The Wrong Stars

by Tim Pratt

Overview

Philip K. Dick Award Finalist: A ragtag space crew discovers alien technology that could change the fate of humanity—or awaken an ancient evil that could destroy all life in the galaxy

The shady crew of the White Raven run freight and salvage at the fringes of our solar system. They discover the wreck of a centuries-old exploration vessel floating light years away from its intended destination and revive its sole occupant, who wakes with news of First Alien Contact. When the crew informs her that humanity has alien allies already, she reveals that these are very different extra-terrestrials—and the gifts they bestowed on her could kill all humanity, or take it out to the most distant stars.


“Ridiculously fun with a well-thought-out space opera setting and lots of fancy reveals.”
—Charlie Jane Anders, author of All the Birds in the Sky
 
“Through his wit, dialogue, and vast, diverse world, Tim Pratt has created a space opera for today—one filled with diverse characters and cultures that feel nuanced enough to be real—while still delivering the sense of wonder that made you love the genre in the first place.”
—Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857667090
Publisher:	Watkins Media
Publication date:	11/07/2017
Series:	The Axiom , #1
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	337,080
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Tim Pratt is a Hugo Award-winning science fiction and fantasy author, and has been a finalist for World Fantasy, Sturgeon, Stoker, Mythopoeic, and Nebula Awards, among others. He is the author of over twenty novels, most recently The Deep Woods and Heirs of Grace, and scores of short stories. His work has been reprinted in The Best American Short Stories, The Year's Best Fantasy, The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, and other nice places. Since 2001 he has worked for Locus, the magazine of the science fiction and fantasy field, where he currently serves as senior editor. He lives in Berkeley, CA with his wife and son.

timpratt.org twitter.com/timpratt

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1  
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "The Wrong Stars"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Tim Pratt.
Excerpted by permission of Watkins Media.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

★ 12/18/2017
Pratt, known for his fantasy writing (including the Marla Mason urban fantasy series, written as T.A. Pratt), delivers an entertaining and lively space opera series opener involving deadly ancient mysteries and alien contact. In the 26th century, our solar system is the hub of a thriving network connected by interdimensional wormhole “bridges” that were given to Earth by the Liars, an oddball race of octopus-like aliens. Capt. Callie Machedo and her crew aboard the White Raven fly missions on the rim of the solar system. Their lives are turned upside down when they recover a generation ship that was launched 500 years before to colonize a distant planet. The only crew member left on board the ancient ship, Dr. Elena Oh, brings news of a stunningly powerful—and dangerous—alien race called the Axiom, as well as a bridge generator that would permit travel far beyond the bridges’ limits. The discovery sets off panic among the Liars, and the White Raven’s crew takes on a treacherous mission to rescue Elena’s stranded companions and learn more about the Axiom. The characterizations are familiar, but Pratt’s worldbuilding fascinates, and the plot serves up action and big ideas in equally tasty helpings. This is definitely a series to watch. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

Shortlisted for the 2018 Philip K Dick Award

“Fun, funny, pacy, thought-provoking and very clever space opera - a breath of fresh air.”
– Sean Williams, author of Twinmaker

"Ridiculously fun with a well-thought-out space opera setting and lots of fancy reveals, and most of all a nice romance between two women who are there for each other when the alien brain spiders start swarming."
– Charlie Jane Anders, author of All the Birds in the Sky

“Pratt’s worldbuilding fascinates, and the plot serves up action and big ideas in equally tasty helpings. This is definitely a series to watch.”
– Publishers Weekly Starred Review

“Through his wit, dialogue, and vast, diverse world, Tim Pratt has created a space opera for today–one filled with diverse characters and cultures that feel nuanced enough to be real–while still delivering the sense of wonder that made you love the genre in the first place. It yanks readers through the wormhole and refuses to let them go. When’s the sequel out?”
– Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

“Pratt gives all his characters and his galactic civilizations depth, his action sequences are page-turners, and the tone stays light-hearted (and sometimes even meta) despite the high stakes. I don’t use the word “rollicking” often, but it applies here.”
– Book Riot

“Brilliantly fun space opera that reminds me of Killjoys but with more Weird Alien Cool Shit.”
– Liz Bourke for Locus

“Bloody hell, but The Wrong Stars is an amazingly good, extremely fun, very satisfying novel… The Wrong Stars is vital, visceral, energetic pulp. The characters are enormously engaging, especially Callie and Elena, whose slow-build romance and mutual uncertainty over does she like me? and developing friendship are, by me, the emotional heart of the book... The Wrong Stars stands out, and right now, for me, stands alone.”
– Locusmag

“Expansive world building, great movement coupled with interesting characterization and a story line that is not only intriguing but brings back the grande space fairing odyssey.”
– Koeur’s Book Reviews

“The Wrong Stars gets five stars hands down. A blistering, imaginative javelin of a sci-fi novel which paves the way for even better sequels.”
– Alan Brenik Fantasy Author

“The Wrong Stars is pure entertainment, science-fiction pulp at its best.”
– City on the Moon

“The Wrong Stars is a charming and breezy space opera with some big action, a looming galactic threat, and a whole lot of fun.”
– Nerds of a Feather

“Fast-paced action scenes, ridiculously strange aliens with a brilliantly twisted and hilarious approach to first contact with humanity, and wise-cracking crew members… Tim Pratt’s first space opera is a very enjoyable ride.”
– Intellectus Speculativus

From the Publisher