Protected Species

Caine Riordan and his group have survived on Bactradgaria, but they must thrive to defeat the xqao and their vassals. To do this, humans must claw higher up the food chain before they tumble off into extinction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2023
Publisher: Baen Books

Caine Riordan and his self-styled "Crewe" have survived their first months on the planet they call Bactradgaria. They have overcome floods, dust storms, tornadoes, searing heat, bitter cold, desperate battles, and attacks by various strange species. However, their most desperate struggles have been against the wildly ferocious xqao, for whom the pursuit and genocide of other beings is as much a sport as it is a strategy. Accordingly, Caine and his friends realize that if they are to endure, they must not merely survive but thrive. So far, they have done just that and made friends along the way. But a few scattered tribes and towns cannot defeat the xqao and their vassals. To do that, humans must claw higher up the food chain. . . . before they tumble off into extinction.

Caine Riordan and his self-styled "Crewe" have survived their first months on the planet they call Bactradgaria. They have overcome floods, dust storms, tornadoes, searing heat, bitter cold, desperate battles, and attacks by various strange species. However, their most desperate struggles have been against the wildly ferocious xqao, for whom the pursuit and genocide of other beings is as much a sport as it is a strategy. Accordingly, Caine and his friends realize that if they are to endure, they must not merely survive but thrive. So far, they have done just that and made friends along the way. But a few scattered tribes and towns cannot defeat the xqao and their vassals. To do that, humans must claw higher up the food chain. . . . before they tumble off into extinction.

ISBN-13: 9781982193072