Title: A Call to Arms
Author: Alan Dean Foster
Format: PB
Pages: 340
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Del Rey, 1992
ISBN-13: 978-0345375742
Series: The Damned, Book 1
Favorite Quote: "Since I do not know what a rat is I can hardly take offense at being compared to one." Caldaq's nose and whiskers twitched feebly in the rain.
Synopsis (Amazon): For eons, the Amplitur had searched space for intelligent species, each of which was joyously welcomed to take part in the fulfillment of the Amplitur Purpose. Whether it wanted to or not. When the Amplitur and their allies stumbled upon the races called the Weave, the Purpose seemed poised for a great leap forward. But the Weave's surprising unity also gave it the ability to fight the Amplitur and their cause. And fight it did -- for thousands of years.
Will Dulac was a New Orleans composer who thought the tiny reef off Belize would be the perfect spot to drop anchor and finish his latest symphony in solitude. What he found instead was a group of alien visitors -- a scouting party for the Weave, looking. for allies among what they believed to be a uniquely warlike race: Humans.
Will tried to convince the aliens that Man was fundamentally peaceful, for he understood that Human involvement would destroy the race. But all too soon, it didn't matter. The Amplitur had discovered Earth...
Review: It's always wonderful to find a new author you really like. This book could be just another first contact book, but it manages to break the mold. For once, mankind is not shown as some kind of weak race, easily overcome by aliens. Instead, we are portrayed as actually stronger in many ways (not all of them positive) than our newfound allies and enemies. The main character is likeable, if almost a parody of pacifism. My favorite character is Caldaq, the Massood with a conscience, who is torn between the need for any alliance that might help defeat the Amplitur and his fears that the violence of mankind might tear the Weave apart.
Rating: 4 / 5
If you liked this one try "Nor Crystal Tears" it's another first contact book by Foster and leads into a very long time line that has a lot of good arcs.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found an author you liked.