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Praise for the
Milkweed Triptych
"A major talent... I can't wait to see more."
—George R. R. Martin
"Mad English warlocks battling twisted Nazi psychics? Yes please, thank you. Tregillis's debut has a white-knuckle plot, beautiful descriptions, and complex characters-- an unstoppable Vickers of a novel."
—Cory Doctorow on Bitter Seeds
"Ian Tregillis triumphantly concludes his astonishing, brilliant, pulse-pounding debut trilogy, The Milkweed Triptych."
—Cory Doctorow on Necessary Evil
"Tregillis' conclusion of the Milkweed Triptych is the pièce de résistance of the series. Necessary Evil is a perfect marriage of science fiction, fantasy and alternate history."
—RT Book Reviews (4.5 stars, Top Pick) on Necessary Evil
"Darkly fascinating…A thoroughly fascinating conclusion to an imaginative tour de force."
—Kirkus on Necessary Evil
"A cross between the devious, character-driven spy fiction of early John le Carré and the mad science fantasy of the X-Men... Despite the jaw-dropping backdrop and oblique plotting, the narrative is driven by character and personal circumstance...
Grim indeed, yet eloquent and utterly compelling."
Grim indeed, yet eloquent and utterly compelling."
—Kirkus on The Coldest War
"The characters come alive via [Tregillis's] imaginative dialogue and his storyline will keep readers spellbound and on the edge of their seats with an intense sci-fi/alternate history thriller plot."
—RT Book Reviews (4.5 stars, Top Pick) on The Coldest War
"Well-drawn characters and a feel for time and place make this an excellent journey into an alternate Britain."
—Library Journal on Bitter Seeds
"Engrossing... Tregillis ably mixes cold war paranoia with his mythology."
—Publishers Weekly on The Coldest War
Close
In Which I Decline a Free Ticket to Mars
Recent Blog Entries:
The End: NECESSARY EVIL Is Out! - 5/1/2013, 10:29 AM Because I Haven't Posted About tDCS In A While - 4/8/2013, 04:07 PM Announcing the NECESSARY EVIL Signing Tour - 4/5/2013, 05:15 PM Nuclear Deterrence in a Blood Magic World - 2/22/2013, 09:41 AM Guest Post #2 at Charlie Stross's Blog - 2/17/2013, 04:41 PM Guest Post at Charlie Stross's Blog - 2/15/2013, 09:17 PM A Conversation with Charlie Stross - 2/8/2013, 11:06 AM NOW OUT in the UK: THE COLDEST WAR - 2/7/2013, 12:22 AM Clarion Is Accepting Applications for the Class of 2013 - 1/27/2013, 06:38 PM Holy Smokes! Cover Art for Something More Than Night - 1/23/2013, 09:44 PM
Show all blog entries
The End: NECESSARY EVIL Is Out! - 5/1/2013, 10:29 AM Because I Haven't Posted About tDCS In A While - 4/8/2013, 04:07 PM Announcing the NECESSARY EVIL Signing Tour - 4/5/2013, 05:15 PM Nuclear Deterrence in a Blood Magic World - 2/22/2013, 09:41 AM Guest Post #2 at Charlie Stross's Blog - 2/17/2013, 04:41 PM Guest Post at Charlie Stross's Blog - 2/15/2013, 09:17 PM A Conversation with Charlie Stross - 2/8/2013, 11:06 AM NOW OUT in the UK: THE COLDEST WAR - 2/7/2013, 12:22 AM Clarion Is Accepting Applications for the Class of 2013 - 1/27/2013, 06:38 PM Holy Smokes! Cover Art for Something More Than Night - 1/23/2013, 09:44 PM
Show all blog entries
Thursday, July 21 2011, 05:32 PM
In the not-too-distant past, a mythological creature quizzed me, and several other writers, on our aspirations for visiting another planet.
It tickles me to see myself listed alongside folks like Charlie Stross, Daniel Abraham, Lauren Beukes, Jack Skillingstead, Ted Kosmatka, and Jason Stoddard. All those smart, talented writers. Not sure how I conned the Yeti into thinking I belonged among that company -- or even that I was somebody with halfway intelligent things to say -- but heck. I'll take it. Every baseball team needs a bat boy, right?
And I'm glad to see I'm not the only person who thought the prospect of living on Mars too lonely for words. I like to explore the world in my own way, but I'm pretty sure I don't have The Right Stuff insofar as one-way trips to barren, deadly desert planets goes. (Unless, of course, we're talking about Arrakis. Because I'd have to give that some serious thought.) I'd love to experience weightlessness (or, perhaps more correctly, microgravity) but not at the expense of all human contact foreverandeveramen.
Besides, I've already watched both the US and UK versions of Life on Mars. So I know how it turns out in the end.
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Comments (9)
The Modern Hermit -
Tengland, Thursday, July 21 2011, 10:20 PM
I'd go. I'd be away from all you bothersome humans. It'd be nice, though if the occasional e-books were beamed at me. The Coldest War, say, or the rest of the Game of Thrones books (assuming my oxygen lasts that long).
I'd go. I'd be away from all you bothersome humans. It'd be nice, though if the occasional e-books were beamed at me. The Coldest War, say, or the rest of the Game of Thrones books (assuming my oxygen lasts that long).
A bit chilly -
Steve Halter, Friday, July 22 2011, 08:03 AM
I think the coldness (-125 to 23 F) would wear on me. A Minnesota winter is bad enough. I need some green every now and then.
So, for the second part of the question, if they would just pre-Terraform the place before I got there, that wouldn't be so bad.
And, change the name to Barsoom, officially.
I think the coldness (-125 to 23 F) would wear on me. A Minnesota winter is bad enough. I need some green every now and then.
So, for the second part of the question, if they would just pre-Terraform the place before I got there, that wouldn't be so bad.
And, change the name to Barsoom, officially.
untitled -
DMS, Friday, July 22 2011, 09:02 AM
Given that I heard of you by way of Yeti's interview with Daniel Abraham a couple years ago, I don't find your inclusion at all surprising.
Given that I heard of you by way of Yeti's interview with Daniel Abraham a couple years ago, I don't find your inclusion at all surprising.
First words -
John Murphy, Friday, July 22 2011, 09:48 AM
I'm so disappointed that nobody went with "Good luck, Mr. Gorsky"
I'm so disappointed that nobody went with "Good luck, Mr. Gorsky"
As a geologist and part-time misanthrope -
Mike, Friday, July 22 2011, 11:33 AM
I think I'd be very happy exploring the volcanoes and canyons of Mars. So many things to see that are utterly familiar in the rocks and processes of Earth, and so many things that will be new. There would be the epic views from the cliffs of Mons Olympus, the early morning fog banks rolling through the Valles Marineris and the extraordinary blue sunsets; there'd be a chance to meet fellow visitors from Earth sitting in the dust where their batteries died. To follow the tracks of the little robot that could across plains and craters, to find the remains of the Soviet and British probes and see what catastrophe meant they never got a chance to send a message home.
And all the time there would be the chance that my boot would overturn a rock containing something amazing. If you've ever turned over a stone to see a fossil and realise you are the first person to see that object in millions of years you'll know the thrill - but just imagine what it would be like to see a Martian fossil.
Yes, I think I could be happy.
Right up until the point the UV devoured my body.
I think I'd be very happy exploring the volcanoes and canyons of Mars. So many things to see that are utterly familiar in the rocks and processes of Earth, and so many things that will be new. There would be the epic views from the cliffs of Mons Olympus, the early morning fog banks rolling through the Valles Marineris and the extraordinary blue sunsets; there'd be a chance to meet fellow visitors from Earth sitting in the dust where their batteries died. To follow the tracks of the little robot that could across plains and craters, to find the remains of the Soviet and British probes and see what catastrophe meant they never got a chance to send a message home.
And all the time there would be the chance that my boot would overturn a rock containing something amazing. If you've ever turned over a stone to see a fossil and realise you are the first person to see that object in millions of years you'll know the thrill - but just imagine what it would be like to see a Martian fossil.
Yes, I think I could be happy.
Right up until the point the UV devoured my body.
Re: The Modern Hermit; A bit chilly; untitled; first words -
Ian, Friday, July 22 2011, 11:38 AM
But, Terry, how would you beam your books back to us? Don't tell me your trip to Mars wouldn't become one hell of a writing retreat...
Totally agreed on the need for green AND changing the name to Barsoom, Steve. Heck, I live on Earth and still feel the need for more green sometimes.
You have an impressive memory, Dawn! I would have thought that by now people would have figured out I'm just a regular guy, rather than some fancypants author who's all smart and stuff.
John, I admit I was surprised that more people didn't react in the theater when they snuck that line into the opening montage of Watchmen.
But, Terry, how would you beam your books back to us? Don't tell me your trip to Mars wouldn't become one hell of a writing retreat...
Totally agreed on the need for green AND changing the name to Barsoom, Steve. Heck, I live on Earth and still feel the need for more green sometimes.
You have an impressive memory, Dawn! I would have thought that by now people would have figured out I'm just a regular guy, rather than some fancypants author who's all smart and stuff.
John, I admit I was surprised that more people didn't react in the theater when they snuck that line into the opening montage of Watchmen.
Re: As a geologist and part-time misanthrope -
Ian, Friday, July 22 2011, 11:51 AM
That's a very cool (and well-put) sentiment, Mike. As a part-time misanthrope myself, I can totally understand this. Except even at my most misanthropic I know I'd miss having even a tenuous connection to other human beings.
I think it boils down to your being much more brave than I.
That's a very cool (and well-put) sentiment, Mike. As a part-time misanthrope myself, I can totally understand this. Except even at my most misanthropic I know I'd miss having even a tenuous connection to other human beings.
I think it boils down to your being much more brave than I.
The Lonely Red Planet -
Scott Denning, Friday, July 22 2011, 02:41 PM
The long-lost Burroughs novel: The Misanthropes of Mars.
The long-lost Burroughs novel: The Misanthropes of Mars.
Re: The Lonely Red Planet -
Ian, Friday, July 22 2011, 02:50 PM
I hear they're turning that into a feature film: John Carter, Ascetic Hermit of Mars.
I hear they're turning that into a feature film: John Carter, Ascetic Hermit of Mars.
Add Your Comment:
Unwalkers interview [English | French ]
Interview with Speculate! Podcast Interview with Adventures in SciFi Publishing
Ian Tregillis on the Sword and Laser Podcast
Ian Tregillis on John Scalzi's The Big Idea
Interview with Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
Interview with SFRevu
Interview with Mad Hatter Book Review
Interview with Apex Books
Interview at Literary Musings Interview with Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
An interview with the authors of Busted Flush at Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
Interview with Travis Heermann at The Write Line
9-way interview with the contributors to the Wild Cards novel Inside Straight at Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
Interview in the February, 2008 newsletter of the Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror
An extended interview with Ian Tregillis by Ty Franck, on www.wildcardsbooks.com.