"A delightful spoof on SF adventure novels"
On two planets galaxies away from each other life
surfaced on both at the equivalent solar time. As the
millenniums pass Earth inhabitants travel into deep space,
but the natives of Kivlan stay planet-bound. The
earthlings reach Kivlan, but the locals tell them to
leave. A destructive laser beam enforces the command so
the spaceship departs. On Earth, the leaders refuse to
accept the insult quietly and send a fully armed military
excursion to teach the Kivlan a lesson. No one on Earth realizes that the Kivlans are a
peaceful congenial people who are a bit lazy so they
invented the means of converting thoughts into objects.
Their bellicose behavior towards the first visitors is out
of character, but recent volcanic activity has left
everyone on edge. The Kivlans expect the earthlings to
return, but will this visit turn ugly with hostilities
leading to mass destruction or will calm prevail? Although this novel starts off as a Flash Gordon type
of Science Fiction, the story line quickly turns upside
down and spoofs first contact tales such as the Arrival.
The characters from both species seem real and engage the
audience to want to know more about them especially the
Kivlan natives. J.D. Austin provides a refreshing tale of
first contact that showcases a peerless writing style
and readers will derive joy from this reading experience. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted October 7, 2001
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