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Lowball

A Wild Cards Novel (Book Two of the Mean Streets Triad)
Series: Wild Cards
3.8 goodreads logo

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( 565 ratings, 82 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Lowball by Wild Cards Trust is a thrilling addition to the Wild Cards series, intertwining crime and superhuman elements. As tensions rise in the increasingly dangerous Jokertown district, a series of mysterious disappearances propels an eclectic group of heroes and misfits into action. The diverse cast must navigate dark secrets and high-stakes political intrigue to restore peace to their community.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are drawn to fast-paced crime thrillers with a unique twist, blending mystery and suspense with science fiction elements. It may appeal to you if you’re fascinated by stories of complex characters navigating a world altered by supernatural powers and enjoy exploring richly woven narratives that keep you guessing.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A brand-new Wild Cards novel, edited by New York Times #1 bestselling author George R. R. Martin and Melinda M. Snodgrass

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Lowball invites readers into the gritty and enthralling world of Fort Freak, the beating heart of Manhattan's most enigmatic district. Here, the eerie charm of Jokertown unfolds—a place where those with extraordinary abilities, dubbed 'aces,' coexist with the disfigured 'jokers,' whose mutations verge on the grotesque. Amidst lingering tension from an alien virus that rewrote human DNA, life in Jokertown pulses with the undercurrents of mystery and danger.

As the bizarre and eccentric residents attempt to carve out their existence, an alarming disappearance epidemic strikes their community. Unchecked by the authorities, these vanishings reveal a sinister game at play under Jokertown's already murky surface. Enter a determined young lieutenant, eager to prove his worth, who joins forces with a diverse group of mutant heroes and misfits. Tasked with unraveling the mystery, each step they take seems to deepen the enigma, and soon, they must confront threats that extend beyond the kidnappers' machinations.

Masterfully edited by renowned authors George R. R. Martin and Melinda M. Snodgrass, Lowball is a compelling addition to the beloved Wild Cards series. This thrilling mosaic novel blends the talents of esteemed contributors Carrie Vaughn, Ian Tregillis, David Anthony Durham, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Mary Anne Mohanraj, David D. Levine, Michael Cassutt, and Walter John Williams, each adding a unique voice to the hypnotic tapestry of Jokertown.

For newcomers and long-time fans alike, the Wild Cards universe offers an enthralling journey through its rich, interconnected sagas. The narrative arcs traverse a thrilling path:

  • The Original Triad:
    • #1 Wild Cards
    • #2 Aces High
    • #3 Jokers Wild
  • The Puppetman Quartet:
    • #4: Aces Abroad
    • #5: Down and Dirty
    • #6: Ace in the Hole
    • #7: Dead Man's Hand
  • The Rox Triad:
    • #8: One-Eyed Jacks
    • #9: Jokertown Shuffle
    • #10: Dealer's Choice
  • #11: Double Solitaire
  • #12: Turn of the Cards
  • The Card Sharks Triad:
    • #13: Card Sharks
    • #14: Marked Cards
    • #15: Black Trump
  • #16: Deuces Down
  • #17: Death Draws Five
  • The Committee Triad:
    • #18: Inside Straight
    • #19: Busted Flush
    • #20: Suicide Kings
  • The Fort Freak Triad:
    • #21: Fort Freak
    • #22: Lowball
    • #23: High Stakes
  • The American Triad:
    • #24: Mississippi Roll
    • #25: Low Chicago
    • #26: Texas Hold 'Em

Delve into Lowball for a riveting exploration of the human condition through the lens of the superhuman, where each page turn brings new layers of intrigue and excitement.

