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Warhorse
The Tampy aliens’ living spaceships are far more powerful than humanity’s non-biological technology. Can they—and should they—be tamed?
Throughout the universe, space horses are among the most coveted of species. They are starfaring creatures with telekinetic abilities, tamed and controlled by the Tampy aliens—who aren’t willing to share their understanding of the creatures. Despite diplomatic government intervention, human poachers are determined to capture and control the giant beings. With a tenuous peace treaty in place between the Tampy and humans, the first jointly helmed space horse will undertake its first mission. But will the two races be able to work together—or will their peace break down into all-out war?
Throughout the universe, space horses are among the most coveted of species. They are starfaring creatures with telekinetic abilities, tamed and controlled by the Tampy aliens—who aren’t willing to share their understanding of the creatures. Despite diplomatic government intervention, human poachers are determined to capture and control the giant beings. With a tenuous peace treaty in place between the Tampy and humans, the first jointly helmed space horse will undertake its first mission. But will the two races be able to work together—or will their peace break down into all-out war?
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1990
81 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
481 books8,530 followersTimothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 25, 2014
One of the problems I often have with sci-fi and fantasy is that the authors rarely bother to make their worlds ecologically plausible. Large carnivores will live underground in places that there wouldn't be a food source large enough to support them. Aliens will appear to have evolved to hunt man on a planet where there were no men, and so such adaptations would have been selected against. Etc.
This book actually takes the notion of ecology seriously and uses it as a set of assumptions to build a fascinating world. The 'space horses' may be biologically implausible, but the ecology surrounding them (when its eventually revealed) makes for an interesting twist on sci-fi story telling.
Of course, that's not what the book is about - the book is about overcoming or confirming prejudice, and to a lesser extent what humans' ecological role is. But it was the war horse ecology, set within a world of physics that while implausible was internally consistent, that really made this book a blast for me to read.
Its not as good as some of Zahn's other work, and its starts excrutiatingly slowly, but its worth the early slog to get to the fun stuff at the end. Especially if you like thinking about evolution and natural selection in alien ecosystems.
This book actually takes the notion of ecology seriously and uses it as a set of assumptions to build a fascinating world. The 'space horses' may be biologically implausible, but the ecology surrounding them (when its eventually revealed) makes for an interesting twist on sci-fi story telling.
Of course, that's not what the book is about - the book is about overcoming or confirming prejudice, and to a lesser extent what humans' ecological role is. But it was the war horse ecology, set within a world of physics that while implausible was internally consistent, that really made this book a blast for me to read.
Its not as good as some of Zahn's other work, and its starts excrutiatingly slowly, but its worth the early slog to get to the fun stuff at the end. Especially if you like thinking about evolution and natural selection in alien ecosystems.
June 3, 2017
Serious lessons on growing past prejudices arise when Captain Roman pro-Tampy, his new young second Ferrol anti-faction, plus deformed humanoid screechy stinky alien Tampy navigators against predatory (also smelly?) humans who bend and break natural cycles, must learn to get along together on the ship Amity, towed to Jump far past normal human engine design capabilities by a "space horse". Their escapades are heart-pounding thrills: facing human space horse-calf pirates who want to grow "war horses", space vultures, space sharks, lying politicians, midwifing, and more.
In these space incarnations by functions, space horses can be skittish, space vultures eat carrion, and space sharks are vicious predators. Their names perfectly reflect their essences, so I ignore the inconsistent earth-sky-sea variations, and "calf" instead of "foal". I skip physics-type stuff from physicist author, straight to the tense hold-your-breath near-death risky pickles [my thesaurus searches are getting desperate]: stranded next to an exploding nova, battles against intelligent learning sharks and pilot fish vultures, lost in unknown destinations, and more.
The ending feels an unpredictable just-right kick-in-the-pants to the characters and readers alike, with a world built peopled by imperfect heroes and invented beings I can admire for changing, and care about. Having a female officer more involved than passed-over demoted neutral Kennedy could be an improvement, but ones who reach for heroism are more important than gender or race.
