Steve Rzasa has written some really enjoyable sci-fi. His newest, For Us Humans: A Tale of Human Occupation, is no exception. On a near-future Earth an alien race has made a protectorate of Earth. Our planet happened to be in a convenient place for a new warp tunnel (interstellar bypass? A little nod to Douglas Adams? Maybe so.) It's been 15 years, and life goes on. The aliens mostly leave humans alone, except for the conscription of soldiers to go to other planets to fight other aliens.
When the FBI recruits Caz Fortel to assist in the recovery of a stolen piece of priceless alien art, he's not too excited about his new partner, a Ghiqasu Hounder. This alien has a remarkable sense of smell, which is useful for tracking thieves, but he's a despised alien, which is a pain. Nevertheless, the promise of a big paycheck is enough for Caz to team up with the Ghiqasu.
As the investigation deepens, the two become friends and grow to appreciate each other's culture. The Ghiqasu is especially interested in Christianity. Churches have dwindled drastically since the appearance of the aliens but, as Caz learns, Christians might have more in common with the aliens than many people thought. Although it's a relatively minor subplot, Rzasa seems to have fun with the exploration of these religious ideas.
The major plot get more interesting and engaging as the story moves along. It starts out as a relatively simple investigation into a theft from a museum, but accelerates exponentially into a plot to save the Earth and galactic civilization from evil and destruction. All the while, Caz keeps his sense of humor and snarky attitude.
For Us Humans is for sci-fi readers who like stories with great action and plotting, imaginative aliens, and a lot of fun. It's fun and funny to read.
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