Heart of Gold: A Novel
Science fiction fans, don't be fooled by the cover suggesting a regency  romance. Readers of Sharon Shinn'sArchangelseries will recall  how she can craft an interesting, well-paced story that blends romance and  science fiction.In the world ofHeart 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 Goldmay 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