solar Queen had exclusive trading rights to Sargol and its fabulous gems. But the crew's bravery and resourcefulness strained to the breaking point as they met Sargol's three challenges: the enigmatic obstinancy of the planet's catlike natives, ruthless incursions of an illegal competitor, and worst of all -- an invisible, undetectable stowaway whose presence branded the Solar Queen a plague ship...off limits to the rest of the galaxy!
J.-C. Mézières and P. Christin
Technorog is a planet essential to the economy of the Terran empire. For 200 years, it has been a centre of industry, research and agriculture. Suddenly, the indigenous population - believed long extinct - comes back to the planet they know as Alflolol. Earth's laws are strict: They must be allowed back on their ancestral grounds. But when Valerian and Laureline are assigned to facilitate their "reinsertion," they see the difference between the letter of the law and its spirit ...
Gregory Benford
The discovery of a mysterious artifact in an ancient Greek tomb--an object concealing both the secret of Atlantis and an unimaginable power--leads Americans John and Claire into confrontation with Greek revolutionaries and the U.S. Secret Service.
A. E. van Vogt
Atom war had destroyed the world...History and records had been lost; the few war-shocked people who were left could not even recall what had started the atomic destruction. But even these desperate circumstances could not change the basic nature of man. Out of the still-smoking ruins came one who was stronger and more ruthless than most. And from his plans to rule the universe grew the seeds of the last great war of all-the one that would -- finally and forever -- wipe man off the face of Earth.