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Founding of the Commonwealth #1
Die Außenseiter
Erstkontakt. Die Menschen und die insektenartigen Thranx überwinden ihre angeborene Scheu voreinander und knüpfen vorsichtig erste Kontakte. Langsam soll diese Annäherung vor sich gehen, so beschließen es zumindest die Wissenschaftler und Politiker auf beiden Seiten. Vor der Bevölkerung soll der Erstkontakt erst einmal geheim gehalten werden. Doch niemand hat mit einer zufälligen Begegnung zweier ungewöhnlicher Außenseiter gerechnet:
Das Schicksal schickt den verrückten Poeten Desvendapur vom Volke der Thranx und den Betrüger und Gauner Cheelo auf eine Reise, die nicht nur sie selbst von Grund auf verändern wird, sondern von der auch die komplette Zukunft ihrer Heimatwelten abhängt ... Ein neuer Roman aus dem weltberühmten Homanx-Zyklus
Das Schicksal schickt den verrückten Poeten Desvendapur vom Volke der Thranx und den Betrüger und Gauner Cheelo auf eine Reise, die nicht nur sie selbst von Grund auf verändern wird, sondern von der auch die komplette Zukunft ihrer Heimatwelten abhängt ... Ein neuer Roman aus dem weltberühmten Homanx-Zyklus
446 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
100 people are currently reading
910 people want to read
About the author
Alan Dean Foster
498 books2,034 followersBestselling science fiction writer Alan Dean Foster was born in New York City in 1946, but raised mainly in California. He received a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA in 1968, and a M.F.A. in 1969. Foster lives in Arizona with his wife, but he enjoys traveling because it gives him opportunities to meet new people and explore new places and cultures. This interest is carried over to his writing, but with a twist: the new places encountered in his books are likely to be on another planet, and the people may belong to an alien race.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 17, 2021
Phylogenesis is the first book of Foster's Founding of the Commonwealth trilogy, but it stands quite well on its own. It covers some of the same material as Nor Crystal Tears, but with a very different point of view. There's little adventurous derring-do, but it's a heartfelt character study of a Thranx and a human, neither particularly likable when introduced, who grow to know and like one another at the same time the reader does. It's not exactly a first-contact story, but the concept fits. I think this first book of the trilogy is an excellent starting point for the Commonwealth series.
June 23, 2020
Rating: "A/A-": a nicely-done human-thranx adventure. Good old-fashioned SF -- light and fun.
Desvendapur is a misfit, a third-rate professional poet on the backwater colony world of Willow-Wane. Hearing a rumor of a secret alien colony, on impulse he sneaks into it and forges a new identity, hoping the weird, smelly "humans" will inspire him, and jump-start his stalled artistic career. Inspiration he gets, plus exotic travel, but at a very high price....
Cheelo Montoya is a ninloco, a small-time Tico hood on the lam from a mugging that went sour. He's hiding out in the Peruvian Reserva Amazonia, waiting for the heat to die down. He falls out of his stolen boat, which chugs on out-of-sight, on autopilot. Now he's hiding in a tree, after an unfortunate encounter with a column of army ants, when this giant bug walks by....
Des and Cheelo make a wary acquaintance, and then an uncertain partnership against the hazards of the jungle: jaguars, anacondas, poachers.... and unwittingly advance the budding Human-Thranx alliance. But the wily reptilian AAnn have an idea of how to throw a spanner in the works. Tune in next time for -- Book Two, Dirge! (Should be out RSN -- it's been turned in to the publisher.)
This is a very entertaining book -- light, fun, and action-packed, with clever twists and likeable characters. A lot like the good old stuff we read and loved when we were fourteen. And, for that matter, like earlier ADF books I've liked -- I'd gotten out of the habit of reading Foster, after several so-so books (and the appropriately-titled "The Damned" trilogy), so I'm very pleased to see him back at the top of his form. Familiarity with earlier Humanx Commonwealth books is helpful but certainly not required -- and, unlike many such books, Phylogenesis comes to a satisfying closure. If you happen to be new to Foster, or were disappointed before, this is a good chance to see him at his best. Fluff, but *good* fluff. Likely 3.5 stars, by my current GR system. Rounding up.
My 1999 review:
http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfict...
Slightly revised, 2020
Desvendapur is a misfit, a third-rate professional poet on the backwater colony world of Willow-Wane. Hearing a rumor of a secret alien colony, on impulse he sneaks into it and forges a new identity, hoping the weird, smelly "humans" will inspire him, and jump-start his stalled artistic career. Inspiration he gets, plus exotic travel, but at a very high price....
