The Blue, Beautiful World
A Novel
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
As first contact transforms Earth, a team of gifted visionaries races to create a new future in this wondrous science fiction novel from the award-winning author of The Best of All Possible Worlds.
“A complex story of first contact from a unique perspective that is warm, engaging, and wildly original.”—Martha Wells, New York Times bestselling author of The Murderbot Diaries
LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION
The world is changing, and humanity must change with it. Rising seas and soaring temperatures have radically transformed the face of Earth. Meanwhile, Earth is being observed from afar by other civilizations . . . and now they are ready to make contact.
Vying to prepare humanity for first contact are a group of dreamers and changemakers, including Peter Hendrix, the genius inventor behind the most advanced VR tech; Charyssa, a beloved celebrity icon with a passion for humanitarian work; and Kanoa, a member of a global council of young people drafted to reimagine the relationship between humankind and alien societies.
And they may have an unexpected secret weapon: Owen, a pop megastar whose ability to connect with his adoring fans is more than charisma. His hidden talent could be the key to uniting Earth as it looks toward the stars.
But Owen’s abilities are so unique that no one can control him and so seductive that he cannot help but use them. Can he transcend his human limitations and find the freedom he has always dreamed of? Or is he doomed to become the dictator of his nightmares?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lord returns to the galaxy-spanning sci-fi realm of The Best of All Possible Worlds and The Galaxy Game, setting this excellent outing on a near-future Earth irrevocably altered by climate change and political turmoil. Young adults from all over the world come together every year in a model global government tasked with finding solutions to real and imagined problems and taking their ideas back to their own countries. This year, the model government's Diplomatic Group, all from formerly colonized countries, are given a hypothetical first contact scenario. Then a video message from a real alien leader is beamed planetwide—and the teens are shocked to recognize it. The beings in the footage they've been analyzing are not actors in costumes; Earth has already been invaded by an alien cartel looking to extract what they can from humanity—and it's up to the young diplomatic team to negotiate with them. Fortunately, they may have a secret weapon on their side: charismatic one-named pop star Owen. Lord's choice to focus on the voices of historically colonized peoples adds depth and compassion to the classic alien invasion trope. Though it can be read as a standalone, series readers will get the most out of this heartfelt and thoughtful, but still action-packed, romp.
