Star Splitter

Star Splitter, a riveting science fiction tale by Matthew J. Kirby, vividly explores the fusion of survival and self-discovery within the vast confines of space. In the year 2199, humanity's grasp on deep-space travel and teleportation has become a marvel of technological advancement. However, the story takes a drastic turn when something unforeseen and catastrophic unfolds. Seventeen-year-old Jessica Mathers finds herself stranded in a shattered lander on the barren surface of Carver 1061c—a bleak planet that previously succumbed to complete extinction and lies a daunting fourteen light-years from Earth.

Initially intended to witness the enigmatic planet from the safety of a ship orbiting high above, Jessica awakens amidst chaos and mystery. The deserted lander's corridors are stained with ominous, bloody handprints, its machinery lifeless and silent. Compounding her terror are the freshly dug graves outside, carefully marked with unfamiliar names that offer no solace or clues. Determined to untangle the enigma surrounding the devastation she finds herself in, Jessica confronts her circumstances with grit and tenacity, all while grappling with the perplexing presence of a familiar stranger whose intentions may be deceptive.

Praised for its gripping narrative, Star Splitter captures readers with its thrilling, breakneck pace, making it an "intense, read-in-one-sitting kind of ride," as noted in a starred review by Kirkus. This novel stands out as an exemplary piece of science fiction that doesn't just hover across the dimensions of space, but burrows deeply into themes of human resilience and introspective courage.

An Edgar Award Nominee for 2024, Matthew J. Kirby's new work promises not only to enthral readers with its futuristic landscape but also to engage them with profound questions about identity, trust, and the human spirit's unyielding drive to seek answers amidst uncertainty.