Neal Asher

David Gemmell passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of memorable characters, epic settings, and thrilling tales. In the Legends anthologies, today's finest fantasy authors pay homage to one of fantasy fiction's greatest ever writers. Full of swordplay, treachery, deeds both dark and noble, with cunning thieves and wily tricksters, blood-thirsty gods and flawed heroes - welcome to Legends. Contents: 1. Introduction by Stan Nicholls 2. Blood Debt - Gail Z. Martin 3. A God's Mercy - Richard Webb 4. Berserker Captain - Neal Asher 5. The Price of Passage - Keris McDonald 6. Summoner - Danie Ware 7. Pelicos the Brave and the Princess of Kalakhadze - Steven Poore 8. The Timekeeper's Tarot - Den Patrick 9. Her Grail - Ben North 10. Piercing the Mist - Shona Kinsella 11. Chosen of the Slain - K.T. Davies 12. The Dying Land - Nick Watkinson 13. A Hero of Her People - Anna Smith Spark 14. All Deaths Well Intention'd - RJ Barker 15. By Any Other Name - Justina Robson About the Authors

Thrilling space adventure from Neal Asher, sci-fi's most explosive author. Captain Blite and Agent Cormac fight for the future as the plans of a twisted AI threaten the galaxy and time itself. The second entry in the thrilling Time's Shadow trilogy.

'Balls-to-the-walls levels of exuberance and inventiveness' – Locus Magazine on Dark DiamondFORGE A NEW FUTURE.OR BE CONSUMED BY THE PAST.Captain Blite and Agent Cormac thought they had stopped the malevolent Mobius AI Straeger. But Straeger's goal to plunge the galaxy into a devastating war is far from defeated. Now, with a twisted p-prador army unleashed, bred from the Spatterjay virus, Straeger sets his plans in motion.Meanwhile, on the war-struck world of Yossander’s Hold, Blite and Cormac find themselves caught in a maelstrom of betrayal and violence. They must fight their way through the chaos as they seek to repair Blite’s damaged ship, the Coin. But their escape requires resources from the vessel, the Bracken, and aboard that ship, a terrifying transformation is underway . . .Recognizing the existential threat posed by the p-prador, the Prador Kingdom and the human Polity’s ruling AI form an uneasy alliance. But with Straeger's plans unfolding and reality itself under threat, the galaxy is poised on the brink of destruction. Can Blite and Cormac survive the escalating war and the collapse of time itself?

Neal Asher's second suspenseful space opera returns to the Polity universe, and this time, the stakes are even higher. ". . . Balls-to-the-walls levels of exuberance and inventiveness . . ." --Locus Magazine on Dark Diamond FORGE A NEW FUTURE. OR BE CONSUMED BY THE PAST. Captain Blite and Agent Cormac thought they had defeated the malevolent AI Straeger. But Straeger's mission to plunge the galaxy into a devastating war is far from over. With a twisted p-Prador army bred from the Spatterjay virus, Straeger sets his plans in motion. Meanwhile, in the war-struck world of Yossander's Hold, Blite and Cormac are trapped in a maelstrom of betrayal and violence. They must fight their way through the chaos as they seek to repair Blite's damaged ship. But their escape requires resources from the Bracken, and aboard that ship, a terrifying transformation is underway . . . Recognizing the threat posed by the p-Prador, the Prador Kingdom and the human Polity's ruling AI form an uneasy alliance. But with Straeger's plans unfolding and reality itself under threat, the galaxy is poised on the brink of destruction. Can Blite and Cormac survive the escalating war and the collapse of time itself?

