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Ascendancy: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27From the author of The Stars Too Fondly comes a queer cyberpunk space opera following a butch anarchist rebel pilot and a sword-wielding femme fatale raised in a transhumanist death cult, whose clashing ideologies and blazing romance may unite humanity or strike its killing blow — perfect for fans of Tamsyn Muir and Arkady Martine.
One thousand years after the collapse of Earth, on one of Jupiter’s many moons, Neev Alpha-Cilix meets Ida Arkimidias.
Neev, a pilot Apprenticed to the Jovian Ascendancy, has lived her entire life under the all-seeing gaze of the Council of Ascendants. Abandoned at the Europan Academy by their mother, Neev and her siblings learned never to question the Neionet or the chips in their heads. Ida, rescued from orphanhood and raised by the militant New Rhodes Reformation, believes that the Ascendancy’s iron grip on the last children of Earth will only end when humanity abandons its bodily form and embraces omniscience.
When a chance encounter at the Academy sparks a blazing mutual attraction, Neev begins to question everything and Ida’s faith wavers for the first time in her life. But their gravity-upending romance ends when Ida disappears without a trace, leaving Neev alone with her doubt and grief.
A decade later, Ida and the NRR stand on the precipice of a new age. One last bloody mission, and the Ascendancy will fall, making way for an era of true harmony. But when an echo of Ida's past jeopardizes the mission, she flees again—this time toward a crew of Chipless anarchists, and the handsome Apprentice–turned–rebel–pilot whose familiar smile still sets her soul aflame. As lies are revealed, tyrannies fall, and war becomes an inevitability, their love may not be enough to stop them from ending up on opposite sides of the battlefield.
With a punch to the gut and a blade to the heart, Emily Hamilton's Ascendancy marks a paradigm shift in the modern space opera, introducing an epic, riveting, queer cyberpunk trilogy about fanaticism and family; anarchy and authoritarianism; the hollow promise of technology and the power of the erotic; transhumanist death cults; sexy space Robin Hoods; and a love all-consuming enough to unite humanity or strike its killing blow.
One thousand years after the collapse of Earth, on one of Jupiter’s many moons, Neev Alpha-Cilix meets Ida Arkimidias.
Neev, a pilot Apprenticed to the Jovian Ascendancy, has lived her entire life under the all-seeing gaze of the Council of Ascendants. Abandoned at the Europan Academy by their mother, Neev and her siblings learned never to question the Neionet or the chips in their heads. Ida, rescued from orphanhood and raised by the militant New Rhodes Reformation, believes that the Ascendancy’s iron grip on the last children of Earth will only end when humanity abandons its bodily form and embraces omniscience.
When a chance encounter at the Academy sparks a blazing mutual attraction, Neev begins to question everything and Ida’s faith wavers for the first time in her life. But their gravity-upending romance ends when Ida disappears without a trace, leaving Neev alone with her doubt and grief.
A decade later, Ida and the NRR stand on the precipice of a new age. One last bloody mission, and the Ascendancy will fall, making way for an era of true harmony. But when an echo of Ida's past jeopardizes the mission, she flees again—this time toward a crew of Chipless anarchists, and the handsome Apprentice–turned–rebel–pilot whose familiar smile still sets her soul aflame. As lies are revealed, tyrannies fall, and war becomes an inevitability, their love may not be enough to stop them from ending up on opposite sides of the battlefield.
With a punch to the gut and a blade to the heart, Emily Hamilton's Ascendancy marks a paradigm shift in the modern space opera, introducing an epic, riveting, queer cyberpunk trilogy about fanaticism and family; anarchy and authoritarianism; the hollow promise of technology and the power of the erotic; transhumanist death cults; sexy space Robin Hoods; and a love all-consuming enough to unite humanity or strike its killing blow.
448 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 12, 2027
About the author
Emily Hamilton
2 books163 followersEmily Hamilton is a science fiction author who writes about women kissing in space. Her debut novel, The Stars Too Fondly, is available from Harper Voyager (US) and Gollancz (UK). Formerly an award-winning staff writer at the alt-weekly newspaper Seven Days, she lives in Burlington, Vermont with her wife and their tiny dog Mimi.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Disclosure: I received an uncorrected proof copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This was an excellent read. It features a compelling sci-fi universe with interesting characters, a well-developed setting, compelling drama, thrilling action, and steamy romance. I thoroughly loved it; and with a dramatic cliffhanger ending, I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
This was an excellent read. It features a compelling sci-fi universe with interesting characters, a well-developed setting, compelling drama, thrilling action, and steamy romance. I thoroughly loved it; and with a dramatic cliffhanger ending, I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Ascendancy is an ambitious science fiction adventure that blends fast-paced action with intriguing world-building and a strong central protagonist. Emily Hamilton creates a vivid setting filled with mystery, conflict, and opportunities for discovery, drawing readers into a universe that feels expansive and full of possibility. The story balances thrilling confrontations with character development, allowing the stakes to feel both personal and larger than life. As the opening installment of a new journey, Ascendancy leaves a lasting impression and promises exciting developments for readers who enjoy character-driven space opera and speculative fiction.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The worldbuilding in this is incredibly compelling, and I really just cannot wait to see where this story goes!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
unusual but fun to read
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews