Canalis

Mars, 2128: Decades of mining a unique ore have led to substantial Human colonies, who utilize a vast network of ancient canals just below the surface and half-filled with frozen water—creating an underground highway system for moving ore and people. Sandin is a young, clever, crew member on a small canal freighter—until a misadventure introduces him to an alien race, the former occupants of Mars, now living in a parallel dimension. This race, the Mylin, were forced to flee to their dimension eons ago, during a cataclysmic planetary upheaval. They seek Sandin's help as the deadly event is about to repeat, threatening both Mylin and Human inhabitants. The Mylin previously adapted the ore Humans mine, through multi-generational refining, into "Oni"—a rare metal whose fantastic properties include bridging dimensions and creating new tools to survive the coming disaster. To the dishonest Antis, a Human executive first contacted by the Mylin, it is unimaginably valuable and corrupting. Sandin, with the assistance of the lovely Mari and additional Human and Mylin allies, will fight against the violence of Human greed and the coming planetary upheaval. With limited time, they must deal with destabilizing quakes, the bold retrieval of stolen Oni, a Mylin traitor, and the unforgiving physical challenges Mars presents to everyday Human survival. Only by bringing the Mylin and Human races together, despite a growing and dangerous mistrust of each other, can they lead all to safety beyond the surface—before the next catastrophic planetary transformation.

"Sprawling, immersive, and riveting from start to finish, Canalis is a top-tier sci-fi debut that shines with inspired visions of the world to come, which matches the prophetic intensity of other sci-fi classics. Holshoe's world-building is remarkably thorough and neatly designed - the dialogue is believable, the nuances of the Mylin species are innovative, and the unexpected twists will keep readers glued to every line. Relentlessly good storytelling and a prescient near-future forecast of humanity's fate make this a piece of speculative fiction at its finest." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½