Exit Black

In this exciting sci-fi thriller from Pitkin (Stranger Bird), the world’s first orbital hotel, Imperium, becomes a horrifying battlefield. As the novel opens, Dr. Chloe Bonilla, a plant physiologist who lives on the station researching gravitropism in bean sprouts, greets Imperium’s first group of exorbitantly wealthy guests. Later, she awakens in the small hours to find that three of her fellow crew members are being cast out into space by heavily armed terrorists from a group called the Reckoners. As the Reckoners remove their disguises and initiate a hostage situation, Chloe remains hidden, ready to throw a wrench in their plans. Chloe is extraordinarily—often unbelievably—capable of navigating this Die Hard–style setup: a crack shot whose scientific knowledge and fighting instincts make her a serious threat. Throughout, Pitkin’s research shines, as realistic dangers—including low gravity and depressurization—propel the plot. Through rotating perspectives Pitkin punctuates the action with intriguing commentary on death, animal instincts, and the wealth gap. While the time spent introducing each hotel guest slows the beginning, their unique stories all come together for a nail-biting climax. Fans of suspenseful hard science fiction will revel in every detail. Agent: Scott Veltri, Storre Pictures. (Feb.)