In these space incarnations by functions, space horses can be skittish, space vultures eat carrion, and space sharks are vicious predators. Their names perfectly reflect their essences, so I ignore the inconsistent earth-sky-sea variations, and "calf" instead of "foal". I skip physics-type stuff from physicist author, straight to the tense hold-your-breath near-death risky pickles [my thesaurus searches are getting desperate]: stranded next to an exploding nova, battles against intelligent learning sharks and pilot fish vultures, lost in unknown destinations, and more.
The ending feels an unpredictable just-right kick-in-the-pants to the characters and readers alike, with a world built peopled by imperfect heroes and invented beings I can admire for changing, and care about. Having a female officer more involved than passed-over demoted neutral Kennedy could be an improvement, but ones who reach for heroism are more important than gender or race.
August 9, 2010
I read this a long time ago. It was a little different from most space operas in that there really wasn't much warfare; rather, there were two species trying to avoid war, while holding irreconcilable viewpoints. Humans have gone into space doing what they do on Earth: reshaping (and sometimes destroying) the environment to suit their needs. The aliens, the Tampies, are one-with-nature types who view human terraforming as abhorent. Neither race is evil, neither race is wrong, but their two worldviews are inimicable to each other, so it's an interesting conflict that doesn't get resolved by a big space battle.
November 26, 2025
3.5 stars. As always, Zahn works in some interesting world building and some nice twists, especially in the last third of the book. However, you can tell this is one of his older works, as many of the characterizations are a bit thin. The pacing was also uneven—I really enjoyed the last part of the book, but the first half was pretty slow reading. I doubt I’ll ever re-read this one, but it was enjoyable enough.
December 30, 2013
More like a 3.5 ? What was missing for me was was humor, interior scene setting and depth of personal relationships. What is there: beauty of space & astronomical phenomena, travel, navigation, psychology, and most interestingly the interplay between two perspectives in conflict over time.
June 30, 2025
I got this as an add-on on another purchase for 1€ and thought, why not try out a non-Star-Wars Timothy Zahn for once?
I certainly had trouble getting into it. The beginning is just too naive with its on-the-nose antiracist and environmental message.
But it really ramps up the pace and the quality at the halfway point. The initially very cardboard characters get more and more depth. The antiracism gets more subtle, or at least nicely interwoven with the plot. Even the aliens really grew on me.
What makes this really strong in the end is the world building. What sounds really cheesy if you summarized it (horses, sharks, and butterflies as space-animals living in vacuum) works great on the page, especially because it's tightly underlined with semi-scientific explanations. Every element that gets introduced plays a significant role in the progression of the plot, and so everything comes together very satisfyingly in the epic conclusion.
I certainly had trouble getting into it. The beginning is just too naive with its on-the-nose antiracist and environmental message.
But it really ramps up the pace and the quality at the halfway point. The initially very cardboard characters get more and more depth. The antiracism gets more subtle, or at least nicely interwoven with the plot. Even the aliens really grew on me.
What makes this really strong in the end is the world building. What sounds really cheesy if you summarized it (horses, sharks, and butterflies as space-animals living in vacuum) works great on the page, especially because it's tightly underlined with semi-scientific explanations. Every element that gets introduced plays a significant role in the progression of the plot, and so everything comes together very satisfyingly in the epic conclusion.
February 2, 2020
This is really 2.5 stars, and 2 stars feels unnecessarily harsh. But I couldn’t bring myself to rate it 3 stars. Zhan is One of my favorite authors, and I’ve read probably two dozen books by him. This has many of the elements he loves to work with: Alien psychology, a mystery, fascinating physics discussions and new ideas on space travel. But the problem is I’ve seen him do all of these before and much better. I never felt like I was really able to connect to the main characters and some of the key plot points felt too contrived. Particularly the question regarding dust sweat and why over 700 years the aliens never encountered the issues they do in the book before that time.
Overall the issue felt to easily resolved for me. It’s OK but no better than that and I would definitely recommend reading some of Zahn’s other work.
Overall the issue felt to easily resolved for me. It’s OK but no better than that and I would definitely recommend reading some of Zahn’s other work.
February 17, 2023
Warhorse is a book filled with generic science fiction tropes and themes. I often felt bored during my 2 month reading. It started to become a chore to pick it up and continue the story from where I left off. There were some points I did enjoy such as the interweaving of the conflict and its effects on each side. But the character work is what really drew me away. I just didn't feel attached to any of the them other than a handful and even then I found myself losing interest in them over time. The story's pacing was often slow and I felt that there were points of over explaining being done. Overall, I'd say this book had some points of enjoyment but falls under many of the generic tropes of the science fiction genre.
March 18, 2018
Cardboard characters
My thoughts during this book was, “did someone need to fill some shelf space because I don’t know why anyone would choose to publish it.” This book was a difficult read, especially at the beginning because the characters were stereotypes with no depth, subtlety, or nuance. The political posturing struck me as naive. The decent ideas were drowned in the mediocrity of the plot.
My thoughts during this book was, “did someone need to fill some shelf space because I don’t know why anyone would choose to publish it.” This book was a difficult read, especially at the beginning because the characters were stereotypes with no depth, subtlety, or nuance. The political posturing struck me as naive. The decent ideas were drowned in the mediocrity of the plot.
March 18, 2018
An older but another excellent one from Zahn. Little different too, trying a biological system rather than all the technology he is better known for. As usual, had to read carefully, a mostly tight plot, where even a small point at the beginning has importance at the end. It did bog down a bit in the first shark fight, and was a little preachy about this themes at the end. Why 4 stars and not 5.
March 19, 2018
It wasn't a bad book, just not a good one either. Not a lot of action, no real depth to majority of the characters and about 15% of the way into the book I found that I just didn't care. I struggled to gather the will to actually finish the story and I kind of regret wasting the time. Don't recommend.
April 6, 2020
It started out a little slow, but once it got started, it was actually very interesting. It seemed like it might take the direction of being environmentalist, but in the end it was surprisingly fair in balancing the necessity for manipulating the environment with protecting it. A good read with several twists and turn and some very cool and original ideas.
March 14, 2024
Good read, a bit different from the Star Trek/Wars books I typically read, but well written. FYI: Timothy Zahn created Grand Admiral Thrawn and wrote some of the best Star Wars novels. The Conquers series by Zahn is worth reading.
August 6, 2025
Some novel concepts explored. The political conflict angle is undermined by the surface level treatment given to the two governments’ systems. The interpersonal conflict is resolved by a reveal that doesn’t feel fully paid-up.
March 20, 2018
It was a good read. It didn't blow my mind or anything, and it felt a bit cheesy in spots, but I enjoyed it enough.
November 4, 2019
Strange but fun to read.
June 29, 2022
A bit slow, but solid.
April 6, 2023
Some really nice ideas about space-borne ecologies, prejudices, etc., but didn't find its feet until it was nearly over.
May 13, 2023
Animals in space
This was a nice easy read with good characters and a realistic view of human space travel. I enjoyed it all the way through.
This was a nice easy read with good characters and a realistic view of human space travel. I enjoyed it all the way through.
January 6, 2025
3.5 ***
March 12, 2025
Insgesamt sehr interessant, größtenteils aber zäh wie Kaugummi. Spannung erst zum Ende hin.
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October 23, 2025Warhorse
September 1, 2023
Imaginative as always from Zahn, with characters that feel real and vibrant, strong conflict with a human heart, and excellent world-building.
May 13, 2013
I got super excited when I saw this book thinking it was new Zahn. Alas, it was just new-to-ebook Zahn. That's OK though as it was still new to me!
As usual with Zahn's books I found this an enjoyable read. The story is about the conflict between humans and aliens over space "horses," creatures that enable faster space travel. Zahn does an excellent job of imagining a truly alien species with vastly different values and thinking compared to the humans. Some of the humans, in contrast, were strangely flat in their portrayal, and I had trouble buying that one main character in particular would be allowed to continue making the choices and taking the actions he did. And there's one plot point that's never completely satisfyingly explained.
Still, a nicely imaginative sci-fi tale that Zahn fans should appreciate.
