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Hollow World
Michael J. Sullivan
Barnes & Noble’s Top Fantasy/Science Fiction Picks for April 2014 The Book Probe‘s 2014 Most Anticipated Sci-Fi Novels The Bibliosanctum‘s Top 10 Reads of 2013 Ranting Dragon’s 30 Most Anticipated Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels for 2014
The future is coming…for some, sooner than others.
Ellis Rogers is an ordinary man, who is about to embark on an extraordinary journey. Faced with a terminal illness, Rogers has built a time machine to find a cure…but only if he can survive Hollow World.
The future is coming…for some, sooner than others.
Ellis Rogers is an ordinary man, who is about to embark on an extraordinary journey. All his life he has played it safe and done the right thing, but faced with a terminal illness he’s willing to take an insane gamble. He’s built a time machine in his garage, and if it works, he’ll face a world that challenges his understanding of what it means to be human, what it takes to love, and the cost of paradise. He could find more than a cure for his illness; he might find what everyone has been searching for since time began…but only if he can survive Hollow World.
Welcome to the future and a new science fiction thriller from the bestselling author of The Riyria Revelations.
“Recommended for fans of Sullivan and those who enjoy speculative fiction with a touch of mystery.” —Library Journal
“This book made me laugh. It also made me cry. And in the end, it made me think. I highly recommend Hollow World for anyone looking for a book that brushes on and plays out some political and social issues we face today.” –SFFWorld
“A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging story with a satisfying philosophical edge elevating entirely.” —Interzone
“Highly recommended for science fiction fans. Also recommended if you are new to science fiction or even if you don’t necessarily consider yourself a fan of the genre, still try this because in terms of story enjoyment and literary value, this is a great book! “ —Grimdark Reader, Peter Witvliet
“I definitely recommend this book to sci-fi fans and to fans of Sullivan’s other works. It was an excellent read.” —Hidden in Pages
“Full of impossible fantasy yet feeling entirely emotionally-true…. This is a superb time travelling tale, full of imagination and intrigue” —Nerds of a Feather
“These powerful questions that Sullivan explores about existence, love, and trials make Hollow World one of the deeper and enjoyable stories of 2014. Hollow World is a highly recommended time-travel story and a must read for anyone who loves the nostalgia of their first adventure into the possibilities of past and future.” —Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing
“Hollow World is a simply fantastic read. Sullivan makes the wise choice of not focusing too much on the science behind his time-travelling story, allowing himself to craft a tale filled with richly detailed characters that readers will connect with easily.” —Starburst
“[The]Hollow Worldby Michael Sullivan is a fascinating futuristic tale.” —Night Owl Sci-Fi
“Hollow Worldis so many things, but without a doubt, the best part about it is also its most obvious duality: that is it at once a light and entertaining read, but also heavy on important issues and philosophy. Most important of all, this story will make you think and feel. I absolutely loved it.” —The Bibliosanctum
“…original and entertaining to read.” —Jetpack Dragon
“This short novel from Sullivan (“The Riyria Revelations” series) is an enjoyable look at a post-scarcity society in the future, with a man from our time highlighting the ways we might stay the same, even as the world around us changes.” —Library Journal
“Hollow Worldis one of the best science fiction books I’ve read in a long time. Pick it up!” —Bibliophilic
“Masterful storytelling takes hold inHollow Worldby Michael J. Sullivan…. Hands down, this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.” —Literary Escapism
“Hollow World is one more piece of evidence that Tachyon Publications is bringing some original and fascinating science fiction to readers.” —Lit/Rant
“Hollow World by Michael Sullivan is one of the best time machine stories in years . . .” —Christopher J. Garcia (The Drink Tank), interviewed at scyflynn.com
Michael J. Sullivan is the award-winning author of the Riyria Revelations & Chronicles, which have sold more than 450,000 English-language copies, and have been translated into fifteen languages. Sullivan’s novels have been selected for more than sixty best of the year or most anticipated lists, including those compiled by Library Journal, Barnes & Noble, Audible.com, and Goodreads. Sullivan is working on his third series, tentatively titled The First Empire.
Praise for Theft of Swords
“Sullivan succeeds with simplicity…Hair-raising escapes, flashy sword fights, and faithful friendship complete the formula for good old-fashioned escapist fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“It’s Lord of the Rings meetsPirates of the Caribbean.” —Realm of Worlds
Praise for The Crown Conspiracy
“The Crown Conspiracy is great fun and a romp end to end. Highly recommended…”
—Fantasy Book Critic
“[I] highly recommend it to all fans of fantasy…I can’t wait to get my hands on the second omnibus, Rise of Empire.”
