Kelvoo's Testimonial

A Kloormar's Autobiography - Surviving the aftermath of human first contact

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Pub Date 6 Apr 2022 | Archive Date 23 Jul 2022

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Description

The epic story of a human first contact mission and its lingering consequences, told from an extraterrestrial's perspective.

Before first contact, the hyper-intelligent kloormari had no exposure to human emotions and concepts such as love, hate, imagination, and gender.

With the arrival of a human expedition to Kuw’baal, the kloormari inhabitants welcomed, admired, respected and trusted all humans. This was especially true for Kelvoo, who befriended first-contact administrator Sam Buchanan and learned of the boundless universe beyond the clouded sky of Kuw’baal.

After the expedition departs, a new human visitor convinces Kelvoo and eight other kloormari to join a "goodwill mission" to faraway star systems. Once aboard Jezebel’s Fury, Kelvoo’s team is enslaved and forced to participate in an interstellar crime spree. Subject to extreme bigotry, gender bias, cruelty and mental trauma, the team must deal with their disturbing new emotions and use their limited comprehension of humans to survive captivity and attempt a daring escape.

Meanwhile back on Kuw’baal, the kloormari experience irreversible changes in the wake of colonization.

By examining humanity through Kelvoo’s autobiographical account, Kelvoo’s Testimonial provides a fresh and emotionally wrenching perspective on the best and worst of human nature.

Recipient of a coveted Kirkus starred review, Kelvoo’s Testimonial will appeal to readers who enjoy first-person sci-fi adventures like The Murderbot Diaries, along with thought-provoking examinations of humanity in novels such as Klara and the Sun.

"A simple but profound futuristic story of the painful effects of colonization." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The epic story of a human first contact mission and its lingering consequences, told from an extraterrestrial's perspective.

Before first contact, the hyper-intelligent kloormari had no exposure to...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781778102424
PRICE US$18.99 (USD)

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Average rating from 2 members


Featured Reviews

Kelvoos Testimonial

[Blubr goes here]

The premise for this book is absolutely enthralling. The account of an alien creature meeting humanity for the first time, and the aftermath that precedes the encounter. The first 20 to 30 per cent of the book is just a long preamble to better understand what's to come. Then things go horribly wrong for our friend's species. They clash with human nature, and there's no going back. This is when the book gets dark, and I do mean dark. Kelvoo and a group of his peers get tangle up with the worst humans have to offer. It's not their fault. The kloormari don't have use for lies, a concept they're not familiar with. Even when reading children's literature, they confuse fiction with reality, believing that animals on earth have the ability to speak.

Phil Bailey's descriptions alone, make the book a worthy read. Up to a point. He paints too long a picture. I like lengthy books, but mind you, only when the plot keeps on moving; when the pace is set and doesn't slow down. More than once his story comes to a screeching halt. Fillers here and there. Some of them needed, and some just plain stuffing.

Don't let that discourage you. IMHO, this is an adventure you don't want to miss.

Thank you for the free copy!

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Great book. 5 stars Great book. 5 star read for me as I was able to connect with the characters and it felt so real to me. The ending was hugely satisfying and I’m gonna recommend this to all of my friends. This is surely gonna be the book of the summer this year and definitely my top favourite of the year. Highly reccomended

Thanks to net galley for an arc for honest review

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Extra points for the vision and autobiographical format. Even the preface is "in world", written by a character in the book. Yes!

I do wish Kelvoo hadn't adapted his writings for humans so much, I wish they were more in his raw form. Even if we only got a few pages per chapter, that would have really blown my mind.

He did include some great lines though:

"I now knew that “Samuel Buchanan” meant “upper torso.”" 😂

Did not see that ending coming!

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