Apostles of Mercy - (Noumena) by Lindsay Ellis

About the Book

"Apostles of Mercy is the new alternate history first contact novel from the instant New York Times, Wall Street Journal and LA Times bestselling Lindsay Ellis. First Contact has not been going well. The nations of Earth are rapidly militarizing against the arrival of the Superorganism, an alien civilization that promises to destroy humanity before it can develop into a real threat. The Superorganism has done it before - to their distant transient relatives - and they could easily do it again. But the alien Ampersand and his human interpreter Cora Sabino are done with trying to save humanity from both the Superorganism and itself; to them, this is a civilization that does not deserve to be saved. When a strange new form of communication between the two of them reveals to Cora how alien Ampersand truly is, she begins to question her blind devotion. But she soon learns of a danger that may force them to leave Earth before either of them are ready: a group of superorganism enemies that have been wreaking havoc on Earth for decades. Existence on the margins has made them desperate and bent on revenge against any of Ampersand's race whose path they cross. Before Cora and Ampersand can make their final escape, these hostile aliens stage an attack, and take that which is most dear to both of them. Ampersand's enemies will not consider any form of truce; the greatest threat to them is not from the Superorganism, but from an increasingly fearful and violent human civilization newly aware of their existence. Cora and Ampersand must go to extreme measures to take back what was stolen and prevent wholesale human extermination - but in doing so they may be no better than the civilizations they are trying to escape"--

Book Synopsis

THE INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Apostles of Mercy is the new alternate history first contact novel from the instant New York Times, Wall Street Journal and LA Times bestselling Lindsay Ellis.

First Contact has not been going well. The nations of Earth are rapidly militarizing against the arrival of the Superorganism, an alien civilization that promises to destroy humanity before it can develop into a real threat. The Superorganism has done it before-to their distant transient relatives-and they could easily do it again. But the alien Ampersand and his human interpreter Cora Sabino are done with trying to save humanity from both the Superorganism and itself; to them, this is a civilization that does not deserve to be saved.

When a strange new form of communication between the two of them reveals to Cora how alien Ampersand truly is, she begins to question her blind devotion. But she soon learns of a danger that may force them to leave Earth before either of them are ready: a group of superorganism enemies that have been wreaking havoc on Earth for decades. Existence on the margins has made them desperate and bent on revenge against any of Ampersand's race whose path they cross. Before Cora and Ampersand can make their final escape, these hostile aliens stage an attack, and take that which is most dear to both of them.

Ampersand's enemies will not consider any form of truce; the greatest threat to them is not from the Superorganism, but from an increasingly fearful and violent human civilization newly aware of their existence. Cora and Ampersand must go to extreme measures to take back what was stolen and prevent wholesale human extermination-but in doing so they may be no better than the civilizations they are trying to escape.

Review Quotes

"Gripping and relentless, Apostles of Mercy is the strongest book yet in a thrilling and addictive series. I absolutely tore through it, devoured it in a day, and find myself still hungry for more of these fierce, desperate, passionately loving characters, working so hard to save each other and all of their worlds." - Amal El-Mohtar, co-author of the New York Times bestselling This is How You Lose the Time War

"Apostles of Mercy takes an already terrific series to new heights. It's equal parts interstellar warfare, geopolitical thriller, and hard-earned romance, with a gripping ending. " - Emily St. James, co-Author of Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files and writer for Yellowjackets

"Lindsay Ellis shows us that humans are just as much the other as their alien counterparts with incredible detail, humor, and empathy, and never better than in this un-put-downable continuation of the Noumena saga. Cora Sabino has officially joined the pantheon of first contact heroines." - Jamie Loftus, New York Times bestselling author of Raw Dog

"Immersive, action-packed...does not disappoint." - Publishers Weekly

"Between the political intrigue and well-defined cast, this is a lovely reading experience. A charming but taut political SF thriller in which the readers are the only winners" - Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

LINDSAY ELLIS is an author, media critic, and Hugo-nominated video essayist. She also was the co-host of the PBS digital series "It's Lit, ." After earning her bachelor's in Cinema Studies from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, she earned her MFA in Film and Television Production from USC's School of Cinematic Arts with a focus in documentary and screenwriting. She lives in Long Beach, CA. Apostles of Mercy is her third novel.