Kings of a Dead World - Longlisted for the BSFA award.
The Earth's resources are dwindling. The solution is The Sleep: periods of hibernation imposed on those who remain with only a Janitor to watch over the sleepers. In the sleeping city, elderly Ben struggles with his limited waking time and the disease that is stealing his wife from him. Outside, lonely Janitor Peruzzi craves the family he never knew. Around them both, dissatisfaction is growing. The city is about to wake.
Kings of a Dead World is available in a special Waterstones edition who said ‘Imagining a society where Earth’s remaining supplies are being rationed by making humankind hibernate, Kings of a Dead World paints a haunting and profound vision of the near future where people are robbed of their most precious resource: time.
‘I enjoyed the expert world-building and the rich complex characters. this is a really great read, exploring a haunting vision of the near-future. Kings of a Dead World kept me gripped from beginning to end. ‘ Temi Oh, Winner of the Alex Award
‘If you enjoy reading about dark futures and enjoy films like Bladerunner and Dark City, where one person may make a difference, but that difference will only be for them, then this is a well written and compelling tale of the horrors that humanity (such a word is misplaced for most of the people in this book) puts upon itself, just by being nothing more than what it has to be.’ British Science Fiction Association
‘Mollart’s intriguing and timely premise is executed with verve – Kings of a Dead World is filmic in its scope’ - Alison Moore, Shortlisted for the Booker Prize
‘This is a frightening, thoughtful vision exploring where power lies when even the act of being awake is revolutionary.’ Aliya Whiteley, Shortlisted for the ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD
'Kings of a Dead World intrigued me with its title and had me on page one. Mollart's dystopian vision is as disturbing as it is brilliant.' Giles Kristian, Sunday Times Bestselling author of Lancelot
'I would like to see Kings of a Dead World made into a 'cli-fi' film, marketed as both cautionary tale and satire.' Juliet Blaxland, shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize
‘With its frightening future Britain and original dystopian ideas, Kings of a Dead World feels both visionary and vital. Its literary merits also make it an easy recommendation for fans of the likes of Ben Smith’s Doggerland, Jim Crace’s The Pesthouse and J.G. Ballard.’ Infinite Speculation
‘This novel is an incredible ride, and it couldn’t have been published at a more perfect time. It made me see the pandemic in a whole different light – how quickly humans can adjust to change, but also how fervently we can push against it. I see this being a very firm favourite for dystopian and sci-fi fans.’ Dystopic
'Packed with some great science fiction ideas... Very readable, and will have you thinking long after the final page.’ SFBook Reviews
‘It is a frighteningly entertaining look at how good we are as a race at isolating and destroying ourselves.’ SFF World
‘Fresh and interesting... I'm very glad that I read it.’ Popular Science blog
A video review of Kings of a Dead World by blogger Max Reads:
The trailer for Kings Of A Dead World:
Radio interview talking about Kings Of A Dead World: