Forbidden Sanctuary

by Richard Bowker

Father Al Bernardi, S.J., has a problem. He gave sanctuary to the one man all the world wants to see—an alien from Numos.The aliens wanted him back because he alone can reveal the location of their homeworld and the secret of faster-than-light travel.The UN is all for giving him back to prevent a retaliatory alien attack.The world at large wants peace, at any cost.Father Bernardi merely wants to save a life… so he calls his friend at the Vatican.And all hell breaks loose!"Highly involving… combines a good mystery with the agonies of a well-meaning people." ~Library Journal"The pace and style of a top notch suspense thriller." ~Science Fiction Review"Thought-provoking…" ~Dragon Magazine"Spellbinding… The strengths of this book are many." ~KliattOTHER SCIENCE FICTION TITLES by Richard BowkerReplicaDover Beach (The Last P.I. Series, Book 1)The Distance Beacons (The Last P.I. Series, Book 2)OTHER TITLES by Richard BowkerSenatorSummitPontiffMarlborough StreetABOUT RICHARDCritically-acclaimed author Richard Bowker has published a variety of novels including science fiction, mysteries and thrillers. When he isn't writing, Richard enjoys offering thoughts on writing, reading and learning at www.richardbowker.com

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 12, 1982

Reviews

[Bon Skinner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well I read it to the end just to see if it would surprise me but no it didn't and ended as typical of the orthodox religious morality that it espoused and didn't even remotely challenge. Opportunity lost because the writing is ok but overall: Avoid.

[Evan Þ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An alien spaceship lands on Earth... and not only do the aliens have an ideologically-totalitarian society, but they're persecuting an underground religion very similar to Christianity. One alien from the undergound church, on the ship, tells all this (in secret) to a Christian human translator. She, knowing her superiors don't want to risk friendly relations, tells a priest... and the narrative adroitly switches between her, the priest, the Pope (to whom the news is quickly forwarded), and the President (when the situation quickly becomes more public.)

I loved the premise of the book, and I loved how all the characters are quickly drawn in very sympathetic terms as trying to do the right thing but unsure what it is or how to do it without instantly falling flat. The central dilemna is very well done. Unfortunately, the resolution rings somewhat flat and disappointing on the aliens' side. (And, it doesn't help that Bowker seems to have a much better grasp of psychology than technology.)

All in all, I still very much liked this book, and I think it's worth reading if you were drawn in by the premise. But, I can't help wishing someone would tell the premise on a larger scale in a longer book - and with a worthy resolution.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another vaguely-remembered sci-fi novel I read long ago. It involved aliens arriving on Earth and seeking to make first contact through a Catholic priest, which got the Catholic Church involved in negotiating with the aliens.

[NightAuditMan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A completely unremarkable book, the only saving grace I can give the author is that he uses a lot of natural pauses and varying points of view. I would also have liked to know what happened to the Aliens when they returned home.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.