It is the future and the world has become over populated. Mankind lives in huge tower blocks that incorporate both residences and retail premises. Still there is insufficient water and oxygen to survive. The IGI-HFO (In God's Image ? Humans First and Only) followers believe that the only way for mankind to survive is for all animals to be destroyed.

Jewel Delis works as a volunteer in a small sanctuary and has become a key member of the Ark movement, a group dedicated to protecting animal-kind. She is offered the opportunity to journey to a new world, Moss, as a companion to her half-brother Paul. Officially her role is to assist Paul in deciphering the language of the Mossen, the apparently sentient inhabitants of Moss. However she has a hidden agenda. She intends to determine if Moss could become a new sanctuary for the animals of Earth.

Soon it becomes apparent that things are not quite as they seem. Planet Moss is no ordinary planet. It is a living entity and it has yet to decide if it really will accept these various other species living on its surface.

The Companions is the latest work from Sheri Tepper and it is one of her best. It is no secret that I am a long-time fan of Tepper's work but I would be the first to admit that there are some of her previous books that are much harder to read than others. The Companions is gloriously addictive. The characters and world are vivid and compelling. The interplay between the various factions (arkists, IGI-HFO etc) is beautifully written and totally convincing.

As with many of Tepper's books there is a clear underlying message to both the reader and the world at large. In this case it is that no one should promote their own existence to the detriment of others. Just because someone or something speaks (or, in the case of the Mossen smells) a different language doesn't make them any more or less significant.

The Companions will require a level of commitment from the reader. It is not a small book. Be prepared to invest a significant amount of your reading-time to this novel. Similarly it is not one of those books that you can "skim-read". Take time to read it properly, and fully digest its message. Yes, this may seem like a lot of effort but you will be rewarded with a superb story.

If you are new to the work of Sheri Tepper you may think this book is a little weighty to start with. Far from it. It has to be one of the most readable novels she has written in a very long time.

Superb!