''The Powers of the Earth'' is a 2017 libertarian

hard science fiction Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by concern for scientific accuracy and logic. The term was first used in print in 1957 by P. Schuyler Miller in a review of John W. Campbell's ''Islands of Space'' in the Novemb ...

novel by Travis J I Corcoran. It is his

debut novel A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to p ...

, and the first release in the Aristillus Series. The novel was funded by a 2017 Kickstarter campaign that raised $18,000.

Plot

An ungoverned lunar settlement whose economy developed while Earth's economy declined under a command-and-control economy engages in a struggle to stay free from Earth's meddling bureaucracy. The lunar colonists engage in military conflicts with the Earth forces on the surface of the Moon, in space ships flying between Earth and the Moon, and in the tunnels of the city of Aristillus. The novel deals with

uplifted ''Uplifted'' is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Flavour N'abania. It was released on July 20, 2010, by Obaino Music and 2nite Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Jay Dey, Oloye, Stormrex, Waga Gee, Asemstone, M-Jay, ...

dogs, artificial intelligence, guns,

space law Space law is the body of law governing space-related activities, encompassing both international and domestic agreements, rules, and principles. Parameters of space law include space exploration, liability for damage, weapons use, rescue effort ...

, anti-gravity, libertarianism, and rebellion, as well as the

Robert Heinlein Robert Anson Heinlein (; July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accu ...

trope of the competent man.

Reviews and critical reception

The novel won the

Prometheus Award The Prometheus Award is an award for libertarian science fiction novels given annually by the Libertarian Futurist Society. American author and activist L. Neil Smith established the award in 1979, but it was not awarded regularly until the newl ...

for Best Novel in 2018.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Powers of the Earth, The 2017 American novels 2017 science fiction novels Libertarian science fiction books