Debris

Anderton’s debut impressively combines far-future world-building, conspiracies, and a redemption quest. Elite architect Tanyana manipulates particles called pions, creating beautiful monuments. After a mysterious accident injures her head, she wakes up unable to see pions but cursed with the ability to see the titular debris, the dangerous offshoot of pion work. Forcibly converted into a cyborg debris collector, she finds herself working with a team of fellow outcasts. The most notable is Lad, a brain-damaged strongman who hears voices that may not be imaginary. As Tanyana adapts to her new way of life and lowered social status, she attempts to persuade anyone—her new team, her upper-class lover, assorted bureaucrats—that the accident was sabotage. Anderton clearly telegraphs the overall plot arc, but keeps it interesting with Tanyana’s strong, proud narrative voice and the complex culture built up around the pions and debris. (Oct.)