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The Fist of Memory
- Author
- Wole Talabi
- Publisher
- Orion
- Publish Date
- 12 November 2026
- Run Time
- 8 hours
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
When a non-communicative alien spacecraft suddenly appears in the sky, global powers are thrown into turmoil.
But for Tope, a principled Nigerian assassin with a talent for lethality in the employ of the mysterious witchdoctor known as "Baba," it's all just business as usual. At least until a job goes wrong, and Tope is caught in the scramble - a high stakes game of power and politics for the future that is to come. Joined by Itumeleng, a South African astronomer plagued by mysterious dreams, they must find a way to survive, navigate their complicated pasts, and come to understand how they, and all of humanity, are connected to the alien craft before it lands and the world changes forever. But it won't be easy. There are sinister forces marshalled against them, including a strange assassin obsessed with a single memory.
The Fist Of Memory is a first contact thriller unlike any other; a meditation on the nature of reality, memory and connectedness.
Critics Review
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Talabi's skilled writing presents a unique meeting of big concepts and elegantly-crafted action
Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Hugo-Award winning series Children of Time
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Wole Talabi weaves memory, mythology, and the mysteries of the cosmos into a taut, propulsive novel. The Fist of Memory will have you turning pages while you question the nature of reality
Ray Nayler, author of Locus Award-winning novel The Mountain and The Sea
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An edge-of-your seat near-future thriller tinged with the fabled sense of wonder. But The Fist of Memory is more than just the sum of its parts. Talabi, one of the brightest new voices in 21st-century science fiction, has important things to say; the world needs this book
Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of The Downloaded
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This novel was a rollercoaster. A genre bending work that riffs off the thriller, noir, hard SF, Africanjujuism, political drama, and the alien invasion narrative, all deftly woven together. We have something special here. Outstanding!
T. L. Huchu, author of The Edinburgh Nights series
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The Fist of Memory is unlike anything I've ever read.... It's Big Object in Space alien invasion but also cosmic fear and social reaction. Immersive. Don't miss it
Tade Thompson, author of Rosewater and Far from the Light of Heaven
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A quantum entanglement of fundamental physics, mysticism, and hard-driving assassins in the shadow of first contact, woven together by verdant writing that compels you to turn the page. Well worth the trip
Adam Oyebanji, author of Line of Descent
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A bold first contact story that incorporates philosophy, religion, and technology into a near-future Nigeria. This novel is a brilliant addition to the canon of modern science fiction
S. B. Divya, Hugo and Nebula-nominated author of Machinehood
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The Fist of Memory is a masterclass of visionary storytelling and is entertaining from start to finish. Talabi resets the standard for brilliant science fiction, balancing high stakes action with an incisive exploration of the human condition. You will rip through these pages, guaranteed
DaVaun Sanders, author of the Keynan Masters series and Minecraft: The Tournament
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Thrilling, wild, and philosophical, Wole Talabi's beautifully written tale of first contact between humans and aliens will have you turning pages late into the night and questioning what it means to be human. An action movie crossed with a fairy tale. Absolutely masterful
Annalee Newitz, bestselling author of Automatic Noodle and Stories Are Weapons
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Taut, timely, and smart! The Fist of Memory is exactly what I love about science fiction. Talabi masterfully blends futurism and philosophy inside an action-packed thriller, serving up a beautiful first contact story about breaking the cycles of violence chaining us to the past and envisioning a better, more connected future
Samantha Mills, multiple-award winning author of The Wings Upon Her Back and Rabbit Test and Other Stories
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A dizzying, vivid and ultimately hopeful look at a future Nigeria where corrupt politicians, contract assassins and astronomers see their paths collide with a mysterious alien object
Aliette de Bodard, Nebula-award winning author of Navigational Entanglements
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Talabi gives familiar science fiction ideas a distinctive perspective. While speculative fiction in the anglosphere often treats science and mysticism as belonging to separate genres, The Fist of Memory presents them as compatible ways of understanding reality . . . fans of Neuromancer will find much to enjoy here
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Details
- Author
- Wole Talabi
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Release Date
- 12 November 2026
- ISBN
- 9781399615747
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Orion
- Genre
- Urban fantasy, Contemporary fantasy / Low fantasy, Narrative theme: identity / belonging
Synopsis
A hard science-fiction novel featuring an assassin-for-hire, a witchdoctor, and an astronomer, this fast-paced thriller is perfect for fans of Arrival.When a non-communicative alien spacecraft suddenly appears in the sky, global powers are thrown into turmoil.But for Tope, a principled Nigerian assassin with a talent for lethality in the employ of the mysterious witchdoctor known as "Baba," it's all just business as usual. At least until a job goes wrong, and Tope is caught in the scramble - a high stakes game of power and politics for the future that is to come. Joined by Itumeleng, a South African astronomer plagued by mysterious dreams, they must find a way to survive, navigate their complicated pasts, and come to understand how they, and all of humanity, are connected to the alien craft before it lands and the world changes forever. But it won't be easy. There are sinister forces marshalled against them, including a strange assassin obsessed with a single memory.The Fist Of Memory is a first contact thriller unlike any other; a meditation on the nature of reality, memory and connectedness.
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