Relic Audiobook By Alan Dean Foster cover art

Relic

Preview
Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Relic

By: Alan Dean Foster
Narrated by: Marc Thompson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.00

Buy for $18.00

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

The last known human searches the galaxy for companionship in a brilliant standalone novel from the legendary author of the Pip & Flinx series.

"A provocative read." (The Washington Post)

Once Homo sapiens reigned supreme, spreading from star system to star system in an empire that encountered no alien life and thus knew no enemy.... save itself. As had happened many times before, the most primal human instincts rose up, only this time armed with the advanced scientific knowledge to create a genetically engineered smart virus that quickly wiped out humanity to the last man.

That man is Ruslan, the sole known surviving human being in the universe. Rescued from the charnel house of his home planet by the Myssari - an intelligent alien race - Ruslan spends his days as something of a cross between a research subject and a zoo attraction. Though the Myssari are determined to resurrect the human race, using Ruslan’s genetic material, all he wants for himself and his species is oblivion. But then the Myssari make Ruslan an extraordinary offer: In exchange for his cooperation, they will do everything in their considerable power to find the lost home world of his species - an all-but-mythical place called Earth - and, perhaps, another living human.

Thus begins an epic journey of adventure, danger, heartbreak, and hope, as Ruslan sets out in search of a place that may no longer exist - drawn by the slimmest yet most enduring hope.

Praise for Relic:

"Foster's high-concept novel is a gripping tale of serenity amid sorrow." (World Magazine)

©2018 Alan Dean Foster (P)2018 Random House Audio
Adventure Fiction First Contact Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Genetics Heartfelt
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup

Critic reviews

Relic is a thrilling and thoughtful epic. With Alan Dean Foster’s trademark invention in both the psychology and physiology of his aliens, he also enriches the narrative with their complex cultures. The plot spans galaxies!” (Hugo and Nebula award-winning author Greg Bear)

“The stunning plot of Foster’s stand-alone novel will intrigue readers for not only the ‘last man in the universe’ trope but also the well-developed alien species. A true first contact novel on many different levels.” (Library Journal)

“Foster’s sympathetic novel successfully surveys human frailty, the tendency not to learn from history, and an enduring capacity for adaptation and emotional attachment.” (Publishers Weekly)

Unique Premise • Interesting Alien Civilizations • Excellent Alien Voices • Compelling Characters • Emotional Depth
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
I wish the book instilled more wonder and more excitement. I think the middle third of the book could have just not happened. The aliens seemed far too human and not that interesting. Aliens politely arguing didn't make for a great read. I didn't really feel attached to any of the characters and the characters weren't well developed. I enjoyed the last hour or so the best, although it could have been so much more.

Ok book, could have been better

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this book but overall I really enjoyed the story. Great performance as usual from Marc Thompson

Really enjoyed this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Well-developed characters and a well-paced story. I enjoyed this book quite a lot.

Brilliant, fascinating story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This story was awesome, I did however struggle to finish the book because it just takes forever to get going and takes even longer to get finished. The best part about the story is the narrator, the guy us just brilliant. His alien voices are well sculpted and imaginative.

Would make a better movie than a book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The book was ok, I liked his other books better but it was at least entertaining.

The book was ok

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The story seemed okay, but it was hard to listen to for any extended period of time because the reader apparently graduated from the Calculon school of (over)acting.

Skip the audiobook

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

so slow all the way up to almost the end. an epilog would have closed it out a little less abrupt.

paced better would rate higher

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book was recommended to me by Audible. I gave it a try not expecting to much but could not stop listening. I really enjoyed the unique premise and great character development. Definitely worth the Credit!

A pleasant surprise

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I found this to be an enjoyable listen, despite being a bit predictable at points.

Enjoyable listen

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

It was OK. The narration was weird. The Rezan sounded like Ferengi. It was just kind of hard to take anything serious. The story was pretty good, but drawn out.

Eh

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews