Altogether quite readable. The author came up with a fairly novel idea and does know how to develop his characters. However, when it comes to plot line, I felt a bit disappointed. There is little suspense and it all is quite predictable. ( )

Stopped reading after 30 pages or so. Seems like it might go somewhere, but the writing was too awkward or mediocre to compel me to read further. Won't attempt to read anything else by this author. ( )

Imagine being the last human in the universe, rescued by aliens who are very different (physically) who want to somehow save the human race by any means possible. As usual, Foster delivers an intring idea and story. Recommended.

FROM B&N: Once Homo sapiens reigned supreme, spreading from star system to star system in an empire that encountered no alien life and thus knew no enemy . . . save itself. As had happened many times before, the basest, most primal human instincts rose up, only this time armed with the advanced scientific knowledge to create a genetically engineered smart virus that quickly wiped out humanity to the last man.

That man is Ruslan, the sole known surviving human being in the universe. Rescued from the charnel house of his home planet by the Myssari—an intelligent alien race—Ruslan spends his days as something of a cross between a research subject and a zoo attraction. Though the Myssari are determined to resurrect the human race, using Ruslan’s genetic material, all he wants for himself and his species is oblivion. But then the Myssari make Ruslan an extraordinary offer: In exchange for his cooperation, they will do everything in their considerable power to find the lost home world of his species—an all-but-mythical place called Earth—and, perhaps, another living human.

Thus begins an epic journey of adventure, danger, heartbreak, and hope, as Ruslan sets out in search of a place that may no longer exist—drawn by the slimmest yet most enduring hope.

Praise for Relic

“Relic is a thrilling and thoughtful epic. With Alan Dean Foster’s trademark invention in both the psychology and physiology of his aliens, he also enriches the narrative with their complex cultures. The plot spans galaxies!”—Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Greg Bear

“The stunning plot of Foster’s stand-alone novel will intrigue readers for not only the ‘last man in the universe’ trope but also the well-developed alien species. A true first contact novel on many different levels.”—Library Journal ( )

Plague kills all the humans on Earth and her colony worlds. There is initially only one man found alive by an alien species, who is scavenging relics of a once powerful empire. This is the story of that man. ( )

Realistic account of last person alive after a bio-weapon wipes out humanity in the far future. Rescued by aliens, he asks to be returned to Earth, even though he was born and raised on a colony world which had forgotten where Earth was located. A little episodic, with events taking place over years. I became concerned it would turn into a series with no resolution, but it tied up all the loose ends by the last page. ( )