New Releases by Alan Dean Foster

A far future conspiracy comes to light in this science fiction mystery by New York Times–bestselling author Alan Dean Foster. The Colligatarch is an artificial intelligence that has guided humanity for more than a century, influencing everything from Earth-bound business and politics to interstellar relations with alien species. With world leaders following the AI’s advice, Earth has become a near utopia. In Phoenix, Arizona, design engineer Eric Abbott is an exemplary citizen with an enviable career. He has no reason to stray from the path of the societal system that has rewarded his work ethic and allegiance—until the day he sees a woman whose beauty and aura have no peer. Her name is Lisa Tambor. To find her, Eric will sacrifice the life he’s built. Suddenly, he’s traveling incognito, defying authority, and trespassing on secret, private properties. And he’s demonstrating superhuman abilities of strength and endurance he didn’t know he had. Eric’s quest to find Lisa has caught the attention of very powerful factions involved in interplanetary intrigue. And they see Eric as a threat to be eliminated with extreme prejudice . . .

Six unlikely heroes must save a magical realm from dark sorcery in this delightful fantasy from New York Times–bestselling author Alan Dean Foster. Wizard Susname Enyndd was the Gowdlands’ kingdom’s most powerful protector. Then the sinister Khaxan Mundurucu and a band of goblin-warlocks from the Totumakk Horde conjured up a curse that reduced the wizard to ash and leeched all the color from the land. But with Enyndd’s death came a spell that enchanted his six familiar pets—the terrier Oskar, the songbird Taj, the boa Samm, and the cats Cezer, Cocoa, and Mamakitty—transforming them into human beings capable of wielding magic. Now, the six companions must embark on a quest into a rainbow to find the one thing that can lift the evil curse: the White Light. As they travel through myriad colorful kingdoms while avoiding deadly enemies, each must learn how to control their magical powers—and try to get the hang of being human. But at the end of the rainbow, the heroes discover an unsettling truth about their quest—and about the magic that can bring about the end of everything . . . “[An] action-packed fantasy, one that might have come straight from the vaults of Disney.” —Publishers Weekly “Humor and wit enliven this quest-tale.” —Library Journal

Humanity makes first—and possibly last—contact with an alien species in this sci-fi adventure from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Humanx Commonwealth series. Earth’s most elite team of scientists has made an astonishing discovery. Far from our solar system is the life-sustaining planet Xica, home of an advanced intelligent species who have created a human-like civilization. Invited to visit, the scientists explore a world of miraculous wonders that defies the very laws of nature as they know it. But Xica’s secrets may threaten not only their lives but the lives of everyone on Earth . . .

New York Times–bestselling author Alan Dean Foster’s Jed the Dead is a comedic science fiction buddy road trip of interstellar proportions. En route from Texas to the West Coast, Ross Ed Hager has an encounter of the most unusual kind when he comes across the corpse of an alien. Naming the three-eyed, six-limbed dead extraterrestrial Jed, Ross takes his new companion on the road so he doesn’t have to see the sites alone. Along the way, the odd couple—accompanied by a woman who hitches a ride in Ross’s convertible,—are pursued by government operatives, bounty hunters, Hollywood agents, UFO fanatics, and intergalactic cops. And when Ross starts exhibiting strange, uncanny abilities, it may be a sign that Jed may not be as dead as he appears to be . . . “Foster twists a black comedy about an alien corpse into a hilarious, weird, and out-of-this-world road trip, full of memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plenty of surprises.” —Publishers Weekly

Cat • A • Lyst is a purrfectly hilarious science fiction adventure from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Humanx Commonwealth series. There’s more to movie star Jason Carter than his smoldering good looks, but Hollywood’s honchos aren’t interested in casting him as a dramatic lead. With little to do on camera beyond running around a battlefield in a Civil War film, Jason decides it’s time to take a vacation. He finds the perfect destination in the Peruvian Andes, where he believes there is treasure to be found. Instead, Jason stumbles upon a hidden civilization of Incas from an alternate dimension planning to conquer Earth. Now, he’s on the run with a band of companions including an Amazon warrior, an archeologist, a tabloid journalist, and a cat who just may hold the key to saving the world.

