ORPINGTON, England, July 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Despite a blaze of technological advancements, humans have not traveled very far into the final frontier of space, and potential encounters with wondrous life forces can only take place in the realms of imagination. But the mind's capabilities can be spectacular, as David Mills illustrates in his compelling new book, Voidrise (now available through AuthorHouse).
The story takes place in a small, alternate universe with an atmosphere of white mist and black voids of "absolute absence" for suns. It is a universe composed of thought energy, which is the power that holds all matter together. Two humans, or "Beyonders," enter this environment. Malkan Kasstovaal is a captain whose depression and paranoia threaten to crush the intelligence and experience he needs to save him and his shipmate, Bryn Jeryant. Bryn, an easygoing space medic, has a preoccupation with intoxication and sex. Despite these lecherous traits, he possesses a shrewd intelligence and the common sense needed to balance out Malkan's emotional flaws.
Upon entering the strange, new environment, their bodies and ship cease to exist, but their minds stay intact. They are rescued by the Dwellers who live in the Rock, a floating mountain. These beings, with their ability to create any substance by mental force, give the two men temporary bodies and teach them how to form matter.
Despite the Dwellers' hospitality, Malkan and Bryn discover major incompatibilities with their hosts. More alarmingly, they realize that their presence is causing the barrier around the universe to contract, which will eventually destroy the Rock. But before they can escape, one of the Dwellers, Ko, attempts to assassinate them. In a battle of minds, Malkan's, driven by survival instinct, wins out, and Ko is overpowered. He is put on trial but refuses to give the reasons for his hatred of the humans.
When the humans are summoned by the Voidseer, the Rock's religious leader, the universe's origin is revealed and it becomes clear what drives Ko's rage toward the visitors. In an explosive conclusion, the vengeful Dweller takes one last drastic action for his people and Malkan and Bryn are forced to make a hasty retreat through the barrier of their shocking environment.
A thrilling work that irreversibly affects each reader, Voidrise is a worthy endeavor for those who connect with Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg's intelligent science fiction.
Mills lives in Orpington, England, where he immerses himself in cult science fiction television and books. He works as a stockbroker in London and writes in his spare time. Voidrise is his first book.
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