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Tree Tops by Cammy May Hunnicutt

We're people. And we're little... but we're not your little people. 

Tree Tops screen capture

They descended from the trees . . .  But fell short of the stars

They plummeted to Earth trailing flames and screams.  And emerged from the ruins of their ship to find a world finer and greener than the deepest, oldest dreams of their race’s life aloft . . . but had no idea it was inhabited.  And no preparation for the fact that the biggest among them doesn’t stand as tall as the knee of a human child.

As they learn about the giants who built and discarded the humble artifacts they’ve been using to survive, they also meet—with mixed results—other furred creatures of the planet where they’re stranded.  And as they build a new civilization out of our old shoes and bottlecaps, their society breaks apart and fractures, leading them to realize they are not pioneers, but exiles.  Or are they pilgrims who have found a new home that suits their most ancient myths?

They learn more of their past and possible future as they flee the first snowstorm they’ve ever seen to take shelter with the only human they’ve contacted: a five year old girl who may be an exile and pilgrim herself and needs them as much as they need her.


A serialized novel, updating weekly

Note: Tree Tops contains some graphic violence.

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Listed: Sep 29, 2009

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Furry, but not fuzzy

Member: Team2012
October 10, 2009

We only read this as a favor to Cammy.  And if you’ve seen her (probably retouched) author photo you can see why. Because generally when you hear a story is "furry", it means gay sex and a bunch of stories supposed to be original because in this one the wizards or warriors or whatever look like animals. And talking animals with kids???? Give a break.

BUT . . . 

Repeat:  BUT . . .  this one ain’t like that.  It’s more like Survivor Island meets Meercat Manor.  ET’s crashland on Earth, unaware the place is inhabited and certainly not by creatures six times taller than they are.  An interesting collection of personalities, even the old codger who is narrating the tale.  It’s a dry, scholarly recounting except it has humor and heart.

We got a kick out of all the characters’ names being keyboard characters.  Apparently they were given those names by people studying them.  So you have these little fuzzies named Quote (the narrator, duh)  and Asterisk and At and Greater Than.  Sounds hoky, maybe, but it works . . . and beats the hell out of all these characters you see called X’uac and Elisinandanor and such.

Twenty chapters in you can see where things are going: internal conflicts, possible conspiracy or sabotage behind them even being there, and edging into more human artifacts (which they don’t understand and use in funny ways).

It’s unusual,  kind of like Watership Down with Ewoks instead of rabbits, but relaxing fun to read.

Okay, Cammy, there’s your review.  Now are you going to come over to the house for our poker night, or not?

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