An investigator must solve a seemingly impossible theft in this comedic sci-fi mystery by New York Times–bestselling author Alan Dean Foster . The room—surrounded by cameras, motion sensors, and alarms, and guarded by rotating security crews twenty-four seven—was supposed to be impenetrable. No one should have been able to approach the vault unseen. So how did the irreplaceable pharmaceuticals stored there get stolen? How did someone breach the vault three times and escape unnoticed and without leaving a trace? It’s a mystery that falls to insurance adjuster Roderick Manz to solve. Assisted by a humanoid robot, an AI, and an off-world partner named Vyra with secrets of her own, Manz is on the hunt for the most clever thieves he has ever encountered.

The New York Times–bestselling author creates “a fascinating amalgam of sf/detective fiction and Native American lore” (Library Journal). A wealthy industrialist and folk art collector is murdered in his home and left beneath where a painting had been hanging. But theft is not the motive. The artwork—a Navajo sandpainting—has been completed pulverized. And no blood was found at the scene. Assigned to the case is bulldog detective Vernon Moody—sent to Arizona to investigate. It’s an unfamiliar environment for the born-and-bred southerner: dry air, altitude, and a booming economy spurred by high-tech manufacturing on the reservations. Still ancient superstitions linger, suggesting a motive for the crime. There is magic in traditional sandpaintings—a power that, when paired with technology, could unleash forces beyond human control . . . Praise for Alan Dean Foster “A master storyteller.” —SF Site “One of the most consistently and fertile writers of science fiction and fantasy.” —The Times (London)

A hero’s quest begins in this first book of “perhaps [the] most highly regarded fantasy trilogy” from the New York Times–bestselling author (Black Gate). They washed up on the beach, dead men clad in strange, intricate garments. The Naumkib tribe will eat well tonight. Simple herdsman Etjole Ehomba is wandering among the corpses, when he hears a faint cry . . . One of the men is still alive—and he implores Etjole for help. His countess-to-be, the Visioness Themaryl of Laconda, has been abducted, carried off by Hymneth the Possessed. The dying man charges Etjole with the duty to find her and restore her to the people of Laconda. Etjole—herder, fisherman, father, warrior, tracker—is a man of conviction. He cannot ignore a brave and noble man’s plea. So he sets off on a journey to find a woman many men were willing to die for and to face his destiny in the Unstable Lands, where people are swallowed up by unreality—by things that should not even exist . . . “Odd and engaging . . . A wondrous journey.” —Locus “Inventive and filled with flavorsome incident.” —Kirkus Reviews “An epic series which is sure to please many readers.” —SF Site

From a #1 New York Times–bestselling author, a research expedition to an alien planet takes a treacherous turn for married scientists in this sci-fi fantasy. As the first humans granted permission to explore Tslamaina, Etienne and Lyra Redowl should have been ecstatic. The planet’s massive river valley is like no other in the known universe, with three intelligent species living along its waters—a dream expedition for the geologist–anthropologist duo. But the intolerable climate makes their research arduous, as does the growing tension between them. Fortunately, the husband-and-wife team are well prepared for their adventure, with a state-of-the-art hydrofoil and the assistance of the native inhabitants. But nothing could have prepared them for the dangers they encounter as they make their way to the river’s source. “One of the most consistently inventive and fertile writers of science fiction and fantasy.” —The Times (London)

A crew of castaways races to uncover what’s heating up an icy planet, in this science fiction adventure by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author. Seemingly marooned on the freezing cold planet of Tran-ky-ky, Ethan Frome Fortune doesn’t know if he’ll enjoy the warmth of his old home ever again. That is, until a group of scientists at the Brass Monkey outpost detect something unusual in the atmosphere. Aboard the massive icerigger Slanderscree once again, Ethan and his companions are headed south to investigate a mysterious warm spot on the ice planet. However, no one is prepared for what they find—open water. And this global environmental disaster is not a natural phenomenon . . . Ethan helped bring civilization to the Tran, but civilization seems to be pushing back. Now, he and his crew must determine the causes of this chaos before their friends are out of a planet . . .