Cheelo Montoya is a ninloco, a small-time Tico hood on the lam from a mugging that went sour. He's hiding out in the Peruvian Reserva Amazonia, waiting for the heat to die down. He falls out of his stolen boat, which chugs on out-of-sight, on autopilot. Now he's hiding in a tree, after an unfortunate encounter with a column of army ants, when this giant bug walks by....
Des and Cheelo make a wary acquaintance, and then an uncertain partnership against the hazards of the jungle: jaguars, anacondas, poachers.... and unwittingly advance the budding Human-Thranx alliance. But the wily reptilian AAnn have an idea of how to throw a spanner in the works. Tune in next time for -- Book Two, Dirge! (Should be out RSN -- it's been turned in to the publisher.)
This is a very entertaining book -- light, fun, and action-packed, with clever twists and likeable characters. A lot like the good old stuff we read and loved when we were fourteen. And, for that matter, like earlier ADF books I've liked -- I'd gotten out of the habit of reading Foster, after several so-so books (and the appropriately-titled "The Damned" trilogy), so I'm very pleased to see him back at the top of his form. Familiarity with earlier Humanx Commonwealth books is helpful but certainly not required -- and, unlike many such books, Phylogenesis comes to a satisfying closure. If you happen to be new to Foster, or were disappointed before, this is a good chance to see him at his best. Fluff, but *good* fluff. Likely 3.5 stars, by my current GR system. Rounding up.
My 1999 review:
http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfict...
Slightly revised, 2020
November 25, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and the ending took me by surprise and was quite powerful. I struggled to like either of the two protagonists for quite a long time but when their ultimate fates unfolded I realised I had grown to like them more than I thought, purely from my emotional reaction.
The only reason I haven't given this book five stars is because it covers quite a lot of the same ground as the first prequel book 'Nor Crystal Tears'... and not as well.
No time for a longer review as I'm going to dive right into the next book in the series now.
The only reason I haven't given this book five stars is because it covers quite a lot of the same ground as the first prequel book 'Nor Crystal Tears'... and not as well.
No time for a longer review as I'm going to dive right into the next book in the series now.
February 17, 2017
I absolutely loved this novel.
I have a fixed obsession with first contact novels, and this one was very similar to Nor Crystal Tears, but I liked it better – there was a major focus on the human and thranx learning to accept the weird things the other creature did, which I enjoy reading about. Foster did a wonderful job showing how humans appear to the thranx in a way that made sense, but the thranx were strange enough to still be very alien to me; they are very believable as aliens go. It was also nice to see a thranx with different motivations than his peers and how he navigated through the systems he lived in to get what he wanted. All the thranx I’ve encountered so far in the Humanx novels have been kind of similar, but Des was unique.
And while I didn’t like Cheelo (he was kind of a gross turd of a person), the fact that I still found the sections with him interesting is saying a lot. Cheelo is not the kind of guy I’d hang around with (especially given the way he treated the reporter at the end), but I didn’t hate him. His rather scant background really required no further exposition, as it was obvious he was a petty criminal made so by his life circumstances and poor choices. An interesting twist on a protagonist.
What I really liked was that it was a subtle, realistic story about how sometimes cultures have to be forced to change, and how two “normal” people were the impetus for it. I was kept waiting for the Aann to attack or for Cheelo and Des to make some big demonstration about their friendship to the world, but it ended in an entirely different and unexpected way. It was refreshing. This is what a first contact book should be.
The story is not "exciting" in the sense of having any kind of battle and the plot is mainly about two people learning about one another, but I loved that aspect. Compared to the recent Flinx novel I read, this is a much better book – it has depth. I also love how Foster writes – carefully constructed sentences with hints of humour and lyricism throughout. His science fiction is smart without being dry.
And there are so many small tidbits that I really enjoyed, such as the reference to convergent evolution. On the cover of my edition Des is wearing a little backpack. I waited until halfway through and he finally put a backpack on. I don’t know why, but I think he looks incredibly cute wearing it and I was overjoyed he finally wore one in the novel. My husband was not as amused when I tried to express my enjoyment. But he watches videos of guys getting their cars stuck in ponds, so his opinion does not matter to me! The next book, Dirge, has what looks like Chris Pratt wielding a Pokeball, so for “modern” sci-fi covers, I must say these are great.
I have a fixed obsession with first contact novels, and this one was very similar to Nor Crystal Tears, but I liked it better – there was a major focus on the human and thranx learning to accept the weird things the other creature did, which I enjoy reading about. Foster did a wonderful job showing how humans appear to the thranx in a way that made sense, but the thranx were strange enough to still be very alien to me; they are very believable as aliens go. It was also nice to see a thranx with different motivations than his peers and how he navigated through the systems he lived in to get what he wanted. All the thranx I’ve encountered so far in the Humanx novels have been kind of similar, but Des was unique.
And while I didn’t like Cheelo (he was kind of a gross turd of a person), the fact that I still found the sections with him interesting is saying a lot. Cheelo is not the kind of guy I’d hang around with (especially given the way he treated the reporter at the end), but I didn’t hate him. His rather scant background really required no further exposition, as it was obvious he was a petty criminal made so by his life circumstances and poor choices. An interesting twist on a protagonist.
What I really liked was that it was a subtle, realistic story about how sometimes cultures have to be forced to change, and how two “normal” people were the impetus for it. I was kept waiting for the Aann to attack or for Cheelo and Des to make some big demonstration about their friendship to the world, but it ended in an entirely different and unexpected way. It was refreshing. This is what a first contact book should be.
The story is not "exciting" in the sense of having any kind of battle and the plot is mainly about two people learning about one another, but I loved that aspect. Compared to the recent Flinx novel I read, this is a much better book – it has depth. I also love how Foster writes – carefully constructed sentences with hints of humour and lyricism throughout. His science fiction is smart without being dry.
And there are so many small tidbits that I really enjoyed, such as the reference to convergent evolution. On the cover of my edition Des is wearing a little backpack. I waited until halfway through and he finally put a backpack on. I don’t know why, but I think he looks incredibly cute wearing it and I was overjoyed he finally wore one in the novel. My husband was not as amused when I tried to express my enjoyment. But he watches videos of guys getting their cars stuck in ponds, so his opinion does not matter to me! The next book, Dirge, has what looks like Chris Pratt wielding a Pokeball, so for “modern” sci-fi covers, I must say these are great.
March 27, 2009
This is a fascinating book about the beginnings of how the Humanx Commonwealth was established. I've been waiting for years to read this story, ever since I read "Nor Crystal Tears".
There is something fascinating and profoundly beautiful, I think, about the relationship between the Humans and the Thranx. I have always been enthralled by Foster's descriptions of the relationships between the two species. Perhaps it is because in fiction we rarely see humans described from the perspective of a non-human encountering humans for the first time, especially from a race so different from humans as the Thranx. They are fascinated by things that we all take for granted, such as walking on two legs and having bones on the insides of our bodies (the Thranx have exoskeletons). It's fascinatingn to see such a different perspective on Humanity.
When Cheelo and Desvendapur first met, there was quite a bit of rivalry between them. Each one tried to explain why the other was inferior. Having 6 legs instead of two, Desvendapur argued, gave Thranx more stability. Their exoskeletons, he asserted, made them better protected against injury. Humans on the other hand, argued Cheelo, were more flexible, could climb better, and could swim better.
The way Foster wrote it, it appeared as if Desvendapur won the argument. It made me think that perhaps the Thranx WERE superior to humans! It made me feel a little bad. I think Cheelo failed to bring up 2 important points, however. Yes, we have soft vulnerable outer skin, but our intelligence more than compensates for that weakness. If we need extra protection, we just invent body armor. The various weaknesses Desvendapur pointed out, can be overcome, in most cases, through technology. Another point that Cheelo failed to press was our ability to easily adapt to a much wider range of temperatures. Temperatures that humans would consider only a bit brisk would kill a Thranx. It does seem incredible to me, as it did to Cheelo, how the Thranx managed to survive, flourish, dominate their homeworld, and even colonize many planets, if they could not tolerate a wide range of temperature environments. Desvendapur's response was that the Thranx lived underground, so they didn't spend much time on the surface where they would be subject to such adverse conditions. Cheelo didn't press the point, but my response would be that even if they did live mostly underground, they still would have to travel extensively on the surface if they were to spread across their planet, establish new hives, and explore new worlds for colonization. I think this weakness of the Thranx is their greatest weakness, one that Cheelo could have made a bigger deal about but didn't.
The interactions between Desvendapur and Cheelo Montoya were fascinating. I loved the banter back and forth between them about which species was better.
I really liked the character Desvendapur, and I totally enjoyed his reactions to the first humans he encountered. His passion for poetry, his desire to achieve "something big", his thirst for inspiration, really touched me. I was really saddened when he died. I had grown to love the character. But I see why it had to happen.
I remembered all over again why I loved "Nor Crystal Tears" and the whole Humanx Commonwealth series. That's why I love Foster's work. He does a great job of getting into the minds of alien creatures and showing us their point of view. His descriptions are fascinating.
