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Lamikorda
The Alplai have lived in peace and prosperity for centuries, spreading beyond their homeworld’s single continent into floating cities on its vast oceans, and colonizing the planets and moons of their solar system. Now, a massive alien vessel has come, carrying over a million colonists in cryogenic stasis from a devastated world.
Ganak, the recently appointed Commissioner for Space Exploration, advocates that the Terai be allowed to settle in the newly prepared Eastern Sector of the planet Totrana. The proposal is approved, and the avian-descended Alplai work with this strange mammalian species to help them build a new home.
But not all the Alplai welcome these creatures. Many are concerned about their warlike past, and when a new disease erupts on Totrana, the aliens are quickly blamed. Despite their contributions, the Terai face discrimination and harassment. How far can Ganak use his influence to help, and what leaders will emerge amongst them as they strive to build a new life?
Ganak, the recently appointed Commissioner for Space Exploration, advocates that the Terai be allowed to settle in the newly prepared Eastern Sector of the planet Totrana. The proposal is approved, and the avian-descended Alplai work with this strange mammalian species to help them build a new home.
But not all the Alplai welcome these creatures. Many are concerned about their warlike past, and when a new disease erupts on Totrana, the aliens are quickly blamed. Despite their contributions, the Terai face discrimination and harassment. How far can Ganak use his influence to help, and what leaders will emerge amongst them as they strive to build a new life?
- GenresScience Fiction
404 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2014
2 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 14, 2014
Rich detailed story of a peaceful, progressive race confronting the changes of welcoming an alien species - and we are the aliens! Ganak is a noble figure, driven by honor and a long-term view of history, to do what's right for everyone. The story is told from many perspectives, Alplai and human ("Terai"), and the Alplai language is featured throughout (with a brilliantly simple solution for "subtitling" in the text). Worth checking out!!
November 25, 2014
So as much as I love sci-fi, I tend to find problems with the books I read. Some have a great premise and general storyline, but then the writing is hard to follow or there's too much techno-speak, or the characters are flat.
This wasn't the case here! Right away, the writing style is both easy to follow and a pleasure to read. While some characters seem idealized, they're still approachable and believable. The descriptions paint pictures of the setting with enough detail to immerse you while leaving enough open for you to fill in the blanks.
The storyline is straightforward, with plenty of curves but no big shocks. It starts with the Alplai (a peaceful, advanced "avian" race - think humanoids with beaks, feathers and gizzards) observing a large asteroid about to pass the solar system. Then it changes course, which makes it clear to them this is a spaceship, and heading into the heart of their solar system. You're walked through the planning of their initial expedition, the proposal by one of their linguists to find a way to communicate with them, the debates about what to do with the alien "Terai", and the plans to settle them onto one of their planets. The perspective shifts from one person to another in episodic fashion, but the thread of the story still ties it all together.
The setting describes major cultural groups, political parties, religions and languages. Kiitra is featured heavily here, first a few choice words (I noticed their time measurements, but the way they were written in, it was easy to figure out that zamei is analogous to an hour, megzamei to a minute, and enzamei to a second) and later whole sections of dialogue (where the author ingeniously provides subtitles in square brackets after the italicized Kiitra). Maybe it's my having immigrant parents, but I really get the importance of featuring the language; the Terai represent immigrants and other minorities (or minority "others") who have to learn to fit in with the culture and social systems around them, including ways of communicating; that includes body language, and the author has newly-arrived Terai learning about the subtleties of Alplai gestures and expressions early on.
It's clear the author put a great deal of work into crafting the Alplai and their world(s); there's even indications that he/she/ze is drawing on a much larger body of backstory notes than what's covered here. What is revealed is done through conversations, either across species or among the Terai (and the Alplai also talk amongst themselves about Terai culture, music and dietary habits).
Some people might class this as a "utopian" novel, with the Alplai society being a near-perfect one, or at least way better than our own. I can see the case for it, but I think that's a simplistic labeling. The Alplai are certainly more multicultural, accepting of sexual diversity, egalitarian and peaceful than American society, but they're still prone to panic and xenophobia about the Terai newcomers, and the dialogue and descriptions reveal that this was the result of centuries of change. Another reviewer here compared the Alplai socioeconomic system to the Nordic model of Sweden, Denmark and Norway; I think the parallel goes further than that (I lived in Denmark for a short time on a student exchange, and also met some Swedish students); even the anti-Terai reactions reflect the negative attitudes about immigration in that area of Europe, with the Alplai zon okhluu leaders citing what they perceive to be potential culture-clash threats between the two species.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for a number of reasons. The "soft sci-fi" elements will give people a lot to think about and discuss, while the "hard sci-fi" would make Golden Age authors like Asimov really proud. The Kiitra language is an interesting challenge, yet still easy enough to pick up with enough study and practice (even the backstory justifies its regularity and rational structure). The descriptions are so vivid, it's like it's begging to be made into a mini-series or movie. Finally, the writing and the story draw you in and get you hooked - I've rarely read a book this long this fast, and it's because it was so hard to put down.
Shasha zra g'boziis nonsha zu eja'ganipojega!
This wasn't the case here! Right away, the writing style is both easy to follow and a pleasure to read. While some characters seem idealized, they're still approachable and believable. The descriptions paint pictures of the setting with enough detail to immerse you while leaving enough open for you to fill in the blanks.
The storyline is straightforward, with plenty of curves but no big shocks. It starts with the Alplai (a peaceful, advanced "avian" race - think humanoids with beaks, feathers and gizzards) observing a large asteroid about to pass the solar system. Then it changes course, which makes it clear to them this is a spaceship, and heading into the heart of their solar system. You're walked through the planning of their initial expedition, the proposal by one of their linguists to find a way to communicate with them, the debates about what to do with the alien "Terai", and the plans to settle them onto one of their planets. The perspective shifts from one person to another in episodic fashion, but the thread of the story still ties it all together.
The setting describes major cultural groups, political parties, religions and languages. Kiitra is featured heavily here, first a few choice words (I noticed their time measurements, but the way they were written in, it was easy to figure out that zamei is analogous to an hour, megzamei to a minute, and enzamei to a second) and later whole sections of dialogue (where the author ingeniously provides subtitles in square brackets after the italicized Kiitra). Maybe it's my having immigrant parents, but I really get the importance of featuring the language; the Terai represent immigrants and other minorities (or minority "others") who have to learn to fit in with the culture and social systems around them, including ways of communicating; that includes body language, and the author has newly-arrived Terai learning about the subtleties of Alplai gestures and expressions early on.
It's clear the author put a great deal of work into crafting the Alplai and their world(s); there's even indications that he/she/ze is drawing on a much larger body of backstory notes than what's covered here. What is revealed is done through conversations, either across species or among the Terai (and the Alplai also talk amongst themselves about Terai culture, music and dietary habits).
Some people might class this as a "utopian" novel, with the Alplai society being a near-perfect one, or at least way better than our own. I can see the case for it, but I think that's a simplistic labeling. The Alplai are certainly more multicultural, accepting of sexual diversity, egalitarian and peaceful than American society, but they're still prone to panic and xenophobia about the Terai newcomers, and the dialogue and descriptions reveal that this was the result of centuries of change. Another reviewer here compared the Alplai socioeconomic system to the Nordic model of Sweden, Denmark and Norway; I think the parallel goes further than that (I lived in Denmark for a short time on a student exchange, and also met some Swedish students); even the anti-Terai reactions reflect the negative attitudes about immigration in that area of Europe, with the Alplai zon okhluu leaders citing what they perceive to be potential culture-clash threats between the two species.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for a number of reasons. The "soft sci-fi" elements will give people a lot to think about and discuss, while the "hard sci-fi" would make Golden Age authors like Asimov really proud. The Kiitra language is an interesting challenge, yet still easy enough to pick up with enough study and practice (even the backstory justifies its regularity and rational structure). The descriptions are so vivid, it's like it's begging to be made into a mini-series or movie. Finally, the writing and the story draw you in and get you hooked - I've rarely read a book this long this fast, and it's because it was so hard to put down.
Shasha zra g'boziis nonsha zu eja'ganipojega!
May 20, 2014
Let me begin this review with a caveat: This is a long story. Nowhere near as long as "DUNE" or some other epics, but at 400 pages paperback, many contemporary readers will find it hefty (I studied speed reading, so I went through it quickly. Twice.)
Also, it will take a while before you figure out who the "aliens" really are. The first seven chapters are told from the avianiod Alplai point of view, they don't actually see a "Terai" until the end of Chapter Five, and you're not clear until well into Chapter Six just who they are. The author does a skillful job of describing "Terai" from the Alplai point of view, right down to trying to convert "alien" names into their system.
It's the descriptions that are the clincher here -- layered with detail so as to draw the reader into this world, yet leaving enough room for you to fill in various pieces or wonder what's ahead, blending both originality and familiarity in its voice. Alplaa, its sister-planet Totrana, and its colonies orbiting Rekar are fleshed out with both similarities and contrasts to our own. Not just buildings and sky color, but foods and clothes and daily habits, diverse ethnicities and religions, government and elements of history. You get a sense that the Alplai's solar system is a real place, a vibrant home whose people have roots in tradition and eternal optimism in their future.
My one criticism is that there seems an element of repetition in the book. I'm no writer, so maybe it's necessary, but some may see it as didactic. But as I read the story of how the "aliens" try to settle and fit into their new home with their Alplai neighbors, I began to realize that some themes and messages do bear repeating, whether in a science fiction novel or in the conflict of real life. In many ways, this book is a commentary on our modern-day conflicts, from immigration rights and racism, to environmentalism and economics, "Lamikorda" seems almost utopian, some might say naïve, but I get a flavor of the "Nordic model" in the way they are portrayed accomplishing things, and how even their political ideologies and parties have been shaped.
Similar to other so-called "utopian" novels is the device of introducing an outsider or group of outsiders to interact with, learn from, and even challenge its perfect order. In some ways, the authors of utopian novels sometimes seem like scientists putting their thought-experiments to the test, and D.R. Merrill is no exception. Only here, the "outsiders" number about 1.2 million, and represent an entirely different species. Many "alien" characters emerge in the story -- doctors, police, space-shuttle pilots, scientists, even a linguist-turned-diplomat -- and they add to and mingle with the Alplai perspectives in the stories. But throughout the narrative, the central protagonist is Ganak, a descendant of feudal nobility, a moderate yet influential member of their conservative political party, and a crafty political tactician who uses his privilege and connections to help the Terai whenever her can. When taking Space Exploration Commission staff on a tour of the Rekar colonies, he even selects two Terai shuttle pilots to transport them. Perhaps its his genealogical and political background which makes Ganak an ideal messenger for the story's moral theme -- the inevitability of change, the necessity to both learn from history and build upon the best examples from it, and the benefits of a diverse society that can welcome newcomers.
I'm not going to throw in any spoilers here, and not just to encourage you to get a hold of the book and read it yourself. Whatever messages you derive from the story, and whether you agree with those messages or not, prepare to enter one of the most thoughtfully created worlds in science fiction. There are things here for both "hard sci-fi" buffs (slipstream drive space travel, medical advances, "bright-green" eco-friendly technology, a gourmet restaurant under a transparent dome on a distant moon), lovers of "soft sci-fi" social commentary (from Alplai political culture and religion, to the intricately constructed Kiitra language), or people who just like good storytelling done in a clear yet prosaic style, there's something for every reader to relish and embrace.
Also, it will take a while before you figure out who the "aliens" really are. The first seven chapters are told from the avianiod Alplai point of view, they don't actually see a "Terai" until the end of Chapter Five, and you're not clear until well into Chapter Six just who they are. The author does a skillful job of describing "Terai" from the Alplai point of view, right down to trying to convert "alien" names into their system.
It's the descriptions that are the clincher here -- layered with detail so as to draw the reader into this world, yet leaving enough room for you to fill in various pieces or wonder what's ahead, blending both originality and familiarity in its voice. Alplaa, its sister-planet Totrana, and its colonies orbiting Rekar are fleshed out with both similarities and contrasts to our own. Not just buildings and sky color, but foods and clothes and daily habits, diverse ethnicities and religions, government and elements of history. You get a sense that the Alplai's solar system is a real place, a vibrant home whose people have roots in tradition and eternal optimism in their future.
My one criticism is that there seems an element of repetition in the book. I'm no writer, so maybe it's necessary, but some may see it as didactic. But as I read the story of how the "aliens" try to settle and fit into their new home with their Alplai neighbors, I began to realize that some themes and messages do bear repeating, whether in a science fiction novel or in the conflict of real life. In many ways, this book is a commentary on our modern-day conflicts, from immigration rights and racism, to environmentalism and economics, "Lamikorda" seems almost utopian, some might say naïve, but I get a flavor of the "Nordic model" in the way they are portrayed accomplishing things, and how even their political ideologies and parties have been shaped.
Similar to other so-called "utopian" novels is the device of introducing an outsider or group of outsiders to interact with, learn from, and even challenge its perfect order. In some ways, the authors of utopian novels sometimes seem like scientists putting their thought-experiments to the test, and D.R. Merrill is no exception. Only here, the "outsiders" number about 1.2 million, and represent an entirely different species. Many "alien" characters emerge in the story -- doctors, police, space-shuttle pilots, scientists, even a linguist-turned-diplomat -- and they add to and mingle with the Alplai perspectives in the stories. But throughout the narrative, the central protagonist is Ganak, a descendant of feudal nobility, a moderate yet influential member of their conservative political party, and a crafty political tactician who uses his privilege and connections to help the Terai whenever her can. When taking Space Exploration Commission staff on a tour of the Rekar colonies, he even selects two Terai shuttle pilots to transport them. Perhaps its his genealogical and political background which makes Ganak an ideal messenger for the story's moral theme -- the inevitability of change, the necessity to both learn from history and build upon the best examples from it, and the benefits of a diverse society that can welcome newcomers.
I'm not going to throw in any spoilers here, and not just to encourage you to get a hold of the book and read it yourself. Whatever messages you derive from the story, and whether you agree with those messages or not, prepare to enter one of the most thoughtfully created worlds in science fiction. There are things here for both "hard sci-fi" buffs (slipstream drive space travel, medical advances, "bright-green" eco-friendly technology, a gourmet restaurant under a transparent dome on a distant moon), lovers of "soft sci-fi" social commentary (from Alplai political culture and religion, to the intricately constructed Kiitra language), or people who just like good storytelling done in a clear yet prosaic style, there's something for every reader to relish and embrace.
May 22, 2014
Outstanding epic, vivid descriptions, blends sci-fi with social commentary
November 21, 2014
Lamikorda is certainly an intriguing book. I'll start of by saying my reading pool isn't very big, but it is big enough, and I can honestly say I haven't come across a Sci-Fi story quite like this one. It has a couple of weakness for me personally, but it's biggest strength is certainly its world-building and in-depth analysis of themes and concepts related to the plot. This is where personal opinion comes in to play. if you like a story that is heavily weighed towards such focus on themes then I most certainly recommend you give this a read. However, if you like strong characters and/or fast paced action this, in my opinion, is not for you. No matter what your preference I do recommend at least giving the start a read as everyone's tastes are different.
Spoiler Free Comments: The opening is great, there's a lot of mystery and a unique element to the story telling. However, as the story progresses I did struggle to stay with it. This is obviously subjective and just my opinion but it felt too academic at times. This is actually it's strength from an objective point of view. The truth is I don't mind such a style if it also has strong characters I can attach to, and a good blend of action, internal conflict/struggle of the characters, but I didn't feel this story did. That said this almost academic approach made the world-building phenomenal! Between exceptionally realistic cultural and political conflicts, and the development of a language, this story has been put together with incredible care and effort. So much time and energy has clearly gone into Lamikorda that I am so greatly impressed by the authors talent and skill in world-building.
In conclusion, before a little spoiler review, I just want to say I did like Lamikorda and think it was an okay story. I want to give it more stars for it's world building alone, but I have to give a subjective review as for me I need more from a story than just that. If you don't have such a short attention span as I do then I would recommend at least reading the start, just to see if it's your thing or not.
SPOILERS!!!
This is essentially a first contact story written in great detail. It discusses what would happen if one species met another and agreed to share their home world and colonies. After the initial contact, the array of problems are discussed through the characters and actual plot. The story almost follows a spectrum of themes and conflicts/issues surrounding the integration of two species. Here is what I could see as the order: Language/Communication, Culture Blending, Education, Religion, Medical, and Politics. At the end there's political conflict and this is written well, and once again in great detail.
Spoiler Free Comments: The opening is great, there's a lot of mystery and a unique element to the story telling. However, as the story progresses I did struggle to stay with it. This is obviously subjective and just my opinion but it felt too academic at times. This is actually it's strength from an objective point of view. The truth is I don't mind such a style if it also has strong characters I can attach to, and a good blend of action, internal conflict/struggle of the characters, but I didn't feel this story did. That said this almost academic approach made the world-building phenomenal! Between exceptionally realistic cultural and political conflicts, and the development of a language, this story has been put together with incredible care and effort. So much time and energy has clearly gone into Lamikorda that I am so greatly impressed by the authors talent and skill in world-building.
