Just read the latest of a favorite sci fi author of mine.

SURVIVAL- Julie E. Czerneda

   Dr. MacKenzie Connor is a trained biologist and senior co-administrator of Norcoast Salmon Research.  There she works with fellow scientist and friend, Dr. Emily Mamani.  These two friends couldn't be more different.  Emily is outgoing and adventuresome and loves to explore new worlds while Mackenzie (Mac) wants to stay focused on her own world.  But her work gets interrupted by the arrival of Brymn, the first member of an alien race known as Dhrym to visit Earth.  Brymn had become interested in some studies Mac had done and seemed to feel she was essential in helping him in his study of the Chasm, an area made up of habitable worlds that were devoid of life.  This is especially essential now as there is an area in space called the Naralax Transect, that was made so instant travel between worlds was available.  But something seems to be traveling down this Transect and leaving areas that had been inhabited, bare of life.   And Earth lays in its path.
   An attack at her station that seems aimed at Mac and the violent disappearance of her friend Emily, leaves no choice for Mac but to flee with Brymn and accompany him to his world.   For the Dhrym have been attacked by these creatures (the Ro)  before and have safeguards in place. There they hope to find out more about what is going on.  
   I have to admit to liking the characters but being a little confused about why Brymn would think a biologist that studies salmon could help save the world. Things started getting more interesting once Brymn appeared but there is a lot more going on that you slowly discover.  It was interesting seeing Mac get accustomed to being on an alien planet even though there was a lull here too, as she had to wait for permission from the progenitor of this planet to allow her to explore.  Meanwhile you get little glympses of attacks occurring on other planets.  But she has many surprises in store (I kind of guessed part of one ) and no one does aliens like this author.  
    I definitely recommend this.  I enjoyed this, though not quite as much as her previous ones.   I think some of this had to do with not liking to be kept guessing so long and a few of the slower periods.  But this is just the first and I think now that I know whats happening, I'm going to get into the next one even more.  There is a touch of a romance starting in this though not enough to be considered a rsf.  (Unfortunately there were 30 pages that were missing in my book but I seemed to still be able to follow things).  

                                Linda

I'm just about to finish Migration (the 2nd in the Species Imperative series).  Let me just add my praise to this thread for this talented author.  Julie Czerneda has been praised in reviews for her alien characterizations with some comparing her to Cherryh.  And her humans ain't half bad either.  

Love the slow progressing romance and the developing friendships in unexpected quarters.  The mystery aspect to the problem of the Dhyrn is also quite involving.  

I'll have some final thoughts when I have finished the book.

Edited to add.  Possible spoilers ahead:





I was afraid the ending was going to be sad but things ended on a hopeful note.  Lots still to be resolved in Species Imperative: Regeneration, out May 2006.