because we all love free stuff - Rifters & Blindsight books

so it turns out that sci-fi author Peter Watts is giving away four of his novels and some short stories for free on his website. I haven't read the shorts yet but the Rifters Trilogy is a personal favourite not just because it tells a great and different story but because of the characters. as the story progresses we really get into the heads of some fascinating personalities and, love or hate them, get a great understanding of who they
as for the story, it's hard sci-fi and involves a group of psychologically damaged people living in an underwater station that provides much needed power to N'amPac (North American Pacific) in a somewhat dystopian future. it's hard to say too much more without spoilers but as the series progresses we get to see and learn more of the world and the dangers that threaten it, both human and otherwise

Blindsight on the other hand takes us into space for a potential first contact mission with something that's alien in more ways than just being non-native. if you ever get tired of suspiciously humanoid aliens then this one is a must read.