New Releases by Larry Niven

«Posiblemente, la mejor novela de ciencia ficción que he leído». —Robert Heinlein Año 3017 d.C. Aunque el Segundo Imperio del Hombre abarca cientos de sistemas solares, todavía no se ha contactado con otros seres inteligentes. El hallazgo de una insólita nave espacial con el cuerpo exánime de un alienígena en el interior conducirá a los humanos hasta una lejana estrella inmersa en una densa nube de polvo estelar: la Paja. Una expedición descubrirá allí una antiquísima civilización, amable y hospitalaria, pero que rehúye hablar de ciertos aspectos de su sociedad. Y es que bajo las sonrisas tranquilizadoras, los pajeños ocultan un secreto planetario de impacto universal y devastador. Compuesta a cuatro manos en perfecta sintonía, esta novela conjuga acción, drama, suspense, tecnología y alienígenas verosímiles, política y violencia. Su extraordinario poder de entretenimiento y sorpresa la ha convertido en una auténtica obra de culto. Recuperamos La paja en el ojo de Dios , un clásico de la ciencia ficción, en nuestra colección Esenciales Minotauro. Se trata de la primera parte (de dos) de esta saga de Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle. La segunda se publica simultáneamente ( El tercer brazo ).

The dramatic sequel to Larry Niven and Gregory Benford''s New York Times bestselling novel, Bowl of Heaven Science fiction masters Larry Niven (Ringworld) and Gregory Benford (Timescape) continue the thrilling adventure of a human expedition to another star system that is jeopardized by an encounter with an astonishingly immense artifact in interstellar space: a bowl-shaped structure cupping a star, with a habitable area equivalent to many millions of Earths. And which, tantalizingly, is on a direct path heading toward the same system the human ship is to colonize. Investigating the Bowl, or Shipstar, the human explorers are separated—one group captured by the gigantic structure''s alien inhabitants, the other pursued across its strange and dangerous landscape—while the mystery of the Shipstar''s origins and purpose propel the human voyagers toward discoveries that transform their understanding of their place in the universe. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

For decades, the spacefaring species of Known Space have battled over the largest artifactNand grandest prizeNin the galaxy: the all-but-limitless resources and technology of the Ringworld. Without warning the Ringworld has vanished, leaving behind three rival war fleets.

Scientists must stop nanites from driving an asteroid into Earth in this “brilliantly crafted . . . edge-of-the-seat thriller” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Twenty-five years ago, Doctor Toby Glyer and William Connors made a revolutionary breakthrough in nanotechnology. Their controversial nanites were capable of everything from miracle cures for the terminally ill to AI for asteroid-mining missions. But when the nanite-run Briareus mission to divert an Earth-crossing asteroid dropped out of contact soon after reaching its target, the entire program was shut down and the use of nanotechnology forcibly suppressed. Now a much, much larger asteroid is on a collision course with Earth—and the Briareus nanites may be responsible. While governments scramble to find a solution, Doctor Glyer knows that their only hope to avoid Armageddon lies in the nanites themselves. On the run, Glyer must track down Connors and find a way to make contact with their wayward children before a two-hundred-gigaton asteroid smashes into Earth. Will Glyer’s be Earth’s salvation, or destruction? Praise for The Goliath Stone “A fast read, filled with fascinating characters and mind-binding concepts. I should have worn a crash helmet.” —Larry Bond, New York Times–bestselling author of Shattered Trident “A future so brilliantly rendered that it feels shockingly real. This stunning book is Niven at the absolute top of his game, a surefire award winner and fan pleaser.” —Whitley Strieber, New York Times–bestselling author of The Grays “A rollicking good time.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “With witty dialogue and laugh-inducing prose, this is an incredible fun read, sure to entertain SF fans.” —Booklist

A special commemoration of this long_running themed science fiction anthology edited by multiple #1 best seller, Larry Niven. Here is the 25th anniversary edition of the original volume that started it all. Includes an all_new introduction by Larry Niven for this re_issue of the first volume in a series that now numbers fourteen volumes and is still going strong. Larry Nivenu0090s bestselling Man_Kzin series begins! The kzin, formerly invincible conquerors of all they encountered, had a hard time dealing with their ignominious defeat by the leaf_eating humans. Some secretly hatched schemes for a rematch, others concentrated on gathering power within the kzin hierarchy, and some shamefully cooperated with the contemptible humans, though often for hidden motives. In war and in uneasy peace, here is the first masterful volume in the Man_Kzin Wars shared universe anthology created by multiple New York Times best_seller, incomparable tale_spinner, and Nebula_ and five_time Hugo_Award_winner, Larry Niven. At the publisher''s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

