How to Buy a Planet

The Cleremont Conjectures, Book 1

By: D.A. Holdsworth

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

The Earth has been sold. What could possibly go wrong?

SHORTLISTED for The Selfies Fiction Award 2021

FINALIST, Page Turner Awards 2021

The location: London. The date: Very, very soon. Beset by multiple crises and buried under a growing mountain of debt, the leaders of the G7 have taken the only logical decision.

They've sold the planet.

When Toby, a penniless student, and his two new flatmates find out one morning on TV, they're surprised to find the Earth's new alien owners are staggeringly cute and bring the promise of a debt-free future. They're just getting ready to celebrate along with the rest of the world, when a chance encounter with a mysterious professor reveals the truth. And there's a glitch: the Earth is about to be destroyed.

Fresh, fun, and fast-paced, How to Buy a Planet is the unforgettable tale of three students on an impossible quest to beat the system. Perfect for fans of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, or sci-fi hero, Doctor Who.

What the critics are saying about How to Buy a Planet:

"Builds a palpable sense of cinematic tension . . . will captivate readers with its ingenuity and timeliness." BookLife Prize Critic's report, Score 8.5/10

"What a timely read . . . Totally mesmerising." Oxford Daily Information review

"Entertaining and fast-moving science fiction adventure . . . Written with a sense of humour, fun, and wonder." Una McCormack, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

©2020 D.A. Holdsworth (P)2023 Tantor

Science fiction or politics?

The writing and performance are good. A little too much of a political manifesto for me, but still a good listen.

Awesome narrator, great story and satire for our times

The narrator is absolutely A++. I bought the book but didn’t get around to “reading” it until the audiobook came out.

Bait and Switch

It goes from solid scifi romp to environmentalist satire within a few chapters. It’s message is accurate, but that’s not the story I thought o purchased

Enjoyable Until the End

This book was entertaining enough; good premise but not fantastic. It was free to listen to so I can't complain. However, as the end came into view it became clear this writer has a chip on their shoulder towards Capitalism. I love a good sci-fi book. What I don't enjoy is ideology being thrust into the story for the sake of a soapbox. If an idea is included, it should make the story better. In this case, the inclusion felt forced. The next book is a hard pass!

excellent character development, wonderful humour, great story

I laughed repeatedly at the interplay and the descriptions of the scenes. the story continues without a blip. an absolutely perfect read. the narrator is a genius, highly recommend it