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Kelvoo's Chronicles #1
Kelvoo's Testimonial: A Kloomar's Autobiography
LISTED AS A BEST INDIE BOOK OF 2022 BY KIRKUS REVIEWS
Kelvoo is overcome with wonder at the arrival of the humans.
With flawless memories and innate curiosity, Kelvoo’s community embraces the benevolent humans and their knowledge of the boundless universe beyond the cloud-covered sky.
After the departure of the first contact mission, an unscrupulous human lands in Kelvoo’s village, inviting Kelvoo and eight others to join a “goodwill mission” to faraway worlds. Lured into a trap and enslaved by an outlaw gang, Kelvoo’s group is forced to participate in an interstellar crime spree, and subjected to the worst of human nature.
Realizing that the mission is destined to end with their murder, Kelvoo’s team must use their limited insight into human nature to understand and escape the brutality of their captors. With Kelvoo’s world and species vulnerable to exploitation, failure would have devastating consequences far beyond Kelvoo’s own death.
---
Kelvoo’s Testimoninal is equal parts action, philosophy, and hard science fiction.
Written as Kelvoo’s personal account, Kelvoo’s Testimonial provides an outsider’s view of humanity in all its beauty and savagery.
Kelvoo is overcome with wonder at the arrival of the humans.
With flawless memories and innate curiosity, Kelvoo’s community embraces the benevolent humans and their knowledge of the boundless universe beyond the cloud-covered sky.
After the departure of the first contact mission, an unscrupulous human lands in Kelvoo’s village, inviting Kelvoo and eight others to join a “goodwill mission” to faraway worlds. Lured into a trap and enslaved by an outlaw gang, Kelvoo’s group is forced to participate in an interstellar crime spree, and subjected to the worst of human nature.
Realizing that the mission is destined to end with their murder, Kelvoo’s team must use their limited insight into human nature to understand and escape the brutality of their captors. With Kelvoo’s world and species vulnerable to exploitation, failure would have devastating consequences far beyond Kelvoo’s own death.
---
Kelvoo’s Testimoninal is equal parts action, philosophy, and hard science fiction.
Written as Kelvoo’s personal account, Kelvoo’s Testimonial provides an outsider’s view of humanity in all its beauty and savagery.
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First published March 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 13, 2022
How They See Us – An Alien Perspective
An autobiography (even a fictional sci-fi autobiography), if written honestly, is going to reveal the truth about its narrator and the narrator’s perception of others (i.e., humans, in this case): the bad, the good, the ugly, and the beautiful. The narrator in this case is Kelvoo, an alien from the pristine planet Kuw’baal, and a member of the Kloormari species.
Sam Buchanan, a human who will become Kelvoo’s best friend, describes the Kloormari in his Preface to Kelvoo's Testimonial as “unparalleled multi-taskers.” The Kloormari are blessed with extremely versatile bodies, photographic memory, unlimited vocal range, a seemingly infinite ability to learn complex information and to apply acquired knowledge with staggering speed and efficiency.
The Kloormari are also innocent as children. Imagination, passion, ambition, greed, deception, love, hate, all those complex and paradoxical emotions and qualities that both doom and elevate humans are completely foreign to them. That is, until a human research vessel lands on Kuw’baal and makes First Contact with this interesting species. And though the first humans Kelvoo and his species encounter are well-meaning and make a favorable impression, the Kloormari eventually become vulnerable to less honorable humans (and also become more humanlike, for better or worse), leading to a series of disorienting and traumatic events.
This futuristic tale is eminently contemporary, concerned with destructive human behaviors such as war, drug addiction, sex trafficking, economic exploitation, bigotry, replacement theory, and so on. Phil Bailey skillfully weaves into the story detailed technical material and creative world building to please even the most demanding hard sci-fi fan. But he has also created an alien species that can move the human heart to laughter or tears.
Yes, this is the alien Kelvoo’s testimonial, but it’s really about us, the people we choose to be and the way we choose to engage the universe and those who are different from us. Will we be guided by our better angels, or by our demons? That’s a choice each of us has to make.
