The last known human searches the galaxy for companionship in a brilliant standalone novel from the legendary author of the Pip & Flinx series.
âA provocative read.ââThe 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 Myssariâan intelligent alien raceâRuslan 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 Ruslanâs 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 speciesâan all-but-mythical place called Earthâand, 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 existâdrawn by the slimmest yet most enduring hope.
Praise for Relic
âRelic is a thrilling and thoughtful epic. With Alan Dean Fosterâs trademark invention in both the psychology and physiology of his aliens, he also enriches the narrative with their complex cultures. The plot spans galaxies!ââHugo and Nebula Awardâwinning author Greg Bear
âThe stunning plot of Fosterâs stand-alone novel will intrigue readers for not only the âlast man in the universeâ trope but also the well-developed alien species. A true first contact novel on many different levels.ââLibrary Journal
âFosterâs sympathetic novel successfully surveys human frailty, the tendency not to learn from history, and an enduring capacity for adaptation and emotional attachment.ââPublishers Weekly
âFosterâs high-concept novel is a gripping tale of serenity amid sorrow.ââWorld MagazineÂ
Science fiction & fantasy