Catherine Asaro
Encyclopedia
Catherine Asaro is an American
science fiction
and fantasy
author. She is best known for her books about the Ruby Dynasty, called the Saga of the Skolian Empire
.
and grew up in El Cerrito, California
. She has a B.S.
with highest honors in chemistry from UCLA and an A.M.
in physics and a Ph.D.
in chemical physics both from Harvard University
.
When not writing and making appearances at conventions and signings, Catherine teaches math, physics, and chemistry. She has coached various nationally ranked teams with home, private, and public school students, in particular the Howard Area Homeschoolers and the Chesapeake team for national tournaments such as the American Regions Mathematics League
(ARML). Her students have placed at the top levels in numerous national competitions, including the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
(USAMO) and the United States of America Mathematical Talent Search
(USAMTS).
Asaro is a member of SIGMA, a think tank of speculative writers that advises the government as to future trends affecting national security. She is also a visiting professor
in the Physics
Department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
A former ballet
and jazz dancer, Catherine Asaro has performed with dance companies and in musicals on both coasts and in Ohio. She founded and served as artistic director and a principal dancer for two dance groups at Harvard: The Mainly Jazz Dance Company and the Harvard University Ballet. After she graduated, her undergraduate students took over Mainly Jazz and made it into a club at the college. She has completed two terms as president of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
(SFWA) (2003–2005). Her husband is John Kendall Cannizzo, an astrophysicist at NASA
. They have one daughter, a ballet dancer who studies maths at the University of Cambridge
.
Catherine Asaro is the daughter of Frank Asaro
, the nuclear chemist who discovered the iridium anomaly
that led the team of Walter Alvarez
, Luis Alvarez
, Frank Asaro
, and Helen Michels to postulate that an asteroid collided with the Earth 65 million years ago and caused mass extinctions, including the demise of the dinosaurs.
novel
s, novelette
s and novella
s revolving around characters from an interstellar empire known as the Skolian Empire
and their power struggle with the rival Eubian Concord. The plot of the book unfolds over several generations of characters and revolves around political intrigues, but also contains subplots regarding romance
, physics
, bio-enhancements
, and virtual computer networks.
. The novel Spherical Harmonic
involves an imagined universe based on the Hilbert space
described by the spherical harmonic
eigenfunction
s that solve the Laplace Equation, and some prose in the book is written in the shape of the sinusoidal waves found in the spherical harmonics. Her novel The Quantum Rose
is an allegory to quantum
scattering theory
and is dedicated to her doctoral advisors and mentors in the subject, Alex Dalgarno, Kate Kirby, and Eric J. Heller
. The novella "Aurora in Four Voices" includes topics ranging from Fourier series
to integration problems in calculus
, as discussed in Mathematical Fiction forum In essays in the back of some of her novels, Asaro explains the mathematical and physics basis of the ideas used in the books, in particular Spherical Harmonic, The Quantum Rose
, and The Moon's Shadow.
between Catherine Asaro and the rock musicians Point Valid
. The project resulted in a CD, Diamond Star (Starflight Music, April 2009), which is a "soundtrack" for the book, Diamond Star (Baen Books
). The novel tells the story of Del-Kurj, a Ruby Dynasty prince who would rather be a rock singer than sit on the throne. The lyrics to the songs appear in the novel Diamond Star and were the inspiration for the CD.
Point Valid is an alternative band originating in Baltimore, Maryland, with Hayim Ani on vocals and guitar, Adam Leve on drums and Max Vidaver on guitar. Ani wrote most of the music for the CD, and Asaro wrote most of the lyrics, as well as music for three songs. Ani also contributed three original compositions, both music and lyrics. Most of the vocals are by Ani, with a few by Asaro. The CD has twelve songs, eleven originals and a cover of "Sound of Silence". Asaro, who didn't know how to sing, took voice lessons in preparation for the recordings, and continues to train and perform.
