Departure

In a dystopian world governed by the Committee, twelve billion people must die due to overpopulation and resource scarcity. Alan Saul, confined in a crate bound for an incinerator, is accompanied by Janus, a rogue intelligence, who reveals a damaged Earth. Saul resolves to discover his identity and kill his interrogator, then take on the Committee and topple their regime. The Departure is the first book in the Owner trilogy by Neal Asher, delivering thrilling action and messy consequences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2020
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

In a world plagued by despair and oppression, where the ruling Committee reigns with an iron fist, the question arises: Is revenge the only path to salvation?

The Argus Space Station, perched above a desolate Earth, serves as a witness to the Committee's despotic rule. From its vantage point, the Committee enforces its corrupt governance, overseeing a society where the impoverished struggle to survive, while armed mechanized overseers wield identity-reader guns. The scarcity of resources has led the Committee to make a drastic decision: twelve billion lives must be extinguished.

Alan Saul, a man trapped in a crate bound for an incinerator in Calais, awakens to this bleak reality. He possesses no recollection of his past or the reasons behind his confinement, but he is haunted by the pain and the face of his tormentors. Alongside him is Janus, a rogue intelligence residing within forbidden hardware in his skull. Janus unveils a damaged Earth to Saul, igniting a resolve within him to unravel his identity and seek revenge against his interrogator.

Determined to topple the Committee's debased regime, Saul embarks on a perilous journey. He delves into the depths of the Station, uncovering secrets and confronting formidable adversaries. Along the way, he forms alliances and uncovers the true nature of the Committee's agenda.

"The Departure" is the captivating first installment in Neal Asher's Owner trilogy, a fast-paced and thrilling science fiction adventure. It delivers an abundance of thrills, with its rapid pace, dramatic action, and messy consequences. Readers are captivated by Asher's intricate world-building, as his work continues to evolve and impress. Praise for the book has been pouring in, with reviewers highlighting its engaging storyline, great action, and compelling characters.

In a world where hope seems elusive, Saul's quest for revenge becomes a beacon of resistance against the oppressive forces that seek to control and dominate. "The Departure" sets the stage for an epic adventure, promising to deliver more thrills, suspense, and revelations in the subsequent installments of the trilogy.

Weight: 358g
Dimension: 196 x 168 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509868544