"
Dew, May 2004, 23.95, 464 pp.
ISBN 0756401801
In the far distant future, humanity is reclaiming Earth by encouraging colonization and having manufacturing done in pods above the planet. Earth has joined the Interspecies Union and trades with other sentient races, which is how they learned to use the Transect to get from one point in space to another in an instant. Though space is filled with life, the Chasm sector contains planets devoid of any kind of life and nobody knows how this happened.
When Brymn, a seven foot seven armed blue alien comes to Earth he is the first one of his species to do so because his race prefers to stay close to their native orb. He informs the government of Earth that a hostile alien race is heading into earth space. The Ro and their ships are invisible due to stealth technology but they have come to kill. Brymn and earth officials persuade Norcoast Salmon Research Facility Administrator Dr. Mac Connor that she is the only hope of human survival by landing on the world of Dhryn but even there she is not safe because the Dhryn have secrets of their own that must be kept.
The Earth authorities encouraged Mac to go to the Dhryn home world to see if they are involved in any conspiracy against Earth. The determined and stubborn heroine doesn't let anyone think for her and goes on the mission for her own reasons. Julie E. Czerneda has written a brilliant world building, action-packed creative space opera that will become imperative for fans to read knowing that this first installment is the beginning of a delightful new series.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Julie E. Czerneda Scholar
Click above for the new Obama Girl Parody video!
Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- generally friendly contact with alien(s)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- scientist
Age:
- 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- an entire race
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Setting
Earth setting:
- medium future 22-24th century
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a futuristic society
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
