Absynthe

Description

Some it kills. Others it transforms. See beyond the illusion. CHICAGO, 1928. The Great War has been over for years, and a brave new world forged. With it, Liam's world has transformed as well. He grow up poor, but now works for one of the richest families in Chicago, reaping the benefits of his friendship with the family's son and heir. Now he's at Club Artemis: a palace of art-deco delights and debauchery, filled to bursting with the rich and beautiful. And tonight they're all drinking one thing. Absynthe. The green liquor rumoured to cause hallucinations, madness - even death. While gilded youths sip the viridescent liquid, their seemingly perfect world is crumbling. Their absynthe is no mere folly: some it kills, others it transforms. But in Liam something different has taken place: he can see the world without its illusion. And it isn't the perfect world the government want people to believe... 'Bellecourt's sci-fi debut is complex, ambitious, and sweeping in scope.' Publishers Weekly 'A complex feat of world-building that raises evergreen questions of truth and power with dizzying verve.' Daily Mail

Brendan P. Bellecourt began writing his first fantasy novel in college, but in the way of these things, it was set aside as life intervened. As time went on, though, Brendan realized that his love of writing and telling tales wasn't going to just slink quietly into the night. He has written nine novels, two collections and countless short stories since then. He also runs the highly successful science fiction and fantasy podcast, Speculate.

Set in a lushly depicted alternate Roaring '20s distinguished by futuristic technology... Bellecourt's sci-fi debut is complex, ambitious, and sweeping in scope * Publishers Weekly * Absynthe drew me in with impeccable worldbuilding and nuanced characters, but it's the exquisite pacing that kept me completely engrossed in this richly imagined yarn -- Jason M. Hough, New York Times bestselling author A heady, addictive cocktail of retro-futurism and high-stakes thriller, Absynthe is fantastical sci-fi at its very best -- Adam Christopher, author of Empire State and Made to Kill Jazz age speakeasies and biological warfare makes this a fresh and original addition to the alternate history sci-fi space. Pacific Rim meets Captain America, in magnificent art deco steampunk style -- Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe A complex feat of world-building that raises evergreen questions of truth and power with dizzying verve * Daily Mail *