About the Author

LINDSAY ELLIS is an author, Hugo finalist and video essayist who creates online content about media, narrative, and film theory. After earning her bachelor's in Cinema Studies from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, she earned her MFA in Film and Television Production from USC's School of Cinematic Arts with a focus in documentary and screenwriting. She lives in Long Beach, California, and Axiom's End is her debut novel.

Reviews

Axiom's End is somehow deeply aware of not just what it is to be human, but what it is to be any intelligent species. It's as real as any first-contact story I have ever read. Wonderfully plotted and paced, the adventure never lets up, and neither does the insight. --Hank Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of An Absolutely Remarkable Thing So much fun. Lindsay Ellis's experience as one of our sharpest cultural observers gives Axiom's End an edge of realism that makes it both cutting and compelling. Close encounters have a whole new look.
--John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author and Hugo Award winner Axiom's End is eerily plausible and wildly entertaining. An alternate history that fully delivers on its premise. --Caitlin Doughty, New York Times Bestselling Author and Mortician Lindsay Ellis's storytelling is what good science fiction should be: smart but heartfelt, full of profound ideas delivered with a sense of humanity. Axiom's End is engaging precisely because it is about something all of us have experienced: That moment when you grow up enough to realize that the universe is more wondrous--and dangerous than you could ever have imagined.
--David Wong, New York Times bestselling author Axiom's End: if you enjoy first contact tales, alien cultures, inexplicable found families, beautiful chaos and elegantly constructed stories. --Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author and Hugo Award Winner Suspenseful and inventive, but also funny and full of action, Axiom's End remixes the Hollywood alien-invasion playbook. --Patrick Rapa, Philadelphia Inquirer

Communication and trust are matters of life and death in Ellis's thoughtful, fast-paced debut...the powerful connection that grows between Cora and Ampersand as they teach each other about their respective cultures is masterfully done. Lovers of character-focused sci-fi will find plenty to enjoy in this gripping alternate history. --Publishers Weekly

At its core, Axiom's End is warm-hearted...For all of its drama and philosophical conundrums, Ellis's book is ultimately about the power of empathy and kindness in a universe that never has enough of either. --Shelf Awareness (starred review)

A moving first contact thriller...touching on issues of prejudice and xenophobia along the way, Axiom's End is the engaging first volume of a projected series. --The Guardian (UK)

"Axiom's End is the most relatable sci-fi novel in years...if you want to read a serious sci-fi novel that feels like it was written by a fan who understands the pop culture side of fandom, you're in good hands...It's a heartfelt story of alien first contact, but, luckily, unlike so many "big idea" sci-fi books, it's utterly unpretentious...You've read other books about similar things, but you've never read them from this perspective." --Syfy Wire "Axiom's End has gripping action scenes, but the bulk is an examination of language and what it means to communicate at all. Ellis' endless literary knowledge shines through. --San Francisco Chronicle