by Tom Wright
First published 2014
Steve Cook works as a linguist for humanity's theocratic military empire as it conquers alien species across the galaxy. He despises his role in the systematic invasion and conversion of other races, but finds himself trapped aboard a warship preparing to attack the Pileeta. Humans call these marsupial beings Chipmunks, but they are actually gentle scientists who reject religious belief without empirical evidence. The Pileeta view humanity as a galactic plague and fight desperately for survival. Vilosa, a young Pileeta researcher, discovers her species' only chance against the human Zealots: travel back in time to destroy humanity when it was vulnerable. Both civilizations' carefully laid plans collapse when Steve and Vilosa are suddenly transported thousands of years into the past together. These unlikely allies from warring species must decide whether they can forge peace between their peoples or face a final battle that will determine which race survives.
Genres: science-fiction, military-fiction, adventure, time-travel
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Pileeta, Galaxy
Period: Past, Future
366 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Content warnings: violence, war