SOLVED. Fairly recent Sci-Fi - Alien nanotech kills asteroid colonists, becomes sentient, heads towards earth. Kind of gross at times. [s]

[David]

I think this is a fairly recent book (like last decade or so). I read it last year on a kindle, so I don't remember the cover or author (hence posting here). Definitely adult sci-fi.

Basic setup is that this alien nanotech is discovered, and to figure out what it does the evil corporation unleashes it on unsuspecting citizens - it seems to convert organic matter into various forms of alien life in kind of gruesome ways. Our hero gets involved somehow and hooks up with a crew of people and the Mars space navy.

Spoilers/ending: He finds out they're planning on unleashing this tech on a whole colony living inside an asteroid. He manages to save the crew (asteroid's citizens are toast and die gruesomely. Cue sentient hands walking around like spiders, etc.) except the romantic interest and decides to stay with her. As the nanotech merges into one sentience she gets converted into it's intelligence and decides to head for Earth (which would destroy Earth). The hero convinces her to head for another planet (Venus maybe?) instead. Everyone's happy and safe...or are they?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Michele]

Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey

[Andy]

Yeah definitely Leviathan Wakes - if you liked it, there are several sequels.

[David]

Solved! Thank you both :)