by David Brin
First published 1987
The planet Garth lies dying when brutal alien overlords arrive to claim it. The world's uplifted inhabitants face a stark choice: submit to their new masters or fight for survival against impossible odds. In Brin's universe, no species achieves intelligence without help from a patron race, creating a vast galactic hierarchy. Humans remain the great anomaly, having reached sentience without known patrons, making them both outcasts and objects of fascination. As the residents of Garth organize their resistance, massive space fleets battle across the galaxy in search of the legendary Progenitor vessels, ancient ships that hold secrets to the origin of all intelligent life. The struggle on Garth becomes part of a larger conflict that will determine the future of Earth, human civilization, and the delicate balance of power across five galaxies. The uplifted creatures of Garth must overcome their differences and unite against extinction, knowing their fight carries consequences far beyond their dying world.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, action, aliens
Vibes: epic, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, underdog-story
Setting: Garth, Earth
Period: Future
638 pages · Paperback · Bantam Books