"Fabulous science fiction"
Afsan's Saurian punishment for declaring that the Face of
God is a planet that the Qintaglio home sphere orbits as
its inner most moon was being blinded. His related theory
that their "orb" will be destroyed in about a century is
met with mixed results. Those who believe the astronomer
ponder how to go off planet when ocean voyages are
difficult enough while Afsan negotiates a fee with
therapist Mokleb to help him mentally "see" how to
overcome his natural irrational behavior and adapting to
using his new grown eyes. Meanwhile Afsan's spouse Novato studies an alien
spacecraft found in the southwestern Frahtoolah Province.
At about the same time that Novato nervously evaluated the
craft, her son Toroca, while on geological survey aboard
the ocean going Dasheter, meets a second sentient saurian
race on a small archipelago. This shakes the Qintaglios
more than Afsan's "taking God out of our skies" with a
biological blow to the belief they are the superior race
of God. These scientific advances, instead of saving the
race from the breaking up of their moon, lead to war. This reprint of the final tale of the Qintaglio Ascension
is a fabulous science fiction story that makes the saurian
races seem real as the audience will obtain a historical,
anthropological, and psychological perspective especially
of the Qintaglio culture. The three prime well written
subplots tie together in a delightful climax. Fans of the
series will appreciate the dual first contacts by Novato
and Toroca, but especially enjoy Mokleb getting Afsan on
the couch to psychoanalyze him so that he can understand
the irrationality of the species (move over Freud). It is
best read this novel after the first two books in the
series to fully savor the saurian culture but FOREIGNER
can definitely stand alone. Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 15, 2005
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 25, 2007
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