Radiant Sky: Apollo Rising Book Two

This is the much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Hot Moon (“A nail-biting thriller”―Publishers Weekly) by two-time Sidewise Award-winning author Alan Smale.

Vivan Carter, the electrifying hero from Hot Moon, returns to lead a lunar geological survey team comprised of both Americans and Soviets. Their journey takes them across the harsh and barren lunar surface as they chart the moon and collect samples for this grueling mission. It is dangerous enough, but the stakes become much higher when an ambush threatens the entire mission.

The crew must navigate a treacherous path where survival requires ingenuity, courage, and an uneasy alliance with their Soviet counterparts. As the stakes grow higher, the mission becomes a test of skill, endurance, and trust in an era defined by suspicion and rivalry.

Dive into an electrifying alternate history where space rivalry takes center stage. Radiant Sky is a thrilling continuation of the highly acclaimed hard science fiction novel that will captivate fans of NASA fiction books, near-future adventures, and hard science fiction series. Set in a meticulously crafted world where the Cold War extends far beyond Earth's atmosphere, humanity's reach into space creates a new frontier of tension and exploration.

With breathtaking accuracy from a retired NASA director and an immersive look at the untold stories of space rivalry, Radiant Sky brings hard science fiction alive, capturing the imagination and the thrill of space exploration. Prepare for a pulse-pounding experience that redefines what it means to venture into the unknown.

ACCLAIM FOR THE SERIES

“Smale’s latest will delight and enthrall.”―Library Journal  *starred review*

“A nail-biting thriller set in a plausible alternate 1979.”―Publishers Weekly

“Hot Moon is a provocative science fiction novel set in an alternative but plausible reality. It follows a war in space with original, imaginative flourishes.”―Foreword

“I loved it. Great ‘hard’ science fiction with convincing space battles.”―Larry Niven

“Alan Smale is one of the brightest stars in the hard-SF firmament, and Hot Moon is his best novel yet. ”―Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author

“Intriguing, adrenaline-fueled, and engaging, author Alan Smale’s Hot Moon is the perfect sci-fi meets political thriller.”―Anthony Avina’s Blog

“A frightening glimpse into what the future may hold. This unforgettable journey takes readers to the very edge of reality, and possibly, our future.”―Mostly Mysteries’ and Other Books Too

 Alan Smale writes alternate history and hard science fiction and is a two-time winner of the Sidewise Award for alternate history. 

He is also a “rocket scientist” (working for NASA) who seamlessly blends his extensive scientific knowledge with his uncanny ability to present complex ideas in very understandable terms to create riveting stories that invariably garner outstanding reviews from readers. 

His works include over forty short stories published in some of the most iconic science fiction magazines and anthologies currently published, and his original Clash of Eagles trilogy won widespread acclaim from both critics and fans. 

Alan grew up in Yorkshire England, attended Oxford University, and currently resides in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, working for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (with over 100 published academic papers).