Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy. Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them. For this Waiting on Wednesday, I check out one of the top sequels and science fiction novels coming out in 2027, with the epic sounding read The Guerrilla Republic by Richard Swan.
I think that all fantasy and science fiction fans can agree that 2026 has been an amazing year for Australian author Richard Swan. Not only has he continued some of his epic fantasy series this year to major acclaim, but he has also been writing some exceptional pieces of science fiction. Indeed, I am currently in the middle of reading his very first Warhammer novel, with the dark and compelling Warhammer 40,000 entry Voice of Command. However, with this post I want to focus on his epic Decurion Saga series, which I had the very great pleasure of starting this year with The Infinite State.
The Decurion Saga is an awesome new science fiction series set in a far future dominated by the fascist Decurion Empire and it’s ruling Pater Aeternus party. The first book in this series, The Infinite State, introduced readers to this setting, and started following three intriguing perspective protagonists as they tried to survive and escape the evils of this empire. These attempts to escape included one wealthy individual buying her own planet outside of the Empire’s influence to set up a new democracy, which the other characters eventually gravitated to. A timely and intense read with some impressive twists and narrative ideas, The Infinite State was an incredible read that I already consider to be amongst the best novels, and audiobooks, of 2026. I honestly cannot wait to see how Swan continues the story from the first book, which is why I have been keeping an eye out for a potential sequel the moment I finished off The Infinite State.
It really didn’t take long for Swan to announce this sequel, as the second book in the Decurion Saga is set for release in August 2027. Titled The Guerrilla Republic, this awesome sounding sequel will continue the intrigue and threat from the first book, as the three protagonists fight to keep their new planet safe from the jealous and malicious grasp of Pater Aeternus.
Plot Synopsis:
With The Guerrilla Republic, International bestselling author Richard Swan weaves an epic tale of galaxy-spanning intrigue. Following the events of The Infinite State, the rebels have succeeded and independence has been won—but the fight for true freedom has only just begun.
TYRANNY IS AN ABERRATION
Katherine may have escaped the Decurion Empire, but her problems are only just beginning. As Gabriel gears up for its first democratic elections, she is nearly killed by an orbital mining laser. A freak industrial accident? Or something more sinister?
PATER AETERNUS IS EVIL
Cyprian is struggling to adapt to his new life in the Republic. His children are recovering from their re-education, whilst his department is being overwhelmed with reports of sabotage and corruption. Life in Kada Gamar wasn’t better, but it was certainly simpler.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY
Julian has a promise to keep to Kamilla Makar. The only problem is, she’s in the Labyrinth, a vast subterranean prison complex in the very heart of the Empire. A daring rescue operation may be the only answer—but can Gabriel afford to poke the slumbering Decurion giant?
Now this sounds like an extremely epic sequel. I honestly was planning to read The Guerrilla Republic no matter what next year, but the above plot synopsis sounds so damn cool and has got me very excited. It looks like Swan will once again centre his story around the three main protagonists, including the President of the newly formed republic of Gabriel, Katherine Fuller, who bought the planet and made it’s independence possible, former Decurion Empire cop Cyprian Reis, who has taken up the role of Gabriel’s head of security, and famed hypersled pilot Julian Yashego, who has fled to Gabriel after experiencing the horrors of Pater Aeternus’ hated. Based on the above synopsis, Swan is hoping to get a good mixture of storylines going, with Katherine having to deal with the politics of running a new planet, Cyprian sorting out a mystery and encountering potential threats on the ground, and Julian potentially getting involved in espionage back in the Decurion Empire.
These potential storylines all sound extremely compelling, and I am very curious to see how they unfold. I have no doubt that Swan will wrap them together into a cohesive and intense overlapping narrative in The Guerilla Republic, all centred around the potential interference of the Decurion Empire on Gabriel, while the protagonists attempt to fight back against an unbeatable enemy. I’m looking forward to seeing how each of these complex and highly damaged characters will continue to develop in this sequel, especially now they are nominally free of the oppressive control of Pater Aeternus. I’m also sure that we’ll see more from the dangerous antagonists who were so effectively featured in The Infinite State, and the resulting confrontations and battles across the arenas of politics, espionage, intrigue and war, are going to be amazing.
Look, after how damn good The Infinite State was last year, there is no chance at all that I won’t be grabbing The Guerrilla Republic in 2027, and I honestly think it’s going to be one of the absolute best science fiction reads of next year. As such, I am planning to read The Guerrilla Republic as soon as I can, probably on its epic audiobook version. If you haven’t had the chance to read The Infinite State yet, make sure you do, especially before The Guerrilla Republic comes out next year.