Start the fall proper with a round-up of September’s science fiction new releases.

*     *     *      *      *

A. I. Battle Station (A. I. Series #4) – Vaughn Heppner

We defeated the invading death machines. But at a devastating cost, with smoldering radioactive craters on Mars, shattered moon-domes around Jupiter and floating junk where Saturn’s satellite cities used to orbit.

We know more killing machines are coming and that the ultimate outcome seems hopeless. To win this war, we need more warships, more soldiers and a way to take the fight to the enemy.

By analyzing a testy AI probe, Jon Hawkins discovers a secret: the whereabouts of a giant AI battle station, one protecting a factory planet 17.2 light-years from Earth.

Jon has to convince a defensive Premier Benz and the hostile Earth government to join him. A human flotilla has the lonely task of traveling through hyperspace to defeat the arrogant AIs in one of their own star systems.

The fate of the human race rests on the sacrifice and courage of Jon Hawkins and his friends.

*     *     *      *      *

Attack of Shadows (Galaxy’s Edge #4) – Jason Anspach and Nick Cole

The End of the Republic begins now.

The galaxy ignites as Goth Sullus and his fleet unleash a devastating surprise assault on the Republic. All that stands in his way are the 7th Fleet and the Legion. But with allies hidden in the very heart of the Republic, Sullus looks to reshape the galaxy in his own image.

Fleets collide in a moment-by-moment account of tactics, heroism, sacrifice, and the start of the final war of the Republic. The stakes have never been higher—and it’s winner take all.

“A work of military science fiction so detailed you can feel the equipment and choke on the dust.”

“To say that I liked this book is an understatement, and even love It is a half-hearted disservice to the authors. These guys- Anspach and Cole – have made a true fan out of me. Elements of the best stuff – a gritty Star Wars type universe, a crew with a bit of a Firefly vibe, and old scores to settle. Plus, profiteering! Blasters! Space battles!”

*     *     *      *      *

For a Few Credits More (Revelations Cycle #7) – edited by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey 

It’s the Twenty-Second Century. Humanity has taken its first steps into the galaxy, and we’ve found ourselves in a vast playground of alien races, environments, and cultures. As the newest players on the universal stage, though, our position is readily apparent—we’re at the bottom of the food chain.

Welcome back to the Four Horsemen universe, where only a willingness to fight and die for money separates Humans from the majority of the other races. While some of the stories inside deal with mercenaries, others introduce readers to the other guilds, organizations, and races that make up the landscape of the Four Horsemen universe, and many of them provide background information to the mainline novels. There’s even a new form of life to get acquainted with and a look at alien interaction at its youngest level!

Edited by bestselling authors and universe creators Mark Wandrey and Chris Kennedy, “For a Few Credits More” includes sixteen all-new stories in the Four Horsemen universe by a variety of bestselling authors—and some you may not have heard of…yet. It’s a world where you can get anything you want. Some things, though, are only available for a few credits more!

*     *     *      *      *

For the Triumph of Evil (Frontiers Saga: Rogue Castes #6) – Ryk Brown

The year is 3472. The Earth is recovering from 1,000 years of darkness and despair caused by a bio-digital plague that nearly destroyed her entire population. The Data Ark, a repository of human knowledge left behind by their fallen ancestors, taught the people of Earth that they had long ago settled nearby star systems, many of which had grown into massive planetary civilizations that continued to settle further out into space. They also discovered that those worlds had been ravaged by the same plague, and that each had struggled to rise from the ashes and thrive again.

One world survived by taking what they needed from their neighbors, by force. Over the centuries, they have risen to become an interstellar empire, and have conquered every human-inhabited world within 50 light years of their home world… except one.

Now, the people of Earth rush to prepare a defense against the newly discovered threat. 

Captain Nathan Scott has finally returned to lead the new Karuzari in a rebellion against the Dusahn Empire, who has conquered Earth’s allies in the Pentaurus sector. Before they can challenge the Dusahn and prevent them from expanding their empire further, the Karuzari must first gather much needed resources. But doing so could be more difficult than anticipated.  Nathan has less than a week to prepare, before he must face the greatest Gunyoki pilot on all of Rakuen. The future of the Karuzari, and the freedom of the entire quadrant depend on one thing:

His victory.

*     *     *      *      *

Reptilian Wanderer – Dominika Lein

In the cold dark expanse of space, for over 18,500 years, an organic spacecraft known as Niobe has roamed alone. No humans, no galactic civilizations, no family generations, only the remnant of a lost Reptilian crew far from their homeworld. Sinister intentions control routine incarnation systems, leaving the crew at the whim of a madman.

Assigned to be a pilot, Ray has incarnated without memories. He seeks to reclaim his recollections, to remember his purpose and desire, to understand why he can hear the voice of his flying pod when others hear nothing. With mystery around every turn, he discovers allies and foes alike within their insular world.

Reptilian Wanderer tells a story of when aliens find themselves alone in space, with no one to find. Disconnected from their world with no apparent mission but continued survival. It shares the madness that can come with immortality, the confusion that can come with remembering a thousand lives, and the love a living machine can develop for her crew.

*     *     *      *      *

Tech Mage (Magitech Chronicles #1) – Chris Fox

Enslaved and Forced to Fight Dragons

Aran awakens in chains with no memory. He’s conscripted into the Confederate Marines as a Tech Mage, given a spellrifle, then hurled into the war with the draconic Krox and their Void Wyrm masters.

Desperate to escape, Aran struggles to master his abilities, while surviving the Krox onslaught. Fighting alongside him are a Major who will do anything to win, a Captain who will stop at nothing to see him dead, and a woman whose past is as blank as his own.

Caught between survival and loyalty Aran must choose. If he flees he will live, but the Krox will burn the galaxy. Stopping them requires a price Aran may be unable to pay:

Learning to trust the very people who enslaved him.

*     *     *      *      *

There Will Be War Volume VII – edited by Jerry Pournelle and John F. Carr

THERE WILL BE WAR is a landmark science fiction anthology series that combines top-notch military science fiction with factual essays by various generals and military experts on everything from High Frontier and the Strategic Defense Initiative to the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Many science fiction greats were featured in the original nine-volume series, which ran from 1982 to 1990, including Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Philip K. Dick, Gordon Dickson, Poul Anderson, John Brunner, Gregory Benford, Robert Silverberg, Harry Turtledove, and Ben Bova.

33 years later, Castalia House has joined with Dr. Jerry Pournelle to make this classic science fiction series available to the public again. THERE WILL BE WAR is a treasure trove of science fiction and history that will educate and amaze new readers while reminding old ones how much the world has changed over the last three decades. Most of the stories, like war itself, remain entirely relevant today.

THERE WILL BE WAR Volume VII features 20 stories, articles, and poems. Of particular note are “The Tank Lords” by David Drake, “Test for Tyrants” by Edward P. Hughes, “The Last Article” by Harry Turtledove, “Remember the Alamo” by T.R. Fehrenbach, and “Consequences” by Walter Jon Williams.

*     *     *      *      *

Torchship Captain (Torchship Trilogy #3) – Karl K. Gallagher

A captain who’ll take any job if there’s enough money in it.

A pilot with an agenda of her own.

And a mechanic with an eye on the pilot.

The crew of the freighter Fives Full want to enjoy the profits of their dangerous voyage, but when war breaks out they’re pressed into service for missions a warship can’t do. Winning the war demands pilot Michigan Long act ruthlessly . . . and may cost her her conscience and her marriage. For Michigan Long blackmailed her enemies into joining the war against the AIs. Now the secret she used is leaking out and the Fusion is shattering. Caught in the middle of a civil war, she will have to use any weapon that comes to hand—her wits, her ship, her mate.