The Russalka Chronicles
Katya's World
The distant and unloved colony world of Russalka has no land, only the raging sea. No clear skies, only the endless storm clouds. Beneath the waves, the people live in pressurised environments and take what they need from the boundless ocean. It is a hard life, but it is theirs and they fought a war against Earth to protect it. But wars leave wounds that never quite heal, and secrets that never quite lie silent.
Katya Kuriakova doesn't care much about ancient history like that, though. She is making her first submarine voyage as crew; the first nice, simple journey of what she expects to be a nice, simple career.
There is nothing nice and simple about the deep black waters of Russalka, however; soon she will encounter pirates and war criminals, see death and tragedy at first hand, and realise that her world's future lies on the narrowest of knife edges. For in the crushing depths lies a sleeping monster, an abomination of unknown origin, and when it wakes, it will seek out and kill every single person on the planet.
Published 2012
It's a highly effective, thought-provoking novel, and it left me looking forward to the next volume.
Philip Reeve, author of the Predator Cities series
A really well imagined world, detailed and utterly believable, great mix of technical detail and breathless action.
Charlie Higson, author of the Young Bond series and the Enemy series
Imagine The Hunt for Red October meets Retribution Falls. Rich in the character department and packed full of underwater wonders from prow to stern, Katya's World is exactly as enjoyable as all that.
Niall Alexander, Tor.com
Howard has crafted an engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking novel. [A] sense of wonder and overall flavor is present - quality story focused on youthful characters in a fantastically plausible setting.
Rob H. Bedford, SFF World
