Czerneda gets into the mind of aliens in her books. I always like books that provide a totally different way of thinking and being, and she is really good at that.
In the Company of Others - 2001
Humans terraform several worlds and immigrant families are temporarily housed in space stations until their new home planets were ready. Without knowing the consequences the alien Quill is introduced to these worlds by the persons terraforming them. The Quill—or Tranquils as they were known for the pleasant, tranquillizing effect even a single filament could have on the human nervous system—were a mindless form of fungal life which became a popular and harmless relaxant among the terraforming crews. They were supposed to be destroyed when the crews finished their work, but Quill filaments survived, multiplied, and mutated and then they were no longer harmless. They were also unkillable without wrecking the environment where they now existed. The colonists were stranded in overcrowded space stations that started to fail and Earth refused to allow them and space traders back into the solar system for fear that the Quill might be let loose in the home system. Earth scientist Dr. Gail Smith is determined to discover more information about the Quill with a crew supposedly under her command (although how much so is a question answered later in the book). She first has to find and gain the cooperation of Aaron Pardell, the lone survivor of the Quill. In the process she becomes entangled in the intrigue of a space station overcrowded with stationers, immigrants and spacers (traders). The plot spins toward a surprising resolution as the biological secrets of the Quill are revealed one by one, until they are at least somewhat understood. This was a good book with strong characterizations.
Species Imperative Series
In a future time humans have expanded to other solar systems and become one of the more recent members of the Interspecies Union (IU). We meet the Dhryn who are wiping out all life from planets. Are they the enemy or the tool of the enemy? The other possible enemy are the Myrokynay (the Ro), experts in the use of no-space and who may have developed the Dhryn as their tool. Some of the characters of this trilogy:
- Mackenzi Connor (Mac) – She is the main character, an evolutionary biologist co-administering and studying salmon at the Norcoast Salmon Research Facility (Base) on the western coast of Canada. She has never been interested in off-planet activities until these activities have come to visit and interfere with her research. An insight into the specialty which has caused her to be involved can be found in what she says in the third book (Regeneration) in the 5th part of Chapter 17: “My work deals with species, not individuals. I follow changes in populations over time, how they interact with others, their environments. . . The drives acting on living things—that’s what I do.”
- Nikolai Trojanowski (Nik) – Nik starts out as an enemy but by the end of the first book we know that he will be the important man in Mac’s life. He is an agent of the Ministry of Extra-Sol Human Affairs, and eventually of the Interspecies Union.
- Emily Mamani – Em is a friend of Mac’s, but much more than that. It develops that she is a tool of the Ro and almost dies when the Ro withdraw from maintaining her.
- Charles Mudge III (Oversight) – He is the Oversight Committee of the Castle Inlet Wilderness Trust, to whom Mac must go to plead for funding. It is discovered that he is much more than that, ending up protecting and backing up Mac all along the way.
- Brymn – He is a Dhryn archaeologist and is one of the few Dhryn who has left their planet. He was sent by the Progenitor to find out the truth about the Dhryn. He visits Mac at her station, attracting the Ro, who do not want the Dhryn to understand the truth.
Survival 2004 – This book introduces us to the main characters and the main issues. Brymn doesn't survive the book, but does his best to save Mac despite having been turned into a killer, although she loses an arm. She has been taught to speak Dhryn in order to speak with the Progenitor, but this leads to unforeseen consequences.
Migration 2006 – Mac has recuperated physically from her encounter with the Dhryn although nightmares are wearing. She is back at the Base but things again go wrong. She decides to take a vacation to the family cabin on an isolated Canadian lake. There she is found by two IU delegates to a gathering to try to stop the Dhryn from killing planets. She is invited and cannot say no. Dr. Mamani in her role as a Ro agent has sent her a mysterious message the IU is trying to interpret. She has some almost fatal encounters (again) but is saved by, of all people, Charles Mudge III. She ends up working at IU headquarters in New Zealand (run by the very respected Sinzi) leading a team looking into the cause for the killings by the Dhryn.
