Hey, sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this but I have been hunting a novel that I read many years ago but I cannot remember the name. Here is what I remember:
It was written by a female author.
The main character I believe was a “chosen one” kind of character where he had to go on a journey to a specific planet to fulfill a prophesy.
The character that stuck with me was the main character’s best friend who grew up on a space station. He learned at a very early age the safety of a confined, sealed space, and If you saw a large open expance, that there was probably a hull breach, and you were going to die, or have a very bad day. Thus when they arrived on a planet, he was extremely agoraphobic, and had a hard time functioning under an open sky.
I just thought it was a really cool concept not too often explored in space based science fiction (that I’ve read anyways).
Does anyone know what this book is? Thank you!
One of the Foundation books by Isaac Asimov has a main character that is agoraphobic and has to deal with going outside the massive domes that humanity lives in
The Robots of Dawn, I think. Nightfall also plays with the concept.
Asimov was a man though
I think one of the expanse books has naomi freaking out when on planet as she is a belter and doesn’t have the psychological ability handle the lack of a hull. I think it was in cibola burn. Author isn’t female though.
If I’m thinking of the same scene, it was Bobbie the first time she’s on Earth and has kind of a panic attack because she’s never been anywhere where you could just be out in the open like that. I forget which book it was though.
Yes, that could well be it, i think my mind is blurring books and tv show
I’ve been meaning to get into the expanse for a while now. Thank you!
From ChatGPT:
The novel you’re describing sounds like “Skyward” by Brandon Sanderson. However, it’s important to note that “Skyward” was written by a male author, not a female one. The main character, Spensa, is indeed a “chosen one” who goes on a journey to a distant planet. Her friend, M-Bot, has a fear of open spaces due to his history on a space station. If the author’s gender is a crucial detail, you might want to explore other possibilities.
Is that the one?
The description is a bit off. Spensa was raised in caverns on an alien world and m-bot is (mild spoilers for skyward ahead) a ship’s ai on a starfighter that crashed long ago on that world. He is hesitant to leave is position and fly/fight due to his previous owners last orders.
It’s a great book and myself and my kids really enjoyed it, but I don’t think it’s the book OP is looking for.
No unfortunately, but thank you! I do really love me some Sanderson though, I’ll have to check it out.
Possibly Skyward by Brandon Sanderson …?(disclaimer: based on asking ChatGPT)
Edit: aware that Brandon Sanderson is not female!!
There’s a “spinoff” of the skyward series written by a female author! But having really both that trilogy and skyward I’d say chest GPT is off. But it definitely is closer to skyward flight (the spinoff)
I guess you’ll have to… go out and find it…