There is something fascinating and profoundly beautiful, I think, about the relationship between the Humans and the Thranx. I have always been enthralled by Foster's descriptions of the relationships between the two species. Perhaps it is because in fiction we rarely see humans described from the perspective of a non-human encountering humans for the first time, especially from a race so different from humans as the Thranx. They are fascinated by things that we all take for granted, such as walking on two legs and having bones on the insides of our bodies (the Thranx have exoskeletons). It's fascinatingn to see such a different perspective on Humanity.
When Cheelo and Desvendapur first met, there was quite a bit of rivalry between them. Each one tried to explain why the other was inferior. Having 6 legs instead of two, Desvendapur argued, gave Thranx more stability. Their exoskeletons, he asserted, made them better protected against injury. Humans on the other hand, argued Cheelo, were more flexible, could climb better, and could swim better.
The way Foster wrote it, it appeared as if Desvendapur won the argument. It made me think that perhaps the Thranx WERE superior to humans! It made me feel a little bad. I think Cheelo failed to bring up 2 important points, however. Yes, we have soft vulnerable outer skin, but our intelligence more than compensates for that weakness. If we need extra protection, we just invent body armor. The various weaknesses Desvendapur pointed out, can be overcome, in most cases, through technology. Another point that Cheelo failed to press was our ability to easily adapt to a much wider range of temperatures. Temperatures that humans would consider only a bit brisk would kill a Thranx. It does seem incredible to me, as it did to Cheelo, how the Thranx managed to survive, flourish, dominate their homeworld, and even colonize many planets, if they could not tolerate a wide range of temperature environments. Desvendapur's response was that the Thranx lived underground, so they didn't spend much time on the surface where they would be subject to such adverse conditions. Cheelo didn't press the point, but my response would be that even if they did live mostly underground, they still would have to travel extensively on the surface if they were to spread across their planet, establish new hives, and explore new worlds for colonization. I think this weakness of the Thranx is their greatest weakness, one that Cheelo could have made a bigger deal about but didn't.
The interactions between Desvendapur and Cheelo Montoya were fascinating. I loved the banter back and forth between them about which species was better.
I really liked the character Desvendapur, and I totally enjoyed his reactions to the first humans he encountered. His passion for poetry, his desire to achieve "something big", his thirst for inspiration, really touched me. I was really saddened when he died. I had grown to love the character. But I see why it had to happen.
I remembered all over again why I loved "Nor Crystal Tears" and the whole Humanx Commonwealth series. That's why I love Foster's work. He does a great job of getting into the minds of alien creatures and showing us their point of view. His descriptions are fascinating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2023
Phylogenesis" by Alan Dean Foster is an engrossing and thought-provoking science fiction novel that explores themes of evolution, genetic engineering, and morality. The story takes place in a future where humans have made contact with a vast array of alien species, each possessing its own unique biological and cultural characteristics.
One of the strengths of the novel is Foster's vivid and imaginative world-building. Each of the alien species in the book is described in detail, complete with their own unique biology, social norms, and cultural practices. Foster's descriptions of the various alien environments and habitats are also rich and immersive, making it easy to imagine the world he has created.
Overall, "Phylogenesis" is a well-crafted and engaging science fiction novel that will appeal to fans of the genre looking for a thought-provoking read.
Will now start of the second book in the trilogy.
One of the strengths of the novel is Foster's vivid and imaginative world-building. Each of the alien species in the book is described in detail, complete with their own unique biology, social norms, and cultural practices. Foster's descriptions of the various alien environments and habitats are also rich and immersive, making it easy to imagine the world he has created.
Overall, "Phylogenesis" is a well-crafted and engaging science fiction novel that will appeal to fans of the genre looking for a thought-provoking read.
Will now start of the second book in the trilogy.
November 26, 2021
This book was a pleasant surprise. It had just the right amount of familiarity and strangeness woven together. The characters were believable and relatable, even though I am not a poet nor a criminal there was something universal about both of them that I could resonate with.
I especially appreciated the strangeness of each culture and how the other could not grasp it. Mr. Foster managed to make two completely different species that thought differently and had different perspectives and appeared to the other as a strange mystery without having to mutilate language or go into a gender studies deconstructivist spiel. Thank goodness.
I enjoyed ir. I would read the next one.
I especially appreciated the strangeness of each culture and how the other could not grasp it. Mr. Foster managed to make two completely different species that thought differently and had different perspectives and appeared to the other as a strange mystery without having to mutilate language or go into a gender studies deconstructivist spiel. Thank goodness.
