After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall: A Novel

The year is 2035. After ecological disasters nearly destroyed the Earth, 26 survivorsthe last of humanityare trapped by an alien race in a sterile enclosure known as the Shell. Fifteen-year-old Pete is one of the Sixchildren who were born deformed or sterile and raised in the Shell. As, one by one, the survivors grow sick and die, Pete and the Six struggle to put aside their anger at the alien Tesslies in order to find the means to rebuild the earth together. Their only hope lies within brief time-portals into the recent past, where they bring back children to replenish their disappearing gene pool. Meanwhile, in 2013, brilliant mathematician Julie Kahn works with the FBI to solve a series ofinexplicable kidnappings. Suddenly her predictive algorithms begin to reveal more than just criminal activity. As she begins to realize her role in the impending catastrophe,simultaneously affectingthe Earth and the Shell, Julie closes in on the truth. She and Pete are converging in time upon the future of humanitya future which might never unfold. Weaving three consecutive time lines to unravel both the mystery of the Earth's destruction and the key to its salvation, this taut adventure offers a topical message with a satisfying twist. Review ''Kress, a witty and engaging writer, creates chilling suspense as twisty as a DNA double helix.'' Publishers Weekly ''Her style is devilishly inventive'' CNN.com ''It's hard to imagine a better writer of science fiction in America today than Nancy Kress to call Kress a science-fiction writer seems too limiting. She's one of our best writers.'' Salt Lake Tribune ''I highly recommend this book.'' www.NerdsInBabeland.com ''A disturbing, lively piece of fiction.'' www.SeattlePI.com ''Nebula- and Hugo-winner Kress mixes time travel, global catastrophe, and mysterious aliens in this strong postapocalyptic tale. . . . Kress handles the crisscrossing timelines with cool elegance.'' Publishers Weekly (March 19, 2012) About the Author Nancy Kress is the author ofnumerous science fiction and fantasy titles, including Beggars in Spain, Nothing Human, Probability Space, Stinger, and her bestselling Write Great Fiction series.She is arecipient of the Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, and John W. Campbell Memorial awards, and her work has been translated into 16 languages.She lives in Rochester, New York. The year is 2035. After ecological disasters nearly destroyed the Earth, 26 survivorsthe last of humanityare trapped by an alien race in a sterile enclosure known as the Shell. Fifteen-year-old Pete is one of the Sixchildren who were born deformed or sterile and raised in the Shell. As, one by one, the survivors grow sick and die, Pete and the Six struggle to put aside their anger at the alien Tesslies in order to find the means to rebuild the earth together. Their only hope lies within brief time-portals into the recent past, where they bring back children to replenish their disappearing gene pool. Meanwhile, in 2013, brilliant mathematician Julie Kahn works with the FBI to solve a series ofinexplicable kidnappings. Suddenly her predictive algorithms begin to reveal more than just criminal activity. As she begins to realize her role in the impending catastrophe,simultaneously affectingthe Earth and the Shell, Julie closes in on the truth. She and Pete are converging in time upon the future of humanitya future which might never unfold. Weaving three consecutive time lines to unravel both the mystery of the Earth's destruction and the key to its salvation, this taut post-apocalyptic thriller offers a topical plot with a satisfying twist. 2012 Nebula Award Winner2012 Locus Award Winner2013 Hugo Nominee2013 Sturgeon Award NomineeIn the year 2035, all that is left of humanity lives in the Shell.No one knows why the Tesslies attacked in 2014, devastated the environment, and nearly destroyed humanity. Or why the aliens imprisoned twenty-six survivors in a sterile enclosure built on the barren remains of the Earth.Fifteen-year-old Pete, one of only six children born in the Shell, is determined to lead humanity to a new beginning. But Pete struggles to control his anger as, one by one, the survivors sicken and die. Although the Earth appears to be slowly healing, the Shell's inhabitants may not live long enough to see it. The only chance for humanity lies within brief time portals. Peter and the survivors hatch a desperate plan: to increase their numbers by abducting children from the past.In the year 2013, a brilliant CIA consultant sees a pattern in seemingly unrelated kidnappings. As Julie Kahn's predictive algorithms reveal that the world is in imminent danger, she discovers that she may also play a role in its possible rebirth. Julie and Pete are rapidly converging in time—a chance encounter between them may be the Earth's only hope. In The Year 2035, All That Is Left Of Humanity Lives In The Shell. After Ecological Disasters Have Nearly Destroyed The Earth, Twenty-six Survivors Are Imprisoned In A Sterile Enclosure Built By An Alien Race. Fifteen-year-old Pete Is One Of The Six Children Who Were Born In The Shell. Though He Possesses Birth Defects Common To The Six, Including Sterility, Pete Is Resolved To Lead Humanity To A New Beginning. However, As One By One The Adults Of The Shell Grow Mysteriously Sick And Die, Pete Struggles To Control His Dangerous Anger At The Aliens. Though The Earth Appears To Be Slowly Healing Itself, The Survivors May Not Live Long Enough To Repopulate It. Their Only Hope Lies Within Randomly Brief Time-portals Into The Recent Past, Where Pete And The Six Are Abducting Children To Increase Their Gene Pool.--provided By Publisher. [nancy Kress]. In the year 2035, all that is left of humanity lives in the Shell. After ecological disasters have nearly destroyed the Earth, twenty-six survivors are imprisoned in a sterile enclosure built by an alien race. Fifteen-year-old Pete is one of the six children who were born in the Shell. Though he possesses birth defects common to the Six, including sterility, Pete is resolved to lead humanity to a new beginning. However, as one by one the adults of the Shell grow mysteriously sick and die, Pete struggles to control his dangerous anger at the aliens. Though the Earth appears to be slowly healing itself, the survivors may not live long enough to repopulate it. Their only hope lies within randomly brief time-portals into the recent past, where Pete and the Six are abducting children to increase their gene pool.--Résumé de l'éditeur