About the Author

Charles Stross was born in Leeds, England in 1964. He holds degrees in pharmacy and computer science, and has worked in a variety of jobs including pharmacist, technical author, software engineer, and freelance journalist. He is now a full-time writer.

Reviews

“[Stross] has the ability to superimpose an intriguing take on contemporary events over an imaginative story peopled by bizarre characters.” – The Kansas City Star

“Excellent use of language kept this novel in my saddlebags for immediate access…Worthy and sympathetic characters…taut plotting.” – The San Diego Union-Tribune
 
“[A] hard-science fiction masterpiece.” – Library Journal
 
“A Hollywood thriller with a cyberpunk heart.” – Entertainment Weekly

Best known for his short fiction, Stross shows that he's a master of the novel form as well in this exciting sequel to 2003's acclaimed Singularity Sky, serving up compelling space opera and cutting-edge tech with a tasty dash of satire. In the 24th century, a McWorld ("bland, comfortable, tolerant... boring") called New Moscow apparently has been destroyed by trade rival New Dresden-but not before New Moscow launched its own Slower-Than-Light (STL) counterstrike: a massive ship accelerated to 80% the speed of light. The U.N., now central Earth government, knows New Dresden was set up. They need the STL's recall code, now known only to a handful of New Moscow's ambassadors-but someone has been systematically assassinating them. U.N. special operative Rachel Mansour and her husband, engineer Martin Springfield, must protect the last living ambassador and find out who's really responsible for the whole mess. Stross skillfully balances suspense and humor throughout, offering readers-especially fans of Iain M. Banks and Ken MacLeod-a fascinating future that seems more than possible. Agent, Caitlin Blasdell at Lisa Dawson Associates. (July 6) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

"[Stross] has the ability to superimpose an intriguing take on contemporary events over an imaginative story peopled by bizarre characters." - The Kansas City Star

"Excellent use of language kept this novel in my saddlebags for immediate access...Worthy and sympathetic characters...taut plotting." - The San Diego Union-Tribune

"[A] hard-science fiction masterpiece." - Library Journal

"A Hollywood thriller with a cyberpunk heart." - Entertainment Weekly