A band of humans struggle to survive when they crash-land on an icy planet, in this science fiction adventure by the #1 New York Times bestseller. A sophisticated interstellar traveler, Ethan Frome Fortune is a businessman on board the interstellar transport ship Antares. He isn’t one for heroism or adventure. That would be his fellow passenger (and giant of a man), Skua September. Regardless, both soon get a chance to test their mettle . . . Tran-ky-ky is an icy, desolate planet sharply carved by hurricane-force winds. It’s a terrible place for an emergency landing, but a botched kidnapping on the Antares sends Ethan, Skua, and some of their fellow travelers hurtling toward the stormy planet. Now, surrounded by hungry killer plants and cat-like natives, this ragged bunch of castaways led by Ethan must keep their wits about them if they ever hope to escape . . .

One man struggles to survive on a hostile alien world in this thrilling adventure from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Madrenga. Some people are convinced they can do anything; Evan Orgell is one of them. So when his company president sends him off-world to investigate a breakdown in communications from a small research station on a newly discovered planet, he’s all in. The planet’s resources could mean massive profits for the company—and a successful mission could mean massive advancement for Evan. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Clad in a Mobile Hostile World suit, Evan has no doubts about his safety—until he lands on the world of Prism. Though he’s already dealt with thousands of theoretical extraterrestrial problems, nothing prepares him for what he finds there. Hungry, invading lifeforms are everywhere. Over two dozen highly trained people have been overwhelmed and killed, some with their bones eaten from the inside out. It’s utter devastation. Then, while Evan searches for survivors, his indestructible suit meets its match—and he must face the bloodthirsty predators of Prism alone, unprotected, with only his wits to rely on . . . Praise for Alan Dean Foster “One of the most consistently inventive and fertile writers of science-fiction and fantasy.” —The Times (London) “Alan Dean Foster is a master of creating alien worlds.” —SFRevu.com “Foster knows how to spin a yarn.” —Starlog “Alan Dean Foster is the modern day Renaissance writer, as his abilities seem to have no genre boundaries.” —Bookbrowser

A mind-blowing cosmic adventure from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Adventures of Pip & Flinx. It’s just another boring late night in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for Seeth, a disillusioned punk rocker with too much time on his hands and too little money. That is, until he heads to a bowling alley and runs into Kerwin, a geeky graduate student who’s there doing research for a sociology assignment. While trying to distract Kerwin from his scholarly pursuits, Seeth notices two burly cops trying to unlawfully arrest a lone bowler, and for laughs, he jumps in to save him. When it turns out the bowler, the cops, and even the bowling ball are all different races of aliens involved in an interstellar chase, Seeth and Kerwin find themselves on a ship careening through space—protecting a mysterious, all-powerful lifeform that might possibly be the most valuable thing in the universe. Seeth’s found the excitement he wanted. And he didn’t even have to leave Albuquerque—just Earth. Praise for Alan Dean Foster “One of the most consistently inventive and fertile writers of science-fiction and fantasy.” —The Times (London) “Alan Dean Foster is a master of creating alien worlds.” —SFRevu.com “Foster knows how to spin a yarn.” —Starlog “Alan Dean Foster is the modern day Renaissance writer, as his abilities seem to have no genre boundaries.” —Bookbrowser

A first-contact novel written from an alien perspective by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Trek Into Darkness. Ryo is one of the Thranx, a race of social arthropods. From his larval years to now, his life has been normal, though his love of learning and insatiable curiosity set him apart. He has settled into his work as an agriculture specialist and is premated to a lovely female. Yet Ryo still feels something is missing from his life, and when he heroically defends his colony from the Thranx’s reptilian nemesis, Ryo gets a taste of excitement that’s hard to forget. Then his premate shares a garbled message from her starship-captain cousin—one that hints at the discovery of a completely new, completely alien space-going intelligence. Even when the captain backtracks and denounces the experience as a deep-space nightmare, Ryo can’t let it go. He becomes obsessed, leaving his colony and family behind to chase rumors of a murderous alien race, horrible beyond imagining. And when he finally makes it to an isolated military outpost rumored to harbor the captured aliens, he comes face-to-face with . . . humanity. Praise for Alan Dean Foster “One of the most consistently inventive and fertile writers of science-fiction and fantasy.” —The Times (London) “Alan Dean Foster is a master of creating alien worlds.” —SFRevu.com “Foster knows how to spin a yarn.” —Starlog “Alan Dean Foster is the modern day Renaissance writer, as his abilities seem to have no genre boundaries.” —Bookbrowser

