The Mammoth Book of Best New SF 27 (Mammoth Books)

For decades now Gardner Dozois has been presenting his annual selection of the very best of recently published SF stories, both by undisputed masters of the genre and by outstanding up-and-coming writers. It has been voted Year's Best Anthology by the readers of Locus magazine an unparalleled eighteen times and remains the definitive anthology for both diehard sci-fi fans and newcomers to the genre. Without fail, Dozois pinpoints the previous year's most exciting and ambitious science fiction, showcasing truly exceptional contemporary writing. This year's collection is better than ever, comprising 33 fantastic stories by writers of the calibre of Robert Reed, Aliette de Bodard, Alastair Reynolds, Carrie Vaughn, Ian R. MacLeod and Jay Lake. The Mammoth Book of Best New SF 27 includes, as ever, Dozois's extensive recommended reading guide and his illuminating and incisive summation of the year in science fiction. CONTENTS Summation: 2013 THE DISCOVERED COUNTRY Ian R. MacLeod THE BOOK SELLER Lavie Tidhar PATHWAYS Nancy Kress A HEAP OF BROKEN IMAGES Sunny Moraine ROCK OF AGES Jay Lake ROSARY AND GOLDENSTAR Geoff Ryman GRAY WINGS Karl Bunker THE BEST WE CAN Carrie Vaughn TRANSITIONAL FORMS Paul J. McAuley PRECIOUS MENTAL Robert Reed MARTIAN BLOOD Allen M. Steele ZERO FOR CONDUCT Greg Egan THE WAITING STARS Aliette de Bodard A MAP OF MERCURY Alastair Reynolds ONE Nancy Kress MURDER ON THE ALDRIN EXPRESS Martin L. Shoemaker BIOGRAPHICAL FRAGMENTS OF THE LIFE OF JULIAN PRINCE Jake Kerr THE PLAGUE Ken Liu FLEET Sandra McDonald THE SHE-WOLFS HIDDEN GRIN Michael Swanwick BAD DAY ON BOSCOBEL Alexander Jablokov THE IRISH ASTRONAUT Val Nolan THE OTHER GUN Neal Asher ONLY HUMAN Lavie Tidhar ENTANGLED Ian R. MacLeod EARTH 1 Stephen Baxter TECHNARION Sean McMullen FINDERS Melissa Scott THE QUEEN OF NIGHTS ARIA Ian McDonald HARD STARS Brendan DuBois THE PROMISE OF SPACE James Patrick Kelly QUICKEN Damien Broderick HONORABLE MENTIONS: 2013 Praise for previous editions: 'This annual compilation of the previous year's best short stories and novellas, together with a comprehensive summation of the state of the genre and an extensive "honourable mentions" list, has become an institution over the past three decades.' Guardian 'Quantity as well as quality . . . every piece is a treasure.' The Times 'For more than a quarter century, Gardner Dozois's Mammoth Book of Best New SF has defined the field. It is the most important anthology, not only annually, but overall.' Charles N. Brown, publisher of Locus 'New authors rub shoulders with old hands, and strong work from relative novices Hannu Rajaniemi and Lavie Tidhar suggest that SF's future is as bright as ever.' Financial Times 'The most respected editor in the field.' George R. R. Martin Features 33 SF stories by writers of the calibre of Robert Reed, Aliette de Bodard, Alastair Reynolds, Carrie Vaughn, Ian R MacLeod and Jay Lake. This title includes illuminating and incisive summation of the year in science fiction.