The Legacy of Heorot

Tom Weiner gives a splendid narration of this futuristic story in which a colony of humans makes a century-long space journey in suspended animation to the seemingly pristine planet of Avalon. Upon arrival they discover that the slumber has a side effect: impaired mental abilities of varying degrees. Some of them will never wake up. They also discover that there's a species called Grendel (there are more than a few BEOWULF references in this work) on Avalon that finds their livestock, dogs, and even the humans themselves to be delicacies. Weiner adroitly relates the suspense of the story as most of the humans gradually, and quite painfully, realize that they're in a war to the death with the Grendels. He adroitly gives each of the characters individual voices and makes this a wonderful listening experience. M.T.F.

June 26, 1987
Barnes has joined the co-authors of Footfall to produce an entertaining if uncomplicated SF version of Beowulfwith a Grendel courtesy of the Alien movies. The colonists from Earth have spent a century in cold sleep to make the first journey, one way, to settle a planet in another solar system. Avalon seems perfect, a verdant, livable world still in its prehistoric age. The biologists and engineers who busy themselves planting and building scoff at the warnings of professional soldier Cadmann Weylanduntil a large, unnaturally fast and cunning predator begins stalking the colony. Learning how to kill the beast is only the first step, for they must then reevaluate their entire understanding of Avalon's ecology. The novel is best in its sympathetic treatment of the once formidable scientists who wake from cold sleep with impaired mental powers. Paperback rights to Pocket Books.