Relic [2019, PDF/EPUB, ENG]

by Alan Dean Foster

(1,585 ratings)
Book cover
The last known human searches the galaxy for companionship in a brilliant standalone novel from the legendary author of the Pip & Flinx series.

“A provocative read.”—The Washington Post

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

“Foster’s sympathetic novel successfully surveys human frailty, the tendency not to learn from history, and an enduring capacity for adaptation and emotional attachment.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Foster’s high-concept novel is a gripping tale of serenity amid sorrow.”—World Magazine .
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Book details


  • Retail price : from $7.99
  • Author : Alan Dean Foster
  • Publisher : Del Rey; Reprint edition
  • Published : 03-25-2019
  • Language : English
  • Pages : 385
  • ISBN-10 : 110196765X
  • ISBN-13 : 978-1101967652
  • Reader Reviews : 1,585 (4.4)

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  • Downloads : 3548

About the Author


Alan Dean Foster


Alan Dean Foster's work to date includes excursions into hard science-fiction, fantasy, horror, detective, western, historical, and contemporary fiction. He has also written numerous non-fiction articles on film, science, and scuba diving, as well as having produced the novel versions of many films, including such well-known productions as 'Star Wars', the first three 'Alien' films, 'Alien Nation', and 'The Chronicles of Riddick'. Other works include scripts for talking records, radio, computer games, and the story for the first 'Star Trek' movie. His novel 'Shadowkeep' was the first ever book adapation of an original computer game. In addition to publication in English his work has been translated into more than fifty languages and has won awards in Spain and Russia. His novel 'Cyber Way' won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990, the first work of science-fiction ever to do so.

Foster's sometimes humorous, occasionally poignant, but always entertaining short fiction has appeared in all the major SF magazines as well as in original anthologies and several 'Best of the Year' compendiums. His published oeuvre includes more than 100 books.

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Reader Reviews

J
HappyhomeLH
An original book
Reviewed in the United States on 04-28-2023
I haven’t read this author before but I sincerely liked this story. It’s so original. Not like any thing I’ve read before. The character come alive. The story isn’t even similar to anything I’ve read before. Try it. I think you’ll like It.
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J
George Barnhart
relic did not disappoint.
Reviewed in the United States on 03-16-2023
May years ago, I read about Flinx and Pip and loved those books. Now, I have had the pleasure of reading “relic.” As I started this novel, I couldn’t imagine how reading about the last human could be made interesting. But, Alan Dean Foster did not disappoint. It has been a joy to read..
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J
L. Alleluia
a golden age of sci fi type story
Reviewed in the United States on 05-13-2023
I like a story with good characters and imagery with a straightforward story. Add speculative ‘what if’ to it and it becomes the kind of story I love. Nowadays,it’s not hard for to imagine a virus wiping out the human race. And what would happen if benevolent beings rescued the few remaining? If this intrigues you, then do enjoy this book.
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