Dropnauts

A plan to repopulate the devastated Earth is hindered by rogue AIs in the multifaceted if busy first Redemption Cycle novel from Coatsworth (The Emp Test). In 2282, a century after the event that thrust Earth into the Great Winter, a team of scientists from the Lunar colony Redemption embark on a return mission to explore the planet. The team aims for the Martinez Base in California, but their ship is shot down by the base’s automatic defense missiles—and while parachuting down, they become separated. Gay botanist Rai Ramirez and transgender doctor Chen Tien are surprised to encounter Aidan Thorn and his sister, Ally, already planetside, their family having survived underground for generations. Meanwhile, the team’s bisexual engineer Gordon “Ghost” Gillam and paraplegic pilot Hera Quinn enter Martinez Base and are attacked by drones. And the team’s mission coordinator, Sam—or “Synthetic AI Mechanoid”—suspects that the base’s corrupted AI Harley has linked with Redemption’s AI Alpha and thus poses a threat to all of humanity. Though the central plot is often lost in flashbacks and diversions, Coatsworth’s laudable themes of redemption, perseverance, and identity liven his steadfast characters, and the mission to revive Earth is noble. Readers will enjoy the diverse cast and high-tech adventure. (Self-published)