Book 1

Crossfire

by Nancy Kress

Published 22 February 2003
Crossfire is the story of a human colony started by Jake Holman, a man trying to escape a dark past. As this diverse group of thousands of people comes to terms with their new lives on a new world, they make a startling discovery: primitive humanoid aliens. There are only a handful of isolated villages, and as the colonists gather more information, the evidence seems to indicate that the aliens aren't native to the planet. When the humans finally learn the truth, they find themselves caught up in an interstellar war between two very different species of alien. In the end, a handful of humans, led by Jake, must choose sides. The fate of not just their own home, but all of humanity, hangs in the balance.

Book 2

Crucible

by Nancy Kress

Published 1 August 2004
Jake Holman, a man trying to escape a dark past, brought together a diverse group of thousands to settle on a new world. The humans found themselves caught in the crossfire of a galaxy-spanning war between two disparate species: aggressive, militaristic humanoids known as Furs, and passive, plant like creatures known as Vines. Having now cast their lot with the peaceful Vines, humanity faces all-out war against the technologically superior Furs. Their only hope? A virus designed by the Vines to remove all aggressiveness from the Furs. Can it spread fast enough to save not only Holman's colony, but the rest of humanity?