SF masters Gregory Benford and Larry Niven spin a tale of alien encounters and strange technologies on an epic scale In Bowl of Heaven, the first collaboration by science fiction authors Larry Niven (Ringworld) and Gregory Benford (Timescape), the limits of wonder are redrawn once again as a human expedition to another star system is jeopardized by an encounter with an astonishingly immense artifact in interstellar space: a bowl-shaped structure half-englobing a star, with a habitable area equivalent to many millions of Earths...and it''s on a direct path heading for the same system as the human ship. A landing party is sent to investigate the Bowl, but when the explorers are separated—one group captured by the gigantic structure''s alien inhabitants, the other pursued across its strange and dangerous landscape—the mystery of the Bowl''s origins and purpose propel the human voyagers toward discoveries that will transform their understanding of their place in the universe. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Larry Niven''s bestselling Man-Kzin series continues! The kzin, formerly invincible conquerors of all they encountered, had a hard time dealing with their ignominious defeat by the leaf-eating humans. Some secretly hatched schemes for a rematch, others concentrated on gathering power within the kzin hierarchy, and some shamefully cooperated with the contemptible humans, though often for hidden motives. In war and in uneasy peace, kzin and humans continue their adventures with a masterful addition to the Man-Kzin Wars shared universe created by multiple New York Times best seller, incomparable tale-spinner, and Nebula- and five-time Hugo-Award-winner, Larry Niven. Stories by Jane Lindskold, Charles E. Gannon, and more. At the publisher''s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

The Year: 2085. Humanity has spread throughout the solar system. A stable lunar colony is agitating for independence. Lunar tourism is on the rise... Against this background, professional "Close Protection" specialist Scotty Griffin, fresh off a disastrous assignment, is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to shepherd the teenaged heir to the Republic of Kikaya on a fabulous vacation. Ali Kikaya will participate in the first live action role playing game conducted on the Moon itself. Having left Luna--and a treasured marriage--years ago due to a near-tragic accident, Scotty leaps at the opportunity. Live Action Role Playing attracts a very special sort of individual: brilliant, unpredictable, resourceful, and addicted to problem solving. By kidnapping a dozen gamers in the middle of the ultimate game, watched by more people than any other sporting event in history, they have thrown down an irresistible gauntlet: to "win" the first game that ever became "real." Pursued by armed and murderous terrorists, forced to solve gaming puzzles to stay a jump ahead, forced to juggle multiple psychological realities as they do...this is the game for which they''ve prepared their entire lives, and they are going to play it for all it''s worth. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Fleeing the supernova chain reaction at the galactic core, the Puppeteers of the Fleet of Worlds seek a way to survive among enemies and crises.

Set in the world of Larry Niven''s popular The Magic Goes Away, The Burning City transports readers to an enchanted ancient city bearing a provocative resemblance to our own modern society. Here Yagen-Atep, the volatile and voracious god of fire, alternately protects and destroys the city''s denizens. In Tep''s Town, nothing can burn indoors and no fire can start -- except when the Burning comes upon the city. Then the people, possessed by Yagen-Atep, set their own town ablaze in a riotous orgy of destruction that often comes without warning. Whandall Placehold has lived with the Burning all his life. Fighting his way to adulthood in the mean-but-magical streets of the city''s most blighted neighborhoods, Whandall dreams of escaping the god''s wrath to find a new and better life. But his best hope for freedom may lie with Morth of Atlantis, the enigmatic sorcerer who killed his father!

The Barsoom Project is the direct sequel to 1981''s Dream Park. Eviane''s first visit to the-state-of-art amusement arena Dream Park ended in disaster: the special effects had seemed more real than life... until the holograms she was shooting with live ammunition turned out to be solid flesh and blood... and very, very dead. Haunted by the past, rebounding from a lengthy spell in a mental hospital, she has returned to Dream Park to exorcise a nightmare that has become reality. But in Dream Park, nothing is what it seems. The Inuit mythology controlling the images is part of a "Fat Ripper Special" designed to implant new behavioral memes. The players are struggling against the game master, one another, and their own demons. And there is a killer who wants to ensure Eviane never regains her memory...noo matter what it costs. Blending together hard science fiction with topical RPG-like fantasy games, The Barsoom Project is SF at the cutting edge and a classic creation from two of the genre''s most beloved writers. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Larry Niven is the New York Times bestselling author of such classic science fiction novels as Ringworld and Destiny''s Road. One of his previous collections, N-Space, was lauded by the Houston Post as "Outstanding . . . hours of entertainment," while Publishers Weekly called it "A must for science fiction fans." A follow-up volume, Playgrounds of the Mind, was praised by Kirkus Reviews as "Grand Entertainment." Niven returns with the sequel to his most recent collection, Scatterbrain, which gathers an equally engaging assortment of Niven''s latest work, all in one captivating volume. Here are choice excerpts from his most recent novels, including Ringworld''s Child, as well as short stories, non-fiction, interviews, editorials, collaborations, and correspondence. Stars and Gods roams all over a wide variety of fascinating topics, from space stations to conventional etiquette. Give yourself a treat, and feel free to pick the brain of one of modern science fiction''s most fascinating thinkers. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

