Curio Citizen - by Katherine Forrister (Paperback)

About the Book

When an archaeologist is abducted by an alien society, she must solve an ancient mystery, helped by a native outcast.

Book Synopsis

An archaeologist and her dog are abducted by aliens. Now they must find a way home.

When archaeologist Carmen O'Dwyer hears that her favorite ancient site was ravaged by wildfires, all she wants is to preserve what's left. But the flames also unveiled a mystery. Carmen's exploration triggers a catastrophe when she and her loyal dog, Smita, are kidnapped off-world by an alien society to be displayed as curios.

Forcing her captors, the Paz, to realize they abducted an intelligent species by mistake is hard enough. Getting home is even harder when she learns of their extreme isolationism due to a past war. Carmen seeks the help of a Paz outcast, Inquieto, to help her navigate Paz culture, which even he has trouble understanding.

Two outcasts on a planet rife with political tension, Carmen and Inquieto must learn to trust each other or risk falling into the pit of deception and intrigue of Paz society, all while uncovering insidious secrets that could shake Paz civilization to its core and keep Carmen away from Earth-forever

Review Quotes

"An enthralling deep dive into a richly-imagined alien culture, brought to life by the tenacious curiosity of a bold archeologist and her loyal pup. The intricate build-up of trust between the two leads is hard-earned, believable, and endlessly heartwarming. A unique exploration of personhood and empathy, Curio Citizen is equal parts tender romance and anthropologic space adventure. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!" --J.S. Dewes, author of The Last Watch

"A modern Planet of the Apes, Forrister weaves a fascinating tale of the human and the inhuman, and the arbitrary lines we draw between one another. Exciting and thoughtful, intense and heartfelt, Curio Citizen is a captivating ride from beginning to end." --Noah Lemelson, author of The Sightless City

"Like a museum exhibit of science-fantasy. The world feels more lived in than imagined." --Liam Quane, author of Road to Juneau