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The Grotto of the Formigans
The thing that went bump in the night was a helicopter. And Maynard Griggs, anthropologist, just happened to be in the vicinity completing his study of Zaire's Magenda d'Zondo tribe. So he rushed to the crash site and rescued the lone survivor, Consuela Millan, a fiery major in the Cuban army.
But, by next morning, something—something that left tiny, hooved footprints—had come out of the jungle. Whatever it was had removed every trace of the wreck—as well as the army payroll Consuela had stolen.
Her impetuous search for the money led her and Griggs into a strange world peopled by stranger beings, creatures whose intentions they did not understand... until it was too late!
But, by next morning, something—something that left tiny, hooved footprints—had come out of the jungle. Whatever it was had removed every trace of the wreck—as well as the army payroll Consuela had stolen.
Her impetuous search for the money led her and Griggs into a strange world peopled by stranger beings, creatures whose intentions they did not understand... until it was too late!
- GenresScience FictionFiction
186 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 12, 1980
2 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Daniel da Cruz
24 books2 followersUS writer, formerly known for numerous men's action-adventure tales, who began publishing sf with The Grotto of the Formigans (1980), a novel about African grotto Monsters, and who came to more general notice with his Ayes of Texas sequence: The Ayes of Texas (1982), Texas on the Rocks (1986) and Texas Triumphant (1987). The political premises underlying the series – in the late 1990s the USSR, having hoodwinked the supinely liberal US media, has come to dominate the world – have dated, though the American assumption that its media are liberal is still conventional wisdom; the exuberance of the tales themselves remains winning. The protagonist, a triple-amputee World War Two veteran from the newly free Republic of Texas, arms an old battleship (itself called Texas), and sails off to fight the Russians. Much blood is spilt, and a good time is had by all; by the close of the third volume, however, a genuinely sophisticated dubiousness about the nature of the USSR/USA Cold War conflict complicates what might have seemed an unduly simplified picture: the sequence merits revisiting. F-Cubed (1989) is a less entrancing Technothriller; but Mixed Doubles (1989) enjoyably depicts the attempts of a contemporary failed composer who travels back in time to steal Music from those more talented than himself. [JC] - See more at: http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 27, 2024
I knew this was a ride I'd enjoy the moment I found the cover art online
This was such a good fun time, with an odd story, likeable characters and mysterious creepy entity.
The main characters are an interesting duo, a black American guy wanting scientific fame and a Cuban soldier lady who wants riches, who both have good traits and flaws. They share a very good balance off each other and their banter is fun to follow, although I have to say they shared a bit too much chemistry ahah, the moment they said a couple of words they got down to business (nothing graphic and later on with a lot with innuendos and cheeky reminders). Imagine me, an asexual reading how within like a couple of hours these two were jumping in bed and thinking "Do people have sex that quickly?" But then I think of the people I have the displeasure to work with and the answer comes to me on its own.
I really enjoyed how down to earth they are and how organic they look, something I rarely see in modern books, the plank-syndrome is too common.
The Formigans are fascinating creatures, not unique by any means, but incredibly well structured and I enjoyed a lot learning about them. They made the characters oddly comfortable in their den, but you can immediately spot the creepiness behind it and I loved it.
The best character was the bearded guy in the fungus farm, hands down. Without spoiling much, it was chilling to see him so cheerful and chatty in his desperate predicament.
The final part was such an "AH!" end, the author used all he had previously introduced and used it wisely, giving a satisfying wrap-up yet not that predictable.
This was such a good fun time, with an odd story, likeable characters and mysterious creepy entity.
The main characters are an interesting duo, a black American guy wanting scientific fame and a Cuban soldier lady who wants riches, who both have good traits and flaws. They share a very good balance off each other and their banter is fun to follow, although I have to say they shared a bit too much chemistry ahah, the moment they said a couple of words they got down to business (nothing graphic and later on with a lot with innuendos and cheeky reminders). Imagine me, an asexual reading how within like a couple of hours these two were jumping in bed and thinking "Do people have sex that quickly?" But then I think of the people I have the displeasure to work with and the answer comes to me on its own.
I really enjoyed how down to earth they are and how organic they look, something I rarely see in modern books, the plank-syndrome is too common.
The Formigans are fascinating creatures, not unique by any means, but incredibly well structured and I enjoyed a lot learning about them. They made the characters oddly comfortable in their den, but you can immediately spot the creepiness behind it and I loved it.
The best character was the bearded guy in the fungus farm, hands down. Without spoiling much, it was chilling to see him so cheerful and chatty in his desperate predicament.
The final part was such an "AH!" end, the author used all he had previously introduced and used it wisely, giving a satisfying wrap-up yet not that predictable.
April 3, 2024
Somewhat boring and slow, but has some interesting things to it.
May 23, 2023
As I sink more & more into senility (no longer precociously so), I might just read more & more bks like this. Actually, I enjoyed it just fine. I have a deep affection for stories like this, the stories written by authors who'll probably never be popular like Michael Crichton b/c their plots are just a little too silly.. or cheesy.. or ridiculous. The plots that're based more in imagination & fancy than they are on the latest technological blah-blah. A helicopter containing a stolen army payroll crashes near a jungle & some underground insectoid/humanoid creatures swarm over it, people get taken into their queendom, there's fighting, spicy dialog, love interest. It's all good-natured fun.
June 13, 2019
A throwback to golden age SF, a lost world novel, slightly updated with a love interest and a bit of sex.
March 21, 2016
This weird little sci-fi book met all expectations of being terrible, yet entertaining. My husband read it as a teen and thought I should experience it too. I can see why it would appeal to a 15-year-old male. It's very sexist, and racist too. The author informs us right away that the main female character has breasts of substantial firmness and stature, "like the bisected halves of a medicine ball."
The writing is, er, okay... but what really has merit is the story of an underground race of creatures whose entire civilization is based on the cultivation of various fungi. That part is actually pretty interesting, and the author concludes the story in an unexpected way to solve the problem of whether our heroes can get out alive while simultaneously preserving the Formigan species from future discovery and inevitable destruction.
Plus, it has a groovy cover! I was going to rate it to two stars (because really, it's pretty bad) but am switching to three (because there's an "it's so bad it's almost good" factor at work). Don't take that as a recommendation to read it.
The writing is, er, okay... but what really has merit is the story of an underground race of creatures whose entire civilization is based on the cultivation of various fungi. That part is actually pretty interesting, and the author concludes the story in an unexpected way to solve the problem of whether our heroes can get out alive while simultaneously preserving the Formigan species from future discovery and inevitable destruction.
Plus, it has a groovy cover! I was going to rate it to two stars (because really, it's pretty bad) but am switching to three (because there's an "it's so bad it's almost good" factor at work). Don't take that as a recommendation to read it.
June 2, 2013
Grotto of the Formigans (not Grotto of Formigans) is a book I reread occasionally just to try to relive the joy I had reading it the first time. It's not deep although most of the action occurs in a deep cave. It's not long and it lacks Scientific interest but it sure is fun to read. You may have trouble finding a copy as it was never too popular.
If you are interested in mycology or hive insects this book is probably for you.
If you are interested in mycology or hive insects this book is probably for you.
April 18, 2015
Pure vintage Sci Fi fun from start to finish!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews