Secondhand Books

Gráinne, quite simply, is unique; a moving and magical tour de force that ranks with Keith Roberts' best.

Ostensibly, the novel charts the career of one alistair Bevan, writer and admin, from his beginnings in a post-war Midlands town. Here though any parallels with our world cease. Through Bevan's vivid memories we meet Gráinne; blue stocking , seductress, darling of the media. Painfully human yet mysterious as her namesake, the girl-goddess doomed by her own proud nature who plunged all Ireland into war and shadow.

Published by Kerosina Books in 1987.

First edition hardback in fine condition, signed on the title page by the author.

The invasion from Mars came in the early years of the twenty first century. And all over America people were praying for it to succeed...

For two decades the United States had been slipping into a primitive past, turning its back on technology - and abandoning its Martian colony. Its 'emergency' government was kept in power by repression, food was scarce, life grim... and killer packs of wild animals prowled at night, making curfews a vital need.

Then the 'Martian's came back. An obscure teacher, John Castle, was among the first to see the invaders - and made a desperate bid to aid them. He failed then, but there was a strange role waiting for Castle to play...

Published by Dobson in 1977.

First edition hardback in fine condition.

In the third and final part of the Earthsea trilogy, Ursula Le Guin brings to a magnificent end the saga begun in A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan.

Published in 1973 by Gollancz.

First edition hardback in fine condition.

After the events described in Heretics of Dune, the old-established galactic order is in disarray. The Honoured Matres are conquering all; the planet Dune has been destroyed; only pockets of resistance remain, with opposition coming mainly from the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, co-ordinated from their still-undiscovered home world, Chapter House.

Published by Gollancz in 1985.

First edition hardback in fine condition.

Nearly two centuries ago  the starship Phoenix disappeared into the heavens, leaving an isolated colony of humans alone on the world of the atevi. Over the ensuing years this small colony of humans struggled to reach an understanding with theior alien overlords. And an understanding of sorts had finally been achieved - allowing humanity to live in peaceful isolation on the island of Mospheira, while a sole human representative to the atevi court, the paidhi, acted as official translator, trading bits of advanced human technology for the continued safety of his people.

This is the second book of the first atevi trilofy, following directly on from Foreigner.

Published by DAW in 1995.

First edition hardback in near fine condition, though some of the gilt lettering of the author's name and book title has rubbed off on the front cover.

In Dune: House Corrino Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson bring us to the magnificent final chapter in the unforgettable saga begun in Dune: House Harkonnen. Here nobles and commoners, soldiers and slaves, wives and courtesans shape the amazing destiny of a tumultuous universe. An epic saga of love and war, crime and politics, religion and revolution, this magnificent novel is a fitting conclusion to a great science fiction trilogy... and an invaluable addition to the thrillwing world of Frank Herbert's Dune.

(Note: none of the above blurb is true and is closer to fantasy than the actual plot of the book.)

Published by Bantam Spectra in 2001.

First edition hardback in fine condition.