Dreamsnake

Dreamsnake is the first read completed for this year's women of sci-fi challenge. So happy to have enjoyed it thoroughly. I was worried when it started out, that it might be more romantic fantasy than sci-fi. However, the subtle references to settings and situations gradually and effectively built the mysterious and imaginative sci-fi elements. Since this happened as the storyline developed, the author kept me wondering throughout what I would learn next - how did the collapse & nuclear war come about? What role had the aliens played and were they continuing to hold??!! I especially enjoyed that not all questions were answered directly and that some never were! I also loved the slight tweaking of sexual relations the author created, then gradually and humorously revealed. Some readers might be put off by one aspect of the conclusion that was rather predictable, and there were moments when the main character took a little too long figure out something. Still the thoughtful and provocative integration of ancient culture with some surprising advanced science made this a great read! I know that I will be checking out more by this author.