Though the Elites were the ones who owned the Trees, the only living things that had been saved from the pollution of Earth, it was the Tree Singers who cared for the few trees still alive. Tree Singer Shay-non has been called to minister to the tree of Elite Sandor. But when she arrives, strategist Sandor uses Shay’s need for the natural elements to seduce her into a twenty-four hour contract of sex. However, there is a deeper reason for Sandor to seek out the Tree Singer than mere sex. Before the twenty-four hours are over, Shay and Sandor will come to an understanding that could literally change their world.

I was most intrigued by this story, which is mostly science fiction with erotica mixed in. The primary theme is of a class and religious conflict, but I was most struck by the handling of a particular sub-theme – that of sensation and feeling. The entire story concentrates on feelings, the physical sensations of the objects we touch and the emotional sensations of our interactions with other living things. It is this sub-theme that gives the author the scope to include incredibly sizzling love scenes, which are the most sensual and emotional that I have read in some time. Having enjoyed reading this story very much, I’m looking forward to reading Mima’s sequel(s) to this very interesting novella.

Reviewed by: Jean