“In a dark cave on another planet, alone and disoriented, at the mercy of a secretive and manipulative AI support system, Starling’s debut novel brings the paranoia and dread, blending psychological suspense with science-fiction horror.”
Gyre Price was looking to score a nice paycheck, and a way off-planet and back on the trail of her mother. When she took the job, she figured she would be mapping mineral deposits, with a surface team, constantly monitoring her vitals and the dangerous environment of the cave. She figured they would keep her safe and sound.
She wasn’t figuring on Em. Em controls Gyre with drugs. Em withholds important information. Em knows Gyre lied her way onto the expedition. Em knows all of Gyre’s secrets.
Em also has secrets.
As she descends deeper into the cave, it’s the little things—strange changes in the route, missing supplies, and Em’s shifting motivations—that begin to dig into Gyre. Disoriented and completely lost, Gyre finds herself falling victim to mounting paranoia. To make it out alive, she will have to confront her demons head on.
And yet, she is convinced she’s being followed.
Why we’re excited about this book:
This debut novel from Caitlin Starling mixes the intensity of Gravity with the overwhelming sense of unease in Annihilation. In a dark cave on another planet, alone and disoriented, at the mercy of a secretive and manipulative AI support system, Starling’s debut novel brings the paranoia and dread, blending psychological suspense with science-fiction horror. Peng Shepherd (The Book of M) says: “Ghostly, mysterious, and terrifying, The Luminous Dead will have you rooted to the spot until the very last page.” Forthcoming from Harper Voyager, The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling is available for pre-order, releasing 2 April 2019.
BOB PASTORELLA
