Secondhand Mass Market Science Fiction Bargain Book Box SP2233

Secondhand Sci-Fi and Fantasy Epic Bargain Book Box

Launch into the cosmos and beyond with this essential collection of twenty-four seminal Science Fiction and Fantasy novels, spanning deep space epics, psychological explorations of artificial intelligence, and grand quests across alternate realms. This box features works from legendary minds like Isaac Asimov and Michael Moorcock, alongside modern masters such as Orson Scott Card and Greg Bear, ensuring a vast and intellectually stimulating escape across multiple universes and timelines. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov
   A submarine crew is miniaturized and injected into the bloodstream of a critically ill scientist to destroy a blood clot in his brain; this classic tale of internal exploration combines high-stakes medical drama with cutting-edge science fiction technology, forcing the team to navigate the hostile biological landscape of the human body; they must complete their mission and return to normal size before their limited time runs out.

2. Nightfall One by Isaac Asimov
   This collection features the original novelette Nightfall, considered one of the greatest SF stories ever, alongside several other classic tales exploring human psychology under extreme scientific conditions; the title story is set on a planet perpetually illuminated by six suns, where the imminent arrival of universal darkness drives the civilization to terrifying madness; Asimov examines the fear of the unknown and the fragility of societal order.

3. The Bicentennial Man by Isaac Asimov
   Andrew, a household robot, begins to exhibit signs of creativity and emotional depth, initiating a centuries-long quest for recognition as a human being; the story traces Andrew's evolution from machine to man, challenging the societal definition of humanity and the limitations of the Three Laws of Robotics; this poignant narrative examines the ethical boundaries between organic life and artificial intelligence.

4. Buy Jupiter by Isaac Asimov
   This collection of short stories and essays spans Asimov's brilliant career, showcasing his imaginative range across hard science fiction, humor, and provocative scientific speculation; the title story features a clever diplomatic encounter involving the sale of the planet Jupiter to an alien race, using his unique blend of wit and intellectual plotting; it offers a perfect cross-section of Asimov’s best short-form work.

5. The Martian Way by Isaac Asimov
   This collection includes the title novella, where Martian colonists must overcome political and resource battles with Earth to ensure their long-term survival in the arid environment; the story focuses on the colonists' ingenuity in solving a catastrophic water shortage using a bold, improbable feat of astrogation; Asimov explores themes of colonial independence, human resourcefulness, and the future of space settlement.

6. The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov
   A brilliant scientist discovers an exchange of matter with a parallel universe, which introduces a new energy source but threatens to destroy the sun and the Earth's existence; the narrative shifts perspectives to the inhabitants of the parallel universe—beings with three genders and complex biological needs—who are unknowingly contributing to the catastrophe; Asimov delivers a masterful exploration of physics, interdimensional politics, and cosmic disaster.

7. Foundation's Edge by Isaac Asimov
   Five centuries after the founding of the First Foundation, the seemingly infallible Seldon Plan begins to deviate, prompting a search for the rumored Second Foundation, now believed to be exerting subtle control; Councillor Golan Trevize embarks on a quest to find the source of manipulation, leading him far beyond the familiar Galaxy and forcing him to make a momentous, galaxy-defining decision; this landmark novel continues the epic scope of the Foundation saga.

8. Nightfall Two by Isaac Asimov
   This volume collects the second half of Asimov’s famous Nightfall trilogy, continuing the exploration of psychological breakdown when a civilization faces total darkness for the first time in millennia; it delves into the aftermath of the first planetary collapse and the struggle of survivors to rebuild their society, haunted by the trauma of universal night; Asimov explores the societal impact of catastrophic astronomical phenomena.

9. Twentieth Century Discovery by Isaac Asimov
   Asimov provides an updated collection of essays and articles examining the monumental scientific and technological advancements that defined the 20th century; through his accessible and insightful prose, he explains complex topics from physics and astronomy to biology and medicine, illustrating how these discoveries reshaped human understanding of the universe; this volume stands as a testament to Asimov's skill as a science popularizer.

10. Wyrms by Orson Scott Card
    Set in a future where Earth's population is divided between the technological Inner Earth and the primitive Outer Earth, Card weaves a complex tale of genetic destiny and spiritual power; Patience, a young woman with latent healing powers, is the last descendant of an ancient bloodline prophesied to save humanity, making her the target of ruthless factions; this dark fantasy explores the burden of destiny and the cost of power.

11. Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card
    Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, now an adult known as the Speaker for the Dead, travels to a distant planet to investigate the murder of a xenologist at the hands of the sentient, pig-like alien species known as the Pequeninos; Ender must use his unique ability to understand and articulate the truth of the deceased—both human and alien—to prevent a new xenocide; this Hugo and Nebula award winner is a profound sequel to Ender's Game.

12. Songmaster by Orson Scott Card
    Ansset is the Songmaster of the planet Esste, possessing a miraculous singing voice that can soothe or destroy any listener, making him a pawn in the brutal power struggles of the galactic Emperor; the Emperor desires to use Ansset’s voice for political control and assassination, forcing the young prodigy to choose between his art and his survival; this early novel is a powerful exploration of art, tyranny, and moral responsibility.

