Listen to the Birds

The Melt #3

by K.E. Lanning

After catastrophic global warming melts the ice caps, humans desperate for land colonize a de-iced Antarctica. Once-homesteader John Barrous, thrust into the presidency of this fledgling nation, must navigate his way through political landmines to create an environmentally balanced society. When a university expedition, including John’s daughter and his former lover, Lowry Walker, is abducted by a charismatic cult leader, John races to save them—but intrigue reigns as the ensuing turmoil of the rescue exposes a traitor in his inner circle.

“Lanning’s prose perfectly summons her winter utopia—Currier & Ives filtered through Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke . . . The plot unfurls slowly but deliberatively, and though it at times feels more like a Western than a sci-fi novel, readers will always be along for the ride. Like the best eco-fiction, Lanning’s tale will get the audience thinking seriously about the effect every human endeavor has on the ecosystem without sacrificing characters and story. An imaginative, environmentally minded work of sci-fi.” – Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Science Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2019

About the author

K.E. Lanning was born in Houston, Texas and grew up a stone’s throw from NASA’s space program in the small Quaker town of Friendswood, TX, laced with white oyster shell roads and open fields dotted with huge live oaks—riding horses rather than bikes. Lanning is a fan and writer of commercial literary fiction and speculative science fiction, allowing the author to explore society, humanity, and our future.

She’s indie-published a climate fiction trilogy titled, The Melt Trilogy: A Spider Sat Beside Her, The Sting of the Bee and Listen to the Birds, with each novel garnering excellent Kirkus Reviews, and the last novel the recipient of Best New Novels of 2019 from Kirkus Reviews. In addition, she’s published a series of book reviews and author interviews, including authors Claire Vaye Watkins, Kazuo Ishiguro, Hugh Howey, Margaret Atwood, Andy Weir, and Cixin Liu.

Currently she is completing two commercial literary novels: Where the Sky Meets the Earth and its sequel, The Light of the Sun.

Reviews

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the same adept approach she displayed with her two previous novels, KE Lanning gives us an enjoyable science fiction story in Listen to the Birds. Lanning has been kind enough to share all three books with me for advance review, and I can happily report that science fiction fans will be well pleased with this third entry, as well as the other titles in the trilogy.


There is action, intensity, and enough character-driven development to lend this book series to cinematic directions.

[John Maberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book is the charm, to paraphrase an old saying. I received an Advance Review Copy for free from the author. Having read the first two books in this cli-fi series, I knew all about the protagonists John Barrous and Lowry Walker. The third picks up a bit into Barrous's term as President of Antarctica. Because of climate change, Antarctica has become a refuge/resettlement target for those whose coastal cities have been flooded by rising oceans. Initially like America's Wild West, the continent is settling down--somewhat. If you haven't read the second book, you won't be fully up to speed on the tension between Walker and Barrous--former lovers. The latter was incensed by Walker's pushing him, successfully, into becoming the president. There are villains in this book as well as the first two--the conflict this time is with a religious zealot overstepping bounds and with a cabinet official with an alternate agenda. So, what we have is a mix of 1) politics, 2) crime/intrigue, 3) romance and 4) interesting descriptions of how people can adapt to a somewhat warmer (but still cold) Antarctica with technology that enables roadless transportation, growing crops and raising animals, etc. All-in-all, a feature-laden and well-written book.

[Lisa Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the third book of THE MELT TRILOGY, K. E. Lanning takes characters and readers on a suspenseful ride to the conclusion of this cli-fi epic of post-melt Antarctica. Loved protagonist Lowry, and literally couldn't put the book down, as Lowry and her estranged lover, John -- and those they love best -- are engulfed by the all-too-believable collision of corrupt politicians and a religious cult. What's always the best to me about Lanning's work is that it takes the faults and strengths we know in our world today and plays them out into a future that could be on its way right now.

[M. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to the Birds is an excitedly strong finish to the Melt Trilogy. So often the final installment of a trilogy falls flat, as if the author has run out of ideas and steam. However, this final installment of Melt was my favorite of the series. It continues the saga of the newly colonized Antarctica, picking up where the Sting of the Bee left off and reaching a thrilling crescendo. The cleverly twisting plot will have you on edge from start until finish!

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this third book of The Melt Trilogy. What happens when the ice caps melt and the coastal cities of the world are gone? K. E Lanning explores the future of opening up Antartica to homesteaders. A "wild west" adventure takes place with political intrigue and well crafted characters. This eco-fiction story is fast paced and thoughtful. With a wide appeal to many audiences, I would love to see this sci-fi trilogy become a film. Great read.