The imperious Winter colonists have ruled the planet Tiamat for 150 years, deriving wealth from the slaughter of the sea mers. But soon the galactic stargate will close, isolating Tiamat, and the 150-year reign of the Summer primitives will begin. Their only chance at surviving the change is if Arienrhod, the ageless, corrupt Snow Queen, can destroy destiny with an act of genocide. Arienrhod is not without competition as Moon, a young Summer-tribe sibyl, and the nemesis of the Snow Queen, battles to break a conspiracy that spans space. Interstellar politics, a millennia-long secret conspiracy, and a civilization whose hidden machineries might still control the fate of worlds all form the background to this spectacular hard science fiction novel from Joan D. Vinge.
- ISBN10 0445205296
- ISBN13 9780445205291
- Publish Date 1 September 1989 (first published 1 January 1980)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 14 June 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Warner Books (NY)
- Format Paperback (US Mass Market)
- Pages 469
- Language English