Jitterbug - by Gareth L Powell (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this twisty and action-packed adventure from the BSFA award-winning author of Descendant Machine and Future's Edge, a crew of bounty hunters find themselves ensnared in a conspiracy on the very fringes of the devastated solar system. Perfect for fans of James S. A. Corey and Adrian Tchaikovsky.

"On Earth, they depicted justice as blindfolded and impartial, but out here on the frontier, she was red in tooth and claw."

Jupiter and Saturn are gone, and a mysterious force has built a huge habitable sphere from their ashes. When criminals try to lose themselves on this new frontier, bounty hunters like Copernicus Brown and the crew of his sentient ship Jitterbug get paid to hunt them down.

But when Brown rescues Amber Roth, sole survivor of a pirate attack, the Jitterbug and her crew find themselves the target of powerful political factions who want control of the data chip hidden in Roth's stomach.

And all the while, something vast and ancient creeps towards them from the depths of space...

Review Quotes

"A cracking fast-paced read, full of action and human drama."
Adrian Tchaikovsky, award-winning author of Children of Time and Alien Clay

"Jitterbug is a thrilling journey filled with witty banter, unlikely allies and friendships, secrets and sacrifices, and found family, exploring the cyclical nature of both history and the future, and the way our fates are often shaped not just by choice but also by luck and coincidence."
Ai Jiang, author of A Palace Near the Wind

"Jitterbug is a haunting, propulsive odyssey across the ruins of our solar system--where justice, grief, and the ghosts of creation itself collide. Gareth L. Powell writes with both fire and tenderness, crafting a space opera that pulses with human ache amid cosmic wonder. It's poetic, cinematic, and deeply humane--science fiction with a beating heart and a reckoning soul."
Cynthia Pelayo, Bram Stoker Award(R)-winning author of Children of Chicago and The Shoemaker's Magician

"Every time I thought I had the flight path of Jitterbug all figured out, Gareth L. Powell banked a hard left in the most delightful way. From space pirate brawls to bounty hunter chases and political machinations, Powell pairs thrills with richly imagined characters that pulse with life. I don't think I've ever rooted so hard for a shipboard AI. Bold and cinematic, Jitterbug proves that Powell is a master of scale--balancing galaxy-spanning stakes with moments of vibrant, intimate heart."
Nathan Tavares, author of A Fractured Infinity

"Imagine the solar system as a mighty ocean full of pirates and you have the beating heart of Jitterbug - a roaring whirlwind of a novel, full of adventure, emotion, wit and great characters."
David Quantick, author of All My Colours

"Huge fun, with some entertainingly gnarly characters, snappy dialogue and a cinematic scope."
SFX

"Exciting and solidly written."
SFF World

Praise for Future's Edge

"Powell, who has two BFSA awards for best science-fiction novel, might need to clear shelf space for a third. His new novel is, to put it simply, marvelous... It's also a perfect novel to introduce sf readers to this vibrant storyteller."
Booklist

"A page-turning adventure for sci-fi fans who don't mind tangled relationships and gruesome fights... Powell's fans will not be disappointed."
Publishers Weekly

"Gareth brings his trademark blend of fierce action, ingenious SF ideas and an intriguing cast of characters. An excellent read."
Adrian Tchaikovsky, award-winning author of Children of Time and Alien Clay

"Gareth Powell's writing upgrades classic Science Fiction tropes with modern sensibilities and a nifty twist"
Peter F. Hamilton, author of Exodus: The Archimedes Engine and Salvation

"Crazy inventiveness, vivid characters and enthralling action. This is thrilling, joyous stuff."
M.R. Carey, bestselling author of The Girl with All the Gifts and Infinity Gate

"Future's Edge is Gareth L. Powell at his best, mixing exceptional world-building and galaxy-wide stakes with complicated relatable characters and enough heart to fuel a supernova. Horror, humour and hope in equal measures. Not to be missed."
Cavan Scott, New York Times bestselling author and co-creator of Star Wars: The High Republic

"Gareth Powell pulls out all the stops with Future's Edge! It's a wild blend of alien invasion, body horror, and the power of the human spirit! Highly recommended!"
Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of NecroTek and The Sleepers War

Praise for Descendant Machine

"Descendant Machine is smoothly paced, engagingly crafted, and crammed full of a sense of wonder at the sheer scale of the universe. Whatever Powell has planned next, on this evidence, it'll be well worth paying attention."
SFX

"Full of great sfnal novums and roller-coaster thrills, Powell's latest has me hoping for a long continuation of the Continuance."
Locus Magazine

"A fast-paced and incisive story from one of the best British SF writers"
Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Shards of Earth

"Gareth Powell rocks again! Descendant Machine is big concept made accessible by a masterful writer. Fun, weird, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining! Grab this now!"
Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Kagen the Damned and V-Wars

"Hits the ground running and doesn't stop until its universe-shaking final confrontation. Once again, Gareth Powell is writing at the top of his very considerable game. More like this, please."
Dave Hutchinson, author of Cold Water

"Descendent Machine has all the huge concepts that define great space operas tightly packed into a thrilling page-turner of a novel. The sheer breadth of ideas Powell manages to fit into the story is made all the more impressive by the deft pacing and focused characters. I devoured this book in a couple of days and had great fun doing it."
Nicholas Binge, author of Ascension

Praise for Stars and Bones

"A novel with heart and ambition"
SFX

"With a strong heroine, some really imaginative supporting characters (including a talking cat), and a story that packs a serious emotional wallop, the novel spotlights Powell's gifts for character building and plotting. He's already won two best-novel awards from the British Science Fiction Association, and it wouldn't be surprising to see this one getting a nomination, too."
Booklist

"Powell balances plot, action, and character development perfectly. This promising start will especially appeal to James S.A. Corey fans."
Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Gareth Powell drops you into the action from the first page and then Just. Keeps. Going. This is a pro at the top of his game."
John Scalzi, author of Redshirts and Old Man's War

"A headlong, visceral plunge into a future equal parts fascinating and terrifying."
Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Shards of Earth

"A gripping, fast-paced space opera that poses the unique question: what if instead of saving humanity, aliens decided to save the Earth?"
Stina Leicht, author of Persephone Station

"A grand scale adventure packed with fun banter, snappy prose, and masterful science."
Essa Hansen, author of Nophek Gloss

"An interstellar intelligence has a plan for Earth's future, but is humanity a part of it? Fast-paced and thoughtful, Stars and Bones leaves the reader well-fed with hearty helpings of mystery, suspense, adventure, and terror."
Marina Lostetter, author of Noumenon

"Gareth Powell's Stars and Bones is shocking and beautiful--an electric, epic, and sometimes gruesome look at humanity facing its biggest challenge yet. Powell keeps the pressure on and doesn't let go. I enjoyed it immensely."
Karen Osborne, author of Architects of Memory

"A vividly imagined, propulsive read. Filled with a loveable cast of characters. Powell's writing creates a rich tapestry of their voices and inner lives. I think readers will be thrilled by this story."
Temi Oh, author of Do You Dream of Terra-Two?

"Big ships, big ideas and big emotions. Thrilling space opera which is epic in scope, yet always rooted at the human level, as all the best sci-fi is."
Emma Newman, author of Planetfall

"An interstellar collision of massive ideas and startling originality."
Zack Jordan, author of The Last Human

"Stars and Bones crafts a future that finds hope in dark places."
Valerie Valdes, author of Chilling Effect

About the Author

Gareth L. Powell is the author of 20+ books, including novels, novellas, short fiction collections, and a non-fiction guide for aspiring authors. He has twice won the British Science Fiction Association Award for Best Novel and has become one of the most shortlisted authors in the award's 50-year history. He has also been a finalist for the Locus Award (twice), the British Fantasy Award, the Seiun Award, and the Canopus Award. You can find him online at www.garethlpowell.com and on social media @garethlpowell