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Echogenesis #2
Xenopraxis
The sequel to the hugely popular Echogenesis.
Fifty years on from the previous expedition, the crew of another lander has arrived on Aranyani and made their home on a high mesa isolated from the surrounding forest. There, they can be safe from the deadly Howlers - or so they think.
But Sam can't help wondering if his changes to the Tsiolkovsky's programming have really worked. He believes his will be the final expedition - but what if he's wrong?
And even as he ponders, his son, Gramm, is busy exploring the coast of Aranyani's largest continent, more than a thousand kilometres away - where he makes a shocking discovery that upends everything his father has come to believe.
Fifty years on from the previous expedition, the crew of another lander has arrived on Aranyani and made their home on a high mesa isolated from the surrounding forest. There, they can be safe from the deadly Howlers - or so they think.
But Sam can't help wondering if his changes to the Tsiolkovsky's programming have really worked. He believes his will be the final expedition - but what if he's wrong?
And even as he ponders, his son, Gramm, is busy exploring the coast of Aranyani's largest continent, more than a thousand kilometres away - where he makes a shocking discovery that upends everything his father has come to believe.
- GenresScience Fiction
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2025
About the author
Gary Gibson
50 books428 followersGary Gibson's first novel, Angel Stations, was published in 2004. Interzone called it "dense and involving, puzzling and perplexing. It's unabashed science fiction, with an almost "Golden Age" feel to it ..."
His second novel was Against Gravity in 2005; the Guardian described it as "building on current trends to produce a convincing picture of the world in 2096."
Stealing Light was first published in 2007, and garnered a wide range of positive reviews. The London Times called it: "A violent, inventive, relentlessly gripping adventure ... intelligently written and thought-provoking".
Stealing Light is the first volume in a four-book space opera, the final volume of which, Marauder, was published in 2013.
To date, Gary has written ten novels, most recently Extinction Game and its sequel, Survival Game.
His second novel was Against Gravity in 2005; the Guardian described it as "building on current trends to produce a convincing picture of the world in 2096."
Stealing Light was first published in 2007, and garnered a wide range of positive reviews. The London Times called it: "A violent, inventive, relentlessly gripping adventure ... intelligently written and thought-provoking".
Stealing Light is the first volume in a four-book space opera, the final volume of which, Marauder, was published in 2013.
To date, Gary has written ten novels, most recently Extinction Game and its sequel, Survival Game.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 3, 2026
Gøy fortsettelse av enern. Noe spent på hvor historien går, men vi er her, som i hans bøker forøvrig innom en del interessante ideer. Lettlest og bra.
August 1, 2026
A worthy successor to Echogenesis.
Whilst I definitely preferred Echogenesis due to the mystery components, this book does well to adapt the knowledge both the characters and reader now have and take it in a direction that makes logical sense.
Set 50 years in the future, a lot has changed. The core cast remain the same, but there are a lot of new characters who have been born during the time skip. There are also three main groups of characters which made it difficult early on to remember who fit where. The book does treat you as if you know what's happening, which makes sense as it is a sequel but punished me for reading this one almost a year after the first.
The multi-person POV was really cool. I'm a big fan of this from things like the Broken Blades Trilogy. It was done really well here, showing us the developing story from all three sides, as well as balancing third person and first person narratives. The first person narrative from Amit's perspective was done particularly well, treating it as his personal journal entry.
As an aside, it's clear that this book is self-published. It would have really benefitted from an editor and proof reader. Littered with grammatical errors and even changing the gender of a girl mid way through, it's evident that Gibson wrote this one a lot quicker than the prequel as these are a lot more prominent. For many this might not be an issue but the teacher part of me's immersion is ruined each and every time this happens.
Like the first book, the ending left me wanting more. It did end quite abruptly but in doing so, has generated massive hype for me for the conclusion. It's setting up to be full blown warfare!
Whilst I definitely preferred Echogenesis due to the mystery components, this book does well to adapt the knowledge both the characters and reader now have and take it in a direction that makes logical sense.
Set 50 years in the future, a lot has changed. The core cast remain the same, but there are a lot of new characters who have been born during the time skip. There are also three main groups of characters which made it difficult early on to remember who fit where. The book does treat you as if you know what's happening, which makes sense as it is a sequel but punished me for reading this one almost a year after the first.
The multi-person POV was really cool. I'm a big fan of this from things like the Broken Blades Trilogy. It was done really well here, showing us the developing story from all three sides, as well as balancing third person and first person narratives. The first person narrative from Amit's perspective was done particularly well, treating it as his personal journal entry.
As an aside, it's clear that this book is self-published. It would have really benefitted from an editor and proof reader. Littered with grammatical errors and even changing the gender of a girl mid way through, it's evident that Gibson wrote this one a lot quicker than the prequel as these are a lot more prominent. For many this might not be an issue but the teacher part of me's immersion is ruined each and every time this happens.
Like the first book, the ending left me wanting more. It did end quite abruptly but in doing so, has generated massive hype for me for the conclusion. It's setting up to be full blown warfare!
October 30, 2025
I think this book is a great continuation of the series and I think actually was better than the first. Here are some of my pros and cons.