The beginning of a hard sci-fi series, Deam Park is a visionary science fiction classic from Larry Niven and Steven Barnes A group of pretend adventurers suit up for a campaign called "The South Seas Treasure Game." As in the early Role Playing Games, there are Dungeon Masters, warriors, magicians, and thieves. The difference? At Dream Park, a futuristic fantasy theme park full of holographic attractions and the latest in VR technology, they play in an artificial enclosure that has been enhanced with special effects, holograms, actors, and a clever storyline. The players get as close as possible to truly living their adventure. All''s fun and games until a Park security guard is murdered, a valuable research property is stolen, and all evidence points to someone inside the game. The park''s head of security, Alex Griffin, joins the game to find the killer, but finds new meaning in the games he helps keep alive. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Worlds closer to the galatic core than Known Space are --or were--home to intelligent speciers. Some learned of the core explosion in time to flee. Destroyer of Worlds opens in 2670, ten years after Juggler of Worlds closes; with refugee species fleeing in an armada of ramscoops in the direction of the Fleet of Worlds. The onrushing aliens are recognized as a threat; they have left in their trail a host of desolated worlds: some raided for supplies, some attacked to eliminate competition, and some for pure xenophobia. Only the Puppeteers might have the resources to confront this threat--but the Puppeteers are philosophical cowards... they don''t confront anyone. They need sepoys to investigate the situation and take action for them. The source of the sepoys? Their newly independent former slave world, New Terra. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

This funny and insightful science fiction classic introduces Shoogar, the greatest wizard ever known in his village. His spells can strike terror in the hearts of even his most powerful enemies. But the enemy he faces now is like none he has ever seen before. The stranger has come from nowhere and is ignorant of even the most basic principles of magic. But the stranger has an incredibly powerful magic of his own. There is no room in Shoogar''s world for an intruder whose powers match his own, let alone one whose powers might exceed his. So before the blue sun can cross the face of the red sun once more, Shoogar will show this stranger just who is boss.

The long-awaited follow-up to Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle''s classic science-fiction reimagining of Dante''s Inferno.

A new look at Niven''s Known Space, two hundred years before the discovery of the Ringworld

This retrospective collection of stories from all phases of Niven''s writing career is rich with gossip, storytelling vigor, and sheer science-fictional play.

The future is a strange and dangerous place. Chaz Kato can testify to that. He is a citizen of Xanudu, a city-sized artificial island populated by some of the wealthiest men and women on future Earth. A place filled with hidden wonders and dark secrets of technology gone awry. Lenore Myles is a student when she travels to Xanadu and becomes involved with Chaz Kato. She is shocked when she uses Kato''s access codes to uncover the grizzly truth behind Xandu''s glittering facade. Not knowing who to trust, Lenore finds herself on the run. Saturn, a mysterious entity, moves aggressively to break the security breach. With interests of the world''s wealthiest people at stake, and powerful technology at it''s fingertips, Saturn, puts Lenore racing for her life, against a truly formidable foe. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

