A mining ship chasing a mysterious object is pulled into a journey that spans unimaginable distances—and reveals an ancient enigma with galaxy-shaping consequences. Bold, big-idea, and deeply human, Pushing Ice is space opera at its most awe-inspiring.
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Start or resume Shelf TalkThese picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Possible spoilers below.
In Pushing Ice, did you enjoy a relentless, mission-driven narrative with shifting objectives and high-stakes decisions?
If you loved following the crew of the Rockhopper as they navigated the perilous and ever-evolving mission to pursue the alien object in Pushing Ice, you'll be riveted by Leviathan Wakes. The crew of the Rocinante is thrust into a vast conspiracy and a planet-threatening crisis, propelling them from one urgent mission to the next as they uncover secrets that could change humanity's destiny.
In Pushing Ice, did you enjoy a large, diverse group of characters working together (and sometimes against each other) to survive in deep space?
If you connected with the ensemble of engineers, miners, and leaders on the Rockhopper and their complex relationships under extreme pressure, you'll appreciate the rich cast in Aurora. The story follows the inhabitants of a multi-generational starship as they face technical crises, social challenges, and the daunting prospects of colonizing a new world, all told through the eyes of many characters whose fates are deeply intertwined.
In Pushing Ice, did you enjoy scientifically plausible technology and alien life, with a focus on evolution, astrophysics, and survival?
If you were fascinated by the realistic engineering, the physics of comet mining, and the speculative yet credible portrayal of alien megastructures in Pushing Ice, you'll be enthralled by Children of Time. Tchaikovsky crafts a sweeping tale of terraforming, uplifted spiders, and interstellar travel, all built on solid scientific concepts that challenge and expand the imagination.
In Pushing Ice, did you enjoy an epic story that spans vast stretches of time and space, exploring the far future of humanity and other sentient life?
If the cosmic scale and sweeping timeline of Pushing Ice—from the isolation of the crew to their encounter with mind-boggling alien civilizations—captivated you, Diaspora will take you even further. Egan's novel follows posthuman entities as they traverse the universe, witness the birth and death of stars, and confront existential threats across eons.
In Pushing Ice, did you enjoy deeply imagined alien cultures and minds, with first contact at the heart of the narrative?
If you were intrigued by the mysterious, inscrutable alien technology and the challenge of understanding non-human intelligences in Pushing Ice, Blindsight offers an intense and cerebral exploration of first contact. The crew of the Theseus must decipher the nature and motives of alien entities that defy human comprehension, raising profound questions about consciousness and communication.
