Against the Stone Beasts

"Against the Stone Beasts" by James Blish is a captivating science fiction story that blends time travel, alien encounters, and a battle for survival against a strange, Earth-bound enemy. It tells the tale of Andreson, who finds himself transported to a future where winged humanoids called the Varese live in a world threatened by space-beasts that can pass through solid objects. Paired with Jina and Atel, Andreson gets caught up in the war against these entities. The story builds as the city faces the threat of destruction, pushing the characters to face questions of who they are, how they will survive, and the nature of the connection between different species. Throughout the highs and lows of the conflict, the book shows how fragile life is, how connected worlds are, and questions what it means to belong and be alive.