Illegal Alien

Author - Robert J. Sawyer ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Paperback Book item from Ace was reviewed on 4-Nov-2008.

Search ISBN:0441005926 offer from Abebooks or used books from Alibris. Illegal Alien Reference Book. Classifications : Contemporary Literature & Fiction Subjects Books General AAS Literature & Fiction Subjects Books Sawyer, Robert J. ( S ) Authors, A-Z Science Fiction & Fantasy Subjects Books High Tech Science Fiction . Click the following link to view the cover of Illegal Alien.

Related topics: Contemporary. Subjects. Books. General AAS. Subjects. Books. Sawyer, Robert J.. ( S ). Authors, A-Z. Subjects.

1) Paperback Book Illegal Alien by Ace. Yeah, I´ve said it. You either like Sawyer or you don´t and I can understand why a bunch of reviewers were really turned off by this book.

Sawyer is one of those authors who like to, and seem to get away with pushing his own agenda in his books, i.e writing what he wants to write instead of what we want to read. The off-turning part that the other reviewers disliked is a short rehash of the OJ Simpson trial and it must have been big on his mind at the time when he wrote this book, after all it was the only thing on the media at that time. Fortunately he seemed to be mollified enough by the couple of chapters that he continued to finish the book in a style that we readers want. And it´s a good thing too, because once we got past that part, the book became a pretty good sci-fi and murder mystery and I´m glad I stayed with it. I highly recommend it, overall, it´s one of Sawyer´s best books and if you´re a fan of his (or even not) you won´t regret it.

A brief synopsis: An alien spaceship arrives and the aliens are welcomed to Earth. They are honored guests here until a human is murdered, and it appears that one of the aliens did it. I won´t spoil it for you by saying more. And as always Sawyer is a good writer and his books are easy to read and understand. Give this one a try, it is one of his better books.¤

2) Paperback Book Illegal Alien by Ace. I´m not usually into this kind of book or story but bought it on impulse and found I really enjoyed it. I did not find it "dated" nor did I find it unbelievable. I will probably at least look at other books by this author now.¤

3) Paperback Book Illegal Alien by Ace. I tend to be a "big picture" reader, meaning that I do not pay significant attention to details... a story, for me, either flows or it doesn´t.

In that context, this book is quite wonderful... as it is a great page turner. I read it in one sitting. However, when compared with numerous readings over the years, Illegal Alien has not struck me as one of the more memorable stories, nor particularly well written. The book is a great blend of mystery, court drama, and sc-fi... would make a fantastic movie with the right screen writer.

Worth a read if you are looking for interesting blend of genera, or if you are stuck at an airport.
¤

4) Paperback Book Illegal Alien by Ace. I found ILLEGAL ALIEN(1997) to be unfinishable - mainly due to the fact that it is a contemporary SciFi story that was written ten years ago - so it simply doesn´t hold up to time, and there are far too many anachronisms and idosynchrocies to wade thru... the straw that broke the camel´s back for me was the part where F-14 fighters are escorting the Alien Craft - it is impossible for me to "suspend disbelief" in this case, as the last F-14 was decommissioned this year..., and since no aliens have shown up yet, this situation couldn´t have ever happened, and never will happen.

After encountering a similar fiasco (but for different reasons - way too liberal politics and science) with MINDSCAN (2005), I´m definately steering away from any more books by Robert J. Sawyer.¤

5) Paperback Book Illegal Alien by Ace. This just happens to be the first Sawyer book I read; and I can say without a doubt it will not be the last. _Illegal Alien_ moves along at a tightly written pace that keeps you turning the pages and guessing where the plot will turn next. I´m not a crime or mystery reader per se, I tend to stick with straight SF; but I love a good mystery and this certainly was one. The utlimately satisfying ending left me smiling. I must admit I had a little trouble getting past some of the gruesome details portrayed, but I´m glad I stuck with it. Without giving anything away it all makes sense in the end. Keep at it Mr. Sawyer, you can definitely write!¤

6) Paperback Book Illegal Alien by Ace. When a disabled spaceship enters the Earth´s atmosphere, seven members of the Tosok race are welcomed by the world with open arms. But when a human scientist is found murdered, all evidence points to one of the Tosoks. For the first time, an alien must be put on trial before humans in a court of law--and there´s far more at stake than accounting for one human life.¤

7) Paperback Book Illegal Alien by Ace. Aliens, Tosoks, have finally made contact with Earth, but there are only seven of them, and they´ve arrived in a disabled spaceship. The Tosoks are intelligent and surprisingly easy to communicate with, and are happy to tour Earth and see what humans have to offer. But during a stop in Los Angeles, one of the human scientists traveling with the Tosoks is gruesomely murdered, and all evidence points to the alien Hask. The Los Angeles Police Department is determined to indict Hask for the crime, even though the aliens have little concept of laws or crime as we understand them. The only thing the U.S. government can do is secretly procure the services of Dale Rice, a leading civil rights lawyer, and hope he can clear Hask of the charges. But as the trial progresses, evidence indicates a cover-up by one or more of the aliens. Humanity´s survival--not just Hask´s fate--might hinge on the jury´s verdict.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 2-Dec-2008, 04410059269780441005925, 040-5X0-390-290-260-620-440-880-8

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