An original novel based on the thrilling Star Trek movies directed by J.J. Abrams! Taking place in an alternate timeline created when the Starship Kelvin was destroyed by a Romulan invader from the future, this bold new novel follows Captain James T. Kirk and an inexperienced crew commandeering a repaired U.S.S. Enterprise out of spacedock for a simple shakedown cruise. When a distress call comes in, the Enterprise must aid a large colony ship of alien refugees known as the Perenorean, who are under siege by an unknown enemy. But Kirk and his crew will find that the situation with the peaceful Perenorean is far more complicated than they bargained for, and the answers as to why they were attacked in the first place unfold in the most insidious of ways…

Thirteen science fiction tales by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Icerigger Trilogy and To the Vanishing Point. From fighting giant bugs to defeating an interstellar empire without firing a shot; from scientific idiot savants toying with the universe to how the robots will really win the robot apocalypse, these thirteen flavorful tales are guaranteed to entertain, amuse, awe, and maybe even enlighten. Includes the first appearance in print of the Icerigger novellete “Chilling” and a new novelette, “Valentin Sharffen and the Code of Doom.”

Fifteen tasty tales from a master of fantasy! The dead. The undead. Those who wish they were dead. They''re all here, along with a legend from a Pacific island, a legend from beneath a Pacific island, and much, much more. Frogs and dogs, knaves and slaves, and maybe a smidgen of real but impertinent food. Extend your imagination and have a nibble. You''ll come back for more. Includes the never before published story "Fetched."

Eighteen twisted tales of the wildest West that’s ever been imagined, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pip & Flinx series Strange things lurk up in the mountains and out in the plains and deserts of the West, but few are as unique as the giant mountain man named Amos Malone, who some call “Mad Amos”—though not to his face. Atop his unnatural steed, Worthless, Mad Amos is prepared to step into any fray and set things right, albeit in his own unusual way. Now all of his uncanny exploits—including the brand-new story “Stuck”—are collected together for the first time. For this special edition, Alan Dean Foster has also penned original introductions to the series and to each individual adventure. Featuring eight never-before-collected stories, including . . . GHOST WIND: Nature has a way of making even the strongest folks meek. And with a ghost wind coming over the valley, even Mad Amos Malone is feeling the chill. HOLY JINGLE: Of all the dangers of the Wild West, love might be the most perilous. Because when it goes awry, there’s no telling what might be at stake. A MOUNTAIN MAN AND A CAT WALK INTO A BAR: Mad Amos isn’t quickly moved to action. Still, when it comes to a dog fight, he’s not afraid to bare his teeth. STUCK: The untouched grove of Sequoias is one of the most beautiful, soul-rejuvenating, downright sacred places Amos has ever visited. Until he hears a cry for help. . . . Praise for Mad Amos Malone “The consistent rhythms of [Alan Dean] Foster’s language, his shaggy-dog puns, and the distinctive clarity of Malone’s rough yet occasionally educated voice draw readers quickly into each story’s mood while maintaining strong connections between the pieces.”—Publishers Weekly

SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY, HUMOR * Cranky Goblin Cooks * Unscrupulous Chemists * Lecherous Space Pirates * Disagreeable Alien Symbiotes * Soul-Searching Snot Elementals The Unidentified Funny Objects series serves an annual dose of funny. zany, and unusual science fiction and fantasy stories. All-new fiction from the genre''s top voices! Our sixth volume features a Mad Amos story by Alan Dean Foster, a Harry the Book tale by Mike Resnick, and an Alexander Outland short by Gini Koch. Jim Hines reimagines a Game of Thrones with goblins in it, Ken Liu begs a sentient AI to spare him, and Esther Friesner takes us on a tour of Chelm, complete with dragons and gratuitous footnotes. There are also tales of an interdimensional secret agent, a warrior-writer on a quest from an evil god, a necromancer intent on rehabilitating the image of his profession, and many more. TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword by Alex Shvartsman “A Game of Goblins” by Jim C. Hines “The Breakdown of Parasite/Host Relationship” by Paul R. Hardy “From This She Makes a Living?” by Esther Friesner “Twenty-Nine Responses to Inquiries About My Craigslist Post: Alien Spaceship for Sale $200, You Haul” by Tina Connolly “Tyler the Snot Elemental Scours the Newspaper, Searching for Change” by Zach Shephard “Agent of Chaos” by Jack Campbell “Display of Affection” by P. J. Sambeaux “The Great Manhattan Eat-Off” by Mike Resnick “An Evil Opportunity Employer” by Lawrence Watt-Evans “Common Scents” by Jody Lynn Nye “A Mountain Man and a Cat Walk into a Bar” by Alan Dean Foster “Lost and Found” by Laura Resnick “A Crawlspace Full of Prizes” by Bill Ferris “Return to Sender” by Melissa Mead “The Friendly Necromancer” by Rod M. Santos “An Open Letter to the Sentient AI Who Has Announced Its Intention to Take Over the Earth” by Ken Liu “Approved Expense” by David Vierling “Alexander Outland: Space Jockey” by Gini Koch “Dear Joyce” by Langley Hyde “Impress Me, Then We’ll Talk About the Money” by Tatiana Ivanova (translated from Russian by Alex Shvartsman)

Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with Alien: Covenant, a new chapter in his groundbreaking Alien adventure. The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise. But it is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imaginations, they must attempt a harrowing escape. Acclaimed author Alan Dean Foster also returns to the universe he first encountered with the official novelization of the original Alien film. Alien: Covenant is the pivotal adventure that preceded that seminal film, and leads to the events that will yield one of the most terrifying sagas of all time.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The official novelization of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the blockbuster film directed by J. J. Abrams • Includes two tie-in short stories: “The Perfect Weapon” by Delilah S. Dawson and “Bait” by Alan Dean Foster More than thirty years ago, Star Wars burst onto the big screen and became a cultural phenomenon. Now the next adventures in this blockbuster saga are poised to captivate old and new fans alike—beginning with the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And alongside the cinematic debut comes the thrilling novel adaptation by New York Times bestselling science fiction master Alan Dean Foster. Set years after Return of the Jedi, this stunning new action-packed adventure rockets us back into the world of Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Luke Skywalker, while introducing a host of exciting new characters. Darth Vader may have been redeemed and the Emperor vanquished, but peace can be fleeting, and evil does not easily relent. Yet the simple belief in good can still empower ordinary individuals to rise and meet the greatest challenges. So return to that galaxy far, far away, and prepare yourself for what happens when the Force awakens. . . . Praise for Star Wars: The Force Awakens “Like all the best novelizations, Alan Dean Foster’s adaptation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens enriches the movie experience. The novel goes beyond simply giving us insight into the characters’ thoughts, with plenty of additional scenes painting a broader picture of the galaxy.”—New York Daily News “Fast-moving, atmospheric and raises goose-bumps at just the right moments. [Foster] not only evokes entire onscreen worlds . . . he also gives us glimpses of an even more vast, unseen universe.”—The Washington Post “Was my experience of the film enriched by the book? Yes. No question. Is the novelization worth reading? Yes. . . . Foster has written a book that captures the spirit of the film, while presenting additional information that helps answer some of the questions that linger.”—Coffee with Kenobi

The official novelization of Star Wars- The Force Awakens,the highly anticipated blockbuster film directed by J. J. Abrams, hitting cinemas in December 2015.

The official novelization of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the highly anticipated blockbuster film directed by J. J. Abrams, hitting cinemas in December 2015.

