Generation Ship - by Michael Mammay (Paperback)

About the Book

In 2108, Colony Ship Voyager departed Earth for the planet of Promissa with 18,000 of the world's best and brightest on board. 250 years and 27 light years later, an arrival is imminent. But all is not well. The probes that they've sent ahead to gather the data needed to establish any kind of settlement aren't responding, and the information they have received has presented more questions than answers. It's a time when the entire crew should be coming together to solve the problem, but science officer Sheila Jackson can't get people to listen. With the finish line in sight, a group of crewmembers want an end to the draconian rules that their forebearers put in place generations before. However, security force officer Mark Rector and his department have different plans. As alliances form and fall, Governor Jared Pantel sees only one way to bring Voyager's citizens together and secure his own power: a full-scale colonization effort. Yet, he may have underestimated the passion of those working for the other side. Meanwhile, a harsh alien planet awaits that might have its own ideas about being colonized. A battle for control brews, and victory for one group could mean death for them all.

Book Synopsis

In this riveting, stand-alone novel from Michael Mammay, author of Planetside, the beginning of a new human colony must face tyrannical leaders, revolution, crippling instability, and an unknown alien planet that could easily destroy them all.

In 2108, Colony Ship Voyager departed Earth for the planet of Promissa with 18,000 of the world's best and brightest on board. 250 years and 27 light years later, an arrival is imminent.

But all is not well.

The probes that they've sent ahead to gather the data needed to establish any kind of settlement aren't responding, and the information they have received has presented more questions than answers. It's a time when the entire crew should be coming together to solve the problem, but science officer Sheila Jackson can't get people to listen.

With the finish line in sight, a group of crewmembers want an end to the draconian rules that their forebearers put in place generations before. However, security force officer Mark Rector and his department have different plans. As alliances form and fall, Governor Jared Pantel sees only one way to bring Voyager's citizens together and secure his own power: a full-scale colonization effort. Yet, he may have underestimated the passion of those working for the other side...

Meanwhile, a harsh alien planet awaits that might have its own ideas about being colonized. A battle for control brews, and victory for one group could mean death for them all.

Review Quotes

"Generation Ship is a ferocious story of human desperation, boiling with tension and betrayal."
-- Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters

"Mammay writes compellingly and convincingly about the complex, imperfect, and rocky nature of political and personal change set against the backdrop of a generation ship counting down to its hoped-for destination and what that will mean for everyone aboard." -- Kate Elliott, author of Unconquerable Sun

"Impressively well-balanced page-turner... propulsive and satisfying." -- New York Times Book Review

Best SF/Fantasy of 2023 -- "Taut, highly political SF thriller...Highly recommended." -- Library Journal (starred review)

"The idea of generation ships is not a new one in SF, but Mammay's approach and style are unique. Fans of James S. A. Corey's Expanse series (2011) will enjoy this one." -- Booklist (starred review)

"Political sci-fi done right! Generation Ship offers a captivating look at an authentic spaceborne civilization aboard a nascent powder keg. Cleverly written, topical, and compelling with a relatable cast of diverse characters, deeply personal stakes, and twisty plot elements that will keep you on your toes." -- J.S. Dewes, author of the Divide Series

"Michael Mammay's Generation Ship is a masterclass in political science fiction. A political chess match filled with absolute page-turning tension that culminates in an ending which manages to be both bittersweet and hopeful. This was a book that will be stuck in my head for a while." -- K.B. Wagers, author of the NeoG series

"Mammay masterfully balances multiple points of view against one another to chart a sociopolitical puzzle of growing complexity with no easy answers. Succinct prose, deeply human conflicts, and a planet you'll be flipping pages to race toward alongside the Voyager." -- -- Essa Hansen, author of The Graven trilogy

"Kim Stanley Robinson meets C J Cherryh in this cutting examination of the fallibilities and frailties of the human spirit." -- Richard Swan, Sunday Times Bestselling Author of The Empire of the Wolf Trilogy

"An entertaining read." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Impressive hard SF epic... Equally entertaining and intelligent, this nuanced tale is sure to please sci-fi fans." -- Publishers Weekly

"Generation Ship isn't just a novel concerned with the current hegemonic empire spanning our globe, it's a story concerned with our survival as a species, and this is where Mammay really delivers. This book, and I cannot stress the point enough, is a snapshot of our planet..." -- Lightspeed Magazine

"Generation Ship has the brilliant political complexity of The Expanse and the American government, while keeping the fun and excitement of Dark Matter. Thoughtful, well-written, deep, and engaging. Familiar to fans of sci fi and of Mike Mammay's voice while watching him take us in a new direction with his craft and storytelling."
-- R.R. Virdi, author of The First Binding

"A riveting political drama that had me on the edge of my seat wondering if humanity would survive itself. Tense, twisty, and deeply human--my favorite Mammy novel so far!" -- Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars

"An excellent novel about a society living inside one ship and the factions that rise out of it, and about the handful of people struggling to keep it all together long enough to reach the planet they've spent their whole lives flying to, before the ship and everyone in it burns down." -- Clay Harmon, author of Flames of Mira

"A complete knockout that will have you wanting to devote every minute of your free time to discovering what lies at the end of its enthralling journey." -- Out Of This World SFF

"One of those reads that is punchy, it pulls you forward... one of my favorite reads in recent memory." -- Jon Ficke

"[A]n absolute page-turner of a thriller... [C]ompelling, cleverly written, with a well-characterized cast--this is the kind of book to both keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing." -- Analog Science Fiction & Fact

"It's an ambitious book that is perfect for fans of series like Battlestar Galactica or The Expanse." -- Fansided, Winter is Coming

"A punchy read that mixes science, exploration, human affairs, and ship-based politicking to create a very well-rounded and engaging narrative that all fans of hard and social SF should want to try out." -- Jeremy Szal, author of Stormblood