Description: A pair of monastic siblings struggle to help a sentient spaceship suffering through an existential crisis in this philosophical novel about what constitutes life, love, humanity, and death for fans of Martha Wells's The Murderbot Diaries and The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei.
Unable to forgive himself for his actions aboard the Counsel of Nicaea, Iris left the religious Starlit Order. People died, he lost his heart to a man of science, and he sacrificed his best friend--an implanted AI companion--to shut down the murdering consciousness birthed within the spaceship. Still devoted to serving others, Iris labors aboard a space station near Nicaea's husk, a reminder of his frailties and his failures. Vessel Bacai believes that leadership of the Northern Temple of the Starlit Order is hers by right of inheritance. But her adopted brother Iris was always their late mother's choice, despite having no ambition to assume the role. Bacai needs Iris to officially step aside so she can continue the holy work he selfishly abandoned. Iris also left his work on the Nicaea unfinished. The ship has awakened, attacking the space station without warning, harming its inhabitants. And the ship sends Iris a message, begging the former Vessel to end its suffering--by helping it to die. Now, Iris is returning to Nicaea, accompanied by Bacai and a science team--including the beloved engineer he left behind, Yan Fukui--to confront a sentient AI that understands the behaviors and emotions that drive human nature . . .Review Quotes: Praise for the Cosmic Wheel duology
"Deeply human in its exploration, The Starlight Samsara is a deliciously twisty and satisfying conclusion to the story of my favorite philosophical death monk - I loved it!" --Sierra Branham, author of Love Galaxy "Sui's elaborate novel takes a locked-room murder mystery into outer space. Exploring themes of faith and philosophy, evolution and self-awareness, Sui creates a beautifully crafted world, sprinkled with a bit of horror and romance." --Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW, on The Iron Garden Sutra "Sui blends horror and religion in this thrilling sci-fi outing, the first in a series...Sui skillfully balances the cerebral, the spiritual, and the terrifying. Readers will eagerly await Iris's next adventure." --Publishers Weekly, on The Iron Garden Sutra "A fresh, inventive tale that is as brutal as it is beautiful. With stunning prose and a deep, pulsing heartbeat, The Iron Garden Sutra is filled with tender moments and meaningful catharsis among the horrors. Richly layered and intensely compelling from start to finish." --Kelsea Yu, Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author of Bound Feet and Demon Song"This atmospheric book has everything: space opera, horror, philosophy, mushrooms, and love in an enthralling story about a monk and a group of academics trapped on an ancient generation ship that may not be as abandoned as they think. A. D. Sui's world is lush, unique, and deliciously claustrophobic. It's still tickling my brain stem. Fans of S. A. Barnes and the movie Sunshine will eat this up." --Yume Kitasei, author of The Stardust Grail, on The Iron Garden Sutra
"At once contemplative and visceral, vast and intimate, A. D. Sui's work takes us on a spiritual and physical journey like no other: an impressive feat of both range and balance." --Samit Basu, Locus Award-nominated author of The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport, on The Iron Garden Sutra
"Meditative and philosophical, with a compelling mystery at its dark heart, The Iron Garden Sutra deftly delivers on multiple fronts: immersive cultural worldbuilding, creeping dread seen only in the best sci-fi horror, and an interrogation of the nature of intelligence, life, and humanity's place in the universe, all building to a smart, satisfying finish." --Victor Manibo, author of The Sleepless and Escape Velocity
"It's not enough to call The Iron Garden Sutra a locked room mystery in space; it's that and so much more. A.D. Sui deftly navigates questions of the mind, the soul, and the body while bringing a fresh and inventive perspective to the genre, blending suspense and self-reflection in a page-turning tale that promises and delivers on its central premise." --Mia Tsai, author of The Memory Hunters
"A contemplative, creepy, compulsive story and unique cast of characters in which you cannot help but fall in love. The exploration of the theme of death through the perspective of a Starlit monk felt both fresh and familiar. Complete with a slow-burn and tender romance, a thoughtful take on how AI might be integrated into a futuristic society, and a suspenseful locked room mystery (that is, if the locked room were a decrepit generation ship), this character-driven sci fi is perfect for fans of Annihilation and Ocean's Godori!" --T. A. Chan, author of The Celestial Seas, on The Iron Garden Sutra
"A perfect, page-turning fusion of dark spaceship thriller and philosophical drama. Tense and interrogative, this eerie tale questioning obligations to both the dead and the living, as well as how we navigate this universe alone and with each other, will get under your skin and squeeze your heart until the very last page." --Ness Brown, author of The Scourge Between Stars, on The Iron Garden Sutra
"A haunted story--literally and metaphysically. This book is an ambitious exploration of death, how we may come live with it, and the vast gulf of uncertain space in that journey." --Em X. Liu, author of The Death I Gave Him, on The Iron Garden Sutra
"A wonderful puzzlebox of a novel that is alternatively heartbreaking and joyous. The Iron Garden Sutra is also truly interested in religion and what it means to devote oneself to a religious life, and the world A.D. Sui has built around these ideas is fascinating." --Lina Rather, author of Sisters of the Vast Black and Sisters of the Forsaken Stars