In conclusion, before a little spoiler review, I just want to say I did like Lamikorda and think it was an okay story. I want to give it more stars for it's world building alone, but I have to give a subjective review as for me I need more from a story than just that. If you don't have such a short attention span as I do then I would recommend at least reading the start, just to see if it's your thing or not.
SPOILERS!!!
This is essentially a first contact story written in great detail. It discusses what would happen if one species met another and agreed to share their home world and colonies. After the initial contact, the array of problems are discussed through the characters and actual plot. The story almost follows a spectrum of themes and conflicts/issues surrounding the integration of two species. Here is what I could see as the order: Language/Communication, Culture Blending, Education, Religion, Medical, and Politics. At the end there's political conflict and this is written well, and once again in great detail.
May 30, 2015
Imagine this: during the course of an otherwise routine night's observing, astronomers discover a new object (an asteroid?) streaking in towards us from deep space; but then it begins to change trajectory and realization dawns: this thing is artificial - part asteroid, part spacecraft. In fact, it's a kind of gigantic alien ark and on board are the deep-frozen survivors of a calamity which has destroyed its builders' own home planet.
How would we react? And, reawakened, how would they? This is one of Lamikorda's themes: the treatment of outsiders, immigrants, refugees...'aliens' in every sense.
I liked this opening (think the early stages of Rendezvous With Rama) and, to begin with anyway, the setting - we're not on Earth at all, but a planet called Alplaa and its main colony Totrana. The Alplai themselves are similar to us in most respects, except avian - and likeable too with their brightly coloured plumage, weird foods (wood grub stew!) and birdlike mannerisms. Their society is more advanced, though, in some ways: war is a thing of the past and they're expending their energies, instead, on colonising some of their system's other planets and moons. This is the book's other main theme: Alplaa is what Earth could be; if you took Earth - its politics, global economy, religions, laws and all the rest - and straightened it out once and for all, egalitarian and peaceful Alplaa is what you'd end up with. But it's not an absolute utopia: there are more than a million of these alien refugees and not everyone welcomes this influx - there's prejudice, outright hostility and resentment at the huge construction programme necessary to house them all.
After the first quarter or so, though, the book went a bit flat for me; it faces the problem all fictional near-utopias face: that we readers are human beings, not Alplai, and most of us (from the safety of an armchair anyway) find dystopias and hells much more interesting. All the same, the degree of detail is impressive, you can see the amount of thought and sheer hard work that's gone into all this - particularly Kiitra, the Alplai language: my ebook version began with a pronunciation guide, but there's also a website which has a full-blown glossary (almost a mini-dictionary) if that's your sort of thing.
How would we react? And, reawakened, how would they? This is one of Lamikorda's themes: the treatment of outsiders, immigrants, refugees...'aliens' in every sense.
I liked this opening (think the early stages of Rendezvous With Rama) and, to begin with anyway, the setting - we're not on Earth at all, but a planet called Alplaa and its main colony Totrana. The Alplai themselves are similar to us in most respects, except avian - and likeable too with their brightly coloured plumage, weird foods (wood grub stew!) and birdlike mannerisms. Their society is more advanced, though, in some ways: war is a thing of the past and they're expending their energies, instead, on colonising some of their system's other planets and moons. This is the book's other main theme: Alplaa is what Earth could be; if you took Earth - its politics, global economy, religions, laws and all the rest - and straightened it out once and for all, egalitarian and peaceful Alplaa is what you'd end up with. But it's not an absolute utopia: there are more than a million of these alien refugees and not everyone welcomes this influx - there's prejudice, outright hostility and resentment at the huge construction programme necessary to house them all.
After the first quarter or so, though, the book went a bit flat for me; it faces the problem all fictional near-utopias face: that we readers are human beings, not Alplai, and most of us (from the safety of an armchair anyway) find dystopias and hells much more interesting. All the same, the degree of detail is impressive, you can see the amount of thought and sheer hard work that's gone into all this - particularly Kiitra, the Alplai language: my ebook version began with a pronunciation guide, but there's also a website which has a full-blown glossary (almost a mini-dictionary) if that's your sort of thing.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews