Semiosis: A novel of first contact

· HarperCollins UK
4.6
21 reviews
Ebook
336
Pages
Eligible
Ratings and reviews aren’t verified  Learn More

About this ebook

‘Up there with the best of Le Guin in terms of beautiful, engrossing, brilliantly imagined sci-fi’
VULTURE

‘SEMIOSIS combines the world-building of Avatar with the alien wonder of Arrival, and the sheer humanity of Atwood. An essential work for our time’
STEPHEN BAXTER

NOMINATED FOR THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD

Escaping conflict on Earth, an idealistic group of settlers arrive on a distant planet – Pax – with plans for a perfect society.

The world they discover is rich with life, but this is not the Eden they were hoping for. The plants on Pax are smart – smart enough to domesticate, and even slaughter, its many extraordinary animals.

To survive, the colonists realize that they must strike bargains of their own. But if they are to make Pax their home, they must go further, searching for a way to communicate and coexist with these utterly alien intelligences.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
21 reviews
Nick Yoctopus
June 1, 2023
Addictive. Intelligent plants and humans trying to create a pacifist existence on a new planet. it covers seven generations, building a world, like Red Mars etc but a shorter read. Wise consideration of the complexity of sentient beings. want more!
Did you find this helpful?
Daniel Murphy
September 16, 2018
Great worldbuilding, storytelling could've been better
3 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Jason Fowell
February 4, 2023
Really enjoyed this read
Did you find this helpful?

About the author

Sue Burke spent many years working as a reporter and editor for a variety of newspapers and magazines. A Clarion workshop alumnus, Burke has published more than thirty short stories in addition to working extensively as a literary translator. She now lives in Chicago.

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.