—Civilian Reader
When she said he was dying, and explained how little time he had left, Ellis Rogers laughed. Not a normal response—the doctor knew it, Ellis did too. He wasn’t crazy; at least he didn’t think so, but how does anyone really know? He should have seen visions, flashes from his life: kissing Peggy at the altar, graduating college, or the death of their son, Isley. He should have fixated on all of the things that he’d never done, the words he had spoken, or the ones he hadn’t. Instead, Ellis focused on the four-letter word the doctor had said. Funny that she used that word—he never told her what was in his garage.
The pulmonary specialist was a small Indian woman with bright, alert eyes and a clipboard that she frequently looked to for reference. She wore the familiar white lab coat—stethoscope stuffed deep in one pocket. She sat, or more accurately leaned, against the front of her desk as she spoke. At the start of her speech, the doctor had begun with a determined, sympathetic resolve, but that train had been derailed by his inappropriate outburst, and neither of them seemed to know what to do next.
“Are you...all right?” she asked.
“First test I ever failed,” he said, trying to explain himself, hoping she’d swallow it and move on. Given the news she had just delivered, he deserved a little slack.
The doctor stared at him concerned for a moment, then settled back into her professional tone. “You should probably get another opinion, Ellis.” She used his first name as if they were old friends, though he’d only seen her the few times it had taken to get the tests performed.
“Is someone working on a cure for this?” Ellis asked.
The doctor sighed, keeping her lips firm. She folded her arms, then unfolded them and leaned forward. “Yes, but I honestly don’t think anyone is close to a breakthrough.” She looked at him with sad eyes. “You just don’t have that much time.”
There was that word again.
He didn’t laugh, but he might have smiled. He needed a better poker face. Ellis shifted his sight away from her and instead focused on three jars sitting on a counter near the door. They looked like they belonged in a kitchen—except that these contained tongue depressors and cotton swabs instead of sugar and flour. He couldn’t tell what was in the last one. Something individually packaged, syringes, maybe, which reminded him to double-check the first-aid kit to make sure it had a good supply of aspirin. Not all of them did.
The doctor probably expected him to cry or maybe fly into a rage cursing God, bad luck, the industrial food complex, or his own refusal to exercise. Laughter and smiles weren’t on that menu.
But he couldn’t help being amused, not when the doctor was unwittingly making jokes.
No, he thought, not jokes—suggestions. And she’s right, there’s nothing stopping me anymore.
He was dying from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and she had given him six months to a year. The to a year portion of that sentence felt tacked on in an overly optimistic manner. Anyone else might have focused on that part of the equation—the dying part—and thought about trips to Europe, safaris in Africa, or visiting neglected friends and family. Ellis was planning a trip of a different sort and began running a mental checklist. He already had most everything. Flashlight batteries, he should get more of them—can’t ever have too many batteries—and some more M&M’S, why the hell not? It wasn’t like he had to worry about his weight, diabetes, or tooth decay. I’ll buy a whole box! The peanut ones, the yellow bags are always the best.
“I’m going to set up an appointment for you to come back.
Two weeks should give you enough time to see someone else and have the tests repeated.” She stopped writing and stared at him with her big brown eyes. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Is there someone I can call?” She flipped through the pages on the clipboard again. “Your wife?”
“Trust me, I’m good.”
He was surprised to realize he was telling the truth. The last time he felt that way was thirty-six years ago when he had sat across from the loan officer’s desk and learned he’d qualified for the mortgage that allowed him to move out of his parent’s home. Fear mingled with the excitement of facing the unknown. Freedom—real freedom—had all the rush of an illegal drug.
I can finally press the button.
She waited a beat or two longer, then nodded. “Assuming your second opinion concurs with mine, I will add your name to the registry for a transplant, and I’ll explain the process in detail at your appointment. Aside from that, I’m afraid there’s nothing else we can do. I’m really very sorry.” Reaching out she took his hand.
“I really am.”
He nodded and gave a slight squeeze. Her smile appeared less forced then. Maybe she was thinking she’d made him feel better, made some emotional connection. That was good, he needed all the karma he could get.
