By the author of Manhattan Transfer, Redshift Rendezvous, and Naught for Hire Star Storm is sent to a remote planet, to show massive force and keep a maverick government in line. Unfortunately, the ship attacks the wrong planet, one equipped with surprisingly powerful weaponry. Star Storm is destroyed, and the only survivors are Medical Officer Nick Sparrow and his AI, Natalie. When Nick reaches the planetary surface in an escape pod, he's the alien invader. Nick struggles to survive, managing to befriend two dog-like aliens who run afoul of their own government. Nick could sure use some help, but none arrives. People at home hope Nick will never be heard from again. But they don't know Nick. "I am extremely happy to see that John Stith's career is experiencing something like a renaissance. ... I am even happier to report that his newest novel lives up to his old standards, with no diminishment of sense of wonder, suspense, or thrills.... "Stith is a master of dialogue and banter and humor.... Zippy dialogue propels much of the story with easy flow. His evocation of ancient mysteries reminds me of the thrills I got as a youngster reading Andre Norton's Galactic Derelict. The First Contact angle is on a par with and reminiscent of Vernor Vinge's limning of the Tines in The Children of the Sky . And it would take an Eric Frank Russell to match Stith's antagonism against bureaucracies. "From time to time in my reviews, I have tried to adumbrate a class of writers who deliver straight-up SF adventure that nods to postmodernism and current cultural expressions while still retaining the best of the classic ways. I think this group has its origins in writers like Keith Laumer and James Schmitz, and its recent expounders in William Barton and John Barnes. "We can certainly add John Stith to this illustrious rollcall." -- LOCUS Magazine (Paul Di Filippo) " Disavowed tells the story of an intelligent and resourceful man trying to survive against almost impossible odds. Marooned on an alien, high-gravity planet, Nick Sparrow has to call upon all his courage, ingenuity, and quick-thinking not only to elude aliens trying to kill him for a mistake others made but to find justice in a desperate situation in which death seems to be the most likely outcome. This is a tale of betrayal, daring, great escapes, and friendship between sentient beings of all kinds (and of those that might or might not be either sentient or beings at all.) Real science informs every page of this book. With Disavowed , classic science fiction for a new generation has found a great voice in John E. Stith." -- David Zindell, author of Neverness "A dark, forceful opening yields to a lighter, fun-filled SF escapade.... "a lively, engaging space jaunt with elements of justice and payback in the end." -- Kirkus Reviews "A marooned ship's surgeon. A planet full of talking dogs whose masters have gone extinct. A military coverup, and a population bent on revenge. What could go wrong? John E. Stith serves up a lighthearted tale of intrigue and adventure on the high frontier! " -- Wil McCarthy, former SyFy columnist and author of the Q ueendom of Sol trilogy "A solid adventure by Stith, who combines hard-SF elements with a strong cast of characters and well-plotted action scenes. Definitely recommended. " -- Asimov's SF (Peter Heck)