Longlisted for the 2019 Wilbur Smith Prize for best published novel. *A new ice age… and a ground-breaking discovery… will change everything.In the near future, an ice age pushes humanity to the edge of extinction.Scientists search for the cause–and any hope of stopping the Long Winter. They send probes into the solar system to take readings. Near Mars, one of the probes makes a shocking … readings. Near Mars, one of the probes makes a shocking discovery: a mysterious object, drifting toward the Sun. Is it the cause of the Long Winter? Or could it be our only hope of survival?
With time running out, NASA launches a mission to make contact with the artifact. But it isn’t what anyone thought. Humanity faces a new kind of threat–and an event that will reveal a dark truth about our future.
From A.G. Riddle, the worldwide bestselling author with OVER 4 MILLION COPIES SOLD, comes a new sci-fi thriller that will forever change the way you look at Earth’s place in the solar system.
Praise for A.G. Riddle
”…reads like a superior collaboration between Dan Brown and Michael Crichton.”
— The Guardian on Pandemic
“I finished the book fast because I just couldn’t wait…”
— WIRED GeekDad on Departure
“Riddle… keep(s) the focus on his characters… rather than the technological marvels”
— Publisher’s Weekly on Departure
“Well-constructed and tightly-wound as a fine Swiss watch–DEPARTURE has non-stop action, an engaging plot and, of course, wheels within wheels.”
— Diana Gabaldon, bestselling author of Outlander
MORE ABOUT WINTER WORLD
Each month, Earth grows colder. Snow falls in summer. Glaciers trample cities across North America, Europe, and Asia. The new ice age shows no signs of stopping.
Chaos erupts. Around the world, people abandon their homes and flock to regions where they can survive.
Nations prepare to go to war for the world’s last habitable zones.
Scientific organizations search for the reason Earth is cooling. They send probes into the solar system to collect readings. Near Mars, one of the probes finds a mysterious object, drifting toward the sun. Is it responsible for the new ice age? And if so, can we stop it? Or is the artifact merely an observer? Or neither? Could it be a relic from a long-extinct civilization? One thing is certain: investigating the artifact is humanity’s best hope of survival.
As the ice age claims more lives and the world slides into anarchy, an international consortium launches a mission into space to study the object and make contact. But the first contact mission doesn’t go as planned. What the crew discovers out there is beyond anyone’s imagination.
Two members of the first contact mission may hold the keys to humanity’s salvation.
Dr. Emma Matthews is the commander aboard the International Space Station. For months, she has watched the world below freeze and civilization unravel. The headlines tell only half of the story. The messages from her sister tell the rest, of a world witnessing mass migrations, fighting for survival, struggling to provide a future for their children. When a catastrophe strikes the ISS, Emma faces her own fight for survival.
Dr. James Sinclair is one of the greatest scientists alive. A mind before his time. Years ago, he invented something with the potential to change the world–an invention that would upset the balance of power in the world forever. Fearing that change, his enemies sent him to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. But with humanity’s future at stake, NASA asks him to join the first contact mission. His expertise is vital to the mission’s success–and to saving Emma. With the clock ticking down to humanity’s final days on Earth, James makes a decision that will change his life forever and may determine the fate of the entire human race.
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If you haven’t read anything by Riddle, this is a great place to start. Great concept, even better execution. A fabulous kick-off to a rip-roaring trilogy.
Mr. Riddle’s wild imagination never ceases to amaze me. You can’t guess the next scene no matter how smart you are. Every twist and turn makes perfect sense and yet never fails to surprise me. As always, the romantic element is inspiring and the action is non-stop. You won’t be disappointed.
Excellent First Encounter Space Opera
It took me a while to get to read this book, as other author’s works clamored for my attention.
I had read the hype, but wasn’t expecting what was really a well thought out and flowing novel. There were few distractions, and the story line progressed with few plodding moments. And the surprises that popped up along the way blended well into the conclusion(s).
One small weakness: the blooming love of Emma and James was so understated I almost missed the kisses and passion and sex. Must have been a General Audience rating.
Looking forward to following up on the trilogy, and other works by this author.
-4,500 Amazon reviews
-18,900 Goodreads reviews avg 4.09
Really good!
-The world is freezing, a new ice age over the whole planet. Then a spacecraft is discovered in the solar system and they suspect this is causing the freeze that will make humans extinct.
What I liked:
-The story will not let go of you, no slow moments.
-It scientifically makes sense.
-Likeable characters, Emma and James are the leading characters.
-Some time in space and some time on Earth, I was impressed by how the author was able to condense the time in space to keep the story fast-paced.
-Loved the science concepts, things I had not thought of.
What I didn’t like:
Nothing.
Excellent story, I will finish the series and read the authors other works.
Enjoyed immensely the suspenseful and intriguing story which wove science fiction drama well.
Was looking for a good read and stumbled on this book. I love a good post-apocalyptic read! Minus one star because the author never seems to give any physical description of the characters in either this book or the sequel, so at the end of both they are still all just faceless names kind of. Not a big deal though. I’m sure no one else will even notice. Thanks for the entertaining read!
* My review is for the audiobook format. *
The writing is clear and focused, and it doesn’t trip over its own toes. The story itself is original. There are times when I want to read/listen to tech-heavy stories – that isn’t what I consider “Winter World” to be. It’s more like ‘sci-fi lite’. I appreciate the moderate amount of techno-speak found here. It keeps things interesting without becoming so technical that I feel overwhelmed by extraneous info that doesn’t even drive the story forward. The narrators do quite a fine job with each of their performances. Having both a male and female narrator serves this story well, offering the listener a wider scope of differentiation between the cast of characters. Overall, well done. I’m looking forward to the next and final installment.
I was so shocked how much I loved this book, and the other 2 in the series! Audible is best. Love story, sci fi, end of world… It has it all! So good
Loved this book! Read the sequel, The Solar War.
Iam ready
WINTER WORLD is a tautly-written, high-stakes technothriller about the coming ice age and the threat of extinction. This will keep you on the edge of your seat … or pillow, depending on where you’re reading. Highly recommended!
I’ll admit, the reason I decided to try my first A.G. Riddle book (The Atlantis Gene) was because I was born in the RDU area and wanted to back up a fellow North Carolinian. However, the reason I read my second, third, fourth etc.. A.G. Riddle book was because I was just hooked. He always reels you in immediately. His characters are incredibly likable and you feel a kinship to them by chapter 3, you just want them to win!
This book is no different. I loved the characters but I also loved the plot. In a day when we are so concerned with our world heating up more and faster than ever, Mr. Riddle turns it around completely. What if the opposite were happening? What if our solar energy started to weaken? In Winter World, a team is sent into space to try to find what is causing the sun’s power failure, which is causing a virtually instant ice age around the globe (which of course is leading to an extinction level event). What they find is anything but natural! As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed the science, characters and Mr.Riddle’s vision of extraterrestrials and our first dealings with them . I always think writing GOOD science fiction has to be one of the most difficult genres to write because you have to be incredibly knowledgeable in math, sciences, technology, etc. Then you have to make up believable future tech & other non-human species using that knowledge all without sounding totally ridiculous . Mr. Riddle has it down though! I can’t wait for book 2!
Sci fi thriller with a frozen Earth and invaders from Space
James Sinclair is a medical doctor and a bioengineer specializing in robotics. He is a one-of-a-kind genius who also happens to be in Federal prison for the rest of his life.
Emma Matthews is a geneticist and a crew commander of the International Space Station.
Both become valuable contributors on a dangerous mission to find out what’s blocking the Sun and throwing Earth into the next Ice Age.
I was surprised by this book. I guess I didn’t read the blurb thoroughly enough. I thought this book was mainly going to be post-apocalyptic about the Earth freezing over. And it was – but that takes a backseat to the space saga. Probably at least 2/3 of this story takes place in Space or preparing to go into Space.
I was okay with the sci fi space story. I enjoy these types of books also. The book was well written and had plenty of brave, selfless characters. The story was full of “tech talk” as the intrepid adventurers strive to save Earth.
Another thing I didn’t notice was that this is the first book in a two-part series. It had a fine ending and could be a standalone in my opinion. But a second book THE SOLAR WAR is due out June 25, 2019.
If you enjoyed the disaster movies THE CORE and ARMAGEDDON, I am sure you’ll enjoy this tale.