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Strange Powers: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 19 Jan 27Earth has changed while they were in space . . . but so has Anna.
After centuries of survival aboard the Selene space station in the shadow of Saturn, a forgotten group of humans has evolved in ways Earth could never imagine. As communication from their home planet has been dormant for decades—and as their own colony is on the verge of collapse—they send a small group headed by their youthful leader Anna as emissaries on a desperate mission to ensure their survival.
What Anna and the others can’t know is that there is no homecoming waiting for them. Instead, they return to a shattered Earth—still reeling from a catastrophic comet strike that has fractured humanity into stratified city-states scrambling for any resource that can give them an advantage.
Anna is treated as one such resource, with strange powers—abilities that every Earth leader is eager to get their hands on. Her arrival sets off a chain of events that will reshape the future of humanity, and perhaps threaten its very survival.
Because the Visitors from Selene bring with them a discovery that could change a connection to the very forces that bind life itself, both on Earth and beyond. But as they navigate a world of political intrigue, fractured alliances, and hidden agendas, they must confront the harsh realities of survival in a society that has lost its way.
Caught between a vain and ruthless corporate leadership, a desperate but guileless smuggler, and a mysterious figure with even greater powers, Anna must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her people—and the fragile hope they represent.
After centuries of survival aboard the Selene space station in the shadow of Saturn, a forgotten group of humans has evolved in ways Earth could never imagine. As communication from their home planet has been dormant for decades—and as their own colony is on the verge of collapse—they send a small group headed by their youthful leader Anna as emissaries on a desperate mission to ensure their survival.
What Anna and the others can’t know is that there is no homecoming waiting for them. Instead, they return to a shattered Earth—still reeling from a catastrophic comet strike that has fractured humanity into stratified city-states scrambling for any resource that can give them an advantage.
Anna is treated as one such resource, with strange powers—abilities that every Earth leader is eager to get their hands on. Her arrival sets off a chain of events that will reshape the future of humanity, and perhaps threaten its very survival.
Because the Visitors from Selene bring with them a discovery that could change a connection to the very forces that bind life itself, both on Earth and beyond. But as they navigate a world of political intrigue, fractured alliances, and hidden agendas, they must confront the harsh realities of survival in a society that has lost its way.
Caught between a vain and ruthless corporate leadership, a desperate but guileless smuggler, and a mysterious figure with even greater powers, Anna must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her people—and the fragile hope they represent.
- GenresScience Fiction
464 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 19, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
3-5/5 stars. Interesting concept overall as I’m a big fan of post apocalyptic dystopian settings. Pacing was okay, but I couldn’t really get attached to any of the characters. Ending was pretty good and there was a twist that I didn’t expect.
Regarding the characters, there was a barrier that I couldn’t break through due to writing style. Teller for example could’ve been fleshed out a little more. He had surface level love for his wife but his actions were the opposite. He did some wild stuff but it all just felt like words, I didn’t feel any anger towards him. It also felt like there was no reason to have POVs for the family either because ultimately they were just as unimportant as any other person on the planet.
Overall, more details on the world post disaster in a structured way could’ve provided more insight and emotional depth to the story. No one wants corporations taking over society, but I couldn’t feel that dread one should with topics like this.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers, and Ian Jackman for letting me read this early.
3-5/5 stars. Interesting concept overall as I’m a big fan of post apocalyptic dystopian settings. Pacing was okay, but I couldn’t really get attached to any of the characters. Ending was pretty good and there was a twist that I didn’t expect.
Regarding the characters, there was a barrier that I couldn’t break through due to writing style. Teller for example could’ve been fleshed out a little more. He had surface level love for his wife but his actions were the opposite. He did some wild stuff but it all just felt like words, I didn’t feel any anger towards him. It also felt like there was no reason to have POVs for the family either because ultimately they were just as unimportant as any other person on the planet.
Overall, more details on the world post disaster in a structured way could’ve provided more insight and emotional depth to the story. No one wants corporations taking over society, but I couldn’t feel that dread one should with topics like this.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers, and Ian Jackman for letting me read this early.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Strange Powers is a science fiction dystopian novel exploring what happens when a small group of evolved humans return to Earth two centuries after their departure. The dynamic between the Visitors and Earth’s existing power and social structures is compelling, offering an engaging—and often incisive—commentary on humanity and the ways both groups are transformed, for better or worse.
I enjoyed the overarching storyline, the multiple points of view, and the depth of the world building. However, not every element felt essential, and at times the narrative became burdened by its own detail. A more streamlined approach would have added momentum and energy. While the characters are clearly well considered, with distinct backstories and motivations, I never felt fully connected to them.
I’m unsure whether this is intended as a stand-alone novel, but the ending certainly leaves room for continuation.
Rating: 3.75/5 stars. Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and the author for the advance reader’s copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the overarching storyline, the multiple points of view, and the depth of the world building. However, not every element felt essential, and at times the narrative became burdened by its own detail. A more streamlined approach would have added momentum and energy. While the characters are clearly well considered, with distinct backstories and motivations, I never felt fully connected to them.
I’m unsure whether this is intended as a stand-alone novel, but the ending certainly leaves room for continuation.
Rating: 3.75/5 stars. Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and the author for the advance reader’s copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Truly incredible book. I never knew exactly where we were headed, but enjoyed every minute of the ride. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series. I went in expecting a sci-fi novel and an exploration of what it means to be human and got so much more - highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews