{"product_id":"the-lives-of-tao-isbn-9780857663290","title":"The Lives of Tao","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGoodreads Choice Finalist for Science Fiction\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eA pizza-loving slacker becomes the host of an ancient alien—and a pawn in an ongoing alien war—in this “science fiction romp” full of wit and humor (\u003ci\u003eHuffington Post\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He wasn’t.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He now has a passenger in his brain—an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions—the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix—the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries. Both sides are searching for a way off-planet, and the Genjix will sacrifice the entire human race, if that’s what it takes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meanwhile, Roen is having to train to be the ultimate secret agent. Like that’s going to end up well.\u003c\/p\u003e“A totally original sci-fi thriller that will have you hooked from page one with both riveting action and a sly wit. This is a story of human history, the hidden powers that have shaped it, and one man’s transformation from complete nobody to a key fighter in the war for humanity’s future.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Ramez Naam, author of \u003ci\u003eNexus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Few books begin more engagingly than \u003ci\u003eThe Lives of Tao\u003c\/i\u003e, a science fiction romp which wears its principal strength—the wit and humor of the narrative voice—on its sleeve.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eHuffington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Chu’s good-natured adroitness with character development is matched by his thriller-style plotting, a fine blend of gentle humor and sharp suspense.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Barnes \u0026amp; Noble Review\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “If you want something to read on a plane or settle into over the weekend, this is the book you want to pick up. But like most great stories, there’s a little more going on under the surface.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eSF Signal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A science fiction story that is one part spy novel, one part buddy flick, one part comic book, one part eye-opener history lesson…among many other elements. Yes, it’s a lot of parts, but they blend together quite well.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eExaminer\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Filled with non-stop action and brilliant asides on the history of our species, the book is sure to thrill and amuse.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Ken Liu, Nebula Award winning author of \u003ci\u003eThe Paper Menagerie\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Wesley Chu is my hero . . . he has to be the coolest science fiction writer in the world.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Lavie Tidhar, World Fantasy Award winning author of \u003ci\u003eOsama\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Bookman Histories\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “In \u003ci\u003eThe Lives of Tao\u003c\/i\u003e, newcomer Wesley Chu delivers an action-laced scifi thriller filled with clever ideas and witty, engaging characters. A thoroughly enjoyable ride.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—John Marco, Author of \u003ci\u003eThe Inhumans\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Tyrants And Kings\u003c\/i\u003e trilogies\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A fast-paced, high-action SF mix of Jason Bourne meets the Hero’s Journey, jam-packed with dark conspiracies, wild romance, ancient aliens, and a secret, globe-spanning war. Loved it!”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Matt Forbeck, author of \u003ci\u003eAmortals\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHard Times in Dragon City\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Just your usual ‘I’ve got an immensely wise alien in my head who wants me to become and international man of mystery’ story. Which is to say, a page-turning homage to other classic SF like Hal Clement’s \u003ci\u003eNeedle\u003c\/i\u003e. Recommended.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Steven Gould, author of the \u003ci\u003eJumpers\u003c\/i\u003e series\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “In Wesley Chu’s debut novel you meet an unlikely hero in the form of Roen, an out-of-shape, self-loathing, under-achieving computer geek. He is soon transformed into a confident, lean, mean fighting machine under the guidance and influence of the ancient alien Tao, who has inhabited his body and is now working hard to get Roen in shape for an important mission – nothing less than to take on the Genjix and save the planet from an evil plot of destruction. This book is high-octane spy vs spy action with a sly sense of humor. Pure pleasure from beginning to end. Highly recommended!”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Ann Vandermeer, Hugo winning editor of \u003ci\u003eWeird Tales\u003c\/i\u003e and British Fantasy Award winning publisher of Buzzcity Press\u003c\/b\u003eWesley Chu was born in Taiwan and emmigrated to Chicago, Illinois when he was just a pup. It was there he became a Kung Fu master and gymnast.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWesley is an avid gamer and a contributing writer for the magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. A former stunt man and a member of the Screen Actors Guild, he can also be seen in film and television playing roles such as \"Banzai Chef\" in Fred Claus and putting out Oscar worthy performances as a bank teller in Chicago Blackhawks commercials.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWesley is a 2014 Alex Award winner for his book \u003ci\u003eThe Lives of Tao. \u003c\/i\u003eHe is a 2014 nominee for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBesides working as an Associate Vice President at a bank, he spends his time writing and hanging out with his wife Paula Kim and their Airedale Terrier, Eva.","brand":"Angry Robot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46302540103909,"sku":"NP9780857663290","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780857663290.jpg?v=1767740286","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-lives-of-tao-isbn-9780857663290","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}