To understand this book, it is necessary to know at least the summary of the first two books in the "Isis" trilogy. The first book in Monica Hughes's "Isis" trilogy,The Keeper of the Isis Light, was arguably her best work. It was both a love story and a poignant comment on prejudice. Hughes explored, in this light adventure romance, the nature of what it means to be human. The second book in the "Isis" trilogy, The Guardian of Isis, took the colony from its founding to agrarian success but technological ignorance under the rule of President Mark London.

Guardian and Olwen restored a less superstitious state of affairs, with young Jody's help, as the novel ends. In the second book, Mark's wilful imposition of ignorance was shown to be as wicked as malice.

In this third and final book of the "Isis" trilogy...