Relic
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Relic
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Narrated by:
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Marc Thompson
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By:
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Alan Dean Foster
About this listen
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 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:
"Foster's high-concept novel is a gripping tale of serenity amid sorrow." (World Magazine)
©2018 Alan Dean Foster (P)2018 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
“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)
What listeners say about Relic
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Call me Bob
- 11-10-19
It's OK but nothing too spectacular
Interesting idea but did not get me that hooked. Good for in-between books when you do boot know what to get next
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sharon Barron
- 29-06-19
A excellent story of humanity's near extinction
This is SO good. Ruslan (sp) is the last surviving human on a colony planet afflicted by a plague. He is found wandering in the ruins of his civilisation by tri-pedal aliens, who take him in and look after him. It transpires, not only was his colony affected, but so too were all human inhabited worlds, including the fabled home world of humanity: Earth.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Craig
- 04-04-19
Good story. Different. The end of the human race?
Slow to start....but a good story. Quick finish but easy to follow so a good book for a holiday.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mick
- 07-05-20
Slow to start
The book was slow to start, and I didn't initially like the narration, but as the story progressed the story gripped me and the narration added to the atmosphere.
Overall an enjoyable story with a very good ending.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DENNIS
- 22-04-19
VERY GOOD UNUSUAL IDEA
STARTS A BIT SLOWLY BUT WELL WORTH THE EFFORT GOOD BELIEVABLE CHARACTERS EVEN THE ALIENS.LOTS OF TWISTS AND TURNS ALONG THE WAY STORY BUILDS TO A COMPELLING CONCLUSION.GREAT NARRATION.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D Whyatt
- 07-07-23
One of the best sci-fi stories I’ve ever heard.
I’ve listened to many sci-fi stories in my life, and this has got to be one of the best ever, be it live action CGI, animated or purely in book form.
The story isn’t obsessed with realism when it comes to details like you might get in the book The Martian and others by the same great writer, but this book by Alan Dean Foster has a lot of realistic and will describe details that ground the story in as much reality (especially when it comes to the revival of a species in the genetics required) as can be done while still being free to explore itself and the possibilities in such an expensive story, and the type of characters inhabiting it. On top of also painting very vivid detailed pictures of the different worlds that are visited both alien and formally human inhabited that truly feed the imagination of possibilities.
I have listened to Relic twice now since first getting it, and I can safely say, even after quite awhile since first listening to it, you still don’t forget many of the key or even minor aspects of the story in a hurry as they all come together really well, especially with the conclusion which is well done.
The narrator also does a really good job doing the different species vocal characteristics and genders that really remind you who is talking without being at all over the top and actually fits very well with the mannerisms of each character as well, which you don’t always get with other narrators.
This is a sci-fi story that has a really good message honestly about human hubris, but also the determination to survive and what can be achieved from a more mature person such as the lead and his companions in such a truly unique position and from a truly unique perspective.
I give this audiobook a very high recommendation to all who might be interested, whether you are into the sci-fi genre or not. You will not regret it, right to the ‘very last second’ this story ends.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Charles
- 06-02-19
Garbage
Tedious and stupid. Waste of time. There must be a billion other titles that are more worthwhile.
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4 people found this helpful