A local author will officially launch his debut science fiction novel at an event this weekend. 

Chell resident, Brendan Nugent released his first novel, The Sentient Ones, on Thursday (6 November) and the book will be officially launched at an event at Vellichor Books, Hanley on Saturday (8 November). 

The Sentient Ones, published by Chronos Publishing, is a "chilling AI thriller" which explores climate change and AI.

The novel is told through the eyes of the Stoke-on-Trent-born narrator in the year 2070 after AI robots have taken over the earth in an attempt to tackle climate change.

Brendan said: "The book starts light and easy-going as the story is introduced, but it does get really dark."

The book was originally self-published around a year ago until Clive Simpson, Editor-in-Chief of the international magazine ROOM Space Journal, contacted Brendan and offered to edit the novel.

Brendan said: "Clive is the one who saw potential in the book and when it was first developed he said he had a good feeling about it.

"He is the reason it's been published."

Brendan and Clive with a copy of The Sentient Ones (image via Brendan Nugent)

In a recent review, Dr Amy Lilwall, a lecturer at Lincoln School of Creative Arts, said: "Eerily comparable to a real-world turning point, The Sentient Ones offers a meticulous examination of the creep of AI, at a point when humanity can still pull the plug. But it doesn't." 

The Sentient Ones is Brendan's first published novel, but he is working on several others including the upcoming sequel to his debut, Thanatos Ascendancy.

Brendan has also recently finished writing a historical war-time novel based on the memoirs of his late father, who also enjoyed writing science fiction stories.

To other aspiring local authors, Brendan said: "Write short stories about whatever interests you and write about what you know.

"That why I write about my local area, and also because I am proud of being from Stoke-on-Trent."

The book is available to purchase now and the launch event will take place at Vellichor Books, Hanley on Saturday 8 November from 12pm to 4pm. 

Brendan will then appear at the science fiction convention, Novacon in Buxton on Sunday (9 November).