A rogue planet is coming. It will destroy Earth and every living thing on it.
Extinction is almost inevitable. Twenty-six billion lives will be lost. Just nine million will survive—on the Bertram Ramsay, a vast space station destined to leave Earth’s orbit in a matter of months.
Jaxon Leith is one of the chosen. Plucked from the Bleeds—London’s towering slums—he enters Compression, the final, brutal phase of training before life in space.
But salvation has enemies. The Acolytes of Gaia have infiltrated the evacuation, determined to see humanity erased. And as launch day nears, Jaxon finds himself caught in a silent war that could doom the mission before it ever leaves Earth.
ROGUE is a gripping dystopian thriller about survival, sabotage, and the final days of a world on the brink of apocalypse.
Danny Lenihan is a British author, former international press photographer, and stand-up comedian. After a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 1993, he rebuilt his life on grit, wit, and storytelling—touring globally for over a decade, appearing on BBC radio, television, and in multiple films, and contributing to publications from national newspapers to Rufus Hound’s hilarious anthology of live comedy; Stand Up Put Downs.
Danny is the founder of the design brand 3 Legged Thing, and currently splits his time between writing speculative and science fiction novels, designing creative tools, and hosting the comedy podcast "Faces for Radio".
He composed the original score for British director Pat Higgins’ debut horror film TrashHouse, and continues to write across multiple formats including novels, short stories, film, and television. His debut novel Rogue (2021) and its follow-up Enemy (2024) have both seen strong critical and commercial success.
He lives in Northamptonshire with his partner, four children, two dogs, one cat, and two vacuum cleaners.
I wanted to enjoy this, but am stopping less than 20% in. I liked the MC, and the dialogue is okay, but there are too many point-of-view characters for my taste, the pace is okay but not engaging enough, and the plot so far does not hang together well enough to satisfy me. That, plus that the editing is sometimes creative rather than precise, particularly in word choices or uses, has killed my interest.
Danny Lenihan has created a world beyond our world, with phenomenal attention to detail, plausible science and an array of characters laced with realism and creativity!
The story is set a couple centuries in future where the scientists have predicted that a 'Rogue' planet will hit Earth soon- destroying all life and setting Earth into ice-age again. Hope comes in the way of Bertram Ramsey- an innovative construction in outer space which can house 8 million people!
One of the chosen occupants, Jaxon Leith is the smartest protagonists sci-fi world has possibly met- with a keep eye for detail, a humour dry enough to roast anyone to smithereens and a personality which has caught the attention of all possible naked ladies in vicinity. Acolytes of Gaia are the antagonist group of people who want to destroy the evacuation of mankind to space and they will stop at nothing.
I immensely enjoyed the exquisite world building! The book begins with a brief of the new world to catch up the readers to speed. Every detail has some sort of a relevance to the plot, the humour will reel you right in when things get a little heavy to understand. There is a perfect balance of mystery, thriller, suspense, humour, action and emotions in this book!
As someone who watches a lot of si-fy but reads mostly fantasy and/or romance books. I didn’t quite know what to expect when starting this series. While it starts out a bit slow it is worth it as the author builds a really interesting dystopian future with some cool characters. I definitely recommend reading the prequel shorts first, I think those would have helped me be better immersed in the world on the first chapter or so but once the adventure started i was intrigued and wanting to read more.
If you are a fan of si-fi, dystopian world building and a great plot that keeps you reading i definitely recommend this book.
This review is based on my second reading of this recent science fiction masterwork. It's not often a new writer comes along who can produce anything as groundbreaking in this genre as the now classic novels of Robert Heinlein and Issac Asimov, with their feel of scientific accuracy in a future almost unimaginable from the perspective of today. Danny Lenihan is currently almost unknown as an author but I could name several commissioning editors at major UK publishing houses who will be kicking themselves when he becomes one of the big names on the international sci-fi scene. This reads like old school sci-fi in tone, but is epic in scale, introducing Jaxon Leith, who is about to embark on a journey to a life in space from which he can never return. The imaginative scope is vast and the writing summons up a sense of wonder, intrigue, fear and hope. Danny Lenihan is the most exciting new voice in British sci-fi since Adrian Tchaikovsky and is essential reading for all sci-fi fans.
