On a dangerous planet, a crumbling alien civilization fights to stave off a final fall into barbarism. What's more, a human expedition has arrived to churn the mix even further. In a world where caste and mating are genetically determined, one rebel couple choose to pair bond and stay together. Their love will either determine a new pattern and way forward for their species -- or they may become the last of their kind. And now Indira Toledo, a human paleobiologist, must chose whether to introduce one of the oldest human cultural adaptations of all-war-to save a once high civilization from falling to ravaging barbarians.

About Eric Flint
"[P]olitically correct? C'mon! Great fun? Ah, yes."--Booklist

"...Inventive...smile-worthy..."--Kirkus Reviews

"The action is realistic, the people seem to live and breathe...Recommended."--Norm's Notes