Rising Tide

This exciting sequel to 2014’s Falling Sky picks up where the earlier postapocalyptic steampunk tale left off, with airship captain Ben Gold having sacrificed his beloved ship, Cherub, to protect the hidden city of Tamoanchan from attack by ruthless raiders. Unfortunately, he’s saved by an old ally turned bitter enemy and has to trade his services for survival, leading to a perilous journey across the wasteland and through the skies of a future Earth inhabited by the feral and the dying. Ben will do whatever it takes to save himself and his newfound love, Miranda, a scientist dedicated to curing the plague that has nearly wiped out humankind. But despite his best intentions, Ben finds it hard to overcome his old nature and reputation as someone who cuts and runs when things get bad. Khanna crafts a terrifyingly dismal picture of the future, raising the stakes by gradually stripping Ben of friends and support while throwing him into increasingly dire situations. His worldbuilding remains solid and unsettling, and he never loses sight of the human element. The cliffhanger ending is sure to leave readers on the edges of their seats, panting for resolution. Agent: Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency. (Oct.)