Shroud

Truly alien. This isn't the first hive mind book I've read by Tchaikovsky and I doubt it will be the last. This is a first contact, corporate-dystopian, survival horror sci-fi set on a world that is so unique it should be beyond imagination.

Two humans tasked with exploiting an element-rich moon, crash land onto its hostile surface and struggle to find their way back to humanity. If you've ever watched those videos of deep-sea exploration pods stumbling about in the depths of darkness looking for any sign of life and wanted to be in it, this is that.

Tchaikovsky takes the concept of evolution and proves just how strange it has the possibility to become. The ending is both hopeful and ominous and the philosophy underlying the survival thriller is incredibly well done. I'm still reeling.