The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz | Book Review

Author: Annalee Newitz
Published: 2023
Target Audience: Adults 18+

From award-winning author and journalist Annalee Newitz comes a sweeping, multi-layered sci-fi novel that examines how a person's choices can shape the course of centuries to come.

Destry is a skilled network analyst and dedicated Environmental Rescue Team ranger working on a planet called Sask-E. Taking place in the far-off year of 59 006, Sask-E is a private planet owned by the Verdance corporation, and is being terraformed into a replica of Pleistocene Earth to eventually market to wealthy clients seeking prime real estate and holiday packages. Along with Whistle the moose - her cybernetically enhanced, flying, texting partner - Destry's job is to assist the planet's environmental development over the centuries.

But then Destry uncovers something that shouldn't exist: an entire city of full of people, hidden inside a volcano. Known as Archaeans, the people of Spider City broke off from an earlier stage of Sask-E's terraforming process, and want nothing to do with Verdance or the corporation's plans for the planet. But when Verdance's designs threatens Spider City's survival, the Archaeans are forced to break their secrecy and reach out to Destry and the ERT rangers.

As she learns more about their shared past, Destry begins to question the mission she has devoted her life to, and must make a choice that will reverberate through Sask-E's future for generations to come...

Excerpt:

It took a few more seconds for Destry to realise she was sitting in a transit hub...A couple of bots and four cats were staring at them openly, and now a few Archaeans had come to look. She and Nil stood up next to Long, still unsteady from their fall, and Lucky shooed them off the pad.

One of the Archaeans narrowed their eyes at Destry. "What have you brought us, Lucky? Is this a joke? You brought H. sapiens into the city? They going to kick us out of this place too?

Lucky shrugged. "They rang at Jaguar. The Council decided to let them in. They're from the ERT."

"We're just here for research," Long said.

"Shut up, sapiens. No one wants to hear your excuses."

Lucky scratched their head and shot an apologetic smile at Long. "Now look, they aren't all sapiens. See? They truck with moose and bots. These people aren't from Verdance, OK? They're owned, same as our ancestors were. It's about time we had a talk."

Part I: Settlers (Ecosystem Maintenance)

Complex, compelling, and ambitious, Annalee Newitz's 'The Terraformers' is an epic addition to the science fiction genre. The novel skilfully balances introducing key plot elements with detailed world-building to bring the fascinating physical and socio-political landscape of Sask-E to life. The story unfolds from the perspective of Destry, a hard-working environmental ranger employed on the Sask-E terraforming project, when she is drawn into a conflict that started generations before she was born. As tensions rise, Destry's amiable nature and proactive search for answers makes her a likeable protagonist that audiences will easily connect with, along with her relatable everyday experience of being treated as a disposable cog under the corporate thumb. Combined with the book's intriguing narrative and myriad of curious characters, 'The Terraformers' presents an engrossing, original read that will especially appeal to fans of Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series and Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries.

A defining feature of this novel is its intricate world-building and plethora of socio-political concepts. 'The Terraformers' takes place in a future where the idea of a 'person' encompasses not only humans, but also many species of animal and robotic lifeforms that were intelligently 'uplifted' thousands of years ago. However, not all people are regarded as equal, which provides the basis for the novel's discussion of intelligence and what defines it, as well as the ethics of indentured labour, designed lifeforms, and the limits imposed upon them. These converge to explore enduring issues of systematic oppression, discrimination, human and animal rights, water rights, corporate ethics, planned obsolescence, and so much more.

Destry's journey is a refreshingly unique tale of environmental negotiation, capitalism, and questions of personhood. However, while the story flows easily from scene to scene, there is a lack of clarity regarding overall plot direction. This is compounded by the unusual pacing, when barely a third of the way through the book it already feels like we are in the story's climax. Such an approach may adversely impact reader retention, as obscured narrative stakes can weaken an audience's desire to commit themselves to the entire book. However, Part I finishes strong, with a frantic clash and cautiously optimistic conclusion that indicates that victory may only be temporary, leaving readers eager to dive into Part II and discover the consequences.

