Search Results for: cycle-of-fire

With degrees in astronomy, chemistry and education, it should come as no surprise that Harry Clement Stubbs – better known to SF readers as Hal Clement – produced some of the field’s most compelling, scientifically literate work.

This omnibus contains the clever alien-planet-with-a-twist novel ICEWORLD; the ground-breaking CYCLE OF FIRE, with its 40-year-long seasons; and CLOSE TO CRITICAL, from his celebrated Mesklin sequence.

Stranded on an alien planet, light years from home, wandering from blistering heat to searing cold, Nils Kruger was not a happy man. So when he met another being – even though it wasn’t human – things seemed to be looking up. The alien might be helpless, or it might be dangerous, but one thing was for sure – they stood a better chance for survival if they worked together.

But as the two creatures overcame their mutual suspicion, as they worked together, as the language barrier was broken down, Nils came to a terrifying conclusion – this alien was more intelligent than a human. And to it, Nils was the alien.