Books

Short works

Books : reviews

Tobias S. Buckell.
The Trove.
self published. 2017

Treasure Island like you’ve never read it before...

Jane Hawkins lives on a floating space pert where she tries to help her mothers run a failing inn. Every day she watches starships land from far-off places, bound for exotic adventures.

But a new occupant under their roof is about to change everything. His name is Villem Osteonidus. More machine than man, he’s crewed aboard ships that sail through the universe faster than light itself.

And he has a secret that will change Jane’s life forever.

Tobias S. Buckell.
A Stranger in the Citadel.
Tachyon. 2023

In a city where books are forbidden, the life of Lilith, the youngest royal of Ninetha, has been one of hard training. But Lilith’s days have also contained many pleasures, including the privileges of the Cornucopia, a mystical source of limitless bounty. Lilith has never seen a book, and she never expects to encounter one within the safety of the citadel.

When Ishmael, an outcast librarian, arrives outside the Afriq Gate, Lilith saves him from immediate execution by her father’s second-in-command, the zealot Kira. When Lilith’s curiosity draws her to Ishmael, she lets slip her family's most dangerous secret to Kira, sparking a deadly rebellion and an unexpected journey full of stunning revelations.

A Stranger in the Citadel lies in a world of mortal and ancient menaces, at the revolutionary crossroads of magic, science, religion, and betrayal.

Tobias S. Buckell, Dave Klecha.
The Runes of Engagement.
Tachyon. 2024

The Lord of the Rings meets Call of Duty in this delirious mash-up pitting confused soldiers against legendary monsters. This riotous campaign of a novel could only have sprung from the nerdy minds of a science fiction award-winner and an extreme amateur landscaper.

No one could have been prepared for the day when orcs, trolls, and dragons fell from portals in the sky. But now a very tough but not-quite-prepared platoon of Marines is trapped on the wrong side. The enchanting world looks like Middle Earth, but to the dismay of even the geekiest soldiers, is nothing like it.

While the Marines fend off dangerous, improbable, and very rude assailants, their mission is to escort a Very important Princess who could broker a crucial strategic alliance between worlds. What could possibly go wrong?

Tobias S. Buckell.
Arctic Rising.
Tor. 2012

Tobias S. Buckell.
Hurricane Fever.
Del Rey. 2014

When former spy Roo Jones receives an unexpected package from a dead friend, he’s yanked out of a comfortable retirement and is suddenly embroiled in a global conspiracy involving a weapon that could change the face of the world forever.

But as one of the largest hurricanes to hit the Caribbean begins to sweep through the area, Roo just may find that time is running out – not just for himself, but the whole world…

Tobias S. Buckell.
Crystal Rain.
Tor. 2006

Tobias S. Buckell.
Ragamuffin.
Tor. 2007

Tobias S. Buckell.
Sly Mongoose.
Tor. 2008

Tobias S. Buckell.
The Apocalypse Ocean.
self pub. 2012

Humanity continues to gain control of the Forty Eight Worlds as they deorbit wormholes and join the many worlds and civilizations together. But as they do so, they must deal with the horrors of past injustices as humanity forms new societies out of the wreckage of the old.

And some of those horrors aren’t content to rest. Kay, who has rescued herself from a hellish life dominated by uncaring alien creatures, seeks bloody twisted revenge for what was done to her.

And a new force is not happy about the manner in which the Forty Eight worlds are reshaping themselves. In fact, it’s about to put a stop to it all.

Tobias S. Buckell.
Xenowealth: A Collection.
self pub. 2015