The Extrapolated Man

by Doug Franklin

Doug Franklin's The Extrapolated Man is cinematic science fiction epic about a young woman on post-war Mars who discovers a dangerous artifact that could free her people from their conquerors and give them the stars.

Mars was the New World of the solar system, the prosperous center of trade with the Belt and beyond, until a disastrous war with Earth resulted in a technological singularity that left both planets under control of weaponized lifeforms called tharks.

Long after the war, Maggie finds a recording of a dead man’s mind in the wreckage of the experimental starship he flew in the war. Her discovery catapults her into a dangerous race with a psychopathic rival intent on stealing her find, and a hive of tharks bent on erasing its very existence. To survive she must resurrect the dead man in the body of a battered warbot.

Commander Gray of the United Colonies Space Force is a romantic born in the wrong era. His dreams of exploration are ruined by war with Earth, and ultimately he must sacrifice both his dreams and his life in service to Mars. But when an uploaded version of him wakes a century later in the body of a warbot, he realizes he has been given one last shot at the stars.

To reestablish humanity as a space-faring species, Maggie and Gray must forge an unlikely alliance with a secretive cult responsible for terraforming Mars and rally their community in a final battle to break the orbital no-fly zone imposed by the tharks.

378 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2024

Reviews

[Brandon Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, a classic sci-fi adventure!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doug has created an immersive world where one can feel the environment and wander in a sense of splendor and wonderment; of science, space and the characters and technology he has created. This is a book that must be savored chapter by chapter like a fine wine. His character and world building are exquisite and the dialogue impressive. This is true sci-fi through and through. I would love to see this on the big screen to fully visualize and inhabit the world Doug has created. A must read and a great ride!

[Duane Bindschadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sprawling epic in some of the best traditions of space opera, The Extrapolated Man manages the daunting task of world-building while telling a compelling story peopled by characters who feel genuine. As I read, I found myself wanting to know more about them, about their individual backstories, or about this particular universe. And as a scientist and engineer myself (and long-time devotee of SF) I was repeatedly impressed with the adherence to basic tenets of physics and thoughtful nature of the ideas about 4-space. Yes, as with any work of fiction, some suspension of disbelief is required. But there is deep understanding of the space environment and its constraints that underlies the descriptions of space travel and (in particular) the challenges of warfare in space.

All in all, this a fun book to read, with a great story, memorable characters, and a well-constructed universe. Highly recommended.

[Daniel Hansson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it, and it really had some interesting aspects... but for me it fell flat, mostly due to the over-fantasised techno mumbojumbo that threw me off. Not that I don't like these things, if done properly... and despite this being scifi, it just made everything utterly nonsensical and unbelievable. So, unfortunately, not my cup of tea.

[Stan Halfacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and captivating read. The author did a fantastic job of painting vivid and detailed situations and scenes with his narrative, while keeping me on the edge of my seat most of the time. I can't wait for his next book!

[Jason Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

I really appreciate a good story and this delivered. I am looking forward to reading the next one. Well done, sir.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

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