The Last Crucible

Book 3 in the Reclaimed Earth series, praised by Analog SF, Compelling Science Fiction, Cemetery Dance and more!

Earth is mostly depopulated in the wake of a massive supervolcano, but civilization and culture are preserved in vast orbiting ringstations, as well as in a few isolated traditional communities on Earth. Jana, a young Sardinian woman, is in line to become the next maghiarja (sorceress) by way of an ancient technology that hosts a community of minds. Maro, an ambitious worldship artist, has designs to use the townsfolk as guinea pigs in a brutally invasive psychological experiment. Jana must protect her people and lead them into the future, while deciding whom to trust amongst possible ringstation allies.

FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

About the Author

J.D. Moyer is the author of the Reclaimed Earth science fiction series (Flame Tree Press) and numerous works of short fiction. He lives in Oakland, California, with his wife, daughter, and mystery-breed dog. In addition to writing science fiction, he produces electronic music in two groups (Jondi & Spesh and Momu), and runs a record label (Looeq Records). His previous occupations include dolphin cognition researcher, martial arts instructor, Renaissance Faire actor, dance music event promoter, and internationally-touring DJ.

Don Sakers reviewed The Sky Woman (Book 1 in the Reclaimed Earth series) in Analog SF, calling it: 'A well-told story reminiscent of Ursula K. LeGuin or Karen Lord.' Compelling Science Fiction described The Sky Woman as a 'wonderfully entertaining debut novel.' The Icelandic Cure was called 'a strong, thoughtful story that inspires hope for the future' by Publishers Weekly.

Recurring themes in Moyer's fiction include genetic engineering, evolutionary divergence, virtualized consciousness, and the anthropological effects of climate change. His favorite authors include Iain Banks, Octavia Butler, William Gibson, Kim Stanley Robinson, Margaret Atwood, and David Mitchell.

Moyer's short stories have appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, The InterGalactic Medicine Show, Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores, and Compelling Science Fiction. His novelette The Icelandic Cure won the 2016 Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction contest.