AustLit

'The first native Goldiloxian Humans are approaching their 16th birthdays, and will be eligible to vote in the next election. Leonora and Wangzi are surprised when their son, Kabil, announces his intention not only to vote but to stand as a candidate.

'People have found ways to get along in the domed city Xinjia. They venture outside, but only in spacesuits. There are long-term hopes of adapting the Human genome to allow survival in the thin Goldiloxian atmosphere, or geo-engineering the planet, but the Earth-born migrants are less ambitious than their children.

'Through Human ingenuity the Squidgies are 'upsiding' from their subterranean home and gaining sight and mobility. They find places in the Human economy and social life. They even find a way into the hearts of Human females.

'But some of the younger Humans are uncomfortable with Squidgy intrusion into the upside world and look for ways to achieve Human dominance of Goldilox. Some young Humans display a near-religious belief in Human supremacy. How far will they go to assert it? How far will the Speeks go to restore harmony?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.