I enjoyed ir. I would read the next one.
May 28, 2024
Probably more like a 3.5. I didn't care for Nor Crystal Tears - probably my least fav of any of the Commonwealth stuff. I don't find the Thranx all that fascinating & I really don't find their love of performance art poetry interesting at all. It's easy to see that the partnered alien race of giant bugs is a metaphorical exercise in human's inherent "intolerance" of different folk on a myriad of levels. It's a bit too heavy handed for me to appreciate on any deeper level.
It started out a bit slow with - once again - a Thranx poet and his poet buddies. After Nor Tears, I was hoping ADF would have chosen a Thranx with a different occupation. The redeeming factor was that our bug "hero" is massively annoying, arrogant, and probably insane. Once I got into the groove, I dug that ADF made a disagreeable protag...equally, with his Earth counterpart - a criminal, murderer on the run. I enjoyed that part of the story & it ended a nice note
It started out a bit slow with - once again - a Thranx poet and his poet buddies. After Nor Tears, I was hoping ADF would have chosen a Thranx with a different occupation. The redeeming factor was that our bug "hero" is massively annoying, arrogant, and probably insane. Once I got into the groove, I dug that ADF made a disagreeable protag...equally, with his Earth counterpart - a criminal, murderer on the run. I enjoyed that part of the story & it ended a nice note
April 1, 2021
Cheelo Montoya is a Mexican street punk looking to finally make his big score when his mugging goes bad and his victim is killed. Fleeing to Amazonia to lay low until the heat is off he runs into a member of the thranx race, insectoid intelligences who are secretly building a colony hive underground in the jungle where the heat and humidity are bearable for them. But Desvendapur is an unlikely thranx, a renegade performance poet seeking contact with humans as fodder for his art, and who has also accidently killed one of his own race. These two unlikely first contacters must traverse the wilds of the Amazon while avoiding human and thranx co-conspirators who are desperate for the thranx base to be kept secret for poltical reasons as an alliance against a third race - the AAnn - and ruthless poachers. Alan Dean Foster has given us an exciting buddy tale of unlikely partners with the fate of three races in their unknowing hands. First of a trilogy it is eminently readable standalone but be prepared for some sadness.
March 21, 2025
Pagaliau prisiruošiau tolimesnes Humanx Commonwealth serijos dalis. Ši knyga seka mano anksčiau skaitytos Tranksų visata įvykius (ne visiškai tiesiogiai, personažai nesikartoja). Praėjo šiek tiek laiko nuo ankstesnės knygos, pirmasis kontaktas įvykęs, bet labiau tik teoriškai - tai čia kiek daugiau gilinamasi į tą detalesnę kontakto pusę, šiek tiek kartojantis, bet skaityti ne ką mažiau įdomu. Alan Dean Foster stebina savo idėjomis ir jų pateikimu, o vaizduojami personažai taip pat įtikinami ir realistiški.
Gal norėjosi kiek daugiau veiksmo ir vos mažiau kartojimosi su ankstesne knyga, bet tas tikrai netrukdė. Panašu, jog sekanti dalis taip pat nėra tiesioginis tęsinys, bet gal neprireiks vėl poros metų, kol ją išmėginsiu.
Gal norėjosi kiek daugiau veiksmo ir vos mažiau kartojimosi su ankstesne knyga, bet tas tikrai netrukdė. Panašu, jog sekanti dalis taip pat nėra tiesioginis tęsinys, bet gal neprireiks vėl poros metų, kol ją išmėginsiu.
September 7, 2010
I made the mistake of reading the fantastic "Drowning World" (which is 4 books out of sequence) prior to this, and as such I'm probably biased in my judgment of Foster's first installment of the Founding of the Commonwealth series. Whereas "Drowning World" is utterly alien through-and-through, "Phylogenesis" is a very subdued first contact story. Foster still gives us a taste of the exotic, though, in his descriptions of the Amazon wilderness and the Thranx protagonist's home colony. The Humanx Commonwealth is indeed founded within these pages, though one can't help but feel that the two main characters' contribution to its beginnings wasn't exactly...significant. This is more the germ for the beginning of the Commonwealth, rather than any electrifying event that blew the doors wide open for each of the races. It is a touching story, though, of tolerance and growth in two very despondent characters that just happen to resonate in spite of their racist phobias.
December 23, 2017
Im not going to rate it as i didnt finish. Its hard to jump into a saga that started thirty books earlier. Maybe that is why this was slow and opaque. I will file it away i think and if ever i want to read ADF again i will start somewhere closer to the beginning.
