Elder Race

An incredibly impressive work, ‘Elder Race’ brings to life the Arthur C. Clarke quote “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Written from the perspective of an anthropologist documenting his time among the off-spring of humanity’s great space migration, we see the complex emotions that arise from being so close to your distant relatives, recognizing the commonalities of Humanity within them, and yet being so advanced that you may as well be a different species. Nyr’s desire to be a scientist, an entity fundamentally aloof and objective, clashes with his desire to bond with and even save these distant ancestors from a mysterious and devastating force.

I’ve loved all of Tchaikovksy’s stories but this is a contender for one of my favorites. It was both scientific and magical, and throughout the story the hard separation between science and magic dissipates, and everyone involved is left wondering the limits of what’s truly possible. I dearly hope this book isn’t the last of this wonderful setting.