An anthology of science fiction short stories by some of today's top authors to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the science fiction film classic Forbidden Planet. Filled to the brim with provocative tales of worlds where humans were never meant to go.

When Captain Nova Ardis acquires the services of a dangerous, tattooed gladiator, she knows she's taking a risk-but she would do anything for family. Kove has survived most of his life in the gladiator arena and now, on the eve of winning his freedom, he is sold once again. At least being the captain's bodyguard shouldn't be too hard compared to the bloody life he's lived. ˃˃˃ Danger At Every Turn . When she takes him to the forbidden planet and embarks on a mission to rescue her brother, Kove will have to call upon all his skills to keep himself-and the woman he's falling for-alive. ˃˃˃ The Rise of the Gladiator is a clean, action-packed space opera series that will have you on the edge of your seat!Scroll Up And Grab Your Copy Today!

Introduction / Ray Bradbury -- Passion ploy / Matthew Hughes -- Lehr, Rex / Jay Lake -- Dust / Paul McAuley -- Tiger, burning / Alastair Reynolds -- The singularity needs women! / Paul De Filippo -- Dreamers' lake / Stephen Baxter -- Eventide / Chris Robe

Inspired by Shakepeare's The Tempest, this juke box musical is packed with rock 'n' roll classics such as Heard it Through the Grapevine, Young Girl, Good Vibrations, and Gloria. Blast off on a routine flight and crash into the planet D'Illyria where a sci fi version of The Tempest set to rock and roll golden oldies unfolds with glee. The planet is inhabited by a sinister scientist, Dr. Prospero; his delightful daughter Miranda; Ariel, a faithful robot on roller skates; and an uncontrollable monster, the product of Prospero's Id, whose tentacles penetrate the space craft.

Whether you judge by box office receipts, industry awards, or critical accolades, science fiction films are the most popular movies now being produced and distributed around the world. Nor is this phenomenon new. Sci-fi filmmakers and audiences have been exploring fantastic planets, forbidden zones, and lost continents ever since George Méliès’ 1902 film A Trip to the Moon. In this highly entertaining and knowledgeable book, film historian and pop culture expert Douglas Brode picks the one hundred greatest sci-fi films of all time. Brode’s list ranges from today’s blockbusters to forgotten gems, with surprises for even the most informed fans and scholars. He presents the movies in chronological order, which effectively makes this book a concise history of the sci-fi film genre. A striking (and in many cases rare) photograph accompanies each entry, for which Brode provides a numerical rating, key credits and cast members, brief plot summary, background on the film’s creation, elements of the moviemaking process, analysis of the major theme(s), and trivia. He also includes fun outtakes, including his top ten lists of Fifties sci-fi movies, cult sci-fi, least necessary movie remakes, and “so bad they’re great” classics—as well as the ten worst sci-fi movies (“those highly ambitious films that promised much and delivered nil”). So climb aboard spaceship Brode and journey to strange new worlds from Metropolis (1927) to Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).

The solar system most of us grew up with included nine planets, with Mercury closest to the sun and Pluto at the outer edge. Then, in 2005, astronomer Mike Brown made the discovery of a lifetime: a tenth planet, Eris, slightly bigger than Pluto. But instead of adding one more planet to our solar system, Brown’s find ignited a firestorm of controversy that culminated in the demotion of Pluto from real planet to the newly coined category of “dwarf” planet. Suddenly Brown was receiving hate mail from schoolchildren and being bombarded by TV reporters—all because of the discovery he had spent years searching for and a lifetime dreaming about. A heartfelt and personal journey filled with both humor and drama, How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming is the book for anyone, young or old, who has ever imagined exploring the universe—and who among us hasn’t?

The 1968 Planet of the Apes film has inspired generations of authors. Now a who's who of modern writers produces sixteen all-new tales, exclusive to this volume, set in the world of the original films and television series. Dan Abnett • Kevin J. Anderson • Jim Beard • Nancy Collins Greg Cox • Andrew E.C. Gaska • Robert Greenberger Rich Handley • Greg Keyes • Sam Knight • Paul Kupperberg Jonathan Maberry • Bob Mayer • John Jackson Miller Ty Templeton • Will Murray • Dayton Ward Each explores a different drama within the post-apocalyptic world, treating readers to unique visions and nonstop action.