by James Blish
First published 2017
Father Ruiz-Sanchez arrives on Lithia as both priest and scientist, expecting his dual roles to work in harmony. The planet's reptilian inhabitants live without greed, violence, or deception. They govern themselves through pure logic and reason. Yet they possess no religion, create no art, and write no literature. Ruiz-Sanchez finds himself torn between admiration for their peaceful society and unease at their complete absence of spiritual life. As he studies the Lithians more closely, he begins to suspect something sinister beneath their rational perfection. His investigation reveals a darker truth that forces him to choose between scientific objectivity and religious conviction. The decision he makes will determine the fate of both Earth and Lithia. Ruiz-Sanchez must reconcile his human understanding of morality with an alien race that challenges everything he believes about good and evil.
Genres: science-fiction, philosophy, fantasy, religion
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, moral-dilemma
Setting: Lithia
192 pages · Kindle Edition · Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy