Earthfall (novel)
Colonists return to Earth amid family rivalry and alien encounters.
Earthfall (1995) is a science fiction novel by American writer Orson Scott Card. It is the fourth book of the Homecoming Saga, a fictionalization of the first few hundred years recorded in the Book of Mormon.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Orson Scott Card
- Cover artist
- Keith Parkinson
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- Homecoming Saga
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Publisher
- Tor Books
- Format
- Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
Facts from the source article.
Plot summary
The children of Wetchik prepare to board the starship Basilica for the journey from Harmony back to Earth, but rivalry between Nafai and Elemak threatens the voyage. Each faction has hidden plans to awaken early from hibernation to gain advantage upon landing, and the children become pawns in their parents' power struggle. The Oversoul, having uploaded a copy of itself into Basilica's central computer, monitors the ship constantly. After landing, a fragile peace masks deeper turmoil.
The colonists encounter two symbiotic alien races that evolved on Earth: the Angels, giant bats, and the Diggers, giant rats, both foreshadowed in dreams. The narrative shifts focus from the original generation to their children, as factions spread. Nafai and his Nafari live among the Angels, while the Elemaki associate with the Diggers. This dissociation breaks bonds between Nafai and his brother Elemak, whose rage and hatred grow, ingraining conflict into his family and the Diggers, laying war's foundation.
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