First published 2011
Benita Alvarez never expected aliens to knock on her door. A struggling Hispanic woman living paycheck to paycheck, she finds herself chosen as humanity's Intermediary by peaceful alien envoys. They want Earth to join their interstellar federation, a coalition of ethical races committed to Neighbourliness and moral living. But Benita soon discovers she faces competition. A corrupt government Senator has been contacted by a different alien faction with darker intentions. These aliens don't want humanity as partners. They want hunting licenses for Earth, with humans as the prey. As two alien civilizations make their competing pitches for humanity's future, Benita must navigate interstellar politics she never imagined. The fate of an overpopulated, resource-rich planet hangs in the balance. Will Earth join a peaceful federation or become an alien hunting preserve?
Genres: science-fiction, fantasy, thriller, political-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Earth
Period: Contemporary
484 pages · Kindle Edition · Gateway