a Humanx commonwealth novel. 2 xenobiologists uncover a great power/mystery in an aboriginal tribe on a new world. Through it, one of the protagonists comes across the great, mindless, relentless evil" that Flynx has been tasked to deal with. A good standalone novel." ( )

This book has a very unlikable protagonist. Because I was prepared, from reading the reviews of other readers, I had very low expectations for Pulickel. I was able to carry through to the end of the book. Pulickel is a jerk up until the last 10 pages. I am stunned what a bad alien negotiator Pulickel is. He starts out by discounting and not listening to the long-time co-worker who has been working with the aliens. Then he betrays the trust of the natives, who have been nothing but kind to him. He betrays them not once, but multiple times, after they forgive him several times.

All these betrayals of the natives seem to take place because Pulickel is thinking of the fame he can achieve for himself if he can uncover the secret of the stones, never mind that the loss of trust will likely mean the failure of his mission and loss of future relations with his partner and humanity as a whole. What a jerk!

I slightly enjoyed the book. I give it three stars. The interesting ideas of the stones makes it work for me. But the characters in the book are very disappointing. ( )

One of the Humanx Commonwealth stories that does not include Flinx or some of the other popular characters. A good story about the continuing struggle of the Commonwealth vs. the Aann. In this case, its a diplomatic mission to persuade a new planet to join the Commonwealth, but of course the Aann are interested also. Good stuff. ( )

HUMANX COMMONWEALTH