The Quiet War Series by Paul McAuley

This exotic, fast-paced space opera turns on a single question: who decides what it means to be human?

Three long stories and fourteen short stories and snapshots set in the aftermath of a short, sharp asymmetrical war between Earth and colonists of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and in the subsequent golden age of exploration and colonisation of the solar system. Shares the same future history as Paul McAuley's novels The Quiet War (short-listed for the Arthur C. Clarke Award), Gardens of the Sun (short-listed for the John W... moreThree long stories and fourteen short stories and snapshots set in the aftermath of a short, sharp asymmetrical war between Earth and colonists of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and in the subsequent golden age of exploration and colonisation of the solar system. Shares the same future history as Paul McAuley's novels The Quiet War (short-listed for the Arthur C. Clarke Award), Gardens of the Sun (short-listed for the John W. Campbell Memorial award), In the Mouth of the Whale, and Evening's Empires. less

The Quiet War is over. The city states of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, founded by descendants of refugees from Earth’s repressive regimes, the Outers, have fallen to the Three Powers Alliance of Greater Brazil, the European Union, and the Pacific Community. A century of enlightenment, rational utopianism and exploration of new ways of being human has fallen dark... moreThe Quiet War is over. The city states of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, founded by descendants of refugees from Earth’s repressive regimes, the Outers, have fallen to the Three Powers Alliance of Greater Brazil, the European Union, and the Pacific Community. A century of enlightenment, rational utopianism and exploration of new ways of being human has fallen dark. Outers are herded into prison camps and forced to collaborate in the systematic plundering of their great archives of scientific and technical knowledge, while Earth’s forces loot their cities and settlements and ships, and plan a final solution to the ‘Outer problem.’ But Earth’s victory is fragile, and riven by vicious internal politics. While seeking out and trying to anatomise the strange gardens abandoned in place by the Outers’ greatest genius, Avernus, the gene wizard Sri Hong-Owen is embroiled in the plots and counterplots of the family that employs her. The diplomat Loc Ifrahim soon discovers that profiting from victory isn’t as easy as he thought. And on Earth, in Greater Brazil, the democratic traditions preserved and elaborated by the Outers have infected a population eager to escape the tyranny of the great families who rule them. Meanwhile, in the outer reaches of the Solar System, a rag-taggle group of refugees struggle to preserve the last of the old ideals. And on Triton, fanatical members of a cabal prepare for a final battle that threatens to shatter the future of the human species. After a conflict fought to contain the expansionist, posthuman ambitions of the Outers, the future is as uncertain as ever. Only one thing is clear. No one can escape the consequences of war -- especially the victors. less

In the system of Fomalhaut, a war is being fought. The Quicks came long ago, refugees from the solar system. The True arrived later, to find a declining civilisation, ripe for the taking. Then the Ghosts appeared, unknowable, powerful and determined to drive out the Quick and the True.

In the far future, a young man stands on a barren asteroid. His ship has been stolen, his family kidnapped or worse, and all he has on his side is a semi-intelligent spacesuit. The only member of the crew to escape, Hari has barely been off his ship before. It was his birthplace, his home and his future. He's going to get it back. McAuley's latest novel is set in the same far-flung future as his last few novels, but this time he takes on a much more personal story... moreIn the far future, a young man stands on a barren asteroid. His ship has been stolen, his family kidnapped or worse, and all he has on his side is a semi-intelligent spacesuit. The only member of the crew to escape, Hari has barely been off his ship before. It was his birthplace, his home and his future. He's going to get it back. McAuley's latest novel is set in the same far-flung future as his last few novels, but this time he takes on a much more personal story. This is a tale of revenge, of murder and morality, of growing up and discovering the world around you. Throughout the novel we follow Hari's viewpoint, and as he unravels the mysteries that led to his stranding, we discover them alongside him. But throughout his journeys, Hari must always bear one thing in mind. Nobody is to be trusted. less