The Hollow Age

By: Ali Horriyat, Cathryn Bancroft

Narrated by: Bobbie Gentili

When Earth is burning, do you run to another planet—or risk everything to save your own?

In the late 21st century, Earth is on the brink. Fires, floods and storms are ravaging the planet, and humanity faces a daily struggle for survival.

In the shadow of the Italian Alps, as flames consume the land around her, archaeologist Olivia Tate unearths a ground-breaking discovery: ruins of a long-lost civilization—one that bears no resemblance to known human history.

Meanwhile, high in the mountains, far above the climate catastrophe, billionaire Kieran Cowl, is making his plans to colonize Mars. And when the ruins of a structure that matches Olivia’s discovery are found on the Red Planet, Cowl is determined to take her with him to the new Martian colony.

As Olivia digs deeper into the mystery of humanity’s forgotten past—and Kieran's true motives—she begins to question everything. Is she unlocking the key to human survival… or walking into a trap?

With the fate of two worlds hanging in the balance, Olivia must choose: flee a dying Earth, or fight to save the only home humanity knows.

Fans of The Ministry for the Future, Project Hail Mary, and Termination Shock will be captivated by this genre-bending tale of climate, colonization, and the race to escape—or save—our planet.

©2025 Ali Horriyat and Cathryn Bancroft (P)2025 Compassiviste Publishing

Enjoyed it… mostly

An interesting premise with well-developed characters that mirrors the attitudes of today’s billionaires and their supporters. While the setup was strong, the book felt too long, with some sections that didn’t add much to the story. The ending could have been more fully developed and left me wanting a stronger conclusion.

The narration was well done and carried the story nicely.

⭐ 3.25/5

If there is a sequel, I won't buy it.

I made it through the book. But it was a struggle. The balance between the world of today and the trip to Mars to create the world of tomorrow was uninteresting. Don't know why the author included the interludes. Their ability to survive the unservivable was ridiculous.