The first interstellar starship, John Glenn, fled a Solar System populated by rogue AIs and machine/human hybrids, threatened by too much nanotechnology, and rife with political dangers. The John Glenn''s crew intended to terraform the nearly pristine planet Ymir, in hopes of creating a utopian society that would limit intelligent technology. But by some miscalculation they have landed in another solar system and must shape the gas giant planet Harlequin''s moon, Selene, into a new, temporary home. Their only hope of ever reaching Ymir is to rebuild their store of antimatter by terraforming the moon. Gabriel, the head terraformer, must lead this nearly impossible task, with all the wrong materials: the wrong ships and tools, and too few resources. His primary tools are the uneducated and nearly-illiterate children of the original colonists, born and bred to build Harlequin''s moon into an antimatter factory. Rachel Vanowen is one of these children. Basically a slave girl, she must do whatever the terraforming Council tells her. She knows that Council monitors her actions from a circling vessel above Selene''s atmosphere, and is responsible for everything Rachel and her people know, as well as all the skills, food, and knowledge they have ever received. With no concept of the future and a life defined with duty, how will the children of Selene ever survive once the Council is through terraforming and have abandoned Selene for its ultimate goal of Ymir? At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Return to the "vivid and unusual" (Kirkus Reviews) world of Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle''s The Burning City, where the fire god has retreated into myth, leaving the residents of Tep''s Town unprotected for the first time in their history. Unfortunately, a fiery fate isn''t the only danger the town is facing. From out of the desert come monsters -- great birds with blades instead of wings, driven by some unknown force. Although they can be killed, the threat these terror birds pose is worse than death. Danger on the roads means no trade. No trade means that Tep''s Town will be no more. Sent by the Lords of Lordshills to discover the source of the terror birds, Lord Sandry and his beloved, Burning Tower, must travel into a world where magic is still strong -- and where someone or something waits to destroy them! Filled with the sweeping adventure, memorable characters, and imaginative world-building that have defined the novels of Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, Burning Tower is another triumph.

A collection of stories set at the Draco Tavern, a bar in Siberia that caters to visiting aliens.

Explorer Louis Wu becomes enmeshed in interplanetary and interspecies intrigue when war and a powerful new weapon threaten the future of Ringworld.

IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST One minute the two space Hab astronauts were scoop-diving the atmosphere, the next they''d been shot down over the North Dakota Glacier and were the object of a massive manhunt by the United States government. That government, dedicated to saving the environment from the evils of technology, had been voted into power because everybody knew that the Green House Effect had to be controlled, whatever the cost. But who would have thought that the cost of ending pollution would include not only total government control of day-to-day life, but the onset of a new Ice Age Stranded in the anti-technological heartland of America, paralyzed by Earth''s gravity, the "Angels" had no way back to the Space Habs, the last bastions of high technology and intellectual freedom on or over the Earth. But help was on its way, help from the most unlikely sources .... Join # 1 national bestsellers Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle and Michael Flynn in a world where civilization is on the ropes, and the environmentalists have created their own worst nightmare: A world of Fallen Angels At the publisher''s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

Science fiction-roman.

Come back to the Ringworld . . . the most astonishing feat of engineering ever encountered. A place of untold technological wonders, home to a myriad humanoid races, and world of some of the most beloved science fiction stories ever written! The human, Louis Wu; the puppeteer known as the Hindmost; Acolyte, son of the Kzin called Chmeee . . . legendary beings brought together once again in the defense of the Ringworld. Something is going on with the Protectors. Incoming spacecraft are being destroyed before they can reach the Ringworld. Vampires are massing. And the Ghouls have their own agenda--if anyone dares approach them to learn. Each race on the Ringworld has always had its own Protector. Now it looks as if the Ringworld itself needs a Protector. But who will sit on the Ringworld Throne? "Niven''s work has been an intriguing and consistent universe, and this book is the keystone of the arch. . . . [His] technique is wonderfully polished, his characters and their situations are nicely drawn . . . wraps up (maybe) a corner of a very interesting universe." --San Diego Union-Tribune

Come back to the Ringworld . . . the most astonishing feat of engineering ever encountered. A place of untold technological wonders, home to a myriad humanoid races, and world of some of the most beloved science fiction stories ever written! The human, Louis Wu; the puppeteer known as the Hindmost; Acolyte, son of the Kzin called Chmeee . . . legendary beings brought together once again in the defense of the Ringworld. Something is going on with the Protectors. Incoming spacecraft are being destroyed before they can reach the Ringworld. Vampires are massing. And the Ghouls have their own agenda—if anyone dares approach them to learn. Each race on the Ringworld has always had its own Protector. Now it looks as if the Ringworld itself needs a Protector. But who will sit on the Ringworld Throne? “Niven’s work has been an intriguing and consistent universe, and this book is the keystone of the arch. . . . [His] technique is wonderfully polished, his characters and their situations are nicely drawn . . . wraps up (maybe) a corner of a very interesting universe.”—San Diego Union-Tribune

For the settlers of Spiral Town, the largest known remaining colony, Cavorite is a name that conjures awe and wonder still, for its final voyage left behind a dominant and lasting mark on the planet''s surface and a key to their survival: the Road.