The world has fallen. Without warning, a mysterious and omnipotent force has claimed the planet for their own. There are no negotiations, no demands, no reasons given for their actions. All they have is a message: humanity has thirty days to reach the one place on Earth where they will be allowed to exist… Antarctica.
Cold People follows the perilous journeys of a handful of those who endure the frantic exodus to the most extreme environment on the planet. But their goal is not merely to survive the present. Because as they cling to life on the ice, the remnants of their past swept away, they must also confront the urgent challenge: can they change and evolve rapidly enough to ensure humanity’s future? Can they build a new society in the sub-zero cold?
From the brilliant, bestselling author of Child 44 comes a suspenseful and fast-paced novel about an Antarctic colony of global apocalypse survivors seeking to reinvent civilization under the most extreme conditions imaginable.
Buy a copy of Cold People here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Cold People was an action-packed rollercoaster right from the very start. There isn’t much time wasted before getting right into the high-stakes drama that permeates the novel. However, Tom Rob Smith manages to not only plunge right into this riveting story, but also skilfully weaves in enough backstory to furnish it with complex, realistic characters that mean the reader is left fully invested in their lives and potential fate. Antarctica is a world completely foreign to most of us, but Smith’s writing brings the place to such vivid life that I truly felt immersed in the continent and could visualise the expanse, the settlements and the survivors just as vividly as if I were actually there. This is a sci-fi story, with plenty of action and drama, but it is also peppered with so many poignant moments and vignettes that painstakingly get at the heart of what it is to be human. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and some moments and characters are now firmly lodged in my head and my heart. Samantha, VIC, 5 Stars
Wow!! What an epic read! The way Tom Rob Smith explores the concept of love and relationships alongside having to rebuild human civilization has BLOWN my mind! I’m NEVER going to forget reading this! Melissa, QLD, 5 Stars
This is not the usual genre of book I would gravitate towards but what a page-turner! The story is based on such an intriguing and frighteningly possible concept. There has been a global apocalypse, forcing the remainder of the human race to find a way to survive in the harsh conditions of Antarctica. Smith’s descriptions of the characters and situations had me completely immersed in this world, making us question what makes us uniquely human and what it is to love. A brilliant read. Thank you, Better Reading for the opportunity to preview this novel. Rebecca, WA, 5 Stars
I loved Cold People, an easy 5 stars! It was very hard to put down. I was heavily invested in the characters and it was just as interesting learning about their pasts as it was their current journeys. And of course, speculating about each of their futures, but I was wrong on all accounts – I think that says something about the writing of Tom Rob Smith being absolutely brilliant. I very much hope it’s the first book in a series, as I need to know what happened next! Jaana, TAS, 5 Stars
Tom Rob Smith wrote the iconic Child 44 which I loved. Cold People doesn’t disappoint. His portrayal of the post-apocalyptic colony in the Antarctic is terrifying in its realness. The struggles of the characters to save themselves from extinction are scary in their detail. Gail, WA, 5 Stars
Thanks to Better Reading for providing this book. Now having read Cold People I must say what a great read it is. This book is engrossing, unique and a real page turner – I couldn’t put it down. This is by far the best book I have read in a long time. I was taken in from the very beginning. What a great original storyline. The main theme revolves around the survival of the species – how will humanity cope and adapt to what has been thrust upon them? This book is basically a sci-fi drama/thriller with strong characters put in a completely foreign and challenging environment. This book promotes some very thought-provoking challenges. I rate this book 5 stars and look forward to reading other books written by Tom Rob Smith. Grahame, NSW, 5 Stars
In a future where an alien force has arrived on earth and given humanity thirty days to make it to the most inhospitable continent on our planet, Antarctica, choices are made that will determine the future of the human race. From the few chosen representatives of society from each of the world’s nations, to the battler who makes the journey through their own determination and will to survive, the successful few survivors try desperately to save what remains of humanity and ensure the continuation of the human race. Choices are made, politics and ethics are pushed beyond the norm, and heroes and a new civilization are uncovered. While this is a book about survival, it is also a book that delves into what it means to be human and to love. “Cold People” is not a book for the faint-hearted. It will challenge your perceptions of humanity, whilst dragging you through both an adventure and a love story that is impossible to put down. While leaving me feeling slightly unsettled, Tom Rob Smith’s latest novel is a fabulous read. Karina, QLD, 5 Stars
While not usually a fan of apocalyptic novels I found this one intriguing. Very cleverly written, I found myself wondering with each chapter what the problem was – first the aliens, then the cold… but actually the real disaster is closer to home than we realise and I really enjoyed finding out what that was! I would read this again – with so many books on the market, I don’t make that promise that often! Fran, NSW, 5 Stars
