Dark Water's Embrace

stephen leigh

It has been a century since a small group of humans was marooned on a distant planet. Now their descendants struggle with rising infertility, infant mortality, and mysterious birth defects for which no cause--or cure--can be found. Reproduction has become essential, and those who cannot produce children are scorned. Anais, a brilliant female doctor born with inexplicable physical abnormalities, falls victim to this severe treatment. But then comes a startling revelation during an examination of a remarkably preserved corpse, a member of the planet's long extinct native race. With horror, Anais discovers that the ancient creature has deformities nearly identical to her own. There must be some link between the planet's past and the plight of the present-day humans, and Anais must find it before she is exiled forever--thwarting her society's last chance for survival. It has been a century since a small group of humans was marooned on a distant planet. Now their descendants struggle with rising infertility, infant mortality, and mysterious birth defects for which no cause--or cure--can be found. Reproduction has become essential, and those who cannot produce children are scorned. Anais, a brilliant female doctor born with inexplicable physical abnormalities, falls victim to this severe treatment. But then comes a startling revelation during an examination of a remarkably preserved corpse, a member of the planets long extinct native race. With horror, Anais discovers that the ancient creature has deformities nearly identical to her own. There must be some link between the planets past and the plight of the present-day humans, and Anais must find it before she is exiled forever--thwarting her societys last chance for survival.

Genres science fictionfictionlgbtlesbiangendertransgenderspeculative fictionadult

331 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1,1998

Series

Mictlan

Literary awards

gaylactic spectrum award, james tiptree jr. award,

This edition

Format: 331 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published: March 1, 1998 by Harper Voyager
ISBN: 9780380794782
ASIN: 0380794780
Language: English

About the author

stephen leigh

Stephen Leigh has been writing science fiction since he was in grade school. He sold his first story in 1975 and has been publishing regularly ever since then.

He has been nominated for and won several awards for his fiction over the years. He has written and published the occasional poems and non-fiction pieces, as well.

Steve teaches Creative Writing at Northern Kentucky University in the Greater Cincinnati area. He also plays music, and studies the Japanese martial art Aikido, in which he holds the rank of Sandan.

Stephen Leigh also writes as S.L. Farrell and Matthew Farrell.