A Novel by David Weber
The problem with Xenobiology and Xenopsychiatry is that Alians are, well, Alien.
So when the predominantly peaceful and staid Hegemony discovers a planet of sentient but murderously militant omnivores, they dispatch their nastiest clients (the carnivorous pack hunting Shongairi) to force the Humans to submit.
The Shonagiri, finding that Humanity has progressed much faster than expected in the intervening centuries between initial survey and the arrival of their colonization fleet, decides to initiate their colonization efforts with a global decapitation strike of KEWs (Kinetic Energy Weapons, i.e. rocks dropped from orbit). The survivors, they are sure, will thereafter submit.
What could go wrong?
A fun read with some interesting twists.
I heard David Weber tell the denouement of this story in my Library in March of 2009 as we hosted him for food, drink, and talk after a book signing here in San Jose, and the plot remains true with the addition of minor characters and additional scenes from around the globe.
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Tags: Alien Invasion, David Weber, Out of the Dark, Science Fiction
Comments (11)
Weber has done some good wo... (Below threshold)1. Posted by proof | October 2, 2010 4:43 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Weber has done some good work. I'm looking forward to reading this one.
1. Posted by proof | October 2, 2010 4:43 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 2, 2010 16:43
2. Posted by yetanotherjohn | October 2, 2010 4:53 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I have yet to read anything by David Weber that wasn't at least decent (and much that is great). I'm just reading "Out of the drak" now. Excellent. I also like that his aliens are alien and the characters aren't two dimensional (both alien and human) while also not being a mass of contradictions. Definately worth the read.
2. Posted by yetanotherjohn | October 2, 2010 4:53 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 2, 2010 16:53
3. Posted by ScottH | October 2, 2010 5:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Some folks think it really sucks:
http://tjic.com/?p=17156
Warning: spoilers at the end of the link.
3. Posted by ScottH | October 2, 2010 5:57 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 2, 2010 17:57
4. Posted by ravenshrike | October 2, 2010 6:02 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
It's rough. Really, really rough. Given his normal writing style there's enough area in the plot for 2-3 books. Instead it's crammed into one book where you wonder what the hell's happening half the time. If I had to take a guess I'd say that this was some sort of contractual obligation with regards to Tor cause it doesn't read nearly as well as any of his other stuff.
4. Posted by ravenshrike | October 2, 2010 6:02 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 2, 2010 18:02
5. Posted by Bluegrass Pundit | October 2, 2010 7:47 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Thanks for pointing out this new sci-fi novel. Weber is one of my favorite authors. If your readers like science fiction and are unfamiliar with David Weber, I strongly recommend they give him a try.
5. Posted by Bluegrass Pundit | October 2, 2010 7:47 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 2, 2010 19:47
6. Posted by ODA315 | October 2, 2010 11:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Huh?????
6. Posted by ODA315 | October 2, 2010 11:48 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 2, 2010 23:48
7. Posted by Brian Epps | October 3, 2010 10:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Have loved David Weber's work since I first downloaded On Basilisk Station from Baen's Free Library. I have just now purchased the audio version of Out of the Dark from Audible and it is downloading.
Baen's free library has made me spend more on books ever since I found it. Wonderful marketing strategy, sort of the same one a drug pusher uses. The first taste is free.
7. Posted by Brian Epps | October 3, 2010 10:04 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2010 22:04
8. Posted by mojo | October 4, 2010 12:11 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well, you could get sued by David Niven, I suppose, but he probably gave his ok to re-use the "Footfall" plot.
8. Posted by mojo | October 4, 2010 12:11 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 4, 2010 00:11
9. Posted by Rodney Graves | October 4, 2010 12:26 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Footfall's aliens were herd beasts, vice pack hunters. Both used KEW strikes, but the solutions to the alien invasion are notably different.
9. Posted by Rodney Graves | October 4, 2010 12:26 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 4, 2010 00:26
10. Posted by Brian Epps | October 4, 2010 2:52 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Unfortunately, mojo, Niven would have to then be sued by Heinlein (or his estate) for his use of the concept.
The concept of KEW weapons is far from new, and is still the best way thought of to use control of the orbitals militarily. Who needs nukes when a C-fractional hunk of rock will have the same effect without the radiation?
10. Posted by Brian Epps | October 4, 2010 2:52 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 4, 2010 02:52
11. Posted by Brian Epps | October 4, 2010 2:54 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
KEW weapons - from the department of redundancy department.
DOH!
11. Posted by Brian Epps | October 4, 2010 2:54 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 4, 2010 02:54