In a drowning world, could you stay afloat?

The global economy has been ruined by catastrophic climate change and paranoid governments will do anything to crush dissent. Irith, a young gene researcher, is thrown onto the streets and, with nothing but the clothes on her back, fights to survive in a predatory world.

Caught up a battle between Security and a cabal of rebels, she has no choice but to help the rebels’ assault on a secret data centre deep below London. They steal files containing the code for a dreadful terminator virus, but no one can decipher it.

The rebels are hunted across the world to New Orleans, slowly drowning under the rising seas, where they plan to destroy the laboratory where the virus is being made. As the hurricane of the century bears down on the sinking city, Irith struggles to crack the secret of the virus before it wipes out all humanity.

Then she must defeat a fanatical eco-terrorist who believes that the only way to save the planet is to erase humanity from it – starting with her.

You won’t want to miss this edge-of-the-seat eco-thriller by million-selling author Ian Irvine.

What reviewers say about the Human Rites series

“The action-packed plot of doomsday cults and planetary collapse isn’t far from the truth.” – The Times

“A chilling suspense story. Portrays a frighteningly plausible future.” – US Library Journal

“A well-crafted near-future eco-thriller.” – Roland Green, US Booklist.

“Ian Irvine is a great storyteller. Your heart pounds with the violence and adventure of the racing plot.” – Australian Bookseller and Publisher

“Irvine surpasses himself ... impossible to put down.” Sydney Morning Herald.

“The most important work of Australian science fiction yet published in this country.” Rob Jan, Sci-Fi Radio Zero-G.

“Frantic action and SF terror … in a world where corruption and technology are hell-bent on social destruction.” Murray Waldren, The Australian.

“One of the best genre writers around – Irvine's considerable narrative powers are brought to bear in a grim near-future vision of plot and counter plot.” Hobart Mercury.

“A book for right now, that everybody should be reading.” Keith Stephenson, Aurealis.

Honours and Listings

The Last Albatross listed in The Australian’s Best of Summer Reading.

Terminator Gene shortlisted for the Aurealis Award.