San Mateo County Libraries is excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author Mike Chen!

On Saturday, May 9 at 2:00 PM at the Belmont Library, join us as he discusses his newest page-turning space opera The Photonic Effect with fellow local author Andrea Stewart (The Drowning Empire). Limited door copies of The Photonic Effect will be available at the event. 

About the Book

After ten years trapped across the expanse of space, Captain Demora Kim and the crew aboard the Horizon are finally home. Only it’s not the home they know. The Cluster, formerly a peaceful cooperative between planets, is on the verge of collapse due to a civil war.

A way to end the conflict may lie in the limitless energy that trapped the Horizon crew halfway across the galaxy and the engine they crafted to bring them home. But that means going back to the pocket of space they’ve only just escaped. Demi isn’t sure she’s up for the task. She fulfilled her promise. She brought her crew home. Maybe it’s time to walk away. However, leaving everything behind won’t be as simple as she thinks. Conspiracies are afoot, loyalties will be tested, and Demi’s choices could shake the foundation of the galaxy.

Schedules

  • Occurs Saturday, May 9th, 2026 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Venue

Belmont Library

1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont, CA 94002

Contact

Adult Author Talks

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