Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library discussion

Hi guys

My latest SF novel, The Antaran Codex, has just launched. It's set in the far future (4705 AD), has elements of space opera, SF action/thriller and a bit of hard science underlying some of the technical concepts.

If you read The Mothership (published 2013), one of my earlier novels set in the current time on Earth, you would have glimpsed the universe The Antaran Codex is set in, although the new book is set at a time when mankind is an active participant in that universe, rather than a sheltered inhabitant.


From the back cover:

"This high-octane sci-fi novel is powered by grand-scale action and adventure, larger-than-life characters, a richly described backdrop and, above all else, relentless pacing.
Fast and furious fun in humankind’s distant future."
- Kirkus Reviews

As mankind nears its goal of galactic citizenship, Sirius Kade, trader and Earth Intelligence Service deep cover agent, learns that wealthy and powerful leaders from across Mapped Space are vying for control of an alien relic they believe is the key to untold riches – unaware they are being deceived.

Sirius soon finds himself entangled in an interstellar plot to make humanity a cosmic outcast, denying it its place as the newest member of the vast and ancient community that has governed the galaxy for eons.

With mankind’s fate in the balance, Sirius must overcome ruthless alien adversaries and deadly human rivals as he seeks to discover the secret of The Antaran Codex and safeguard man’s future among the stars.


DISCUSSION

As with The Mothership, I continue my exploration of man's place in the universe, albeit through a fast paced SF thriller format. I happen to think there really are many interstellar civilizations in our galaxy, and by definition, such civilizations will be very far ahead of us technologically. I have many reasons for such a view, not least of which is a recent analysis of the incidence of extra solar planets which estimates there would be 100 million habitable planets in our galaxy alone, so there's plenty of places for life to take hold.

With this perspective in mind, what interests me is how mankind will coexist in the future with these alien species who, because they will be thousands to millions of years ahead of us, will not treat us as equals. And while this may be difficult for some, the reality is we will not be their equals.

A fundamental tenant in my thinking is that the day mankind develops interstellar travel will be the day we become the most technologically primitive interstellar civilization in the universe. Considering the likely infrequent appearance of intelligent life, that is a position we will hold in our galaxy for many thousands of years, making such things as interstellar wars implausible due to extreme technological differences. Indeed, thinking mankind could conduct an interstellar war is quite dangerous thinking, as there would be only one outcome from such a conflict, and it would be unfavorable to humanity.

If you disagree, consider this: Would hunters and gathers in the Amazon jungle have any prospect of defeating the United States in a war? Obviously not. Why not? Because American civilization is 20,000 years ahead of the hunters and gathers. So why would mankind have any chance against a civilization 100,000 years or a million years ahead of us? This is the reality we should expect to face when we become an interstellar civilization in the next thousand years.

So what is our future in such a universe, and what should our approach be? Thinking this through presents an interesting background for swashbuckling space opera. Differences with other species may occur, but the question is, if war is infeasible, how will those differences be managed?

The Antaran Codex is the first Sirius Kade story. While it is meant to be fast and fun, it is also set in a universe I believe to be archetypically plausible, and which I hope you find to be thought provoking.

The Antaran Codex is available as a kindle ebook and paperback on Amazon.

I hope you enjoy the ride!

Regards

Stephen Renneberg
www.stephenrenneberg.com