Above the Circle of Earth is Now Available in All Systems
Above the Circle of Earth has launched.
In this sci-fi debut for older teens and adults …
The fight for the Space Mission begins in his homeworld.
Brock Rivers never wanted to be a repairman on Mars. Years ago, he failed to protect his family. Now he labors across a frontier planet to keep his children alive and escape CAUSE. But the spacefaring humanist regime is taking over Martian colonies, forcing all to join the secular state.
Back in their homeworld, Brock’s people discover a way to fulfill his old dream. After decades of cultural isolation, they plan to restore missions for the 22nd century, voyaging beyond Earth to share the gospel in space. Brock must find a ship and recruit a team of misfit believers. They expect opposition from the formidable CAUSE, but not from a more deceptive enemy.
One secret adversary attacks from the shadows to destroy the faithful. Others unify to oppose the project. Brock and his family must fight to resist these enemies of the space mission or else return to exile forever.
Early readers have some questions
… So I’ll answer a few of them here.
1. Is there an audiobook?
Above the Circle of Earth in available in all systems:
- elegant hardcover
- convenient digital
- sterling audiobook
You can find all three at good ol’ Amazon.
Or to save 20 percent off the hardcover retail, visit the Enclave store!
2. Who is this story best for?
Shannon McDermott’s ACE review at Lorehaven.com (disclosure: I’m the publisher) said this:
Best for: Adult fans of hard sci-fi and religious fiction, readers of apologetics.
In my view, that’s a great start. So far I’ve seen an even mix of men and women enjoying and sharing the story. ACE would also be terrific for older teen boys and YA. That goes double if they like sci-fi and/or human challenges that are based in space.
3. Does ACE count as ‘hard sci-fi’?
We’re still debating this one! You may like this podcast episode with Clint Hall, Zackary Russell, and myself about “hard sci-fi” versus “soft sci-fi.”
Generally, “soft sci-fi” puts the humans up front, and explain much of the science. “Hard sci-fi” tends to do the reverse.
I believe a good litmus test is this. If you finish the story, do you think first about the cool science? Then it’s “hard.”
But if you finish the story and think first about the people, their names, ideals, and struggles? That’s likely “soft.”
My friend L. G. McCary describes ACE as “over medium.” That’s exactly the impression I want this story to leave.
I want readers to finish the story and think about the people. Then maybe the big ideas. Then maybe also the science (especially with any re-read).
I keep the science running quietly under the floor, like the best kind of futuristic engine. If you like, you can go down there and poke around. But you don’t have to!
4. Will there be a study guide?
Do you mean, say, an ACE Fans and Family Study Guide?
One with different levels of questions about people, plots, and big ideas?
What about dialogue, cool details, craft, science, and style?
I’m brewing one up now as we speak.
5. Are you going on a book tour?
Not to small bookstores, but yes to homeschool conferences and at least one big expo event! Find an appearance near you at my Events page. Here are a few highlights so far:
- May 8-10, 2025—Teach Them Diligently Pigeon Forge
- May 22-24, 2025—Florida Parent Educators Association
- May 26-30, 2025—Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
- July 18-20, 2025—Realm Makers Expo
6. How did you create this story?
That’s a long story by itself, and I intend to explore this more in the coming months.
For now, I tell some of that in my longer About the Author page. Zackary Russell also explore ACE’s origins and big ideas in this Lorehaven podcast episode.
7. I love the sound of this—how can I help?
Appreciate it. Besides picking up your own copy, you can:
- Join my emailing list for Space Mission updates plus predictions of future sci-fi projects
- If you get the novel and love it, share that news with others, and/or bring them to an event!
- Share the news about ACE on social media, like Facebook, Instagram, or X, tagging @estephenburnett
For outreach about speaking events and other questions, post a comment below or contact me using this form.
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