I picked this up in the RDU airport used book store. (More airports should have used book stores!) The universe in which the story is set is one where Earth, exploring the stars, have yet to find intelligent life. They proceed with an ambitious terraforming and colonization project, to discover the Quill have taken over the terraformed planets and kill humans with ease. Uncertain how to fight the threat, Earth quarantines the rest of space. Settlers and spacers are stuck on crowded space stations, as the planets are certain death.

I enjoyed how Czerneda portrayed the culture that developed on one space station and how she recognized how the difference would lead to miscommunication between the Earth scientist and and the colonists. The strata of privilege on the space station and the competition of rank on the science vessel provide more than sufficient conflict to power such a powerful story. It seemed deftly handled and worthy of reflection.

The Quill were also fascinating, but i dare not write more than that without spoiling one discovery or another. On the other hand, the romance that developed was not quite as believable.

All in all, the perfect diversion during air travel.