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Motus
For centuries, the people of Motus have tunneled through the rock in search of the resources they needed to survive. Until Corun, armed with his late father’s pickaxe, uncovers an unfamiliar ore in the underground city’s path.
Far from the riches he hoped for, an appraiser identifies the ore as slag from the furnace, rock long ago stripped of its useful water and oxygen. It can only mean one thing.
They’ve been moving in circles.
Faced with the prospect of retracing their steps or descending to more inhospitable depths, the city’s laborers go on strike. Corun, inspired by an outspoken Ascensionist, believes their only hope lies on the rumored Surface. But to get there, they will have to contend with cold rock, thin air, and a jaded board member impeding their progress at every turn. And what they find will test their wits and resolve and make them question everything they were ever told.
Reminiscent of Wool and City of Ember, with an adult, hard sci-fi twist, MOTUS explores the travails and triumphs of a people determined to carve an existence out of cold and unforgiving stone.
Far from the riches he hoped for, an appraiser identifies the ore as slag from the furnace, rock long ago stripped of its useful water and oxygen. It can only mean one thing.
They’ve been moving in circles.
Faced with the prospect of retracing their steps or descending to more inhospitable depths, the city’s laborers go on strike. Corun, inspired by an outspoken Ascensionist, believes their only hope lies on the rumored Surface. But to get there, they will have to contend with cold rock, thin air, and a jaded board member impeding their progress at every turn. And what they find will test their wits and resolve and make them question everything they were ever told.
Reminiscent of Wool and City of Ember, with an adult, hard sci-fi twist, MOTUS explores the travails and triumphs of a people determined to carve an existence out of cold and unforgiving stone.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
P.A. Kramer
2 books2 followersP. A. Kramer is a scientist and science fiction writer who also publishes under the name Philip A. Kramer. He has short fiction and non-fiction published by Baen Books, Writer’s Digest, The Colored Lens, Eldritch Science, and in several anthologies with award-winning and best-selling authors. He is the winner of the 2017 Baen Memorial Short Story award and the 2017 N3F short story contest. After obtaining a doctorate in Biomedical Science, he now helps authors write with scientific authenticity on his blog. He is formerly a resident of Seattle, but now lives in North Carolina with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 25, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has a fascinating and well-realized setting with just the right amount of attention to the technological and scientific details. It has a people long stratified into castes, while their own pasts are lost in a swirling mystery. The story is political as much as it is adventurous, as the protagonists willingly or not end up heading up a fight for justice for the downtrodden. The characters and relationships are well-realized, the plot and pacing are addictive, and the writing itself is great. The only real knock I can give (and it's minor) is that the ending felt a little abrupt to me.
All in all, I'm not sure what more you can ask of a hard sci-fi novel. I am very glad to have gotten the chance to read this - I had a hard time putting it down and I will definitely be recommending it to others.
My thanks to BookSirens and P.A. Kramer for providing me with an ARC copy of this book - my review is given freely and reflects my honest thoughts.
All in all, I'm not sure what more you can ask of a hard sci-fi novel. I am very glad to have gotten the chance to read this - I had a hard time putting it down and I will definitely be recommending it to others.
My thanks to BookSirens and P.A. Kramer for providing me with an ARC copy of this book - my review is given freely and reflects my honest thoughts.
December 3, 2025
Firstly, I highly recommend going in blind. Secondly, I've got to be honest, I cannot believe that this is a debut novel. I'm probably one of the few readers who has picked up and put down Wool multiple times. I've even started and stopped the Silo TV series. But along comes Motus which has a similar vibe and it just hits in such a different way.
Kramer crafted a uniquely moving underground world where miners toil for crumbs, and the leaders ride on the backs of those individuals. The lead character, Corun, comes from a family of pickaxers who mine the ore for water, oxygen and minerals to survive. A discovery ends up uncovering the harrowing truth that they've been tunneling in circles and their resources have the potential to run out.
This is a novel that not only delivers character chemistry, but it explores political greed and tackles the loss of origin through a cutoff society. I like how Kramer shows how those in power can easily hide the past. It's a dystopian trope that feels all too real in our world today.
I also really liked that the scientific side doesn't overtake the story. It's delivered in a well articulated manner throughout the novel in fitting areas. No info dump that drags. This is an adult book with what is classified as hard science fiction (no pun intended). However, I really do think that readers who enjoyed Wool, Silo or dystopian in general will love this book as much as I did.
I had the privilege of receiving a complimentary audiobook from the author. While I already have the shelf trophy in my cart, I will say that this was an excellent audiobook. Nikola Hamilton did the character personas justice and brought an atmospheric claustrophobia to the pages. True rating 4.5/5.