As usual with Zahn's books I found this an enjoyable read. The story is about the conflict between humans and aliens over space "horses," creatures that enable faster space travel. Zahn does an excellent job of imagining a truly alien species with vastly different values and thinking compared to the humans. Some of the humans, in contrast, were strangely flat in their portrayal, and I had trouble buying that one main character in particular would be allowed to continue making the choices and taking the actions he did. And there's one plot point that's never completely satisfyingly explained.
Still, a nicely imaginative sci-fi tale that Zahn fans should appreciate.
December 29, 2013
One of Zahn's better books. Unusual in that it chronicles Earth's struggles with getting used to a benign race called the Tampies. In order to prove that the two races can work together, a mixed crew aboard one of the Tampie living ships tries to adjust to each other as they research new worlds. There's tension between pro and anti alien factions, and some startling discoveries that await them.
It's interesting because the alien race aren't conquerors, but don't like us because they view us as out of whack with nature and as a predator species. The space horses are well done versions of the "space whale" idea. It's like Zahn's book Manta's Gift in that it's more about situations and alien biology/thought processes, and I liked it. There's some minor sore spots-one visit to a planet describes a race of aliens that never factor in the plot again, and the hero/antagonist conflict is resolved a little too neatly at the end.
I liked it though. Good, classic SF.
It's interesting because the alien race aren't conquerors, but don't like us because they view us as out of whack with nature and as a predator species. The space horses are well done versions of the "space whale" idea. It's like Zahn's book Manta's Gift in that it's more about situations and alien biology/thought processes, and I liked it. There's some minor sore spots-one visit to a planet describes a race of aliens that never factor in the plot again, and the hero/antagonist conflict is resolved a little too neatly at the end.
I liked it though. Good, classic SF.
January 6, 2023
Classic Timothy Zahn: space opera adventure, cleverly plotted, strong characters in conflict, political machinations, unusual life forms, intriguing aliens, and a sharp twist near the end.
On this, my second read after a number of years, I appreciated all of this and also found it satisfying to watch an expertly-handled character change arc. In the opening chapters we meet two characters who hold opposing views and must work together. As they develop respect and even trust for one another, circumstances gradually lead one to rethink deeply-held convictions. [Note, the action is always first in this book. It's through the action and what's learned that change comes.]
On this, my second read after a number of years, I appreciated all of this and also found it satisfying to watch an expertly-handled character change arc. In the opening chapters we meet two characters who hold opposing views and must work together. As they develop respect and even trust for one another, circumstances gradually lead one to rethink deeply-held convictions. [Note, the action is always first in this book. It's through the action and what's learned that change comes.]
July 31, 2011
Zahn never disappoints me, and this book was no exception. I love how much detail he puts into new races, that are just so much more alien than other aliens in most books. He stresses in most of his books how difficult relations would be with any race we happen to come across, and I can't help but agree. But he also doesn't just demonize the human race, but shares the blame of the failed relationships on everyone involved.
April 22, 2015
I have read many of Timothy Zahn's books and have never been disappointed. I wasn't disappointed this time either. The premiss of "WarHorse" is a little far out even for Science Fiction but Zahn takes it and makes it into a very good Space Opera type story. I recommend it to all fans of Timothy Zahn.
January 14, 2013
Typical Zahn: truly unique aliens and sci-fi concepts, well woven plots, likeable characters, even the 'bad' guys. There's nothing to dislike here.
I read Triplett and didn't like it that much, so I thought I'd stick with his StarWars books... Im glad I gave this one a chance, and I will be reading others not set in the Star Wars universe.
I read Triplett and didn't like it that much, so I thought I'd stick with his StarWars books... Im glad I gave this one a chance, and I will be reading others not set in the Star Wars universe.
July 7, 2013
The book revolves around two characters: Roman, who wants peace with the Tampies, and Ferrol, who is very much against. Both are assigned to the same mission, which may be the last chance of averting war with the Tampies.
What I like is that neither side is demonized and how Ferrol and Roman come to respect each other. A fairly good read that I got through in one sitting.
What I like is that neither side is demonized and how Ferrol and Roman come to respect each other. A fairly good read that I got through in one sitting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews