The Genome: A Novel

Brief Description: "The Genome" is a new science fiction thriller by the author of the bestselling Night Watch series. In the far-future world of Alexander Romanov, humankind is divided into "naturals" and "speshes"--those who have been genetically modified to serve a specific purpose. Alex is a master pilot capable of maneuvering the dangerous realm of space by communicating directly with his ship. He is about to take on the most mysterious and challenging mission of his life when he happens upon Kim, a teenage girl with a desperate secret. Out of a sense of friendship, he agrees to help her, but this decision will end in conflict and tragedy for dozens of worlds. Description for Sales People: CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED: Author of the award-winning, international-bestselling Night Watch seriesPOPULAR SUBGENRE: Space opera is one of the most sought-after types of science fictionBrief Description: "Five months after the horrific accident that left him near death and worried that he'd never fly again, master-pilot Alex Romanov lands a new job: captaining the sleek passenger vessel Mirror. Alex is a spesh--a human who has been genetically modified to perform particular tasks. As a captain and pilot, Alex has a genetic imperative to care for passengers and crew--no matter what the cost. His first mission aboard Mirror is to ferry two representatives of the alien race Zzygou on a tour of human worlds. His task will not be an easy one, for aboard the craft are several speshes who have reason to hate the Others. Dark pasts, deadly secrets, and a stolen gel-crystal worth more than Alex's entire ship combine to challenge him at every turn. And as the tension escalates, it becomes apparent that greater forces are at work to bring the captain's world crashing down"--Page r of cover. Review Quotes: The narrative moves briskly and often mysteriously, with a curiously boyish enthusiasm. Add in splashes of humor, quirky references to Western cultural tropes and a true-to-life conclusion. . . . refreshingly different and something of a page-turner: well worth investigating. "Kirkus Reviews" [An] excellent 1999 novel by the noted Russian SF author, finally available in an English translation . . . Lukyanenko is at the forefront of contemporary Russian SF, and his English-speaking fans should be thrilled to finally have a chance to read this fine novel. "Booklist" "The Genome" is complex, witty, ambitious, amusing and entertaining. SF Site "Night Watch" is an epic of extraordinary power. Quentin Tarantino Like Tolkien getting mugged in a Moscow back alley by John le Carre. "Bleeding Cool" on "New Watch" [A] sceptical, intelligent thriller. "The Daily Telegraph" on "Night Watch" [As] potent as a shot of vodka . . . [a] compelling urban fantasy. "Publishers Weekly," starred review of "Night Watch""Biographical Note: Sergei Lukyanenko was born in Kazakhstan, then a republic of the Soviet Union. In 1985 he entered the Alma-Ata Medical University, where he began to write science fiction and publish his first books. Though Lukyanenko completed his medical course, he realized that he would never be a doctor. In 1997 he moved to Moscow, and since then has published prolifically. Many of his works have become bestsellers and have won science fiction awards. "Night Watch" and" Day Watch" were released as films in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Lukyanenko's writing has been translated into more than twenty languages and continues to be hugely popular. Review Quotes: PRAISE FOR THE WRITING OF SERGEI LUKYANENKO ""Night Watch "is an epic of extraordinary power." --Quentin Tarantino""Star Wars" meets the "Vampires in Moscow ." . . it bursts with a sick, carnivorous glee in its fiendish games." --"The New York Times""Like Tolkien getting mugged in a Moscow back alley by John Le Carre." --"Bleeding Cool""[A] sceptical, intelligent thriller." --"The Daily Telegraph" "[As] potent as a shot of vodka . . . [A] compelling urban fantasy." --"Publishers Weekly," starred reviewMarc Notes: Five months after the horrific accident that left him near death and worried that he'd never fly again, master-pilot Alex Romanov lands a new job: captaining the sleek passenger vessel Mirror. Alex is a spesh--a human who has been genetically modified to perform particular tasks. As a captain and pilot, Alex has a genetic imperative to care for passengers and crew--no matter what the cost. His first mission aboard Mirror is to ferry two representatives of the alien race Zzygou on a tour of human worlds. His task will not be an easy one, for aboard the craft are several speshes who have reason to hate the Others. Dark pasts, deadly secrets, and a stolen gel-crystal worth more than Alex's entire ship combine to challenge him at every turn. And as the tension escalates, it becomes apparent that greater forces are at work to bring the captain's world crashing down -- back cover.; In English. Translated from Russian. Review Citations:

Booklist 12/01/2014 pg. 33 (EAN 9781497643963, Paperback)

Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2014 (EAN 9781497643963, Paperback)

Library Journal 12/01/2014 pg. 75 (EAN 9781497643963, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Lukyanenko, Sergei Sergei Lukyanenko was born in Kazakhstan and educated as a psychiatrist. He began publishing science fiction in the 1980s and has published more than twenty-five books. He lives in Moscow with his wife and son.