Tap cover to enlarge

Schild's Ladder

Published
May 2002
Main Genre
Horror Horror
Rating
Pages
352

About This Book

When the laws of physics are suddenly called into question, a whole new potential for life and death is brought to the entire universe.

For twenty thousand years, every phenomenon that has ever been observed in the universe has been explainable through the means of the Sarumpaet Rules. These rules are the essential laws of quantum graphs that explain the makeup of the geometric structure of space-time.

Cass, a humanoid physicist from Earth, discovers that the Sarumpaet Rules may not be the only applicable set of the laws of physics in the universe. Cass travels to a remote experimental facility in hopes to test her theory—that the “novo-vacuum” will begin to decay the moment it is created. Cass’s theory proves greater than she’d anticipated, and the “novo-vacuum” begins to expand out from the research facility at half the speed of light.

More than six hundred years pass, and at least two thousand inhabited systems have been consumed by the “novo-vacuum.” Those fascinated by the phenomenon choose to study it under two differing categories: Preservationists and Yielders. Preservationists are forever hypothesizing on how to destroy the vacuum; Yielders believe it holds a purpose in reinvigorating civilization.

Tchicaya is a Yielder and Mariama is a Preservationist. These childhood friends will put their beliefs and their history to the test when violence breaks out among the two groups. Tchicaya must form an alliance with Mariama so that she can help them both escape the violence and confront the fate of the universe before it is too late.

Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.

Genres & Themes

Subgenres

Buy This Book

Formats & Editions

Browse the different covers, formats, and publication history for this title.

Paperback

Paperback edition cover
Paperback
Jan 2002 Gollancz (UK) ISBN 0575071230
Buy
Paperback edition cover
Trade Paperback
Jan 2004 Eos ISBN 006107344X
Buy
Paperback edition cover
Trade Paperback
Feb 2015 Night Shade ISBN 1597805440
Buy

Hardcover

Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
First Edition Jan 2002 Eos ISBN 0061050938
Buy
Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
Jan 2002 Gollancz (UK) ISBN 0575070684
Buy

eBook

eBook edition cover
eBook
Jan 2009 Harper ISBN 0061830046
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Oct 2009 HarperCollins ISBN B000FC2NY4
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Oct 2009 Greg Egan
eBook edition cover
eBook
Jul 2013 Greg Egan ISBN B00E8455HC
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Feb 2017 Smashwords ISBN 1922240273
Buy

Audio

Audio edition cover
Audible
Dec 2013 Audible Studios ISBN B00HAFM3JY
Buy