Official Review: Xenophobia by Peter Cawdron

[JR Mercier]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Xenophobia" by Peter Cawdron.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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When aliens initiate first contact, Doctor Elisabeth Bower is stuck in Malawi, trying to protect her staff and patients from the rebel militia. Abandoned by the US military, her hope comes in the form of Sergeant Jameson and his eccentric rangers. With the rebel militia on one side, the mothership floating above, and the rangers behind her, Dr. Liz sets out in search of safety.

Xenophobia plays out two major storylines. We have the civil war in Malawi and First Contact with the rest of the world. Stuck with only a failing radio, the snippets of what is happening in the rest of the world heightens the suspense to such a degree that I read this book in one go. The action builds up slowly, but it fits perfectly with the story.

What I loved most about this book was the underlying message. I love a good book, but a book that tells a great story while dealing with real-world issues – that is a book that changes your life. Xenophobia achieves that. The underlying message and commentary throughout the book on our judgement of people that are different, and what it means to understand diverse cultures and species, all hit very close to home.

The writer also uses two opposites to advance the story forward. We have the healer, Liz, and the military man, Elvis. Both have opposing views on the sanctity of life and how to deal with first contact. While Liz wants to initiate contact, Elvis wants to go on the offense and strike. And yet, these two characters function as accurate representations on the two primary types of people in the world if first contact was to happen. I loved that the author did it this way and that their reactions are very human. There are tears and anger and hatred – from all sides, connecting everyone as one whole.

This was my first hard science fiction read (hard science fiction is based on scientific accuracy) and I enjoyed it immensely. The descriptions were beautiful, and the author also adds a few illustrations of the mothership, floaters, and Stella. The author also based the alien biology on the human neurosphere.

Xenophobia is written in the present tense, which was slightly awkward at first but straightens out and lends to the suspense of the read. There were only two missed commas with the rest of the book filled with impeccable writing and awesome descriptions, especially on battle scenes between the rangers and the militia. The battles are brutal, no one is safe and the mental effects of seeing someone killed in front of you is not ignored. The only thing that I didn’t like was the banter. There were a couple of times that it felt forced and pretentious. There are also a few scenes of graphic violence and some swearing.

I rate Xenophobia 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this book to those looking for an unpredictable, hard sci-fi read full of suspense and commentary on xenophobia, as well as humanity’s fear of that which we don’t understand. The author did a great job of depicting characters that any reader will love and relate to. Humanity needs to understand each other before we can ever dream of understanding those in our ever-expanding universe.

If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences between our kind, here on this planet, then we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there.
- Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek. (also quoted in Xenophobia)

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Xenophobia
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Like JR Mercier's review? Post a comment saying so!

[bookierme]

This sounds amazing. I particularly like the fact that one of the settings is Malawi, an Africa country. It is quite fitting given the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. I am keen to read this book. Great review!

[JR Mercier]

This sounds amazing. I particularly like the fact that one of the settings is Malawi, an Africa country. It is quite fitting given the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. I am keen to read this book. Great review!

I'm South African so this hit really close to home. It's got such a great message and I think you will love it.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I also like books which deal with real life issues. I think I should give it a try. Thanks for this nice review.

[kdstrack]

Great review! It's great when an author can really get you into a genre that you don't generally read. Your review makes this one look really interesting. Thanks.

[gen_g]

This seems like an intriguing read - I'm always up for fiction books which discuss deep issues. For some reason, I am reminded of Neill Blomkamp's District 9, which had somewhat similar settings and it was a movie I really enjoyed! Going to put this on the to-read list now. Thanks for the amazing review as always!

[Bonnie Shelby]

Wow, your review is awesome! This sounds like a great book. I especially loved that quote you put in at the end

[daydreaming reader]

Sounds like an intriguing read, especially in regards to the arrival of the mothership and its impact on the civil war. This is the first time that I am reading about the term hard science fiction, so thank you for the education as well as the review.

[JR Mercier]

I also like books which deal with real life issues. I think I should give it a try. Thanks for this nice review.

Thank you for the comment and I hope you like it!

[JR Mercier]

Great review! It's great when an author can really get you into a genre that you don't generally read. Your review makes this one look really interesting. Thanks.

I'm much more into fantasy and the whimsical side of reading, but this was really a great read.

[JR Mercier]

This seems like an intriguing read - I'm always up for fiction books which discuss deep issues. For some reason, I am reminded of Neill Blomkamp's District 9, which had somewhat similar settings and it was a movie I really enjoyed! Going to put this on the to-read list now. Thanks for the amazing review as always!

Awww, you're making me blush Thank you for the comment and I feel like this is a mix between District 9 and Arrival, both movies that I loved so I am super happy that you will be giving this one a chance.

[JR Mercier]

Wow, your review is awesome! This sounds like a great book. I especially loved that quote you put in at the end

The whole book follows the theme of understanding and accepting different people and cultures etc. It's got such a great message.

[JR Mercier]

Sounds like an intriguing read, especially in regards to the arrival of the mothership and its impact on the civil war. This is the first time that I am reading about the term hard science fiction, so thank you for the education as well as the review.

It was a learning curve for me as well, don't worry. I did a whole bunch of research and this subgenre has really caught my attention. I hope it gets a bit more appreciation.

[Bianka Walter]

This book sounds great. I thought about picking it but like you say, it hits a little too close to home This is a great review - I really enjoyed it, thanks!

[Dahmy 10]

A beautiful book here, like you said it has dealt with a very pressing need that humanity needs to tackle. Xenophobia had taken its toll in South Africa, and my brothers over there have become victims...

Thanks for this beautiful Exposition...