No Place Like Home

by Julie E. Czerneda

The alien Umlari sent out a thousand starships in search of resources and to find, if they can, their long-lost home world. Walkers like Drewe are trained to use a custom-grown body to explore each new world. If she and her crechemates find the one where the Umlari first evolved, it will be the greatest discovery of their time. Or will it? For a terrible secret binds their lives together, and learning the truth may mean the end of all. First published in Forbidden Planets ed by Marvin Kaye (SFBC), this stunning science fiction novella received Honorable Mention in Gardner Dozois’ Year’s Best SF.

Genres: Science Fiction

62 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2016

About the author

Having written 25 novels (and counting) published by DAW Books, as well as numerous short stories, and editing several anthologies, in 2022, Julie E. Czerneda was inducted in the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. Her science fiction and fantasy combines her training and love of biology with a boundless curiosity and optimism, winning multiple awards. Julie's recent releases include the standalone novel To Each This World, her first collection Imaginings, and A Shift of Time, part of her Night's Edge fantasy series. For more visit czerneda.com Julie is represented by Sara Megibow of Megibow Literary Agency LLC.

Reviews

[sonzaemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow

My awe of Julie Czerneda's writing is renewed very time. This story is so beautiful, I am ecstatic. Now I truly remember why I read.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent SciFi novella. Unique and imaginative characters and plot kept me turning pages. The ending was far from predictable.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very enjoyable. I loved it. Having read all of Czerneda's scifi novels already, this fit right in. 2 things reminded me of other books (in a good way) by her. not like story or theme, but there are some scifi things Czerneda really likes to write about and this has a couple in it's short 80 pages. I love a short story that builds a universe so well. Also mating sets of 3 with varying sex ratios, pretty awesome. Alien biology is fun.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Czerneda. Always amazing.

Such unique characters. Always surprising where thing end up. Thank you for another great story. You never disappoint. Now back to re-read the whole clan series so I can get the new book!