TERRA BLANCA

Problems besiege an experimental man-made island—humanity’s only hope in the face of extreme climatological disaster—in Routh’s SF novel, a prequel to her Gaia series.

Governor Rylie Addison has been put in charge of the experimental man-made island known as Terra Blanca. As extreme weather terrorizes Earth, lottery winners have been chosen to participate in this completely self-sustaining society, designed by Maja Garcia. But with tightened rations due to an influx of storm survivors and increasing unrest from various factions of Terra Blancans, Rylie faces a violent uprising led by her previous comrade, Regan Delarge—all while still reeling after learning that her own teenage daughter, Eve, is a smuggler. When the story flashes back to three months earlier, readers retrace the steps that led to Terra Blanca’s collapse. These include the revelation that Rylie’s friend, Luke Finnegan, was actually hired by a “secret employer” to “test and monitor the system”; he takes the opportunity to sabotage many of Terra Blanca’s processes. Android-like “Dopplebots” assist where they can, but strikes by Vertical Farm workers and an off-island ban meant to root out smugglers bring tensions to a boiling point that come full circle to the events that begin the novel. Terra Blanca itself plays upon the long-standing idea of humanity’s ability (or inability) to create a new world for itself: “Terra Blanca was meant to be a shining example of what’s possible for human communities. Not another failed utopian experiment.” The premise allows Routh to probe various themes, from mother/daughter relationships to artificial intelligence and beyond. Her three-dimensional characters and impressive worldbuilding may remind some fans of The Expanse series, boasting an expert blend of action and deft psychological twists. Genuine tension mounts throughout the novel, building through Regan’s realization that he has lost control and culminating in a truly shocking ending that perfectly sets up the existing Gaia series.

A smart, fast-paced SF novel that explores power, corruption, and the bonds that make us human.