''Threshold'' 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 uni ...

novel by American writer David R. Palmer, published by

Bantam Spectra Bantam Spectra is the science fiction division of American publishing company Bantam Books, which is owned by Random House. According to their website, Spectra publishes "science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative novels from recogniza ...

in December 1985. It was his second book published, following '' Emergence'', and was intended to be the first book of the ''To Halt Armageddon'' trilogy.

Plot introduction

''Threshold'' is a space opera novel, involving interstellar intrigue, mysteriously alluring

space alien Extraterrestrial life, colloquially referred to as alien life, is life that may occur outside Earth and which did not originate on Earth. No extraterrestrial life has yet been conclusively detected, although efforts are underway. Such life might ...

s, and a hero who is larger than life. Its protagonist, the penultimate issue of millennia long alien breeding program: Peter Cory, billionaire, hard driving adventurer, and unrequited rescuer of damsels. (Due to a "clerical" error in the program, his future wife was born late and is now only a child, but there is no time to wait.) One of the aliens, a "''wWyh'j''" (witch) named Megonthalyä (Meg) and her obese feline familiar (Memphus) come to Earth to enlist Peter's help.

Plot summary

Due to what they call a "racial mental block" a quasi-immortal race called the Isi are unable to prevent a galactic catastrophe. The Isi think humanity (specifically Peter) will help them overcome this hurdle, hence the book's opening line "Peter, we are losing Armageddon..." Unless he joins forces with them "... the galaxy is doomed...!" While Peter is understandably skeptical, the talking cat, as well as a crash course in telepathy, rapidly convince him of Meg's sincerity. Soon he is using his uniquely human perspective to unveil new applications of ancient Isi mental powers, and develops some startling new abilities. Armed with complete control of his cellular structure (which allows for slow but complete cellular metamorphosis), and a "''gnNäáq''" (knack) which allows the mental manipulation of electrical energy, Peter and Meg travel to Meg's home planet of Isis where he will be taught the "''mMj'q''" (Magic) necessary to help save the galaxy from its impending destruction.

Publishing history

''Threshold'' was first published in 1985 and reprinted in 1987 by

. After being out of print for approximately two decades, Palmer made arrangements with Eric Flint's Ring of Fire Press in 2018 to have his works reprinted ().

Literary significance and criticism

Touted as the first book in a trilogy, subsequent novels have yet to be published, although the author has made it clear that the second book is indeed written. In 1990, Palmer pointed out that when his personal finances permitted taking time to survive off of slim publisher advances, he would return to writing. A reviewer for ''

Amazing Stories ''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearances ...

'' wrote in 2013 that the book is "easy to read, and has a fair smattering of clever repartee and wit."

Sequel

Although written twenty years earlier, ''Spēcial Education'' (), the long waited for sequel to ''Threshold,'' was finally released in September 2019 through Eric Flint's Ring of Fire Press.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Threshold (Novel) 1985 American novels American science fiction novels Bantam Spectra books