by S.M. Stirling (2008)
In this continuation of the bestselling author's chronicle of an alternate world, Rudi MacKenzie continues his trek across the land that was once the United States, where he hopes to learn the truth behind The Change that rendered technology across the globe inoperable.
Ted Dekker
Seventeen-year-old Nyah Parks is a genius hacker who makes a living by cracking the firewalls of the world's largest corporations. But when the biggest job of her life goes wrong, she's plunged into a desperate situation with only one way out: one last hack that will either save her or kill her.
Kilgore Trout
The controversial Kilgore Trout episode was neither the first nor the last time Farmer would impishly slip out of his own skin and assume the persona of another author. In Venus on the Half-Shell and Others, Philip Jose Farmer transforms himself into fictional personalities as compelling as they are diverse: Cordwainer Bird, Paul Chapin, Rod Keen, Harry "Bunny" Manders, Leo Queequeg Tincrowdor, John H. Watson, M.D. and even the real-life author William S. Burroughs.
Devon Monk
"Magic is Allison Beckstrom's blessing and curse. As a Hound, she uses her gifts to track down practitioners who abuse their power, and then stops them from inflicting harm on unsuspecting innocents. Unfortunately her spells have taken a toll on her, physically marking her and erasing her memories--including those of the man she supposedly loves. But lost memories aren't the only things preying on Allie's thoughts. Her late father, the prominent businessman--and sorcerer--Daniel Beckstrom, has somehow channeled himself into her mind. With the help of the Authority, a secret organization of magic users, she hopes to gain better control over her own abilities--and find a way to deal with her father...."--p. [4] of cover.
John Robert Marlow
"Mitchell Swain is the richest man in the world, until he announces the "ultimate technological breakthrough." The world stops for the press conference--and sees him assassinated. No one knows what he was going to say. Almost no one. Jennifer Rayne intends to find out. A leading journalist covering high-tech, she was scheduled to interview Swain after the press conference. Instead, she investigates his murder. What she finds is a scientist to whom Swain has funneled billions, a desperate U.S. government following the same clues, and a bizarre technology that promises invincibility, immortality, and the ability to destroy any enemy--or the earth itself. Mankind has entered the final arms race. It will last two days"--Publisher's description.