In Honor of Starship: Ten Books Where Something Suffers a “Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly”

Everyone loves a good old fashioned explosion. At least I do. Especially when no one is hurt.  I was pretty bummed that Starship blew up, but at the same time it was nice to see them look at the positives and they’ll be trying again for sure.

Anyway, inspired by their quasi success story, here are a list of books where something spectacularly explodes or is otherwise destroyed. For fear of spoilers I won’t say anything specific but if you are like me and love epic destruction you might want to check out these books.

---

In no specific order, here we go:

1) Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

What blows up: A ship 🥲

2) Nova by Samuel R Delany

Given that the suns of Draco stretch almost sixteen light years from end to end, it stands to reason that the cost of transportation is the most important factor of the 32nd century. And since Illyrion is the element most needed for space travel, Lorq von Ray is plenty willing to fly through the core of a recently imploded sun in order to obtain seven tons of it. The potential for profit is so great that Lorq has little difficulty cobbling together an alluring crew that includes a gypsy musician and a moon-obsessed scholar interested in the ancient art of writing a novel. What the crew doesn’t know, though, is that Lorq’s quest is actually fueled by a private revenge so consuming that he’ll stop at nothing to achieve it

What blows up: a supernova

3) The Trials of Ashmount by John Palladino

Cedain is destined to collapse.

Across a world rife with blood, betrayal, and brutality, five people wade through unexpected tragedies.

An egotistical student, a fleeing refugee, a nomadic warrior, a fallen noble, and a criminal in hiding navigate the sinister dealings of politicians, two sudden wars, and nefarious lies that surface at Ashmount-a university dedicated to teaching the five branches of magic

What blows up: at least one building 😆

4) The Star (A Short Story) by Arthur C. Clarke

So… I don’t have a summary for this but basically a priest is having a crisis of faith and the star of Bethlehem is a supernova.  It’s a very short (like 4-5 pages) and pretty moving short story

What blows up: a supernova 

5) The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.

Thanks to Imyril for reminding of me of The Poppy War!

What blows up: ummm….. Everything 😅

6) Medusa’s Child by John J. Nance

– In which a sociopathic dead scientist arranged for nuke to be put on a plane, heading to Washington D.C. Something is bound to be blown up yeah? I enjoyed this book even if it was a little long

What blows up: A Thermonuclear Bomb

7) The Empyrean by Katherine Franklin

The Empyrean is the first book in the Galaxy of Exiles series, a science-fiction space opera about a galaxy under the pall of weaponised emotions. Immerse yourself in a detailed universe of heroes, villains and more. If you like page-turning futuristic action, you’ll love this

What blows up: at least one planet 

9) Wistful Ascending by JCM Berne

A superhero space opera for grownups.

For fans of Invincible and Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

If Thor and Harry Dresden combined in a transporter accident.

The il’Drach have conquered half a galaxy behind the civilization-ending Powers of their mixed-species children.

Half-human Rohan, exhausted by a decade fighting for their Empire, has paid a secret and terrible price for his freedom

What blows up: a ship 🥲

10) Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

A thrillingly told queer space opera about the wreckage of war, the family you find, and who you must become when every choice is stripped from you, Some Desperate Glory is award-winning author Emily Tesh’s highly anticipated debut novel.

What Blows up: I am told – “lots of things”. I haven’t read this but A Literary Escape and Welsh Book Fairy both came to Twitter to recommend this upcoming debut novel for it’s explosions, so check it out if it sounds up your alley!

---

Anyway – reviews for most of these books can be found on the blog if anyone is interested! Thanks for having some book fun with me today!