Introducing ‘The House of Styx’, the brand new novel from bestselling author Derek Künsken
23rd January 2020
Great news, Derek fans! We’re bringing you a brand new novel from the bestselling author of sci-fi thrillers The Quantum Magician and The Quantum Garden.
Before we release the wonderful new hardcover into the wild, though, the champion team at Analog magazine will be serialising the novel. The House of Styx will run for three issues, beginning in the March / April edition. Analog is known for housing the writings of some pioneering SF authors, including Isaac Asimov, Anne McCaffrey, and Frank Herbert, so we’re delighted our Derek will be in good company.
This isn’t the first time Derek’s writing has been featured in Analog. The Quantum Magician was also serialised in the magazine, and has gone on to be nominated for a whole host of awards, including the Locus, Aurora, and Chinese Nebula Awards, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Association and Sunburst Awards. It has also been translated into various languages, including Chinese, Japanese, French, and Russian.
The House of Styx, the first book in the Venus Ascendant series, is a prequel to the events in The Quantum Magician and The Quantum Garden and will introduce fans to the rise of the Venusian Congregate. A second book, The House of Saints, is scheduled for 2022.
Here’s the synopsis:
Life can exist anywhere. And anywhere there is life, there is home.
In the swirling clouds of Venus, the families of la colonie live on floating plant-like trawlers, salvaging what they can in the fierce acid rain and crackling storms. Outside is dangerous, but humankind’s hold on the planet is fragile and they spend most of their days simply surviving.
But Venus carries its own secrets, too. In the depths, there is a wind that shouldn’t exist.
And the House of Styx wants to harness it.
Analog’s editor Trevor Quachri said of the serialisation: “We’re thrilled to be able to present the next installment in Derek Künsken’s hard SF future history. Readers who enjoyed the nuanced characters, hard science, and imaginative world building in Persephone Descending and The Quantum Magician will no doubt treasure The House of Styx.”
Our very own Michael Rowley continued: “Derek has that rare ability to weave action, adventure, science and story together in a way that not just entertains, but makes the reader think about the world around us, as well as the future landscape he has crafted so magnificently. It’s a wonderful opportunity for both new readers and existing fans to jump in and enjoy the ride.”
We’ll be bringing you the novel in its entirety in August 2020, so keep your eyes peeled!
For review copies of The House of Styx and author interviews please contact Hanna Waigh, PR & Marketing Manager: hanna.waigh@rebellion.co.uk