Description
A gripping and heartfelt horror-tinged space adventure from the BSFA award-winning author of Stars and Bones and Embers of War. Readers of James S.A. Corey and Becky Chambers will love this fast-paced story of space piracy, deadly alien artifacts and a race to save what is left of humanity.
When archaeologist Ursula Morrow accidentally infects herself with an alien parasite, she fears she may have jeopardised her career. However, her concerns become irrelevant when Earth is destroyed, billions die, and suddenly no one needs archaeologists anymore...
Two years later, she's plucked from a refugee camp on a backwater world and tasked with retrieving the artifact that infected her, as it just might hold the key to humanity's survival. With time running short, and the planet housing the weapon now situated in hostile territory, she realises she's going to have to commit an act of desperate piracy if she's going to achieve her objective before the enemy's final onslaught.
A thrilling, page-turning journey into deep space where the fights are brutal, the relationships are complicated and the world ended years ago.
About the Author
Gareth L. Powell was born and raised in Bristol, where he still lives, and his early mentors included Diana Wynne Jones and Helen Dunmore. His novels have twice won the BSFA Award, and been finalists for both the Locus Award in the US and the Seiun Award in Japan. He is probably best known for his acclaimed Embers of War space opera series, which includes the novels Embers of War, Fleet of Knives, and Light of Impossible Stars. He is a popular guest and speaker at conventions and literary events, and can often be found on Twitter @garethlpowell giving free advice to aspiring authors.
Reviews
Praise for Gareth L. Powell
"Descendant Machine is smoothly paced, engagingly crafted, and crammed full of a sense of wonder at the sheer scale of the universe. Whatever Powell has planned next, on this evidence, it'll be well worth paying attention."
- SFX on Descendant Machine
"Full of great sfnal novums and roller-coaster thrills, Powell's latest has me hoping for a long continuation of the Continuance."
- Locus Magazine on Descendant Machine
"A fast-paced and incisive story from one of the best British SF writers"
- Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Shards of Earth, on Descendant Machine
"Gareth Powell rocks again! Descendant Machine is big concept made accessible by a masterful writer. Fun, weird, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining! Grab this now!"
- Jonathan Maberry, New York Times-bestselling author of Kagen The Damned and V-Wars, on Descendant Machine
"Hits the ground running and doesn't stop until its universe-shaking final confrontation. Once again, Gareth Powell is writing at the top of his very considerable game. More like this, please."
- Dave Hutchinson, author of Cold Water, on Descendant Machine
"Descendent Machine has all the huge concepts that define great space operas tightly packed into a thrilling page-turner of a novel. The sheer breadth of ideas Powell manages to fit into the story is made all the more impressive by the deft pacing and focused characters. I devoured this book in a couple of days and had great fun doing it."
- Nicholas Binge, author of Ascension, on Descendant Machine
"A novel with heart and ambition"
- SFX, on Stars and Bones
"With a strong heroine, some really imaginative supporting characters (including a talking cat), and a story that packs a serious emotional wallop, the novel spotlights Powell's gifts for character building and plotting. He's already won two best-novel awards from the British Science Fiction Association, and it wouldn't be surprising to see this one getting a nomination, too."
- Booklist, on Stars and Bones
"Powell balances plot, action, and character development perfectly. This promising start will especially appeal to James S.A. Corey fans."
- Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Stars and Bones
"Gareth Powell drops you into the action from the first page and then Just. Keeps. Going. This is a pro at the top of his game."
- John Scalzi, on Stars and Bones
"A headlong, visceral plunge into a future equal parts fascinating and terrifying."
- Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Shards of Earth, on Stars and Bones
"A gripping, fast-paced space opera that poses the unique question: what if instead of saving humanity, aliens decided to save the Earth?"
- Stina Leicht, author of Persephone Station, on Stars and Bones
"A grand scale adventure packed with fun banter, snappy prose, and masterful science."
- Essa Hansen, author of Nophek Gloss, on Stars and Bones
"An interstellar intelligence has a plan for Earth's future, but is humanity a part of it? Fast-paced and thoughtful, Stars and Bones leaves the reader well-fed with hearty helpings of mystery, suspense, adventure, and terror."
- Marina Lostetter, author of Noumenon, on Stars and Bones
"Gareth Powell's Stars and Bones is shocking and beautiful-an electric, epic, and sometimes gruesome look at humanity facing its biggest challenge yet. Powell keeps the pressure on and doesn't let go. I enjoyed it immensely."
- Karen Osborne, author of Architects of Memory, on Stars and Bones
"A vividly imagined, propulsive read. Filled with a loveable cast of characters. Powell's writing creates a rich tapestry of their voices and inner lives. I think readers will be thrilled by this story."
- Temi Oh, author of Do You Dream of Terra-Two?, on Stars and Bones
"Big ships, big ideas and big emotions. Thrilling space opera which is epic in scope, yet always rooted at the human level, as all the best sci-fi is."
- Emma Newman, author of Planetfall, on Stars and Bones
"An interstellar collision of massive ideas and startling originality."
- Zack Jordan, author of The Last Human, on Stars and Bones
"Stars and Bones crafts a future that finds hope in dark places."
- Valerie Valdes, author of Chilling Effect, on Stars and Bones
Book Information
ISBN 9781803368634
Author Gareth L. Powell
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Titan Books Ltd
Publisher Titan Books Ltd