He can escape death. But can he escape eternity?Dark Diamond is the first in a high-octane trilogy from Neal Asher, creator of the Polity universe. Somebody is trying to kill Captain Blite, but each attempt ends in unexpected failure. All Blite knows is that a black diamond – left to him by the dark AI Penny Royal – is somehow the cause of his unlikely survival.Each failed attempt on Blite’s life generates temporal anomalies, drawing the scrutiny of the ruthless Mobius AI Straeger, who craves the power and possibilities the diamond holds. But they also draw the attention of the legendary Polity agent Ian Cormac, whose skills and destructive reputation may make him Blite’s only hope.Caught in the crossfire of galactic forces, Blite must uncover the true nature of the dark diamond before it causes his destruction . . .* * *Praise for Neal Asher'Neal Asher's books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly at the brain' – John Scalzi'Non-stop action and unimaginable stakes' – Yoon Ha Lee on The Soldier'Imaginative, energetic and insane' – SFX on Brass Man

Rebellion could be their salvation--or their doom. War Bodies by Neal Asher is a gripping, high-octane standalone set in his expansive Polity universe. Long ago, the Cyberat left Earth to co-evolve with machines. Now, led by the powerful dictator Castron, their Old Guard believe that machines should replace the physical body. But these beliefs are upended with the arrival of the human Polity--and their presence ignites rebellion. Piper was raised as a weapon against the Cyberat, implanted with secretive hardware. When his parents are captured by the Old Guard, the Polity offer him unexpected aid. Piper knows the Polity want more from him, but at what cost? The rebellion also attracts the deadly prador, placing an entire world in peril. As war rages across the planet, Piper must battle with the unknown technology implanted in his bones. It may be the Polity's answer to their relentless fight against the prador. It could also be civilization-ending Jain tech - or something far more extraordinary.

He can jump between worlds. But can he save his own?As the totalitarian Inspectorate tightens its grip, one man discovers the power to slip through the gaps and traverse alternate universes. World Walkers by Neal Asher is an exhilarating standalone novel set within the Owner universe.‘World Walkers is Neal Asher in his prime’ – FanFiAddictOttanger is a rebel and mutant on an Earth governed by a ruthless Committee. But, after the Inspectorate experiments on him, Ottanger realizes his mutation allows him to reach alternate worlds. The multiverse is revealed in all its glory and terror – and he understands that he can finally flee his timeline.Then Ottanger meets the Fenris, an evolved human visiting his Earth from the far future. He engineered the original world-walking mutation so that those altered could escape the Committee’s nightmarish regime. Yet this only worked for a few, while millions continued to suffer. And Ottanger sees that the Committee will become unstoppable if not destroyed.However, the Fenris has drawn yet another threat to Ottanger’s Earth. With the power of its trillion linked minds, the Hive craves world-walking biotech and will do anything to get it. As conflict looms at home and war threatens the multiverse, the Fenris, Ottanger and his companions must prepare for a galaxy-altering battle . . .* * *Praise for Neal Asher:‘Neal Asher's books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain’ – John Scalzi, author of Old Man's War‘Without a doubt the most entertaining science fiction author writing today’ – SFF World

Doomed to die. And die again.Dark Diamond is the first in a high-octane space opera trilogy, Time’s Shadow. From Neal Asher, creator of the Polity universe.‘Infinitely entertaining’ – Locus MagazineSomebody is trying to kill Captain Blite, but each attempt ends in unexpected failure. All Blite knows is that a black diamond – left to him by the dark AI Penny Royal – is somehow the cause of his unlikely survival.Each failed attempt on Blite’s life generates temporal anomalies, drawing the scrutiny of the ruthless Mobius AI Straeger, who craves the power and possibilities the diamond holds. But they also draw the attention of the legendary Polity agent Ian Cormac, whose skills and destructive reputation may make him Blite’s only hope. Caught in the crossfire of galactic forces, Blite must uncover the true nature of the dark diamond before it causes his destruction . . .Praise for Neal Asher‘Neal Asher’s books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain’ – John Scalzi, author of Old Man’s War‘Non-stop action and unimaginable stakes’ – Yoon Ha Lee on The Soldier‘Imaginative, energetic and insane’ – SFX on Brass Man

Discover the multiverse in Neal Asher's World Walkers, a thrilling standalone novel set in the same universe as Asher's Owner trilogy.

He can jump between worlds. But can he save his own?As the totalitarian Inspectorate tightens its grip, one man discovers the power to slip through the gaps and traverse alternate universes. World Walkers by Neal Asher is an exhilarating standalone novel set within the Owner universe.Ottanger is a rebel and mutant on an Earth governed by a ruthless Committee. But after its Inspectorate experiments on him, he discovers the ability to reach alternate worlds. The multiverse is revealed in all its glory and terror – and he can finally flee his timeline.Then Ottanger meets the Fenris, an evolved human visiting Earth from the far future. He’d engineered the original world-walking mutation, so those altered could escape the Committee’s regime. Yet this only aided a few, while millions still suffered. And Ottanger sees that the Committee will become unstoppable if not destroyed.However, the Fenris's visit also attracted the Hive. With the power of its trillion linked minds, it craves world-walking biotech and will do anything to get it. As conflict looms at home, and war threatens the multiverse – the Fenris, Ottanger and his companions must prepare for battle . . .Praise for Neal Asher'Neal Asher's books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain' – John Scalzi, author of Old Man's War'Without a doubt the most entertaining science fiction author writing today' – SFF World

Rebellion could be their salvation – or their doom.War Bodies by Neal Asher is a gripping, high-octane standalone adventure set in his expansive Polity universe – a far-future society run by artificial intelligences.Long ago, the Cyberat left Earth to co-evolve with machines. Now, led by the powerful dictator Castron, their Old Guard believe that machines should replace the physical body. But these beliefs are upended with the arrival of the human Polity – and their presence ignites rebellion.Piper was raised as a weapon against the Cyberat, implanted with secretive hardware. When his parents are captured by the Old Guard, the Polity offer him unexpected aid. Piper knows the Polity want more from him, but at what cost? The rebellion also attracts the deadly prador, placing an entire world in peril.As war rages across the planet, Piper must battle with the unknown technology implanted in his bones. It may be the Polity’s answer to their relentless fight against the prador. It could also be civilization-ending Jain tech – or something far more extraordinary . . .Praise for Neal Asher:'Neal Asher’s books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly for the brain' – John Scalzi'Gleeful but superbly controlled action-adventure' – The Times'Asher turns it up to eleven' – Peter F. Hamilton, author of Exodus: The Archimedes Engine

Implanted with secret technology, Piper was raised to be a weapon against the dictatorial Old Guard. When rebellion strikes, he must decide where his loyalties lie - with the Cyberat who made him, the Polity who want him . . . or the planet that needs him.

Rebellion could be their salvation – or their doom. War Bodies by Neal Asher is a gripping, high-octane standalone set in his expansive Polity universe.Long ago, the Cyberat left Earth to co-evolve with machines. Now, led by the powerful dictator Castron, their Old Guard believe that machines should replace the physical body. But these beliefs are upended with the arrival of the human Polity – and their presence ignites rebellion.Piper was raised as a weapon against the Cyberat, implanted with secretive hardware. When his parents are captured by the Old Guard, the Polity offer him unexpected aid. Piper knows the Polity want more from him, but at what cost? The rebellion also attracts the deadly prador, placing an entire world in peril.As war rages across the planet, Piper must battle with the unknown technology implanted in his bones. It may be the Polity’s answer to their relentless fight against the prador. It could also be civilization-ending Jain tech – or something far more extraordinary.

Weaponized is a thrilling far-future space opera by acclaimed science fiction author Neal Asher, a standalone adventure set in the expansive Polity universe.A bright new future for humanity – or a dark and inescapable past.Ursula has lived twice the normal human lifespan, courtesy of the latest technology. But now she’s struggling to find excitement and purpose, so signs up to the Polity’s military. She excels in weapons development, and progresses rapidly up the ranks. But after botching a powerful new ammunition test, she’s dismissed from service.Hunting for a simpler, more meaningful existence, the ex-soldier heads for the stars. And after founding a colony on the hostile planet of Threpsis, Ursula finally feels alive. Then deadly raptors attack and the colonists are forced to adapt in unprecedented ways. The raptors also raise a deeply troubling question: how could the Polity have missed these apex predators? And alien ruins? Meanwhile, biophysicist Oren has formed his own survival plan – one he’ll pursue at any cost.As a desperate battle erupts to consume the planet, Ursula finds she must dig deep into her past to ensure humanity’s future.