Sci-Fi novel about ancient alien species

**Green Gogol** · March 27th, 2013, 06:17 AM

Hello! First post on the board!

I am looking for novels that have ancient aliens species that were really advanced but disappeared as a subject. Something similar to Frederick Pohl's Gateway, Lucasarts' The Dig, Clarke's Rendez-Vous with Rama, Greg Bear's Eon. Mostly it's about humans encountering strange artifacts and advanced technology, and trying to understand it.

I am currently reading Alastair Reynold's Revelation Space, which has been suggested to me following the same request on another forum. So far it's ok, but I'm not too excited. I will keep reading, hoping it will get better.

Thanks

**krisbslick** · March 27th, 2013, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Green Gogol

Hello! First post on the board!

I am looking for novels that have ancient aliens species that were really advanced but disappeared as a subject. Something similar to Frederick Pohl's Gateway, Lucasarts' The Dig, Clarke's Rendez-Vous with Rama, Greg Bear's Eon. Mostly it's about humans encountering strange artifacts and advanced technology, and trying to understand it.

I am currently reading Alastair Reynold's Revelation Space, which has been suggested to me following the same request on another forum. So far it's ok, but I'm not too excited. I will keep reading, hoping it will get better.

Thanks

Hi Green Gogol!! and welcome to the boards!

Jack McDevitt's Academy Series seems to fit the bill...especially the first book: Engines of God. You can probably get it used very cheap.

I felt the same way at first with Revelation Space but then got into it and finished the whole series...Chasm City was my favorite (even though it sits somewhat outside the main plot progression)\

happy reading!

**mylinar** · March 27th, 2013, 08:47 AM

Here is an old book. 'Across a Billion Years' by Robert Silverberg.

**Mostlyharmless** · March 27th, 2013, 10:27 AM

The Evergence Trilogy by Sean Williams and Shane Dix features an extinct species and a few “artifacts” that they left behind.

Another older cheerful story might be John Brunner's “Total Eclipse”.

**Chuffalump** · March 27th, 2013, 02:31 PM

They may be a bit YA but I always liked Andre Norton's books involving the Forerunners.

**slaven41** · March 27th, 2013, 03:07 PM

Ringworld, by Larry Niven.

Also, there's a series by John Varley starting with Titan, I think. I've only read the first one, though. I wasn't that impressed with it, but that could just be me.

--Dave.