''Destroyer of Worlds'' is a

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

novel by American writer Larry Niven and

Edward M. Lerner Edward M. Lerner (born 1949) is an American author of science fiction, techno-thrillers, and popular science. As of 2022 he has twenty-three published books: eleven solo novels (three in his InterstellarNet universe), six collections, five nov ...

, set in the Known Space series. It is a sequel to their previous novels, '' Fleet of Worlds'' and '' Juggler of Worlds''. It is set ten years after ''Juggler of Worlds'', drawing heavily from ''

Protector Protector(s) or The Protector(s) may refer to: Roles and titles * Protector (title), a title or part of various historical titles of heads of state and others in authority ** Lord Protector, a title that has been used in British constitutional la ...

'', but, like the rest of the series, can stand alone. The plot involves New Terra and the

Puppeteer A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object, called a puppet, to create the illusion that the puppet is alive. The puppet is often shaped like a human, animal, or legendary creature. The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from ...

s (and the Gw'oth) entering into conflict with a

Pak Protector Pak Breeders and Pak Protectors are two developmental stages of fictional life in Larry Niven's Known Space universe. The Pak first appeared in "The Adults", which appeared in ''Galaxy'' in 1967; this story was expanded into the novel ''Protector ...

fleet (though not the fleets featured in ''Protector''). It also resolves why

Alice Jordan This is a list of fictional characters featured in the ''Known Space'' novels by Larry Niven. Individual characters Sigmund Ausfaller Sigmund Ausfaller, a native of Earth, is a member of the Amalgamated Regional Militia ("ARM"), working in the B ...

's knowledge about the Pak never entered later novels, and restates the known timeline of the Home conversion to a planet of Protectors.

References

2009 American novels Known Space stories Collaborative novels Novels by Larry Niven 2009 science fiction novels American science fiction novels Tor Books books {{2000s-sf-novel-stub