The Courtesan Prince 2nd Ed: Part 1: Okal Rel Saga

The first book of a ten novel series dramatizing culture conflict between extreme sub-races of mankind, The Courtesan Prince, introduces the setting of the Okal Rel Saga by Lynda Williams, the "obscure Canadian Tolkien". Adventure, romance and a sociological reason for space-age duelling carry the reader through complex social, linguistic and political themes including sexual politics among variants on natural humans and the role of politics and religion in sustainability in the face of planet-killing tech. In part 1, Ann's egalitarian world of Rire needs pilots but finds them unruly. Just wait until they meet the elitist, super-pilots of the Sevolite Empire. Sevolites norms are equally unsettled by the threat posed by "mere commoners" when long-separated branches of mankind reunite. For Reetion anthropologist Ranar, studying Sevolites is a dream come true. For Sevolite mastermind Di Mon, the reunion with the lost Alpha Colonists of Earth is a nightmare complication to his struggle to control his irresponsible ruler -- and will lead to a race to reclaim the lost heir to the empire.