An autobiography (even a fictional sci-fi autobiography), if written honestly, is going to reveal the truth about its narrator and the narrator’s perception of others (i.e., humans, in this case): the bad, the good, the ugly, and the beautiful. The narrator in this case is Kelvoo, an alien from the pristine planet Kuw’baal, and a member of the Kloormari species.
Sam Buchanan, a human who will become Kelvoo’s best friend, describes the Kloormari in his Preface to Kelvoo's Testimonial as “unparalleled multi-taskers.” The Kloormari are blessed with extremely versatile bodies, photographic memory, unlimited vocal range, a seemingly infinite ability to learn complex information and to apply acquired knowledge with staggering speed and efficiency.
The Kloormari are also innocent as children. Imagination, passion, ambition, greed, deception, love, hate, all those complex and paradoxical emotions and qualities that both doom and elevate humans are completely foreign to them. That is, until a human research vessel lands on Kuw’baal and makes First Contact with this interesting species. And though the first humans Kelvoo and his species encounter are well-meaning and make a favorable impression, the Kloormari eventually become vulnerable to less honorable humans (and also become more humanlike, for better or worse), leading to a series of disorienting and traumatic events.
This futuristic tale is eminently contemporary, concerned with destructive human behaviors such as war, drug addiction, sex trafficking, economic exploitation, bigotry, replacement theory, and so on. Phil Bailey skillfully weaves into the story detailed technical material and creative world building to please even the most demanding hard sci-fi fan. But he has also created an alien species that can move the human heart to laughter or tears.
Yes, this is the alien Kelvoo’s testimonial, but it’s really about us, the people we choose to be and the way we choose to engage the universe and those who are different from us. Will we be guided by our better angels, or by our demons? That’s a choice each of us has to make.
November 10, 2024
What a great book! It’s been a long time since a novel made me cry, and this one definitely did. Any novel that starts with a biology lesson has my attention, and then the story moves into the point of view of one of most interesting characters I’ve read about.
The format of this novel was different than any I’ve read in the past and I really enjoyed the progression of the story, the development and changes of the characters, and the ending, OMG get the tissues!
I have downloaded book two. The only criticism is I’d liked to have spent more time with Kelvoo before the arrival of the humans, in his world. I found the biology and behavior of it’s people believable and fascinating!
The format of this novel was different than any I’ve read in the past and I really enjoyed the progression of the story, the development and changes of the characters, and the ending, OMG get the tissues!
I have downloaded book two. The only criticism is I’d liked to have spent more time with Kelvoo before the arrival of the humans, in his world. I found the biology and behavior of it’s people believable and fascinating!
June 19, 2024
The Kloomar are some of the most brilliantly imagined aliens in science fiction. Possessing eidetic memories and a multi-throated language capable of conveying thousands of pages of information in seconds, they combine the strongest elements of individuality and a hive mind. On a mild and fecund planet where food and shelter are abundant and effortlessly obtained, they have no concepts of greed, theft, lying or commerce.
Until humans arrive.
It isn't that Kllomar are incapable of those human vices; they've just never had a reason for them. The title character, Kelvoo, when confronted with the concept of lying, finds it interesting and in all likelihood useful.
Humans present the best and worst we have to offer, and the Kloomar's rapidly-growing ability to assimilate humans and their vices and virtues makes for a fascinating read.
Rich, intelligent and witty, Kelvoo's Testimonial is a must read.
Until humans arrive.
It isn't that Kllomar are incapable of those human vices; they've just never had a reason for them. The title character, Kelvoo, when confronted with the concept of lying, finds it interesting and in all likelihood useful.
Humans present the best and worst we have to offer, and the Kloomar's rapidly-growing ability to assimilate humans and their vices and virtues makes for a fascinating read.
Rich, intelligent and witty, Kelvoo's Testimonial is a must read.
February 23, 2024
What if we were NOT the best thing to happen to a new found civilization?
