City of Pearl by Karen Traviss

A little Science Fiction for a change of pace.

CITY OF PEARL explores the remarkable universe of what humans call Cavanagh’s Star.  The crew and a small group of marines and scientists agree to join a mission led by Evironmental  Hazard Officer Shan Frankland.  They are to check on a colony established by earth nearly 300 years before.   What seems like a “how are you, what can we do, would you like to come home now trip” turns into an alien encounter with the good, bad and those just wanting to be left alone.  Complications arise.  Some of the humans from Frankland’s ship have nasty agendas for the other species, while Frankland’s orders are peaceful noninterference.

Karen Travis writes an intelligent, interesting story.  It’s believable and her characters are well thought out and likeable or hateful as they should be.  She gives us surprises, a bit of interesting sex, and some very interesting concepts of what is life, what is not and how do we as humans consider ourselves qualified to make that judgement.  I’m still thinking about that one.  I like books that make me think.  This one is filled with intruiging thoughts.

READ THIS BOOK.  I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN.  It is followed by two more in a series.  Crossing the Line and The World Before.  I read them all in three weeks and I want more.