Book review: The Midas Rain by Adam Roberts

 

Book links: Amazon, Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Adam Roberts (born 1965) is an academic, critic and novelist. He also writes parodies under the pseudonyms of A.R.R.R. Roberts, A3R Roberts and Don Brine. He also blogs at The Valve, a group blog devoted to literature and cultural studies.

He has a degree in English from the University of Aberdeen and a PhD from Cambridge University on Robert Browning and the Classics. He teaches English literature and creative writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. Adam Roberts has been nominated twice for the Arthur C. Clarke Award: in 2001, for his debut novel, Salt, and in 2007, for Gradisil.

Publisher: NeoText (April 11, 2023) Length: 100 pages Formats: ebook

Stealing a meteor? That’s bold. Stealing a solid gold meteor? That’s The Midas Rain.

Set in a bleak, near-future Gary, Indiana, this novella drops you straight into a gritty sci-fi world where asteroid mining has turned Earth into a giant landing pad, and not a safe one. Space rocks rain down from orbit, bringing metal, money, and chaos. If you're rich, you're good. If you're not, it's your neighborhood getting flattened.

Our main guy, Paul, is part fireman, part thief, and part idealist. He lives in one of these so-called "sacrifice zones" and wants more than just survival, he wants change. So when he hears about a crew planning the biggest heist in history, he signs on. The target is a golden meteor worth trillions. The risks are enormous. The people he’s working with are an interesting bunch, but definitely not what you would call good guys.

This novella is a tight, smart, fast-paced sci-fi heist that does way more than just entertain. Roberts fits a surprising amount into such a short page count - worldbuilding, character depth, social commentary, and yes, one very compelling speech about gold, value, and power. 

Now, fair warning: Roberts’s prose can be dense at times. He doesn’t waste words, but he also doesn’t always make it easy. The style is rich, layered, and occasionally a little too thick for such a short book. But honestly? It fits. This is a story that wants to make you think while it’s showing you explosions.

The ending lands hard (pun semi-intended), with a twist that redefines the story in a really satisfying way. Paul isn’t just a clever criminal - he’s a revolutionary, and The Midas Rain sticks the landing.

If you’re in the mood for something sharp, short, and packed with both brains and thrills, this is a golden pick.