Louise Marley is a good writer and I liked that this book was very character driven, while still managing to have some good world building. But I couldn't actually enjoy it because the overall theme of the book was white Catholic missionaries saving primitive Africans* from their evil superstitions while claiming the natural resources of their world for themselves. So gross.
* = Literally, the people of the planet are African and primitive. The original colonists came from Mali and in spite of every other colony that's mentioned being technologically advanced, these people live in grass huts and use tools made only from wood and stone.
This was a fascinating and engaging book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The introduction and growth of Oa was fascinating to follow along with, and the character of Isabel is wonderful. The moral issues presented are nicely interwoven with the plot, never overshadowing it but always there, in the background, where you can't ignore them. All it all, it is a beautifully crafted story!
