Some people write sci-fi so they can create a universe they’d like to visit, others a universe they’d like to avoid. In her new sci-fi murder mystery novel The Man In The Tree (hardcover, digital), writer Sage Walker wrote about one that’s both. Though in talking to her about it, she explained why that is, and why neither are like Quincy…In Space.
When aliens colonize Earth, it’s often so they can take our natural resources or enslave our people. But in his new sci-fi novel Landscape With Invisible Hand (hardcover, digital), writer M.T. Anderson imagines a world where invading aliens have made Earth part of their economy. Though in discussing this novel with Anderson, he revealed that this book isn’t about the invasion, or even the invaders, but how we’d react to be the ones who’ve been invaded.
When Star Trek: Enterprise went off the air in 2005 after four seasons, fans of the show were understandably disappointed. But as with the other shows, being cancelled didn’t end the adventure for the original Enterprise and her crew. In Star Trek Enterprise Rise Of The Federation Patterns Of Interference (paperback, digital), writer Christopher L Bennett extends their tour of duty once again for the fifth time book in his Rise Of The Federation series, further exploring the formative years of The Federation.
In his novels Shovel Ready and Near Enemy, writer Adam Sternbergh blended elements of cyberpunk, science fiction, and pulpy crime. But for his new novel, The Blinds (hardcover, digital, audiobook), he’s swapped the cyberpunk elements with the tropes of Westerns and Western hybrids. In the following interview, he discusses the origins of this new novel, what inspired and influenced it, as well as his plans for a third book in his Spademan series.
Sci-fi novels about climate change often take a “worst case scenario” approach, setting their stories in bleak, post-apocalyptic worlds. But in his new novel Clade (paperback, digital), writer James Bradley takes a more personal approach to the climate change sci-fi genre. Which isn’t to say things won’t still go horribly awry…
When Andy Weir’s The Martian came out in 2014, some people said it was like “Robinson Crusoe in space.” But just as Robinson Crusoe is a good enough of an idea to work in multiple stories, so too is Robinson Crusoe in space. Hence we have Binary/System (paperback, digital), an epic new sci-fi novel by Helix writer Eric Brown.
Since its publication in 1898, H.G. Wells’ classic alien invasion novel The War Of The Worlds has inspired countless adaptations, homages, and imitations…but never a continuation. Well, not an official one, that is. But with the blessing of The H.G. Wells Estate, writer Stephen Baxter has done exactly that with The Massacre Of Mankind (hardcover, digital). Though in talking to Baxter about this novel, it seems he’s pretty aware of those unofficial sequels.
In some zombie stories, the living try to use the undead as a workforce. Though usually just as protection, as an early warning system, or as an army. But in his new novel The Death And Life Of Schneider Wrack (paperback, digital), writer Nate Crowley envisions a world in which criminals are turned into zombies and forced to work manual labor jobs. Though in talking to Crowley about his novel, what struck me is that his tale isn’t told from the perspective of the living, but of the dead.
One of my favorite novels from 2016 was Mike Brooks’ sci-fi novel Dark Run. With the sequel, Dark Sky (paperback, digital), now out in the U.S., and a third installment, Dark Deeds (paperback, digital), slated for release on October 10th, I spoke to him about what inspired this second chapter and how it connects to the other books in his Keiko series.