This image is the cover for the book Empire of Mars

Empire of Mars

On Mars, some 65 million years ago, two civilisations live uneasily side by side. When a good friend of antagonist Aka-des is conscripted into the service of the god-Emperor, he has no option but to try and find him, unearthing unimaginable horrors at the seat of imperial power in the process. Outside the Martian city the insectoid Antis, imperilled by the continued expansion of the humanoid Martians into their tribal lands, have to make a choice. Can war between the two races be averted, and can Aka-des prove to a disbelieving world what is really happening in their name? Meanwhile, in the near future, explorers from Earth make startling discoveries on the Red Planet, which provide a link with its distant past. What they uncover will change people’s view of Mars forever, and pose a growing threat to the mission and the lives of the isolated band of pioneers themselves.

Stephen Darnell

Steve lives in rural Oxfordshire with his wife, Sarah, and golden retriever, Evie. Being awarded a fifteen-yards swimming certificate at age nine and a prize book token for writing an essay about the Sun at secondary school were life-changing moments. These achievements led to a degree in Maths and Astronomy, and a fulfilling career in teaching and lecturing. Steve has had a lifelong passion for all things space-related and has thoroughly enjoyed writing his first novel Empire of Mars. He is currently working on the sequel.

Austin Macauley Publishers