My previous blog posts covered work I’ve done regarding female characters, partially in response to oversights by Liz Bourke’s discussion about the lack of women in military SF, and partially just to get the word out about my novels and novelette. Along the same lines, Orbit just launched book 2 of the Subterrene series, Exogene. One irony of Exogene’s publication is that it comes on the heels of someone (I can’t remember who) pointing out that I hadn’t considered the possibility of homosexual genetically engineered girls in book 1, Germline. Well, I had. And they appear in Exogene (as was crystal clear from the teaser in the back of Germline! 
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Here’s what critics have to say about Exogene – but decide for yourself:
“Former CIA analyst McCarthy delivers a stark and wrenching sequel to Germline. The conclusion is simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant, and utterly appropriate for the brutal, bloody, and magnificent story. One of the ten best SFF novels for Spring 2012.” -Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“McCarthy does an excellent job of building and presenting Catherine [the protagonist]. The gritty realities of the futuristic conflict Catherine participates in, leads, and navigates may shock readers…getting to know Catherine is worth your time.” -Victoria Frerichs, RT Book Reviews
“McCarthy captures a fascinating mix of naïveté and ruthlessness…this exciting and thoughtful story marks McCarthy as one of sci-fi’s most promising new talents.” -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
In addition to exploring the psyche of female genetically engineered soldiers, Exogene takes a close look at North Korean women and culture, a theme I partially reprise in the short story “A People’s Army.” Take a look. I wrote this long before the death of Kim Jong Il, so the timing of its release is entirely coincidental, but in this case – unlike in Exogene – the characters are all male.
Oh – and click here to enter for a chance to win a free signed copy of Exogene!
Having not yet read the novels (yeah, yeah), I’m curious as to the North Korean connection. Why North Korea?
In researching and preparing for Catherine’s (Catherine is the main character) escape from the battlefield, I had to consider (a) the political climate in the future Earth that I’d built, and (b) the shortest route to safety. This wound up being through the Korean peninsula – a nuclear wasteland in Exogene.