Ventus (Schroeder novel)
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| Author | Karl Schroeder |
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| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
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Publication date
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1 November 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 672 |
| ISBN | (Paperback edition) |
| OCLC | 48475768 |
| Followed by | Lady of Mazes (prequel) |
Ventus is a 2001 science fiction/fantasy novel by Karl Schroeder. It was Schroeder's debut solo novel, and introduced his concept of thalience. The novel is available for free under the Creative Commons license at Schroeder's website. Its prequel, Lady of Mazes, was published in 2005.
In preparation for the arrival of human colonists, the planet Ventus was seeded by an autonomous probe with a suite of terraforming nanotechnology. To coordinate the terraforming effort, advanced AIs called “Winds” were created. Using raw materials from the planet, the Winds slowly changed the planet’s atmosphere and soil, transforming it from a lifeless, poisonous world to a veritable garden, with pre-built cities and mansions ready for their human masters to arrive. The Winds toiled away over the years, maintaining the fragile artificial ecosystem of Ventus – without their efforts, the planet’s livable environment would degrade and become poisonous once more.
Centuries later, the colonists arrive to populate the planet. But something has gone wrong: the Winds no longer recognize mankind, and begin attacking all human ships and technology as threats to the precarious ecosystem. Individual people, seen by the Winds as simply “wildlife” (and thus part of the ecosystem) are left alone, but all their technology is destroyed, leaving them helpless.
Fast-forward to the present, where the descendants of the colonists live in ignorance of their past, existing in a perpetual pre-industrial state. Seeing the Winds as capricious gods who destroy anything and anyone who advances technology too much, the people have reverted to superstitious monarchies and aristocracies. Ventusians simply see themselves as living in a world filled with magic, and live their lives in awe and fear of the Winds.
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