New space opera trilogy from Neal Asher to Pan Mac

Pan Macmillan is publishing a new science fiction trilogy by "master of the genre" Neal Asher.

Editorial director Bella Pagan acquired world rights, including audio, to the Rise of the Jain trilogy, which starts with publication of The Soldier in spring 2018.

The trilogy promises "an epic space opera" set in Polity, the same fictional universe the author has explored in other works. In The Soldier, a hidden corner of space is swarming with lethal alien technology designed to destroy entire civilizations. It’s guarded by Orlandine, whose mission is to ensure it stays contained at all costs. However, while living aboard a state-of-the-art weapons station, she’s hatching a plan to obliterate it, removing the threat forever. It was created by the Jain, a long-dead race, and forces are on the move who’ll do anything to unleash their last secrets - but things are about to change, the Jain might not be as dead as they seem and interstellar war is never far away.

Asher, one of the list's longest-standing SF authors, has published 20 books with Pan Macmillan over 17 years, including his upcoming Infinity Engine due for release this March.

Pagan commented, "I’m absolutely thrilled to have more of his high-octane books on our list. Each new book is anticipated by an army of loyal fans, with very good reason, and we just can’t wait to publish these."