The world is facing eminent demise. The world government is trying save some while another group of religious zealots try to stop them. Very believable stary that could actually happen.
I can't tell you how I found this series but I think maybe it was reddit. really enjoyed the journey, I like the concept and the mix of sci Fi and detective story all rolled into one. really enjoyable read.
Received as a review copy from NetGalley, this is an honest review. After a rogue planet is discovered to heading to Earth on a path of destruction... humanity is thrown into chaos; in the moment of hopelessness does the world come together to find a way to survive. Out of it comes the Bertram Ramsay, a space station that will house the chosen of humanity to guarantee the species survival. For Jaxon, receiving a chance to earn his way aboard is a miracle... and he's not about to waste. Entering Compression, a specialized camp each Crew of people endure to not only what space will throw at them but their future responsibilities aboard the station. If being pushed physically and mentally were extreme, a known rogue organization has sent individuals to infiltrate the project that is fighting to save humanity. Racing against the clock, Jason finds himself unraveling the secrets of his fellow crew mates to expose the destructive agenda. Wonderfully written, fast-paced and deeply engaging, Rogue delivers a brilliant twist of a dystopian tale... highly recommended.
Merged review:
Received as a review copy from NetGalley, this is an honest review. After a rogue planet is discovered to heading to Earth on a path of destruction... humanity is thrown into chaos; in the moment of hopelessness does the world come together to find a way to survive. Out of it comes the Bertram Ramsay, a space station that will house the chosen of humanity to guarantee the species survival. For Jaxon, receiving a chance to earn his way aboard is a miracle... and he's not about to waste. Entering Compression, a specialized camp each Crew of people endure to not only what space will throw at them but their future responsibilities aboard the station. If being pushed physically and mentally were extreme, a known rogue organization has sent individuals to infiltrate the project that is fighting to save humanity. Racing against the clock, Jason finds himself unraveling the secrets of his fellow crew mates to expose the destructive agenda. Wonderfully written, fast-paced and deeply engaging, Rogue delivers a brilliant twist of a dystopian tale... highly recommended.
Basic Trope … The big one is coming and there is no surviving it … when a rogue planet is found heading toward earth, they have centuries to prepare for the end (even with a miss, the gravitational destruction would still wipe out all life on earth). So mankind builds an ark and we get a lottery for the golden ticket. Needless to say, those [fated to be ] left behind are not happy, so the Acolytes of Gaia (AoG) plot to stop the evacuation by any means necessary.
Lucky kid from the slums wins a ticket and joins up with a small team for training and ultimate transport to the Bertam (IOW the Ark), but the AoG has infiltrated the team and it is up to Lucky to help flush out the saboteur. This basically turns the story into a mystery whodunnit set in a SciFi environment. The world building was decent if not particularly unique and the characters were ok, if just a little over the top (expected). Nothing really stands out either good or bad. Over all, it was a good enough story to read straight through, but ultimately it only offers pure escapism as entertainment. The ending as a tad disappointing in that it was clearly a setup for a series … although it was not quite a cliffhanger ending. It was fun … and I would probably read the sequels.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. #Rogue #NetGalley.
This is an honest assessment based on a review copy provided by NetGalley. After it is revealed that a renegade planet is on its way to destroy Earth, humanity is plunged into disarray; in this moment of hopelessness, the world comes together to find a method to survive. The Bertram Ramsay emerges from it, a space station that will host humanity's chosen to ensure the species' existence. An opportunity to earn his way aboard is a miracle for Jaxon, and he's not going to squander it. Entering Compression, a specialized camp, each Crew member is prepared for not just what space has in store for them, but also their future tasks aboard the station. A known rogue organization has dispatched individuals to infiltrate the project trying to save humanity, as if being pushed physically and mentally wasn't enough. In a race against the clock, Jason must uncover the secrets of his fellow crew members in order to reveal the harmful plan. Rogue is a wonderful dystopian tale that is beautifully written, fast-paced, and intensely fascinating... definitely recommended.
