The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

The Incandescent
Author: Emily Tesh
Overview

Emily Tesh, the critically acclaimed author of Silver in the Wood and Drowned Country, ventures into the cosmos with The Incandescent. This dazzling standalone novel combines Tesh's signature lyrical prose with a bold new world of interstellar adventure, ancient magic, and forbidden love.

Plot Synopsis

In a universe governed by light, power, and an ancient pact between cosmic entities, humanity has colonized distant planets under the watchful eye of the Incandescent, an enigmatic star-like force that binds life together. However, the Incandescent's light is fading, threatening to plunge the universe into chaos.

At the heart of this turmoil is Renna Lark, an outcast pilot turned scavenger, scraping by on the fringes of colonized space. Renna accidentally uncovers a forbidden artifact—a shard of the Incandescent's dying power—on an abandoned planet. The discovery puts her in the crosshairs of intergalactic powers eager to claim the shard for themselves.

Renna is forced to join forces with Veyr, a stoic and mysterious emissary of the Incandescent, sworn to protect the star's secrets. Together, they must navigate treacherous alliances, cosmic horrors, and ancient relics to restore the Incandescent’s light. Along the way, Renna and Veyr discover that the bond between them may hold the key to the universe’s survival—and that love itself can be as eternal and transformative as starlight.

Key Themes

• Hope Amid Despair: The story examines humanity’s resilience and its ability to find light even in the darkest times.
• Love Beyond Boundaries: Through Renna and Veyr, the novel explores themes of connection and trust between opposites, blending romance with larger-than-life stakes.
• Cosmic Mythology: Drawing on myths and legends, Tesh creates a world where the stars themselves are alive, and ancient forces shape the fate of existence.
• Environmental Decay: The fading light of the Incandescent serves as a poignant allegory for ecological collapse and the cost of greed.

Why You’ll Love It

• Stunning World-Building: Tesh creates a universe that feels alive, from dazzling celestial phenomena to forgotten planets steeped in lore.
• Compelling Characters: Renna’s scrappy determination and Veyr’s quiet strength form the emotional core of the story, making their journey as personal as it is epic.
• Heart-Pounding Adventure: Space chases, ancient relic hunts, and cosmic battles keep the pages turning.
• Beautiful Prose: Tesh’s writing is luminous and evocative, drawing readers into a tale that feels as timeless as the stars themselves.

About the Author

Emily Tesh is an award-winning fantasy author known for her rich storytelling and vividly imagined worlds. Her debut novella, Silver in the Wood, won the World Fantasy Award and introduced readers to her knack for blending mythology with deeply human stories. With The Incandescent, Tesh steps into the realm of cosmic science fiction while retaining her unique voice, delivering a story that feels both intimate and epic.

The Incandescent is a must-read for fans of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, and Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. This novel promises to illuminate your imagination and leave you pondering the stars.

Feel free to create additional blocks like this for Shipping, Payments, etc through the Shopify Theme editor. Also, you may easily adjust their order by dragging and dropping.

To return an item to us, follow the directions listed on the return exchange form included with your order. If you don’t have this form available, you can download one by clicking here