Speaker of the Shakk

In "Theophilus Merlan," a timid geologist's life takes a dramatic turn when he saves an alien boy on Yellowsand, leading him to acquire Shakk DNA and the unexpected role of the next Speaker for the Shakk people. As Merlan undergoes a transformation into an alien, he faces daunting challenges, including threats from the Xanteans and Merotox, who seek to conquer and enslave the Shakk. With the added complications of enmity from the Speaker’s grandson and his evolving relationships with an alien child and the mission’s navigator, Merlan must summon all his courage and ingenuity to save his new community, even as he questions the possibility of his own happiness.