Master of Space War

Space wars are the foundation stones of science fiction, but contemporary media have given them some stiff competition through movies, television, and, especially, video games. Why would anyone want to read about a gunner on a space cruiser when he can be the gunner of a space cruiser? The kick of gaming is intoxicating, and any science fiction writer who's able to hold onto readers in the teeth of that kind of competition must have very special narrative powers. Enter William C. Dietz, whose novels blaze with colorful characters, evil aliens, and nonstop action.

E-Reads has published two of Dietz's early novels, Freehold and Prison Planet, and we're happy to tell you that more are on the way. Look for Bodyguard, Mars Prime, Matrix Man, Steelheart and Where the Ships Die in the coming months.

Meanwhile, we'd like to treat you to the first chapter of his just-published Berkley "Legion of the Damned" novel When All Seems Lost about which Publishers Weekly says, "This adrenaline-fueled Clancyesque adventure is Dietz in top form."

- Richard Curtis