Heart of Gold: A Novel - Softcover

Shinn, Sharon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0441006914 ISBN 13: 9780441006915

Publisher: Ace Trade, 2000

Synopsis

On a planet torn apart by class and economic divisions and feuding factions, Nolan, a rational scientist of the privileged class, and Katrini, a born rebel, are drawn together in a forbidden love that could change their world forever. By the author of The Shape-Changer's Wife. Original.

About this title

Review:

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

About the Author:

Sharon Shinn is a journalist who works for a trade magazine. Her first novel, The Shapechanger's Wife, was selected by  Locus as the best first fantasy novel of 1995. She has won the William C. Crawford Award for Outstanding New Fantasy Writer, and was twice nominated for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has lived in the Midwest most of her life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ace Trade
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0441006914
• ISBN 13: 9780441006915
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 359