Vonda N. McIntyre

On an Earth scarred by nuclear war, Snake harnesses the power of venom to cure illnesses and vaccinate against disease. The healer can even ease patients into death with the power of her dreamsnake. But she is not respected and trusted by all, and when she tries to help a sick nomad child, the frightened clan kills her dreamsnake. Ashamed of being misjudged and grieving the loss of her dreamsnake, Snake has one choice to maintain her livelihood:...

This brilliant collection of short fiction showcases renowned author Vonda N. McIntyre's sparkling lyricism, captivating vision, and advocacy of the different. The titular story is one of alienation and discrimination, as a woman transformed into an "ugly" lifeform-a clumsy "digger"-seeks to escape her servitude to humans, but is denied sanctuary by the beautiful and graceful "flyers." Also included is the acclaimed story "Of Mist, and Grass, and...

A novel of star-crossed love from the New York Times–bestselling author of Nebula and Hugo Award–winning novel Dreamsnake. In a future where space travel moves at faster-than-light speed, starship crews can only survive transit if drugged nearly to death. Then there are those like Laenea Trevelyan, who want to become pilots so badly they will go through years of training and major surgery to free themselves of biological rhythms. But though...

During the late seventeenth century, Louis XIV's natural philosopher and explorer, Father Yves de la Croix, does what no one has done for four hundred years: he brings a living sea monster to land. Thus begins a stunning fantasy, a journey into science and superstition, and an alternate history in which Yves and his sister, Marie-Josèphe, a lady-in-waiting with her own finely tuned intelligence and insatiable curiosity-struggle to learn from and...

Metaphase Cast out from interstellar civilization, the crew of the Starfarer encounters an extraterrestrial whose reputation is equally bad: the squidmoth. Contact specialist J.D. Sauvage risks her life to befriend the creature, trusting her instincts instead of the warnings of the alien human. The welcome Sauvage receives and the connection she makes will help her overcome her innate fears and prejudices, and she will be given a gift that will save...

James T. Kirk is the youngest man to be promoted to the rank of captain in Federation history. His crew consists of a first officer who finds him impetuous; a chief engineer who finds him arrogant; a chief medical officer who finds him trifling; and a helmsman who wants a transfer. But the young crew, which would later become the legendary space explorers, quickly puts aside their differences when a monstrous starship appears on their nascent flight...

In 1684 France, Louis XIV, the Sun King, is the most powerful and influential monarch on the planet. But his birthday is approaching along with a rare solar eclipse and he's worried about the future of France. His spiritual advisor, Pr̈e La Chaise, comforts him, while his physician, Dr. Labarthe informs him that scientists believe mermaids contain a life force that grants immortality. Louis XIV's quest for immortality leads him to capture a mermaid's...