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Scuzzworms
Maladaptation. This whole planet is a glorious example of maladaptation. No floods, no holocausts, just unchanging climate and benevolent conditions. The entire ecology down there is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. Becoming an exobiologist wasn’t meant to be easy. Watching alien creatures squirming about in alien muck from the safe side of a video screen can become tedious after awhile, that is, unless you’ve got no place else to go. Then it becomes your life’s work, even if the scenery does get a bit, um, disgusting at times. Imelda isn’t your average exobiologist, however, and Iago IV isn’t your average planet. Iago IV has never heard of Darwin. Join this futuristic expedition to a world that is never quite what anyone expects.
300 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2004
2 people want to read
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February 4, 2026
As the only review of this book on the website, I think it is my duty to highlight the cool parts of this book.
The only reason I know this book exists is because as a teen my fiancé got the chicken pox. He also had a jailbroken kindle. That kindle had one book on it. Scuzzworms. He read the whole thing while recovering and it stuck with him. He has a theory that the writers of Scavenger's Reign ripped this book a bit. I decided to hunt down a copy to understand his fixation. Thankfully the publisher still sells physical copies!
The world building in the book is great. From the scientific exhibition bogged down by capitalism, to the planet full of creatures unlike any on earth, it all felt realistic and plausible. The author seems at least to me, someone who took the minimum amount of science necessary for my degree, very knowledgeable on the types of biology discussed in the book. The planet feels like a mystery that each scientist is trying to solve first. Our protagonist reminds me of Annihilation's biologist, except our exobiologist may not be as prickly as she acts.
I had some issues with formatting and pacing, but for a likely self published novel I found it quite good. I'm thankful I got to read this and share an experience with my partner. An experience full of scuzzy little worms.
The only reason I know this book exists is because as a teen my fiancé got the chicken pox. He also had a jailbroken kindle. That kindle had one book on it. Scuzzworms. He read the whole thing while recovering and it stuck with him. He has a theory that the writers of Scavenger's Reign ripped this book a bit. I decided to hunt down a copy to understand his fixation. Thankfully the publisher still sells physical copies!
The world building in the book is great. From the scientific exhibition bogged down by capitalism, to the planet full of creatures unlike any on earth, it all felt realistic and plausible. The author seems at least to me, someone who took the minimum amount of science necessary for my degree, very knowledgeable on the types of biology discussed in the book. The planet feels like a mystery that each scientist is trying to solve first. Our protagonist reminds me of Annihilation's biologist, except our exobiologist may not be as prickly as she acts.
I had some issues with formatting and pacing, but for a likely self published novel I found it quite good. I'm thankful I got to read this and share an experience with my partner. An experience full of scuzzy little worms.
Displaying 1 of 1 review