First published 1987
The Heinlein expedition discovers Artifact One, a colossal artificial world spinning through space. This kilometers-long starship contains a complete Jurassic ecosystem, built to last forever. When carnivorous dinosaurs devour most of the human explorers, two survivors must navigate the vast jungle that fills the vessel's hull. Day after day, the man and woman evade the deadly saurians while searching for escape routes. They pray for rescue and fight to stay alive in this 160-million-year-old environment recreated within the star-traveling terrarium. As they struggle together against impossible odds, they fall in love. Their situation changes when they climb to higher ground and spot a wall rising from the forest. Something watches them from that wall. A sentry stands on the crumbling rampart, gripping a weapon in its four-fingered hand. Partially clothed with a twitching snout, this alien guardian detects their scent as they approach what appears to be a city. The survivors must now face whatever intelligence built this cosmic ark.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, aliens, alternate-universe
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Artifact One
Period: Jurassic
Mass Market Paperback · Ace