Author:Anne McCaffrey,Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
The miraculous and mysterious world of Petaybee was to be investigated. No-one - no-one outside Petaybee, that is - could believe that the planet was a living, breathing sentient entity, that every plant and animal was in symbiotic communication with the spirit of the Petaybean world. Matthew Luzon was one of the investigators, an arrogant, wily, manipulative man who didn't believe there was anything in the universe that couldn't be controlled by hard scientific methods. His plan was to crush Petaybee, strip it of its mineral assets, and subdue or destroy the inhabitants.
Major Yanaba Maddock - who had been sent to Petaybee to die, but who now understood its secretive curative powers - with the help of Sean Shongili, Clodagh, and all the gifted ones of Kilcoole, was determined to fight for their world.
It was a battle in which every human, every plant, and every secretive telepathic creature - most especially the famous orange felines of Petaybee - was to be put at risk. Luzon was determined to destroy them - whatever the cost.
Reveals many of Maugham's strengths: an understanding of women, meticulous craftsmanship and raw emotion'
—— Daily MailA work of art
—— SpectatorAn expert craftsman... His style is sharp, quick, subdued, casual
—— New York TimesA good book... extremely well done
—— GuardianA sharply observed slice of modern British life, cutting across race, class and generational divides to reveal the complexities we're constantly negotiating
—— MetroUrgent and enquiring
—— Lesley McDowell , Independent on SundayThere are some moving passages, notably his father's arresting deathbed monologue about the racism and brutality he endured in an unfairly hard life
—— Daniel Bolger , The Irish TimesPhillips subtly conveys a changing sense of attitude and perspective... It is a bleak message, brilliantly delivered
—— Herald