This book makes good reading and is good for the mind. It shows that no matter how advanced and openminded your society is, there's always room for prejudice and discrimination. It also shows how discrimination survives, by hiding as a natural rule of law and morality that all should follow.

I tried to get into it but found myself drifting away. Two stars for the interesting concepts in the first chapter and the smooth blending of fantasy and sci-fi elements. Not a terrible book--- just not good.

I'm a sucker for gothic novels, and among them, Ann Radcliffe is queen, in my mind. If you love gothic novels she's definitely worth checking out.