Series: Wild Cards

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    A stunning anthology of connected tales set in the Wild Cards universe created by the global bestselling author of A Game of Thrones. The island of Keun lies off the coast of Cornwall, connected to the mainland only by an ancient, tidal causeway. It is a magical place, where anything can happen. The mansion crowning the island is owned by...
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    Wild Cards XII: Turn of the Cards delves into the perilous and unpredictable world of altered humans, where the outcome of every action holds immense consequence. Crafted by the talented Victor Milán and guided by the editing expertise of George R. R. Martin, this standalone instalment in the Wild Cards universe takes readers on an exhilarating journey across continents, driven...
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    Dealer's Choice is an electrifying climax to the Rox Triad within the acclaimed Wild Cards series, masterminded by the prodigious editing talents of George R. R. Martin and Melinda M. Snodgrass. This instalment thrusts readers into a volatile New York City, standing at the brink of chaos as a super-powered gang threatens to topple the existing order. The stakes have...
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    Wild Cards X: Double Solitaire, crafted by the talented Melinda Snodgrass and edited by the esteemed George R. R. Martin, invites readers into a thrilling interstellar journey within the Wild Cards universe. This standalone novel, while part of the larger tapestry of the Wild Cards series, offers a unique and exhilarating narrative set in a world where an alien virus...
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  • Wild Cards VIII: One-Eyed Jacks
    One-Eyed Jacks invites readers back into the complex and enthralling universe of Wild Cards, where superpowers come with unique consequences and intriguing narratives. This book, seamlessly edited by the celebrated George R. R. Martin, presents a riveting tale that will captivate both devoted fans and those new to the series. Set against the backdrop of New York City, where the...
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  • Wild Cards VII: Dead Man's Hand
    Dead Man's Hand masterfully weaves the intricate storytelling of George R. R. Martin and John Jos. Miller, delivering a compelling tale set in the dark and gritty Wild Cards universe. This thrilling narrative unravels in the shadowy streets of an alternate Manhattan, forever changed by the alien Wild Card virus, which has endowed a portion of the population with extraordinary...
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  • Wild Cards V: Down and Dirty
    Wild Cards V: Down and Dirty, masterfully edited by George R. R. Martin, continues the thrilling saga of the Wild Cards universe. This dynamic collection blends the talents of ten renowned science fiction authors, who collaboratively weave an immersive tale set within an awe-inspiring alternate history. Immerse yourself in a narrative replete with intrigue, action, and suspense as you explore...
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  • Wild Cards IX: Jokertown Shuffle
    Jokertown Shuffle, the latest instalment in George R. R. Martin's gripping Wild Cards series, bursts onto the scene in trade paperback, offering readers a heart-pounding adventure through the gritty streets of New York City. As the narrative unfolds, we find ourselves in a world where superpowers aren't merely fantasy but a dangerous reality that defines the very fabric of society....
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  • Wild Cards IV: Aces Abroad
    Wild Cards IV: Aces Abroad unravels its globetrotting narrative as the next thrilling instalment in the acclaimed Wild Cards series, expertly edited by George R. R. Martin. In this gripping volume, where alternate history and superhero fantasy intertwine, the consequences of the infamous Wild Card virus continue to ripple across the globe. Forty years post-epidemic, the World Health Organization commissions...
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  • Wild Cards III: Jokers Wild
    Wild Cards III: Jokers Wild, the thrilling third instalment in the acclaimed Wild Cards series, invites readers to immerse themselves in a brilliantly imagined world where the boundaries between hero and villain blur, and the stakes are sky-high. In this collaborative marvel, seven of science fiction's most talented authors, guided by the visionary master George R. R. Martin, weave a...
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  • Wild Cards I
    Wild Cards I, curated by George R. R. Martin and the Wild Cards Trust, is a groundbreaking addition to the genre of shared-world anthologies. Set in an alternative history, it explores a fascinating "what if?" scenario rooted in the aftermath of World War II. An alien virus, known as the Wild Card virus, devastates the Earth, randomly altering the genetic...
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  • Three Kings
    Three Kings is the next anthology in George R. R. Martin's ongoing Wild Cards alternate-history series. In the aftermath of World War II, the Earth's population was devastated by an alien virus. Those who survived were changed forever. Some, known as jokers, were cursed with bizarre mental and physical mutations; others, granted superhuman abilities, became the lucky few known as...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Lowball by Wild Cards Trust is praised for its originality and provocative nature. Reviewers commend its emotional power and successful blend of short fiction with novel continuity. It is also highlighted for its delightful imagination and the illustrious history of its contributors.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781250863782

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 November 2015

Country: United States

Imprint: St Martin's Press

Contributors:

  • Edited by George R R Martin
  • Edited by Melinda Snodgrass

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 485g

Pages: 368

About the Author

GEORGE R. R. MARTIN is the author of the international bestselling Song of Ice and Fire, which has been adapted by HBO into the television phenomenon Game of Thrones. Martin has won the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy Awards for his numerous novels and short stories.

MELINDA M. SNODGRASS has worked on staff on numerous shows in Hollywood, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, and she has written pilots and feature films. In addition to being coeditor of Wild Cards, she also writes urban fantasy under the name Phillipa Bornikova.

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