This project is the first instance of a musical work that was not inspired by a book afterwards, but was created at the same time as the book and in close collaboration with the author. Asaro has described how the collaboration inspired her work, as exemplified by the song "Emeralds," which she wasn't able to finish until she and Ani were in the studio recording his vocals.
During 2009, the Diamond Star Project expanded to include Donald Wolcott
, a jazz pianist who accompanies Asaro in concerts. In 2010, Starflight Music released the EP Goodbye Note by Asaro and Wolcott, which includes cover songs of jazz and rock, an original by Wolcott and the song "No Answers with In Paradisum" from the Diamond Star soundtrack, rewritten by Wolcott and Asaro and sung by Asaro.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
author. She is best known for her books about the Ruby Dynasty, called the Saga of the Skolian Empire
Saga of the Skolian Empire
The Saga of the Skolian Empire, informally called the Skolian Saga or Tales of the Ruby Dynasty, is a series of science fiction novels, novelettes and novellas by Catherine Asaro, revolving around characters from an interstellar empire known as the Skolian Empire and their power struggle with the...
.
Biography
Catherine Asaro was born in Oakland, CaliforniaOakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
and grew up in El Cerrito, California
El Cerrito, California
-Transportation:The city's primary transportation infrastructure consists of the El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte BART stations along with several local bus lines, operated by AC Transit, providing access to the surrounding area and the nearby cities of Albany, Berkeley and Richmond...
. She has a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
with highest honors in chemistry from UCLA and an A.M.
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in physics and a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in chemical physics both from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
When not writing and making appearances at conventions and signings, Catherine teaches math, physics, and chemistry. She has coached various nationally ranked teams with home, private, and public school students, in particular the Howard Area Homeschoolers and the Chesapeake team for national tournaments such as the American Regions Mathematics League
American Regions Mathematics League
The American Regions Mathematics League , is an annual high school mathematics team competition held simultaneously at four locations in the United States: the University of Iowa, Penn State, UNLV, and the newly added site at the University of Georgia. Past sites have included San Jose and at Duke...
(ARML). Her students have placed at the top levels in numerous national competitions, including the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad is a high school mathematics competition held annually in the United States. Since its debut in 1972, it has served as the final round of the AMC series of contests...
(USAMO) and the United States of America Mathematical Talent Search
United States of America Mathematical Talent Search
The United States of America Mathematical Talent Search is a mathematics competition open to all United States students in or below high school.-History of contest:...
(USAMTS).
Asaro is a member of SIGMA, a think tank of speculative writers that advises the government as to future trends affecting national security. She is also a visiting professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in the Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
Department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
A former ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
and jazz dancer, Catherine Asaro has performed with dance companies and in musicals on both coasts and in Ohio. She founded and served as artistic director and a principal dancer for two dance groups at Harvard: The Mainly Jazz Dance Company and the Harvard University Ballet. After she graduated, her undergraduate students took over Mainly Jazz and made it into a club at the college. She has completed two terms as president of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, or SFWA is a nonprofit association of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. It was founded in 1965 by Damon Knight under the name Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc. and it retains the acronym SFWA after a very brief use of the SFFWA...
(SFWA) (2003–2005). Her husband is John Kendall Cannizzo, an astrophysicist at NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
. They have one daughter, a ballet dancer who studies maths at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
Catherine Asaro is the daughter of Frank Asaro
Frank Asaro
Frank Asaro is an Emeritus Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory associated with the University of California at Berkeley...
, the nuclear chemist who discovered the iridium anomaly
Iridium anomaly
The term iridium anomaly commonly refers to an unusual abundance of the chemical element iridium in a layer of rock strata, often taken as evidence of an extraterrestrial impact event because of the case of such an anomaly at the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary...
that led the team of Walter Alvarez
Walter Alvarez
Walter Alvarez is a professor in the Earth and Planetary Science department at the University of California, Berkeley. He is most widely known for the theory that dinosaurs were killed by an asteroid impact, developed in collaboration with his father, Nobel Prize winning physicist Luis...