Disclaimer. I know the author and read an early draft of the book. This review is of the final published version.
First and foremost, I rarely read science fiction, but the description sounded more like a futuristic murder mystery / thriller so I was interested to see how it developed.
I like the main character. He’s sort of an anti-hero - just a regular bloke who gets dumped into a variety of situations and against the odds excels. There is a whole cast of different characters who are revealed as the story progresses, including some kick-ass female characters too. As the plot unfolds, there are plenty of twists and turns along the way, so you’re constantly second-guessing who are the good guys and who are the baddies.
The book ends on a fairly obvious cliffhanger, but luckily the next book is already waiting to be published soon. I’m very much looking forward to the next instalment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a really good book - I would recommend it to any sci-fi lover. I did enjoy that it was set in England, with recognisable places, but the book could be equally appreciated by those who live elsewhere. I really hope that there is going to be a sequel - it looks like there will be, although there was no cliffhanger and the story nicely finished one chapter of the main character’s life. I also did enjoy reading about and getting to know that character, Jaxon, who seemed realistic and believable. I enjoyed his reaction to the feminine attention, and it was a nice take on that side of things. I am looking forward to the sequel and hope it will be just as good a read as this book was! A very well deserved five stars.
Danny Lenihan is the most exciting new voice in Science Fiction since Andy Weir. I still remember the first time I read John Wyndham's classic novel 'The Chrysalids': the hairs rising on the back of my neck and a feeling of awe and utter terror for the future. Reading Rogue gave me those same sensations. Danny writes in a lucid style allowing his hero Jaxon Leith to introduce himself and spill his inner sensitivities. It is through his eyes that we meet the other characters and the plot unfolds. He commands empathy, compassion and respect and is transformed in just a few weeks as the future of mankind hangs in the balance. The cold, bleak, claustrophobic realism makes this novel stand out from the crowd.
arc I really like this story. Although I do not read sci-fi much, this book checked all the boxes for me. It kept me interested throughout. The story pushes on from beginning to end, no backtracking, no useless words or descriptions to fill the book. World building is great and easy to envision. Descriptions are strong when it comes to the different technology's involved. The book is fast-paced. His MC, Jaxon is highly likeable. There is also a few prequels to this main story that are interesting and give us a snippet into Jax's life.
Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher, for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Really enjoyed the premise of this one, but mostly it's a military training arc with a slightly futuristic setting.
It's weird that Jaxon can read a person so perfectly without any professional training at all to where he can immediately assess a threat correctly, but is apparently so much of a loner he doesn't know what finger-guns are. You don't learn how to read a person without being social, so it came off as Gary-Stu where he's just a badass at everything.
I did really enjoy this story! Great, interesting plot with a completely unexpected twist! I really liked the ideas & characters & found it intriguing! Finished it in not time at all as I couldn't wait to see what happened! I will look for more by this writer & do recommend this book!
Merged review:
I did really enjoy this story! Great, interesting plot with a completely unexpected twist! I really liked the ideas & characters & found it intriguing! Finished it in not time at all as I couldn't wait to see what happened! I will look for more by this writer & do recommend this book!
The year is 2250. When a rogue planet is on a trajectory bound for collision with Earth the Bertram Ramsay offers hope. But only for a chosen few.
Jaxon Leith managed to secure a ticket and joins compression, a specialized "simulation" environment where participants are prepared for their new life in space. But, as if this alone isn't enough of a change for the participants, there are hostiles that have managed to infiltrate compression, and they aren't planning on being nice.
You get thrown right into it along with Jaxon. The suspense is high, like you barely get a couple of minutes to decompress (pun intended, like when you go into a space craft thingie) and then it's right back at it. From investigation, to training, to mindmapping and discussing events and possibilities, it keeps you going and going. There is a mixture of seriousness, dry humor, despair and in the end, acceptance.
