Step into the star-flung saga of the Coyote series, where humanity’s bold leap to a distant moon sparks adventure, rebellion, and a fresh start among the stars! Written by Hugo Award-winning author Allen M. Steele, this science fiction epic blends hard sci-fi with gripping human drama, inviting readers to explore a richly crafted world of interstellar colonization. If you love tales of exploration and the messy, hopeful spirit of new beginnings, Coyote is your next obsession.
Picture this: a starship of rebels fleeing a dystopian Earth, landing on a moon called Coyote, where survival means wrestling with alien wildlife, clashing ideologies, and the weight of forging a new society. It’s a thrilling ride that echoes the pioneer spirit while tackling timeless questions about freedom and human nature.
How Coyote Began
Allen M. Steele, a former journalist with a passion for space exploration, launched the Coyote series in 2002 with the novel Coyote. Inspired by classic sci-fi like Robert A. Heinlein’s works, Steele first published Coyote’s stories as serialized shorts in Asimov’s Science Fiction, later weaving them into a novel. His background covering NASA and his love for plausible science fueled a vision of humanity’s first steps beyond our solar system, grounded in realistic tech and complex characters.
The series grew from Steele’s fascination with colonization narratives, reimagining the American frontier in a cosmic setting. Coyote’s origins lie in its episodic structure, blending short-story roots with a sweeping saga that captures the grit and wonder of building a new world 46 light-years from Earth.
The Heart of Coyote
The Coyote series spans eight books, with the core trilogy—Coyote (2002), Coyote Rising (2004), and Coyote Frontier (2005)—laying the foundation. In Coyote, Captain Robert E. Lee and his crew steal the starship URSS Alabama to escape a totalitarian regime, landing on Coyote, a moon orbiting a gas giant. They face harsh seasons, bizarre creatures like the predatory “boids,” and internal strife. Coyote Rising shifts to revolution, as new arrivals from Earth threaten the colony’s freedom, sparking resistance. Coyote Frontier introduces a starbridge linking Coyote to Earth, raising tensions over resource exploitation and cultural clashes.
Later books like Coyote Horizon (2009) and Coyote Destiny (2010) expand the saga, exploring first contact and the colony’s evolution. Themes of exploration, self-determination, and the clash between individualism and collective needs shine through, wrapped in Steele’s accessible prose. The setting—Coyote’s lush yet treacherous biosphere—grounds the story in hard sci-fi, while its political intrigue and diverse perspectives evoke a frontier saga with modern stakes.
Steele’s episodic style, rooted in his short-story origins, lets readers see Coyote through multiple voices: rebels, teens, and scientists. This kaleidoscopic approach makes the series feel intimate yet epic, balancing survival drama with philosophical musings on humanity’s place in the cosmos.
Why Coyote Resonates
The Coyote series has carved a niche in sci-fi for its blend of optimism and realism. Fans praise its vivid world-building and relatable characters, earning it Hugo nominations and comparisons to Heinlein and Asimov. Its exploration of colonization mirrors historical frontiers but critiques issues like American exceptionalism and environmental neglect, offering a nuanced take on humanity’s expansionist dreams.
Though not a household name, Coyote’s cult following cherishes its hopeful vision of humanity starting anew, flaws and all. Its legacy lies in showing that sci-fi can be both thrilling and thoughtful, inspiring readers to ponder our future among the stars.
- First Book Published: 2002
- Number of Books: 8
- Notable Awards: Hugo nominations for Coyote’s short stories
- Setting: Coyote, a moon in the 47 Ursae Majoris system
Ready to blast off? Grab Coyote and dive into a sci-fi adventure where humanity’s dreams and dramas unfold under alien skies!