, Luis Alvarez
Luis Alvarez
Luis W. Alvarez was an American experimental physicist and inventor, who spent nearly all of his long professional career on the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley...
, Frank Asaro
Frank Asaro
Frank Asaro is an Emeritus Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory associated with the University of California at Berkeley...
, and Helen Michels to postulate that an asteroid collided with the Earth 65 million years ago and caused mass extinctions, including the demise of the dinosaurs.
Saga of the Skolian Empire series
The Saga of the Skolian Empire, informally called the Skolian Saga, is a series of science fictionScience fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s, novelette
Novelette
A novelette is a piece of short prose fiction. The distinction between a novelette and other literary forms is usually based upon word count, with a novelette being longer than a short story, but shorter than a novella...
s and novella
Novella
A novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative usually longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Awards for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000...
s revolving around characters from an interstellar empire known as the Skolian Empire
Skolian empire
The Skolian Empire, or Skolian Imperialate, is one of the major empires in the science fiction novel series called the Saga of the Skolian Empire by Catherine Asaro.The stories of Catherine Asaro mostly revolve around the Skolian Empire...
and their power struggle with the rival Eubian Concord. The plot of the book unfolds over several generations of characters and revolves around political intrigues, but also contains subplots regarding romance
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
, physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, bio-enhancements
Cyborgs in fiction
Cyborgs are a prominent staple in the science fiction genre. This article summarizes notable instances of cyborgs in fiction.-Examples in history:...
, and virtual computer networks.
Mathematical fiction
Asaro is known for including sophisticated mathematical concepts in her fiction. The method of space travel used in the Skolian Empire books comes from a paper Asaro wrote on complex variables and special relativity that appeared in the American Journal of PhysicsAmerican Journal of Physics
The American Journal of Physics is a monthly, peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Institute of Physics. The editor is Jan Tobochnik of Kalamazoo College.-Aims and scope:...
. The novel Spherical Harmonic
Spherical Harmonic
Spherical Harmonic is a science fiction novel from the Saga of the Skolian Empire by Catherine Asaro. It tells the story of Dyhianna Selei , the Ruby Pharaoh of the Skolian Imperialate, as she strives to reform her government and reunite her family in the aftermath of a devastating interstellar...
involves an imagined universe based on the Hilbert space
Hilbert space
The mathematical concept of a Hilbert space, named after David Hilbert, generalizes the notion of Euclidean space. It extends the methods of vector algebra and calculus from the two-dimensional Euclidean plane and three-dimensional space to spaces with any finite or infinite number of dimensions...
described by the spherical harmonic
Spherical Harmonic
Spherical Harmonic is a science fiction novel from the Saga of the Skolian Empire by Catherine Asaro. It tells the story of Dyhianna Selei , the Ruby Pharaoh of the Skolian Imperialate, as she strives to reform her government and reunite her family in the aftermath of a devastating interstellar...
eigenfunction
Eigenfunction
In mathematics, an eigenfunction of a linear operator, A, defined on some function space is any non-zero function f in that space that returns from the operator exactly as is, except for a multiplicative scaling factor. More precisely, one has...
s that solve the Laplace Equation, and some prose in the book is written in the shape of the sinusoidal waves found in the spherical harmonics. Her novel The Quantum Rose
The Quantum Rose
The Quantum Rose is a 2000 science fiction novel by Catherine Asaro which tells the story of Kamoj Argali and Skolian Prince Havyrl Valdoria. The book is set in her Saga of the Skolian Empire. It won the 2002 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 2001 Affaire de Coeur Award for Best Science Fiction...
is an allegory to quantum
Quantum
In physics, a quantum is the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction. Behind this, one finds the fundamental notion that a physical property may be "quantized," referred to as "the hypothesis of quantization". This means that the magnitude can take on only certain discrete...
scattering theory
Scattering theory
In mathematics and physics, scattering theory is a framework for studying and understanding the scattering of waves and particles. Prosaically, wave scattering corresponds to the collision and scattering of a wave with some material object, for instance sunlight scattered by rain drops to form a...
and is dedicated to her doctoral advisors and mentors in the subject, Alex Dalgarno, Kate Kirby, and Eric J. Heller
Eric J. Heller
Eric J. "Rick" Heller is the Abbott and James Lawrence Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Physics at Harvard University...
