Moonrising

Set in a climate change–ravaged 2073, Barner’s entertaining debut sci-fi romance mash-up takes both genres equally seriously. Dr. Alex Cole is trying to feed the world. Her research into mutagenic food should allow access to produce and livestock in places that can no longer support farming—but since the Potato Plague of 2061, public opinion of mutagenic food is terrible. So when NASA offers her 10 years of funding in exchange for a year at their moon colony, revamping their failing greenhouse, she doesn’t have any better options. Also heading to the moon is Mansoor Al Kaabi, who’s traveling there to finalize plans for the space-tourist hotel his powerful Emirati family has bankrolled—but who has far loftier ambitions. If Alex can find a way to sustainably feed a hundred colonists, Mansoor believes the colony can be expanded enough for humanity to live off-Earth in earnest. But their success brings danger: many forces don’t share Alex and Mansoor’s vision of the future, and are willing to do whatever it takes to destroy it. It’s a pleasure to watch Alex and Mansoor fall in love with and fight for each other. The result is a unique, exciting, and intelligent novel with a lot of heart. Agent: Jenna Satterthwaite, Storm Literary. (July)