The world has been taken over and this is the only choice, leave or else. But the only place you can go to is Antarctica. No other options. Atto owns a tour boat and has taken Liza out for a night ride; when they come back, all hell has broken loose with people trying to hide, but then they are given the ultimatum. All sorts of vessels, including cruise ships and planes, private jets, oil tankers, anything to get people there, are full to the brim with people trying to get passage; some Captains put age limits on who can board – this is for their best chance of future survival. On Antarctica at the McMurdo Base, where scientists have been for many years, they are trying to work out ways for the people to survive. They come up with the idea of genetically modifying embryos, which is called the “Cold People Project”. What would you do if you were told you had only 30 days to leave where you lived and had to move to Antarctica? Sue, NSW, 5 Stars
A family on holiday. An alien invasion. Humanity bands together to fight and defeat the enemy. You may think that you’ve seen that movie or read that book, but what happens when the human race is simply told that they have 30 days to reach Antarctica, where they will be allowed to exist? This is not just an enthralling story of mankind’s survival, but that of the human race as we know it. Cold People is an engrossing book that will make you shiver at the very thought of your own existence, that of the evolution of humans, and how far we would go to ensure our survival in the toughest of times. Amanda, VIC, 4.5 Stars
One word: WOW! I am a little speechless with how much I enjoyed this book. Imagine a book about an apocalypse caused by aliens. Imagine a book about surviving after being banished to live in extremely cold, rugged and basic conditions in Antarctica. Imagine a book about science and how far it will go to ensure humanity survives. That is exactly what this book delivers plus more. It packs a punch and anyone reading it is in for a wild ride. The book started off really strong and did wane a little in the middle, but that ending… I did not expect it and it does make me wonder if there is going to be a sequel. I’m always up for anything apocalyptic but this was next level. This would have to be one of the most intense, action-packed and gripping books I’ve read in a long time. Leigh, NSW, 4 Stars
Cold People was different and original. The story moved along at a decent pace and I was able to easily visualise the world and surroundings of the book. This was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dystopian books. Natalie, NSW, 4 Stars
Let me say that a 13-year-old visitor ‘borrowed’ this book and read it. He read it before I did. Sadly, I couldn’t talk him into writing a review but he loved it. He read it three times in a week! This novel is about the end of our known world. It is chilling. It is suspenseful. It is fast-paced. There are no slow, almost boring bits. Aliens are involved, and it all leads to Antarctica. Time skips along fast, sometimes in decades. Cold People is ambitious and complex, tackling the most serious issues of our time. As an adult I was not sure I would enjoy this. It is not my usual choice of novel but I was soon hooked and couldn’t put it down. That said, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it on a high school reading list in the near future. Nell, NSW, 4 Stars
A suspenseful eye-opening book that plays on the elements of crisis and survival and highlights the unpredictable strength of the human species. A book well worth reading. Romina, VIC, 4 Stars
Science fiction and dystopian fiction are not my genres of choice; however, the premise of Tom Rob Smith’s Cold People piqued my interest. Without warning, an alien life force has taken control of the earth. The population has been warned that they have 30 days to get to Antarctica, which will be the only place on the planet where humans can continue to exist. The exodus happens and it is interesting to hear how different nations choose the citizens who will be part of this new world. Years pass and the people have used ingenuity and mostly goodwill and cooperation to survive in this most forbidding of places. However, the resources brought to Antarctica have a finite limit and once again the scientific knowledge of man is called on to use genetic modification to ‘save the world’. Unfortunately, history has taught the survivors little and the outcome of the experimentation is not what was planned. The author gives little commentary on the point that did intrigue me, what is happening in the rest of the world? – explaining that anyone who set out to explore did not return. A fast-paced read with naturalistic dialogue. Dianne, QLD, 4 Stars
It’s been a while between books for Tom Rob Smith and his newest book Cold People does not disappoint. Aliens descend upon Earth and if humans want to survive they have to go live on Antarctica. It’s a story of survival, ingenuity and how to overcome challenges. Very similar to Matthew Reilly’s books in how it is action-packed. The storyline is original and moves very fast. Because of this, some scenes are not fully developed before the author has moved on to the next part of the story. I loved its fast pace and never-ending action. A good solid read. Brenda, NSW, 4 Stars
I love Science Fiction but for some reason have never chosen the genre when selecting novels to read. That all changed with Cold People: I was hooked from the first chapter. There are many invasion stories but I loved how this one gave humanity the chance to survive. The story of how they do that leaves you unable to put the book down. The characters are complex and they are introduced so well at different stages in the story, coming together at the end. Cold People is gripping, a real page-turner that leaves you wondering how it is all going to end. I look forward to reading other works by Tom Rob Smith. Karyn, WA, 4 Stars
This book took me by surprise!!! Aliens, wiping out mankind, new species… What I loved about this book was the different relationships Tom Rob Smith has written about. The different ways all these “creatures” emotionally connect with each other. Glad to have been given the opportunity to review this as it’s not my go-to genre, but I did enjoy it. It is open for a second book and I would definitely read that to see how it all comes together. Jen, NSW, 4 Stars