. The novella "Aurora in Four Voices" includes topics ranging from Fourier series
Fourier series
In mathematics, a Fourier series decomposes periodic functions or periodic signals into the sum of a set of simple oscillating functions, namely sines and cosines...
to integration problems in calculus
Calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on limits, functions, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. This subject constitutes a major part of modern mathematics education. It has two major branches, differential calculus and integral calculus, which are related by the fundamental theorem...
, as discussed in Mathematical Fiction forum In essays in the back of some of her novels, Asaro explains the mathematical and physics basis of the ideas used in the books, in particular Spherical Harmonic, The Quantum Rose
The Quantum Rose
The Quantum Rose is a 2000 science fiction novel by Catherine Asaro which tells the story of Kamoj Argali and Skolian Prince Havyrl Valdoria. The book is set in her Saga of the Skolian Empire. It won the 2002 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 2001 Affaire de Coeur Award for Best Science Fiction...
, and The Moon's Shadow.
The Diamond Star Project
The Diamond Star Project is a collaborationCollaboration
Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing...
between Catherine Asaro and the rock musicians Point Valid
Point Valid
Point Valid is a three-piece alternative rock band originating in Baltimore, Maryland. The group formed in October 2006.-Origins and formation:...
. The project resulted in a CD, Diamond Star (Starflight Music, April 2009), which is a "soundtrack" for the book, Diamond Star (Baen Books
Baen Books
Baen Books is an American publishing company established in 1983 by long time science fiction publisher and editor Jim Baen. It is a science fiction and fantasy publishing house that emphasizes space opera, hard science fiction, military science fiction, and fantasy...
). The novel tells the story of Del-Kurj, a Ruby Dynasty prince who would rather be a rock singer than sit on the throne. The lyrics to the songs appear in the novel Diamond Star and were the inspiration for the CD.
Point Valid is an alternative band originating in Baltimore, Maryland, with Hayim Ani on vocals and guitar, Adam Leve on drums and Max Vidaver on guitar. Ani wrote most of the music for the CD, and Asaro wrote most of the lyrics, as well as music for three songs. Ani also contributed three original compositions, both music and lyrics. Most of the vocals are by Ani, with a few by Asaro. The CD has twelve songs, eleven originals and a cover of "Sound of Silence". Asaro, who didn't know how to sing, took voice lessons in preparation for the recordings, and continues to train and perform.
This project is the first instance of a musical work that was not inspired by a book afterwards, but was created at the same time as the book and in close collaboration with the author. Asaro has described how the collaboration inspired her work, as exemplified by the song "Emeralds," which she wasn't able to finish until she and Ani were in the studio recording his vocals.
During 2009, the Diamond Star Project expanded to include Donald Wolcott
Donald Wolcott
- Biography :Donald Wolcott began training as a pianist at age five. He initially studied classical piano, but became more interested in jazz by the time he reached middle school. In high school, he was the pianist for the jazz ensemble, a position he held until graduation...
, a jazz pianist who accompanies Asaro in concerts. In 2010, Starflight Music released the EP Goodbye Note by Asaro and Wolcott, which includes cover songs of jazz and rock, an original by Wolcott and the song "No Answers with In Paradisum" from the Diamond Star soundtrack, rewritten by Wolcott and Asaro and sung by Asaro.
Reading order by date of publication
Note that the stories were published in non-chronological sequence, from the perspective of the characters.- "Light and Shadow" (novelette appearing in Analog, ed. Stanley SchmidtStanley SchmidtStanley Albert Schmidt is an American science fiction author. Since 1978 he has been the editor of the SF magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact.-Biography:...
) (1994) - Primary InversionPrimary InversionPrimary Inversion is a science fiction novel in the Saga of the Skolian Empire by Catherine Asaro. As Asaro's debut novel, it first appeared as a hardcover in 1995...
(1995) - exclusive updated version available free at WebScription.net - Catch the LightningCatch the LightningCatch the Lightning is a novel by Catherine Asaro in the Saga of the Skolian Empire, also known as Tales of the Ruby Dynasty. The novel won the 1998 Sapphire Award for Best Science Fiction Romance and the UTC Readers Choice Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.-Plot overview:The first half of...
(1996) - The Last HawkThe Last HawkThe Last Hawk is a 1997 science fiction novel by Catherine Asaro. The novel is an installment in the Saga of the Skolian Empire series and details the life of Kelricson Garlin Valdoria Skolia during his eighteen years of imprisonment on the planet Coba...
(1997) - The Radiant SeasThe Radiant SeasThe Radiant Seas is a novel from the Saga of the Skolian Empire series of books by Catherine Asaro. The book continues where Primary Inversion ended and centers on the story of the devastating interstellar Radiance War...
(1999)- "Aurora in Four VoicesAurora in Four Voices"Aurora in Four Voices" is a short science fiction novella written by Catherine Asaro and published in December 1998. It is part of the Skolian Empire series and was originally published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact...
" (novella appearing in Analog, ed. Stanley Schmidt) (1998)
- "Aurora in Four Voices
- Ascendant SunAscendant SunAscendant Sun is a novel which tells the story of how Kelric made it back to Earth, to become Imperator of the Skolian Empire and lead his people towards peace with the Eubians in the Saga of the Skolian Empire series by Catherine Asaro.- Plot :...
(2000)- "A Roll of the Dice" (novella appearing in Analog, ed. Stanley Schmidt) (2000)
- The Quantum RoseThe Quantum RoseThe Quantum Rose is a 2000 science fiction novel by Catherine Asaro which tells the story of Kamoj Argali and Skolian Prince Havyrl Valdoria. The book is set in her Saga of the Skolian Empire. It won the 2002 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 2001 Affaire de Coeur Award for Best Science Fiction...
(2000) (also serialized in Analog, ed. Stanley Schmidt) (1999)- "Ave de Paso" (short story appearing in anthology Redshift: Extreme Visions of Speculative Fiction, ed. Al SarrantonioAl SarrantonioAl Sarrantonio is an American horror and science fiction author who has published, over the past thirty-five years, more than forty-five books and eighty short stories...
, (2001), and in Fantasy: the Best of 2001, ed. Robert SilverbergRobert SilverbergRobert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
and Karen HaberKaren HaberKaren Haber is a science fiction and non-fiction author and editor, as well an art critic and historian. She is the author of nine novels including Star Trek Voyager: Bless the Beasts, and co-author of Science of the X-Men...
, (2002))
- "Ave de Paso" (short story appearing in anthology Redshift: Extreme Visions of Speculative Fiction, ed. Al Sarrantonio
- Spherical HarmonicSpherical HarmonicSpherical Harmonic is a science fiction novel from the Saga of the Skolian Empire by Catherine Asaro. It tells the story of Dyhianna Selei , the Ruby Pharaoh of the Skolian Imperialate, as she strives to reform her government and reunite her family in the aftermath of a devastating interstellar...
(2001) - The Moon's ShadowThe Moon's ShadowThe Moon's Shadow is a novel from the Saga of the Skolian Empire by Catherine Asaro which tells the story of Jaibriol Qox III—how he became emperor of Eube after the interstellar Radiance War, and founded peace talks between his people, the Eubians, and those of the Skolian Imperialate.- Synopsis...
(2003) - SkyfallSkyfall (novel)Skyfall is a 2004 novel by Catherine Asaro which tells the story of how Roca met her husband Eldrinson, Bard of Dalvador, ruler of a province on Skyfall....