The characters are extremely relatable, and sometimes downright annoying. I got alot of military training vibes, which might be necesarry when preparing for space... I have no idea. And I could almost say I was there with them, in the training room, working out, relaxing, investigating and chasing unknown infiltrators.
And let's not forget the world-building, which is on another level. I have never been on a spaceship, or in space, but I really felt like I had. It is written in a way that makes you feel like YOU are the main character, you are there. And part of me, in the back of my head, had the lingering feeling that something like the future described in Rogue might very well one day be real.
I would describe Rogue as a Sci-Fi Space Opera with military vibes and a touch of dry humor. It is fast paced, highly immersive, and has an intriguing plot. Highly recommend it, and am looking forward to Enemy so I can dive right back into the story.
I read this book as an ARC reader, my opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily.
Incredible page-turner of a science-fiction/thriller book which, by the time you get to the end, you will be very pleased to learn is part of a series. Because you are going to want the story to continue.
You follow Jaxon Leith, incredibly likeable protagonist, on his journey from average Joe living in The Bleeds to an almost reluctant hero who is slowly understanding how gifted and important he is to a planet-wide evacuation in the face of a Rogue planet on a collision course with Earth.
I hoped that the sequel, Enemy, would be just as good, I think it might actually be better!
The earth has an asteroid heading towards it and nothing will stop it. The only hope for humankind is the Bertram-Ramsay to evacuate a small percentage of the billions who are on earth. That is how Jaxon finds himself in training to join the relative few who will survive earth's doom. Unfortunately, there is a group of who think that no one should survive and they will do all in their power to stop the Bertram-Ramsay space station from leaving earth's orbit. There were twists and turns from the start and what a page-turning.
Read this book immediately! It's full of great characters, a gripping mystery, and a huge space station! The dialog is spot-on and phenomenal and the world building is superb. I can't say enough good things about it. I loved every word and can't wait to read Enemy. I read The Bleeds, too, before this, but it's not necessary to read those first. I recommend them, too, anyway, just because it gives you more background on Jaxon and more of Lenihan's writing to enjoy!
This book is a mix of sci-fi, thriller, mystery and dystopian. What an interesting plot and the twist so unexpected but so so good. The characters and world building are both spot on.
Set in an apocalyptic future of 2250 where the Earth is about to be completely wiped out by a rogue planet. The only solution is evacuate the Earth but not everyone will be able to leave. Are you one of the lucky ones?
Sorry for taking so long to do this, as I had a health issue that had to be taking of.
This is wonderful space military book, he plot is fast paced, the characters are intriguing. You are kept on the edge of you seat. You will celebrate with the crew, and feel it lost. Impossible to put down
As a sci-fi movie enthusiast I didn't know what to expect reading a sci-fi book, and I must admit I made the mistake of thinking that it wouldn't be the same as watching a sci-fi movie on the big screen. Of course, I was wrong. Books are just better, I guess. This book was the perfect mix of sci-fi, dystopian, mystery and thriller. It's set in 2250, a time where Earth is about to be completely obliterated by a rogue planet and the only solution is evacuate the Earth, but not everybody will make it. A group of zealots has risen to stop the evacuation and it's set on destroying humanity's hope to do so. Jaxon, our awkwardly funny main character, has found himself in the middle of it all and it's now determined to discover the Acolytes plans and stop them before they kill millions of people and humanity's only chance to survive. Jaxon is probably the kind of person I would describe as a cinnamon roll. He is kind and welcoming, but keeps to himself; he doesn't think he has a lasting impact on people around him, and he's unaware of the fact that his crew would literally follow him anywhere. He's just so sweet, I want to choke the life out of him in a tight hug. For a scifi, dystopian, set in an apocalyptic future book, it was really easy to follow and not difficult to understand at all; I could literally picture a whole movie in my head and I can't wait to read the sequel. I couldn't put the book down, I read it in a day, that's why it gets 4⭐️