Kramer crafted a uniquely moving underground world where miners toil for crumbs, and the leaders ride on the backs of those individuals. The lead character, Corun, comes from a family of pickaxers who mine the ore for water, oxygen and minerals to survive. A discovery ends up uncovering the harrowing truth that they've been tunneling in circles and their resources have the potential to run out.
This is a novel that not only delivers character chemistry, but it explores political greed and tackles the loss of origin through a cutoff society. I like how Kramer shows how those in power can easily hide the past. It's a dystopian trope that feels all too real in our world today.
I also really liked that the scientific side doesn't overtake the story. It's delivered in a well articulated manner throughout the novel in fitting areas. No info dump that drags. This is an adult book with what is classified as hard science fiction (no pun intended). However, I really do think that readers who enjoyed Wool, Silo or dystopian in general will love this book as much as I did.
I had the privilege of receiving a complimentary audiobook from the author. While I already have the shelf trophy in my cart, I will say that this was an excellent audiobook. Nikola Hamilton did the character personas justice and brought an atmospheric claustrophobia to the pages. True rating 4.5/5.
September 23, 2025
It's a good sign when your spouse wakes up in the middle of the night and asks why you are still reading a book. It's a better sign when you have trouble going to sleep because you are imagining how the story will play out. Both of these things happened while I read "Motus," the debut novel by P. A. Kramer.
It would be a pun to call Motus "hard" science fiction because the science that sits below the surface on this one is the chemistry of rocks. Motus is an underground city moving through stone, harvesting the water, oxygen and everything else they need from rock. The characters are not white lab coat types but dust-covered miners. The people of Motus are just getting by, having forgotten their origins, and ignoring the warning signs that their city is dying. When the main character Corun uncovers proof that they are going in circles, a dispute breaks out that is part class warfare, part labor strike, and part religious debate. A race to the top and a race to the bottom then ensue.
If my description sounds vague, it's because I think Motus, more than most novels, would suffer from spoilers, though sharp-eyed readers will pick up on clues. With varied characters and engaging subplots (including some cooking scenes that do a lot with humble ingredients), and a well thought out underground culture, "Motus" does a lot in a tight space. The natural tension created by the attempt to tunnel up to the mythical surface sets up one of the most viscerally gratifying endings I can remember. Highly recommended.
It would be a pun to call Motus "hard" science fiction because the science that sits below the surface on this one is the chemistry of rocks. Motus is an underground city moving through stone, harvesting the water, oxygen and everything else they need from rock. The characters are not white lab coat types but dust-covered miners. The people of Motus are just getting by, having forgotten their origins, and ignoring the warning signs that their city is dying. When the main character Corun uncovers proof that they are going in circles, a dispute breaks out that is part class warfare, part labor strike, and part religious debate. A race to the top and a race to the bottom then ensue.
If my description sounds vague, it's because I think Motus, more than most novels, would suffer from spoilers, though sharp-eyed readers will pick up on clues. With varied characters and engaging subplots (including some cooking scenes that do a lot with humble ingredients), and a well thought out underground culture, "Motus" does a lot in a tight space. The natural tension created by the attempt to tunnel up to the mythical surface sets up one of the most viscerally gratifying endings I can remember. Highly recommended.
September 26, 2025
I grabbed this book specifically because it said it was reminiscent of Wool, which is one of my favorite series of all time. And it didn’t disappoint in that aspect. Hugh Howey concentrates on the political infrastructure and how that can undermine a society. P.A. Kramer definitely did that too, but was a bit more blunt with it - I feel. P.A.’s strength comes through in his science. It’s obvious he’s probably some sort of genius just out here flinging science around like all of our little brains will simply absorb it. And hey, maybe he’s right. It was slightly overwhelming at points but I do feel a bit smarter after reading this book, and a lot more curious.
As far as the story itself, it’s good. It’s solid (pun intended). I felt claustrophobic the entire time I read it. The relationships come across as genuine. I wish I could delve into the others (besides Corun) a little deeper and really find out what makes them tick. I was rooting for them the entire time and just had to read one more page, just like they kept feeling like they had to just swing that pickaxe one more time. Loved the ending - though I wouldn’t have minded if the incinerator was fired up one last time for Wolfram.
As far as the story itself, it’s good. It’s solid (pun intended). I felt claustrophobic the entire time I read it. The relationships come across as genuine. I wish I could delve into the others (besides Corun) a little deeper and really find out what makes them tick. I was rooting for them the entire time and just had to read one more page, just like they kept feeling like they had to just swing that pickaxe one more time. Loved the ending - though I wouldn’t have minded if the incinerator was fired up one last time for Wolfram.
