Highly detailed and emotionally charged look at the socio/political machinations of the people of Gelion as they try and come to terms with whether to officially recognize, or attempt to conquer, the Rire empire.

Erien is a child of both worlds.  His first seven years spent on the blood purity oligarchy of Gelion, then his more formative ones spent on the liberal, Rire.  The class conscious, Okal Rel (honour driven), sexually intolerant bloodlines vs. the logic driven, arbiter (computer) moderated, free minded types...he can relate to both.

But what happens when Erien finds out the truth of his heritage?  That the war he has come to the capitol to lobby against; the guardian (the Reetion ambassador) he has come to have released; the society he has come to detest: will depend on him more than his 17 years may be able to handle!

Authors Williams and Sinclair spin a densely textured, fascinating, well charactered study of humanity dealing in extreme situations.  This isn't space opera, it isn't "wonder" SF, it isn't action adventure.  This is serious human struggle, presented in an intelligent and adult fashion.  Entertaining and provocative!