Solaris to publish post-Russian AI-fuelled space opera by Anya Ow

Solaris is delighted to announce the acquisition of The Ion Curtain by Anya Ow, a high-octane space opera set in a post-Russian world, for publication in summer 2022.

Aurealis Award finalist Anya Ow’s The Ion Curtain is a far-future space opera in which the post-Russian VMF and the UN are locked in a brutal cold war. When the VMF creates AI-piloted ships based on the minds of its best generals, the fragile détente preventing all-out battle begins to shatter.

World English Rights were acquired by Jim Killen from Jennie Goloboy at the Donald Maass Literary Agency.

Author Anya Ow on the release:

“Some of the earliest science fiction I ever read as a teen was the Judge Dredd books and comics, so to be able to work with Rebellion 20 years later with The Ion Curtain is an immense pleasure. Writing the book was quite an adventure, and I hope readers have as much fun exploring its universe as I have.”

Acquiring Editor Jim Killen on the book:

“I loved the novel from page one. I adore good character driven space opera and The Ion Curtain has it all; intrigue, excitement and action. Anya Ow is a real talent and I’m thrilled that Rebellion will be bringing her novel to readers.”

And for keen readers, here’s the blurb:

In the far-distant future, the post-Russian VMF and the UN are locked in cold war. When corsair Solitaire Yeung discovers a mysterious device in a wrecked Russian cruiser, he learns that the VMF has been experimenting with AI, and that the experiment has already escaped the VMF’s control. Yeung, Russian captain Viktor Kulagin, and UN spy Kalina try to keep a dangerous situation from disintegrating further—but the AI have plans and allies of their own.

Anya Ow is the author of The Firebird’s Tale and Cradle And Grave, and is an Aurealis Awards finalist. Her short stories have appeared in publications such as Asimov’s, Uncanny, Fantasy Magazine, the 2019 Year’s Best Dark Fantasy and Horror anthology and more. Born in Singapore, Anya has a Bachelor of Laws from Melbourne University and a Bachelor of Applied Design from Billy Blue College of Design. She lives in Melbourne with her two cats, working as a graphic designer, illustrator, and chief studio dog briber for a creative agency. She can be found at www.anyasy.com or on twitter @anyasy.


For press enquiries please contact Hanna Waigh, PR & Marketing Manager: hanna.waigh@rebellion.co.uk.