City of Pearl

Officer Shan Frankland was on the verge of retirement when the government asked her to accept a 150 year mission…

Frankland is charged with heading a search and rescue mission to Cavanaugh’s Star, where a small group of fundamentalist colonists have established themselves. With part of her assignment suppressed in her own mind, a payload of civilian researchers, and three additional sentient races with their own precarious political balance, matters could become disastrous for everyone. This is a powerful character driven story that sets its cast in a very complex situation. Traviss subtly broaches a number of issues, including environmental responsibility, corporate responsibility, the relationship between corporations and government, not to mention first contact, religion and war in a book exploring morals and human values. Nominee for the Locus Award for Best First Novel, Philip K. Dick and the John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. This is the first book of Traviss’ Wess'Har Series.