Risingshadow
Speculative Fiction Books
  • About
    • Home
    • Articles
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Staff Members
    • Newsletter
    • Finnish (FI)
  • Books
    • New Releases
    • Coming Soon
    • Books of the Year
    • Bookshelves Activity
    • Recently Added
    • Advanced Search
    • Reviews / Comments
    • Genres and Tags
    • * Submit Book
  • Community
    • Discussions
    • - Recent Messages
    • - Recent Topics
    • - Hot Topics
    • - Popular Topics
    • - Search
    • CHALLENGES
    • - Reading Challenge
    • - Book Trivia Quiz
  • Home
  • Books
  • Neal Asher
  • Cowl

Cowl

by Neal Asher
Cowl by Neal Asher
★ 8.26 / 4
1234567381910

In the far future, the Heliothane Dominion is triumphant in the solar system, after a bitter war with their Umbrathane progenitors. But some of the enemy have escaped into the past, intent on wreaking havoc across time. The worst of these is Cowl, an artificially forced advance in human evolution but one who is no longer human.

Polly, desperate to obtain funds to support her habits, is unprepared for her involvement with Nandru Jurgens, a Taskforce soldier, and the killers pursuing him. Nor can she resist the the alien "tor" which she feels impelled to attach to her arm. But she must learn fast, as she is dragged back through time, not least that to the denizens of some earlier eras, she is little more than a convenience food.

Initially, the fragment of tor imbedded in Tack's wrist sums up his value to the Heliothane - a point brought home to him with bloody abruptness. But, as a vat-grown programmable killer employed by U-gov, he is no stranger to violence. His long journey into the lethal world of the Heliothane is only beginning, the extent of his mission just becoming apparent.

Meanwhile, hunting throughout time and the alternates, Cowl's pet, the tor beast, grows vast and dangerous. And the beast continues to feed.

 

Amazon: Check Best Offer

Science Fiction
Release date: 2004

Book Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

Your Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves

Readers also enjoyed

Pandora's Star (The Commonwealth Saga #1)
★ 9.70 / 10
Barrayar (Vorkosigan)
★ 9.32 / 19
Memory (Vorkosigan)
★ 9.26 / 19
A Civil Campaign (Vorkosigan)
★ 9.12 / 16
Embassytown
★ 9.00 / 10
Brothers in Arms (Vorkosigan)
★ 8.94 / 17
Flowers for Algernon
★ 8.92 / 25

Join the Discussion
You can post as a guest or sign in for more features.
Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!
Neal Asher

Neal Asher

Neal Asher is a name that rings out in the world of science fiction, particularly for those who crave gripping, high-concept stories filled with complex characters, advanced technology, and an exploration of the darker side of human nature. Asher’s writing has cemented his reputation as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary sci-fi, especially with his Polity series, a sweeping narrative that spans galaxies, alien races, and an ever-expanding vision of what humanity might become. His works are often a blend of hard science fiction, political intrigue, and the kind of action that makes readers’ hearts race.

Read more ...

Born in the UK, Neal’s childhood was marked by a fascination with science, technology, and the far-reaching potential of space exploration. His early interests in these subjects were only amplified by his love of speculative fiction, which led him to a career as a writer who could imagine both the wonders and dangers of a future shaped by technology. What makes Asher's writing stand out in the crowded realm of sci-fi is his ability to weave complex, often morally ambiguous characters into mind-bending futuristic landscapes. His books aren't just about the technology or the aliens; they’re about the people who interact with these elements—and the consequences of those interactions.

Asher’s Polity universe, a vast, interconnected series of novels and short stories, showcases his signature style: fast-paced action, intricate world-building, and philosophical undercurrents that touch on themes of artificial intelligence, corporate power, and the relentless pursuit of progress. The series spans multiple books, including Gridlinked, The Line of Polity, and The Cowl Chronicles, and has earned a dedicated following thanks to its dynamic characters and gripping plots.

But Asher’s world-building doesn't stop with the Polity series. His Transformation series is another example of his talent for creating immersive universes. Whether exploring the consequences of merging human consciousness with machines or pondering the future of space travel, Asher’s works are deeply thought-provoking, yet never forget to entertain. His stories aren't just about speculative ideas—they’re about how those ideas can shape our understanding of humanity, technology, and the universe itself.

Though he has received widespread acclaim for his contributions to the sci-fi genre, Asher remains an author who continues to evolve, challenging the boundaries of what science fiction can explore. His ability to infuse his narratives with thrilling plots, layered characters, and a deep sense of wonder about the future keeps readers coming back for more.

In his own words, “I write to make people think—and to entertain them while doing so,” a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates the essence of Neal Asher’s work. Through his books, Asher invites us to journey beyond our world, to see what could lie ahead—and to consider how far we might be willing to go to shape that future.

More books by Neal Asher

Dark Diamond Book 3 (Dark Diamond #3)
Unrated
Dark Agent (Dark Diamond #2)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Dark Agent (Time’s Shadow #2)
Unrated
Dark Diamond (Dark Diamond #1)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
War Bodies
Unrated
Lockdown Tales 2 (Loockdown Tales #2)
★ 7.00 / 1
Weaponized
★ 7.50 / 2
Jack Four (Polity Universe #21)
★ 7.50 / 2
Lockdown Tales (Loockdown Tales #1)
Unrated
The Human (Rise of the Jain #3)
★ 8.00 / 1
The Warship (Rise of the Jain #2)
★ 10.00 / 1
The Soldier (Rise of the Jain #1)
★ 9.00 / 3
Infinity Engine (Transformation #3)
★ 8.84 / 6
War Factory (Transformation #2)
★ 8.84 / 6
Dark Intelligence (Transformation #1)
★ 8.76 / 8
Jupiter War (Owner Trilogy #3)
★ 8.00 / 2
Zero Point (Owner Trilogy #2)
★ 7.34 / 3
The Departure (Owner Trilogy #1)
★ 8.34 / 3
The Technician (The Polity Series #4)
★ 8.50 / 4
Orbus (Spatterjay Series #3)
★ 9.50 / 4
The Gabble and Other Stories
★ 9.00 / 2
Shadow of the Scorpion (The Polity Series #3)
★ 8.40 / 5
Line War (Ian Cormac Series #5)
★ 8.26 / 4
Hilldiggers (The Polity Series #2)
★ 7.00 / 3
Polity Agent (Ian Cormac Series #4)
★ 8.76 / 4
The Voyage of the Sable Keech (Spatterjay Series #2)
★ 8.34 / 6
Prador Moon (The Polity Series #1)
★ 8.50 / 6
The Engineer Reconditioned
★ 7.50 / 2
Brass Man (Ian Cormac Series #3)
★ 9.26 / 4
The Line of Polity (Ian Cormac Series #2)
★ 9.00 / 4
The Skinner (Spatterjay Series #1)
★ 8.14 / 7
Gridlinked (Ian Cormac Series #1)
★ 9.26 / 4
Africa Zero
★ 9.00 / 1
Runcible Tales
★ 8.00 / 1
Mason's Rats
Unrated
The Engineer
★ 8.00 / 1
The Parasite
Unrated


^ Top
Follow Us: Newsletter | Facebook | X | Mastodon | RSS
Hosted by Planeetta Internet Oy
© 1996 - 2026 Risingshadow. All rights reserved.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Privacy Policy