Null States
Book Two of the Centenal Cycle
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Dive into Null States, the second entry in Malka Older's bestselling science fiction trilogy, The Centenal Cycle
Null States propels us into a techno-charged near future, where the world has embraced a revolutionary form of democratic governance. Unfold a tale of international intrigue, gripping suspense, and cerebral thrill as the newly instituted Supermajority government battles to establish its legitimacy amidst a world where data reigns supreme.
Experience a unique depiction of a world where microdemocracy has been at the heart of global peace for thirty years, now threatened by shadows plotting to take control from behind the scenes.
In the newly-incorporated DarFur, a governor dies in a fiery explosion. In Geneva, a superpower hatches plans to bring microdemocracy to its knees. In Central Asia, a sprawling war among archaic states threatens to explode into a global crisis. And across the world, a shadowy plot is growing, threatening to strangle Information with the reins of power.
THE CENTENAL CYCLE
Book 1: Infomocracy
Book 2: Null States
Book 3: State Tectonics
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Older's second novel (after Infomocracy) is a little less tightly focused than its predecessor and suffers from midtrilogy sag. In the near future, Information, which is both a concept and an organization that practices global surveillance and data gathering, has divided most of the world into "centenals" of 100,000 people that vote various political parties into power. A large cast of characters, including former Information operative Mishima, is caught up in two political intrigues: the assassination of a local leader in the former Darfur and the continued shenanigans of the Heritage political party, whose waning fortunes lead to more desperate actions. The two plotlines do intertwine somewhat, but the ultimate revelations (and what passes for resolution) are decidedly unsatisfying, feeling mostly like the set-up for the next volume. There are great character moments, including Information employee Roz's slow-building romance with a local sheik, and teammate Minzhe dealing with potential conflicts of interest due to his mother's presence in a local government; those will please returning fans.