Volatile Memory

Fantasist Haddon (Reclaimed) combines sapphic romance, fast-paced mystery, and fascinating worldbuilding in his thrilling first sci-fi novel. Sable Alzian was 26 when she died from a gunshot wound on the distant planet Pholan’s World. Fingers point to VisorForge, a producer of bionic face masks with products like Rattlesnake, Hyena, and Rabbit, which enhance wearers’ abilities to see, hear, and react. Fused to Alzian’s head at the time of her death was VisorForge’s top-of-the-line prototype, Hawk. Though it’s now discarded in a rubbish heap, the mask continues to transmit signals, attracting freewheeling scavenger Wylla, who’s hoping to upgrade her own outdated headgear. Wylla’s surprised to find that Alzian’s consciousness, by some techno-fluke, lingers in the mask. Pursued by VisorForge agents who want the mask back, Wylla, at Alzian’s urging, dons the Hawk, enabling the pair to share body and mind as they steal a spaceship, jump through time warps, and battle androids, all while searching for Alzian’s murderer. Haddon channels his heroines’ strange double consciousness through narration that cycles between second person and first-person plural, creating a dizzying effect. Packed with combat, intrigue, and budding love, this is an exciting new direction for Haddon. (July)