Pro
I enjoyed some of the new characters particularly Keira. It was nice there were more developed women characters.
Plot was as good if not better than the first
Definitely more character development than initial book.
Interesting take on how different each clone can be
Liked the additional depth of the indignese
Con
A lot of new characters is a little overwhelming and there are still some characters that I don’t understand
I could not tell the ages of any of the characters because there was so little description of them. Which is important when you’re dealing with multiple generates and lineages
The time jump from the first book was very disorienting at first
Still a bit rudimentary “humans bad nature good” take
Excited to read the third book!
Pro
I enjoyed some of the new characters particularly Keira. It was nice there were more developed women characters.
Plot was as good if not better than the first
Definitely more character development than initial book.
Interesting take on how different each clone can be
Liked the additional depth of the indignese
Con
A lot of new characters is a little overwhelming and there are still some characters that I don’t understand
I could not tell the ages of any of the characters because there was so little description of them. Which is important when you’re dealing with multiple generates and lineages
The time jump from the first book was very disorienting at first
Still a bit rudimentary “humans bad nature good” take
Excited to read the third book!
January 27, 2026
An excellent continuation from Echogenesis.
This book finds us 50 years further on in this great saga. The rebels have managed to survive in the forests against the indigenous, dangerous Cents; Sam Newman and his people living safely on the Mesa, with Sam thinking he had altered the original plan. However another colony of humans have also been living on the planet, some of whom are clones of the original, and they have devised a way of eliminating the Cents. Two Sams, two Amits, who each, through having different lives, have developed different minds. Not everyone has a double, and the new colony has equally dangerous persons and with their own agenda.
A cracking cliff hanger of an ending finds that Sam was wrong and leaves you waiting impatiently for the final book!
This book finds us 50 years further on in this great saga. The rebels have managed to survive in the forests against the indigenous, dangerous Cents; Sam Newman and his people living safely on the Mesa, with Sam thinking he had altered the original plan. However another colony of humans have also been living on the planet, some of whom are clones of the original, and they have devised a way of eliminating the Cents. Two Sams, two Amits, who each, through having different lives, have developed different minds. Not everyone has a double, and the new colony has equally dangerous persons and with their own agenda.
A cracking cliff hanger of an ending finds that Sam was wrong and leaves you waiting impatiently for the final book!
March 5, 2026
This is a great book. It's just as vivid and thoughtful as Echogenesis. The pacing is a bit odd, I can't tell if that's because this was originally planned as one title that got split into two, or if it is thematic. The conclusion of this part of the story was driven home, for me, about halfway in, and it seemed to take the characters much longer to conclude it - perhaps this is to indicate the different way of life that exists on this planet? Not that people are slower or less intelligent, but that information takes much, much longer to travel. I don't know, maybe I'm reading too much into this or trying to make excuses.
There are a few typesetting issues in the text that once again hold this back from a 5 star review. It needed at least one human proofread. I'm sure it'd be undercutting in the extreme but I'd do it for free. (As if the author is reading these reviews!)
There are a few typesetting issues in the text that once again hold this back from a 5 star review. It needed at least one human proofread. I'm sure it'd be undercutting in the extreme but I'd do it for free. (As if the author is reading these reviews!)
November 27, 2025
Ok, as has been mentioned elsewhere, this version is self-published. I have no problem with self-publishing and encourage anyone to have a go. However, this book (more than book 1) could really do with some heavy copy editing. I mean the sort of copy editing that Stephen King recommends… the gnarly, old copy editor who won’t stand for any fluff, will draw attention to pacing and generally add a lot of marginalia recommendations. That’s before any proofreading.
All the above is a shame because the premise of the trilogy is interesting. I have enjoyed reading it so far and I am sure I will take a look at book 3 when it comes out.
All the above is a shame because the premise of the trilogy is interesting. I have enjoyed reading it so far and I am sure I will take a look at book 3 when it comes out.
September 27, 2025
Xenopraxis is a great continuation to Echogenesis, which I devoured. It was good to see where the crew ended up so many decades from where the last book ended. It was a very compelling read, lots of action and still a lot to discover about the mission of the Tsiolkovsky mission, the indigenous Cents, and the planet of Aranyani. The way it ends is nail-biting, and I can't wait for the third book next year.
June 1, 2026
Fascinating concept
Second volume has the clones set up on a plateau planning to move to an island while the Traynor faction are living in the wild.
Discovery of another community of clones who develop a virus to kill the native centaur like creatures becomes a focus for conflict.
Some very troubling concepts raised about a right to survival.
Second volume has the clones set up on a plateau planning to move to an island while the Traynor faction are living in the wild.
Discovery of another community of clones who develop a virus to kill the native centaur like creatures becomes a focus for conflict.
Some very troubling concepts raised about a right to survival.
November 20, 2025
A bit weaker than the first.
November 23, 2025
Cliffhanger ending….
August 22, 2026
Nothing I enjoyed about the first book is present in this one, and all the flaws I overlooked in the first one are here in spades. Needs a professional editor. The self published vibes are strong.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews