Gritty, unforgettable, and compulsively readable…
Kristof’s debut is a vivid, emotionally resonant, and boldly cinematic plunge into a post-apocalyptic Martian world. In the ruined aftermath of humanity’s collapse, the Vestige, the synthetic beings forged in humanity’s image, have built new lives on a silent Mars. At the center are Miri, a half-synthetic tinkerer, and the Star Bearer, a battle-scarred Extant with a haunted past. As the ruthless Commander Sutherland sets his sights on reclaiming Mars for what remains of humanity, Miri and the Star Bearer must decide what’s worth saving, and what it means to truly live.
Kristof’s writing is rich in worldbuilding without ever bogging the story down. Terraforming machines, forgotten Creator colonies, militarized ruins, underground cities like Saint Forsaken—all of it pulses with history and layered meaning. The action is explosive and cinematic, but it’s the quiet moments: graves in the sand, whispered confessions, and a broken droid’s sacrifice that leave the deepest impact. Bold and unapologetically human, the novel is as much about chosen family as it is about survival. Readers will look forward to the next one in the series.
Pub date February 4, 2025
ISBN 979-8309448142
Price $16.99 (USD) Paperback, $2.99 Kindle edition
