The Transcendent

(Paperback, New edition)

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Description

Scintillating follow-up to 'The Sentient', which the Publishers Weekly starred review called a "staggering and un-put-downable debut, offers a fresh and feminist-forward take on cloning." After a fateful confrontation with her former ally, Tony Barlow, Amira Valdez is on the run, pregnant with her own clone and desperate. The fundamentalist Trinity Compound has grown in strength and numbers, and with the help of the powerful mind-controlling drug Tiresia, is ready to march on the city of Westport. All of Amira's hopes lie with finding Nova, the first human clone, and solving the greatest riddle in human history how to preserve human consciousness after death. Only Amira and Nova, together, can stand in the face of a world on the brink of disaster. AUTHOR: Nadia Afifi is an Arab American science fiction author who lives in Denver, Colorado. Although born in the United States, she grew up in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain before returning to Missouri for college. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, but having two scientists as parents also instilled a love of speculative fiction. Her experiences in the Middle East and her multicultural upbringing have driven the stories she wants to tell, by exploring present-day issues such as women's rights, religion and cultural identities through a futuristic lens. Her father is a Saudi geologist of Palestinian descent, while her mother is an American geologist from St. Louis, Missouri.

Reviews

Praise for The Sentient, Book 1 in the series:

"Afifis staggering and un-put-downable debut offers a fresh and feminist-forward take on cloning [...] This riveting debut is a must-have for any sci-fi fan." Publishers Weekly starred review

"Afifis first novel is a science fiction noir [...] The worldbuilding is a particular strength, as every locale feels well-realized and lived-in. This is an excellent book for fans of Mira Grant and Michael Crichton, or readers who love a thrilling narrative and welcome moral and philosophical questions in their science fiction." Booklist

"Nadia Afifi is a brand-new voice, and one you should become familiar with [...] Exciting, mesmerizing, and full of cutting-edge science, 'The Sentient' is an excellent beginning to whats sure to be a successful career." Analog SF

Honestly, this book was big on character, big on plot, and a well written science fiction piece, all good things I love as a bookworm and a scientist! The Nerd Daily

"A piece of ethical excellency, a cry of freedom, and a thought-provoking debut is what Nadia Afifi has delivered for those who love to plunge into the gray morality of stories, as well as the riveting explorations of science fiction and the theory of the multiverse." Bookwyrm's Guide to the Galaxy

Author Bio

Nadia Afifi is the author of The Sentient and numerous science fiction short stories. Her debut novel was lauded as staggering and un-put-downable in a starred Publishers Weekly review and recommended by Booklist for readers who love a thrilling narrative and welcome moral and philosophical questions in their science fiction. Analog Magazine describes her as a brand-new voice in our field, and one you should become familiar with. The Sentient is the first novel in a near-future series about a controversial cloning project, human consciousness and a high-stakes conflict between religious fundamentalism and science. Her short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (The Bahrain Underground Bazaar) and Abyss & Apex (Exhibit K).

Nadia grew up in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, where she read every book she could get her hands on, but currently calls Denver, Colorado home. She is a member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers organization. Her background as an Arab American who lived overseas has inspired her fiction writing, particularly her passion for exploring complex social, political and cultural issues through a futuristic lens.

When she isnt writing, she spends her time practicing (and falling off) the lyra (aerial hoops), hiking through Colorados many trails, jogging through Denvers streets and working on the most challenging jigsaw puzzles she can find. She also loves dogs, travel and cooking. Follow her latest musings and adventures on her website (nadiaafifi.com), Twitter (@nadoodles) or Facebook (nadiawritesscifi).