Goldilocks — L.R. Lam (2024)

• Chosen for the Goldsboro SFF Book Box - it was its inaugural title.

  “Best of 2020” –Library Journal“Best of 2020” –Kirkus “Best of 2020 – runner up” –Polygon“Our favorite books of 2020” –GeekDad

  “Each member of the crew has a well-developed voice and her own drives and ambitions, which makes the novel increasingly difficult to put down as betrayals and double-crossings play out aboard the claustrophobic ship. The unexpected ending will leave satisfied readers searching for read-alikes in its wake.A slow-burning fire of a novel that begs the reader to keep turning the page.”— Kirkus (starred review)

  “Smooth prose weaves a tale to support humanity’s survival, along with the shades of gray of scientific decisions. Lam’s (Seven Devils) exciting sf thriller proves intellectual and entertaining for all.”– Library Journal (starred review)

  “Lam (Seven Devils)makes the personal politicalin this tense near-future family drama that’s fueled by the climate crisis [. . . ]Lam expertly evokes the claustrophobia of both tight spaces and taut relationships in the evolving struggle between Naomi and Valerie for the soul of the mission. This deeply felt space opera will please those who like their sci-fi to focus more on the characters than the science.”— Publisher’s Weekly

  “The dynamic between Valerie and Naomi drives a lot of the narrative, and their characterizations stand out above the rest. Ultimately hopeful, the majority of the story is grim and thriller-tense, with plenty of twists and turns.”— ALA Booklist

• “The end of our world is well-trod territory for science fiction but Goldilocks tackles it with startling relevance, fusing together our social and political anxieties in a tense, taut adventure with rich characterisation and care. It’s Interstellar’s brain with Handmaid’s Tale’s heart.”— Chuck Wendig, author of Wanderers

  “Goldilocks grabs your attention from the first page and doesn’t let go–a thought-provoking,imaginative call-to-arms featuring brilliant female characters and a terrifying premise.”— Katie Khan, author of Hold Back the Stars

  “A compelling, character-led SF tale. With a perfect balance of beauty, thrills and hope,Goldilocksconjures up the twisty claustrophobia of space-travel, untrustworthy relationships and what we’re doing to the planet.”— Nick Clark Windo, author of The Feed

  Masterful science fiction. An absolutely stunning and compelling story.”—K.B. Wagers, author ofA Pale Light in the Black

  “It’s bold and explosive, equal parts heartfelt and harrowing. Lam’s unflinching prose interrogates you, asking what prices you’d be willing to pay for the future of humanity. It’s a book that demands your attention.”— Alex White, author ofA Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe

  “Goldilocks is an excellent, character led space epic filled with excellent (and well-researched) science, moral ambiguity, and — in place of stereotypes and easy answers — the kind of science fiction that makes me keep reading.”—Fran Wilde, author ofUpliftedand theJewel and her Lapidary

  “A more beautiful than usual piece of SF. Come for the superbly researched escape from a dying planet, stay for the cast of characters and emotional heart.”— Rhys Thomas, author of The Unlikely Heroics of Sam Holloway

  Lam has assembled a fascinating cast of characters, and from the very start the story hooks you in.This would make a great movie with its massive interplanetary scale contrasting with the claustrophobic tension of the Atalanta as the crew of women begin to unravel what is really going on.”— James Oswald, bestselling author of the Inspector Maclean novels

  “Dark and stirring,Goldilocksdepicts the slow decay of trust in a race against time.”— Waterstones (a book to watch for April 2020)

  “With the current state of the world, the idea of reading a dystopian novel might not be as appealing as it once was. Yet Laura Lam’s high-concept debut is a book you don’t want to miss [. . .]Goldilocksis a thought-provoking and relevant tale of morality and oppression.”— Culturefly

  “IfThe MartianandThe Handmaid’s Talehad a book baby, this feminist environmental sci-fi thriller would be the incredible result.”— Book Riot

  The best worst review:

  “Earth is dying, men are awful [ . . . ] the sort of reading-group title that finds most favour among people who get angry on Facebook and once read a Margaret Atwood novel.”—The Times

• “Future present? How science fiction sees our world in 2050,” Christian Science Monitor.

  Forbidden Planet: Q&A with Laura Lam About Goldilocks

  Inverse Magazine

  Mushens Entertainment blog

  Nerd Daily

Praise & Accolades