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Fantasy and SF Recommendations: Obscure books and series


Angalin

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I'm searching for a series I once heard of and have since forgotten the name. It was described to me as being much like A Song of Ice and Fire but sci fi and in space; a quartet, I believe, and is heavy with sexual violence/sadism (not why I want to read).

If anyone knows what I am talking about, I'd appreciate it.

EDIT: found it -- The Gap series

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I searched the previous pages for the name Hinz and haven't found it so

I would offer up the Paratwa series

Liege-Killer

Ash-Ock

Paratwa

as a series that one might consider if you like fast paced science fiction with a cautionary eye toward a careless application of technology.

The first Paratwa was created in the mid-twenty-first century. Scottish scientists injected a pair of lab-bred human fetuses with cells from another artificially grown lifeform, called a McQuade Unity. Several years earlier, it was discovered that two samples from one of these primative cellular masses were capable of remaining in telepathic contact with each other, even when separated by thousands of miles.

Segments of this McQuade Unity were injected into these fetuses in the hope that two genetically different humans would develop a permanent telepathic link. Instead, the two fetuses metamorphosed into a single consciousness. The McQuade Unity enabled their brain patterns to interlace - to develop as one entity. The result was a creature with a single discrete awareness - one mental/emotional consciousness - yet inhabiting two randomly selected physical bodies.

Subsequently some of the creatures that are called Paratwa are trained as assassins and become the most lethal individuals in conventional war-fare.

The story picks after a nuclear/biological apocalypse on earth forces the human race to build space colonies orbiting earth.

An attack on the colonies by a Paratwa, triggers a program that alerts authorities to members of the only combat team that have engaged Paratwa on equal footing and killed them.

So they are woken up from hibernation and the hunt begins...

The first book can be read as an excellent stand alone scif-fi action thriller. However it is a trilogy... (or it could be a duology with the 2nd book so long that it was split into two books) and some people might not like the twists to the story in the 2nd and 3rd books.

I read the first book in one sitting. taking breaks only occasionally it's one of the only page-turners that I can recall starting and being unable to put down for very long before having to pick it up and start reading again. It also helps that I started reading on a Friday and could stay up through the night and into the next day to finish it.

The other books are good and worth reading if you want to know more about the Paratwa but they aren't quite as compelling as the first book.

http://www.amazon.co.../ref=pd_sim_b_2

If you're looking for a sci-fi thriller with action and long term conspiracies then give at least the first book a try. It's out of print I think so the best bet is to see if the local library can get it for you.

*e2a*

the author's name is Christopher Hinz and amazon.com does have a preview chapter.

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Blindsight, by Peter Watts. Hugo Award nominated, but almost impossible to find because he got into a fight with his publisher over cover art or something. Fortunately, it's available for free online.

Just don't read it if you're depressed.

Watts, alas, is a pretty famous author. One known on this board, and just about everywhere else in fandom. Not just for his great vampire space book, but his crazy ass encounters on the US/Canadian boarder, and his nasty ass leg. This would be a great addition to the Stand Alone thread, but hardly an Obscure one.

Also, you can download the damn thing for free ... legally, if you want it.

http://www.goodreads...8484.Blindsight

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Gor was not completely awful until about book 18, there was some interesting world building and plot twists. The kur were cool too.

Another obscure is the seven citadels by Geraldine Harris. Again interesting world building and relationship between the half brothers.

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MATTHEW STOVER!
MATTHEW STOVER!

MATTHEW STOVER!

MATTHEW WOODRING STOVER!!!!!!

I will keep saying it until he's not obscure anymore. MWS is my favorite author, and he's written some of the most relentless, thought-provoking, emotional, gut-wrenching, brilliant, awesomest books I have ever read. His 'Acts of Caine' cycle ranks up there with ASOIAF for me.

Acts of Caine:

Book One, Act of Violence: Heroes Die http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345421450/ref=s9_qpp_gw_p14_d6_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_r=0ERMAC4CQ4QH18DFK7V3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083482&pf_rd_i=507846

Book Two, Act of War: Blade of Tyshalle http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Tyshalle-Matthew-Woodring-Stover/dp/0345421434/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Book Three, Act of Atonement I: Caine Black Knife http://www.amazon.com/Caine-Black-Knife-Acts/dp/0345455878/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Book Four, Act of Atonement II: Caine's Law http://www.amazon.com/Caines-Law-Acts-Caine-Atonement/dp/0345455894/ref=pd_sim_b_1

(Yes, I know this is just me advertising, but I can't get over the fact that he's not as well known as GRRM. This is why I bring Stover up every chance I get)

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MATTHEW STOVER!

MATTHEW STOVER!

MATTHEW STOVER!

MATTHEW WOODRING STOVER!!!!!!

I will keep saying it until he's not obscure anymore. MWS is my favorite author, and he's written some of the most relentless, thought-provoking, emotional, gut-wrenching, brilliant, awesomest books I have ever read. His 'Acts of Caine' cycle ranks up there with ASOIAF for me.

Acts of Caine:

Book One, Act of Violence: Heroes Die http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345421450/ref=s9_qpp_gw_p14_d6_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_r=0ERMAC4CQ4QH18DFK7V3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083482&pf_rd_i=507846

Book Two, Act of War: Blade of Tyshalle http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Tyshalle-Matthew-Woodring-Stover/dp/0345421434/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Book Three, Act of Atonement I: Caine Black Knife http://www.amazon.com/Caine-Black-Knife-Acts/dp/0345455878/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Book Four, Act of Atonement II: Caine's Law http://www.amazon.com/Caines-Law-Acts-Caine-Atonement/dp/0345455894/ref=pd_sim_b_1

(Yes, I know this is just me advertising, but I can't get over the fact that he's not as well known as GRRM. This is why I bring Stover up every chance I get)

Is the search function working?

Next you'll be bemoaning the lack of Kearney readership. Trust me when I say, nothing you are hitting on is unknown. Stover has a strong following her, and on the inter webs.. just can't seem to get him to the top tier for some reason.

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