To say that Gillian Polack is a prolific writer would be an understatement. She has 16 titles listed on her Amazon page. She’s been awarded the 2020 Ditmar award and the A. Bertram Chandler (lifetime achievement in science fiction). Additionally, Dr. Polack has had no less than five of her novels short-listed for various science fiction and fantasy awards. And now, let us introduce you now to her newest book: After Empire.
Set in the world of Penin, After Empire is a sci-fi novel with elements of a space opera, a second world fantasy, and the best political thrillers all rolled into one. And the world Polack builds within the story is a work of art. She treats her world like it’s a character of its own right.
What’s It About?
The stars are dancing. Technology is failing, and it’s taking the Empire down with it.
No one knows why the Stardance has returned, nor how to deal with the loss of the crystal energy that has powered the Empire for longer than most can recall. There’s only one who might be able to stop it: Caley, a former senior mage with the Empire, who left to save her homeland.
She just needs to figure out how to save the universe, while also being named custodian of a pair of prisoners — a morally-gray pirate and a spy for the rebellion – and dealing with the return of her ex, who was once the most feared man in the Empire.
Who’s It For?
If you like the works of Arkady Martine and C. J. Cherryh, you’re going to love After Empire too. It’s available now for pre-order. It releases on January 26th.
More About Gillian Polack
Her awards include the 2020 Ditmar award and the A. Bertram Chandler (lifetime achievement in science fiction). She is also an ethnohistorian with a special interest in how story transmits culture, which is very useful for her fiction. Her novels include The Year of the Fruit Cake and The Green Children Help Out and her most recent scholarly book is Story Matrices: Cultural Encoding and Cultural Baggage in the Worlds of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
