Ra
Publisher: Self published
Published: 2011
Language: eng
Subjects: science fiction; hard science fiction; fantasy; magic systems; alternate science; academic settings; is:nonfiction; is:web-serial; has:serialized-content; coming-of-age; philosophical fiction
Description: Ra is a science fiction novel by Sam Hughes that explores the concept of magic as a rigorous and academically studied branch of science. Set in a contemporary world where magic functions under empirically testable laws, the book follows Laura Ferno, a university student specializing in Thaumic Engineering, as she navigates the complexities of magical education and becomes entangled in global events that threaten reality itself.

About the Book:
"Ra" blends hard science fiction with fantasy by treating magic as a formal science similar to physics or engineering. The narrative is structured around Laura's journey from a student mastering the principles of magic to a key figure involved in solving a cosmic-scale crisis.

Key Themes:
- The institutionalization and formal study of magic as a scientific discipline
- Ethical dilemmas and unintended consequences of technological and magical advancement
- Coming-of-age and personal growth within a high-pressure academic and geopolitical environment
- Philosophical questions about reality, knowledge, and power

Audience:
Ra is suited for readers who enjoy intellectual science fiction, fantasy with hard science elements, and stories involving university settings, scientific inquiry, and metaphysical exploration.

Critical Reception:
Originally serialized online and later compiled as a complete novel, "Ra" has gained a dedicated following for its unique blend of rigorous world-building, philosophical depth, and genre-defying narrative approach.