''Fate of Worlds: Return From the Ringworld'' is a

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

novel by American writers

Larry Niven Laurence van Cott Niven (; born April 30, 1938) is an American science fiction writer. His best-known works are ''Ringworld'' (1970), which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards, and, with Jerry Pournelle, ''The Mote in God's Eye'' ...

and

Edward M. Lerner Edward M. Lerner (born 1949) is an American author of science fiction, techno-thrillers, and popular science. As of 2022 he has twenty-three published books: eleven solo novels (three in his InterstellarNet universe), six collections, five nov ...

. It was first published in hardcover and ebook editions by

Tor Books Tor Books is the primary imprint of Tor Publishing Group (previously Tom Doherty Associates), a publishing company based in New York City. It primarily publishes science fiction and fantasy titles, and is the largest publisher of Chinese scien ...

in August 2012, with paperback and trade paperback editions following from the same publisher in July 2013 and June 2014, respectively. It is the fifth and final book in the

Fleet of Worlds ''Fleet of Worlds'' is a science fiction novel by American writers Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner, part of Niven's Known Space series. The Fleet of Worlds (sub)series, consisting of this book and its four sequels, is named for its opening book. ...

series, itself a subset of Niven's

Known Space Known Space is the fictional setting of about a dozen science fiction novels and several collections of short stories written by Larry Niven. It has also become a shared universe in the spin-off ''Man-Kzin Wars'' anthologies. The Internet Spe ...

series.

Summary

''Fate of Worlds'' opens as ''

Ringworld's Children ''Ringworld's Children'' is a 2004 science fiction novel by American writer Larry Niven, the fourth in the Ringworld series set in the Known Space universe. It describes the continuing adventures of Louis Wu and companions on Ringworld. Plot summ ...

'' (part of the Ringworld series) closes, decades after ''

Betrayer of Worlds ''Betrayer of Worlds'' is a science fiction novel by American writers Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner, set in the Known Space series. It is a sequel to their previous novels ''Fleet of Worlds ''Fleet of Worlds'' is a science fiction nove ...

'', the prior book in the Fleet of Worlds series. The novel thus concludes both series, and involves characters from both. After the disappearance of the Ringworld, the Fleet of Worlds' Puppeteers are targeted by rival war fleets, giving the exiled Puppeteer leader the Hindmost, who is familiar with Ringworld technology, the opportunity to regain his position.

Notes

{{Ringworldseries 2012 American novels Known Space stories Novels by Larry Niven American science fiction novels Tor Books books