Beyond the Burn Line

Who will inherit the Earth?

Long after the extinction of humanity, the city states of an intelligent species of bear have fallen to a mind-wrecking plague. Their former slaves believe that they are the true inheritors of their beloved Mother Earth. But are they alone? 

Despite opposition from his family, and the corn of other scholars, Pilgrim Saltmire has sworn to complete the investigations into sightings of so-called visitors and their sky craft he began with his late master. As he finds unlikely allies, uncovers secret histories and encounters fanatic cults, Pilgrim risks not only his reputation and his life. Whether he succeeds or not, one thing is certain: his world and everything he thought he knew about it are going to be utterly changed.

A finalist for the Kitschie Awards


An absolute delight: evocatively written, surprising, thought-provoking entertainment ― The Guardian

Understated but powerful. ― Locus Magazine

McAuley is not a showy writer, but his fiendishness gets under your skin. ― The Times

Beyond the Burn Line shows us what a skilled writer can do. Imaginative, intelligent world-building, with a far-future setting that allows our characters, whilst different, to exhibit endearingly human traits. It is going to be one of my books of the year. -- SFFWorld.com