13. The Worthing Saga by Orson Scott Card
    This epic saga details the history and ultimate fate of a future human colony established on a distant planet, focusing on a man with the power to erase pain and memory from others; the story delves into deep philosophical questions about memory, suffering, and the necessity of history for true humanity; Card crafts a multi-generational narrative examining utopia and the fragility of human civilization.

14. Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card
    Set in an alternate 19th-century America imbued with folk magic and frontier superstition, this novel introduces Alvin Maker, the seventh son of a seventh son, destined for greatness as a "maker"; the narrative follows Alvin's perilous childhood, constantly under threat from the Unmaker, a destructive force seeking to halt his burgeoning magical powers; this imaginative fantasy is the first volume of the acclaimed Tales of Alvin Maker series.

15. Queen of Angels by Greg Bear
    In a near-future world deeply reliant on complex artificial intelligence and genetic manipulation, Mary Choy investigates the disappearance of a prominent Nobel laureate, suspected of committing a heinous crime; the investigation involves navigating a virtual reality construct where the laureate’s digital consciousness resides, blurring the lines between physical reality and AI sentience; this ambitious techno-thriller explores the future of consciousness and justice.

16. Heads by Greg Bear
    A remote research colony deep beneath the surface of the moon makes a shocking discovery: a series of artificial tunnels leading to a vast, ancient underground structure filled with inexplicable data processors; the novel explores the immediate and profound societal reaction to evidence of advanced extraterrestrial intelligence, sparking political upheaval and existential dread on Earth; Bear examines the transformative power of first contact.

17. The Sword of the Dawn by Michael Moorcock
    Part of the Hawkmoon series, this epic fantasy finds Dorian Hawkmoon, the Duke of Koln, continuing his desperate quest to save the fragmented remnants of humanity from the ruthless expansion of the dark Empire of Granbretan; Hawkmoon must retrieve the legendary Runestaff and use its immense power to fight tyranny and secure the future of the multiverse; this installment is packed with high adventure and cosmic conflict.

18. Count Brass by Michael Moorcock
    This volume initiates the Chronicles of Count Brass, focusing on the titular hero who finds himself drawn into the cosmic struggle alongside Dorian Hawkmoon against the oppressive forces of Granbretan; the novel details the harrowing siege of the city of Aigues-Mortes and the desperate defense against the overwhelming forces of the Dark Empire; Moorcock explores themes of heroism, resistance, and multiversal warfare.

19. The Runestaff by Michael Moorcock
    The final installment in the original Runestaff sequence sees Dorian Hawkmoon on the ultimate mission to locate the powerful, mythical Runestaff, the weapon required to overthrow the tyrannical rule of Granbretan; Hawkmoon faces his final confrontation with the relentless forces of Chaos in a climactic battle that will determine the fate of the entire multiverse; this novel concludes the first epic cycle of the Eternal Champion.

20. The Rituals of Infinity by Michael Moorcock
    Jerry Cornelius, the iconic counter-culture anti-hero and time traveler, navigates a fragmented, surreal landscape of intersecting dimensions and collapsing realities; this chaotic, innovative novel delves into themes of identity, pop culture, and the arbitrary nature of existence, as Cornelius slips through realities trying to maintain a semblance of order; Moorcock delivers a defining piece of New Wave science fiction.

21. The Lost Fleet: Dauntless by Jack Campbell
    Captain John "Black Jack" Geary is discovered alive after a century in suspended animation, only to find himself instantly thrust into command of the entire Alliance Fleet in the midst of a disastrous war against the Syndicate Worlds; Geary must rely on obsolete tactics and his own legendary status to lead his broken fleet home, pursued by a superior enemy force; this is the thrilling first book of the Lost Fleet series.

22. Crusade: Book #6 Betrayals by S.M. Stirling and J. Michael Straczynski
    Based on the popular Babylon 5 spin-off series Crusade, this novel explores the ongoing mission of the starship Excalibur as they race against time to find a cure for the plague ravaging Earth; the crew confronts internal espionage and conflicting loyalties as they navigate dangerous alien territories and secret plots that threaten to sabotage their mission; this is a vital chapter in the desperate fight for humanity's survival.

23. Blood Music by Greg Bear
    A brilliant but rogue biotechnologist creates intelligent biological computers known as 'Noocytes' using his own white blood cells, which he injects into himself to escape detection; the intelligent organisms rapidly evolve and replicate inside his body, transforming him and ultimately posing an existential threat to all biological life on Earth; this critically acclaimed novel explores the terrifying potential of unchecked biological evolution.

24. Anvil of Stars by Greg Bear
    This is the sequel to The Forge of God, following the few children of Earth who escaped destruction and are now traveling in a starship built by helpful aliens, dedicated to seeking revenge on the civilization that destroyed humanity; they struggle with the moral implications of genocide, forcing them to confront whether they must abandon their own humanity to secure vengeance; Bear delivers a dark, philosophical tale of cosmic justice.