(2003)- "Stained Glass Heart" (novella appearing in anthology Irresistible Forces, ed. Catherine Asaro) (2004)
- "Walk in Silence" (novella appearing in Analog, ed. Stanley Schmidt) (2004)
- SchismSchism (novel)Schism is a novel in the Saga of the Skolian Empire, a series of science fiction books by Catherine Asaro. It was first published in 2004.-Plot summary:...
(2004)- "The Edges of Never-Haven" (short story appearing in anthology Flights: Extreme Visions of Fantasy, ed. Al SarrantonioAl SarrantonioAl Sarrantonio is an American horror and science fiction author who has published, over the past thirty-five years, more than forty-five books and eighty short stories...
) (2004) - "The City of Cries" (novella appearing in Down These Dark Spaceways, ed. Mike Resnick) (2005)
- "The Shadowed Heart" (novelette appearing in anthology The Journey Home, ed. Mary Kirk (2005), and Best New Paranormal Romance, ed. Paula Guran, (2006))
- "The Edges of Never-Haven" (short story appearing in anthology Flights: Extreme Visions of Fantasy, ed. Al Sarrantonio
- The Final KeyThe Final KeyThe Final Key is a novel in the Saga of the Skolian Empire, a series of books by Catherine Asaro. As the direct sequel to Schism, it tells the story of a major Eubian assault against the Skolian government and Eldrinson's rise from a rustic farmer to a member of the powerful imperial...
(2005)- "The Ruby Dice" (novella appearing in Jim Baen's UniverseJim Baen's UniverseJim Baen's Universe was a bimonthly online fantasy and science fiction magazine created by Jim Baen . It is recognized by the SFWA as a Qualifying Short Fiction Venue. JBU began soliciting materials in January 2006 and launched in June 2006...
, ed. Eric Flint) (2006)
- "The Ruby Dice" (novella appearing in Jim Baen's Universe
- The Ruby DiceThe Ruby DiceThe Ruby Dice is a 2009 science fiction novel. Written by Catherine Asaro, the book wraps up many of the events of Saga of the Skolian Empire....
(2008) - Diamond Star (2009)
- Carnelians (2011)
Reading order by internal chronology
Note: the name(s) between the parentheses denotes the main character.- Skyfall (Roca Skolia, Eldrinson Althor Valdoria, Kurj Skolia)
- "The City of Cries" (Major Bhaaj, P.I.)
- "Stained Glass Heart" (Havyrl Torcellei Valdoria)
- Schism (Sauscony Lahaylia Valdoria)
- The Final Key (Sauscony Lahaylia Valdoria/rest of her family)
- "The Edges of Never-Haven" (Denric Winward Valdoria)
- "Light and Shadow" (Kelricson Garlin Valdoria)
- "Aurora in Four Voices" (Sauscony Lahaylia Valdoria)
- "Walk in Silence" (Jess Fernandez)
- The Last Hawk (Kelricson Garlin Valdoria)
- Primary Inversion (Sauscony Lahaylia Valdoria) (This was the first published book)
- The Radiant Seas (Sauscony Lahaylia Valdoria/rest of her family)
- "The Shadowed Heart" (Jason Harrick)
- Aftermath of Radiant War - the following stories have a great deal of overlap but follow different characters
- Ascendant Sun (Kelricson Garlin Valdoria)
- The Quantum Rose (Kamoj Argali, Havyrl Torcellei Valdoria)
- Spherical Harmonic (Dyhianna Selei)
- The Moon's Shadow (Jaibriol Qox Skolia)
- Diamond Star (Del-Kurj Arden Valdoria)
- "A Roll of the Dice" (Jeremiah Coltman)
- "The Ruby Dice" (novella, Kelricson Garlin Valdoria)
- The Ruby Dice (full length novel, Jaibriol Qox Skolia and Kelricson Garlin Valdoria)
- Carnelians (Kelricson Garlin Valdoria, Jaibriol Qox Skolia, Del-Kurj Arden Valdoria)
- "Ave de Paso" (Akushtina Santis Pulivok)
- Catch the Lightning (Akushtina Santis Pulivok, Althor Vyan Selei)
Other works
- Lost Continent (aka Aronsdale) series (Romantic fantasyRomantic fantasyRomantic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction, describing a fantasy story using many of the elements and conventions of the romance genre.One of the key features of romantic fantasy involves the focus on relationships, social, political, and romantic...
)
- "Moonglow" novella (Charmed Destinies, ed. Mary Theresa Hussey (2003))
- The Charmed Sphere (2004)
- The Misted Cliffs (2005)
- The Dawn Star (2006)
- The Fire Opal (2007)
- The Night Bird (2008)
- The Veiled Web (1999)
- The Phoenix Code (2000)
- Sunrise AlleySunrise AlleySunrise Alley is a romantic science fiction novel by Catherine Asaro about a retired EI engineer named Samantha Bryton, and her adventures with an escaped EI who claims to be a human named Turner Pascal.-Synopsis:...
(2004) - Alpha (2006) (Sequel to Sunrise Alley)
- Aurora in Four Voices (collection, 2011)
- “Dance in Blue” novelette (Christmas Forever, ed. David Hartwell, (1993) and Wondrous Beginnings, ed. Steven H SilverSteven H SilverSteven H Silver is an American science fiction fan and bibliographer, publisher, and editor. He has been nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer ten times and Best Fanzine three times without winning....
(2003)) - "Boot Hill" short story (Civil War Fantastic, ed. Martin H. GreenbergMartin H. GreenbergMartin Harry Greenberg was an American speculative fiction anthologist and writer.-Biography:Dr. Martin H. Greenberg was born March 1, 1941, to Max and Mae Greenberg in South Miami Beach, Florida...
, (2000)) - "The Space-Time Pool" (Analog novella, 2008)
- "The Topaz Desert" (Lace and Blade, ed. Deborah RossDeborah J. RossDeborah J. Ross , once Deborah Wheeler, is an American published science fiction and fantasy author.- Biography :Ross was born in April 1947 and grew up in California. She has always told stories, even as a very young child. Ross attended Portland State University, graduating in 1973...
, 2008)
Inclusion in collections with works by other authors
- Civil War Fantastic, ed. Martin H. GreenbergMartin H. GreenbergMartin Harry Greenberg was an American speculative fiction anthologist and writer.-Biography:Dr. Martin H. Greenberg was born March 1, 1941, to Max and Mae Greenberg in South Miami Beach, Florida...
(2000) - Redshift: Extreme Visions of Speculative Fiction, ed. Al SarrantonioAl SarrantonioAl Sarrantonio is an American horror and science fiction author who has published, over the past thirty-five years, more than forty-five books and eighty short stories...
, (2001) - Fantasy: the Best of 2001, ed. Robert SilverbergRobert SilverbergRobert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
and Karen HaberKaren HaberKaren Haber is a science fiction and non-fiction author and editor, as well an art critic and historian. She is the author of nine novels including Star Trek Voyager: Bless the Beasts, and co-author of Science of the X-Men...
, (2002) - Charmed Destinies, ed. Mary Theresa Hussey (2003)
- Nebula Awards Showcase 2003, ed. Nancy KressNancy KressNancy Kress is an American science fiction writer. She began writing in 1976 but has achieved her greatest notice since the publication of her Hugo and Nebula-winning 1991 novella "Beggars in Spain" which was later expanded into a novel with the same title...
(2003) - Irresistible Forces, ed. Catherine Asaro (2004)
- Flights: Extreme Visions of Fantasy, ed. Al SarrantonioAl SarrantonioAl Sarrantonio is an American horror and science fiction author who has published, over the past thirty-five years, more than forty-five books and eighty short stories...
