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Foreigner (The Quintaglio Ascension book 3) by Robert J. Sawyer
01/02/2006 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: TOR/Forge. 318 page enlarged paperback. Price: $14.95 (US), $19.95 (CAN). ISBN: 0-765-30972-6). Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.tor.com and www.sfwriter.com
The final part of the Quintaglio trilogy and our sentient dinosaurs are learning more about their own character and why they must change if they are to survive. Blind Afsan, who having suffered head injuries from being hit by a wagon finds his eyes are growing back but is still unable to see. The Emperor Dybo suggests a new science of psychology might be able to help him. In some ways it does and explains the reason why his species is so territorial. Afsan's mate, Novato, takes the alien sky tower elevator to the edge of space and learns about zero gravity and the realisation that lack of air means there is also a lot more to discover about flying before they can leave the moon of the gas giant that they live on. They also discover the remains of the aliens that brought them here and know there is more to the universe than themselves. Something her and Afsan's son, Toroca, also discovers while still sailing and inventorying their moon is a different tribe of sentient yellow-skinned dinosaurs called 'The Others' whom they feel compelled to attack and kill. The Others are smarter and more developed but can do little against the Quintaglio's more ferocious nature. Toroca is immune to such urges but cannot stop the war between the species.
Similarities to how the human race developed are further removed again with this book. The pattern is still there but moves along at different paces. If anything, there are advancements with what the Quintaglios learn about themselves and know they will have to change if they are to become a more cultured race. It's interesting to note that elements of this story were revealed in the earlier two books and only brought to fruition here. Even if you had unravelled the clues, there is no reason to suspect that the Quintaglios themselves would have worked out what had gone on themselves.
The ending of the book jumps several generations suggesting author Rob Sawyer felt the important events happened now rather than later. Even so, with the Quintaglios wanting to seek their true home, some place called Earth, one can only wonder at what happens next.
For those investigating this reality, there is also a glossary at the end that can explain details that you might only have assumed from the terms the Quintaglios use. This is overall a rather interesting reality and surely to be used as a template to check against for any author following a similar path. Whatever. Don't anger a Quintaglio. They can re-grow their limbs, you humans can't.
GF Willmetts
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