Hollow World
Michael J. Sullivan
Barnes & Noble’s Top Fantasy/Science Fiction Picks for April 2014
The Book Probe‘s 2014 Most Anticipated Sci-Fi Novels
The Bibliosanctum‘s Top 10 Reads of 2013
Ranting Dragon’s 30 Most Anticipated Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels for 2014
The future is coming…for some, sooner than others.
Ellis Rogers is an ordinary man, who is about to embark on an extraordinary journey. Faced with a terminal illness, Rogers has built a time machine to find a cure…but only if he can survive Hollow World.
$15.95
Hollow World
by Michael J. Sullivan
ISBN: 9781616961831
Published: March 2014
Available Format(s): Trade Paperback
The future is coming…for some, sooner than others.
Ellis Rogers is an ordinary man, who is about to embark on an extraordinary journey. All his life he has played it safe and done the right thing, but faced with a terminal illness he’s willing to take an insane gamble. He’s built a time machine in his garage, and if it works, he’ll face a world that challenges his understanding of what it means to be human, what it takes to love, and the cost of paradise. He could find more than a cure for his illness; he might find what everyone has been searching for since time began…but only if he can survive Hollow World.
Welcome to the future and a new science fiction thriller from the bestselling author of The Riyria Revelations.
“Recommended for fans of Sullivan and those who enjoy speculative fiction with a touch of mystery.”
—Library Journal
“This book made me laugh. It also made me cry. And in the end, it made me think. I highly recommend Hollow World for anyone looking for a book that brushes on and plays out some political and social issues we face today.”
–SFFWorld
“A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging story with a satisfying philosophical edge elevating entirely.”
—Interzone
“Highly recommended for science fiction fans. Also recommended if you are new to science fiction or even if you don’t necessarily consider yourself a fan of the genre, still try this because in terms of story enjoyment and literary value, this is a great book! “
—Grimdark Reader, Peter Witvliet
“I definitely recommend this book to sci-fi fans and to fans of Sullivan’s other works. It was an excellent read.”
—Hidden in Pages
“Full of impossible fantasy yet feeling entirely emotionally-true…. This is a superb time travelling tale, full of imagination and intrigue”
—Nerds of a Feather
“These powerful questions that Sullivan explores about existence, love, and trials make Hollow World one of the deeper and enjoyable stories of 2014. Hollow World is a highly recommended time-travel story and a must read for anyone who loves the nostalgia of their first adventure into the possibilities of past and future.”
—Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing
“Hollow World is a simply fantastic read. Sullivan makes the wise choice of not focusing too much on the science behind his time-travelling story, allowing himself to craft a tale filled with richly detailed characters that readers will connect with easily.”
—Starburst
“[The] Hollow World by Michael Sullivan is a fascinating futuristic tale.”
—Night Owl Sci-Fi
“Hollow World is so many things, but without a doubt, the best part about it is also its most obvious duality: that is it at once a light and entertaining read, but also heavy on important issues and philosophy. Most important of all, this story will make you think and feel. I absolutely loved it.”
—The Bibliosanctum
“…original and entertaining to read.”
—Jetpack Dragon
“This short novel from Sullivan (“The Riyria Revelations” series) is an enjoyable look at a post-scarcity society in the future, with a man from our time highlighting the ways we might stay the same, even as the world around us changes.”
—Library Journal
“Hollow World is one of the best science fiction books I’ve read in a long time. Pick it up!”
—Bibliophilic
“Masterful storytelling takes hold in Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan…. Hands down, this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.”
—Literary Escapism
“Hollow World is one more piece of evidence that Tachyon Publications is bringing some original and fascinating science fiction to readers.”
—Lit/Rant
“Hollow World by Michael Sullivan is one of the best time machine stories in years . . .”
—Christopher J. Garcia (The Drink Tank), interviewed at scyflynn.com
Michael J. Sullivan is the award-winning author of the Riyria Revelations & Chronicles, which have sold more than 450,000 English-language copies, and have been translated into fifteen languages. Sullivan’s novels have been selected for more than sixty best of the year or most anticipated lists, including those compiled by Library Journal, Barnes & Noble, Audible.com, and Goodreads. Sullivan is working on his third series, tentatively titled The First Empire.
Praise for Theft of Swords
“Sullivan succeeds with simplicity…Hair-raising escapes, flashy sword fights, and faithful friendship complete the formula for good old-fashioned escapist fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“It’s Lord of the Rings meets Pirates of the Caribbean.”
