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| Review Summary |
JD Austin
Ace, Nov 2001, 5.99, 208 pp.
ISBN: 0441008798
On two planets galaxies away from each other life surfaced on both at the equivalent solar time. As the millenniums pass Earth inhabitants travel into deep space, but the natives of Kivlan stay planet-bound. The earthlings reach Kivlan, but the locals tell them to leave. A destructive laser beam enforces the command so the spaceship departs. On earth, the leaders refuse to accept the insult quietly and send a fully armed military excursion to teach the Kivlan a lesson.
No one on Earth realizes that the Kivlans are a peaceful congenial people who are a bit lazy so they invented the means of converting thoughts into objects. Their bellicose behavior towards the first visitors is out of character, but recent volcanic activity has left everyone on edge. The Kivlans expect the earthlings to return, but will this visit turn ugly with hostilities leading to mass destruction or will calm prevail?
Although this novel starts off as a Flash Gordon type of Science Fiction, the story line quickly turns upside down and spoofs first contact tales such as the Arrival. The characters from both species seem real and engage the audience to want to know more about them especially the Kivlan natives. JD Austin provides a refreshing tale of first contact that showcases a peerless writing style that and readers will derive joy from this reading experience.
Harriet Klausner
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Parody
Yes
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- fighter (air/space) pilot
Age:
- 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- diplomat
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a futuristic society
- inhabited by friendly aliens
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a moderate amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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