February 26, 2025
The story of Phylogenesis is sandwiched between summaries of events that are much grander than the meat of the book, itself. At both the beginning and end, decades' worth of time are abridged in a matter of pages, giving the barest acknowledgement of cities being besieged, animosities between races, treaties being drawn up, etc. Normally, this sort of thing would probably bother me--especially when the bulk of the book is so much smaller in scope--but once you get past the jarring setup, it becomes clear that Phylogenesis is a character-driven story, not a plot-driven one. And it works, because the characters here are interesting.
Desvendapur is a bug-like alien called a thranx, and also an aspiring poet. But he feels stifled creatively by the normal comings and goings of his people, and he yearns to find his creative spark studying humans--whom the thranx are in a touch-and-go bit of diplomacy with, trying to forge an alliance against their historical enemies, the reptilian AAnn. What follows from Desvendapur's perspective, is a personally dangerous quest far outside his comfort zone that might have ramifications larger than he ever expected.
Cheelo Montoya is a thief with a chance to make it big. He's caught the eye of a bigwig organized crime boss who's made Cheelo an offer he can't refuse. All he needs to do is scrape together enough money for the startup costs, and he'll be set for life. The only problem is, a robbery gone wrong has him on the run, desperate to drop off the radar, but also to get to the arranged meeting place with the crime boss' representatives on time, so that the opportunity of a lifetime doesn't pass him by.
This book is very focused on the lives of these two, despite the grand establishing setup we get at the very beginning. And yes, the events that play out do tie back into that, but that's not the point. This is the story of two outcasts crossing paths, and having their lives change as a result, and it's really quite good.
There are some issues: The prose is a bit overwritten at times, and everyone from sanitation workers to street thugs seems surprisingly erudite. Also, I find it hard to believe the murder of a tourist in San Jose would warrant international attention. And finally, with the way this story ends, there's a time gap that pretty much guarantees none of the characters here will be alive in the next book, which is an odd choice.
Still, Phylogenesis is good, old-fashioned sci-fi. It's a story that isn't afraid to take its time and really explore how two representatives of very different species might interact with each other and the world around them, and letting that be an interesting story in and of itself. It might be awhile before I pick up the sequel, since as I said, I doubt there'll be any recurring characters, but even as a standalone book, Phylogenesis is worth a read.
Desvendapur is a bug-like alien called a thranx, and also an aspiring poet. But he feels stifled creatively by the normal comings and goings of his people, and he yearns to find his creative spark studying humans--whom the thranx are in a touch-and-go bit of diplomacy with, trying to forge an alliance against their historical enemies, the reptilian AAnn. What follows from Desvendapur's perspective, is a personally dangerous quest far outside his comfort zone that might have ramifications larger than he ever expected.
Cheelo Montoya is a thief with a chance to make it big. He's caught the eye of a bigwig organized crime boss who's made Cheelo an offer he can't refuse. All he needs to do is scrape together enough money for the startup costs, and he'll be set for life. The only problem is, a robbery gone wrong has him on the run, desperate to drop off the radar, but also to get to the arranged meeting place with the crime boss' representatives on time, so that the opportunity of a lifetime doesn't pass him by.
This book is very focused on the lives of these two, despite the grand establishing setup we get at the very beginning. And yes, the events that play out do tie back into that, but that's not the point. This is the story of two outcasts crossing paths, and having their lives change as a result, and it's really quite good.
There are some issues: The prose is a bit overwritten at times, and everyone from sanitation workers to street thugs seems surprisingly erudite. Also, I find it hard to believe the murder of a tourist in San Jose would warrant international attention. And finally, with the way this story ends, there's a time gap that pretty much guarantees none of the characters here will be alive in the next book, which is an odd choice.
Still, Phylogenesis is good, old-fashioned sci-fi. It's a story that isn't afraid to take its time and really explore how two representatives of very different species might interact with each other and the world around them, and letting that be an interesting story in and of itself. It might be awhile before I pick up the sequel, since as I said, I doubt there'll be any recurring characters, but even as a standalone book, Phylogenesis is worth a read.
July 5, 2018
(I read this book several weeks ago, so start / finish dates are approximate.)
The last Alan Dean Foster book I read was way back in high school (The Last Starfighter). I was aware that he'd written some novelizations of high-profile sci-fi movies, but that was the extent of my Dean knowledge.
This is one in a longish series (the first in a miniseries-within-the-series, in fact). Not being familiar with the series in which it's set, I lack context for the overall storyline, but I find the premise interesting enough to want to read the rest. As regards story, there's not a whole lot here. It's kind of a road novel involving two unlikely allies, but approximately half of the plot is geared toward maneuvering them together before the actual partnership even begins.
