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Superluminary #1
Superluminary
The sole survivor of an illfated expedition to Pluto finds the Infinithedron, a library of supertechnology from the alien race that created life on earth and guided evolution to produce mankind.
He returns to earth only to discover world war has decimated civilization. Rather than sharing the secrets, he uses them to conquer mankind, impose peace and order, but also abolishing aging, disease, famine.
Lord Tellus (as he calls himself) imprints each of his children with a different branch of the alien science, but the whole of it is taught to none. These Lords of Creation (as they call themselves) are commanded to create life on each of the worlds and moons of the solar system. Scores of artificial intelligent races are fashioned, who adore the children as godlike. The secret of faster than light drive Lord Tellus keeps to himself: mankind he keeps in the solar system. But what is his reason?
He goes mad, and his children rise up in rebellion, and he vanishes, leaving behind mysteries and guesses.
Aeneas Tell, son of Lady Venus, youngest of the imperial family, dreams of overthrowing the his family in favor of a republic, but when he introduces a rebel into the imperial palace for a coup, he is betrayed, and barely escapes with his life, and flees to Pluto.
Here Aeneas discovers the horrific secret his grandfather was hiding, and an ancient evil that sleeps beneath the eternal ice. Aeneas finds himself snared in a labyrinth of intrigue, striving somehow to convince his Machiavellian family to cooperate against a mutual foe none of them credit.
He returns to earth only to discover world war has decimated civilization. Rather than sharing the secrets, he uses them to conquer mankind, impose peace and order, but also abolishing aging, disease, famine.
Lord Tellus (as he calls himself) imprints each of his children with a different branch of the alien science, but the whole of it is taught to none. These Lords of Creation (as they call themselves) are commanded to create life on each of the worlds and moons of the solar system. Scores of artificial intelligent races are fashioned, who adore the children as godlike. The secret of faster than light drive Lord Tellus keeps to himself: mankind he keeps in the solar system. But what is his reason?
He goes mad, and his children rise up in rebellion, and he vanishes, leaving behind mysteries and guesses.
Aeneas Tell, son of Lady Venus, youngest of the imperial family, dreams of overthrowing the his family in favor of a republic, but when he introduces a rebel into the imperial palace for a coup, he is betrayed, and barely escapes with his life, and flees to Pluto.
Here Aeneas discovers the horrific secret his grandfather was hiding, and an ancient evil that sleeps beneath the eternal ice. Aeneas finds himself snared in a labyrinth of intrigue, striving somehow to convince his Machiavellian family to cooperate against a mutual foe none of them credit.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
Unknown Binding
First published February 17, 2018
46 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
John C. Wright
137 books449 followersJohn C. Wright (John Charles Justin Wright, born 1961) is an American author of science fiction and fantasy novels. A Nebula award finalist (for the fantasy novel Orphans of Chaos), he was called "this fledgling century's most important new SF talent" by Publishers Weekly (after publication of his debut novel, The Golden Age).
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 17, 2018
5 Stars
The Lords of creation(Superliminary #1) is an awesome science fiction space opera filled with godlike characters that are so filled with scientific knowledge that they appear to be magic. Indeed, this is a science fiction series that makes the science so out there that it is truly indistinguishable from magic. Wow is it freaking cool.
Add into this geek fest of science fiction delight a serious twist on vampirisim and our place in this unisiverse. I applaud the imagination of John C. Wright and absolutely devoured this book.
Amazing science fiction. God like characters. Hard science fiction. And a truly scary take on Vampires.
This is a must read for science fiction lovers.
The Lords of creation(Superliminary #1) is an awesome science fiction space opera filled with godlike characters that are so filled with scientific knowledge that they appear to be magic. Indeed, this is a science fiction series that makes the science so out there that it is truly indistinguishable from magic. Wow is it freaking cool.
Add into this geek fest of science fiction delight a serious twist on vampirisim and our place in this unisiverse. I applaud the imagination of John C. Wright and absolutely devoured this book.
Amazing science fiction. God like characters. Hard science fiction. And a truly scary take on Vampires.
This is a must read for science fiction lovers.
July 25, 2018
Superluminary Book 1. Aeneas, the youngest of the family who rule -- and terraform -- the Solar System, is attacked in his room. The assassin is less of a surprise than the rescue, which ends with him on Pluto.
Where Lord Pluto does not approve of his presence. Much ensues. Including a peril to the sun, Aeneas knowing things that had somehow been read into his memory, Lady Luna's promotion, the problem of what young people will do if they learn about what is done to Aeneas, Aeneas's ownership of an asteroid he failed to terraform, the insanity of his grandfather, the murder of his father, and more.
Where Lord Pluto does not approve of his presence. Much ensues. Including a peril to the sun, Aeneas knowing things that had somehow been read into his memory, Lady Luna's promotion, the problem of what young people will do if they learn about what is done to Aeneas, Aeneas's ownership of an asteroid he failed to terraform, the insanity of his grandfather, the murder of his father, and more.
July 10, 2017
Such stunningly good space opera. Mr. Wright continues to impress me with his abundance of imagination. This is kind of princes of Amber space opera where a families squabbles in the face of space vampires. Starts off with a bang and stays at the same level.
This was originally commissioned as a series for a magazine, but the magazine failed. Thus this was offered via Patreon.
This was originally commissioned as a series for a magazine, but the magazine failed. Thus this was offered via Patreon.
June 15, 2022
I loved the creativity of the super-advanced science, but everything else, particularly the writing, was glaringly lacking. I know this is a novella, so there was never going to be the kind of detail or development one gets from proper novels, but I've read short stories with better world-building and character development. It honestly felt like the author had some interesting ideas about advancements in science and technology, then tried to craft a story around that rather than an engaging plot or compelling characters.
The biggest issue was probably the pacing. We speed through scenes with poor explanations and confusing dialogue. Action sequences are just about coherent, but I'm pretty sure I missed multiple plot points along the way because it was so difficult to piece all the random technobabble together. And that's coming from someone who's well versed in sci-fi and science in general.
So if you're only looking for some innovative sci-fi concepts, this definitely had a lot to mull over. However, a bland protagonist, convoluted plot, shoddy storytelling, and weak writing really makes this one hard to recommend.
The biggest issue was probably the pacing. We speed through scenes with poor explanations and confusing dialogue. Action sequences are just about coherent, but I'm pretty sure I missed multiple plot points along the way because it was so difficult to piece all the random technobabble together. And that's coming from someone who's well versed in sci-fi and science in general.
So if you're only looking for some innovative sci-fi concepts, this definitely had a lot to mull over. However, a bland protagonist, convoluted plot, shoddy storytelling, and weak writing really makes this one hard to recommend.
March 20, 2018
John C. Wright's books expand the imagination like no other author in the field. Just when you think you know where his story is going he takes a hard turn, and then again. This book does so every chapter, and never lets up the gas. A ton of fun.
July 17, 2018
Imaginatively Crunchy
The amount of theory and science used here is marvelous. This stretches the imagination and pushes past the standard science fiction into the realm of the gods. It's like explaining the Greek pantheon with science and explores the effects of this God like power while maintaining our human passions. Immensely entertaining and fast paced.
The amount of theory and science used here is marvelous. This stretches the imagination and pushes past the standard science fiction into the realm of the gods. It's like explaining the Greek pantheon with science and explores the effects of this God like power while maintaining our human passions. Immensely entertaining and fast paced.
September 30, 2019
Although marketed - and sold as - three separate books, this is really one rougly 500 page story split into three. A bit cheeky that - you end up paying, even for the Kindle edition, significantly more than you would if it was sold as what it really is, a single novel.
Still, I'll forgive the marketing - it's not as if writers are coining it (average wage £10,000 per annum), so if this gets John Wright a bit more in royalties, I can't cavil - as the story itself is such a magnificently over the top piece of space opera. For you older SF fans out there: if you thought nothing could top EE Doc Smith's Lensman stories, think again. To give an idea of the scales involved, Superluminary has War Dysons as one of its minor conceits! Arthur Clarke famously said that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistiguishable from magic: so it is here. Quantum physics, Aristotelian teleology, and every possible variant on the space-time continuum are employed to give an exhilirating veneer of plausibility to a ride that takes the reader to the galaxy's core (engineered by Space Vampires as the ultimate weapon) all the way through to galactic ramming. This is SF on a scale so massive that it inspires smiles of awe at Wright's sheer chutzpah. Can he possibly top this, you ask at the end of Book 1? The answer is, yes.
Now, after the praise, the criticism. Given that the book is quite expensive, the editing on it is far too sloppy. There are far too many typos, incorrect words and word order and sundry other editing errors. It does not look like it has been checked much beyond a spell check. That is sloppy, and takes the reader out of the story quite unnecessarily.
But it's worth it for the ride.
May 11, 2018
Reminds me a lot of his earlier work the Golden Age but not as well fleshed out. Lots of super weirdness based on the crazy technological magic that each member of the family possesses. It's imaginative, but I would want to see that future installments are published as it feels like the opening act to a story and if nothing else in this series ever surfaces then its not worth your time, but it does strike me as a promising set up and could be interesting to see more in this story universe.
