by Orson Scott Card (1988)
A New York Times Best Book of the Year New York Times bestselling author of Ender’s Shadow The sphere is alien in origin, but has been controlled by man for millennia. A legend as old as the stars rules this constructed world: When the seventh seventh seventh human Heptarch is crowned, he will be the Kristos and will bring eternal salvation . . . or the destruction of the cosmos. Patience is the only daughter of the rightful Heptarch, but she, like her father before her, serves the usurper who has destroyed her family. For she has learned the true ruler’s honor: Duty to one’s race is more important than duty to one’s self. But the time for prudence has passed, and that which has slept for ages has awakened. And Patience must journey to the heartsoul of this planet to confront her destiny . . . and her world's.
Peter F. Hamilton
Lawrence Newton always dreamed of adventure amongst the stars. Now the ultimate prize is within his grasp, but what will he risk to get it? Lawrence is the sergeant of a washed-out platoon, taking part in the bungled invasion of yet another human colony world. The giant corporations call such campaigns 'asset realisation', but in practice it's simple piracy.
Eric Flint, David Carrico
"A new novel in New York Times best seller Eric Flint's science fiction Jao Empire series. It has become clear to both the Jao and their human and Lleix partners that if they are going to defeat the Ekhat who have been terrorizing the galaxy for eons, they need more allies. To that end, Preceptor Ronz, guardian of Earth and greatest living strategist of the Jao, has harnessed the energy of Earth's humans to create and send out an exploration fleet under the command of Caitlin Kralik. But after a long search, all the expedition has found are dead worlds and now-extinct intelligent species slaughtered by the genocidal Ekhat. Do they continue to search down the galactic arm in which Earth and the Jao worlds lie, or do they make an astounding leap in another direction? With friends like Gabe Tully, Tamt, Wrot and Caewithe Miller supporting her, Caitlin makes her decision. Meanwhile, the Ekhat, as murderous and destructive as they have always been, have a new generation of leaders growing into power who are even more implacable than those who have gone before them. The Ekhat have not forgotten the Jao, nor the damage they have done over the years to the Ekhat purpose. It's up to the Jao-human-Lleix confederation and the new allies they make to survive the onslaught and turn the tables on the Ekhat. About Jao Empire series entry #2 The Course of Empire by Eric Flint & K.D. Wentworth: "The action is fast and furious. a trimphant story."--The Midwest Book Review "Building to an exhilarating conclusion, this book cries out for a sequel."--Publishers Weekly About Eric Flint's best-selling Ring of Fire series: " "It has become clear to the Jao and their human and Lleix partners that to defeat the Ekhat who have been terrorizing the galaxy for eons, they need more allies. An exploration fleet created by Earth's humans is sent out but after a long search, all the expedition finds are dead worlds slaughtered by the Ekhat. Do they continue to search down the galactic arm in which Earth and the Jao worlds like or make an astounding leap in another direction. Meanwhile, a new generation of Ekhat leaders are growing into power who have not forgotten the damage the Jao have done to them over the years. It's up to the Jao-human-Lleix confederation and the new allies they make to survive the onslaught and turn the tables on the Ekhat"--
Andre Norton
When Earthmen got into space, they found advanced races who deemed Earth far too barbaric to join them. They were assigned the only task deemed suitable, mercenaries on other backwards planets. Kana Karr, Arch Swordsman, Third Class, has his first assignment on Fronn. However, there they find weapons that belong only to the Galactics, and mechanized Terrans, all illegal. They must fight the entire planet to find a way to return and warn Central Command.
Larry Niven
Conversion of hardcopy paperback originally owned bu Boston Public Library. ePub version lacks material that was originally on the first page of many chapters, resulting in numerous discontinuities in the story.