The John W. Campbell award-winning author of Virtual Girl offers an eyewitness account of "a complex alien ecology" (Washington Post Book World) in her stunning new novel. Amy Thomson captivated readers with her national bestselling debut, Virtual Girl. Her acclaimed thriller, The Color of Distance, was praised by Vonda N. McIntyre as "an energetic and entertaining first-contact novel." Now, Thomson has imagined a first-contact of a different sort-as two members of an alien species struggle for survival on a strange planet...called Earth. Praise for Amy Thompson: "A decidedly different point of view." -Science Fiction Chronicle "A 90"s sensibility, state-of-the-art technology, and a complexity of characterization reminiscent of Shelley." -Minneapolis Star Tribune "Entertaining and observant." -Locus