If you're walking into this read, or at least thinking about it, expecting a sci-fi adventure full of space battles, lasers and fast paced runs through the galaxy... Well I'm sorry... You'll have a bit of that, but you'll get oh so much more than you thought you needed!
Kelvoo's Testimonial is, essentially, a documentary style story that is narrated by Kelvoo, a specimen from a species discovered by humans in a remote planet. We follow the human arrival and influence by the testimony of Kelvoo itself who, along with all of the kloormari of the planet, never even considered that there was anything else above the cloudy sky above them.
So, what is the story? It's the opposite view of most sci-fi stories, here were put in the eyes of something that sees humans for the first time and learns of them, what they are, who they are, why they're there and what do they want.
Honestly, it's hard to read this since it's very close to reality, in the sense that, even in this far future, humans are still like we are now, even if slightly different in some aspects. We see what is like to know nothing of humans and learn from there what humans are and how they behave.
It's really... Brutal... At first it's sweet and hopeful, I got really attached to the characters of the story and engaged in this, and suddenly when I thought that the story would change very little, it gains a new momentum as things take a turn for the worse. Why? Because in the end... Future or not... They're still humans!
To read this you must give it a chance and power through the first half (maybe not that much) of the book, since it's all about Kelvoo's and nine other kloormari being taught various earthly things by the humans, how to speak, what is the universe, the humans, the history, and everything the humans want to be known of the universe. Only after that does the more adventurous parts of this story start.
And then that's when it all gets very emotional!
It's happy, sad, enraging, disgusting, mysterious, heart breaking! It's all of that suddenly all of a sudden! And all felt by a species who never felt any of it ever!
In the end, it's an amazing read that'll make you wonder why the genre doesn't explore these concepts more! It's a breath of fresh air in the sci-fi world showing there's still a lot that can be done!
Bravo Phil Bailey for this great work that left me wondering what else is there in store for Kelvoo and all the kloormari!!
Thank you both Phil Bailey and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review this awesome book.
This ebook was freely provided by BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
If you're walking into this read, or at least thinking about it, expecting a sci-fi adventure full of space battles, lasers and fast paced runs through the galaxy... Well I'm sorry... You'll have a bit of that, but you'll get oh so much more than you thought you needed!
Kelvoo's Testimonial is, essentially, a documentary style story that is narrated by Kelvoo, a specimen from a species discovered by humans in a remote planet. We follow the human arrival and influence by the testimony of Kelvoo itself who, along with all of the kloormari of the planet, never even considered that there was anything else above the cloudy sky above them.
So, what is the story? It's the opposite view of most sci-fi stories, here were put in the eyes of something that sees humans for the first time and learns of them, what they are, who they are, why they're there and what do they want.
Honestly, it's hard to read this since it's very close to reality, in the sense that, even in this far future, humans are still like we are now, even if slightly different in some aspects. We see what is like to know nothing of humans and learn from there what humans are and how they behave.
It's really... Brutal... At first it's sweet and hopeful, I got really attached to the characters of the story and engaged in this, and suddenly when I thought that the story would change very little, it gains a new momentum as things take a turn for the worse. Why? Because in the end... Future or not... They're still humans!
To read this you must give it a chance and power through the first half (maybe not that much) of the book, since it's all about Kelvoo's and nine other kloormari being taught various earthly things by the humans, how to speak, what is the universe, the humans, the history, and everything the humans want to be known of the universe. Only after that does the more adventurous parts of this story start.
And then that's when it all gets very emotional!
It's happy, sad, enraging, disgusting, mysterious, heart breaking! It's all of that suddenly all of a sudden! And all felt by a species who never felt any of it ever!
In the end, it's an amazing read that'll make you wonder why the genre doesn't explore these concepts more! It's a breath of fresh air in the sci-fi world showing there's still a lot that can be done!
Bravo Phil Bailey for this great work that left me wondering what else is there in store for Kelvoo and all the kloormari!!
Thank you both Phil Bailey and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review this awesome book.