April 8, 2019
It's been awhile since I picked up a John C. Wright book....far too long, it would seem. A few pages into Lords of Creation and I'm swimming in sci-fi concepts which other authors would build entire series upon. I've always enjoyed the epic, mind-bending vision of Wright in his storytelling, and this book does not disappoint.
Be forewarned, though, that Wright tends to actually write rather good-sized books that his publisher chops into a few pieces. This is the first of a trilogy and while it does "end", it come across merely as the end of a first act of a three part play. A minor plot point is resolved while many other ones are left dangling.
That said, loved the book, already started on the next one. Too quick, in my mind, but very satisfying.
Be forewarned, though, that Wright tends to actually write rather good-sized books that his publisher chops into a few pieces. This is the first of a trilogy and while it does "end", it come across merely as the end of a first act of a three part play. A minor plot point is resolved while many other ones are left dangling.
That said, loved the book, already started on the next one. Too quick, in my mind, but very satisfying.
June 8, 2018
It’s one episode from a longer work. Excellent but who knows where it’ll go?
I’m glad Wright breaks his books up now. He is an excellent Author and deserves full credit you can get. I wish more people read his work.
As another reviewer had pointed out, it’s a lot like The Golden Age with less exposition, more action. So enjoyable for what it is: a short fun introductory read.
I would have to see the complete work in all its parts, which probably has not been written yet, and may well not be written at all unless there is commercial interest.
The Unwithering Realm series of his books is another example of Wright creating a world and not investing in completing it necessarily. We’ll see.
I’m glad Wright breaks his books up now. He is an excellent Author and deserves full credit you can get. I wish more people read his work.
As another reviewer had pointed out, it’s a lot like The Golden Age with less exposition, more action. So enjoyable for what it is: a short fun introductory read.
I would have to see the complete work in all its parts, which probably has not been written yet, and may well not be written at all unless there is commercial interest.
The Unwithering Realm series of his books is another example of Wright creating a world and not investing in completing it necessarily. We’ll see.
February 25, 2018
Wright does it again. He is one of the most creative and fascinating authors writing today. I have never found a single work of his to be less than wonderful. Look forward to more in this series.
September 8, 2025
I have read nearly three thousand sci-fi books. This is one of my favorites.
It is hard to find a book written this century that does not overly insult the senses with woke ideology. The innovations in the art of story telling in recent decades are, in my opinion, an improvement over what had been before, particularly the integration of character development with the world-building. The down side is that it come at a cost that is often too high to pay. Too much of sci-fi literature has fallen into the same trap as Hollywood films in that the authors include, and treat certain classes of characters in particular ways so as not to give reason for protest or to make a social statement. Some of the social statements that have emerged are fine, as far as they go, my objection is to the formulaic nature I have observed wrt mandatory inclusion and boundaries of roles these statements demand. It also often feels like an editor has made particular suggestions to the author in an effort to, in their opinion, appeal to a wider audience. The truth is that the authors likely already know the score far too well and are complicit if not willing partners.
Whatever the cause, this book, in addition to being written with modern techniques, is free from these defects. The result is a wonderful and imaginative story written in a satisfying way.
It is hard to find a book written this century that does not overly insult the senses with woke ideology. The innovations in the art of story telling in recent decades are, in my opinion, an improvement over what had been before, particularly the integration of character development with the world-building. The down side is that it come at a cost that is often too high to pay. Too much of sci-fi literature has fallen into the same trap as Hollywood films in that the authors include, and treat certain classes of characters in particular ways so as not to give reason for protest or to make a social statement. Some of the social statements that have emerged are fine, as far as they go, my objection is to the formulaic nature I have observed wrt mandatory inclusion and boundaries of roles these statements demand. It also often feels like an editor has made particular suggestions to the author in an effort to, in their opinion, appeal to a wider audience. The truth is that the authors likely already know the score far too well and are complicit if not willing partners.
Whatever the cause, this book, in addition to being written with modern techniques, is free from these defects. The result is a wonderful and imaginative story written in a satisfying way.
October 13, 2018
This is a 1930s space opera with the bad pseudo-science brought up to date. The characters are two-dimensional, the story is one-dimensional, and plot development consists of increasingly bigger weapons being created or negated by science-ish plot devices. The author seems to have had a blast writing it, and the reader is invited along for the ride.
"The ultradense substance called hypermatter formed an empty sphere of black hole material, but it surrounded a node or oasis of unwarped space at its heart, like a miniature coninuum whose lightcone could be tilted in any direction."
"The ultradense substance called hypermatter formed an empty sphere of black hole material, but it surrounded a node or oasis of unwarped space at its heart, like a miniature coninuum whose lightcone could be tilted in any direction."
October 11, 2019
I'm listening to the whole trilogy as a single audiobook, but you had best believe I'm taking the credit for enduring this book on its own. This one has way too much in common with Somewhither in that the drama all hinges on insanely violent things happening to our protag, who is conveniently insanely, supersciencely tough. The plot is very linear, just one damned thing after another, violent episode, data dump, violence, data dump, etc. The setting could certainly be used for something grand... Wright seems to have no shortage of fascinating setting ideas.
May 13, 2020
Wright has a fantastic imagination, which allows him to create fascinating worlds. Science Fiction should have a strong focus on fascinating possibilities of technology and their implications, something that many authors forget these days. As the sci-fi setting is often just a backdrop to justify some contrivance, but in itself does not excite the imagination even a bit.
But more then that he writes what I would call classically compelling stories. It's hard to explain what I mean by that. But it feels like he is not the kind of guy to try to sell you a broken toilet bowl as some kind of artful master piece. Many modern stories present fake people, in false settings with crap motivations and shitty morals. Many modern stories feel off, or they feel bitter and resentful, even creepy. Wright stories do not, and they actually have heroes! Imagine that. They stories written for people that want to build rockets, flying cars, explore the deepest depth and the highest tops, they speak directly to the hart.
But more then that he writes what I would call classically compelling stories. It's hard to explain what I mean by that. But it feels like he is not the kind of guy to try to sell you a broken toilet bowl as some kind of artful master piece. Many modern stories present fake people, in false settings with crap motivations and shitty morals. Many modern stories feel off, or they feel bitter and resentful, even creepy. Wright stories do not, and they actually have heroes! Imagine that. They stories written for people that want to build rockets, flying cars, explore the deepest depth and the highest tops, they speak directly to the hart.
February 10, 2020
Science fiction so advanced as to be indistinguishable from magic.
Bank's character Horza from Consider Phlebas mixed with Zelazny's Lord of Light.
Fast paced, loads of action, short read.
Wright is a skilled author with an incredible imagination. If you like Banks' and Reynolds' fiction, you'll like this.
Bank's character Horza from Consider Phlebas mixed with Zelazny's Lord of Light.
Fast paced, loads of action, short read.
Wright is a skilled author with an incredible imagination. If you like Banks' and Reynolds' fiction, you'll like this.
August 5, 2018
Wasn't expecting space vampires!
Trashy and pulpy, but magnificently so. None of the super science makes sense but I'm excited at each moment to see what ludicrous escape will show up next.
Trashy and pulpy, but magnificently so. None of the super science makes sense but I'm excited at each moment to see what ludicrous escape will show up next.
March 4, 2019
Gave this a rare 5 stars. I really like this crazy science stuff. The book is fast paced and the narrator is great. Can't wait to see what happens in the 2nd book.
The only issue I have is that it's too short.
The only issue I have is that it's too short.
March 6, 2018
I thought the story was way too wordy and over the top for my taste.
August 2, 2018
Interesting read, fast paced. I would have like more character development in the major characters, but we begin to get more of that in the next in the series.
December 29, 2019
Some of the best and most creative science fiction I’ve read in ages. Highly recommended.
September 2, 2019
I started reading this when Wright was publishing it as a serial on his website. I was a Patreon of his, and I received a full copy of the text, so that I could read it on my Kindle application. The transition of this (when I was about 18 chapters in), threw me off. I also got stuck a bit at times in the story.
The story jumps quickly to different points, and there is much that is predicated on past science fiction writing (and the knowledge is assumed).
I really enjoyed reading it, and there are some portions where I found myself flying thorough, gobbling up the ideas and the action. I particularly liked the first few chapters, and the last few. The protagonists have characteristics of some of my other favorites stories. I see some resemblance to the characters of The Chronicles of Amber, with all of the intrigue that they had.
The story jumps quickly to different points, and there is much that is predicated on past science fiction writing (and the knowledge is assumed).
I really enjoyed reading it, and there are some portions where I found myself flying thorough, gobbling up the ideas and the action. I particularly liked the first few chapters, and the last few. The protagonists have characteristics of some of my other favorites stories. I see some resemblance to the characters of The Chronicles of Amber, with all of the intrigue that they had.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews