Steel Guardian


Book Description

Can a gentle robot win the fight for humanity's last hope? Before the Robot Uprising, Block the CleanerBot dutifully followed his programming as part of a hotel cleaning crew. Now in the aftermath of the AI Apocalypse that annihilated the world, he tries to simply do his job, avoiding the dangerous SoldierBots who wage war on the last human survivors. But when Block finds a mysterious human infant, he's compelled to care for the girl and travel across the metal infested wastelands of America to a safe haven 700 miles away. Without proper food and care, the baby could die before he reaches safety. When he encounters Nova--a surly soldier who becomes an unlikely ally--they must tackle the biggest challenge of their lives. Together they face mortal danger from bands of scavengers, militaristic SoldierBots, Combat Mechs, and a cyborg Bounty Hunter that will stop at nothing to find Block and the child--an infant who might hold the key to humanity's future. Johnny 5 meets WALL-E in a world full of Terminators in the first book of this thrilling post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure.




Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel


Book Description

Ishmael is finally a senior and things are beginning to look up. His nemesis, Barry Bagsley, has decided to leave him alone at last and with help from his 'Reverse Cool' mates, Scobie and Razza, Ishmael is in with a chance of winning the school cup. Has he broken free of the dreaded Ishmael Leseur's Syndrome at last? Could life at St. Daniel's actually be described as 'normal'? Absolutely not.




Ring of Steel


Book Description

A prize-winning, magisterial history of World War I from the perspective of the defeated Central Powers For the Central Powers, the First World War started with high hopes for an easy victory. But those hopes soon deteriorated as Germany's attack on France failed, Austria-Hungary's armies suffered catastrophic losses, and Britain's ruthless blockade brought both nations to the brink of starvation. The Central powers were trapped in the Allies' ever-tightening Ring of Steel. In this compelling history, Alexander Watson retells the war from the perspective of its losers: not just the leaders in Berlin and Vienna, but the people of Central Europe. The war shattered their societies, destroyed their states, and imparted a poisonous legacy of bitterness and violence. A major reevaluation of the First World War, Ring of Steel is essential for anyone seeking to understand the last century of European history.




Steel Defender


Book Description

Can a timid robot keep his favorite human alive? Block has finally found a safe place for Wally—the baby girl he safeguarded across the war-torn wastelands—or so he thinks. But the humans he’s entrusted with her care won’t let him visit her, so he follows his cleaning routines and misses her more every day. When the humans are forced to surrender Wally to SoldierBots or face extermination, Block will do anything to keep her safe… even if that means aligning with a former enemy, a colossal Mech, and their motley army of renegade robots. Together, they must face down militaristic SoldierBots, fleets of attack drones, and WarBots that will stop at nothing to claim the child. She holds the key to humanity’s survival—or their doom. If you enjoy characters with heart and page-turning adventures, then you’ll love the second book of this post-apocalyptic sci-fi series and its robot main character.




Steel Guardian


Book Description

A timid robot protects an abandoned baby in a post-apocalyptic world. The AI Uprising destroys society. No internet, phones, or electricity. Machines turn against humans. The military SoldierBots have one function—seek and destroy. Block is a simple CleanerBot programmed to scrub floors and serve hotel guests. Forced to flee his city, he must avoid dangerous SoldierBots and find a new hotel he can call home. But when Block discovers a human infant, his surprise attachment to the girl compels him to protect her while traveling across the metal-infested wastelands of America to a safe haven. When he encounters Nova—a surly soldier who becomes an unlikely ally—they must tackle the biggest challenge of their lives. Together, they face mortal danger from bands of scavengers, militaristic SoldierBots, and Combat Mechs. A cyborg Bounty Hunter will stop at nothing to find Block and the child - an infant who holds the key to humanity's future. If you enjoy characters that tug at your heart and page-turning adventures, then you'll love the critically-acclaimed first book of this post-apocalyptic sci-fi series. **Award Finalist, Best Science Fiction Novel, The SPSFC** "Block is a delight... A fun road trip with a robot questioning his place in a world where humans are almost extinct." --William C. Tracy, author of The Seeds of Dissolution "It's very rare when my connection with a character is instant, but I adored Block from the very start. He has such a clear distinct voice that hooked on my heartstrings. The plot is just breakneck speed… I absolutely adored this book." --Weather Wax Report "The lovable CleanerBot was a joy to follow through the story as it learned to care for its newfound charge and find it a person it deemed worthy to be its guardian. The world was well made, the other characters unique, and the plot interesting... A must read if you enjoy stories about lovable robots facing mortal danger!" --FANTASY-FACTION




Sitopia


Book Description

'A visionary look at how quality food should replace money as the new world currency' Tim Spector 'Hugely ambitious and beautifully written...destined to become a modern classic' Bee Wilson How we search for, make and consume food has defined human history. It transforms our bodies and homes, our politics and our trade, our landscapes and our climate. But by forgetting our culinary heritage and relying on cheap, intensively produced food, we have drifted into a way of life that threatens our planet and ourselves. What if there were a more sustainable way to eat and live? Drawing on many disciplines, as well as stories of the farmers, designers and economists who are remaking our relationship with food, this inspiring and deeply thoughtful book gives us a provocative and exhilarating vision for change, and points the way to a better future. 'Utterly brilliant' Thomasina Miers WINNER OF THE 2021 GUILD FOOD OF WRITERS AWARD FOR BEST FOOD BOOK *Shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize 2020*




Steel Crow Saga


Book Description

A soldier with a curse Tala lost her family to the empress's army and has spent her life avenging them in battle. But the empress's crimes don't haunt her half as much as the crimes Tala has committed against the laws of magic . . . and her own flesh and blood. A prince with a debt Jimuro has inherited the ashes of an empire. Now that the revolution has brought down his kingdom, he must depend on Tala to bring him home safe. But it was his army who murdered her family. Now Tala will be his redemption - or his downfall. A detective with a grudge Xiulan is an eccentric, pipe-smoking detective who can solve any mystery - but the biggest mystery of all is her true identity. She's a princess in disguise, and she plans to secure her throne by presenting her father with the ultimate prize: the world's most wanted prince. A thief with a broken heart Lee is a small-time criminal who lives by only one law: Leave them before they leave you. But when Princess Xiulan asks her to be her partner in crime - and offers her a magical animal companion as a reward - she can't say no, and soon finds she doesn't want to leave the princess behind. This band of rogues and royals should all be enemies, but they unite for a common purpose: to defeat an unstoppable killer who defies the laws of magic. In this battle, they will forge unexpected bonds of friendship and love that will change their lives - and begin to change the world.




Vive la Revolution


Book Description

For most of us, the French Revolution has been reduced to jokes about Marie-Antoinette, guillotines and the Scarlet Pimpernel. But for Mark Steel, bestselling author of REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL, the French Revolution was one of the most inspirational moments in human history - a moment when ordinary people changed the world and became extraordinary. It deserves better jokes than that. In this revolutionary new book, Steel banishes stuffiness from history, telling us what happened in France between the storming of the Bastille and the rise of Napoleon, bringing to life the people who made them happen. His account is dominated by bizarre events and splendid characters, from the famously odd Robespierre, Danton and Thomas Paine, to the less well known Drouet, the local postman who arrested the fleeing King because he recognised him as the man off of the money. VIVE LA REVOLUTION is an uproariously serious work of history - brilliantly funny and insightful, it puts the peculiarity of individual people back at the centre of the story.







Johnny Angel


Book Description

In her fifty-eighth bestselling novel, Danielle Steel tells the breathtaking story of a mother’s love and a son’s gift, of the tragedy that nearly destroyed a family...and the miracle that saved them. Johnny Angel With a word or a smile, seventeen-year-old Johnny Peterson could light up a room, fill his mother’s heart with pride, and inspire the best in those around him. A star athlete and class valedictorian, tall, lanky Johnny had a future filled with promise--until he stepped into a car on prom night, dazzling in his rented tux, and in an instant, it was all taken away. In the months that follow, Johnny’s family and high school sweetheart, Becky, struggle to put together the pieces of their shattered lives. No one is more devastated than Johnny’s mother, Alice, whose oldest son owned her heart from the day he was born. But amid the heartache, something miraculous is about to happen to the Peterson family, something that will alter the course of each of their lives. When a sudden illness sends Alice to the hospital, a glorious vision comes to her in her dreams. There, standing before her, is Johnny himself, with that familiar twinkle in his eye, gently urging his bewildered mother to be strong for her splintered family. For Alice, seeing her marvelous lost boy is a miracle she can’t quite believe but is more than willing to embrace. In the weeks to come, Johnny will appear in the most unlikely places, visible only to the two people who need him most: his nine-year-old brother, locked in a silent world, whose special needs Johnny always seemed to understand…and his mother, who has always nurtured her family, but who now needs a guardian angel of her own. Through a season of hope and healing, Johnny will walk by his mother’s side, leaving miracles in his wake, leading his parents, his girlfriend, his sister, and his brother out of their grief. But as Alice is about to discover, Johnny has returned not just to help those he loves, but to uncover a purpose even he cannot comprehend--one that will change them all forever. An unforgettable story of loving and letting go, of mixed blessings and second chances, Johnny Angel is a celebration of life, hope, and forgiveness. It will make you laugh and cry…and hold your loved ones just a little bit closer.