This ebook was freely provided by BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2025
A first-person account of a first-contact encounter with humans, told by the alien. To say this was a detailed read, is an understatement, but no stone was left unturned, giving the reader a well-rounded, satisfying story. Phil Bailey has created a fleshed out immersive world, from the unique and imaginative characteristics of the indigenous species to their customs and the planet's landscape - and inevitably, the impactful benefits and ramifications from their encounter with humans. A compelling read!
November 2, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed Kelvoo's Testimonial. It's written in an autobiographical format from the alien's perspective. It's a thought provoking view of colonialism that contains enough action/drama and allows the reader to identify with the writer (even though an alien...).
May 9, 2022
This is the weirdest review I’m ever going to write, because the author himself has made a comment in the story, inadvertently summing up the problem with his own writing.
Let me explain…
This is a Science Fiction novel in the format of a report on a First Encounter with an alien species, written by Kelvoo, one of the participants. The alien species is humans. Kelvoo’s species have perfect memories, and they observe events in incredible detail.
At the end of the story, when Kelvoo is getting human assistance in writing his report, we see this advice:
“Humans don’t have the attention span to read a minute-by-minute account of the finest details of a story. It’s about finding the right balance. You need to relate the important events while still including various anecdotes and observations that will hold the reader’s interest and make your characters relatable.”
Unfortunately, this author has not found that balance. He has spent a great deal of time and imagination in creating a wonderful world and a completely new species. Then he spends the whole of Part I describing in the finest detail Kelvoo’s observations and impressions of his interactions with humans.
In doing this, he creates a marvellous main character that we get to know and empathize with, but there is little conflict and no suspense for the first 40% of the novel.
Then we get to Part II, the action starts, and we have a perfectly good story until almost the end. Then the complexities return to get in the way of a highly appropriate ending in Part III, which is redeemed by stronger thematic material, dealing in a meaningful way with the ill effects of even the best-intentioned colonialism on indigenous peoples.
In the end, this book needs three ratings: Part I – 2 stars, Part II – 5 stars, Part III – 4 stars.
Recommended for those interested in worldbuilding at its finest. If you only want action, conflict, and suspense, I suggest starting around Chapter 16.
This review was originally posted on Reedsy Discovery
Let me explain…
This is a Science Fiction novel in the format of a report on a First Encounter with an alien species, written by Kelvoo, one of the participants. The alien species is humans. Kelvoo’s species have perfect memories, and they observe events in incredible detail.
At the end of the story, when Kelvoo is getting human assistance in writing his report, we see this advice:
“Humans don’t have the attention span to read a minute-by-minute account of the finest details of a story. It’s about finding the right balance. You need to relate the important events while still including various anecdotes and observations that will hold the reader’s interest and make your characters relatable.”
Unfortunately, this author has not found that balance. He has spent a great deal of time and imagination in creating a wonderful world and a completely new species. Then he spends the whole of Part I describing in the finest detail Kelvoo’s observations and impressions of his interactions with humans.
In doing this, he creates a marvellous main character that we get to know and empathize with, but there is little conflict and no suspense for the first 40% of the novel.
Then we get to Part II, the action starts, and we have a perfectly good story until almost the end. Then the complexities return to get in the way of a highly appropriate ending in Part III, which is redeemed by stronger thematic material, dealing in a meaningful way with the ill effects of even the best-intentioned colonialism on indigenous peoples.
In the end, this book needs three ratings: Part I – 2 stars, Part II – 5 stars, Part III – 4 stars.
Recommended for those interested in worldbuilding at its finest. If you only want action, conflict, and suspense, I suggest starting around Chapter 16.
This review was originally posted on Reedsy Discovery
September 5, 2023
I give this sci-fi points for effort. It’s a well-structured story of first contact, mostly from the alien’s point of view, Kelvoo being the alien. Kelvoo’s report is intercut with human reports, such as a lengthy preface by the first-encounter captain of the human ship, and occasional “official” human reports of the encounter.
While the first contact on Kelvoo’s world goes well and peacefully, the naïve aliens are then persuaded to join the humans in the ruthless conquest of another planet, where the aliens see another side of humanity. The aliens are horrified and are co-opted into the battle, producing great moral quandary for them.
Like all good sci-fi, it’s a commentary on the human condition, because as we all know, it takes an alien to show what a human really is. The alien world and worldview are developed in detail and I admire the author’s thoughtfulness in designing all that.
In the end, however, the story didn’t engage me. Kelvoo is charming in his intelligent naivety but his voice quickly becomes indiscriminable from that of any human. None of the characters in the tale are psychologically compelling. As in most sci-fi, they are mainly puppets and placeholders for the action story. By the standard of most sci-fi, then, the writing is adequate.
Several times, I’ve considered writing a first-contact story from the alien’s point of view, but I couldn’t solve two problems. First, the readers are humans, not aliens, so the story has to be told in a way they can understand, canceling the alien point of view. Secondly, what is the alien point of view? We are humans and only have the human point of view. It’s difficult, but possible, to imagine an alien environment, but an alien psychology? If I did somehow manage to do that, I’d run up against the first problem, conveying it to the reader. So, I’ve never written that book.
What does Bailey do? He gives Kelvoo essentially a human psychology. K. comes across on the page as a naive pre-teen in sophistication. That defeats the basic premise of the book, it seems to me, eliminating the alien point of view. Kelvoo is about as alien as a restaurant in a foreign country feels here on Earth.
As for the environment and the social interactions, they too, end up being only superficially alien. Kelvoo and his compatriots are bipedal, upright animals that breathe oxygen and have the same life-cycle and sensory equipment as humans, although with double compound eyes. None of the psychology of that alien body is explored. What would the world be like if you had compound eyes? That’s a question that interests me.
Utlimately though, what makes Kelvoo alien is “Too many legs.” That’s a standard formula for any alien and that’s about it here, although maybe the extra limbs are arms, hard to say, but the point is there are six appendages. The alien exterior is blue (of course), but mercifully has no tentacles, another alien cliché, and thankfully, no dripping mucus. However the body has lots of ropey, tentacle-like tubes draped around the exterior of the body like some modernist French architecture. The skin is predictably lizardy, so Kelvoo is a blend of insect, octopus, and lizard instead of just one kind of standard alien. I guess that makes him triple-alien.
You might think Kelvoo’s morphology is just intended as fun, but the book is presented with a straight face. This is not supposed to be an anything-goes fantasy, but, like the best sci-fi, a plausible extension of fact-based thinking. So I would have expected at least a nod to the kind of evolutionary necessity that produced such a body.
Likewise, Kelvoo’s environment is fun, with gelatinous food lying on the ground, but no explanation is offered for how that came to be. Language, the most formidable barrier in any first contact is waved aside as a matter of phrase-book lookups. You say tomato, I say tomahto.
Not a sentence is given to profound questions of language: how and why language develops at all, how language is related to psychology and culture, and how nearly impossible it actually would be to communicate with an alien. The “informational” plaques mounted on the Pioneer spacecraft were meant to communicate with a possible alien culture. Not even that laughable effort to overcome alien alienation is considered here.
I respect the author for giving the problems of alien POV a go, and the book was interesting for reminding me why I’ve never attempted it. But now I’m thinking I might see a way to do it. I credit that to Phil Bailey’s testimonial.
Bailey, Phil (2022). Kelvoo’s Testimonial. Self-published, 372 pp. Amazon ASIN : B09VF1JQDD
While the first contact on Kelvoo’s world goes well and peacefully, the naïve aliens are then persuaded to join the humans in the ruthless conquest of another planet, where the aliens see another side of humanity. The aliens are horrified and are co-opted into the battle, producing great moral quandary for them.
Like all good sci-fi, it’s a commentary on the human condition, because as we all know, it takes an alien to show what a human really is. The alien world and worldview are developed in detail and I admire the author’s thoughtfulness in designing all that.
