Tag: Stained Light

Naomi Foyle’s GAIA CHRONICLES to be Published This Year in North America!

Posted on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021

This year, Quercus is due to publish North American editions of Naomi Foyle‘s acclaimed Gaia Chronicles series. Starting ASTRA on January 19th, ROOK SONG will follow in April, and BLOOD OF THE HOOPOE and STAINED LIGHT will follow later in the year (dates to be confirmed).

The series is already available in the UK, published by Jo Fletcher Books. Here’s the synopsis for the first book in the series…

Is-land is a Gaian paradise in the middle of a blasted world — but its success comes at a dark price.

Like every child in Is-Land, all Astra Ordott has ever wanted is to get her Security Shot, do her National Service and defend her Gaian homeland from Non-Lander ‘infiltrators’. But when one of her Shelter mothers, the formidable Dr Hokma Blesser, tells her the shot will limit her chances of becoming a scientist and offers her an alternative, Astra agrees to her plan.

Then the orphaned Lil arrives to share Astra’s home and Astra is torn between jealousy and fascination. Lil’s father taught her some alarming ideas about Is-Land and the world, but when she pushes Astra too far, the heartache that results goes far beyond the loss of a friend.

If she is to survive, Astra must learn to deal with devastating truths about Is-Land, Non-Land and the secret web of adult relationships that surrounds her… or her actions could bring the whole community toppling down.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the series has received so far…

‘A complex and daring literary story’ — Upcoming4.me

‘A friend recommended ASTRA as an invigorating sort of escapism. She was right. My first experience of SF enchanted and stimulated me’ — Dervla Murphy, author of Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle

‘Foyle has built a fascinating portrait, often reminiscent of Ursula K. Le Guin in its layered complexity, and threaded into a fascinating coming of age story. Gripping’ — Love Reading

‘I enjoyed ASTRA immensely. The novel’s plot is fascinating… all of it set down in Foyle’s smooth and flowing writing style’ — A Fantastical Librarian

‘It’s hard-hitting, but it’s poignant and incredibly thought-provoking… Naomi Foyle has a mastery of plotting and a way with words that’s truly remarkable’ — Over the Effing Rainbow

‘This ambitious, thought-provoking take on a dystopian future paints a depressingly credible picture of environmental collapse… as events go hurtling towards the book’s dramatic conclusion, I couldn’t put it down…’ — Brain Fluff

‘This is excellent Science Fiction and I heartily recommend it… reminiscent of Le Guin’ — Birmingham SF Group

Naomi Foyle’s STAINED LIGHT out now!

Posted on Thursday, September 6th, 2018

The wait is finally over! Today, Jo Fletcher Books publishes STAINED LIGHT, the fourth novel in Naomi Foyle‘s critically-acclaimed Gaia Chronicles science fiction series! Continuing the story begun in ASTRA, and continues in ROOK SONG and THE BLOOD OF THE HOOPOE, here’s the synopsis for the series conclusion…

Astra Ordott tried — and failed — to deny her destiny.

For ten years Astra Ordott has lived as a traitor, hated by most of her fellow prisoners and abused by the guards. She made the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loved, voluntarily giving up her freedom when she handed herself over to the Is-Land authorities. Now long-simmering conflicts are beginning to boil over again as the wider world faces devastating threats both old and new. Non-Land and Is-Land are further from reunification than ever.

Outside Astra’s fortified Gaian homeland, an infertility crisis is threatening the survival of the human race, while the world’s reliance on rare earth metals is infuriating the ancient spirits of the planet.

Astra may have found her voice as a messenger of cosmic harmony — but is anyone listening?

Here are a few of the reviews the series has received so far…

‘Shocking though it might be in some respects, ASTRA certainly provides food for thought… the story quickly becomes engrossing. The ending is abrupt, but it makes you crave the second instalment of the Gaia Chronicles. ASTRA will certainly not be everyone’s cup of tea, but personally I am looking forwards to the next book with curiosity and excitement.’ — Starburst Magazine

‘If there’s one thing I learned from reading SEOUL SURVIVORS and now ASTRA, it is that author Naomi Foyle has a remarkable way of making me feel. I have been shocked and disturbed by some of the ideas in her books, but likewise there have been times where the touching beauty of her writing has bought me to tears. Her stories might not necessarily read like heart-pounding thrillers or page-turners, but no matter what, they always pack a powerful punch… a bold dystopian tale… by following Astra through all three life stages, I feel like I’ve come to know her very well, and the author has managed to make me care deeply about her character. I didn’t even realize how completely immersed I’d been until I reached the end, and tears started coming to my eyes while reading a scene that was particularly touching. I don’t know if that would have hit me so hard emotionally if the book hadn’t been so well-written overall… an intensely deep, complex and thought-provoking narrative of the main character’s life. It’s a beautiful story, unique and daring, which serves as a solid foundation for everything else to come.’ — Bibliosanctum

‘The second instalment of the Gaia Chronicles, ROOK SONG continues to develop Astra’s story, taking the reader through many illuminating, horrifying and overwhelming avenues… once the story really starts, it doesn’t let up. The highly politicised narrative is an enthralling and absorbing read… Where the first book offered a shocking, but somewhat aspirational alternative way of living, ROOK SONG delves further into the political influence that enables the way of life the Gaian’s are privileged to inhabit… Offering plenty of twists and surprises, ROOK SONG outdoes its predecessor with a more developed story and plenty of conspiracies that pull the reader in. Book one was a comment on how society should live to protect the planet, book two is a comment on how people should prevent international conflict and wars. We can only wait with bated breath to see what book three will campaign for.’ — Starburst

‘ROOK SONG is brave and unexpected… if you like your SF intelligent and stimulating do yourself a favour and pick up both ASTRA and ROOK SONG. You won’t regret it.’ — Upcoming4me

‘Foyle has built a fascinating portrait, often reminiscent of Ursula K. Le Guin in its layered complexity, and threaded it into a fascinating coming of age story. Gripping.’ — Love Reading on ROOK SONG

‘There is no doubt that Naomi Foyle is an excellent writer. When she is on top of her game she can amuse, horrify, and pull at your heartstrings in equal measure. Her descriptions of Is-land and Non-land are extremely vivid, her skills as a poet translating into enchantingly lyrical prose throughout most of these books.’ — Strange Horizons on THE BLOOD OF THE HOOPOE

Naomi Foyle’s STAINED LIGHT coming soon!

Posted on Monday, November 20th, 2017

In the near future, Jo Fletcher Books are due to publish Naomi Foyle‘s STAINED LIGHT! The fourth novel in the author’s Gaia Chronicles, here’s the synopsis…

Astra Ordott tried — and failed — to deny her destiny.

To cleanse her conscience and save those she loves, she made the ultimate sacrifice, giving up her freedom to hand herself over to the Is-Land authorities. But that was ten years ago, and the conflicts that have branded her a psychotic traitor are just getting hotter. All around her, long-simmering conflicts are beginning to boil over again, Non-Land and Is-Land are further from reunification than ever and the wider world is facing devastating threats both old and new.

Outside Astra’s fortified Gaian homeland, an infertility crisis is threatening the survival of the human race, while global civilisation’s reckless pursuit of rare earth mining is infuriating the ancient spirits of the planet.

Astra may have found her voice as a messenger of cosmic harmony — but is anyone listening? And if she cannot persuade humanity to respect the elemental laws of the universe, will she at least see her life-long personal enemies, Dr Samrod Blesserson and Ahn Orson, face justice on Earth?

Jo Fletcher Books has also published the first three novels in the series: ASTRA, ROOK SONG and THE BLOOD OF THE HOOPOE.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the series has received so far…

‘Shocking though it might be in some respects, ASTRA certainly provides food for thought… the story quickly becomes engrossing. The ending is abrupt, but it makes you crave the second instalment of the Gaia Chronicles. ASTRA will certainly not be everyone’s cup of tea, but personally I am looking forwards to the next book with curiosity and excitement.’ — Starburst Magazine

‘ASTRA is just as thought-provoking as SEOUL SURVIVORS… and Foyle’s use of language and imagery is just as good, if not better as it was in her previous novel. Foyle manages to keep Astra’s voice distinctly her own, but tempered with more experience and as a result Astra’s perception and the narrative become more complex and sophisticated. She’s a fabulous main character and I really enjoyed reading about her… I enjoyed ASTRA immensely. The novel’s plot is fascinating, with an intricate web of relationships between Astra and those around them and the adults amongst themselves and some compelling political shenanigans going on in the background, all of it set down in Foyle’s smooth and flowing writing style.’ — Fantastical Librarian

‘The second instalment of the Gaia Chronicles, ROOK SONG continues to develop Astra’s story, taking the reader through many illuminating, horrifying and overwhelming avenues… once the story really starts, it doesn’t let up. The highly politicised narrative is an enthralling and absorbing read… Where the first book offered a shocking, but somewhat aspirational alternative way of living, ROOK SONG delves further into the political influence that enables the way of life the Gaian’s are privileged to inhabit… Offering plenty of twists and surprises, ROOK SONG outdoes its predecessor with a more developed story and plenty of conspiracies that pull the reader in. Book one was a comment on how society should live to protect the planet, book two is a comment on how people should prevent international conflict and wars. We can only wait with bated breath to see what book three will campaign for.’ — Starburst

‘There is no doubt that Naomi Foyle is an excellent writer. When she is on top of her game she can amuse, horrify, and pull at your heartstrings in equal measure. Her descriptions of Is-land and Non-land are extremely vivid, her skills as a poet translating into enchantingly lyrical prose throughout most of these books.’ — Strange Horizons on THE BLOOD OF THE HOOPOE