A sweeping historical novel set in nineteenth-century New Zealand from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author. The only son of a poor British coal miner, Robert Coffin sets sail for the far ends of the Earth in search of his fortune, leaving his young bride and infant child behind in England. In the sordid and dangerous South Pacific port of Kororareka, on the sprawling island the native Maori call “the Land of the Long White Cloud,” Coffin builds a successful new life as a merchant. He gains an unwavering respect for the aboriginal people and their culture, and finds comfort in the arms of his fiery Irish mistress, Mary. But the unexpected arrival of a China-bound clipper bearing his wife, Holly, and son, Christopher, throws Coffin’s world into turmoil—compounded by the ever-increasing tension between the Maori tribes and the mistrusted “pakehas” who are plundering their land. As the years of a volatile nineteenth century progress, the indomitable family of the stalwart adventurer the Maori have named “Iron Hair” will struggle, sacrifice, and endure through war, chaos, catastrophe, and change.

Rabbitlike aliens from outer space colonize Earth during humankind’s Second World War in a delightfully funny and thought-provoking science fiction adventure The Quozl just need somewhere to call home. A gentle race of extraterrestrial rabbits, they have a propensity for reproduction that has left their home planet, Quozlene, dangerously overpopulated, and in their search for greener and less-crowded pastures, they have discovered the perfect place to start over: the third planet away from a healthy, warming sun. What they don’t realize is that this world they call Shiraz is already inhabited by a species of violent sentient creatures known as humans. But there’s no going back now. In the midst of the brutal and helpfully distracting global conflict the Shirazians call World War II, the colony ship lands undetected, and the space rabbits immediately go into hiding. But a secret like the Quozl can be concealed for only so long, especially when their numbers start to increase and certain rebellious members of the long-eared society decide the time is ripe to claim their place in a world they believe is rightfully theirs. One of the most admired and prolific authors in the science fiction arena, Alan Dean Foster will delight readers who hunger for something different with this funny, thoughtful, and wildly inventive novel of first contact and coexistence. Once you meet the Quozl, you will never forget them.

“THE FALLEN SHALL RISE AGAIN. . . .” This cryptic warning is ignored by the national security adviser who feels the ruthless Decepticon threat is no more. The allies are victorious, the enemy has been defeated, and the world is safe. Small attacks around the world have been contained, and the remaining pieces of the coveted Allspark are locked in an electromagnetic vault on one of the most secure Naval bases in the world. But nothing is at it seems, and there is a shift in the shadows. Things can change in an instant–and fragile peace will become all-out war.

In the sequel to the 1979 film Alien, Ellen Ripley is forced to return to planet LV-426, where her crew encountered the hostile Alien creature. There they discovered hundreds of eggs, and just one slaughtered everyone but Ripley. This time she''s accompanied by a unit of Colonial Marines, but even their firepower may not be enough for them to survive and learn the fate of the colony known as Hadley''s Hope

A notorious criminal pursues peace—and power—with alien enemies in this sci-fi novel from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Damned Trilogy. No one knows the true motives of Kees vaan Loo-Macklin. He’s a mastermind criminal who gave up his place at the head of the dark underworld to become a legitimate member of Evenwaith’s cities. But soon he was reaching out to powerful enemies—-the slimy aliens called the Nuel. Loo-Macklin negotiates an illusory peace agreement and gains precious alien secrets in the process. Is he after peace, power or pure evil? With enemy starships beginning to amass, we won’t have to wait long to find out.

Aliens in the mirror are closer than they appear. The #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Relic takes readers on an out-of-this-world road trip. The Sonderberg family does not know it yet, but this is not going to be any ordinary road trip. After they pick up an unassuming hitchhiker, a quiet drive down Interstate 40 becomes a trip into an alternate reality. It turns out the family has just given a ride to an alien who has the fate of the universe resting on her shoulders. Now the Sonderberg family must fight evil alongside their new alien friend, in a desperate attempt to save the world they love.

Kirk and Spock, graduates from Star Fleet Academy with contrasting personalities, must work together with their crew to defeat an alien captain intent on destroying all intelligent life in the galaxy.