by David Brin
First published 1996
Maia and her sister Leie have reached the crucial age on Stratos. The world their female ancestors built operates under matriarchal clan rule, but now the sisters must venture beyond familiar territory. They face the challenge of proving their worth and establishing their futures. The vast oceans beckon, traveled by boats controlled by enigmatic men whose ways remain largely hidden from the female-dominated society. Maia and Leie must navigate not only these waters but also the complex social structures that govern their planet. Their journey will test the abilities they have developed and force them to discover strengths they never knew they possessed. The sisters stand at the threshold between adolescence and adulthood, between the security of home and the uncertainty of independence. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of a unique civilization where gender roles have been reimagined and traditional power structures turned upside down.
Genres: science-fiction, coming-of-age, fantasy, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: Stratos
600 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Orbit