Regeneration 2007 – In this book Dr. Mamani is deserted by the Ro and almost dies as they had replaced parts of her body with no-space. After her physical recovery she tries to help solve the riddle of the connection between Dhryn and Ro, but has forgotten much. The IU members are divided in believing that the Ro are either the enemy or the saviors. Mac firmly believes they are the true enemy. Although this book involves extreme risk, it also has a lot of ironic humor on the part of Mac. She and Nik become very close to the Sinzi and this means some very dangerous undertakings on behalf of humanity. A truly breathtaking finalé.
Migration 2006 – Mac has recuperated physically from her encounter with the Dhryn although nightmares are wearing. She is back at the Base but things again go wrong. She decides to take a vacation to the family cabin on an isolated Canadian lake. There she is found by two IU delegates to a gathering to try to stop the Dhryn from killing planets. She is invited and cannot say no. Dr. Mamani in her role as a Ro agent has sent her a mysterious message the IU is trying to interpret. She has some almost fatal encounters (again) but is saved by, of all people, Charles Mudge III. She ends up working at IU headquarters in New Zealand (run by the very respected Sinzi) leading a team looking into the cause for the killings by the Dhryn.
Regeneration 2007 – In this book Dr. Mamani is deserted by the Ro and almost dies as they had replaced parts of her body with no-space. After her physical recovery she tries to help solve the riddle of the connection between Dhryn and Ro, but has forgotten much. The IU members are divided in believing that the Ro are either the enemy or the saviors. Mac firmly believes they are the true enemy. Although this book involves extreme risk, it also has a lot of ironic humor on the part of Mac. She and Nik become very close to the Sinzi and this means some very dangerous undertakings on behalf of humanity. A truly breathtaking finalé.
Trade Pact Universe
Trade Pact Stratification Trilogy
These are a prequel to the Clan Chronicles, and should be read before them, as the Clan Chronicles make more sense with the basis of this trilogy. As background, Trade Pact members are searching for archaeological remains of the Ancients. The planet of Cersi has three sentient species who try to live in a rigid balance. They are the Oud (large crawlers/tunnelers), the Tikitik (swamp dwellers) and the Om'ray, a human-appearing telepathic people who can locate each other from birth. The Oud invite Pact members to Cersi, causing a rift with the Tikitik and a toppling of the balance. All of these stories are from the point of view of the Om'ray, and show the development of their powers other than telepathy and location. The leaders of each Om'ray clan tries to stop the development of these powers, fearing punishment by the other species. Species who do not have mindspeech, including humans, do not seem real to the Om'ray, and only the Speaker of each clan has the strength to communicate with them. We discover that the females are the powerful Om'ray, and do not mature until they become Choosers of a mate and find their Chosen. They can call them from other clans and the unChosen must follow arduous ways to reach their Choosers.
Reap the Wild Wind 2007 – In this book we are introduced to Aryl Sarc, a very powerful Om'ray of the Yena clan. We are also introduced to Enris, a metal worker of the Tuana clan. The Yena are beholden to the Tikitik, and the Tuana are beholden to the Oud. The Oud and the Tikitik are aware of the humans, who unintentionally cause problems for the Yena. Because the Yena don't have enough food to survive, the Yena council sends those with the most power off to make their own way. Aryl leads this group. We meet Marcus Bowman, a human, for the first time in this book. He helps save the rejected Om'ray.
Riders of the Storm 2008 – Aryl and Enris (you have to read the books to see how they meet) lead the rejected Om'ray to a new place that had once been the home of the Sona clan, which no longer exists. Enris goes off to investigate the Vyna clan, and this was a very negative experience! Aryl is named Speaker of the new Sona clan by the Oud even though she doesn't want the responsibility. In this book the relationship of the Oud, Tikitik and Om'ray becomes somewhat clearer.
