Fleet of Worlds (at last)

I've blogged regularly about the Fleet of Worlds: the physical (however fictional) place; the most recent book in the series; the various species known to the Fleet's alien denizens, the Puppeteers; the exotic technologies used there (and elsewhere in Known Space); and relationships to Larry Niven's novel Ringworld and its series.

But I've never blogged about Fleet of Worlds the novel, even though it kicked off the Fleet of  Worlds series (more on that below) and is among my most popular books. Fleet of Worlds was released in 2007 -- but I didn't begin blogging till 2008. I never saw a reason to look back—

Till now. Today, Tor Books (Larry's and my publisher) re-released Fleet of Worlds as a trade paperback.

What is Fleet of Worlds about?

Kirsten Quinn-Kovacs is among the best and brightest of her people. She gratefully serves the gentle race that rescued her ancestors from a dying starship, gave them a world, and nurtures them still. If only the Citizens knew where Kirsten’s people came from ….

A chain reaction of supernovae at the galaxy’s core has unleashed a wave of lethal radiation that will sterilize the galaxy. The Citizens flee, taking their planets, the Fleet of Worlds, with them. 

Someone must scout ahead, and Kirsten and her crew eagerly volunteer. Under the guiding eye of Nessus, their Citizen mentor, they explore for any possible dangers in the Fleet’s path—and uncover long-hidden truths that will shake the foundations of worlds.  

In short: a star-spanning, teeming-with-aliens, science-fictional epic in the grand tradition. 

Fleet of Worlds was a featured alternate selection of the Science Fiction Book Club, a "Sci Fi Essential" selection of (what was then called) the Sci Fi Channel, and a finalist for the Prometheus Award. FOW has been translated (so far) into eight languages. This being the 21st century, FOW has long been available in several formats of ebook and audio book.

And FOW has been quite favorably received.  Here are a few of my favorite comments from reviews:

"Needs recommending within the science fiction community about as much as a new Harry Potter novel does – well, anywhere."   — Locus Magazine

"As we have long expected from Niven, it’s a great read, and Lerner—as Analog readers know—has the knack as well.  You’ll enjoy this one."   — Analog Science Fiction and Fact

"Let's see: Great series, grand scope and a seamless prequel with characters and politics, and ethical issues. Who the hell wouldn't read that?" — San Diego Union-Tribune

"… Delivers a very strong hard science fiction experience. It is a great novel that is not to be missed."  — SF Signal

With today's post: the series coverage within this blog is finally complete (till Fate of Worlds is released  in 2012, that is). 

Fleet of World became a series, obviously, but Larry and I set out to write a single novel. This novel. (We didn't say "no" when the publisher expressed interest in a second book. Or to another after that. Or after that .... Per my recent post, Nails in the coffin, it can be hard to make "The end" stick.)  So: if you're not in the mood for a series, that's okay. Fleet of Worlds stands alone.