SETH W. JAMES

Here is a first look at the cover art for my new novel, A Desperate Measure, book 2 of The Cain Series, which comes out this June, 2024.

Another terrific cover from the artists at Damonza.  Not only does Cain look even better than he did on the cover of Ethos of Cain, but they did a great job introducing Francesca, appearing for the first time.  Francesca will likely grace some of the covers of The Cain Series, though not for every book; Cain’s adventures may require solo action, occasionally, and the covers will reflect that distinction.  All in all, though, I am very pleased with the new cover art and can’t wait to see it in print.

I am pleased to announce that A Desperate Measure, book 2 in The Cain Series, will be published this June, 2024, in ebook, trade paperback, and hardcover formats.  A Desperate Measure, like its predecessor Ethos of Cain, is an episodic, near-future, cyberpunk, science fiction novel, which continues the story of Cain and Francesca, as they struggle against corporate, governmental, and criminal forces, each intent upon plundering the seawall project that Francesca had risked so much to launch.

Cover copy:

“In A Desperate Measure, book 2 of The Cain Series, several months have passed since Cain and Francesca took down the fascist cabal of billionaire Dietrich Stinnes.  Riding the wave of celebrity that her victory had inspired, Francesca stepped down as the Mayor of Venice to join the newly-formed European Seawall Foundation, to shepherd the project she had fought so hard to create, with Cain at her side as her Chief of Security.  What should have been a blissfully dull—though vitally important—assignment soon became as dangerous as any period in their lives, when off-world corporation Black Horizons, Inc. infiltrated the ESF, intent upon diverting a portion of the foundation’s staggering budget to their bottom line—by any means necessary.

Cain must soon return to his roots in corporate crime, to counteract BHI’s attempts to neutralize Francesca.  From circumventing the surveillance-state AI, to battling mercenaries on the streets of Brussels, to hunting corrupt cops through a deserter colony on the Latvian coast, Cain struggles to intercept each new—and increasingly aggressive—threat.  BHI, however, have nothing to lose through violent escalation: they are a sovereign corporation, their orbiting headquarters placing them not only above Earth, but above its laws, as well.

Faced with the crippling effect that BHI’s extortion would have on the seawall project—and with the hundreds of millions who would suffer famine without the new farmlands it would create— Francesca must decide if times have grown desperate enough for a desperate measure.”

Where Ethos of Cain was told in five parts, A Desperate Measure is told in three, with the multilayered, character-and-plot-driven story exploring the consequences of sovereign orbitals, the surveillance state, AI, and the depths of corruption.  Book 3 in The Cain Series, which is already underway, will return to the five-part format and explore the evolving characters of Cain and Francesca, as the series races toward a pivotal complication.

I want to send out a big thank you to all the readers who have enjoyed Ethos of Cain and hope that you will equally enjoy A Desperate Measure.  I plan to release the cover art next month, followed by the novel’s publication in June.

Until then, happy reading!

Ethos of Cain, book 1 of The Cain Series, was recently featured on the official Instagram of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Association (formerly known as the Science Fiction Writers of America).  Here’s a link to their “First Lines Friday” post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3bJe5LSSFD/.  There was a second post, as well, featuring the cover art from Ethos of Cain along with three phrases describing it, “Three Phrase Thursday,” they call it, but those posts are a part of an “Instagram Story” and apparently are not available in perpetuity.  Oh well (the three phrases were, “Raw fusion-powered cyberpunk,” “With gritty infiltrator action,” and “And one hell of a romance, too;” there was a character limit of some sort, which made for an interesting writing challenge).

If you have Instagram and are looking for your next favorite book, the SFWA’s account may be the perfect addition to your feed.  They post content throughout the week from the authors of sci-fi, fantasy, cosmic horror, and related genres, everything from “Mascot Monday,” where you can meet the pets of your favorite authors, to “Writing Desk Wednesday,” for a peek at where the magic happens, to “Three Phrase Thursday,” and “First Lines Friday.”  And if you find a book you like, the posts are usually linked back to the author’s accounts, if you want to add them to your feed, too.

I’ve never been much for social media, not since I was a boy sneaking computer time at a friend’s house or the school library, to delve into the forbidden wonders of BBS culture.  Following a youth filled with “Anarchy Philes” and homemade flamethrowers, detailed instructions on how to run a phone-card scams (which went over my head), and recipes for things like thermite (which never worked), today’s social media seems (thankfully) tame by comparison.  It’s probably for the best, though I imagine you can still find those thermite recipes if you really wanted to.  As for the celebrity gossip and state actors hurling propaganda, well, I think I’d rather spend my time writing my next novel.

Speaking of which . . .

The editorial reviews for Ethos of Cain, book 1 in The Cain Series, are finally here and I couldn’t be more pleased.

The first review is from Booklife by Publishers Weekly:

“[Seth W.] James stages crisp, surprising action . . . crafted to please SF and cyberpunk fans.”

I certainly hope so.  You can read their full review here.

Next up, we have a review from the prestigious Kirkus Reviews:

“A gripping, thought-provoking caper that successfully introduces a different kind of merc.”

And here I was hoping that soldat de fortune would catch on, but mercenary is certainly accurate.  Here’s the link to the full review.

And finally, a review from Reader’s Favorite:

“[Ethos of Cain has] high-octane action as Cain risks his life to accomplish one score after another, leaving no room for a single dull moment . . . The subtle tone of the storyline had me on the edge of my seat.”

With any luck, it’ll have you on the edge of yours, too.  The full review can be found here.

Thanks to all of the readers who have picked up the book so far; I hope you enjoy reading it and will let me, and other readers, know what you think, too.

If you’re looking for something to read after you’ve finished Ethos of Cain, you might stop by Sheperd.com and peruse their new list of authors’ favorite reads of 2023.  Here’s my list, including some old favorites and a new find, fiction and nonfiction.

Book 2 update: just a note so say that book 2 in The Cain Series will, indeed, utilize the episodic format and will be told in three parts.  Part one is already completed, part two is underway.  The book is still on track to publish next summer.

Until then, happy reading!