BLUEHEART
Alison Sinclair
Harper 1998
PB 536pgs
ISBN# 0-06-105820-3

Human adaptation/enhancement is not an uncommon occurrence amongst the settled planets: mankind's adopted homes away from Earth have placed specific demands upon our physiology.  Nowhere though is this more evident or controversial (for there are many who believe man should not alter God's design of His creation) than on Blueheart: the majestic sea-covered world.  Here, adaptation has been the norm for the progeny of the original settlers (Pastorals), as they live their lives in close intimacy with the planet. 

The Adaptive Oversight Committee (AOC) regulates the nature of the adaptations allowed the Pastorals.  But as the Pastorals eschew living in the larger raft settlements in favour of their own remote family based settlements, the AOC and the other committees are peopled by Primaries: those who have not undergone adaptation or gone "native".  Because of this duality of community, the two "peoples" of Blueheart foster ignorance and distrust of each other, and as the question of the potential terraforming the sea-world is of great pertinence for both groups, it is natural that tensions should mount.

Rache of Scole is a Pastoral adaptive who has attempted to bridge the gap between the two peoples.  As Administrator of Ringsol 6, an underwater research station, Rache has risen well within "Survey" and has earned the respect of many.  But the Pastoral community only sees his "defection" to the other side and treats him as a pariah.  So where will Rache's loyalties fall when an Adaptive plot to affect the vote on terraforming is revealed?  Especially when the plot involves illegal adaptations?

Author Sinclair meticulously world-builds a dynamic and fascinating society.  She then populates it with interesting and realistic characters and tosses it all together, stirring with an intelligent and moving storyline.  All told, a very good, humanistic SF drama.