Ashme’s Song, the latest science fiction novel by Vancouver writer Brad C. Anderson (author of Duatero), is a gritty, action-filled, far-future cyberpunk-infused science fiction tale about resistance, rebellion, and civil war—and the terrible toll it takes on individuals and families. It releases December 17 from Shadowpaw Press.
“Ashme’s Song is a science fiction story exploring family and heroism at a time of civil war,” Anderson says. “I wrote this book because I wanted to explore the tension between wanting to fight for your people versus fleeing with your family.”
“Ashme’s Song is a gritty, thoroughly engaging, and thought-provoking exploration of timeless themes of oppression, resistance, and family ties, combined with fascinating worldbuilding and a strong cyberpunk element,” says Edward Willett, publisher and editor of Shadowpaw Press. “I was pleased to be able to reprint Brad’s previous novel, Duatero, through the Shadowpaw Press Reprise imprint, and I’m thrilled to now be able to share this brand-new work with readers.”
More about Ashme’s Song
Violence has an echo, growing louder with each reverberation . . . how do you stop its echo once it starts ringing?
Ashme is a New Mesopotamian—a “Meso.” She dreams of being a hero, fighting against the brutal Ostarrichi ruling her country. She is an indigo child, her DNA modified by sentient AI, enabling her to control computer systems at will. With this power, she has something to offer the Meso resistance. Her twin brother, Shen, however, suffers from a neurological disorder and needs someone to care for him. Increasingly, that task falls on her.
How can she become the hero her people need when her brother’s needs are overwhelming? If she continues caring for Shen while joining the resistance, she risks leading Ostarrichi forces to her home. If she leaves, then looking after Shen will fall to her cousin, who is already overworked caring for his frail grandmother.
As her society collapses into violence, Ashme must choose between her fellow Mesos, her family, and her values.
About the author
Brad C. Anderson lives with his wife and puppy in Vancouver, Canada. He teaches undergraduate business courses at a local university and researches organizational wisdom in blithe defiance of the fact most people do not think you can put those two words in the same sentence without irony. Previously, he worked in the biotech sector, where he made drugs for a living (legally!).
His stories have appeared in a variety of publications. His short story “Naïve Gods” was longlisted for a 2017 Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic. It was published in the anthology Lazarus Risen, which was itself nominated for an Aurora Award.
About Shadowpaw Press
Shadowpaw Press, located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, was founded in 2018 by award-winning author Edward Willett. Shadowpaw Press is a member of Literary Press Group (Canada) and the Association of Canadian Publishers and publishes an eclectic selection of books by both new and established authors, including adult fiction, young adult fiction, children’s books, non-fiction, and anthologies.