Part II: Public Works (Survey for Intercity Transit)

After the gripping end of Part I has readers hungry for more, it is a surprise to discover that Part II begins 700 years after 'Settlers.' Titled 'Public Works', this new story follows a different character called Sulfer, an Archaean from Spider City, who is tasked with conducting a survey for the layout of future public transport networks connecting the growing cities of Sask-E. Here, the reason for the novel's unusual pacing and early-book climax becomes evident. 'The Terraformers' is actually comprised of three interconnected stories, each taking part 700 years after the previous. This storytelling style holds great potential, promising a grand, multi-generational exploration of how a person's choice can echo across centuries. However, in the case of 'The Terraformers', many readers will find this unexpected time jump and entirely new main character jarring. These changes undercut the momentum and intrigue built over the events of Part I, as well as severing the audience's attachment to previous characters. Additionally, the book's blurb and general marketing only names Destry as the sole protagonist, which may result in readers feeling mislead on what was promised.

The narrative also distinctly shifts in tone, deviating from a plot-driven tale of land rights, corporate oppression, and personal discovery, to a more meandering travel story as the characters journey from city to city, observing and interviewing the inhabitants. In this regard, Part II offers an intriguing and entirely different perspective of Sask-E, delving into the unique lifestyle and cultural quirks of the planet's diverse populace; from offworld migrant workers to wealthy bureaucrats, from mixed-species neighbourhoods to hominin-only spaces, from sentient lava-traversing vessels to naked mole-rat scientists, from extravagant shape-changing cities to expanses of semi-abandoned construction zones, and more. This storytelling style is effective in showcasing Newtiz's intricate world-building, innovative sci-fi technology, and fascinating alternative social mores. However, while these creative elements are interesting in isolation, they are not tethered to an engaging plot line or compelling character interactions. Without an effective through-line steering the direction of Part II, these changes to the novel's pacing, focal character, tone, and stakes makes for a boring, aimless slog, and renders 'Public Works' unsalvageable for most audiences. I would not have finished reading the book, if I hadn't already agreed to review it in exchange for a copy from the publisher.

Part III: Gentrifiers (Serve the Public)

Then, in a complete reversal, Part III of 'The Terraformers' is the novel's storytelling at its best. Titled 'Gentrifiers', this section is from the perspective of a sentient flying train named Scrubjay who, after meeting a journalist cat named Moose, becomes embroiled in an investigation into the muddied history of Sask-E as social tensions are pushed to breaking point. The story is riveting - a thrilling mix of political intrigue and civil revolt as Part III delves into how corporate misdemeanours encroach on the lives of ordinary people, the role of journalism and citizen action in agitating for change, the fear and powerless indignation of people forcefully evicted from their homes, and the desperate efforts of bystanders to help in the face of violent suppression. Scrubjay and Moose's tale is engaging, fantastically paced, full of fun distinct characters, and could even work well as it's own standalone novella. In the greater context of 'The Terraformers' - and in stark contrast to all the issues of Part II - Part III successfully consolidates and completes the novel's overarching narrative, and excellently displays Newiz's intentions to explore aspects of nation building, indigenous futurism, and social revolution. 'Gentrifiers' is a great read, and if the whole book had been like Part III, I would not hesitate to recommend 'The Terraformers' to anyone.

Conclusion:

'The Terraformers' is a daring, multi-themed novel that will impress and resonate with many readers, yet will fall short for others. The novel's exploration of complex social-political topics will intrigue many, but a not insignificant portion of readers may find the delivery technically inept, thematically incomplete, preachy, and overstuffed in a way that is not accessible to new readers of science fiction. I personally struggle to recommend this book due to the pacing issues, unfocused narrative direction, and disengaging reading experience of Part II, but I cannot help but admire what the novel does right; the world is exciting, the concepts thought-provoking and brimming with enough potential for each idea to fill its own book, and, above all, 'The Terraformers' is a story of hope and the efforts of ordinary people to achieve a better future for all.