Chi Lang’s The Silver Lining of Smog plunges readers into a post-apocalyptic world where Earth’s survivors dwell in dense metropolises, grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic event known as the Spores. This sci-fi fantasy adventure unveils a society fragmented by power struggles, where gangs rule the streets, the military dominates the skies, and alien politics dictate the stars. Amidst this chaos, two young women from Podolsk Polis—Sirka, a commander’s privileged daughter, and Pranee, a drug courier entangled with a dangerous circus gang—find their lives intertwined by the mysterious mutation known as ‘Helixed’, marked visibly by rings around their eyes.

Faced with societal stigma and a myriad of unanswered questions, Sirka and Pranee’s journey is a testament to resilience and the quest for identity in a world that has lost its moral compass. Lang expertly crafts a narrative that is both expansive in its world-building and intimate in its exploration of the characters’ struggles and bonds.

The Silver Lining of Smog is a compelling tale that explores themes of survival, prejudice, and the human spirit’s indomitable will to find answers and forge connections despite the odds. Chi Lang’s novel is an imaginative and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of sci-fi and fantasy looking for stories that not only entertain but also reflect on the complexities of humanity and society.