Founding of the Commonwealth Series by Alan Dean Foster

In the years after first contact, humans and the intelligent insect like Thranx agree to a tentative sharing of ideas and cultures despite the ingrained repulsion they have yet to overcome. Thus, a slow, lengthy process of limited contact begins.Yet they never plan for a chance meeting between a misfit artist and a petty thief. Desvendapur is a talented Thranx poet who is bored with his life and needs new inspiration for his work... moreIn the years after first contact, humans and the intelligent insect like Thranx agree to a tentative sharing of ideas and cultures despite the ingrained repulsion they have yet to overcome. Thus, a slow, lengthy process of limited contact begins.Yet they never plan for a chance meeting between a misfit artist and a petty thief. Desvendapur is a talented Thranx poet who is bored with his life and needs new inspiration for his work. Venturing beyond the familiar, Desvendapur runs into Cheelo Montoya, a small-time criminal with big dreams of making a fast buck. Together they will embark upon a journey that will forever change their beliefs, their futures, and their worlds. less

Chosen by Science Fiction Chronicle as One of the Best Books of the Year Bestselling author Alan Dean Foster has written an exciting Humanx Commonwealth adventure that delves deeper into the fragile early years when humans made first contact in this unforgettable world . . . In the second half of the twenty-fourth century, diplomatic relations proceed cautiously between thranx and humans... moreChosen by Science Fiction Chronicle as One of the Best Books of the Year Bestselling author Alan Dean Foster has written an exciting Humanx Commonwealth adventure that delves deeper into the fragile early years when humans made first contact in this unforgettable world . . . In the second half of the twenty-fourth century, diplomatic relations proceed cautiously between thranx and humans. But the insectlike beings are nearly forgotten with the sudden discovery of an ideal planet to colonize–Argus V–and the startling appearance of a new race of space-faring aliens. People are dazzled by the beautiful, glamorous pitar. Then tragedy strikes.The entire human population on Argus V is brutally slaughtered. Not a single clue remains to identify the unseen executioners. But from a tiny inner moon of Argus V comes a faint signal. On that insignificant chunk of rubble lies the key to the crime–setting in motion a cataclysmic chain of events with deadly consequences for thranx, pitar, and human alike. For their worlds will be changed forever by a colossal battle that is their future and their destiny . . . less

In the climactic third novel of the Founding of the Commonwealth, bestselling author Alan Dean Foster continues the spectacular space adventure that traces the perilous early years of this remarkable universe. . . . From the beginning, contact between humankind and the thranx has been tenuous at best. Nearly a century after first contact, the likelihood of closer human/thranx relations is as far away as ever. Yet idealists on both sides refuse to surrender their dreams of achieving an alliance... moreIn the climactic third novel of the Founding of the Commonwealth, bestselling author Alan Dean Foster continues the spectacular space adventure that traces the perilous early years of this remarkable universe. . . . From the beginning, contact between humankind and the thranx has been tenuous at best. Nearly a century after first contact, the likelihood of closer human/thranx relations is as far away as ever. Yet idealists on both sides refuse to surrender their dreams of achieving an alliance. Among the most dedicated are a minor diplomat named Fanielle Anjou and her thranx counterpart. Others intend to make sure such a liaison never comes to pass . . . by any means necessary. For these xenophobes, the upcoming Humanx Inter-Cultural Fair, the first wholly cross-species event, is a hideous confirmation of their worst fears. Zealots on both sides vow it will be the last of its kind, no matter how many must die. In the coming conflagration Fanielle holds the key to triumph, but only if she can outwit those desperate to silence her forever. . . . less

Over 20 of bestselling author Alan Dean Foster's novels have been set in the Humanx Commonwealth, a far future alliance of planets and their colonies. Now,in this trilogy, Alan Dean Foster explores the early days of the alliance and the events that joined humans with their alien neighbors. PHYLOGENESIS -- In the years after first contact, humans and the intelligent insect-like Thranx agree to a tentative sharing of ideas and cultures, despite the mutual repulsion they have yet to overcome... moreOver 20 of bestselling author Alan Dean Foster's novels have been set in the Humanx Commonwealth, a far future alliance of planets and their colonies. Now,in this trilogy, Alan Dean Foster explores the early days of the alliance and the events that joined humans with their alien neighbors. PHYLOGENESIS -- In the years after first contact, humans and the intelligent insect-like Thranx agree to a tentative sharing of ideas and cultures, despite the mutual repulsion they have yet to overcome. Thus a slow, lengthy process of limited contact begins. Yet they never plan for a chance meeting between Desvendapur, a misfit Thranx poet bored with his life, and Cheelo Montoya, a small-time criminal with big dreams of making a fast buck. Together this odd pair embark upon a journey that will forever change their beliefs, their futures, and their worlds. DIRGE -- Takes place after First Contact, when the thranx and the citizens of Earth settle into an uneasy partnership. Both species have much to learn from one another, but the humans are slow to set aside their ingrained revulsion to the giant bugs. Further complications arise when a new humanoid alien species makes contact with Earth and inadvertently undermines thranx and human relations by stealing the media spotlight. DIUTURNITY'S DAWN -- From the beginning, contact between humankind and the thranx has been tenuous at best. After a century, the likelihood of closer humanthranx relations is as far away as ever. Both races find each other physically repulsive. Yet idealists on both sides refuse to surrender their dreams of achieving a thranxhuman alliance. Among the most dedicated are a minor diplomat named Fanielle Anjou and her thranx counterpart. Others intend to make sure such a liaison never comes to pass. Meanwhile, on a faraway planet, the duplicitous AAnn watch as archaeologists labor to discover what happened to an advanced human race that perished thousands of years ago. less