Having had bad results from the previous human incursions into alien worlds (described in this series), the worlds contacted turning from beautiful paradises where the natives lived in harmony with their environment taking just enough to live without harming their world, to ravaged planets dependent upon imports of food), Susan Beddowes and Arthur Cartwright are determined that they are not going to ruin the planet Faligor.

So they adopt a softly, softly approach to contact, respecting the wishes and customs of the native race without destroying their culture and their world. Susan Beddowes contacts Disanko, the leader of the Enkoti tribe (the largest tribe on Faligor). She negotiates with the Enkoti fairly offering advances in technology, health care etc for food exports.

And so within a few short years Faligor has become one of the richest and most advanced worlds in is part of the galaxy. However, when the pro-human ruler is defeated in the world's first election things take a turn for the worse, and it's only the beginning of a downwards slide.

This is the third of Resnick's trilogy of sf books replaying the effects of European involvement in Africa and the negative effects European influence had on the tribes of Africa. And it's obvious in each an every one that Resnick is passionate about Africa. There is a deep feeling of regret in these tales.

But although these are about doom and gloom at heart, these are extremely readable stories. Resnick has written this in such a way that it's impossible not to sympathise with the natives of Faligor, and in some respect with the humans that tries their best not to allow the disasters of other worlds happen to Faligor.

Mike Resnick's writing is so comfortable, there is little work needed to absorb his tales, and no overly flowery prose to delay his plots. I like books like this, I want to read a story, not be fascinated at an author's metaphors, which although deeply moving obscure the story. This, however is a slight change from Resnick's more usual style. Normally a Resnick tale is a rollicking adventure with larger than life characters inhabiting a semi-lawless realm on the frontier worlds of the Empire. This however is different. The action such as it is happens entirely within the Empire structure. All the humans involved are Empire officials, with no legendary larger-than-life figures to be found anywhere.

It's more sober than most Resnick, but works well for it. A fitting end to a fine trilogy.