
For these hundred centuries, women of wisdom and strength have mastered the sunstones to bring warmth and wealth to their people. But while the Brakrathi tended their stonehalls and valleys, others have traversed the spaces between the stars with less gentle motives. Like the arrogant Arnimi, who study and measure everything but understand nothing of the human soul. Or the Benderzic, who ruthlessly harvest information from their army of child informants and auction to the highest bidder. Until the coming of Darkchild. Until the end of the beginning of things.
The arrival of a mysterious entity known as Darkchild threatens to disrupt the delicate balance of power maintained by the sunstone-wielding women of the Brakrathi.
Protagonists must navigate a complex interstellar landscape where the Brakrathi attempt to preserve their traditional way of life against the encroaching influence of technologically advanced, cold-hearted alien factions. The narrative explores the tension between ancient, earth-bound wisdom and the detached, analytical observation of the Arnimi and the exploitative practices of the Benderzic. The story unfolds through a multi-layered perspective that examines the intersection of human potential and cosmic manipulation. The world is defined by the physical constraints of the sunstones and the vast, often hostile, reach of space-faring civilizations.
Readers frequently highlight the imaginative scope of the world-building, noting how the author balances the mystical elements of the sunstones with the harsh realities of space-faring empires. Discussion often centers on the unique portrayal of the alien factions, particularly the contrast between the detached Arnimi and the predatory Benderzic. Critics often point to the pacing as deliberate, focusing heavily on the philosophical implications of the central conflict rather than rapid-fire action sequences. Many readers appreciate the focus on the internal development of the characters as they confront the arrival of the enigmatic Darkchild. The narrative is often cited for its distinct atmosphere, which blends elements of traditional fantasy with classic science fiction tropes.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
1984-04-26
Publisher:
Penguin
ISBN-10:
0140068643
ISBN-13:
9780140068641
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