The Darwin Elevator (Dire Earth Cycle) - Softcover

Hough, Jason M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0345537122 ISBN 13: 9780345537126

Publisher: Del Rey, 2013

Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Jason M. Hough’s pulse-pounding debut combines the drama, swagger, and vivid characters of Joss Whedon’s Firefly with the talent of sci-fi author John Scalzi.
 
In the mid-23rd century, Darwin, Australia, stands as the last human city on Earth. The world has succumbed to an alien plague, with most of the population transformed into mindless, savage creatures. The planet’s refugees flock to Darwin, where a space elevator—created by the architects of this apocalypse, the Builders—emits a plague-suppressing aura.
 
Skyler Luiken has a rare immunity to the plague. Backed by an international crew of fellow “immunes,” he leads missions into the dangerous wasteland beyond the aura’s edge to find the resources Darwin needs to stave off collapse. But when the Elevator starts to malfunction, Skyler is tapped—along with the brilliant scientist, Dr. Tania Sharma—to solve the mystery of the failing alien technology and save the ragged remnants of humanity.

Praise for The Darwin Elevator
 
“A hell of a fun book.”—James S. A. Corey, New York Times bestselling author of Abaddon’s Gate

“[Jason M.] Hough’s first novel combines the rapid-fire action and memorable characters associated with Joss Whedon’s short-lived Firefly TV series with the accessibility and scientific acumen of [James S. A.] Corey’s ‘Expanse’ series.”—Library Journal (starred review)
 
“The best part about alien stories is their mystery, and Jason Hough understands that like no other. Full of compelling characters and thick with tension, The Darwin Elevator delivers both despair and hope along with a gigantic dose of wonder. It’s a brilliant debut, and Hough can take my money whenever he writes anything from now on.”—Kevin Hearne, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles
 
“Newcomer Hough displays a talent for imaginative plotting and realistic dialogue, and the brisk pacing and cliffhanger ending will keep readers enthralled and eagerly awaiting the next installment.”—Publishers Weekly
 
“Jason M. Hough does a great job with this huge story. The world of Darwin and the Elevator is deliciously complex and satisfying. Skyler, Tania, and all the other characters are delightfully drawn and fun to spend time with. . . . The story unfolds with just the right balance of high adventure, espionage, humor, and emotional truth. . . . As soon as you finish, you’ll want more.”—Analog
 
“A debut novel unlike any other . . . This is something special. Something iconic. The Darwin Elevator is full of majesty and wonder, mystery and mayhem, colorful characters and insidious schemes.”—SF Signal
 
“Fun, action-packed and entertaining . . . a sure contender for science fiction debut of the year!”—Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
 
“Claustrophobic, intense, and satisfying . . . I couldn’t put this book down. The Darwin Elevator depicts a terrifying world, suspends it from a delicate thread, and forces you to read with held breath as you anticipate the inevitable fall.”—Hugh Howey, New York Times bestselling author of Wool

About this title

Review:

Guest Review by Kevin Hearne

Writing a good science fiction novel these days is tricky. I have found that some authors get the science right at the expense of getting the characters right and I can’t finish, or else the opposite happens—the characters are spiffy but the science is so silly and simplistic that I can’t suspend my disbelief.

So it’s the rare science fiction book that will grab me like The Darwin Elevator did. Jason Hough is definitely the new guy to try—there’s really not much of a risk here. I loved this book and I think you will too.

With a worldwide plague and a mysterious alien space elevator to worry about, you’d think humanity would lay off each other for a while, but there is plenty of scheming and backstabbing going on between a desperate population in Darwin, Australia, and a privileged class living in orbit. The story follows Skyler Luiken and his crew on the ground (all of whom are immune to the plague), but it also follows the scientist Dr. Tania Sharma, who’s in orbit trying to figure out the true purpose of the alien elevator. Though both Skyler and Tania deal with their own insecurities as leaders and don’t particularly wish to be heroes, they fight and stumble their way through multiple crises because the cost of failure would be catastrophic.

The tension and the action keep escalating and combine to make The Darwin Elevator the best sci-fi I’ve read in many years.

About the Author:

Jason M. Hough was born in Illinois, but grew up on the mean streets of suburban San Diego, California. In 1978, at age six, his parents took him to see Star Wars, and so began a lifelong love of sci-fi and all things geek. He later worked for a decade in the videogame industry as both a 3D artist and game designer. Today he lives in Seattle with his wife and two sons. In his spare time he likes to build Lego spaceships with his boys and other similarly grown-up pursuits.

About this edition

• Publisher: Del Rey
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0345537122
• ISBN 13: 9780345537126
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 496