Rent Heart of Gold

Synopsis

Science fiction fans, don't be fooled by the cover suggesting a regency romance. Readers of Sharon Shinn's Archangel series will recall how she can craft an interesting, well-paced story that blends romance and science fiction.

In the world of Heart of Gold, two major races vie for dominance: the matriarchal indigo and the patriarchal gulden. For centuries they have lived separate lives, but times are changing. More young indigo men attend college before marrying, more young people are moving to the city and meeting others of different races, and strict Apartheid-type laws have been lifted. Kit is a high caste indigo woman who was raised in the gulden society by her eccentric, anthropologist father. Nolan is an indigo man who's been allowed to pursue advanced science studies and work at the esteemed Biolab for a few years. He's developed two drugs that have saved gulden lives from fatal diseases, although his accomplishments aren't appreciated by his family. Nolan, Kit, and their companions are dragged into a flash point political situation, complicated by Kit's love for a young gulden leader who may or may not be responsible for recent terrorist acts.

For romance readers, Heart of Gold may provide an introduction to science fiction elements such as social speculation, gender, and technological innovation. For science fiction readers, it provides a fast-moving tale that addresses topics relevant to our time: race, ethnicity, gender, discrimination, family ties, and that ubiquitous truth: 'The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.' --Bonnie Bouman

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