The Hive Construct - Hardcover

Maskill, Alexander

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0857522213 ISBN 13: 9780857522214

Publisher: Doubleday, 2014

Synopsis

Situated deep in the Sahara Desert, New Cairo is a city built on technology - from the huge, life-giving solar panels that keep it functioning in a radically changed, resource-scarce world to the artificial implants that have become the answer to all and any of mankind's medical problems. But it is also a divided city, dominated by a handful of omnipotent corporate dynasties. And when a devastating new computer virus begins to spread through the poorest districts, shutting down the life-giving implants that enable so many to survive, the city begins to slide into the anarchy of violent class struggle. Hiding amidst the chaos is Zala Ulora. A gifted hacker and fugitive from justice, she believes she might be able to earn her life back by tracing the virus to its source and destroying it before it destroys the city. Or before the city destroys itself...With its vivid characters, bold ideas and explosive action, The Hive is science fiction at its most exciting, inventive and accessible.

About this title

About the Author

Alex Maskill was born in Watford, and grew up both there and in Eastbourne, East Sussex. He's has just completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Leicester and now has a degree in Politics. He hopes to follow this with an MSc in Computer Science.
The Hive Construct is his first novel and won the 2013 Terry Pratchett Prize.

From the Inside Flap

Situated deep in the Sahara Desert, New Cairo is a city built on technology – from the huge, life-giving solar panels that keep it functioning in a radically changed, resource-scarce world to the artificial implants that seem to have resolved all of mankind’s medical problems.

But New Cairo is also a divided city – a vast metropolis dominated by a handful of omnipotent corporate dynasties. And when a powerful new computer virus begins to spread through the poorer districts, shutting down the life-giving implants that enable so many to survive, the city begins to turn on itself – to slide into the anarchy of violent class struggle.

Hiding out in the chaos is Zala Ulora, a gifted hacker and fugitive from justice. Her fervent hope is that she can earn her life back by tracing the virus and destroying it before it destroys the city . . . or before the city destroys itself.

With its vivid characters, bold ideas and explosive action, The Hive Construct is an award-winning debut that signals the arrival of a bright young talent.

Edition details

• Publisher: Doubleday
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0857522213
• ISBN 13: 9780857522214
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352