Inside a Dark Space, by MJ James
A Fascinating SF Story And a Moving Tale
It was already hard enough to live on the autism spectrum and function in a world that doesn’t accept difference—that tramples it more often than not and generally rejects it. With Earth having denied Finch any chance of freedom, their only possible refuge was the Moon.
Finch lives alone in a lunar station, far from everything. Barely a brief contact with anyone now and then, for resupply. The abandoned mining station sits at the bottom of a crater that never sees the light of the sun, which suits them perfectly.
Then, a presence is imposed on Finch: a researcher who will share their living space. And snoop around. What follows is a hard adjustment, a painful acclimatization, then, over time, a kind of acceptance, and even a certain intimacy.
What if, one day, this brutal world managed to offer the beginnings of a real relationship?
When the station is attacked and set on fire, everything changes.
MJ James brings a unique approach to space fiction and a lucid vision of where our human society might go. It’s up to you to find out more!
I can’t wait to read the books that follow. I just bought all three of them.
As Finch would say, don’t let the fuckers win!
Inside a Dark Space, by MJ James, is the first book in the Lunar Abyss Series, a queer, own-voices autistic science fiction story. At the first lunar water mining station, Finch, the last surviving “canary”—one of the workers deemed expendable—sees their routine upended by the arrival of Ray, a researcher hungry for belonging. A story of survival, found family and quiet resilience.
MJ James is a science-fiction and fantasy author for queer and neurodiverse readers. As an own-voice author for autistic, ADHD, non-binary, trans-masc, aromantic, and asexual representation, MJ writes for readers who want to see themselves on the page. MJ discovered a love of books at a young age, finding them a source of comfort and the one thing in the world that made sense. Diagnosed as autistic at 24, MJ embraced their journey of self-discovery, earning a BA in Psychology and an MS in Developmental Psychology. They are also a proud parent of three incredible children. Their work features autistic and trans characters who navigate extraordinary conflicts, from protecting their child from their own magical powers to conquering virtual worlds in the fight against injustice. With themes of found family, aromantic and asexual representation, and a focus on belonging, MJ hopes their stories can provide companionship for their readers along with a sense of validation, understanding, and being seen.
Books of the Lunar Abyss Series
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