) (2004) - Projections: Science Fiction in Literature & Film, ed. Lou AndersLou AndersLou Anders is an American editor, author and journalist, primarily of science fiction/fantasy novels, articles and short stories.-Biography and journalism:...
Nonfiction (2004) - The Journey Home, ed. Mary Kirk (2005)
- Down These Dark Spaceways, ed. Mike ResnickMike ResnickMichael Diamond Resnick , better known by his published name Mike Resnick, is an American science fiction author. He was executive editor of Jim Baen's Universe.-Biography:...
(2005) - Year Million, ed. Damien BroderickDamien BroderickDamien Francis Broderick is an Australian science fiction and popular science writer. His science fiction novel The Judas Mandala is sometimes credited with the first appearance of the term "virtual reality," and his 1997 popular science book The Spike was the first to investigate the...
Nonfiction (2008)
Music CDs
- Diamond Star, Point Valid with Catherine Asaro (2009)
- Goodbye Note, Asaro and Wolcott (2010)
Awards
- Catch the Lightning, winner, Sapphire Award, best novel, 1997
- Catch the Lightning, winner, UTC Readers Choice Award, best novel, 1997
- The Radiant Seas, winner, RT Book Club Reviewer's Choice Award, Best Science Fiction Novel 1999
- "Aurora in Four Voices", winner, AnLab (Analog Reader's Poll), 1999 (also Hugo and Nebula nominee)
- "Aurora in Four Voices", winner, HOMer Award, best novella
- "Aurora in Four Voices", winner Sapphire Award, best novella
- The Veiled Web, winner, HOMer Award, best novel, 2000
- The Veiled Web, winner, Prism Award, best novel, 2000
- The Veiled Web, winner, National Reader's Choice Award, 2000
- The Quantum Rose, winner, Nebula AwardNebula AwardThe Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
for Best Novel 2001 - The Quantum Rose, winner, Affaire de Coeur Award, Best Science Fiction (2001)
- "A Roll of the Dice", winner, AnLab (Analog Reader's Poll), 2001 (also Hugo and Nebula nominee)
- "A Roll of the Dice", winner, HOMer, 2001
- Spherical Harmonic, winner, Affaire de Coeur Reader/Writer Poll for Best Futuristic (2002)
- Ascendant Sun, winner, RT Book Club Reviewer's Choice Award, Best Science Fiction Novel 2003
- Skyfall, winner, RT Book Club Reviewer's Choice Award, Best Science Fiction Novel 2003
- "Walk in Silence", winner, AnLab (Analog Reader's Poll), 2004 (also Hugo and Nebula nominee)
- "Walk in Silence", winner, Prism Award, best novella, 2004
- Outstanding Achievement Award, WRW, Washington D.C., 2005
- "The City of Cries", winner, Prism Award, Best Novella, 2006
- "The City of Cries", winner, Prism Award, The Best of the Best, 2006
- "The City of Cries", winner, Book Buyers Best, novella, 2006
- "The Space-Time Pool," winner, Nebula AwardNebula AwardThe Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
for Best Novella 2008 - "The Space-Time Pool," second place, AnLab (Analog Reader's Poll), 2008
External links
- Catherine Asaro's official site
- Locus bio/interview with Asaro
- All of Catherine Asaro's audio interviews on the podcast The Future And You (in which she describes her expectations of the future)
- Asaro interview at Blogging the Muse
- Asaro interview from Second Life
- Reviews of the works of Catherine Asaro
- Bibliography on SciFanSciFanSciFan is an online database for fans of science fiction and fantasy books.The site provides detailed bibliographies, linking books together into series' where appropriate and, in turn, grouping series by universe...
- Catherine Asaro's online fiction at Free Speculative Fiction Online
- Article - "Catherine Asaro: Space Opera = Physics + Romance"
- Reviews at FantasyLiterature.net
- Sigma website at www.sigmaforum.org
- Washington Post article about SIGMA