This was not my usual read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fast-paced and flowed really well. The story was a little bizarre but I would love there to be a sequel. It was a powerful story about humanity and survival in a harsh environment where you have to start from scratch against all odds, the lengths you would go to for the ones you love, and what defines family. And then there are some aliens and some weird science. Jo, VIC, 4 Stars
Cold People is a great novel, mainly about survival but does have other factors in this book. It starts out like a normal novel but then the aliens arrive and people have a certain time to reach the Antarctic. Who gets to sail there and who doesn’t? A lot going on in this book but an enjoyable read. Deborah, NSW, 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. There was something both simplistic and clever about the writing that made it highly readable and enjoyable. Additionally, while I don’t usually engage with fantasy, if I don’t have to stretch my imagination too far, as was the case here, I’m ok with it. I loved that there was a plethora of engaging characters in this novel, and they were all written so well that I connected with them, even if they played a minor role in the storyline. It’s truly amazing just how much story was packed into 450 odd pages, which managed to gallop at pace, without feeling like anything was missing. To sum up this book, I would say “clever”. Eva, WA, 4 Stars
Cold People is a dystopian novel set in Antarctica. At first the premise of an alien invasion did not entice me, but as the story progressed, I was hooked. As the survivors try to ensure the existence of humankind, by altering their own genetic code to suit the harsh climate and landscape, a new race of Cold People is born. Are the Cold People even human? Should the survival of humanity come at any cost? This is a thought-provoking book exploring humankind’s impact on the planet and what it means to be human, with fantastic world-building from Smith that immerses the reader in this frozen future. Anne, VIC, 4 Stars
This book begins with a couple of historical vignettes about Antarctica then moves to the present day in Lisbon where Liza and her family are on holiday. What happens next made this book quite the page-turner for me. Aliens have taken the earth and told humanity to make its way to Antarctica. So it becomes a survival story and this was interesting enough, but then in the middle it also becomes a sci-fi story. This was an engrossing read. It was interesting that the author chose to follow relatively ordinary people in his narrative rather than world leaders or more traditional hero-type characters. I enjoyed this choice; the characters feel real (but of course, it leaves lots of stuff to think about, like who made decisions and how did they decide, etc). The ending suggests there will be a sequel. Janelle, NSW, 4 Stars
Cold People took me down so many different paths and I didn’t know where I was going to end up. After an alien invasion, the only place humans were allowed to exist was Antarctica. The story went from a mass exodus, to rebuilding society and surviving in the cold temperatures, to genetically modifying humans to adapt to the cold. So many things were happening. It was extremely different to what I normally read, but I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. The short chapters made it easier to read and kept me interested. All I can say is expect the unexpected. Tanya, VIC, 3 Stars
So this one was different! Tom Rob Smith takes you to a world that has been claimed by an unknown force – civilisation has 30 days to exit all they have known and relocate to Antarctica. An apocalyptic glimpse into a reality of hardship and extreme environment. Can humanity survive the inhospitable conditions of the ice whilst trying to evolve quickly enough to continue the human race? An interesting take on the human spirit and what it can withstand. Suzie, WA, 3 Stars
Interesting read about humans adapting to life, living in Antarctica after an alien invasion. Wasn’t really my cup of tea but was very well written and very imaginative. Katrina, QLD, 3 Stars
When Aliens take over the planet the population are told to relocate to the Antarctic. A dystopian tale of hardship and the fight for survival in extreme circumstances. An interesting premise but probably not a very believable story. Thank you to Better Reading for my copy in exchange for an honest review. Katie, QLD, 3 Stars
Cold People, by Tom Rob Smith, tells of a global apocalypse, humanity forced to colonise Antarctica. We follow characters Liza and Atto from holidaying in Portugal, to survival in cold surroundings for years to come. How people adapt. An okay book to read if you’re into world-ends stories, with an opening to continue the story. Robert, QLD, 3 Stars
Cold People was such an interesting read. I would not normally have picked up this type of book and I have been challenged in explaining this novel to others. The writing is great, characters very believable and you want to find out how their journey will end; their interpersonal relationships, human flaws and moral quandaries based on a life that is no longer possible or hospitable on the earth they knew. I felt it flowed between genres and topics, but seamlessly. From an ill-fated love story, to an alien invasion, to humans trying to not just survive but evolve in the Antarctic and speed up their adaptation – from sci-fi, to human/moral conflicts, to finding your place and the meaning of family. A thoroughly enjoyable (and sometimes terrifying) view into a possible future. And what should humanity do to survive as a species; what lines would we cross? Thought-provoking. Caroline, QLD, 3 Stars
An intriguing, occasionally implausible, story that held my attention. The introduction to Antarctica was well done but had little to do with the story. It was sometimes difficult to adjust to the movements in time. Mankind’s foibles and fortes were well presented but no reason was offered for the forced situation. Maybe the next book will explain. Graham, NSW, 3 Stars
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