In the end, however, the story didn’t engage me. Kelvoo is charming in his intelligent naivety but his voice quickly becomes indiscriminable from that of any human. None of the characters in the tale are psychologically compelling. As in most sci-fi, they are mainly puppets and placeholders for the action story. By the standard of most sci-fi, then, the writing is adequate.
Several times, I’ve considered writing a first-contact story from the alien’s point of view, but I couldn’t solve two problems. First, the readers are humans, not aliens, so the story has to be told in a way they can understand, canceling the alien point of view. Secondly, what is the alien point of view? We are humans and only have the human point of view. It’s difficult, but possible, to imagine an alien environment, but an alien psychology? If I did somehow manage to do that, I’d run up against the first problem, conveying it to the reader. So, I’ve never written that book.
What does Bailey do? He gives Kelvoo essentially a human psychology. K. comes across on the page as a naive pre-teen in sophistication. That defeats the basic premise of the book, it seems to me, eliminating the alien point of view. Kelvoo is about as alien as a restaurant in a foreign country feels here on Earth.
As for the environment and the social interactions, they too, end up being only superficially alien. Kelvoo and his compatriots are bipedal, upright animals that breathe oxygen and have the same life-cycle and sensory equipment as humans, although with double compound eyes. None of the psychology of that alien body is explored. What would the world be like if you had compound eyes? That’s a question that interests me.
Utlimately though, what makes Kelvoo alien is “Too many legs.” That’s a standard formula for any alien and that’s about it here, although maybe the extra limbs are arms, hard to say, but the point is there are six appendages. The alien exterior is blue (of course), but mercifully has no tentacles, another alien cliché, and thankfully, no dripping mucus. However the body has lots of ropey, tentacle-like tubes draped around the exterior of the body like some modernist French architecture. The skin is predictably lizardy, so Kelvoo is a blend of insect, octopus, and lizard instead of just one kind of standard alien. I guess that makes him triple-alien.
You might think Kelvoo’s morphology is just intended as fun, but the book is presented with a straight face. This is not supposed to be an anything-goes fantasy, but, like the best sci-fi, a plausible extension of fact-based thinking. So I would have expected at least a nod to the kind of evolutionary necessity that produced such a body.
Likewise, Kelvoo’s environment is fun, with gelatinous food lying on the ground, but no explanation is offered for how that came to be. Language, the most formidable barrier in any first contact is waved aside as a matter of phrase-book lookups. You say tomato, I say tomahto.
Not a sentence is given to profound questions of language: how and why language develops at all, how language is related to psychology and culture, and how nearly impossible it actually would be to communicate with an alien. The “informational” plaques mounted on the Pioneer spacecraft were meant to communicate with a possible alien culture. Not even that laughable effort to overcome alien alienation is considered here.
I respect the author for giving the problems of alien POV a go, and the book was interesting for reminding me why I’ve never attempted it. But now I’m thinking I might see a way to do it. I credit that to Phil Bailey’s testimonial.
Bailey, Phil (2022). Kelvoo’s Testimonial. Self-published, 372 pp. Amazon ASIN : B09VF1JQDD
March 8, 2023
As an avid reader, I've been on a strong sci-fi/ET kick for the last couple years. Kelvoo's Testimonial is my favorite book from the genre during that time and in my all-time HOF. It's take on alien life is rich, compelling and original. It's take on how good and bad humans would behave as an interstellar species is spot on IMHO. The quality of writing is great from a technical standpoint. There's plenty of material to expand upon if the author wants to write a series. And even the cover art/technical drawings, which I don't usually care about in a novel, are well done.
I could go into more detail, but I'm getting tired as I have to get up very early for work in the morning and don't want to give spoilers for anyone who wants to read this great book. It's a masterpiece.
I could go into more detail, but I'm getting tired as I have to get up very early for work in the morning and don't want to give spoilers for anyone who wants to read this great book. It's a masterpiece.
September 9, 2023
Extra points for the vision and autobiographical format. Even the preface is "in world", written by a character in the book. Yes!
I do wish Kelvoo hadn't adapted his writings for humans so much, I wish they were more in his raw form. Even if we only got a few pages per chapter, that would have really blown my mind.
He did include some great lines though:
"I now knew that “Samuel Buchanan” meant “upper torso.”" 😂
Did not see that ending coming!
*Free e-copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I do wish Kelvoo hadn't adapted his writings for humans so much, I wish they were more in his raw form. Even if we only got a few pages per chapter, that would have really blown my mind.
He did include some great lines though:
"I now knew that “Samuel Buchanan” meant “upper torso.”" 😂
Did not see that ending coming!
*Free e-copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2024
An adequate first contact novel, main difference being it is written by an alien subject to first contact by visiting humans. Could have done with being a bit shorter as some passages dragged on a bit. On the interesting side humanity, as has happened with 'first contact' here where Europeans 'discovered' America then proceeded to marginalise the natives, happens here. This is possibly why we have a galaxy wide 'Keep out' notice so that aliens don't get poisoned by our materialism.
December 27, 2023
I’d like to say humans aren’t that bad but …
Space colonialism, humans are just the worst . Poor old Kelvoo, he and his friends have survived but what a price they have paid. I can’t wait to see if life treats him any better in the next book. Thanks for an extremely entertaining and thoughtful story.
Space colonialism, humans are just the worst . Poor old Kelvoo, he and his friends have survived but what a price they have paid. I can’t wait to see if life treats him any better in the next book. Thanks for an extremely entertaining and thoughtful story.
September 2, 2022
Kelvoos Testimonial
[Blubr goes here]
The premise for this book is absolutely enthralling. The account of an alien creature meeting humanity for the first time, and the aftermath that precedes the encounter. The first 20 to 30 per cent of the book is just a long preamble to better understand what's to come. Then things go horribly wrong for our friend's species. They clash with human nature, and there's no going back. This is when the book gets dark, and I do mean dark. Kelvoo and a group of his peers get tangle up with the worst humans have to offer. It's not their fault. The kloormari don't have use for lies, a concept they're not familiar with. Even when reading children's literature, they confuse fiction with reality, believing that animals on earth have the ability to speak.
Phil Bailey's descriptions alone, make the book a worthy read. Up to a point. He paints too long a picture. I like lengthy books, but mind you, only when the plot keeps on moving; when the pace is set and doesn't slow down. More than once his story comes to a screeching halt. Fillers here and there. Some of them needed, and some just plain stuffing.
Don't let that discourage you. IMHO, this is an adventure you don't want to miss.
[Blubr goes here]
The premise for this book is absolutely enthralling. The account of an alien creature meeting humanity for the first time, and the aftermath that precedes the encounter. The first 20 to 30 per cent of the book is just a long preamble to better understand what's to come. Then things go horribly wrong for our friend's species. They clash with human nature, and there's no going back. This is when the book gets dark, and I do mean dark. Kelvoo and a group of his peers get tangle up with the worst humans have to offer. It's not their fault. The kloormari don't have use for lies, a concept they're not familiar with. Even when reading children's literature, they confuse fiction with reality, believing that animals on earth have the ability to speak.
Phil Bailey's descriptions alone, make the book a worthy read. Up to a point. He paints too long a picture. I like lengthy books, but mind you, only when the plot keeps on moving; when the pace is set and doesn't slow down. More than once his story comes to a screeching halt. Fillers here and there. Some of them needed, and some just plain stuffing.
Don't let that discourage you. IMHO, this is an adventure you don't want to miss.
January 5, 2023
I was disappointed while reading this even though it was fairly clearly telegraphed what the story would be like. A first contact story written from the perspective of the idealized noble savage aliens when well meaning but naïve humans come to visit. These are followed by deceitful humans, and we ultimately encounter greedy and entitled humans. The noble savages are corrupted by these greedy ways and sacrifice their simple and harmonious culture.
Not what I read science fiction for.
Not what I read science fiction for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews