Books Inc. Opera Plaza is thrilled to present author, media critic, and Hugo-nominated video essayist Lindsay Ellis to the shop for a celebration of the third novel in Noumena series, Apostles of Mercy!
Lindsay will be in conversation with author and illustrator Kaveh Taherian.
Apostles of Mercy is the new alternate history first contact novel from the instant New York Times, Wall Street Journal and LA Times bestselling Lindsay Ellis.
First Contact has not been going well.
The nations of Earth are rapidly militarizing against the arrival of the Superorganism, an alien civilization that promises to destroy humanity before it can develop into a real threat. The Superorganism has done it before–to their distant Transient relatives–and they could easily do it again. But Superorganism defector Ampersand and his human interpreter Cora Sabino are done with trying to save humanity from both the Superorganism and itself; to them, this is a civilization that does not deserve to be saved.
When a strange new form of communication between the two of them reveals to Cora how alien Ampersand truly is, she begins to question her blind devotion. But she soon learns of a danger that may force them to leave Earth before either of them are ready: a group of transients that have been wreaking havoc on Earth for decades. Existence on the margins has made them desperate and bent on revenge against any perceived ally of the Superorganism, and before Cora and Ampersand can make their final escape, these hostile aliens stage an attack, and take that which is most dear to both of them.
These Transients will not consider any form of truce; the greatest threat to them is not from the Superorganism, but from an increasingly fearful and violent human civilization newly aware of their existence. Cora and Ampersand must go to extreme measures to take back what was stolen and prevent wholesale human extermination–but in doing so they may be no better than the civilizations they are trying to escape.
“A massive step forward for this series, one that is often tough to read due to its no-holds-barred depiction of trauma. Such darkness and political fury may be difficult for some to take but it’s a wholeheartedly worthwhile investment.” —Pajiba
"Ellis draws skillful parallels between her science-fictional politics and real world issues, gracefully navigating the difficult topics of discrimination, violent extremism, mental health, and addiction. This thought-provoking novel will linger long in readers’ minds." — Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)
LINDSAY ELLIS is an author, media critic, and Hugo-nominated video essayist. She also was the co-host of the PBS digital series “It’s Lit,." After earning her bachelor's in Cinema Studies from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, she earned her MFA in Film and Television Production from USC's School of Cinematic Arts with a focus in documentary and screenwriting. She lives in Long Beach, CA. Apostles of Mercy is her third novel.
Contrary to popular belief, KAVEH TAHERIAN is a human being who was born and raised on planet Earth. He holds a BFA in Illustration/Design from Laguna College of Art & Design and an MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California, ensuring him zero career options outside of the arts. Thankfully his talent, punctuality, and sense of humor have kept him employed (thus far).
