Interlopers (Ace Science Fiction) [Paperback]

Alan Dean Foster (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ace Science Fiction | Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Archaeologist Cody Westcott is onto something-something that is causing random acts of badness. Something ancient, something evil, something...hungry.

We are not alone, but we're about to wish we were.

An imaginative writer. (Rave Reviews)

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Ace; First Edition edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044100847X
• ISBN-13: 978-0441008476
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,793,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What You Can't See Can Hurt You, June 15, 2001

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Interlopers (Ace Science Fiction) (Paperback)

Alan Dean Foster, a prolific science fiction writer who is always on target takes on alien invasion with an entirely new twist. Just imagine if secretive, unworldly characters from another dimension were the real cause of a whole list of ills, from headaches to world wars. Just because they were hungry!

When student archeologists Cody Westcott and Kelli Alwydd discover a secret cache of Chachapoyan artifacts in an ancient Peruvian mountain site, they know that this is the discovery of a lifetime. What they don't realize is that they have also found the key to a trans-dimensional invasion of eerie creatures that feed on the anguish and pain of human beings. When they return to the States Cody begins the translation of the difficult Chachapoyan hieroglyphics

He finds a recipe for a tincture whose purpose he cannot divine. When he has the potion made up he discovers that it has permanently altered his sight so that he can see these invisible invaders. They are horrific looking and lurk in all kinds of natural objects, such as rocks, plants, even the ground itself, waiting for an opportunity to infest a human. When Cody tries to stop several attacks he initiates a personal war with the alien Interlopers that he cannot hope to win. Not only must Cody avoid contact with any infected material, he must hide from victims of the Interlopers who fall under their control.

Unable to stop Cody, the Interlopers attack Kelli, now his wife. Cody finds her unconscious, struggling for her life in a hospital. He must start a desperate search for help if he is to have any hope of saving Kelli. That help comes from unexpected sources, and Cody finds that he must help save the world if he wants to save Kelli's life and sanity.

"Interlopers" is written in the same style as many of Foster's long list of successful science adventure tales, from "Glory Lane" to "Jed the Dead." His style is light and entertaining, and is easily accessible to all age groups. He has a host of interesting characters and mixes well researched facts with creative interpretations. Not only do I like "Interlopers" as a great read, I appreciate its positive belief in human nature. Something that is often lacking in today's fiction.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very creative storytelling, April 29, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Interlopers (Ace Science Fiction) (Paperback)

Ever wonder why bad things happen to good people? Why do war, famine, pestilence, and other calamities occur? Blame it on the INTERLOPERS, parasitic malignant beings who exist in nature's products like wood and rock. They have been around humanity forever while feeding off the misery of mankind. They inhabit humans until their host dies. The Interlopers are not of this world, residing in a parallel dimension.

Dr. Cody Westcott does not know they exist until he partakes of a dig in an isolated part of Peru. One of his helpers is fellow archeologist Kelli who he falls in love with and marries. Together they accept a teaching job in Arizona where Cody deciphers a formula on a frieze he brought back from the Peruvian dig. He makes it, drinks it, and now can see the Interlopers, who warn him not to interfere or else. He ignores them and they attack his wife sending her into a coma.

Alan Dean Foster, author extraordinaire, gives a unique reason for the misery and suffering that exists in the world today. He makes the malignant creatures seem real. The story line is fast-paced, exciting, and contains a unique premise that absolves humanity from evil. The author uses his imagination to provide a magnificent urban science fiction thriller that will stun the reader.

Harriet Klausner

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alan Dean Foster and Ben Browder have a hit, March 14, 2005

By 

Karen Eames (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interlopers (Audio CD)

Very clever to take a novel that needed either a whole cast of people to narrate or one outstanding actor. Ben Browder proves himself to be able to leap tall metaphors in a single bound. He takes you around the world and makes you feel like you are going through these incredible experiences with the characters. Ben leaves you wanting to hear and see more of this extraordinary world that Alan Dean Foster has created. By all means enjoy this in audio. Hope some clever producer picks up both book and actor and gives us a something truly wonderful to watch on the big screen.