Rift in the Sky 2009 – Enris and Aryl are joined. This book shows the problem of pirates from other worlds who will do anything to get the valuable artifacts of the Ancients. They harm Marcus Bowman terribly to get the artifacts. He gives up his life to save the Om'ray. We also follow the development of the M'hiray who become different from the Om'ray although they developed within the Om'ray.
Rift in the Sky: Stonerim III – The 730 M'hiray find themselves transported through the M'hir to the planet of Stonerim III (Marcus Bowman's home world) with no memory of their home world or language, and knowing Comspeak, the language of Trade Pact people. Because they have strong telepathic and teleportation powers and brought ancient artifacts with them, they manage to survive very well. Aryl and Enris begin to remember some things and Aryl has doubts that their new methods are any better than those of the pirates. However, she knows they must survive. The end of the book gives us strong implications for the following books in the Clan Chronicles.
Riders of the Storm 2008 – Aryl and Enris (you have to read the books to see how they meet) lead the rejected Om'ray to a new place that had once been the home of the Sona clan, which no longer exists. Enris goes off to investigate the Vyna clan, and this was a very negative experience! Aryl is named Speaker of the new Sona clan by the Oud even though she doesn't want the responsibility. In this book the relationship of the Oud, Tikitik and Om'ray becomes somewhat clearer.
Rift in the Sky 2009 – Enris and Aryl are joined. This book shows the problem of pirates from other worlds who will do anything to get the valuable artifacts of the Ancients. They harm Marcus Bowman terribly to get the artifacts. He gives up his life to save the Om'ray. We also follow the development of the M'hiray who become different from the Om'ray although they developed within the Om'ray.
Rift in the Sky: Stonerim III – The 730 M'hiray find themselves transported through the M'hir to the planet of Stonerim III (Marcus Bowman's home world) with no memory of their home world or language, and knowing Comspeak, the language of Trade Pact people. Because they have strong telepathic and teleportation powers and brought ancient artifacts with them, they manage to survive very well. Aryl and Enris begin to remember some things and Aryl has doubts that their new methods are any better than those of the pirates. However, she knows they must survive. The end of the book gives us strong implications for the following books in the Clan Chronicles.
The Clan Chronicles
These three books chronicle the M'hiray on the Trade Pact worlds They are usually called "The Clan" by the few humans who know of their existence. In these books we see the opening up of at least some M'hiray to appreciating other species. The epilogue of the Rift in the Sky: Stonerim III shows us Mirim di Sarc during her pregnancy with Sira di Sarc, with a warning that she would change everything. These books chronicle the changes effected by Sira. Mirim, and later Sira, know that only change can save the M'hiray. The M'hiray have become too enamoured with power, being too arrogant to realize this was actually killing them. In trying to control this power, the Clan Council assigns life partners and when and how many children each couple is allowed to have. As a result, the couples usually live far apart. By the end of this series there are some changes in this control.
A Thousand Words for Stranger 1997 – We meet Sira who, through a stasis block, has lost her memory. She has a strong compulsion to go to The Silver Fox, the ship of a human telepath, Jason Morgan. Through her cousin, Barac, Morgan knows the Clan is looking for her. She is kidnapped by others and Morgan realizes that she is being used by her own people and tries to protect her. In this book we meet a descendent of Marcus Bowman, who is now a commander within the Trade Pact Enforcers. We discover that Sira's father is behind an attempt to force her to join with an evil renegade M'hiray. She is powerful enough to reject him and choose the human, Jason Morgan, with complications, of course.
Ties of Power 1999 – Sira, the most powerful member of the Clan, has dared to challenge the will of her people by allying herself with the human, Jason Morgan. She becomes involved with the alien group called the Drapsk,who consider Sira to be their Mystic One. She proves she is, but is never sure what that actually means. We see the attempt of her father, Jarad to use her genetic material even if it kills her. Both Huido, the monstrous Carasian who considers himself the blood brother of Morgan, and Jason do everything possible to protect her, and are only partially successful. However, Jason and Sira finally can consume their marriage.
To Trade the Stars 2002 – Jason and Sira, who is now Speaker for the Clan Council, try to live as traders, but don't have much luck. And, as if these conflicting demands aren't making life complicated enough, there are at least two other factions with far more dangerous intentions seeking them out. Sira's sister, Rael, and Barac are trying to complete the job Sira started for the Drapsk, but the Rugherans,a mysterious race that dwells partially in the M'hir is interfering. Sira its kidnapped by Jason's nemesis, Rad Symon, but is saved by another group of Drapsk for their own purposes. There are other complications but it all ends up quite interestingly.
Reunification 1: The Gulf of Time and Stars 2015 – The Clan members are being killed in Trade Pact space. Sira and Jason, with a few others, try to save a remnant of the Clan. Sira finds herself pregnant through parthenogenesis. The fetus turns out to be Aryl, from the previous clan world. With her guidance, they find their way through the M'hir to Cersi. The second half of the book takes place on Cersi, where things have drastically deteriorated, with the Oud killing all other sentient species. Sira again saves a small remnant from both planets through a very interesting method.
Reunification 2: The Gate to Futures Past 2016 – Sira leads the remnant of Cersai and the Pact "home", which is not exactly welcoming. The end of this book is rather shocking with a tiny bit of hope peeking through.
Reunification 3: To Guard Against the Dark 2017
Ties of Power 1999 – Sira, the most powerful member of the Clan, has dared to challenge the will of her people by allying herself with the human, Jason Morgan. She becomes involved with the alien group called the Drapsk,who consider Sira to be their Mystic One. She proves she is, but is never sure what that actually means. We see the attempt of her father, Jarad to use her genetic material even if it kills her. Both Huido, the monstrous Carasian who considers himself the blood brother of Morgan, and Jason do everything possible to protect her, and are only partially successful. However, Jason and Sira finally can consume their marriage.
To Trade the Stars 2002 – Jason and Sira, who is now Speaker for the Clan Council, try to live as traders, but don't have much luck. And, as if these conflicting demands aren't making life complicated enough, there are at least two other factions with far more dangerous intentions seeking them out. Sira's sister, Rael, and Barac are trying to complete the job Sira started for the Drapsk, but the Rugherans,a mysterious race that dwells partially in the M'hir is interfering. Sira its kidnapped by Jason's nemesis, Rad Symon, but is saved by another group of Drapsk for their own purposes. There are other complications but it all ends up quite interestingly.
Reunification 1: The Gulf of Time and Stars 2015 – The Clan members are being killed in Trade Pact space. Sira and Jason, with a few others, try to save a remnant of the Clan. Sira finds herself pregnant through parthenogenesis. The fetus turns out to be Aryl, from the previous clan world. With her guidance, they find their way through the M'hir to Cersi. The second half of the book takes place on Cersi, where things have drastically deteriorated, with the Oud killing all other sentient species. Sira again saves a small remnant from both planets through a very interesting method.
Reunification 2: The Gate to Futures Past 2016 – Sira leads the remnant of Cersai and the Pact "home", which is not exactly welcoming. The end of this book is rather shocking with a tiny bit of hope peeking through.
Reunification 3: To Guard Against the Dark 2017
Web Shifters Series
They are the last survivors of their race, beings who live on and communicate through energy, who are capable of assuming the shape of any other species. When their youngest member is assigned to a world considered safe to explore, she is captured by the natives. To escape, she must violate the most important rule of her kind, and reveal the existence of her species to a fellow prisoner—a human being. Now her race is in danger of extinction, for even if the human does not betray her, the Enemy who has long searched for her people may finally discover their location. The series develops the relationship of the human, Paul Ragem, and the energy being Esen-alit-Quar and their various adventures.
1 - Beholder's Eye 2000
2 - Changing Vision 2003
3 - Hidden in Sight 2003
2 - Changing Vision 2003
3 - Hidden in Sight 2003