Where the Axe Is Buried
In an authoritarian near-future Federation, a president has cheated death for decades by transferring his mind into a succession of new bodies. Lilia, a brilliant scientist whose invention could finally end his rule, goes on the run through a near-impenetrable web of state surveillance.
Her fate is bound to a scattered group of people already broken by the regime: Palmer, the man she left behind in London, desperate to solve the mystery of her disappearance; Zoya, a veteran activist imprisoned in the taiga whose book has inspired a revolutionary movement; Nikolai, the president's personal physician, forced into ever more harrowing decisions as he navigates palace politics; and Nurlan, a hapless parliamentary staffer whose attempt to save his republic goes terribly wrong. Meanwhile Krotov, head of the Federation's security services, has agents and assassins everywhere.
A close-quarters political thriller about surveillance, immortality, and the price of resistance, set against a backdrop where Western Europe has renounced human governance for AI leadership.
A scientist whose invention threatens the president's grip on power; goes on the run from state surveillance.
Head of the Federation's security services, hunting Lilia with agents and assassins.
The man Lilia left behind in London, searching for answers about her disappearance.
A veteran activist imprisoned in the taiga whose writing has inspired a revolutionary movement.
The president's personal physician, forced into harrowing choices within the regime's palace politics.