1. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
A hopeful tale set in a dystopian future United States of walled cities, disease, fires, and madness. Lauren Olamina is an 18-year-old woman with hyperempathy syndrome--if she sees another in pain, she feels their pain as acutely as if it were real. When her relatively safe neighborhood enclave is inevitably destroyed, along with her family and dreams for the future, Lauren grabs a backpack full of supplies and begins a journey north. Along the way, she recruits fellow refugees to her embryonic faith, Earthseed, the prime tenet of which is that "God is change."
2. The Merlin Series by Mary Stewart
Here is the most extended portrait in all literature in this compelling figure of Dark Age myth and history. Merlin, the protector and tutor of Arthur, has usually been portrayed as an old man. But The Crystal Cave begins the trilogy with the story of his perilous childhood as the bastard son of a Welsh king's daughter and the secret discovery of the magic arts that will set him apart from other men.
With the birth of Arthur, Merlin's guardianship began and the ancient legend continues in The Hollow Hills with the dramatic immediacy that is Mary Stewart's special gift.
Book 1: The Crystal Cave Book 2: The Hollow Hills Book 3: The Last Enchantment.
3. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action. He will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have isolated his planet of anarchists from the rest of the civilized universe. To do this dangerous task will mean giving up his family and possibly his life. Shevek must make the unprecedented journey to the utopian mother planet, Urras, to challenge the complex structures of life and living, and ignite the fires of change.
4. The Xenogenesis Trilogy, aka Lilith's Brood, by Octavia Butler
Dawn: After nuclear war destroys the world, Earths survivors are rescued by the miraculously powerful Oankali aliens- who survive by merging genetically with primitive peoples without their permission. Adulthood Rites: Desperate to regain their world, childless humans seek to cleanse the alien taint by kidnapping hybrid children. But the raiders are blind to the truth of Earth's new children. Imago: The futures of both humans and aliens rest in one young being's successful metamorphosis into adulthood.
The trilogy consists of Book One: Dawn Book 2: Adulthood Rites Book 3: Imago
and is only available to order as a compilation of all three books: Lilith's Brood
5. The Hyperion series by Dan Simmons
The Hyperion books are credited with single-handedly reinventing and reinvigorating SF in the 1990s. A broad canvased, hugely imaginative and exciting SF epic, the books draw on the works of Keats and provide a uniquely intelligent and literary approach with cutting edge science, compelling characterization and edge-of-your-seat excitement.
Hyperion is the tale of seven people who make a pilgrimage to a terrifying creature called the Shrike in an attempt to save mankind. Stunningly written and beautifully crafted, Simmons's Hyperion resonates with technical achievement and the excitement and wonder found only in the best SF.
Book 1: Hyperion Book 2: The Fall of Hyperion Book 3: Endymion Book 4: The Rise of Endymion
As always, if an item is not in stock, we are happy to special order for you. All of these titles are readily available (of course they are, because they are awesome!).
Reviews are all excerpts from goodreads.com. Follow the title links and scroll down the resulting page to get to a collection of reader reviews and get more insight into the books.
Happy reading!
--Mica
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