Renata Ghali believed in Lee Suh-Mi's vision of a world far beyond Earth, calling to humanity. A planet promising to reveal the truth about our place in the cosmos, untainted by overpopulation, pollution, and war. Ren believed in that vision enough to give up everything to follow Suh-Mi into the unknown.
More than twenty-two years have passed since Ren and the rest of the faithful braved the starry abyss and established a colony at the base of an enigmatic alien structure where Suh-Mi has since resided, alone. All that time, Ren has worked hard as the colony's 3-D printer engineer, creating the tools necessary for human survival in an alien environment, and harboring a devastating secret.
Ren continues to perpetuate the lie forming the foundation of the colony for the good of her fellow colonists, despite the personal cost. Then a stranger appears, far too young to have been part of the first planetfall, a man who bears a remarkable resemblance to Suh-Mi.
The truth Ren has concealed since planetfall can no longer be hidden. And its revelation might tear the colony apart . . .
Praise for Emma Newman and her novels
'Emma Newman has built a modern fantasy world with such élan and authority her ideas of why and how the seemingly irrational world of Fairy works should be stolen by every other writer in the field. Her characters are complex and troubled, courageous at times and foolhardy. This book of wonders is first rate.' Bill Willingham, Eisner Award winner, and creator of Fables
'With a feather-light touch, Emma Newman has crafted a very English fantasy, one brilliantly realized and quite delightful, weaving magic, mystery and parallel worlds together with ease. Newman may well be one of our brightest stars.' Adam Christopher, author of The Age Atomic
'J.K. Rowling meets Georgette Heyer.' The Guardian
'The plot is pure candy. I went right out and got the second book.' Locus
'Enchanting.' Paul Weimer, SF Signal
