Machine: A White Space Novel

Doctor Jens is a scientist who loves her job, but her latest emergency is proving to be a mystery. Two ships, one ancient and one new, are locked in a dangerous embrace, and a mysterious crew is suffering from an even more mysterious ailment. Dr. Jens is about to discover that everything she's dedicated her life to is a lie.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2021
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Meet Doctor Jens, a remarkable individual who has not enjoyed a decent cup of coffee in fifteen years. Her profession is a thrilling blend of jumping out of perfectly good space ships and developing emergency treatments for sick aliens of species she has never encountered before. Despite the challenges and dangers that come with her job, Doctor Jens finds immense joy in it. However, her latest emergency is proving to be a mysterious and complex affair.

Two ships, one ancient and one new, are locked in a dangerous embrace, with a mysterious crew suffering from an ailment that defies explanation. The shipmind, trapped in an inadequate body, has lost much of her memory, and a murderous virus from out of time threatens to destroy all life on board.

Unwilling to let a mystery go unsolved, Doctor Jens embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers that everything she has dedicated her life to is a lie. The universe she thought she knew is a complex tapestry of secrets and betrayals, and her own identity is intertwined with the fate of the ships and the crew.

Praise for Elizabeth Bear's work has been abundant. Publishers Weekly has praised her for creating a fascinating and complete universe that blends high-tech gadgetry with Old World adventure and political collusion. Ancestral Night, the first half of a duology, has been described as a "heady concept" and "sleek far-future hardware" by various publications. The novel is praised for its mordant wit, as well as its ability to shift from weighty themes to lighter humor with dexterity, grace, and crackling dialogue.

Elizabeth Bear is a versatile writer who excels in steampunk, fantasy, and hard science fiction. Ancestral Night showcases her ability to construct a fascinating, absorbing universe populated with compelling and intelligent characters who defy clichés and stereotypes. The novel is praised for its top-notch sci-fi quality and its ability to engage readers on a deep emotional level.

In conclusion, Doctor Jens is a remarkable individual who has dedicated her life to exploring the unknown and solving mysteries. Her latest emergency is a testament to her courage and determination, and her journey to uncover the truth will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Elizabeth Bear's work is praised for its intricate universe, compelling characters, and engaging storytelling, and Ancestral Night is a must-read for fans of science fiction and mystery.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 129 x 196 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781473208780