October 14, 2025
this book was awesome
October 14, 2025
[ARC Review]
5 stars and I cannot mean that more.
This book has everything I want in science fiction. It is hard sci-fi in the best way possible: the science is completely real, interesting, and never made me suspend my disbelief, but the characters and story get just as much attention and are even more compelling. There is growth, humor, strong female characters, reflection, even a little romance…it’s pretty rare for a book to hit all the marks.
My favorite part is all the random quirks thrown in that make the world feel extra realistic. For example, it’s considered rude to wear your helmet in someone’s house because it implies you don’t trust the integrity of their roof. A lot of their metaphors also relate to quail (including a quail they named Canary lol) because that’s their only livestock. Every time, I giggled and was like “duh, of course that’s how they would think!”
I also loved that the reader gets to appreciate the dramatic irony of knowing more than the characters (e.g. “One miner commented it was likely the first time straw had ever been used to make a roof in all of human history.”) yet still be in suspense alongside them.
There are several detailed chemistry & geology explanations—which I personally, as a massive nerd, couldn’t adore more—but if you hate chemistry with a burning passion for some reason, this book may not be for you. However, if you ever got even a little excited during science class, then I can’t recommend this enough!
5 stars and I cannot mean that more.
This book has everything I want in science fiction. It is hard sci-fi in the best way possible: the science is completely real, interesting, and never made me suspend my disbelief, but the characters and story get just as much attention and are even more compelling. There is growth, humor, strong female characters, reflection, even a little romance…it’s pretty rare for a book to hit all the marks.
My favorite part is all the random quirks thrown in that make the world feel extra realistic. For example, it’s considered rude to wear your helmet in someone’s house because it implies you don’t trust the integrity of their roof. A lot of their metaphors also relate to quail (including a quail they named Canary lol) because that’s their only livestock. Every time, I giggled and was like “duh, of course that’s how they would think!”
I also loved that the reader gets to appreciate the dramatic irony of knowing more than the characters (e.g. “One miner commented it was likely the first time straw had ever been used to make a roof in all of human history.”) yet still be in suspense alongside them.
There are several detailed chemistry & geology explanations—which I personally, as a massive nerd, couldn’t adore more—but if you hate chemistry with a burning passion for some reason, this book may not be for you. However, if you ever got even a little excited during science class, then I can’t recommend this enough!
September 27, 2025
"One miner commented it was likely the first time straw had ever been used to make a roof in all of human history."
This is a contender for my favourite book of the year. The idea of humans living underground until they forgot their origins was really inventive, and the world building was excellent. For example, all the buildings are built with wheels so that as they mine onward they can move the whole city through the tunnel. They have to keep moving because otherwise they get overwhelmed by waste products. The way it all works is explained really well and there are passages of scientific explanation. I appreciated those because they added to the realism of the story. The author is also a scientist and that comes through.
The characters are so good. I loved Corun and Cassi, the main protagonists, as well as Corun's mum. Everyone is very realistic and I enjoyed how they were unmistakably humans - despite the adaptations they've made to live underground and the technologies they have, nothing is unrecognisably advanced and so the reader is constantly questioning why they ended up retreating underground. All questions are answered in a very satisfying way and there is an absolutely excellent plot twist towards the end. Looking back I think you could guess it from hints, but that makes things even more fun in my opinion.
The story is complete in itself but I think there's room for more if the author chooses. I'd love to spend more time with these characters, so I hope another book will be forthcoming. In the meantime I read on his website that he's written other stories so I hope they will be published too. Motus is his first published novel.
I highly recommend picking up this book if you enjoy sci-fi or dystopian stories. I'm quite new to the genre so I can't compare it much with other novels, but I really loved it. It was such a great time, and I pre-ordered the audiobook as I'd already like to read it again.
Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed myself. My review is completely voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This is a contender for my favourite book of the year. The idea of humans living underground until they forgot their origins was really inventive, and the world building was excellent. For example, all the buildings are built with wheels so that as they mine onward they can move the whole city through the tunnel. They have to keep moving because otherwise they get overwhelmed by waste products. The way it all works is explained really well and there are passages of scientific explanation. I appreciated those because they added to the realism of the story. The author is also a scientist and that comes through.
The characters are so good. I loved Corun and Cassi, the main protagonists, as well as Corun's mum. Everyone is very realistic and I enjoyed how they were unmistakably humans - despite the adaptations they've made to live underground and the technologies they have, nothing is unrecognisably advanced and so the reader is constantly questioning why they ended up retreating underground. All questions are answered in a very satisfying way and there is an absolutely excellent plot twist towards the end. Looking back I think you could guess it from hints, but that makes things even more fun in my opinion.
