by John Kessel
First published 1989
When human pilot Willis Davidge crashes on a hostile alien planet, he finds himself stranded with Jeriba Shigan, a reptilian Drac warrior who was his enemy moments before. The barren world offers no mercy to either species. Davidge and the Drac must choose between killing each other or working together to survive the planet's brutal conditions. As they struggle against the elements, these sworn enemies slowly learn to communicate, then to trust. The Drac teaches Davidge about honor, responsibility, and what it truly means to be human. When Jeriba Shigan faces death, the alien entrusts Davidge with its most precious gift: the care of its unborn child. Davidge must now protect the future of the species he once fought to destroy. This Nebula and Hugo Award winning story became the 20th Century Fox film starring Dennis Quaid and Lou Gossett Jr.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, action, aliens
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Alien Planet
Period: 20th Century
192 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Tor Books