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Astra Black #1
by Maurice Broaddus
Maurice Broaddus's Sweep of Stars is the first in a trilogy that explores the struggles of an empire. Epic in scope and intimate in voice, it follows members of the Muungano empire – a far-reaching coalition of city-states that stretches from O.E. (original earth) to Titan – as it faces an escalating series of threats.
"The beauty in blackness is its ability to transform. Like energy we are neither created nor destroyed, though many try." - West African Proverb
The Muungano empire strived and struggled to form a utopia when they split away from old earth. Freeing themselves from the endless wars and oppression of their home planet in order to shape their own futures and create a far-reaching coalition of city-states that stretched from Earth and Mars to Titan.
With the wisdom of their ancestors, the leadership of their elders, the power and vision of their scientists and warriors they charted a course to a better future. But the old powers could not allow them to thrive and have now set in motion new plots to destroy all that they've built.
In the fire to come they will face down their greatest struggle yet.
Amachi Adisa and other young leaders will contend with each other for the power to galvanize their people and chart the next course for the empire.
Fela Buhari and her elite unit will take the fight to regions not seen by human eyes, but no training will be enough to bring them all home.
Stacia Chikeke, captain of the starship Cypher, will face down enemies across the stars, and within her own vessel, as she searches for the answers that could save them all.
The only way is forward.
"Broaddus opens his Astra Black trilogy with this powerful, sweeping Afrofuturist space opera...a hugely ambitious and notable work of postcolonial science fiction. This takes the genre in an exciting and challenging direction." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"The first of this Afrofuturist trilogy takes off with an epic array of characters and plotlines that will enmesh readers in the politics and power struggles set across the stars." - Library Journal (starred review)
"Maurice Broaddus's Sweep of Stars marks the opening gambit in a great saga, told with a unique voice and a talent that challenges and rewards in equal measures. It's epic in scope, yet intimate. It breaks the mold of what's expected, yet is as welcoming as a warm campfire on the darkest night. Let this debut of a new series sweep you away." - James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestseller of The Starless Crown
"An intelligent political space opera tackling big themes through intimate points of view. This sprawling tale of kinship, community, and identity is sure to leave you eager for the next installment." - J. S. Dewes, author of The Last Watch
"A fascinating utopia-building saga that balances exuberant optimism with a sharp eye to harsher reality." - Everina Maxwell, author of Winter's Orbit
This information about Sweep of Stars was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Maurice Broaddus is a fantasy and horror author best known for his short fiction and his Knights of Breton Court novel trilogy. He has published dozens of stories in magazines and book anthologies, including in Asimov's Science Fiction, Black Static, and Weird Tales. Broaddus was born in London, but grew up in Indianapolis. His mother is from Jamaica, where she and many of his relatives still live.
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