Description:

From Publishers Weekly

Vance's rich lyrical style makes this follow-up to Araminta Station a pleasure to read. The planet Cadwal, established long before as a Conservancy--a natural preserve protected from settlement and development--is threatened by powerful factions that want to open its resources to exploitation. The threat becomes urgent when the Conservators learn that the ancient Charter guaranteeing Cadwal's status is missing and that anti-conservationists have already begun their search for it. Hoping to preempt them, two young Conservators, Glawen Clattuc and Wayness Tamm, decide to head for Old Earth. When Glawen is delayed on Cadwal, Wayness goes first, becoming a sort of country-hopping Nancy Drew as she follows the Charter's decades-cold trail around the globe. Glawen, meanwhile, armed with new information, pursues the Charter from another angle, and events carry the pair toward an exciting, climactic reunion. This intelligent, entertaining diversion is more detective story than science fiction: except for a startling lack of central government, Old Earth differs little from our day, serving as a mere backdrop for Wayness's Charter chase. But she and Glawen are likable protagonists engaged in colorful adventures. Not one of Vance's very best, but even minor Vance is provocative and fun.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- A story that has the broad appeal of Niven's Ringworld (Ballantine, 1985), Herbert's Dune (Berkeley, 1985), and Heinlein's best, with overtones of Indiana Jones. When humans first colonized The Gaian Reach,'' the rich planet Cadwal was established as a nature conservancy. Now, many generations later, some residents of one continent are attempting to throw the Conservators out of office and open the planet to settlement. When it is discovered that a crucial document is missing, the opposing factions embark on a treasure hunt that spans the known galaxy, to Old Earth and back out again. Contemporary concerns such as ecology, politics, individual behavior, gender, and language are all lively features of Vance's universe and crucial to the plot. One of the novel's most delightful aspects is a narrative structure in which a young couple pursue the quest independently, separated (temporarily) but equal. The heroine has a wry wit and intelligent self-possession. Because of this and many other rich characterizations, the book should appeal even to readers usually reluctant to try the genre. Although this is a sequel to Araminta Station (Tor, 1988), it stands on its own. An elegant 18-pagePrecursory'' presents the needed synopsis.
-Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.