Hearne (the Iron Druid Chronicles) pits a group of scientists against their alien abductors in a riotous quest to save humankind from becoming lunch. Physicist Clint Beecham is abducted from Rocky Mountain National Park by aliens, and they give him a shirt declaring he is not to be eaten and promise not to probe him. Light horror elements punctuate the darkly humorous narrative as Clint discovers there are 50,000 more humans aboard the Mishawan scout ship, all destined for processing in the on-board abattoir to provide food for the aliens' long journey homeward. Worse still, the Mishawans plan on colonizing Earth and treating humanity as their livestock. Clint and the small group of Reserves-humans with scientific degrees that the aliens are keeping alive for a special, unknown purpose-are atypical candidates to save the world, armed with only their smarts against their abductors' superior physical prowess. The high stakes action leads to a satisfying if mild conclusion. Hearne offsets the dire threat to humanity with dark humor and pointed social commentary as cooperation and self-sacrifice win the day. Hearne's gripping, resonant alien abduction romp is both fun and thought-provoking.

(Jan.) -Publishers Weekly.