The Speculist

Today is the official publication date of Tobias Buckell's action-adventure sci-fi novel Crystal Rain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The cover-art is reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs pulp sci-fi, and there is a Burroughs flavor to the book: a lost civilization cut off from the larger galaxy, a larger-than-life hero (or two). But I was reminded also of Vernor Vinge's fiction - particularly his novel Peace War.

Crystal Rain is set on the far away world of Nanagada. Because of its tropical climate it was settled mostly by people from our Caribbean. But that was long ago. All that remains is legend - how the ancients crawled through a wormhole to come to this world.

The central continent of Nanagada is divided by a huge mountain range called "The Wicked High" mountains. South the mountains are the dreaded Azteca who are allied with alien "gods," the Teotl.

North of the Wicked Highs lives the fisherman John deBrun and his Caribbean neighbors. John is haunted by a past he can't remember. He has traveled to the northern Capital City and has even sailed the frozen north ocean in search for answers. But he is now living a quieter life, while his wife begins to wonder how he stays so young...

The cannibalistic Azteca don't stay on their side of the Wicked Highs, and their peaceful neighbors to the north appear ill equipped to defend the invasion. The northern Mongoose Men and the smaller Ragamuffin band will certainly be overpowered without a miracle.

Can John deBrun's mysterious past provide salvation?

Finding out is a lot of fun. The SciFi Channel was equally impressed.

Read the first third of the book here.

And then order a copy, or look for it in your local store.