Point of View

The novel alternates between the points-of-view of the two major characters, Christine and Joan. Christine provides the background, explaining the series of cataclysms that have affected Earth and Jean de Men's rise to power, and chronicling Joan's youth and discovery of her powers. Christine is also narrating the events unfolding on the CIEL space station, first Trinculo's arrest and trial, and later her theatrical production meant to free Trinculo and kill de Men. Christine's point-of-view is presented in first person, which allows the reader a better understanding of her thoughts and feelings, particularly her rage at de Men and her profound grief over the loss of Earth and sex and the physical body as it once was.

Christine also gives the reader Joan's history, which she knows in detail, even including transcripts from her treason trial. This allows the reader to understand Joan's past, but...