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Title/Author

Yesterday's Kin

Nancy Kress

Average Review Rating Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)
Book Details

Publisher : Tachyon Publications

Published : 2014

Copyright : Nancy Kress 2014

ISBN-10 : PB 1-61696-175-9
ISBN-13 : PB 978-1-61696-175-6

Publisher's Write-Up

2014 Nebula Award winner

Aliens have landed in New York. After several months of no explanations, they finally reveal the reason for their arrival.

The news is not good.

A deadly cloud of spores has already infected and killed the inhabitants of two worlds. Now that plague is heading for Earth and threatens humans and aliens alike. Can either species be trusted to find the cure?

Geneticist Marianne Jenner is having a career breakthrough, yet her family is tearing itself apart. Her children Elizabeth and Ryan constantly bicker, agreeing only that an alien conspiracy is in play. Her youngest, Noah, is addicted to a drug that keeps temporarily changing his identity. The Jenner family could not be further apart. But between the four of them, the course of human history will be forever altered.

Earth’s most elite scientists have ten months to prevent a disaster - and not everyone is willing to wait.

'Science-fiction fans will luxuriate in the dystopian madness, while even nonfans will find an artful critique of humanity’s ability to cooperate in the face of a greater threat.'

Kirkus

'Kress combines intriguing scientific speculation with strong human drama to create a finely crafted story that should appeal to a wide range of readers.'

Asimov’s Science Fiction

'In short, Yesterday’s Kin was a joy to read. Not only was the prose easily digested, but the scientific speculation and facts behind the story really helped in raising enjoyment. A thoroughly recommended novel.'

SFF World
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Reader Reviews

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Review by Paul Lappen (311217) Rating (9/10)

Review by Paul Lappen
Book Source: Not Known
Rating 9/10

Several months previously, an alien ship landed in New York Harbour. They suddenly really want to talk to Dr Marianne Jenner, author of a scientific paper all about mitochondria. They tell Jenner, and the UN Secretary General, some really interesting things. The aliens (humanity calls them "Denebs" even though they aren't from the star Deneb) and humanity are almost genetically identical. Also, very bad things are going to happen to Earth in less than one year.

A group of Earth's best scientists, including Jenner, are taken aboard the ship in a desperate search, with Deneb help, for immunity from "it." Meantime, outside the ship, Jenner's family is fractured. She is a widow with three grown children, two of whom, on opposite sides of the political spectrum, are constantly arguing. The third, Noah, is a drug addict. The reaction of the rest of humanity to the news about Earth's future ranges from There Are No Aliens to riots and suicide bombers.

Inside the ship, progress is slow, and the clock is running. As the end gets closer and closer, despair sets in among the scientists that they are not even close to a solution. Then the Denebs reveal the honestly real reason for their trip to Earth. Time will tell if Earth's spirit of friendship and cooperation will continue, or if the Denebs have committed a monumental error by getting all of mankind really angry at them.

This book easily gets five stars. It is full of ideas on a variety of topics, it is really easy to read and the hard science is kept to a "reasonable' level. Will there be a sequel? I hope so.
Paul Lappen (31st December 2017)

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