Godrise

by Van Jensen

In the shadow of the giant—the three‑mile‑tall alien that dropped down, seemingly dead, just outside of town—Little Springs continues to grow: 200,000 people and still expanding rapidly. Crisis looms as they come to realize there is not enough water for all of them. A tech industry titan decides to dam a river and pipe its water into the city, which sparks off a quickly growing protest. The dam is to be built on the historic site of a Lakota massacre at the hands of the U.S. army. Sheriff David Blunt is tasked with mediating the conflict, an assignment that becomes impossible when a protester turns up dead—murdered, David believes.

Meanwhile, scientist Sunny Lee is on the verge of a breakthrough to understanding the truth of the giant. Except, to unlock its mysteries, she’ll have to venture into the giant itself and risk touching off a cataclysm. All the while, worrying omens appear, indicating that the blade stabbed through the giant is spreading its infection—an alien life form with its own dark agenda.

Genres: Science Fiction, Mystery

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication January 26, 2027

About the author

Van Jensen is the acclaimed author of the award-winning GODFALL trilogy (Grand Central). The sci-fi/thriller genre mashup series is in development for TV with Academy Award winner Ron Howard attached to direct and Jensen serving as executive producer.

Jensen was born and raised in the farm country of Western Nebraska where he wrote and drew stories as soon as he could hold a pencil. He became a newspaper crime reporter, then a magazine editor, and eventually an author of comic books and graphic novels. He has written some of the world’s biggest characters, including James Bond, Godzilla, and The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern for DC Comics. His original graphic novels include ARCA (IDW), Two Dead (Simon & Schuster/Gallery 13), Two Dead (Dark Horse), and Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer (Top Shelf/IDW).

He also writes and produces for film and TV.

Reviews

[sarai]

a few months after the events of godfall, the tiny midwestern town of little springs continues to evolved around the influx of industry and residents that accompanied the eponymous god. this one's more conceptual and action-based around gulliver itself than the first installment was, and i have to confess i think it's a bit weaker. the water pipeline and indigenous vs capitalist conflict don't seem as specific to little springs' circumstances as previous conflicts had, and jensen does seem to have a strangely condescending attitude towards "leftists" (anyone who protests against the Man™) even as he's clearly on their side. moreover, the cosmology seems handwavey and not well developed - although that might just be personal on my part since i'm a hard sf reader. in general, though, this was excellent as a thriller - fast paced and never dragging, yet enough character and introspective work that makes it a bit more than surface level.

thanks netgalley and grand central for the e-arc!

[Casey]

This books continues dealing with first contact of a different sort. The story continues to revolve around the giant and the spire that goes through him. It also involves water access, tribal lands and covert government operations that lead to less than favorable results. Overall, a good continuation of the series.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, and my fiction book review blog.