Semiosis

Starred review from December 18, 2017
Translator Burke takes new science and drives it to the logical extreme for her impressive debut novel, a classic multigenerational story of space exploration and colonization. When scientists on a colonizing mission veer off course and land on the distant planet of Pax, they run up against the sentient native flora. Intrigue and secrets divide the generations, and the efforts to commune with the plants on Pax take on a cultish quality. Communication is at the heart of the story: debates among the human colonists, the intricacies of plant communication, and the challenge of reaching across the species divide. Burke’s writing is as lush as the environment of Pax; her characters show considerable depth, and she unflinchingly captures the horrors of space exploration. She has rendered an alien planet in beautiful, believable detail. Fans of space adventure will eagerly await Burke’s future books.

Narrators Daniel Thomas May and Caitlin Davies breathe life into the large cast of Burke's debut science fiction. Humanity spreads to the stars and colonizes a planet named Pax, with each generation facing new challenges, including sentient plants and an alien civilization. The story's abrupt leaps forward in time can be jarring, but May and Davies both excel at utilizing accents, inflections, and personality traits to quickly build characterizations. The unusual cadence and inflections used for the aliens work to captivating effect. This unique sci-fi adventure spans years, with the colony evolving in unexpected ways as humanity grapples with its place in the cosmos. J.M.M. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine