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io910 awesome science fiction stories for gamers
Ever since ET for the Atari 2600 wowed gamers worldwide, science fiction and video games have been natural bedfellows. Here are 10 great scifi tales that embrace the aesthetics, technology, and popular tropes of the gaming world. Death Race 2000 (1975) This cult classic was based on a short story by Ib Melchior and produced … Continued
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io9Heroes and villains of imaginary worlds: A quick primer
Why does science fiction have so many heroes and villains? Why are some heroes so much cooler than others, and why can’t villains be ruthless and competent? Here’s our introductory guide to the eternal struggle of good versus evil. So you may have noticed that a lot of our favorite science fiction TV shows and … Continued
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io9All flashbacks are time travel
That’s basically author Frederick Reiken’s argument in this provocative post, about novels that approach time in unconventional ways. Why can we accept flashbacks so easily, even in the most conventional narratives? Because novels use “block time,” conceiving of time as space. That makes jumping between 2010 and 1986 as conceptually simple as a flight from … Continued
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io9
Win 6 Angry Robot books — and get on the cutting edge of science fiction!
Britain’s most exciting new science fiction publisher, Angry Robot, is launching in the U.S. next week — and you can win all six of their U.S. launch titles. All you have to do is answer one simple question. Angry Robot launches the Stateside arms of its shiny metallic empire on Tuesday. Soon all of your … Continued
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io9
How many definitions of science fiction are there?
Science fiction is the literature of our times, the fuel of our imaginations and the source of our favorite imaginary worlds. But what do we mean when we talk about “science fiction?” Here are some of the many definitions. “Science fiction is what we point to when we say it.” — Damon Knight. “Science fiction … Continued
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io9
Mockingjay proves the Hunger Games is must-read literature
Mockingjay, the end of Suzanne Collins’ science-fictional Hunger Games trilogy, attracted the kind of fervor usually reserved for YA fantasy like Twilight or Harry Potter. And the good news is, it more than lives up to the hype. I’m going to keep this review almost spoiler-free — there will be minor league spoilers, but nothing … Continued
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io9Books & Comics
When should an author leave out his/her politics from a story?
Joyce Carol Oates’ story about twin brothers caused some consternation, because the “demon” brother is identified as a conservative politician. So when should authors leave their politics out of a story? Apex’s Michael A. Burstein has a well-thought-out response. Top image: cover of Stories, edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio, art by Tom Gauld. … Continued
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io9
Bid for Victory in Hunger Games: Training Days
The latest sensation sweeping the young adult best-seller lists is Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games. And Wizkids’ Training Days game lets you step into the roles of post-apocalyptic teens prepping for their day in a one-on-one death arena. In The Hunger Games, teens are selected from districts within a depleted, brutalized U.S. to compete in death … Continued
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io9Books & Comics
Announcing the winners of our Mockingjay contest!
Yesterday we held a contest to give away twelve copies of Suzanne Collins’ new book Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy. And now you can see the award-winning contest entries, below. Note to winners: Please send me your name and address via a private message to my io9 account so I can … Continued
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io9Books & Comics
Strange cities and weird ordeals in 2010’s World Fantasy Award nominees
If you’re looking for some awesome tales of the fantastic to check out in the last days of summer, then the 2010 World Fantasy Award’s shortlist has arrived just in time. There are stories of bizarre cities and harrowing adventures. Here’s the complete list, via Locus: Novel * Blood of Ambrose, James Enge (Pyr) * … Continued
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io9Books & Comics
A naked princess and slave rebellions in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first Martian trilogy
In the second installment of our “Reading Barsoom” series, we delve into the swashbuckling wonders of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first three Mars novels, A Princess of Mars, Gods of Mars, and Warlord of Mars. The first book of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s famous Mars series, A Princess of Mars, gets off to a creaky start. A … Continued
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io9Books & Comics
io9 Book Club reminder: Next week we discuss N.K. Jemisin’s “The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms”
If you want to join us for the io9 Book Club this month, be sure to start reading N.K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, to prepare for our August 30 meeting. But wait – what is this io9 Book Club? Allow me to explain. For those unfamiliar with the io9 book club, here’s how it … Continued
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io9Movies
Want to get into science fiction? Here’s where to start.
It’s time to start packing your bags for school and buying the latest educational brain implants. We’re celebrating back-to-school season this week with some introductory courses on science fiction. The history of science fiction goes back nearly two centuries, to the publication of early SF novel Frankenstein. Some would say it stretches back thousands of … Continued
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io9Books & Comics
Download an up-and-coming science fiction magazine for a quarter
Greatest Uncommon Denominator is selling its latest issue as a PDF for just 25 cents (instead of $3.50), and you can download five issues for just $3.00. But the price goes up tomorrow, so move fast! This is a great chance to check out one of science fiction’s more adventuresome magazines. The PDF of the … Continued
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io9Movies
David Goyer’s alien armageddon book series gets a movie deal
The Dark Knight co-writer David S. Goyer just landed a movie deal for his still yet-to-be-published book trilogy about aliens careening towards the Earth, called Heaven’s Shadow. According to Deadline. Goyer is writing the novel, which will be in stores in the summer of 2011, with Michael Cassutt: The trilogy begins when an object is … Continued
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io9Television
Secrets of Supernatural season 4’s most intriguing new characters
Supernatural introduced two fascinating characters in its fourth season: the angel Castiel, and the prophet Chuck. We’ve got two exclusive excerpts from a new Supernatural season four guidebook — learn which Winchester brother put his foot in Misha Collins’ crotch. Supernatural: The Official Companion Season 4 is out August 31 from Titan Books, and we’re … Continued
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io9Books & Comics
Enter our contest to get a free copy of Mockingjay and an iPod!
This morning, the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay, hits stores. And you could get a copy absolutely free – plus an iPod – if you enter our contest. Details below. Contest rules In comments below, tell us why you love the Hunger Games series. You may write no more than four sentences! … Continued
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io9Books & Comics
All the books you’ll be lusting for this fall season
Fall is a big season for the books, and the next few months will be bringing you literary treats you only dreamed of. There’s new work from William Gibson, Connie Willis, Iain M. Banks, Cherie Priest, and more! August Aug. 17 John Birmingham, After America (Del Rey) Australian author Birmingham gives us the second action-packed … Continued