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'In space, the enigmatic Mirrorsun has begun to spin. Immense solar sails are pushing vast amounts of energy into its ancient orbital band, energy that could tear it apart–or be directed down at Earth. Already the hypnotic Call has ceased, and all electrical machines have been reduced to molten metal. A religious prophet has risen and is attempting to bring together the entire continent of Australica under her rule.
'Meanwhile, her diesel-powered sailwing shot down by religious fanatics, the American princess Samondel is forced to set aside her trade-seeking mission and disguise herself as a student. Her only friends are a disgraced monk who is a member of the secret police and a beautiful young librarian who is a dangerous and unstable psychopath. From these unlikely friendships she must form an alliance between two continents and two species, and prevent ultimate war.
'Fundamentally, unexpectedly, things are changing everywhere. As catastrophe looms and civilization begins to crumble, the Dragon Librarians of Australica have just one means left to hold their world together: to kidnap every numerate person on the continent and rebuild their out-of-date human-powered computer–the Calculor.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
Notes
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Dedication: for Sensai Alexander Albert...who is not a monk
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Steampunk Note: Though perhaps less strictly steampunk than other works, Voices in the Light shares some features that are resonant with the style. In particular, the creation of information technology in a world without the technological sophistication to do so electronically. This novel continues the resurrection of familiar technologies, bringing it closer to steampunk offshoots such as dieselpunk.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Scanners
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , August no. 80 2010; (p. 79-80)
— Review of Eyes of the Calculor 2001 single work novel -
A Modern Genre
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , March no. 239 2002; (p. 52-53)
— Review of Eyes of the Calculor 2001 single work novel
-
Scanners
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , August no. 80 2010; (p. 79-80)
— Review of Eyes of the Calculor 2001 single work novel -
A Modern Genre
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , March no. 239 2002; (p. 52-53)
— Review of Eyes of the Calculor 2001 single work novel
Awards
- 2002 shortlisted Ditmar Awards — Best Novel
- 2002 finalist Locus Awards — SF Novel
- 2001 shortlisted Aurealis Awards for Excellence in Australian Speculative Fiction — Science Fiction Division — Best Novel
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cAustralia,c
- 3900-3999