Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The Lives of Tao Release Month

This is the only time I get to make one of these posts, so forgive me if I beat my chest a bit. My debut novel, The Lives of Tao from Angry Robot Books, is dropping April 30th, exactly three weeks from today.

Here's the synopsis:

When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it.

He wasn’t.

He now has a passenger in his brain – an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions – the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix – the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries. Both sides are searching for a way off-planet, and the Genjix will sacrifice the entire human race, if that’s what it takes.

Meanwhile, Roen is having to train to be the ultimate secret agent. Like that’s going to end up well…

Reviews:
Examiner
Every Read Thing
I Will Read Books
42 Webs
Wilder's Book Review
Big Sandwich 6

The professional review site Kirkus Reviews listed it as one of their suggested April readings for Science Fiction Fantasy & Horror.
Enter a Goodreads giveaway here!
You can read an excerpt here on Tor.com.

Praise for The Lives of Tao:

“Filled with non-stop action and brilliant asides on the history of our species, the book is sure to thrill and amuse. Once you start, you will not be able to resist the call of ‘just one more chapter.’”
--Ken Liu, Hugo and Nebula Award winning author of The Paper Menagerie

“The Lives of Tao is an original, deft take on the superhero origin story. Tipping his hat to both science fiction novels and comic books, Chu delivers a narrative that is at times pulse-pounding, laugh-out-loud funny and thoughtful. Part James Bond, part Superman, part Orphanage. There’s something here for everyone.”
--Myke Cole, author of Shadow Ops: Control Point and Fortress Frontier

“In THE LIVES OF TAO, newcomer Wesley Chu delivers an action-laced sci fi thriller filled with clever ideas and witty, engaging characters.  A thoroughly enjoyable ride.”
--John Marco, author of “The Inhumans” and “The Tyrants And Kings” trilogies

“Just your usual ‘I’ve got an immensely wise alien in my head who wants me to become and international man of mystery’ story. Which is to say, Page Turning homage to other classic SF like Hal Clement’s NEEDLE. Recommended.”
--Steven Gould, author of the Jumper series

“Wesley Chu is my hero… he has to be the coolest science fiction writer in the world.”
--Lavie Tidhar, World Fantasy Award winning author of Osama and The Bookman Histories

“A fast-paced, high action SF mix of Jason Bourne meets the Hero’s Journey, jam-packed with dark conspiracies, wild romance, ancient aliens, and a secret, globe-spanning war. Loved it!”
--Matt Forbeck, author of Amortals, Hard Times in Dragon City, and Leverage

“This book is high-octane spy vs spy action with a sly sense of humor. Pure pleasure from beginning to end. Highly Recommended!”
--Ann VanderMeer, Hugo winning editor of Weird Tales and British Fantasy Award publisher of Buzzcity Press

“A totally original sci-fi thriller that will have you hooked from page one with both riveting action and a sly wit. This is a story of human history, the hidden powers that have shaped it, and one man’s transformation from a nobody to a key fighter in the war for humanity’s future.”
--Ramez Naam, author of Nexus

“Take one part Deep Space Nine symbiote, three parts Babylon Five, and two parts Chuck, shake, don’t stir, pour into a magnetic bottle, sit back, and enjoy living the life of Tao.”
--Gini Koch, author of the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series

If you're interested please inquire at your local bookstore (Barnes & Nobles should be carrying it in their brick and mortar stores) or order online at Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or any many other retailers.

Thanks for your support and keep on writing!
Wes

3 comments:

Katrina L. Lantz said...

Woot! Congratulations, Wes! It is truly an amazing book. I'm in the middle of the action in the second half of the book and hate to put it down. I loved the humor and awkwardness of the first half, and now I'm enjoying the intensity and suspense of the second half. I'm still tickled by the high concept: aliens who have been shaping mankind's evolution and civilizations since the beginning, and the comical nature of the newest host being so... American. I think you may have opened up science fiction to new fans while pleasing die-hards as well.

Angelica R. Jackson said...

Can't wait to read it! I've started Max's book, Two Parts Dead, also and love that I'm finding all these great new titles through Operation Awesome!

LinWash said...

Wow. You rock! I'll look for it!