Firstborn (novel)

Infobox Book
name = Firstborn
author = Stephen Baxter
Arthur C. Clarke


cover_artist = David Stevenson
country = U.S.A.
language = English
series = A Time Odyssey
genre = Science fiction
publisher = Del Rey
release_date = 26 December 2007
media_type = Print (Hardcover)
pages = 359 [ [http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345491572 Del Rey Online Catalog - hardcover edition] ]
isbn = ISBN 978-0-345-49157-2
preceded_by = Sunstorm (novel)

Infobox Book
name = Firstborn
author = Stephen Baxter
Arthur C. Clarke
language = English
series = A Time Odyssey
genre = Science fiction
publisher = Del Rey
release_date = (forthcoming)
28 October 2008
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 416 [ [http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345491589 Del Rey Online Catalog - paperback edition] ]
isbn = ISBN 978-0-345-49158-9
preceded_by = Sunstorm (novel)

"Firstborn" is a 2007 novel by Stephen Baxter and Arthur C. Clarke. It is the third and latest book in the "A Time Odyssey" series.

The series contains hints about the Firstborn, who, in the early days of the universe, developed as the first intelligent beings. The Firstborn have calculated that in order to survive until the Big Rip, the Universe has sufficient energy to support only a limited number of civilisations. They take it upon themselves to ensure that the number of civilisations does not exceed this limit, and humanity is now in their sights.

At the end of the novel mankind, alone or with other sentient allies (apart from AI), calls itself the Lastborn as they are at war with the Firstborn. They are losing.

Notes