The story is complete in itself but I think there's room for more if the author chooses. I'd love to spend more time with these characters, so I hope another book will be forthcoming. In the meantime I read on his website that he's written other stories so I hope they will be published too. Motus is his first published novel.
I highly recommend picking up this book if you enjoy sci-fi or dystopian stories. I'm quite new to the genre so I can't compare it much with other novels, but I really loved it. It was such a great time, and I pre-ordered the audiobook as I'd already like to read it again.
Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed myself. My review is completely voluntary and all opinions are my own.
August 27, 2025
** This review is based on an e-ARC from BookSirens **
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Motus tells the story of Corun, a young miner who searches for the resources the city of Motus needs to survive underground. He discovers slag, meaning the city has been traveling in circles. This sets off a chain of events that lead to him and other miners attempting to reach the surface.
The unique premise of this book easily draws the reader in from the beginning. Is there a rumored Surface? Why is there a city traveling through tunnels underground? Corun is just a young man trying to make his way in the world the only way he knows how. He gets drawn into the politics of the city and its differing beliefs with his discovery and quickly realizes he is out of his depth.
The characters in Motus are believable, and at times frustrating, in their decisions. Frustrating not in the sense that they make nonsensical decisions. Rather that their choices are all too human in the situations they face. Corun’s growth throughout the ascent and the bonds that he forms with the other characters of the story feel natural.
The story is structured in such a way that it continues to draw you in. You want to find out what happens next. I read through this book in two nights, possibly staying up too late to finish it. It was an easy read and you can quickly lose track of time as you make the journey with these characters.
Throughout the story, you want these characters to succeed. Motus is a story of hope. The characters’ hope that they can make a better life for themselves. For their families and friends. Will they reach the Surface? Will that surface be worth it?
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Motus tells the story of Corun, a young miner who searches for the resources the city of Motus needs to survive underground. He discovers slag, meaning the city has been traveling in circles. This sets off a chain of events that lead to him and other miners attempting to reach the surface.
The unique premise of this book easily draws the reader in from the beginning. Is there a rumored Surface? Why is there a city traveling through tunnels underground? Corun is just a young man trying to make his way in the world the only way he knows how. He gets drawn into the politics of the city and its differing beliefs with his discovery and quickly realizes he is out of his depth.
The characters in Motus are believable, and at times frustrating, in their decisions. Frustrating not in the sense that they make nonsensical decisions. Rather that their choices are all too human in the situations they face. Corun’s growth throughout the ascent and the bonds that he forms with the other characters of the story feel natural.
The story is structured in such a way that it continues to draw you in. You want to find out what happens next. I read through this book in two nights, possibly staying up too late to finish it. It was an easy read and you can quickly lose track of time as you make the journey with these characters.
Throughout the story, you want these characters to succeed. Motus is a story of hope. The characters’ hope that they can make a better life for themselves. For their families and friends. Will they reach the Surface? Will that surface be worth it?
September 15, 2025
I was given an ARC for an honest review -
Interesting story - the book truly keeps you on your toes. It starts off that the main character is mining - and then from there ......
I don't want to give to much away - I tend to overshare and don't want to spoil the book.
We have a little over 1200 people traveling in a city deep underground with a nuclear reactor - there is class conflicts - in the book, of course they know what is the best for everyone, the rich.
The book surprised me about where this was all taking place. I totally got to love the characters, great character development.
Would I read another book by this author - yes. He is a scientist so it will have to be the fiction side though :)
Interesting story - the book truly keeps you on your toes. It starts off that the main character is mining - and then from there ......
I don't want to give to much away - I tend to overshare and don't want to spoil the book.
We have a little over 1200 people traveling in a city deep underground with a nuclear reactor - there is class conflicts - in the book, of course they know what is the best for everyone, the rich.
The book surprised me about where this was all taking place. I totally got to love the characters, great character development.
Would I read another book by this author - yes. He is a scientist so it will have to be the fiction side though :)
October 30, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I’m a sucker for people living in a strange way for unknown reasons. The culture and politics of Motus was interesting to read about. I wish there was more showing than telling throughout the book. I appreciated that the plot was able to move forward quickly by telling us what’s happened rather than having to describe scenes and dialogue, but I think it would have helped to better paint a picture and give us more insight into each character. Regardless, it was still a great book to read! The ending was a surprise to me and I was left wanting more. I wish the ending wasn’t wrapped up so quickly. Gobbled this up.
November 29, 2025
Motus proved to a be a unique read and a breath of fresh air within the science fiction genre as a whole. I really liked the way in which the characters were portrayed in the story along with the unique setting and break neck plot.
Thankyou to Net galley and the publisher for an arc copy.
Thankyou to Net galley and the publisher for an arc copy.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews