Universe of Lost Messages - Paperback

$39.32

Availability: 50 left in stock

by Janet Stilson (Author)

Winner of a 2025 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Award and a 2024 NYC Big Book Award, Science Fiction Categories

What if your child has special powers and can get people to do almost anything? What happens if the child is abducted?"Stilson shows herself to be one of the very best of new SF writers. This is a terrific thriller but it's also a deeply incisive political novel, holding up a mirror to our celebrity-obsessed culture." - Jonathan Oliver, former editor-in-chief, Solaris Books and author of The Language of Beasts.Izzie and Tristan were never mere humans. They are Charismites, with almost god-like powers of magnetism. And they couldn't be more different. Izzie is a reckless, playful megastar whose popularity far exceeds that of any other celebrity. Tristan is a nature-loving recluse, almost completely unknown to anyone beyond a protective biodome.

Their worlds explode when they are abducted by The Fist, a power-hungry political group with a master plan to control the hearts and minds of all people on Earth and satellite colonies beyond. But the plan only works with the help of Charismites.

Their families don't have much to go on until a feisty, street-wise teen, Cheeta, discovers clues about the Charismites within a strange metaverse filled with millions of missing messages. But will they actually find them? And can they destroy The Fist before they take over the planet?

Filled with an eclectic cast of characters, a slow-burn romance, humor, and wonderful descriptions of a sensual and sometimes violent world, Universe of Lost Messages is a stand-alone sequel to Janet Stilson's beloved novel, The Juice. Fans of William Gibson, Philip K. Dick, Raymond Chandler, dystopian novels and science fiction thriller books will devour this adventure. Buy Universe today and enjoy the rollercoaster."An engaging, plausible future world. A deliberately paced, engrossing tale set in a politically motivated, tech-heavy universe." - Kirkus Reviews"In this well written 'OUT OF THIS WORLD' science fiction book, Janet Stilson has quite the unique story. This is just such a fantastic satire that deals with politics, and the horrific influence of certain powers, and the use of good and evil ... I highly recommend this thought-provoking and suspenseful book. - Linda's Book Obsession"Stilson has done an amazing job building a futuristic, unique world, with descriptions that drop you right in, and believable characters. I love the world that's been built - the robots, the tech, the Charismites ... The story itself moves along at a good pace, and there's rarely a dull moment. You'll find it hard to put this down once you start, as the characters, tension, and twists will keep you captivated from cover to cover. - Liliyana Shadowlyn, The Faerie Review "Janet Stilson delivers a brilliant cyberpunk take on the convergence of tech and media in her new science fiction thriller Universe of Lost Messages. Stilson, a media journalist before her career as a novelist, extrapolates today's world to tomorrow's nightmare ... Fans of William Gibson and Neal Stephenson will want to seek out this novel!" - Rich Zahradnik, author of The Bone Records"A rollicking roller-coaster of a ride through a not-too-distant future of bubble holos, dreamisodes and mind-boggling tech toys ... The dizzying dreamscape of Universe turns out to be both a colorful page-turner and a cautionary tale." - Elizabeth Guider, former editor of The Hollywood Reporter and author of The Casserole Courtship

Number of Pages: 404

Dimensions: 0.9 x 8.5 x 5.5 IN

Publication Date: May 13, 2024