Minds of Sand and Light

2024 AUREALIS AWARDS FINALIST - BEST SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL

A dazzling new series from the beloved Australian bestselling author of White Tiger, Kylie Chan.

'Clever and timely, Minds of Sand and Light is an intriguing exploration of AI that manages to be both optimistic and terrifying in the possibilities it offers' ...Robin Hobb

Iain M Banks and Max Barry collide with a splash of Murderbot in this wildly original, gripping and new trilogy.

The world is in the midst of a new Cold War - between the wasteful nations of the West, and the oppressively tyrannical regime of the Greater Far East.

Ruth Sharpe and Cassie Bailey are radical journalists and brilliant hackers investigating the rumours that multiple governments are covertly run by sentient AI systems. What they uncover is a much more dangerous secret ...

They will need to cut through decades of lies from both sides to reach the truth and warn the world - while the clock ticks down to the extinction of all human life.

In this gripping dystopic thriller from the bestselling author of the Dark Heavens and Dragon Empire series, Ruth and Cassie will have to decide what price humanity is willing to pay for its own salvation.

'Action-packed and thought-provoking - I really enjoyed it!' Amanda Bridgeman

'A clever, fast-paced, near-future thriller [with] humour and romance ... [and] a satisfying ending.' Books+Publishing

'Kylie Chan is one of Australia's bestselling fantasy and science-fiction authors for good reason, and every book she puts out is sure to thrill.' Alan Baxter, author of Sallow Bend and The Gulp

Praise for the Dark Heavens series:

'A smart, entertaining read' Australian SpecFic

'A fast paced novel with liberal quantities of romance, action and fantasy ... a rich tapestry of culture, action and love and makes for good entertainment' OzHorrorScope