Space colonist Mickey Barnes, a.k.a. Mickey7, tries to survive in a beachhead colony on an alien world. The job he reluctantly signed up for is to be "expendable", undertaking all of the most dangerous tasks necessary for a mission to colonize the ice world Niflheim. When one Mickey dies, another is cloned in his place with most of his memories intact, but at significant cost to the colony. Mickey's survival difficulties mount as the colony struggles for resources, native life forms become increasingly threatening, and circumstances result in the accidental creation of two Mickeys.
Creation
Ashton started writing the book in 2015.[3] Ashton wanted to explore teletransportation paradox in a shorter novella, but was urged to write more by Navah Wolfe.
Discussing the background of the novel, Ashton said: "I wrote a short story a number of years ago that explored... a sort of crappy immortality... I liked the idea and wanted to see how that could be expanded if you coupled it with an exploitative social structure."[4]
Reception
NPR included it among its list of the Best Sci-Fi Books of 2022.[5]
Writing for Locus, Gabino Iglesias called the book a "multilayered, wildly entertaining story" and wrote, Mickey7 has something for everyone while also putting a fresh spin on the idea of clones."[6]
Writing for New Scientist, Sally Adee called it "the first novel I have come across that properly explores the philosophy behind (uploaded consciousness)".[8]
It was nominated as one of the Best Science Fiction books of 2022 by Goodreads.[9]
When asked about the adaptation, Ashton responded that Bong is "going to change a lot about the book", but said he is not nervous and described Bong as a "genius".[3] Filming began in August 2022 and wrapped in December. The film was scheduled to be released theatrically on March 29, 2024, but had been pushed back to January 31, 2025, due to delays related to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and then, eventually, to April 18, 2025.