It's well-told, albeit somewhat repetitive (Dean frequently retraces his descriptions of the characters' motives and mistrusts). He does a good job of explicating the biological differences that underpin the psychological and societal issues involved, although so far there seems little to distinguish his alien races from the universe of insectoid and reptilian species already well-trodden by science fiction authors. If this installment is any indication of the whole, then the series is probably more about interstellar politics and pyschodrama than shooting wars and space opera.
The last Alan Dean Foster book I read was way back in high school (The Last Starfighter). I was aware that he'd written some novelizations of high-profile sci-fi movies, but that was the extent of my Dean knowledge.
This is one in a longish series (the first in a miniseries-within-the-series, in fact). Not being familiar with the series in which it's set, I lack context for the overall storyline, but I find the premise interesting enough to want to read the rest. As regards story, there's not a whole lot here. It's kind of a road novel involving two unlikely allies, but approximately half of the plot is geared toward maneuvering them together before the actual partnership even begins.
It's well-told, albeit somewhat repetitive (Dean frequently retraces his descriptions of the characters' motives and mistrusts). He does a good job of explicating the biological differences that underpin the psychological and societal issues involved, although so far there seems little to distinguish his alien races from the universe of insectoid and reptilian species already well-trodden by science fiction authors. If this installment is any indication of the whole, then the series is probably more about interstellar politics and pyschodrama than shooting wars and space opera.
March 23, 2024
I love fiction which allows for changes in perspective, and most of all stories where humans and their society are seen through alien eyes. It's refreshing to experience accounts of First Contact that don't restrict themselves to two intelligent species fighting and killing one another, but that instead go deeper and describe cultural and philosophical exchanges and attempts to 'get along' despite considerable differences in both biology and mentality.
The Humanx Commonwealth is one setting doing just this, and Foster's 'Phylogenesis' delivers on that level. However, I wasn't particularly thrilled by the book.
- The backstory is much too lengthy, i.e. the two protagonists meet only very late in the book;
- to me, Cheelo Montoya is not a very believeable character; his behaviour isn't coherent and his attitude toward the thranx is too conveniently tailoured to the needs of the plot;
- even though it would certainly have been difficult to 'translate', I would have been very interested in reading at least one sample of Desvendapur's poetry, when so much of the story is based on this passion of his.
All in all, I prefer (and recommend) Foster's 'Cachalot' and 'Nor Crystal Tears' which take place in the same universe.
The Humanx Commonwealth is one setting doing just this, and Foster's 'Phylogenesis' delivers on that level. However, I wasn't particularly thrilled by the book.
- The backstory is much too lengthy, i.e. the two protagonists meet only very late in the book;
- to me, Cheelo Montoya is not a very believeable character; his behaviour isn't coherent and his attitude toward the thranx is too conveniently tailoured to the needs of the plot;
- even though it would certainly have been difficult to 'translate', I would have been very interested in reading at least one sample of Desvendapur's poetry, when so much of the story is based on this passion of his.
All in all, I prefer (and recommend) Foster's 'Cachalot' and 'Nor Crystal Tears' which take place in the same universe.
November 6, 2024
I gave it 3 stars, but barely....
In comparison with most sci-fi books, this book was good. In comparison to other Alan Dean Foster books, it is probably my least favorite. That is not to say that it wasn't good, thus the 3 stars. Let me explain....
First,
I thought the story had too many twists and turns. It only kept me engaged when Des ended up in Earh.
Second,
One of the things about this story is that it is dark, not like other books by the same author. The character Des does not have the murderer type of character to him. He is a pacifist and a poet. It just wasn't convincing enough.
All in all, I did enjoy the book and do recommend it for being one of the Humanx books in the series. You can always count on Alan Dean Foster to write a good story, even if it's not the best.
In comparison with most sci-fi books, this book was good. In comparison to other Alan Dean Foster books, it is probably my least favorite. That is not to say that it wasn't good, thus the 3 stars. Let me explain....
First,
I thought the story had too many twists and turns. It only kept me engaged when Des ended up in Earh.
Second,
One of the things about this story is that it is dark, not like other books by the same author. The character Des does not have the murderer type of character to him. He is a pacifist and a poet. It just wasn't convincing enough.
All in all, I did enjoy the book and do recommend it for being one of the Humanx books in the series. You can always count on Alan Dean Foster to write a good story, even if it's not the best.
