Overview
Is all that we see or seem But a dream within a dream? — Edgar Allan Poe At 14, Julia Z became infamous as the ""orphan hacker,"" a teenage prodigy who broke the law and captivated a nation. Now, years later, she’s trying to leave that life behind, hiding in the quiet suburbs of Boston. But her fragile anonymity is shattered when a desperate lawyer bursts into her life, begging for her help to find his wife—a celebrated artist who uses AI to craft shared dreams for thousands of followers and who has been kidnapped by a criminal syndicate. Against her better judgment, Julia embarks on a harrowing journey across the country, drawn ever-deeper into the shadows of the American dream. As she tracks the criminals, she confronts not only their perilous schemes but also the ghosts of her own past. Resourceful, relentless, and deeply contemptuous of authority, Julia must dig deep into her unique skillset and fractured psyche to uncover the truth — and to hold onto hope when everything around her descends into darkness. This is the first book in an electrifying new series that masterfully intertwines the urgent thriller with thought-provoking speculation on the future of art in an age dominated by artificial intelligence. Julia Z is a bold, unforgettable heroine destined to captivate readers — a literary creation as rich and compelling as the Dandelion Dynasty itself.
Full Product Details
Author: Ken Liu
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint: Head of Zeus -- an AdAstra Book
Dimensions:
Width: 15.40cm
, Height: 3.80cm
, Length: 23.60cm
Weight: 0.633kg
ISBN: 9781035915941
ISBN 10: 1035915944
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 09 October 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Not yet available
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.
Reviews
This is another marvel from a perennially innovative author. . . Sparkles with suspense, intensity, and effortless worldbuilding. * Publishers Weekly, starred review * Reviews for Ken Liu ‘Ken Liu is the kind of prodigious talent who makes mere mortals melt in despair at ever matching his accomplishments.’ – Locus on The Hidden Girl and Other stories ‘Ken Liu’s output is as amazing as his stories.’ – The Boston Globe on The Hidden Girl and Other stories
'This is one of the best science-fiction books of the year.' * Guardian * 'This is another marvel from a perennially innovative author. . . Sparkles with suspense, intensity, and effortless worldbuilding.' * Publishers Weekly, starred review * Reviews for Ken Liu ‘Ken Liu is the kind of prodigious talent who makes mere mortals melt in despair at ever matching his accomplishments.’ – Locus on The Hidden Girl and Other stories ‘Ken Liu’s output is as amazing as his stories.’ – The Boston Globe on The Hidden Girl and Other stories
Author Information
Ken Liu is the author of the epic fantasy series The Dandelion Dynasty, as well as short story collections The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories and The Hidden Girl and Other Stories. He has won the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and other top genre awards around the world for his fiction. A programmer and lawyer, he speaks and consults on futurism, technology history, and sustainable storytelling.
