Novice

by James H. Schmitz

"Novice" by James H. Schmitz is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story centers around the character Telzey Amberdon, a 15-year-old law student with exceptional intellect and mental abilities. The narrative explores themes of telepathy, the nature of intelligence, and the relationship between humans and alien species as Telzey navigates challenges involving her peculiar pet, Tick-Tock, on the exotic planet of Jontarou. The plot follows Telzey as she grapples with mysterious occurrences surrounding her Aunt Halet and her enigmatic pet, which turns out to be a crest cat, a type of alien creature. As the story unfolds, Telzey discovers that the crest cats are not only intelligent but potentially vital to averting a crisis involving their extinction. Through remarkable mental communication, Telzey must confront the threats posed by those who wish to exploit these animals, including her scheming aunt. Ultimately, Telzey's combination of legal knowledge and newly acquired telepathic skills leads to a groundbreaking agreement between humans and the crest cats, ensuring the species' survival and opening doors to further understanding between species.