Synopses & Reviews
This is the third novel, after
Sun of Suns and
Queen of Candesce, to be set in Virga, a bubble universe artificially separated from our own future universe. “Schroeder's Virga series is highly reminiscent of the Golden Age of SF, when A. E. van Vogt, Isaac Asimov, and E. E. “Doc” Smith were all mixing the pulp heritage with high adventure and innovative scientific projections to create interesting worlds, peoples, and stories.” (
The Sacramento Book Review).
Chaison Fanning, the admiral of a fleet of warships introduced in the first book, has been captured and imprisoned by his enemies, but is now rescued and set free. He must flee to his home city to confront the ruler who betrayed him. Perhaps while there he will also regain his lovely, powerful, and subversive wife, Venera. He has not seen her since she fled, careening off into the air of Virga, with the key to the artificial sun, Candesce, at the center of Virga. In Pirate Sun, Schroeder sets a whole new standard for hard SF space opera.
Review
Praise for Sun of Suns (A Kirkus Best of 2006 and a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Top Pick):
“Outrageously brilliant and absolutely not to be missed.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A classic space opera…full of feudal castles and wooden ships, ancient compasses, old revolvers, and frothing beakers on one hand, and flying bikes, space travel, and cyborgs on the other.”
—Toronto Globe and Mail
“I loved it. It never slowed down. The background is fascinating and the characters held my attention. It reminded me a little of The Integral Trees, with technology a little more advanced.”
—Larry Niven
“Oh, what worldbuilding! Schroeder is a master.”
—Cory Doctorow
Praise for Queen of Candesce:
"Karl Schroeder…is proving to be one of our most ingenious devisers of exotic, fantastic settings as well as a spinner of ripping yarns.… Schroeders world-building, storytelling, and character-drawing chops seem strong enough to given even Known Space run for its money.”
—Locus
Review
Praise for Sun of Suns (A Kirkus Best of 2006 and a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Top Pick):
“Outrageously brilliant and absolutely not to be missed.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A classic space opera…full of feudal castles and wooden ships, ancient compasses, old revolvers, and frothing beakers on one hand, and flying bikes, space travel, and cyborgs on the other.”
—Toronto Globe and Mail
“I loved it. It never slowed down. The background is fascinating and the characters held my attention. It reminded me a little of The Integral Trees, with technology a little more advanced.”
—Larry Niven
“Oh, what worldbuilding! Schroeder is a master.”
—Cory Doctorow
Praise for Queen of Candesce:
"Karl Schroeder…is proving to be one of our most ingenious devisers of exotic, fantastic settings as well as a spinner of ripping yarns.… Schroeders world-building, storytelling, and character-drawing chops seem strong enough to given even Known Space run for its money.”
—Locus
Synopsis
Return to Virga, a bubble universe artificially separated from our own future universe, and the setting of Sun of Suns and Queen of Candesce.
Chaison Fanning, the admiral of a fleet of warships, has been captured and imprisoned by his enemies, but is suddenly rescued and set free. He flees through the sky to his home city to confront the ruler who betrayed him. And perhaps even to regain his lovely, powerful, and subversive wife, Venera, who he has not seen since she fled with the key to the artificial sun at the center of Virga, Candesce.
Schroeder sets a whole new standard for hard SF space opera.
About the Author
Karl Schroeder lives in Toronto, Ontario.