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Press Release
Off Armageddon
Reef, the launch of a major
new SF epic from David Weber
“Shifting effortlessly between battles among
warp-speed starships and among oar-powered galleys,
Weber brings the political maneuvering, past and future
technologies, and vigorous protagonists together for
a cohesive, engrossing whole.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
From the bestselling author of the Honor Harrington novels—a new work of epic science fiction with the sweep and scope of Frank Herbert’s DUNE, Roger Zelazny’s LORD OF LIGHT, and Isaac Asimov’s FOUNDATION trilogy!
When the name David Weber and the term science fiction are Googled™ together on the Internet, over one million entries instantly appear. This is not surprising, however, since David Weber is considered to be science fiction’s biggest phenomenon of the decade. Indeed, he is often compared, by reviewers and readers alike, to C.S. Forester, and is the recipient of critical praise worthy of Robert A. Heinlein and Isaac Asimov.
The author of the wildly popular Honor Harrington series and a myriad of other bestselling novels, Weber ranges from epic fantasy, to breathtaking space opera, to military science fiction. Now, with his latest book, OFF ARMAGEDDON REEF (Tor Books; $7.99; on sale January 2nd, 2008), David Weber tackles epic science fiction as he launches a gripping far-future saga that tells the tale not of high-technology, but of human beings struggling for the things for which humans have always fought: survival, happiness, understanding, a better life for their children—and the truth.
In OFF ARMAGEDDON REEF it is the far future, and the technologically advanced Earth has been destroyed—as well as most of its inhabitants—by a mysterious star-spanning empire known as the Gbaba. Fleeing to the perceived safety of space, humankind, in its quest for survival, first tries to attack this unknown entity, and when that fails, tries to outwit them. In a last desperate colonization attempt, an outrageous and daring plan called Operation Ark is launched—a plan that will fool the Gbaba into assuming that they had destroyed all human fugitives. But they would be wrong…
At first, Operation Ark appears to be an unqualified success. The world of Safehold is the last human colonization, and its bucolic serenity offers safety at last. But is it as successful as it seems? The former command staff of Operation Ark will do anything to insulate their world from the unwanted attention of the Gbaba—the enemy that still seeks them. But in order to do so, they forbid any technological advancement that might attract the Gbaba, effectively throwing Safehold back into a dark, medieval age that is centered on a newfound religion. The pioneers of this last, new world had originally signed up to have their minds reprogrammed to live a simple life—one without technology or the desire for technological advancement. What they didn’t sign up for is to have the command staff of Operation Ark transformed into gods.
There is a small faction of the original command staff, however, that still passionately believes in individual freedom and thought, and that technology is important for man’s ultimate survival. They feel it’s imperative to preserve the true history of the human race, which includes the war against the Gbaba. A new plan is hatched….
Now, eight hundred years later, in a hidden chamber in the mountains of Safehold, a cybernetic avatar from the far human past awakens—her rebirth was set in motion centuries before by that faction that opposed the shackling of humanity by a concocted religion. Her fate? To disguise herself and merge into Safeholdian society, and begin the process of provoking the technological progress that the “gods of Safehold” have worked for centuries to prevent.
But danger lies within this daring plan—for if a new era of technological evolution and invention begins, it is bound to draw the attention of the Gbaba….
OFF ARMAGEDDON REEF by David Weber is a novel replete with intriguing characters, danger, and emotional impact, and echoes the epic science fiction tradition of Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and Roger Zelazny. With his trademark attention to detail and complex storylines, Weber mixes adventure, history, and societal concerns in just the right amount, creating an action-packed but thoughtful read. With OFF ARMAGEDDON REEF, David Weber proves himself one of today’s premier writers of epic science fiction.
David Weber is a science fiction phenomenon. His popular Honor Harrington novels are New York Times bestsellers, and can’t come out fast enough for his devoted readers. In addition to the Honor Harrington series, he has written many top-selling science fiction novels, including Mutineers’ Moon, The Armageddon Inheritance, Heirs of Empire, and Path of Fury. David Weber currently lives in South Carolina.
OFF ARMAGEDDON REEF |
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