December 12, 2024
This book is actually very well written but it makes a core assertion that strains the limits of credibility and I just had a hard time getting past that. A poet, desperate for inspiration, gives up his girl and his home to live near an alien species. Then murders a perfectly nice cab driver to cover his tracks getting in a secret base and shrugs it off as not too too bad as he should be able to write some nice poems about it. Then circumvents 25th century (a poet remember) IT protocols, get a new identity, vocation, position at a top secret base, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong, great characters and a great read. You just really have to want it enough to put a basic glaring problem with the plot out of your mind.
September 28, 2018
+A story of a VERY unconventional Thranx. Believing that a poet could only compose meaningful verse if exposed to the unknown for inspiration, Desvendapur has deliberately lowered his station, changed his identity, insinuated himself into forbidden installations, traveled to Earth on a spaceship, and escaped the hive hidden beneath the Amazon rain forest to travel in a world inhabited by humans. Whom he confronts is totally unexpected, but very inspirational. When exposed to cold dry air after being captured by 2 more outlaws, he finally succumbs and has given his life for his art.+
April 10, 2021
An insect-like species with anthropomorphic behavior is first introduced to Humanity. The Thranx person, Des, is in artist poet who desires to meet the humans meets up with Cheelo, an enterprising thief in the Amazon where the first insect colony is secretly hidden.
Great Story about humanity and meeting aliens. Really enjoyed it.
Great Story about humanity and meeting aliens. Really enjoyed it.
February 25, 2022
This is really a 3.5 book, but I enjoyed it so much that Igave it a 4. This is a really good start to a series and I can't wait to find out if the second book is as good. The hero of this book is very likable even though he is a unlikable creature to human nature, an insect. Des, the hero, observations of humans is quite humorous. Overall a good sci fi book. Highly recommended.
January 25, 2019
Answers questions
For add fans this book serves to answer questions posited from Pop series. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. As always a satisfying read.
For add fans this book serves to answer questions posited from Pop series. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. As always a satisfying read.
July 27, 2019
Another great book by Alan Dean Foster, and another interesting universe.
October 2, 2020
A continuation of the deepening relationship of the humans and the thranx, set on a secret thranx colony on Earth and involving the unfortunate poet Des and the ruffian Heelo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2020
4.5. Love this new sci fi world he created.and the inter species discovery of someone so different yet so similar in some ways!
May 31, 2021
Start of a series describing the creation of the Human/Thranx Commonwealth. Told from the point of view of two schmucks, on human and one thranx. It was annoying.
April 14, 2024
story of the beginning of the Human/Thranx alliance (Humanx) Alan Dean Foster. love his work.
August 20, 2024
La historia se desarrolla de una forma poco creíble, salvo el protagonista el relato carece de personajes realmente interesantes. Realmente parece una historia para niños de 8 años.
April 6, 2025
Незамысловато конечно...
July 10, 2025
2.5⭐️ this ended up being very slow and anticlimactic.
January 7, 2013
Finished reading this book today. I was looking
for another Alan Dean Foster novel to read because
I really enjoy his writing style and having read
the Dammned Trilogy in the past which I really
enjoyed I wanted to start reading another series
of books by him.
I wasn't disappointed :-)
This book started out very well, captured my interest
in just a few pages and it was an enjoyable and funny
read throughout. I just thought that the ending was
rather abrupt and was unexpected (the reason for
rating 4 out of 5 stars).
I read the book during my flight from Asia back to
Los Angeles and I was laughing out loud because of
the funny conversations between the main characters.
Some examples:
Des: "I am a food preparations specialist"
Cheelo: "Who do you prepare food for? He looked past
the bug scrutinizing the rain forest from
which it had emerged. "Not just yourself, surely?
There must be more of you."
Des: "There are, but they are crrk, carrying out limited
studies of their own, far, far from here. I am
on a solitary expedition of my own."
Cheelo: "To do what?" Suspicious to a fault, Cheelo kept
searching the woods for any hints of closing ambush.
"Gather herbs and spices?" He lowered his gaze
"Or maybe, you'd like to catch me off guard so you
could kill and eat me?"
At this point I was really laughing out loud. There are lots
more conversations like this and if you've read the chapters
before the "encounter", you'll understand why the dialog between
Des and Chello is hilarious.
Alan Dean Foster is a master at using dialog to move the story
along. And particularly the contrast between the mindsets of both characters: a human and an intelligent alien insect like creature
is very funny.
I still would like the story to have continued more though
and probably highlight and elaborate how Des' poems impacted
the Thranx population after it has been transcribed.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series:
Dirge :-)
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