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Livid Skies

Building the first permanent Mars colony

by SI CLARKE

A fresh start, a queer social liberal dream, and a planet that wants to kill you.

Carving out a life on Mars is no easy feat. With Earth in the throes of a devastating pandemic, autistic scientist Devon and her fellow colonists are faced with the momentous task of establishing a new society – one that learns from the past and prioritises sustainability over short-term gain.

Noble aspirations are easier said than done, though – especially when the entire planet wants to kill you. Grappling with the realities of human nature and with their batteries slowly dying, the colony’s 150 women and 10 men must overcome their differences to create a lasting community.

But things aren’t always what they seem and maybe the colonists aren’t as alone as they thought…

Perfect for fans of Mary Robinette Kowal’s ‘Lady Astronaut’ series and the writing styles of Robert J. Sawyer and Becky Chambers. This thought-provoking sci-fi novel blends classic science fiction ideas with neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ themes.

This book is on:
  • 1 Read list
Published:
Editors:
Hannah McCall, Lucy Rose York, Michelle Meade

Genres:
Sci Fi, Sci Fi - Apocalyptic Fiction, Sci Fi - Christian, Sci Fi - Colonization, Sci Fi - Greenpunk, Sci Fi - Hard Sci Fi, Sci Fi - Hopepunk, Sci Fi - LGBTQ+, Sci Fi - Near Future, Sci Fi - People of Color, Sci Fi - Realistic, Sci Fi - Theological

Tags:
author - british, author - canadian, format - novel, format - novel <100K, format - novel 40-100K, identity - asexual, identity - bisexual, identity - gay, identity - lesbian, identity - non-binary, identity - pansexual, identity - polyamorous, identity - transgender, potential trigger - death, potential trigger - suicide, potential trigger - violence, what - condition - disability, what - topic - disaster, what - topic - multicultural, what - topic - politics, what - topic - religion, when - period - near future, where - Mars, who - religion - catholic, who - religion - jewish, who - religion - muslim / islamic, who - type - vegan

Tropes: Band of Misfits, Enemy to Ally, Found Family, Humanity is Dangerous, Humanity is Good
Word Count: 80000
Setting: Mars
Languages Available: English
Tropes: Band of Misfits, Enemy to Ally, Found Family, Humanity is Dangerous, Humanity is Good
Word Count: 80000
Setting: Mars
Languages Available: English
Reviews:Amanda on Bookish Brews wrote:

This beautifully queer civilisation on Mars was absolutely delightful to read.


About the Author

SI CLARKE is a Canadian misanthrope who lives in Deptford, sarf ees London. She shares her home with her partner and an assortment of waifs and strays. When not writing convoluted, inefficient stories, she spends her time telling financial services firms to behave more efficiently. When not doing either of those things, she can be found in the pub or shouting at people online – occasionally practising efficiency by doing both at once.

As someone who’s neurodivergent, an immigrant, and the proud owner of an invisible disability, she strives to present a diverse array of characters in her stories.