Brothers of Earth
Second published novel by C. J. Cherryh, set in Alliance-Union universe.
Brothers of Earth, a science fiction novel by American author C. J. Cherryh, was released in 1976. Although Cherryh had finished and submitted this manuscript first, it became her second published novel, following *Gate of Ivrel*. Editor Donald A. Wollheim of DAW Books chose to release *Gate of Ivrel* first for better commercial prospects, delaying *Brothers of Earth* until after that book came out. The novel first appeared as a DAW paperback in October 1976. In 2003, DAW reissued the book in an omnibus volume titled *At the Edge of Space*, which also included Cherryh’s 1977 novel *Hunter of Worlds*. Like *Gate of Ivrel* and its sequels, *Brothers of Earth* takes place in Cherryh’s Alliance-Union universe, though its events are far removed from and mostly unconnected to her later works in that timeline. The novel was a finalist for the 1977 Locus Award for Best First Novel.
The story follows Kurt Morgan, a crew member of the Alliance ship *Endymion*, which is destroyed during a battle with Hanan forces. After evacuating, Morgan crash-lands on an alien world inhabited by the Nemet race. Rescued by one Nemet faction, he becomes entangled in their political and military conflicts. Morgan is not the first human stranded on this planet; his encounter with an earlier female human castaway puts the entire Nemet race at risk when she reacts destructively and threatens to unleash weapons of mass destruction.
Quick Facts
- Author
- C. J. Cherryh
- Cover Artist
- D. K. Stone
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Publisher
- Nelson Doubleday
- Release Date
- June 1976
- Media Type
- Print (hardback & paperback)
- Isbn
- 0-88677-290-7
- Oclc
- 29659729
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Brothers of Earth is set in Cherryh's Alliance-Union universe, though the events are distant from and largely unrelated to her many subsequent works in that timeline. The protagonist is Kurt Morgan, a crewman on the Alliance ship Endymion, which was destroyed in a space battle with Hanan forces. Morgan evacuates the ship and lands on an alien planet, home of the Nemet race. He is rescued by one faction of the Nemet and becomes embroiled in their political and military struggles. Morgan is not the first human stranded on the planet; his encounters with a previous female human castaway endanger the entire Nemet race when she reacts badly and threatens to unleash weapons of mass destruction.
Reader's Guide
Brothers of Earth holds significance as the second published novel by C. J. Cherryh, a major figure in science fiction. Its publication history reflects editorial decisions: Donald A. Wollheim of DAW Books chose to release Gate of Ivrel first for commercial reasons, delaying Brothers of Earth. The novel was recognized by the 1977 Locus Award, ranking 10th for Best Novel. In 2003, DAW re-released the book in an omnibus edition titled At the Edge of Space, paired with Cherryh's 1977 novel Hunter of Worlds. Though set in the Alliance-Union universe, the novel stands apart from Cherryh's later works in that timeline, offering a self-contained story of cultural conflict and survival on an alien world.
Did You Know?
- Brothers of Earth was completed and submitted before Gate of Ivrel, but published second due to editorial decision.
- In 2003, DAW Books released an omnibus edition titled At the Edge of Space, combining Brothers of Earth with Hunter of Worlds.
- The protagonist Kurt Morgan is a crewman on the Alliance ship Endymion, destroyed in a space battle with Hanan forces.
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