Minimum Safe Distance
(Oct 2022)
· MSD is now carried in the Arapahoe County Library system. If you’d like to help, request it in your library system and pass along the Kirkus link.
· Superfans, get your printable ad for MSD here (right-click to download PDF)! (See also the Media_Kit page.)
What if two visiting aliens want to save themselves and the solar system from a cosmological cataclysm, but the method one proposes is seen by the other as just as dangerous, and at the same time humanity does everything in its power to stop them both?
Some characters in MSD, in no particular order:
a non-savant-stereotype autistic, disturbed abuse-survivor brothers, genetically modified supersoldiers, a sentient artificial intelligence, two transbiological aliens, a Persian-Arabic journalist, a Finnish cadet, a Tamil-fluent Punjabi seaman
Link to that review on TheStoryGraph
Find Minimum Safe Distance in X.HoYen’s Books!
Beautiful cover art by Miblart (Ukrainian design studio, affiliate) based on a commission by Casey Weeks.
5/5 Review from Readers' Favorite:
“Minimum Safe Distance is a work of fiction in the science fiction, alien first contact, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to some scenes of violence and was penned by author X. Ho Yen. The author presents a unique take on first contact with highly advanced aliens observing Earth. As humanity faces the consequences of its mistakes, the aliens grapple with ethical dilemmas over intervening in a cosmic threat. The story weaves a complex narrative involving governments, brilliant AI experts, and anti-secular zealots, all influenced by the alien agenda. The result is a truly mind-bending experience, blending speculative fiction with ethical considerations.
Author X. Ho Yen has lovingly crafted a detailed and well-considered exploration of human nature, ethics, and the consequences of advanced technology that makes for both entertaining and thought-provoking reading from cover to cover. The character portrayals are vivid and diverse, and I was particularly impressed by the clashes between the neurodivergent AI expert and the violent zealot, representing opposing forces within humanity with intriguing dialogue exchanges and very tense scenes. The plot twists keep readers engaged with the smaller picture of these day-to-day interactions, and the philosophical questions raised by the overarching storyline resonate long after the last page is read. Overall, Minimum Safe Distance is a compelling sci-fi novel that challenges readers to ponder the complexities of morality and the potential impact of external influences on our future, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of complex and enjoyable science fiction everywhere.”
First contact was nothing like we imagined.
Can the aliens save Earth? Should they?
With the Earth teetering on recovery from humanity's 21st century mistakes, two highly advanced aliens observing from the Moon are suddenly on opposite sides of an ethical battle over a dire cosmic threat.
As governments seek to destroy them, the aliens wrestle and scheme, entangling all of humanity as they influence and empower specific humans to achieve their contrary objectives.
Among them are a brilliant AI expert who has channeled her autism in the service of science, and a violent, anti-secular zealot who hates everything she stands for.
Drawn into the conflict, Laurence and Matt must reach minimum safe distance from human nature itself – their own, the rest of humanity’s, and of the former-human, techno-demon ‘monstas’.
Chased into the ruins of the US, they struggle to distill the meaning of personhood, discover the value of their own lives, and in so doing decide the fate of the solar system.
[For the record, MSD was conceived in 2005, completed in 2017, and pro-edited in 2019, then scrubbed several more times afterward. When you read it you’ll see why I mention this. In some ways it was prescient.]
A more appropriate list of categories for MSD than you’ll see at distributor sites:
Adult/New Adult/Precocious Young Adult
Cerebral
Science Fiction Adventures
Technothrillers
Hard Sci Fi (*not* military sci fi)
First Contact (*not* alien invasion)
Cyberpunk
Hopepunk
Irreverent Social Commentary
Nanopunk
Biopunk
Climate
Autism
Suspense
Psychological
Medical
Transhumanism
Testimonials:
“I keep telling you I enjoyed it. The final edit is much better. What happened to [character name redacted] made me cry.”
“Brilliant! Would have loved it even if I didn’t know the author. Intriguingly inventive and acutely astute. Well done!”
“When’s the sequel coming out?!”
“The manuscript is too strong to receive across-the-board rejections.”
“I really enjoyed MSD... Amazing for a first novel.”
“An engrossing read with unusual characters. If I had purchased the book, I would be happy that I did.”
5-star review on TheStoryGraph:
”If you like hard science books, this is for you. Too many scifi books have become "space erotica" or are written/plotted so poorly that you wonder if they're AI generated. This book is a bold attempt to create a world with a truly diverse cast of characters. Written by X. Ho Yen, an autistic writer, it gives an interesting and appealing vision. Enjoyed savoring this book and look forward to future works.” — bitsofbooksness
“A thought-provoking novel packed with complex, compelling characters, valuable philosophical insights, and remarkable attention to detail.”