Six

by M. Luke McDonell

Life is perfect on corporate-owned planet Victoria–if you don’t mind the ubiquitous drones, cameras, and sensors. Social engineer Mia Julian claims she doesn’t, but thirty-six years of concealing a valuable ability from the seamless surveillance system has resulted in shallow friendships, unsatisfying one-night stands, and an overdependence on recreational drugs.

When she’s unjustly fired and blacklisted by her boss, Mia’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble. Desperate for credits, she takes a menial position at a sketchy security firm–and discovers she isn’t the only one with a secret. The motley team of Earth ex-pats shouldn’t have made it through Victoria’s rigorous screening process, and their anxious clients shouldn’t need protection in a place that promises zero crime.

A dark side of her peaceful world is soon revealed–one she’s been taught doesn’t exist. As facades fall away, Mia must race to uncover the truth about her city and herself if she wants to survive a planet and society that seem to want her dead.

504 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2025

About the author

M. Luke McDonell is a San Francisco-based writer and designer. Her near-future fiction explores the effects of technology on individuals and society, with particular focus on the growing power of corporations and the associated voluntary and involuntary loss of rights and privacy.

Reviews

[Dean Athans · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars for me (I rounded up). Sci-Fi is my preferred genre, so when the team at Somafm.com (internet radio) recommended the newly published book by their Creative Director I wasted no time purchasing the Kindle version. I also purchased the prequel Novella “The Perfect Specimen”. “Six” is an immensely entertaining follow up and builds upon everything that was great about the prequel. Strong character development and unique world building. Places you can easily imagine and characters that are flawed, but sympathetic and fun to root for. Reminds me of James Holden’s crew in “The Expanse” novels. The author does a good job developing characters, revealing back stories while keeping the story and action moving forward. It’s a page turner and seemingly set up for follow up novels. Please keep writing.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I’m inhabiting this planet now!

Don’t you love it when you finish a book and you feel like you know the people and the places in the story so well that they’re still with you? You can almost see your own worldview from the perspective of the characters in the book? That’s how I feel after reading Six. I enjoyed every part of the journey, the ideas are completely believable, and the characters will stick with me for a while. Great read!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caught my attention right away, I was totally sucked into Mia's adventures. Sometimes I liked her, sometimes I didn't understand her reactions, other times I related to her plight. Swift read as I really enjoyed the suspense, but was sad it ended!
Highly recommend this book, especially if you need a distraction from cleaning the house. Haha!

[S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book over a weekend. The world building was careful and yet effortlessly constructed, and immersed me in the story from the first page. The storyline kept offering tidbits of a larger picture along with additional mysteries at each step. I also love a strong female protagonist, and Mia delivers! Already eagerly anticipating the next book in this universe.