6

I am trying to track down a sci-fi novel that I read many years ago. The story is about a world recently colonised by humans, but which has its own indigenous life forms. These comprise a semi-intelligent tree-like species, and a golden insect-like species who the humans discover are the source of a mineral which they value and harvest. The protagonist in the story discovers that the insects have a hive mind intelligence and the story is basically about the interaction of the protagonist with the insects and his fellow humans.

I realise that this is a fairly sketchy outline to base a search on, and my attempts at googling on this basis are the evidence of this, but I’m hoping that this may ring a bell with someone on the forum.

Improve this question
0

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4

Could it be the War for Eternity / Fenerille series by Christopher Rowley? That had semi-sentient trees, hive insects that produce a drug that extends human life. I don't think the hives were intelligent and there was another bear like alien species (Fein). There were 4 books in the series published between 1983 and 1993

Improve this answer
3

Could it be Semiosis by Sue Burke? I didn't read it myself but I took your question as a challenge for searching the web.

Edit After having posted the answer I noticed you said having read it "many years ago"; thus the answer wouldn't fit.

Improve this answer
4
  • I have read (and enjoyed) Semiosis, but it has no mention of golden insects.
    – John Rennie
    Commented Feb 3, 2021 at 8:30
  • 1
    How sure are you of the details? This sounds a lot like Richard McKenna's 'Hunter, Come Home'. Positives: It has a semi-intelligent trees, little thingeys that fly through the air, newly-arrived humans and a man who begins to comprehend the forest. Negatives: The humans plan to wipe out the forest and establish a game preserve.
    – Lee Eckhardt
    Commented Feb 3, 2021 at 19:55
  • Very sure about the insects, and the trees. Just read a synopsis of Hunter Come Home, thank you for your feedback but this is not what I am after, however I’m realising side-benefit of this discussion... new books to read, new authors😃
    – DeepSkyMan
    Commented Feb 3, 2021 at 22:48
  • I've only read a few of McKenna's SF stories, but 'The Sand Pebble's' is a great book.
    – Lee Eckhardt
    Commented Feb 4, 2021 at 5:15

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.