A first "person" narrative by a reptilian alien, awoken from hibernation to lead an assault against a number of insectoid enemy species. Set a million years ago, humans haven't evolved yet, not that it matters as we're in a different part of the galaxy, anyway. Aspirin does a great job of imagining the non-human life and perceptions of his alien protagonist.
The copy I had (I no longer own it) had this great Rodney Matthews cover art.