A New Yorker Best Book of 2026From Cameron Reed, the acclaimed author of The Fortunate Fall, comes a soaring novel of queer hope and transformation, perfect for readers of Ann Leckie and Amal El-Mohtar.On the planet Scythia, plants give birth to insects and trees can drag you to your death. Artificial monsters stalk the desert, and alien basket-men have wandered into town.John Maraintha has been abandoned here, light-years from the peaceful forests that he loves.The desert is harsh and the people in thrall to a barbaric custom called marriage.He must find some way to make a life here.But on Scythia, survival means transformation-and not everyone is willing to change.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
