Millennia ago the Five Galaxies decreed the planet Jijo off limits. But in the last thousand years six races have begun resettling Jijo, embracing a pre-industrial life to hide their existence from the Galactics. Overcoming their differences, the Six have built a society based on mutual tolerance for one another and respect for the planet they live on. But that has all changed with an event the Six have feared for hundreds of years: the arrival of an outside ship. Author David Brin has returned to his popular Uplift universe in this, the first book of a new trilogy.


From Library Journal
While defying a galactic prohibition on settling the planet Jijo, six alien races-squatters on a forbidden world-have developed a common civilization. Although they are united by the respect they have for themselves and for their home, they fear the day their presence is discovered. This continuation of the popular "Uplift" saga (Startide Rising, Bantam, 1983) employs multiple viewpoints to set the stage for an inevitable confrontation between a resourceful group of survivors and the mysterious galactic keepers who drive them from their hard-won home. Brin's flair for spinning a good yarn comes to the fore in this compelling and thought-provoking series opener. Most libraries will want this for their sf collections.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
David Brin's Uplift novels--Sundiver, Hugo award winner The Uplift War, and Hugo and Nebula winner Startide Rising--are among the most thrilling and extraordinary science fiction tales ever written. Now David Brin returns to this future universe for a new Uplift trilogy, packed with adventure, passion and wit.The planet Jijo is forbidden to settlers, its ecology protected by guardians of the Five Galaxies. But over the centuries it has been resettled, populated by refugees of six intelligent races. Together they have woven a new society in the wilderness, drawn together by their fear of Judgment Day, when the Five Galaxies will discover their illegal colony. Then a strange starship arrives on Jijo. Does it bring the long-dreaded judgment, or worse--a band of criminals willing to destroy the six races of Jijo in order to cover their own crimes?


From the Publisher
"A captivating read."--Star-Tribune, Minneapolis"Brin is a skillful storyteller."--The Plain Dealer, Cleveland"Immensely appealing, leaving readers hungry for more."--Publishers Weekly"Tremendously inventive, ambitious work."--Kirkus Reviews


From the Inside Flap
David Brin's Uplift novels--Sundiver, Hugo award winner The Uplift War, and Hugo and Nebula winner Startide Rising--are among the most thrilling and extraordinary science fiction tales ever written.  Now David Brin returns to this future universe for a new Uplift trilogy, packed with adventure, passion and wit.

The planet Jijo is forbidden to settlers, its ecology protected by guardians of the Five Galaxies.  But over the centuries it has been resettled, populated by refugees of six intelligent races.  Together they have woven a new society in the wilderness, drawn together by their fear of Judgment Day, when the Five Galaxies will discover their illegal colony.  Then a strange starship arrives on Jijo.  Does it bring the long-dreaded judgment, or worse--a band of criminals willing to destroy the six races of Jijo in order to cover their own crimes?

ANNOTATION

The vast civilization of Five Galaxies has roled out its security arsenal to prevent resettlement on Jijo until it is revitalized. Over the centuries, groups of sentient beings have eluded the laws and made Jijo a home--but what will happen when the Five Galaxies catch on? A strange ship in Jijo's skies may hold the answer.

FROM THE PUBLISHER