—Realm of Worlds
Praise for The Crown Conspiracy
“The Crown Conspiracy is great fun and a romp end to end. Highly recommended…”
—Fantasy Book Critic
“[I] highly recommend it to all fans of fantasy…I can’t wait to get my hands on the second omnibus, Rise of Empire.”
—Civilian Reader
Visit the Michael J. Sullivan website.
Running Out of Time
When she said he was dying, and explained how little time he had left, Ellis Rogers laughed. Not a normal response—the doctor knew it, Ellis did too. He wasn’t crazy; at least he didn’t think so, but how does anyone really know? He should have seen visions, flashes from his life: kissing Peggy at the altar, graduating college, or the death of their son, Isley. He should have fixated on all of the things that he’d never done, the words he had spoken, or the ones he hadn’t. Instead, Ellis focused on the four-letter word the doctor had said. Funny that she used that word—he never told her what was in his garage.
The pulmonary specialist was a small Indian woman with bright, alert eyes and a clipboard that she frequently looked to for reference. She wore the familiar white lab coat—stethoscope stuffed deep in one pocket. She sat, or more accurately leaned, against the front of her desk as she spoke. At the start of her speech, the doctor had begun with a determined, sympathetic resolve, but that train had been derailed by his inappropriate outburst, and neither of them seemed to know what to do next.
“Are you...all right?” she asked.
“First test I ever failed,” he said, trying to explain himself, hoping she’d swallow it and move on. Given the news she had just delivered, he deserved a little slack.
The doctor stared at him concerned for a moment, then settled back into her professional tone. “You should probably get another opinion, Ellis.” She used his first name as if they were old friends, though he’d only seen her the few times it had taken to get the tests performed.
“Is someone working on a cure for this?” Ellis asked.
The doctor sighed, keeping her lips firm. She folded her arms, then unfolded them and leaned forward. “Yes, but I honestly don’t think anyone is close to a breakthrough.” She looked at him with sad eyes. “You just don’t have that much time.”
There was that word again.
He didn’t laugh, but he might have smiled. He needed a better poker face. Ellis shifted his sight away from her and instead focused on three jars sitting on a counter near the door. They looked like they belonged in a kitchen—except that these contained tongue depressors and cotton swabs instead of sugar and flour. He couldn’t tell what was in the last one. Something individually packaged, syringes, maybe, which reminded him to double-check the first-aid kit to make sure it had a good supply of aspirin. Not all of them did.
The doctor probably expected him to cry or maybe fly into a rage cursing God, bad luck, the industrial food complex, or his own refusal to exercise. Laughter and smiles weren’t on that menu.
But he couldn’t help being amused, not when the doctor was unwittingly making jokes.
No, he thought, not jokes—suggestions. And she’s right, there’s nothing stopping me anymore.
He was dying from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and she had given him six months to a year. The to a year portion of that sentence felt tacked on in an overly optimistic manner. Anyone else might have focused on that part of the equation—the dying part—and thought about trips to Europe, safaris in Africa, or visiting neglected friends and family. Ellis was planning a trip of a different sort and began running a mental checklist. He already had most everything. Flashlight batteries, he should get more of them—can’t ever have too many batteries—and some more M&M’S, why the hell not? It wasn’t like he had to worry about his weight, diabetes, or tooth decay. I’ll buy a whole box! The peanut ones, the yellow bags are always the best.
“I’m going to set up an appointment for you to come back.
Two weeks should give you enough time to see someone else and have the tests repeated.” She stopped writing and stared at him with her big brown eyes. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Is there someone I can call?” She flipped through the pages on the clipboard again. “Your wife?”
“Trust me, I’m good.”
He was surprised to realize he was telling the truth. The last time he felt that way was thirty-six years ago when he had sat across from the loan officer’s desk and learned he’d qualified for the mortgage that allowed him to move out of his parent’s home. Fear mingled with the excitement of facing the unknown. Freedom—real freedom—had all the rush of an illegal drug.
I can finally press the button.
She waited a beat or two longer, then nodded. “Assuming your second opinion concurs with mine, I will add your name to the registry for a transplant, and I’ll explain the process in detail at your appointment. Aside from that, I’m afraid there’s nothing else we can do. I’m really very sorry.” Reaching out she took his hand.
“I really am.”
He nodded and gave a slight squeeze. Her smile appeared less forced then. Maybe she was thinking she’d made him feel better, made some emotional connection. That was good, he needed all the karma he could get.