The Lives of Tao: Tao Series Book One - Softcover

Chu, Wesley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0857663291 ISBN 13: 9780857663290

Publisher: Angry Robot, 2013

Synopsis

Goodreads Choice 2013 Nominee - Science Fiction

When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it.

He wasn't.

He now has a passenger in his brain - an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions - the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix - the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries. Both sides are searching for a way off-planet, and the Genjix will sacrifice the entire human race, if that's what it takes.

Meanwhile, Roen is having to train to be the ultimate secret agent. Like that's going to end up well...

File Under Science Fiction [ The Tug of War - I Was Genghis - Diary of a Slob - Spy vs Spy ]

About this title

Review:

"A totally original sci-fi thriller that will have you hooked from page one with both riveting action and a sly wit. This is a story of human history, the hidden powers that have shaped it, and one man's transformation from complete nobody to a key fighter in the war for humanity's future."
- Ramez Naam, author of Nexus

Nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards 2013 Finals for Best Science Fiction

Winner of the Alex Award for the American Library Association's 2014 Youth Media Awards

"Few books begin more engagingly than The Lives of Tao, a science fiction romp which wears its principal strength -- the wit and humor of the narrative voice -- on its sleeve."
- Huffington Post

"Chu's good-natured adroitness with character development is matched by his thriller-style plotting, a fine blend of gentle humor and sharp suspense."
- Barnes & Noble Review

"If you want something to read on a plane or settle into over the weekend, this is the book you want to pick up. But like most great stories, there's a little more going on under the surface."
- SF Signal

"A science fiction story that is one part spy novel, one part buddy flick, one part comic book, one part eye-opener history lesson...among many other elements. Yes, it's a lot of parts, but they blend together quite well."
- Examiner

"Filled with non-stop action and brilliant asides on the history of our species, the book is sure to thrill and amuse."
- Ken Liu, Nebula Award winning author of The Paper Menagerie

"Wesley Chu is my hero... he has to be the coolest science fiction writer in the world."
- Lavie Tidhar, World Fantasy Award winning author of Osama and The Bookman Histories

"In The Lives of Tao, newcomer Wesley Chu delivers an action-laced scifi thriller filled with clever ideas and witty, engaging characters. A thoroughly enjoyable ride."
- John Marco, Author of The Inhumans and The Tyrants And Kings trilogies

"A fast-paced, high-action SF mix of Jason Bourne meets the Hero's Journey, jam-packed with dark conspiracies, wild romance, ancient aliens, and a secret, globe-spanning war. Loved it!"
- Matt Forbeck, author of Amortals and Hard Times in Dragon City

"Just your usual 'I've got an immensely wise alien in my head who wants me to become and international man of mystery' story. Which is to say, a page-turning homage to other classic SF like Hal Clement's Needle. Recommended."
- Steven Gould, author of the Jumpers series

"In Wesley Chu's debut novel you meet an unlikely hero in the form of Roen, an out-of-shape, self-loathing, under-achieving computer geek. He is soon transformed into a confident, lean, mean fighting machine under the guidance and influence of the ancient alien Tao, who has inhabited his body and is now working hard to get Roen in shape for an important mission - nothing less than to take on the Genjix and save the planet from an evil plot of destruction. This book is high-octane spy vs spy action with a sly sense of humor. Pure pleasure from beginning to end. Highly recommended!"
- Ann Vandermeer, Hugo winning editor of Weird Tales and British Fantasy Award winning publisher of Buzzcity Press

"I would highly recommend this book to fans who like their espionage tinged with sci-fi, or vice-versa."
- Scott at Being a Big Sandwich

"I think The Lives of Tao was very well done and I will definitely keep my eye out for the next one. Between the humor and the originality of the story, I would certainly recommend reading it."
- Lisa at Wilder's Book Reviews

"The Lives of Tao marvelously casts all of war, science, politics, religion, and economics into a stark new light. It switches well between action-packed scenes and philosophical discussions about human nature and the pitfalls of manipulation, even guided by the best of intents."
- Josh at Examiner.com

"By the end of the books I was close to tears, which proves my emotional investment in the characters and their fates. I wish every book made me care about the characters as much as The Lives of Tao."
- I Will Read Books

"We get the full sci-fi feeling combined with the spy genre without either side getting diluted or ignored. We get the full effect and in turn get a character we care about."
- Tome of Geek

"The whole "aliens-on-earth-inhabiting-human-bodies" plotline has been done more than once, but not like this. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. "
- Geeky Library

"There's plenty here to enjoy. Chu choreographs vivid action scenes, he injects humor seamlessly into dialogue, and he makes the world-building fun. Chu had all of history at his disposal, after all, and he took full advantage."
- Blackgate

"This doesn't seem like Chu's first book, he writes with panache, skill and confidence. His action scenes feel authentic, his world is intricate and believable, and he tells his story in a compelling manner that keeps you turning pages."
- The Irresponsible Reader

"Wesley Chu's Lives of Tao is one of those military science fiction novels that isn't afraid to have some fun in between the action scenes, or during them for that matter. Like John Scalzi (Old Man's War) or Larry Correia (Monster Hunter International) Chu manages to deliver a tense and thrilling plot while not getting bogged down in heavy and hard science."
- Serial Bookseller

"The Lives of Tao exceeded my expectations. I didn't know beforehand if this would be a good fit for my reading mood, but the combination of relatable and likable character in Roen with the deep but not overwhelming worldbuilding in the secret alien war and finally the cool spy action all made this one of my new favorite series. I hear it keeps getting better, so I'm excited for continuing on with The Deaths of Tao and The Rebirths of Tao. I enjoyed the audiobook narration so much, I'd really like to continue in that format."
- Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing (Audiobook Review)

"With a rewarding conclusion, The Lives of Tao is a highly recommended read from Angry Robot."
- T Bird Studios

"Such a fun, action packed, humor filled read."
- Purple Owl Reviews

About the Author:

Wesley Chu was born in Taiwan and emmigrated to Chicago, Illinois when he was just a pup. It was there he became a Kung Fu master and gymnast.

Wesley is an avid gamer and a contributing writer for the magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. A former stunt man and a member of the Screen Actors Guild, he can also be seen in film and television playing roles such as "Banzai Chef" in Fred Claus and putting out Oscar worthy performances as a bank teller in Chicago Blackhawks commercials.

Wesley is a 2014 Alex Award winner for his book The Lives of Tao. He is a 2014 nominee for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer.

Besides working as an Associate Vice President at a bank, he spends his time writing and hanging out with his wife Paula Kim and their Airedale Terrier, Eva.

About this edition

• Publisher: Angry Robot
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0857663291
• ISBN 13: 9780857663290
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 464
• Illustrator: ARGH! Oxford