Prophets of the Ghost Ants
Book One of the Antasy Series
by Clark Thomas Carlton
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Pub Date Jan 24 2017 | Archive Date Sep 15 2017
Harper Collins | Harper Voyager Impulse
Description
Both familiar and fantastic, Clark T. Carlton begins the epic Antasy saga with Prophets of the Ghost Ants, exploring a world in which food, weapons, clothing, art—even religious beliefs—are derived from Humankind’s profound intertwining with the insect world.
In a savage landscape where humans have evolved to the size of insects, they cannot hope to dominate. Ceaselessly, humans are stalked by night wasps, lair spiders, and marauder fleas. And just as sinister, men are still men. Corrupt elites ruthlessly enforce a rigid caste system. Duplicitous clergymen and power-mongering royalty wage pointless wars for their own glory. Fantasies of a better life and a better world serve only to torment those who dare to dream.
One so tormented is a half-breed slave named Anand, a dung-collector who has known nothing but squalor and abuse. Anand wants to lead his people against a genocidal army who fight atop fearsome, translucent Ghost Ants. But to his horror, Anand learns this merciless enemy is led by someone from his own family: a religious zealot bent on the conversion of all non-believers . . . or their extermination.
A mix of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Shadow of the Apt, Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor, and Phillip Pullman’s Golden Compass, this is a powerful new addition to the genre.
Advance Praise
"I had my proverbial socks knocked off … extraordinary scope of imagination … it’s a great novel … a classic … a tour-de-force of the imagination … a perfect example of very skillful storytelling, something the field could use more of. The novel never flags, every word counts … It’s got all the sense of wonder that’s missing in science fiction today. I simply could not put this book down." - Paul Cook, Galaxy’s Edge magazine
"BEST OF THE YEAR. Innovative ... intensely memorable ... drama and intelligence ... fascinating ... a gripping read." - Perry Crowe, Kirkus Reviews
"I'm fascinated by the world building in Clark Carlton's Prophets of the Ghost Ants." - Annalee Newitz, i09.com
"An engaging piece of fiction built upon an imaginative idea. Even though everything takes place on a very small scale, the scope of the conflict remains epic and the nature of the conflict remains quintessentially human. The book has so much packed into it - from an exploration of class divisions, to the religious hypocrisy of the ruling and priestly classes, to the causes of religiously driven wars, to a coming-of-age story for Anand - that any reader will almost certainly find multiple levels of material in it to interest them." - Aaron Pounds, Dreaming of Other Worlds
"Readers who dare enter the realm of Prophets of the Ghost Ants should be prepared to be carried off, as if by a giant swarm of locusts, to a world of epic fantasy that rivals Lord of the Rings and is on par with the likes of Dune or Watership Down ... You’ll be wishing for the quick release of a second book in what promises to be a trilogy." - Ken Korczak, Best eBook Reviews
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780062429759 |
| PRICE | $8.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Dan S, Reviewer
In a world where tiny humans live in symbiosis with insects, Anand is a half-breed of the lowest caste. When a new colony is to be formed, Anand is delighted at the prospect but soon finds himself living with a different clan and a new outlook. When the Ghost Ants attack his new home, Anand has a chance to change the world...
This was on my radar for a long time and I couldn't resist when it popped up on Netgalley. I was not disappointed.
While I'm not a fan of today's extruded fantasy product, originally scores big points with me and Prophets of the Ghost Ants has originality to spare. After a great cataclysm, the Earth is nearly destroyed and humans gradually evolve into being insect-sized for survival. Humans live in symbiosis with their gargantuan insect brethren and largely live in a caste system.
You don't normally read a fantasy novel where insects play a prominent role and the main character is in charge of emptying the chamber pots of nobles. I really liked the use of the caste system, somewhat emulating the hierarchy of ants. I also liked that each clan lived in symbiosis with different insects, like roaches, different varieties of ants, and termites.
Since it was a fantasy novel, you pretty much knew Anand was going to turn things upside down but I was surprised at the magnitude. It reminded me of Michael Moorcock's Elric books, only without so much genocide and melancholy. It was also very well thought out. There were no logical holes in the setting of the "Why don't they fly to Mordor on a giant eagle and drop the ring in the volcano" variety.
It was a fun journey, watching Anand go from being a shit scraper to the founder of a nation. The violence was harsh and there was a fair bit of smut in it, all the things I look for in a fantasy saga. Four out of five stars.
Andrew E, Reviewer
Excellent first book in a series--Carlton is a new star to watch.
Polly K, Reviewer
Mr. Carlton is a creative writer, world building with ease. Insects and humans have developed inter dependent relationships, colonizing, developing religions, and going to war on each other. I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. Amazing and recommended.
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