Wild Cards Series by George R.R. Martin 5 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
House Rules
Low Chicago
Knaves Over Queens
Joker Moon
Pairing Up

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9789136282078

Overview:
Step into the expansive, interwoven world of the Wild Cards universe with this five-book collection edited by George R.R. Martin. This paperback set gathers five distinct tales—House Rules, Low Chicago, Knaves Over Queens, Joker Moon, and Pairing Up—each a standalone adventure that nevertheless shares a pervasive tone of risk, resilience and extraordinary power. Across a magical island off the Cornwall coast, a time-split Chicago underworld, postwar Britain scarred by a virus, a fantasy-born predator‑turned‑tycoon, and love‑and‑lust‑driven interludes, these stories showcase a bold, character‑driven mosaic of heroes and anti‑heroes. Fans of speculative fiction, urban fantasy, and ensemble storytelling will relish the variety and unity this collection offers. A compact, affordable paperback set makes it effortless to dive in or gift the entire arc to a reader hungry for big ideas, clever plotting, and a vivid shared universe.

What Makes This Collection Special:
This five‑book collection is more than a convenient bundle—it’s a curated doorway into the Wild Cards universe, a unique shared‑world experiment that has attracted a devoted following since its inception. Each title leans into a different facet of the Wild Cards premise: magical intrigue, high‑stakes crime and crime‑scene moral complexity, postwar upheaval, surreal transformations, and romance under extraordinary circumstances. Collectively, the set offers a satisfying reading journey with tonal shifts that keep you surprised and engaged, while the consistent premise—ordinary people, extraordinary cards—binds the stories together. Purchasing this complete set provides excellent value, convenience for all‑at‑once binge reading, and a stylish shelf presence for fans and collectors alike.

Books Included in This Collection:
House Rules
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 Lord Branok, a mysterious billionaire who is also a wild card of some sort—but whether he is an ace, a joker or a knave, no one is quite sure. Parties at Loveday House are legendary for adventure, intrigue, love, and danger, and guests may choose their own personae and masks. Parts of the house feel timeless, and the Wild Hunt is reputed to ride the island. Haunting the house is its original owner: a woman determined to regain control by any means necessary.

Low Chicago
Chicago is the stage, and poker is the lure. A high-stakes table hosts seven players in a million-dollar game, until a superpowered disaster scatters criminals across time. The past collides with the present, and the criminal underworld of 1920s Chicago becomes a corridor through which power and danger travel. This time‑travel mystery adds a new dimension to the streetwise grit and cunning that define the Wild Cards world, turning a red‑hot card game into a high-stakes scramble for survival and control.

Knaves Over Queens
In a morally complex postwar Britain, a virus reshapes society and power shifts in unexpected ways. The narrative threads weave through political intrigue, social resilience, and the quiet battles waged in backrooms and parlours alike. As ordinary citizens confront extraordinary pressures, loyalties are tested and identities blur. Knaves Over Queens is a character-led meditation on survival, masks we wear, and the lines between heroism and survivalism in a country rebuilding itself from the ground up.

Joker Moon
A fantasy-born predator‑turned‑tycoon climbs through a glittering, dangerous landscape where magic and money intersect. This tale marries sharp wit with high ambition, tracking a figure who reshapes a world through charisma, cunning, and a unique ability that unsettles the status quo. Expect sleek world‑building, darkly captivating schemes, and a morally gray ride that keeps you guessing about who holds the true power—and who will pay the price.

Pairing Up
Love, desire, and complicated loyalties collide in a suite of interludes where relationships are tested by extraordinary circumstances. Burst with intimate moments and emotionally charged choices, Pairing Up offers a more intimate counterpoint to the pandemic of power and peril that threads through the set. It’s a bold closer that blends romance with speculative texture, inviting readers to explore how affection survives—and thrives—when cards are literally stacked against you.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This collection is ideal for readers who treasure ensemble casts and interconnected worlds. It suits fans of literary speculative fiction, urban fantasy, and adventurous storytelling who want standalone reads that still feel part of a larger universe. Gift buyers seeking a striking, conversation-starting set for collectors or introducers of the Wild Cards phenomenon will find this collection particularly appealing. It’s also a strong pick for book clubs interested in exploring varied tones—from magical realism to noir‑tinged crime to postwar resilience and rom‑centered storytelling—within a cohesive shared universe.

Key Benefits:

• Five distinct, standalone stories set in a beloved shared universe with a consistent premise and mood.
• Compact, affordable paperback format—easy to read in a single sitting or leisurely over a weekend.
• Excellent value for fans and newcomers alike, with immediate binge-read potential.
• Rich ensemble cast and moral complexity that invites discussion and debate.
• Beautiful, collectible shelf presence for fans and gift recipients.
• Introduces readers to the wider Wild Cards canon under the editorial guidance of George R.R. Martin.

About the Author:
George R.R. Martin, renowned for his epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, serves as editor for the Wild Cards shared‑world novels. The Wild Cards collaboration brings together a rotating roster of talented writers who explore a single premise—ordinary people who gain extraordinary cards—through diverse genres and voices. Martin’s stewardship helps fuse tight plotting with expansive world-building, delivering character-driven stories that balance wit, danger, and heart. This five‑book collection showcases his commitment to a vibrant, collaborative universe that rewards repeat reading and deep fan engagement.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
Owning the complete Wild Cards five‑book collection is more than possession; it’s access to a dynamic, interconnected reading experience. Each book invites you to inhabit a different corner of a shared world, while the overarching concept of cards that alter destiny keeps the stakes high and the pages turning. The set’s varied tones—from magical intrigue to noir‑inspired thriller to heartfelt romance—make it a versatile gift and a dependable binge-read. Whether you’re a long-time Wild Cards fan or seeking a bold, confident entry point into speculative fiction, this collection promises memorable nights of reading and conversation.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.