The Fist of Memory

When a non-communicative alien spacecraft suddenly appears in the sky, global powers are thrown into turmoil.

But for Tope, a principled Nigerian assassin with a talent for lethality in the employ of the mysterious witchdoctor known as “Baba,” it’s all just business as usual. At least until a job goes wrong, and Tope is caught in the scramble—a high stakes game of power and politics for the future that is to come.

Joined by Itumeleng, a South African astronomer plagued by mysterious dreams, they must find a way to survive, navigate their complicated pasts, and come to understand how they, and all of humanity, are connected to the alien craft before it lands and the world changes forever. But it won’t be easy. There are sinister forces marshalled against them, including a strange assassin obsessed with a single memory.

The Fist Of Memory is a first contact thriller unlike any other; a meditation on the nature of reality, memory and connectedness.

 

“Talabi’s skilled writing presents a unique meeting of big concepts and elegantly-crafted action”—Adrian Tchaikovsky, Hugo-Award winning author of CHILDREN OF TIME

“Thrilling, wild, and philosophical, Wole Talabi’s beautifully written tale of first contact between humans and aliens will have you turning pages late into the night and questioning what it means to be human. Absolutely masterful.”— Annalee Newitz, bestselling author of AUTOMATIC NOODLE and STORIES ARE WEAPONS
 
“Wole Talabi doesn’t shy away from tackling difficult topics: generational trauma, violence, revenge, the nature of consciousness, the purpose of life. In THE FIST OF MEMORY, he treats these subjects with an unflinching gaze, creating a bold first contact story that incorporates philosophy, religion, and technology into a near-future Nigeria. This novel is a brilliant addition to the canon of modern science fiction.”— SB Divya, Hugo and Nebula-nominated author of MACHINEHOOD

 

All rights sold to DAW Publishing.
Expected publishing date: October 2026

author: Wole Talabi

Back to Top