The God Engines
 Cover of first edition (hardcover) | |
| Author | John Scalzi |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction novella |
| Publisher | Subterranean Press |
Publication date | 2009 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 136 |
| ISBN | 978-1-59606-299-3 |
The God Engines is a 2009 science fiction/fantasy novella by John Scalzi.[1]
Synopsis
[edit]The story takes place in a universe where space travel is accomplished by chaining intelligent, human-like creatures called gods to a spacecraft and torturing them to drive the ship. The people are ruled by an organization called the Bishopry Militant, who worship a powerful being. Captain Ean Tephe is completely faithful to the Bishopry, but his faith comes under test when he is assigned a secret mission in which his ship's god seems to have a keen interest.
Reception
[edit]Publishers Weekly called it "ferociously inventive, painfully vivid, dispassionately bleak and dreadfully memorable", and compared it to a collaboration between J. G. Ballard and H.P. Lovecraft.[2]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Nebula Award | Novella | Finalist | [3] |
| 2010 | Hugo Award | Novella | Finalist | [4] |
References
[edit]- ^ Scalzi, John (December 1, 2009). The God Engines. Subterranean Press. ISBN 978-1-59606-299-3.
- ^ The God Engines, reviewed at Publishers Weekly; published September 14, 2009; retrieved March 26, 2018
- ^ "2009 - The Nebula Awards". Nebula Awards. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "Announcing the 2010 Hugo Award Winners!". Reactor. September 5, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
External links
[edit]- First chapter of The God Engines, at Scalzi.com
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