Although this science fiction novel was written in the 1950s, it is still very readable, today. Andre Norton concentrates on her characters (but there's plenty of action to drive it along) which means that the technology here, as imagined in the 1950s, doesn't date it too much.
This adventure, pigeon-holed as a juvenile's novel by some, takes place on a world where a new survey ship has arrived from Earth. Down below, is a war-devastated civilisation. The races that co-exist outside the few remaining populated cities have developed telepathy - including some humans from a long ago colony ship - and can communicate with some species of wild animals - which comes in useful as the story evolves.
As in most good science fiction stories, what follows is a stuggle that will decide the future of the entire planet.
digitalrob70’s book reviews
At the start of the book, the Gerns seem a bit like charicatures of Nazis - but they are soon out of the picture. What follows is epic storytelling.
This adventure, pigeon-holed as a juvenile's novel by some, takes place on a world where a new survey ship has arrived from Earth. Down below, is a war-devastated civilisation. The races that co-exist outside the few remaining populated cities have developed telepathy - including some humans from a long ago colony ship - and can communicate with some species of wild animals - which comes in useful as the story evolves.
As in most good science fiction stories, what follows is a stuggle that will decide the future of the entire planet.