"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?" Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

What would happen if Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was set in the twenty-first century? When Mrs Bennet inherits enough money to move to the kind of village she has always dreamed of, her daughters find themselves swept up in a glamourous life of partying and countryside pursuits. But Lizzie and her sisters soon discover that, beneath the very smart surface, lurks a web of intrigue and rivalries.

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn't, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love-again. Because the last time she fell in love with a boy, he ended up dead.

Then Lexi finds herself torn. Against her better judgement, she's opening up agian, falling in love with someone new when she knows she shouldn't. But when she's offered the chance to finally live a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free or her curse is giving him up.

L. Ron Hubbard: A megszállók terve (Földi küldetés 1.) A Voltár Államszövetség 125000 éves fennállása óta eddig még sosem borította fel inváziós tervét. Megfigyelés alatt tartják a szomszédos, lakott rendszereket. Felderít?hajókat küldenek közéjük, és anélkül, hogy zavart keltenének köztük, megfigyelés alatt tartják ?ket. Létezik egy közeli rendszer, benne egy lakott bolygóval, melyet ott "Föld"-nek hívnak, és amely bolygó már évszázadok óta az érdekl?dés középpontjában áll. 100 év múlva esedékes itt az invázió, de fél?, hogy addigra a földlakók tönkreteszik bolygójukat. Voltári technológiai segítséggel csökkenthet? lenne a légszennyezés. A titkos akció f? résztvev?i: Soltan Gris, a Szervezett Információs Apparátus, a félelmetes titkosrend?rség magasrangú tisztségvisel?je; Jettero Heller harcmérnök, a Királyi ?rszolgálat tisztje. Rajtuk kívül még sokan próbálják sütötegni saját pecsenyéjüket, ill. tartani a tervet a Voltáron és a Földön. Persze ez nem gyorsan történt, és nem is volt egyszer?. Az eset nem más, mint a FÖLDI KÜLDETÉS rettenetes története.

Terre : An 3 000. L'espèce humaine s'est pratiquement éteinte dix siècles auparavant sous l'assaut des Psychlos, êtres impitoyables et décadents surgis des étoiles, qui pillent les ressources minières des planètes qu'ils rencontrent, anéantissant toutes les races qui leur résistent. L'un des derniers humains, Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, va pourtant un jour bouleverser l'histoire et redécouvrir le fabuleux hérita! de la civilisation humaine. De coups de théâtre en découvertes dramatiques, il va prendre en main le nouveau destin des hommes et entamer une formidable guerre contre les Psychlos. Mais que peuvent une poignée d'hommes, armés de lances et de bâtons, contre la civilisation la plus puissante de l'Univers ?

Terre, an 3000. L'espèce humaine s'est pratiquement éteinte dix siècles auparavant sous l'assaut des Psychlos, êtres impitoyables et décadents surgis des étoiles, qui pillent les ressources minières des planètes qu'ils rencontrent, éliminant toutes les races qui leur résistent. Cet ouvrage constitue la deuxième partie de cette gigantesque épopée de l'an 3000 dont le premier volume, Les Derniers Hommes a été décrit par la critique comme l'événement de l'année dans le domaine de la science-fiction. Nous retrouvons dans ce nouveau volume Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, l'un des derniers hommes, conduisant ce qui reste de la race humaine dans une attaque désespérée contre l'empire Psychlo... Un dénouement lyrique et furieux au plus grand roman de science-fiction jamais publié. A lire absolument.

A towering masterwork of science fiction adventure and one of the bestselling science fiction novels of all time, L. Ron Hubbard's Battlefield Earth open with breathtaking scope on an Earth dominated for a thousand years by an alien invader--and man is an endangered species. From the handful of surviving humans a courageous leader emerges--Jonnie Goodboy Tyler--who challenges the invincible might of the alien Psychlo empire in a battle of epic scale, danger and intrigue, with the fate of Earth and of the universe in the tenuous balance.

From Publishers Weekly

First published in Astounding magazine in 1940, Final Blackout is generally considered Hubbard's best science fiction novel. Set in a world ravaged by 30 years of war, it chronicles the rise, in England, of the charismatic leader, strategist and statesman known only as the Lieutenant. As a depiction of a blighted world, the novel is compelling, even riveting: as it increasingly concerns itself with the Lieutenant it loses some of its power, but it still remains a superior piece of pulp adventure writing. The book is also interesting as an early showcase of some of Hubbard's ideas on the condition of the world, and history's need for extraordinary individuals--ideas he later developed in Dianetics and Scientology. The volume also contains a preface by Hubbard written for a 1948 edition of the novel, and an adulatory introduction by science fiction writer Algis Budrys, in which extravagant claims are made about the novel and its author. An even more adulatory, unsigned profile concludes the volume. Caveat emptor. 100,000 first printing; $100,000 ad/promo.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Chilling and lucid." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Compelling...riveting...Hubbard's best." -- Publishers Weekly

"Like "Fatherland", Hubbard spins a masterful tale of suspense and non-stop action." -- Harold Robbins

From Publishers Weekly

Hubbard's 1940 fantasy tale centers on a circus dwarf named Little Tom Little who becomes obsessed with the idea of swapping bodies with the circus's larger-than-life chief. This fantastic production features a large supporting cast of readers, sound effects and a variety of brilliant voices provided by The Simpsons' Nancy Cartwright. The only downside is that Little Tom Little bears a striking resemblance to Bart Simpson, so much so that the entire story is jeopardized because audiences will be hard pressed not to see a Simpsons episode playing out in their minds. As talented as Cartwright is, especially in voicing child characters, one would have expected her to come up with a more original voice. A Galaxy Press paperback.(Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

The fascinating thing to me is that L. Ron Hubbard's fantasy stories, first published 50 and 60 years ago, are not dated in style, content or language. They are as fresh and interesting for times right now as they were when he conceived them. --Anne McCaffrey

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she's ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

From Publishers Weekly

In this fast-paced short novel of espionage and intrigue from pulp master Hubbard, Kurt Reid, bucko mate of the tanker Rangoon, jumps ship to avoid a murder rap. His goal is the city of Shanghai because behind it lay all of China and a fair chance for escape. Instantly, Reid is drawn into a plot involving a beautiful Russian spy, Varinka, and the sinister Gen. Lin Wang and his executioners known as the Death Squad. The equally beautiful Anne Carsten complicates the romantic equation. While not as polished or prolific as Max King of the Pulps Brand, the future founder of Scientology carved a solid career as a contributor to the popular magazines of his day. This action yarn first saw print in the April 1936 issue of Five-Novels Monthly—the bright primary colors of that original cover, reproduced here, add nicely to the timeless pulp appeal. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—"Kurt went to the back of the room and found the round-faced, slit-eyed proprietor." So goes the story of Kurt Reid, who has been accused of murder, and his adventures on "the Yellow Continent." Originally published in 1936, this is part of a series of stories by L. Ron Hubbard that have been recorded by a full cast, with music and sound effects. Like a lot of pulp fiction from that era, there are obvious stereotypes and distinct language that will make it a difficult sell to today's audiences. The narration is very dramatic, but the accents used for the Russian and Chinese characters border on ridiculous. Unless it is tied to a lesson on cultural stereotypes of the past or American pulp fiction, skip this title.—Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Gr 6-10-Kayla McHenry's 16th birthday is not going well. It's bad enough that her mother, a professional event planner, is throwing a party that she does not want, including pink frills and a cake with four layers. And her best friend, Nicole, is dating the boy Kayla's madly in love with, Ben Mackenzie, and they arrive three hours late to the celebration. When it's time to blow out the candles on her cake, Kayla wishes that for once her wishes would come true. The next morning she awakens to a bright pink pony in her yard, and the following day to an endless supply of gumballs. Then a live Raggedy Ann appears in her closet, and after that she encounters a boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name. Now Kayla wonders what else will happen and how, more importantly, she can stop the wish she made on her 15th birthday from coming true-that Ben would kiss her. Although the story has a few plot holes and unanswered questions, such as what made the cake magical in the first place, they will not detract from its appeal. With slapstick high jinks, a likable protagonist, and some snappy dialogue, this novel will be a hit with girls who enjoy light, comedic stories with a little romance mixed in.-Jessica Marie, Renton Public Library, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Kayla is an angsty outsider, growing distant from her suddenly beautiful best friend, Nicole, and doing her best to subvert the status quo. When she wakes up from her sixteenth birthday party, Kayla’s wishes from years gone by start coming true. She scrambles to hide the bizarre evidence (a life-size My Little Pony, a million gumballs, giant breasts) and stop the wishes before last year’s materializes with a kiss from her best friend’s now boyfriend, Ben. As she is visited by the wishes of her past, she begins to soften and glimpse the joy that can be found in small things, thanks in great part to Raggedy Ann, who has come to life. Kayla and Ann’s relationship is the most developed in the book, as she spends much of her time avoiding Ben and trying to connect with Nicole. By the book’s end, Kayla’s transformation is significant, but many questions remain. Even so, this is an entertaining romance enlivened by the fantasy spin and deepened by Kayla’s renewed appreciation for the world around her. Grades 6-9. --Heather Booth

Die Fronten in der Klasse sind klar: Dünne gegen Dicke, Coole gegen Uncoole. Und es funktioniert, weil niemand widerspricht. Lukas nicht, der sich von Lennard vorführen lässt, weil er sich Anerkennung erhofft. Jenny nicht, die mitmacht, aus Feigheit und Angst. Als Nadja neu in die Klasse kommt, wittert die Clique um Lennard sofort ein neues Opfer. Doch Nadja lässt sich nichts gefallen. »Nicht mit mir!«, sagt sie. Und tatsächlich kommt Bewegung in die Klasse, beginnt die Clique an Lennard zu zweifeln …&break;Ein wichtiger Roman um Mobbing und Courage – sensibel, ehrlich und spannend erzählt.

The fantastic Mission Earth saga continues with Black Genesis, as the aliens implement their insidious plan to infiltrate Earth society. Every volume of the Mission Earth series has been a New York Times bestseller and a Literary Guild Alternate Selection. Get in on the profits b y cashing in on Mission Earth-Mania!

Nominated for Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1987.

La Terre n’existe pas, c’est connu, et nous sommes un peu surpris d’apprendre que deux extraterrestres viennent d’y atterrir en tapinois. L’un d’eux est chargé de mener à bien la Mission Terre et l’autre est chargé... de la faire échouer. Ce dernier s’appelle Soltan Gris ; il restera tapi dans la Forteresse du Mal et sera informé par ses Mouchards. L’autre, c’est Jettero Heller, qui part pour New York afin de percer à jour les secrets du pouvoir sur notre planète et de trouver le meilleur moyen de sauver son équilibre écologique sans se faire repérer. Le jeu est sournois, complexe et cruel. Notre joli monde est un curieux labyrinthe où s’affrontent la mafia, le F.B.I., les services secrets, les trafiquants de drogue et beaucoup d’autres. Jettero s’adapte vite et fait merveille dans les étranges dédales de la finance, du sexe et de la politique. Soltan Gris n’en revient pas ; comment va-t-il s’y prendre pour faire trébucher cet agent trop efficace ?

«Campo de batalla: la Tierra. El enemigo» es una gran epopeya de aventuras situada en el año 3000, cuando la supervivencia futura de lo que queda de la raza humana está en peligro. Mientras en nuestro planeta la población está sumida en un estado miserable, en una galaxia lejana existe un planeta, habitado por los psiclos, raza tecnológica y financieramente superdesarrollada, que domina y explota desde hace siglos a los planetas de todas las galaxias conocidas, destruyendo despiadadamente a cuantas razas le han opuesto resistencia. Este planeta proyecta dominar la Tierra. Ésta es la historia de un hombre que se enfrenta al más poderoso y maléfico poder del mundo, y así se ve envuelto en emocionantes y peligrosas aventuras en que no sólo tiene que intervenir en guerras y enfrentamientos bélicos de toda clase, sino hacer frente a intrigas financieras intergalácticas y a complejas manipulaciones políticas a escala interplanetaria.

En este segundo volumen de Campo de batalla: la Tierra, subtitulado La victoria, el protagonista, aprovechando su experiencia en pilotar aviones —aprendida junto a uno de los jefes psiclo—, aterriza en Escocia y advierte a los escoceses de la amenaza del poder psiclo. Les ofrece, además, su ayuda para sublevarse contra sus colonizadores, los lores. Así inicia la dura y enconada tarea de liberar a la Tierra de sus enemigos y devolverle su antiguo esplendor. En medio de las más emocionantes aventuras y los más arriesgados y peligrosos lances, el protagonista, Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, al que veíamos en una situación de servidumbre y humillación en el primer volumen, lleva adelante su propósito de enfrentarse al poderoso y temible imperio de los psiclos, que domina unos doscientos mil planetas de diversas galaxias. Con este nuevo tomo concluye un extraordinario relato que ha figurado largo tiempo en las listas de best-seller de todo el mundo.